The mayor has a proclamation.

We'd like to present it now.

Thank you.

Please let us have silence so the mayor can uh do the proclamation.

Thank you.

All right, thank you.

If y'all can remember last uh September, we had Ronnie Lamarck up here and uh presenting him a proclamation.

Uh September is hunger action month.

So I'm kind of paraphrase this with some of our partners here from Walmart.

Whereas, while the Kenner Food Bank and their local partners annually provide more than two hundred and ninety-two thousand meals to over one thousand residents of the City of Kenner, it is our responsibility as citizens of the City of Kenneth to learn about hunger and to do our part in reducing that hunger.

And whereas the City of Kenner collaborates with Feeding America, Second Harvest Food Bank of New Orleans, and Acadiana, and the Louisiana Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and the American Heart Association to educate people about the important role of hunger relief organizations raising awareness for the need to devote more resources and attention to hunger and food insecurity issues.

And whereas volunteers and member agencies like Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana understand that the need for comprehensive coordinated emergency food programs place a critical responsibility, not only upon the city, but on our community as a whole.

Whereas this September, the City of Canada joins communities across America that are committed to fight hunger during Hunger Action Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness of hunger in America and finding solutions within our communities.

Thank you again.

Thank you for everything.

Council meeting will begin in one minute.

I like to call the meeting of September nineteenth, twenty twenty-five to order.

Are there any special intentions?

Yes.

Councilman Sworth.

Thank you, Council President.

Um I'm sorry, last meeting I left kind of abruptly.

I got a text message from my wife that she was blind in one eye, which has happened because it was she was blind in the other eye two weeks prior.

Seems like the medicine she's on, um and the disease that she has.

But I can glad to say and happy that she is well.

And thank you, Councilman Branaghen for that special oil.

And um her vision is back to normal.

Thank you.

Excellent.

Uh good to hear.

Um Councilwoman Dawn, if you'll lead us in prayer.

Thank you, Council President.

May we all bow our heads in prayer.

Father, in the name of Jesus.

In the mighty name of Jesus.

Lord, I pray for the mayor in his administration.

I pray for the police chief Connolly in his administration, for the fire chief Terrence and Morris in his administration.

I pray, dear God, for the city of Kenner as a whole.

I ask that you would continue to bless the residents to be with us.

And dear God, as we get into the business of the city of Kenner, we're asking that you would give us wisdom, knowledge, and understanding that we may move this city forward in the right directions.

In Jesus' name we pray.

Amen.

Please remain standing.

Council Councilman Brennan, if you'd lead us in the pledge.

Yes, sir.

Pledge relations.

Madam Clerk.

Yes, sir.

Um you have a quorum.

In accordance with council resolution number B 14550.

Please be advised that all cellular telephones and other devices of this nature must be deactivated or silenced throughout the council meeting.

Next we have correspondence reports from the mayor, CAO, or department heads.

Thank you.

Some tax information, because it's been asked that we do it every two months now.

Can you continue to do it?

Citywide sales tax revenues received in September will up by 14.38%, which is $520,482.33 cents compared to the same time next year.

For the current fiscal year, we're we're down.11%, which is $13,146 and 70 cents compared to this time last year.

So sales taxes are pretty much trending what they were last year.

And brief comments about uh since the news hit with Jefferson Parish going to a uh their CRS, a community rating system going to a three, saving a uh even more money for people with their flood insurances.

Uh the seat of Kenner, this this program started in 1990.

The city of Kenner and Jefferson Parish uh joined it in 1992.

Our last rating was at the end of 2022, which we're working under a six now.

We had the letter was received January 12th of 2025.

Uh 2023, excuse me, uh, indicating that Kenner is a class six.

Uh this month should have been our three-year cycled visit, but FEMA notified us that our visit will now be in January of 2026.

So they'll be coming back to review our stuff and issue another rating.

Uh we've uh the city in all administrations of this a voluntary program to try to save residents' money on their their uh flood insurance.

Uh we're we get maximum points in some areas, we're above average in almost every every area.

The two places that we we lose some points is open space in uh preservation, like they want green space, they want runoff can absorb uh rainwater and storm water and higher building codes.

Higher building codes is uh I guess it's a double-edged sword.

You if we increase our building codes, you may save a couple dollars on flood insurance, but it'll cost you a lot more in construction because you if you when you build things uh to withstand a lot more wind and storm and flood waters and all that kind of stuff, it's gonna go up.

So that's kind of the juggling act that all of these uh municipalities and parishes are dealing with now.

So just what we've done in the last three years is we have a three million dollar project, South Kennedy drainage here in Rivertown to alleviate the flooding on Williams Boulevard.

Phase one of that is complete.

Please phase two is in design and should be done sometime next year.

You all know about our pump to the river, 25 million dollar pump station that the city of Kenner will uh build and maintain, which should alleviate all the rainwater in South Kenner from being pushed to uh Lake Poncha train.

Seaton Park Pump Station, Parish Line, adding a pump.

The vintage pump station is either going to be in coordination with Seaton Park, or it's going to be a separate project.

And as y'all know, we spent a lot of money in Lincoln Manor on every time you see a roadway that's been overlaid, it's because of the drainage work we've done.

So we've done several million dollars worth of uh upgrades in Lincoln Manor.

So with that, we'll see what happens in January.

We've continuing to educate the public.

That's where you get points.

This is like you try to build as much points as you can uh for the rating.

You can see it's like a scorecard.

It's like you when you're in school, you get ABC or D.

That's kind of it just goes by how many points you can uh accumulate.

And the easy ones is for us to educate the people, keep doing what we're doing now.

But the hard part is we don't have a lot of open spaces.

And it's the repetitive flooding um properties uh that causes some trouble.

Uh if you listen to FEMA, FEMA, they uh if it's a repetitive flood, they want you to tear it down and move the people.

So that's that's kind of some of the the things that uh we're dealing with today.

And I'm happy to say Kenner is a six.

Everyone starts out as a ten.

Uh we're one of only two sixes in the state.

There's only three ahead of us, which is uh Grottner JP now with a three in Mandeville.

So uh you're in the top five.

I think they have what 47 participating parishes and municipalities in in the state of Louisiana.

So we'll update y'all again in January after the visit, and then a few months later, we'll actually get you know the notice of what rating the city of Kenner has.

And that's it for me.

Thank you, Mayor.

Oh, yes.

May I?

Yes, yes, Councilman.

Thank you.

Uh Mayor, thanks for the information.

And uh it is exciting news to hear about it, but I will tell you this, not to be uh negative on all of this, but uh as many of you know, I'm in the insurance business, and Jefferson Parish is going from a level five to a three.

Level five gets a 25% discount on their flood insurance, and that's actually already in place, and people are already receiving that.

So when these rates go into effect and these changes go into effect, it's only really going to be another 10 percent, even though it's being uh discussed in all the articles in the media saying it's 35 percent.

Just again, not to be missing a negative, but I've gotten calls all week about it trying to explain it to people.

So uh it is good news because flood rates are expensive, and so is insurance.

Anything helps, but um just to throw that out there for information.

Like I'll add uh at your July 25th meeting.

You passed an ordinance changing our flood protection ordinance to kind of add more into it, where it's it's the same thing as Jefferson Parish has, but it's all numbered.

I mean, it's all words.

It really doesn't say it's uh what we'll do.

It doesn't give you specific things.

And until risk rating 2.0 is changed, it this is a something that South Louisiana is gonna deal with on a continuing basis.

Like I was in Washington, D.C.

last year, the Speaker of the House in the uh majority leader, Scalice.

They can't even get the actual formula from FEMA.

How do they come up with these these ratings?

And if you got the speaker of the house, can't get it.

There's no way anybody else is gonna want to get it, and that's why you have the the president of the United States kind of aggravated with FEMA when and that's when he's do away with it.

If if your leaders can't get the formula, a government department uh is working under, there's a real big problem.

So that's kind of where we are now.

St.

Charles Parish uh President Matt Jewell is leading the cause around here where he's actually suing FEMA to try to figure out how they come up with this stuff.

So until they change that, and we spinning our wheels with thinking we're gonna have affordable flood insurance here in South Louisiana.

Well, and years ago when they did all the rezoning, so many properties went to an Xone where at that point mortgage companies no longer required flood insurance.

And now, several years later, people are saying, Well, I want to get it, and the rates are just as high as could be.

And uh so it's uh hopefully they get it right.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman.

Madam Park.

Yes, sir.

Do we have any resolutions, motions or other items from the floor?

Seeing none under the con under the consent agenda, we have item one approval of minutes, the regular council meeting of September 19, 2025.

Item two is approval of alcoholic beverage permit applications.

We have none.

Item three is approval of bingo and public gathering applications.

Item 3A is application number 25 002, the city of Kenner to hold a public gathering on November 16, 2025, from 11 a.m.

to 7 p.m.

for the purpose of a fourth annual Kenner Food Truck Festival 2025 at Lake Town.

Item 3B is application number 25-003, the City of Kenneth to hold a public gathering on October 18th and 19, 2025 from 3 p.m.

to 10 p.m.

for the purpose of a Halloween truck or treat event and a movie at Muspertolino slash Ed Daniels Field.

Item 3C is application number 25-005, big easy Mopar Association to hold a public gathering on March 28th and 29th, 2026, from 7 a.m.

to 5 p.m.

for the purpose of a car show at Lake Town.

I have a motion by Councilmember Wilmont, seconded by Councilmember McKenney to approve the consent agenda.

All council members in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, please say nay.

Seeing none, motion passes 70.

Under the public appearance agenda, we have item 8 public hearings and final passage.

Item 8A is summary ordinance number 13,934.

An ordinance amending the 2024 and 2025 capital budgets to budget the increase in funds received from river boat fees.

I have a motion by Councilmember McKenney, seconded by Councilmember Brennan to open a public hearing.

All council members in favor, please say aye.

Aye opposed, please say nay.

Seeing none, motion passes seven zero.

We're now in a public hearing.

Is there anyone in the audience wishing to address the council?

Please come forward now.

Seeing none, I have a motion by council member McKenney, seconded by Councilmember Brennan to close the public hearing.

All council members in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, please say nay.

Seeing none, motion passes seven zero.

I have a motion by council member McKenney, seconded by Councilmember Brennan for approval.

Miss Herring, if you can give us an explanation, huh?

Sure.

So as you probably know, we get a true up at the end of the year.

So the way we get paid for riverboat fees is they base it on the collections the prior year, divided up monthly.

We get the set amount every month, and then the last month they true up.

So we brought in 1,939,461.73 cents more than what was budgeted originally.

So this is just amending the budget for that and then distributing the funds.

So you know, uh Treasure Trust money gets split between council debt and capital projects.

So we and the police gets 24% as well.

So this is distributing the funds through council districts one through five, and then at large A and B.

Um we are also putting some money aside for some city repairs that took place during the year that we were short on funds.

The food bank is getting a generator.

They have a grant, but there's a match that is needed.

So there's money dedicated for that.

The police are getting their share, and then we're transferring the money to debt service.

So there still is a like 400,000 that's gonna go back into the general fund fund balance that wasn't used.

So perfect.

Thank you for that explanation.

Any other questions from councilman?

See no further discussion.

All council members in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, please say nay.

Seeing none, motion passes seven zero.

Item A B is summary ordinance number thirteen thousand nine hundred and thirty-five.

An ordinance approved and a conditional use for a minor automotive repair shop on lots thirty-four, thirty-five, and thirty-six, square one ninety, Briar Woods subdivision, Kenner Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, property zones C2, General Commercial, in accordance with plans dated June 12th, 2025 by Ron Kawaski Architect.

I have a motion by Councilmember Sharwis, seconded by Councilmember Brannigan.

All council members in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Motion passes seven zero.

We're now in a public hearing.

Is there anyone in the audience wishing to address the council?

Um they can come up following the planning presentation.

I believe planning has a presentation.

Mr.

Squenski.

Uh good morning, everyone.

Uh this is planning case P925.

It's a conditional use uh to permit a minor automotive repair shop.

More specifically, a tire and rim shop at 3319 Williams Boulevard.

The owner of the property is Vonette of 3504 Connecticut Avenue in Kenner, and the applicants are Wada Hagog and Ahmed Balwe of 1208 South Howard Avenue in Mediterry.

Uh as it as was stated in the summary, uh lots 34, 35, and 36 of square 190 in the Briarwood subdivision are the subject property.

Uh the subject property fronts William Boulevard and is bounded by 33 33rd Street to the south, Florida Avenue to the west, and 34th Street to the north.

The applicant held an early neighborhood meeting on June 2nd, 2025 at 3319 Williams Boulevard.

A total of 18 invitations were sent out.

Only one person attended, and there were no concern about the concerns about the proposed development.

C2 General Commercial and a minor automotive repair shop is a conditional use under the C2 zoning district.

This use requires one parking space for every 500 square feet of gross floor area.

Therefore, the the site would require seven parking spaces.

The proposal includes four standard spaces and one handicapped space.

Therefore, the proposal is two parking spaces short of what is required.

Ingress and egress to the site is through a an existing two-way driveway that uh enters and exits on to Williams Boulevard.

The site is fully developed already and therefore does not require any landscaping.

Uh the existing building on the site is approximately 3,050 square feet.

A new garage to be constructed on the south side of the property next to the building is 30 by 20 feet and contains 600 square feet.

The applicant did not provide uh any plans for signage, therefore they will be required to go through the minor site plan process in order to get their signage uh approved.

The site does have an existing poll sign.

However, under the Lake Town Improvement District, that sign cannot be utilized, and the applicant has indicated that they will be removing it.

Um the planning department believes that if this shop operates in a manner consistent with the rules outlined in the UDC, that they should be a good neighbor and should uh shouldn't draw any complaints.

Uh this case was heard by the planning and zoning commission on August 27th, and they recommended approval.

That is all I have.

Is there anyone else in the audience that would like to address the council?

Please come forward.

Seeing none, I have a motion by councilmember Sharwith, seconded by Councilmember Branagan to close your public hearing.

All council members in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Motion passes seven zero.

I have a motion by councilmember Sharwith, seconded by council member Brannigan for approval.

Council members, you may have your discussion.

Councilman Sworth.

Chris, do you have any opposition to this?

Anything that uh be we would have to say no to this.

No, we have received no calls on this case.

Um I have not heard a single negative comment about it.

So and I know we've had a a lot of tire shops here in the city of Canter, but this would be the only one on the north side of the interstate of sure besides Sam's.

Uh that'd be the only one on the north side on Williams.

There is a good year by the mall, and then there's one over by Loyal that you can see on the map that's up there.

So it's just gives another opportunity for the people on the north side to have the tires repaired or to upgrade to a fancier rims on a vehicle.

So colleagues, I ask that you go ahead and and approve this.

Thank you.

Council Councilwoman McKinney.

Um yes, thank you.

I just had and I noticed in your presentation you said that there are two parking spaces shy of the requirements.

You you felt comfortable that it's that's not gonna be an issue in any way.

Right.

Yeah, um they should if they're having customers there, then there's probably going to be a car in the garage at most times, so that shouldn't be too much of a problem.

They're just one spot short.

And actually, if they remove the sign, they may be able to squeeze the existing pole sign, they may be able to squeeze another space in there.

Okay, that was all thank you.

Yes, Mayor.

Chris, I have a question.

You said all the work supposed to be done in the structure that they I guess expanding.

Correct.

All right.

So if I see a floor jack in the front of this place, the code can cite them, and how do we shut them down?

Yeah, they would be cited by code if we see them doing work outside.

All right, because that's my that would be my only complaint.

Now probably be taking a look at it because I pass it every day several times a day.

So we'll I'll hold them to all the work's done inside where it's not in the front parking lot.

Thank you, Mayor.

Anyone else?

Seeing no further discussion, I'll council members in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, please say nay.

Seeing none, motion passes 7-0.

Next we have item 8C, a public hearing regarding a resolution calling a public hearing on September 19, 2025, to determine whether the structure is located at 1815 Short Street.

Kenna Louisiana shall be abated by repair rehabilitation, demolition or removal.

I have a motion by Councilmember Dunn, seconded by Councilmember Lahat to remove this item for the administration.

The homeowner has demolished the property.

Post, please say nay.

Seeing none, motion passes 70 to remove.

Item 8D is a resolution calling a public hearing on September 17, 2025 to determine whether the structures located at 1918, Kansas Avenue in Kenna, Louisiana shall be abated by repair rehabilitation, demolition or removal.

I have a motion by Councilmember Shawwiss, seconded by Councilmember Don to open your public hearing.

All council members in favor, please say aye.

Opposed, please say nay.

Seeing none, motion passes 70.

We're now in a public hearing.

The code enforcement department has a presentation, and the public can speak afterwards.

Good morning.

Catherine Topple, Director of Inspection and Code Enforcement, City of Kenner.

We're here today seeking the demolition of 1918 Kansas Avenue in District 2.

The structure in question is on piers, elevated about two feet.

On March 24th, 2025, it was determined that the property was unsafe and dangerous under the building codes for the city of Kenner, as well as section 5-57 of the code of ordinance of the city of Kenner.

On April 1st, we mailed a notice by certified mail to the property owner advising him of the structure violations.

They have failed to comply with all notices andor orders to repair the structure.

Therefore, the mayor appointed LeBlanc Vintage and Villio LLC as a curator who is present here today for the owners in connection with this matter.

It's noted in the report of the engineer retained by the city of Kentor that the electrical service has been disconnected.

Natural gas service meter is still connected.

There's abandoned vehicle parked in the front driveway.

The grass has been cut.

Exterior windows and doors are not boarded but are secure.

Sections of soft it and fascia are missing or rotted around the perimeter of the structures.

Sections of the exterior siding have signs of wood rot and are missing, exposing the wood framing to all the elements.

Based on that report of the engineer, the structure is a serious public hazard, and it's recommended that the city take the steps to demolish the structure and have it abated by demolition.

The neighbors have frequently contacted the office about this abandoned home in their area.

And it is just attracting, it's just an attractive nuisance for everybody involved.

That's thank you.

Thank you.

Councilman Swart.

Ms.

Catherine, we've been talking about this for a long time.

Paul and Sue, Duroy were good friends with my parents.

I know them.

And they both passed away, and they have no siblings.

So it's kind of hard.

Wouldn't be able to pass it down to their children.

Their relatives live out of town and are not interested in a property at all.

So therefore, this is something that's been an eyesore for the neighborhood.

And as soon as this building comes down, you'll be making a lot of people happy.

So Ms.

Catherine, thank you for being persistent on this.

And we're hoping that get this done as soon as possible.

Thank you.

Do we have a curator that needs to speak?

Good morning, Council.

I was appointed curator on April 24th in an attempt to locate the property owners.

Um appointment.

I searched Jeff Net, JP Assessor's Office, Orleans Assessor's Office, and Internet resources, including white pages.

Additionally, I found an address listed in Rapid River, Michigan.

Sent certified letters to that.

They were returned as undeliverable with a notation that they were deceased.

I've searched Louisiana and Michigan for obituaries.

Couldn't find any.

If you have any questions about my efforts, I'd be glad to hear them.

I just say I guess one, um, when you have property of this nature, when you there's nobody that seems to be connected to it.

Um isn't there a process involving vacant vacant successions with the state?

There is a process involving vacant successions, but no succession proceedings have been opened.

Um nobody has come forward to try and open a succession and handle the property in any way, as far as I could say.

How how long has it been?

Do we know since they passed away?

Yes.

I have no idea.

I couldn't find any obituary for either of the owners.

Councilman Swarth, if you could chime in on that.

I'm thinking somewhere around 10 years at least.

Okay.

Okay.

Yeah, it's it's been a while since they've passed away.

There's been no succession proceedings open in Jefferson Parish and could not find any information about their debt.

Okay.

I appreciate it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any other questions?

Yes, please.

Yes, Council Councilman.

Ms.

Topple, just clarification.

Did you say that the gas is still on?

The meter is still connected, so part of the demolition process would be contacting all utilities to have all of that removed from the butt is not no.

Okay.

I'm I just point of clarification.

Thank you.

Seeing no further discussion, all council members.

I have a motion by council member Shawitz, seconded by Councilmember Dunn to close your public hearing.

All council members in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, please say nay.

Seeing none, motion passes seven zero.

Have a motion by Councilmember Sharwis, seconded by councilmember Dunn to demolish the building within the time allowed by law.

All council members in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Opposed, please say nay.

Seeing none, motion passes seven zero.

Item nine is ordinances for the sale, purchase, transfer, lease, and or alienation of a moveable property.

We have none.

Item 10 is opening of bids.

We have none.

Item 11 is reclassification of zoning for final passage.

We have none.

Item 12 is other ordinances for final passage.

We have none.

Item 13 is resolutions and motions by council members.

Item 13a is a resolution supporting Westminster Tower LP.

Application for a payment in lieu of tax pilot arrangement from the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission.

Jedco.

I have a motion by Councilmember Sharwith, seconded by Councilmember Brandigan, and I believe we have a presentation.

Yes.

Mr.

Bologna, how are you doing?

Good good morning, members of the council.

Uh Mayor Glazer, Jerry Bologna.

I'm president and CEO of JEDCO, the Jefferson Economic Development Commission.

And uh first want to thank you for taking this uh this item under consideration.

Uh this is related to uh the project at uh 2301 Idaho Avenue.

That's a 200 unit senior affordable housing apartment building uh that was recently acquired by Westminster Tower LP and an affiliated nonprofit housing preservation Inc.

Uh their partner in this project.

Um a little bit about payments in lieu of taxes for those of you that haven't uh been involved in that process before.

Uh JEDCO through our statutory pro powers, uh, we have the ability to take title to real estate or leasehold improvements and extend our tax exemption to a for-profit uh a for-profit entity.

Uh this project, which has been owned by a nonprofit over its entire 48-year history, has never paid, they've been tax exempt for that entire uh that entire history.

The new ownership group, which part part of that is for profit, they they are then required to pay taxes, but at the same time, um they are required to retain low levels of rent for their HUD um responsibilities.

Uh and part of that 16 and a half million dollar project is to improve the property drastically.

Um if any of you have been there, um I think you would agree that it it's uh it's been a hard 48-year uh run and it's in desperate need of of some renovations.

Uh so this um this payment in lieu of taxes, which would extend that tax exempt status, um, is going to go a long way into achieving um achieving this goals.

It's very similar to what uh this council approved with the Kenner Housing Authority when the KHA turned their properties over to a private developer.

We extended that same uh that same ability to them so that they can continue to offer those low levels of of rent uh for those users.

Um the um the payment in lieu of taxes has been approved by the JEDCO board.

We we did that on August 28th.

Um, and as a matter of practice, we have always taken these uh approvals to either the parish council or within a municipality, uh the city council for their uh their ratification.

Uh I'm joined uh by Oliver Haynes, he's with historic uh uh HPI, and um he can tell you a little bit about the renovation and what specifically is going to happen to the building.

Uh I will tell you we've done our due diligence on HPI.

We've seen their portfolio, the type of work they've done, the way that they have maintained their properties, uh and we're very uh satisfied uh with that.

But the resolution before you uh would state the city of Kenner's uh council's support of JEDCO's payment in lieu of taxes.

Um and then just uh a final caveat is upon your approval, we are also gonna take this to the Jefferson Parish Council uh for their ratification as well.

And I'm happy to answer any questions.

Also, I'll bring up Oliver Haynes with HBI.

Good afternoon.

Thank you for uh allowing us to come and make this presentation to you.

I appreciate the council here um you know uh considering our proposal for a pilot.

I appreciate everything that uh that JEDCO has done up to this point.

Um we've been working with them for um about a year now uh getting this pilot uh in place and so um excited about uh the opportunity before us.

Um you know there's there is a lot of work that needs to be done at Westminster Tower.

Um you know, for those of y'all that are familiar with that particular community, or maybe for those of you who aren't, I'll give you a little bit of an introduction, but it's 200 apartment units in tower one and another 60 uh seven apartment units in tower two, and uh these are uh dedicated for low-income senior citizens.

Um, as Jerry mentioned, uh it's been run by a nonprofit company for 40 some odd years since its inception.

Um that was the uh Westminster Presbytery, and um, and it was managed by a third party management company called National Church Residences.

Uh we've now taken over ownership and management of the community, and we are owner operators of our uh of our properties.

We have a portfolio of um 80, 82 or so communities around the country, several of them here in uh in Louisiana.

Uh the first property we ever acquired actually was in Shreveport, um, and we've owned it for about 22 years now.

So we're excited to be in Kinner.

Uh we we acquired this community as part of a larger portfolio from the presbytery of about 572 units total.

Um, and we have uh, as Jerry mentioned, uh a multi-million dollar scope of renovation work that we're about to embark on.

Uh it's uh about three three and a half million uh to four million is kind of the the range that we are that we're looking at, and that will make um you know some very important improvements we think to the building that'll enhance the quality of life for the residents and the long-term sustainability of the of the affordability of this community.

Uh so we appreciate y'all's partnership um here.

And I think Jerry, I don't know if you you you did you want to run through this late end?

Okay.

I'll uh I'll concede some time here.

I don't know if anybody has any questions.

I'm happy to discuss anything, and we have a presentation of some work that we've done at a another community up in Jackson.

Um, if anybody wanted to see the kind of renovation work that we're capable of doing.

So great.

Thank thank you.

Uh Councilman Brannigan has some questions, if you will.

Uh I just wanted to mention that when we had the meeting on this uh last week or the week before.

Um you ought to stress how you this will be done in one year, uh, all the renovations because you're under guidelines to get it done within one year.

So it's not gonna have something, it's not gonna be something that's gonna drag along and put these uh people that are living there through basic hell, uh, you know, if it took four or five years to get through it.

So uh getting it done in one year, they're gonna see an immediate impact.

So uh you know you need to stress that too.

Okay.

Yes, sir.

I appreciate you bringing that up.

Um so because of the programmatic guidelines that we have with the Department of Housing Urban Development, when we acquired this community, there's a essentially a clock that we we had to go and get all of the renovation work, the scope of work there approved by HUD.

Um when they give their stamp of approval, they essentially give you 12 months to go in and and rehab these communities, uh, specifically for the um the reasons that the councilman brought up that you don't want to drag the residents, uh low-income seniors in particular, through a long arduous renovation project.

So we will be able to renovate these communities with the residents still in place.

Uh we'll be able to come in and do work inside the units um without having to to displace any of the senior citizens.

Uh and we essentially one of our core competencies is uh as a company, having done this for so many years um with this very specific demographic of residents.

We uh we have a process by which we can turn their unit in about 48 hours.

Um and while we're inside of their unit doing work, we provide them with a hospitality suite.

Um and uh and if need be, if it's uh kind of a deeper renovation, um, you know, we'll put them up in a hotel room if we have to.

But for the most part, we're able to do the renovation during the course of normal business hours, provide that hospitality suite for the resident, uh, invite them to come back and sleep in their unit uh in that evening, and then wrap up the work inside the unit the next day, and they have a a brand new uh uh unit to you know to live in um for as long as they want to be there.

So um is that touch on your yes, getting the unit redone in 48 hours is incredible.

And the the good thing about it is it doesn't displace the resident, and you deal them with all the folks, so you don't want to update that I mean um mess up their normal living routines, and that's what I like about this project.

Yes, plus it it redoes the building too.

So that's right.

Um and we also have just to to comment on that a little further.

We also have uh staff, a full building staff.

So there's a manager, there's a on-site maintenance team, there's um uh social service coordinator as well that we uh will provide actually two social service coordinators because there's so many units, and so they are able to help the residents you know move out furniture, move back in furniture, the social service coordinators there to look after the wellness and the well-being of the residents as well through that kind of period um, you know, and and you know, throughout their their tenancy in general.

But yeah, and the management team seems like it's gonna be a lot better than it has been in the past from what we talked about.

Yeah, yeah, I appreciate you saying that.

We we like to think that we do a good job.

Um so we uh we take it very seriously.

Um we're different from a lot of um developers in that we we own and operate.

We don't farm out the management to a third-party vendor.

Uh we keep that very close to our chest, and it's the the way that we are able to to best take care of the the community um from a physical standpoint, but also the residents.

Um and so the management is important.

The residents are our customers, right?

They have options they can go to other communities to go and live.

We want to keep residents, good residents in place for the long term.

Uh our average tenant lease across uh thousands and thousands of units is about seven and a half years.

The national average is about three and a half years.

So we we think we do a good job, and that plays out in the data and the way that that residents come, they move into our communities and and they don't they don't leave.

And I just had one thing I wanted to point out, uh Mr.

Hayes.

If um uh we also have our emergency manager director, he's here, Doug Dote.

If you will just stand up and so they can see who you are, so you can possibly get together and get uh exchange contact information.

I think that would be helpful just to have.

Absolutely, thank you.

Okay, Mr.

Bologna.

Councilman Will Mop, thank you.

I I just wanted to clarify one thing.

This uh this tax exemption um is not in perpetuity.

This is a 20-year uh tax exemption, at which time the property will come on to the tact rolls at its at its assessed value at that point.

Uh or if HPI uh sells the property at that time, it would come on to the tax rolls as well.

I just wanted to clarify that.

Thank you for that clarification.

Anyone else have questions?

Yes, Councilwoman?

Yes, thank you, Council President.

I actually am curious.

Is there a presentation that like that we were gonna show before and after pictures?

Uh or is it not working?

Uh no, it's it is working.

I'm I'm happy to flip through it.

This is another community that we own in Jackson, uh Mississippi that we acquired in 2023.

And I think anyway, I I had sent this around maybe to uh to the councilman Ronnie here and Jedco as well, just as an example of the kinds of work that we do.

This is another senior high-rise community.

Um there's some before and after pictures.

We we took it over, it was a very distressed community.

Um the foundation was sinking on the uh west side of the building.

I'll show you that in a second.

Uh there were bats living in the walls.

Um there was uh there were uh all kind all kinds of issues.

The the the property owner didn't actually even know how many units were in the building, um, which was wild to us, so we had to go and figure that out too and get that organized with HUD.

But some before and after um screenshots here of uh the work we did so that you can kind of see and visualize uh what Westminster Tower you know will look like when we're when we're finished with it.

So this is to do with the foundation.

You can see on that left image, we had to dig up underneath the the Yazoo clay that this building was built on.

The structural engineers hadn't uh accounted for the settling in the clay, and um it's a so the building was sinking.

We had to get in and uh you can see these pictures get underneath it with these you know backhoes and uh restabilize the foundation was quite a quite an undertaking.

So we we did a lot of work on the exterior just to clean up the um you know the the street condition um so that it looks like a much more presentable uh part of the community um fixed the foundation, redid the roof.

Um one of the things that councilman Ronnie and I spoke about was the roof at the community right now in Westminster Tower has that that aggregate um you know gravel on the top of it, which is obviously a hazard during high wind events, and um you know that was up to code 20 some odd years ago.

Nowadays I don't think that it is, and in any event we don't want it.

So uh you know, in the next couple of years, it's not part of our an initial uh renovation scope, but within I think uh at least five years from now, that roof will need to be replaced, and we'll do that roll over PTOU uh roof that will um you know fix any kind of high wind hazard of you know picking up those rocks.

Um the uh the the image there on the right is kind of our our standard uh hallway um paint and flooring concept and lighting concept.

Uh so you can see that the difference between you know left and right, right side again being the renovation that we did to the common area uh in this community.

Um we this is a movie room that we built um for the residents uh pool table kind of game room um for the residents as well.

So we'll be refreshing all of the amenity spaces in the community, we'll be redoing the elevators.

You can see the before and after there, um, updating the laundry facilities.

Um just some additional photos here, uh, and just creating a you know a greater sense of of community and habitability that caters specifically to the the senior residents.

So um anyway, hopefully that helps you visualize.

Yes, thank you for sharing that.

I and I'm really I mean, I've been to Westminster, I have a relative that lives there.

Okay.

And I think this is a well-needed, you know, very we definitely need this renovation, and we need it for our you know our our elderly population.

So thank you for for doing this.

And um, I the only other question I have is um excuse me.

The so is it it's all are the renovations primarily focused on interior?

Because I know you went over a lot of exterior in the thing, or or are they are they both or it'll be a combination of both, yes?

So it'll be there'll be work that gets done inside the units to upgrade the appliances and the kitchen cabinets and the bathroom vanities and the tubs and the floor and the lighting.

There'll be unit, there'll be work that gets done in the common area hallway spaces, there'll be work that gets done in the community areas, um, and then there will also be work on the outside.

Um so think landscaping, asphalt, uh, you know, tuck pointing of the building.

Um I think we're doing some work on the windows as well, uh, making sure that the balconies are secured.

I think we we had received reports that uh during high wind events that the there are these doors and the balconies that would get blown open and then water would come in, and so we'll we'll you know make sure that those are now you know those are hurricane-proofed.

Um so yes, yes, ma'am, you'll see uh uh you'll see some work done to the outside of the building.

Great, perfect.

Thank you.

Councilman Swarth.

Once again, Allibert, thank you so much for coming.

Um I know you're an out-of-state company, and it means a lot to the community, to the city, to the residents, that you have an interest at least to show up and make a presentation for something of this magnitude.

I mean, this is Westminster Towers has been here for a long time.

The residents there, they could need all the help that they can get.

Chief Dyer, Chief Torrance.

I did not forget about you, y'all as well.

I made sure with um Ms.

Dollar Brick that there'll be upgrading the fire alarm system in there.

So hopefully we won't have as many false alarms, false calls over there.

Um medically, we talk about the medical responses over there.

Um and all the safety functions and upgrades that come to the facility.

It's fantastic.

I wish it'd been 20 years before.

But thank you for coming.

Thank you for showing up, and thank you for being a part of the community.

Thank you.

Thanks.

I appreciate it.

Thank you, Councilman Swart.

That's good points, and we do appreciate y'all both being here today.

And and uh Mr.

Bologna.

Just last point, I promise.

Um, as part of the lease, when JEDCO takes title and leases uh back to the end user, we retain the right to inspect the property also.

So not that we anticipate uh you know, we anticipate a great operator.

Uh but if there were anything down the road that we weren't happy with, we have the right to go in and and can come back to you for this agreement to to reconsider.

Excellent.

Very good.

Any other questions from anyone?

Uh Mr.

Taft.

Uh Greg Teff, 5th district.

Um I think it's good.

I feel it's good for the city.

My only concern is the 20 years of no taxes.

I can understand amortizing it over 10.

Because there's going to be a lot of work done, a lot of expense put into it.

But to go out to 20 seems to me to be just a little bit unreasonable.

Because I mean, the city is basically paying to have it done by not collecting taxes.

But in fairness to the company, yes, they're going to be spending money to get it done.

And that's why I say you amortize it, it should go over around 10 years.

That's a normal business looking at renovations to when they recoup their money, you know, for that investment, because that's what it is.

It's an investment on their part.

So that's my only concern.

Otherwise, I think it's a it's good for the city, it's good for the seniors living there, and I think they certainly have a good plan, and they certainly did a good job on the other ones.

And that that's my thoughts.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Tow.

Mr.

Bologna, would you like to comment?

The only thing that I'll I'll say to that, and it it is a good point.

Um, when considering the length of of this agreement, uh, we not only took into account the amount of investment that the company is putting into it, uh, but they are also beholden to HUD to retain low levels of rent.

So, unlike a normal private developer that would put money into a project and then increase the rents in order to recover that, they don't have that that ability.

They have to retain those those levels of rent.

Thank you.

Would you like to add a comment?

Yeah, and I I appreciate the gentleman's comment as well.

Um the part and thank you, Jerry, too.

But um, another factor uh in in the equation is that the the we finance this community, the acquisition of this community with um with uh with equity but also with debt um debt raised through through Fannie Mae and the Fannie Mae debt requirements require um that the if there's going to be some sort of a tax abatement or a pilot like this that it uh that it be 20 20 years.

Um so there's a requirement from the the lender uh for that as well, and so part of the way that we're able to afford the work that's being done at the property is by levering up the the reduction in taxes to provide for additional capital that we can then put into the renovation work.

Um and then also uh as Jerry mentioned, there is an affordability contract with the federal government that lasts for 20 years.

Um so it's also I think the term of the pilot is tied in part to that affordability contract.

So thank you for those explanations.

Anyone else?

Any comments?

Madam Clerk.

Seeing no further comments, all council members in favor, please say aye.

Aye opposed, please say nay.

Seeing none, motion passes seven zero.

Thank you.

Item 14 is items removed from the consent agenda.

We have none.

Item 15 is acceptance of contracts and similar matters approved by the mayor.

An ordinance authorizing the purchase of non-lethal training ammunition and firearm conversion kits from ultimate training munitions incorporated, a sole source provider, and an amount not to exceed $12,000 for the Kent Police Department.

I have a motion by Councilmember Brennan, seconded by Councilmember Wilmot.

All council members in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, please say nay.

Seeing none, motion passes seven zero.

Item 15B is summary ordinance number 13,937.

An ordinance accepting the lowest responsive bid received from vehicle parts and equipment incorporated to furnish and install vehicle accessories in accordance with electronic bid 25-2182 and an amount not to exceed $50,000 for the Kent Police Department.

I have a motion by Councilmember McKenney, seconded by Councilmember Wilmot.

All council members in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, please say nay.

Seeing none, motion passes seven zero.

Item 15 C is summary ordinance number 13,938.

An ordinance approving an increase to the not to exceed amount established to furnish and install light bars and sirens from vehicle parts and equipment incorporated utilizing state contract numbers 4400 005417 and 44000 22051.

I have a motion by Councilmember Branagan, seconded by Councilmember Lahat.

Councilmember Shar Sharwith.

Is there an amount here for lights and all it's increasing by 200,000?

The current contract is for 400,000.

They're asking to increase it by 200 for a new not to exceed of 600.

They've spent 353,000 so far.

Thank you.

Seeing no further discussion, all council members in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, please say nay.

Seeing none, motion passes seven zero.

Item 15 D is summary ordinance number 13,939.

An ordinance approved in a professional services agreement with all South Consulting Engineers, LLC regarding the Jelpee and Osborne sewer lift station rehabilitation and an amount not to exceed $227,825 for the Department of Wastewater.

I have a motion by Councilmember Lahat, seconded by Councilmember McKenny.

Seeing no discussion, all council members in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, please say nay.

Seeing none, motion passes seven zero.

Item 15 E is summary ordinance number 13,940.

An ordinance approving a professional services agreement with ECM Consultants Incorporated regarding the 27th and Dawson Street sewer lift station rehabilitation and an amount not to exceed 250,893 and 35 cents for the Department of Wastewater.

I have a motion by Councilmember Dunn, seconded by Councilmember Wilmot.

Seeing no discussion, all council members in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, please say nay.

Seeing none, motion passes seven zero.

Item 15 F is summary ordinance number 13,941.

An ordinance authorizing the use of state of Louisiana contract number 4400 32587 with United Rentals, North America Incorporated for rental of industrial equipment on an as needed basis and an amount not to exceed $500,000 annually for the wastewater department.

I have a motion by Councilmember Wilmot, seconded by Councilmember Sharwith.

Ms.

Joanne, if you will.

Just explanation.

Um we are piggybacking off the state contract.

This is for equipment that a lot of the different departments do use.

Pumps, generators, air conditioning systems, planes, lift things.

So if we don't have the equipment, we rent it from United Residence.

Isn't it a purchase agreement just for rental?

And this is citywide.

This is yes.

Okay.

All right.

Any other questions?

None.

Madam Clark.

Seeing no further discussion, all council members in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Pose, please say nay.

Seeing none, motion passes seven zero.

Item 16 is ordinances and resolutions and summary for first reading.

Item 16A is an ordinance authorizing the use of state contract number 4400-30934 to purchase speed enforcement radar equipment and an amount not to exceed $50,000 for the Kentor Police Department.

Item 16 B is an ordinance authorizing the use of state contract number 4400033192 to purchase lawn equipment and an amount not to exceed 100,000 for the parks and recreation department.

I have item 16C is an ordinance accepting the lowest responsibility received from Command Construction Industrial Industries LLC for Chateau Transfer Station Improvements for in accordance with seal bid 25-6892 and an amount in the amount of $2,680,000 for the Department of Wastewater.

Item 16 D is an ordinance approving in agreement with DXP Enterprises Incorporated doing business as Delta Process Equipment to provide Gorman from pumps and accessories on an as needed basis and an amount not to exceed 200,000 dollars for the wastewater department.

Item 16E is an ordinance approving in agreement with Gulf South Engineering and Testing Incorporated to provide testing services associated with the 25th and Salem Lit Sewer Lift Station Replacement Project and an amount not to exceed 10,000 dollars for the Department of Wastewater.

Item 16F is an ordinance approving in agreement with Gulf South Engineering and Testing Incorporated to provide testing services associated with the Chateau Transfer Improvements Project and an amount not to exceed 10,000 dollars for the Department of Wastewater.

Item 16G is an ordinance accepting the lowest responsibility received from Vulcan Incorporated doing business as Vulcan Signs to provide reflective sheeting as needed in accordance with electronic bid 25-2183 and amount not to exceed $30,000 annually for the General Services Department.

Item 16H is an ordinance accepting the lowest responsibility received from new light electrical wholesalers to purchase materials for lighting of Rivertown parking lot in accordance with electronic bid 25-30 39 and an amount not to exceed $12,982 and 87 cents for the General Services Department.

Item 16i is an ordinance accepting the lowest responsibility received from Han Enterprises Incorporated to furnish and install outdoor wall pads for Mospertolino Stadium in accordance with electronic bid 25-3041 and amount not to exceed $9,877 for the parks and recreation department.

Item 16J is an ordinance amending the 2024 2025 capital budget to establish budget amounts for the lead hazard grant funds.

Item 17 is reports from the council and our special committees councilman.

Councilman Brennan.

Thank you, Council Chair.

Yes, just an update.

Recently, you uh may be aware that the entrance to Woodlake Subdivision, the wall was hit once again.

Pardon me, once again, it was a medical uh emergency, a medical issue that uh caused the driver to uh run into the wall.

And uh I just want to thank the mayor and and Mr.

Jose Gonzalez and his department for uh getting on this right away with contracted digital engineering to come up with uh some plans to hopefully reduce the uh the impact, if you will, on that uh on in that area when this were to occur again.

We had taken the lights down several years ago and replaced with stop signs and um again.

This was just a medical emergency.

Sometimes those are uh just bad when they happen and where they are.

So uh thank you all for your work on that.

We look to get some information and updates and uh propose some changes uh as recommended.

Thank you, Councilman.

Anyone else?

Madam Clerk.

Item 18 is new business, we have none.

Item 19 is unfinished business, and a motions to reconsider or remove from a table position.

We have none.

Item 20 is persons wishing to address the council on special subject matters.

Mr.

Tuft.

Uh Greg Taft, fifth district.

Um the 8A that just got passed today.

I'm hoping that y'all would drive through these neighborhoods and take a look at some of the roads that really need to be repaired.

Um, because there are there are a few.

And in the neighborhoods, and I know some I don't know if y'all drive through all of them or not, but I can tell you it's like the one between West Esplanade and Layola.

It's got a nice big hole right in the middle of the street.

And cars are happening to go around it.

Um I noticed that they come in here.

So that's a pretty good size, but I'm just saying with the extra money, consider taking care of some of our streets.

That's all.

And the other thing I want to do is I'll I want to thank the city employees that go out every day and work throughout the city.

I don't think you know, when you consider how hot it is and what they have to do, the work they have to put in.

I gotta tell you, uh I I feel for them.

And they really do a good job.

They really do.

And I don't sometimes I don't know if they really get the attention that they should.

But I've seen them work in my neighborhood, fixing fixing things and straightening out things.

And I even noticed that in a lot of cases, you know, they're fixing some of the streets that they're working on.

So I mean I just want to thank them because they are doing a good job, and I think this I don't know how much attention the city gives them, but we couldn't survive without them.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Tell.

Appreciate your comments.

Excuse me, Mr.

Deff.

You said between West Street.

It's on West Loyola.

Okay, you said that I missed it.

I'm sorry.

We have been talking with this extra money.

Um just could pertaining to District 5.

One area that Mr.

Gonzalez has gotten an estimate on some repairs is in excess of $300,000 just for a few blocks.

But we have spoken just recently about going and trying to pinpoint some items and areas that need some attention, even if it's kind of a uh band-aid on it for some time.

Uh you know, and hopefully we could start allowing that hopefully this this money continues over the next few years or for many years, and we could do some other things that need some attention during the COVID stuff.

I think our allotment, Miss Harry could probably uh confirm this.

One year I think we got less than sixty thousand dollars.

So a a square or two in a in a in a street's 30 something thousand, so it doesn't go very, very far.

So but thank you for your comments, and thank you for mentioning the uh the workers.

Yes, they do do a good job.

We're very fortunate.

Thank thank you, Councilman Brennan.

Um, Ms.

Fallout, if you have any comments, yes, sir.

Um on behalf of the city of Kenner, I would like to say feliz compleños to Valeria Cowas and Jose Gonzalez.

That was we wanted any other comments from anybody before we adjourn?

I think on that we need the chair.

Yeah, it sounds like a plan.

And we're adjourned.