Sorry.

Everyone could you please take your seats?

We're gonna get started.

That looks like John Williams sitting out there.

That John I was wondering who that guy was in the second row.

The man who built New York designed the owner.

Roll call.

Councilmember Morell.

Councilmember Moreno, present, Councilmember Jerusalem, Councilmember Harris, Councilmember King, Councilmember Green, Councilmember Thomas.

We have six members, we have a quarrel.

We pray now that as we come together and meet that you would bless our council to God to continue to crown them with wisdom and knowledge that only you can give them to God as they continue uh to work on behalf of the city and feel the weight of those that they are responsible for, God.

We pray that everything that is done today uh will be done in decency and will be done in order to God as we come together to move New Orleans forward.

We just thank you and give you praise now.

It's in your name we pray.

Amen.

Council members, we need to suspend the rules for the meeting on January 27th to start at 9 a.m.

And the orders of business will be moved up to take up the Queens of Mardi Gras.

We have the meetings of December 1st, 2025, December 3rd, 2025, special, December 4th, 2025, December 10th, 2025, special, December 17th, 2025, special, December 18th, 2025, December 23rd, 2025, special, and December 30th, 2025.

We need to approve the minutes.

Any opposed?

Six years no days.

I would suggest let's require recruiting our computers because nothing's showing up right now.

Trying to figure out what I'll do.

We have consent agenda.

A communication from Bobby Mason, Deputy Chief of Staff, Council Utilities, Regulatory Office.

This should be marked received.

We have a communication from Susan Johnson, Principal, Town of Carrollton Watch, LLC, suggested hearing date is today, January 8th, 70 7801 through 7803 Zimfold Street.

We have a communication from Latoya Cantrail, Mayor, City of New Orleans.

This should be marked received.

The hearing debt is set for date for today for reconsideration of calendar number 35, 324, ordinance number 30, 550, MCS.

We have a communication from Amy B.

Trapany, Director of Personnel, City of New Orleans, Department of Civil Service.

This should be marked received.

We have a communication from Cynthia Davis, Department of Safety and Permits, City of New Orleans, 2119, Louisiana Avenue.

This should be marked received.

Suggested hearing date is January 27th.

We have a communication from Tammy Jackson, Director, Department of Safety and Permits, City of New Orleans.

This should be marked received.

We have a communication from Councilmember Joseph I.

Jerusalem III, Councilmember District A, incoming CAO for Mayor Elect Helena Moreno, New Orleans City Council.

This should be marked received and referred to the governmental affairs committee.

We have the report of Ariane Robinson, Deputy Director of Municipal Yacht Harbor Management Corporation.

This should be marked received.

We have a report of Maritana Johnson, Executive Assistant, New Orleans Building Corporation.

This should be marked received.

We have a report of Maritana Johnson, Executive Assistant, New Orleans Building Corporation.

This should be marked received.

We have the report of Tabata Dorner, Executive Assistant to the President and CEO of Audubon Nature Institute.

This should be marked received.

We have a report of Tammy S.

Hansen, Executive Secretary.

New Orleans Public Library.

This should be marked received.

We have a report of Brian White, Executive Director, Municipal Yacht Harbor Management Corporation.

This should be marked received.

We have a report of Paul C.

Mitchell Jr., Director of Board of Trustees of the Firefighter's pension and relief fund for the City of New Orleans.

This should be marked received.

We have a report of Evet Jet Principal Architecture Historian, New Orleans Historic District Landmark Commission, Central Business District History, Historic District Landmarks Commission, 1410, Jackson Avenue.

This should be marked received.

We have a report of Romy S.

Samuel, Director of Finance, Department of Finance, City of New Orleans.

This should be marked received.

We have a report of Tanisha Stevens, Criminal Justice Commissioner, Office of Criminal Justice Coordination, New Orleans.

This should be marked received.

We have a report of Angela Gilbert Salker, Clerk, Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.

This should be marked received.

We have a report of Robert D.

Rivers, Executive Director, City Planning Commission, City of New Orleans.

This should be marked received.

Suggested hearing date is January 27th.

We have a report of Damon Burns CEO Finance New Orleans.

This should be marked received.

We have a report of Jesse Evans, Director.

7801, Zimple Street.

This should be marked received.

Ever report of Event Jet Principal Architectural Historian, New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission.

1120 Jenner Street.

This should be marked received.

We have a report of Linnae S.

Crowley, Deputy Director, Deputy Judicial Administrator, Municipal and Traffic Court of New Orleans.

This should be marked received.

We have the report of Gina Gateway Lucas, New Orleans Recreation Development Commission.

This should be marked received.

We have a report of Morgan J.

Shannon, Executive Director, New Orleans Children, Youth and Planning Board.

This should be marked received.

We have a report of Robert D.

Rivers, Executive Director, City Planning Commission, City of New Orleans, this should be marked received.

We have ordinance calendar number 35,319 by Councilmember Harris.

An ordinance to municipal address 3308 Washington Avenue, zoning docket 4525.

Those are all the matters on the consent agenda.

Mr.

Burnside comment.

So in regards to Audubon, of course, everybody knows I'm against the pickleball court on the river.

I've been told that it's a good event space and that the uh Super Bowl that will happen here in 2031 needs uh event space, and that's wonderful.

The newspaper had an interesting article.

55 million dollars spent on it so far, and they need more money.

Um they're gonna get more money.

They already have a CEA with the city, they're gonna get one million a year for the next seven to nine years out of the capital budget.

It's already signed.

Uh, in regards to firefighters, uh, not in favor of firefighters.

I don't think the city should do any pensions, and it certainly hasn't done the firefighter pension well.

Uh State Representative Hilfer T has uh done a bill that the legislative auditor has done a report uh that was provided on December 31st regarding the amount of money that it might take to get the state firefighter pension to take our city firefighters on to their state system.

I would urge anybody to read it.

I think it's worth your knowledge.

Regards the rodent control.

I'm in favor of rodent control.

I looked out my window two days ago and I saw a little white truck drop off a rodent.

Guy popped open the back of his little thing, walked around, took a live trap out of the back of his truck, walked over in front of a dumpster, dropped it down, and released a rodent right across from my house.

I sent an email.

Got no response.

The next day, I looked out my window and behold, there's the same white truck with the same stupid little thing popped up.

Same guy takes out a little live trap, takes it over, put it right by the dumpster, and release the second rodent.

I'm like, oh Lord, do I live in a city?

However, let the record show that I'm also in favor of code enforcement.

Code enforcement at 1609.

I have a good thing to report.

The gentleman who actually secured that door, did a very good job, not securing it, but providing beauty to our environment.

He painted it so that it looked like a door and so that it looked like windows and it looked beautiful.

And when he told me that was true, I didn't know what he was talking about to after.

Thank you, Mr.

Burnside.

Uh there are no other comments.

So at this time, I will guess the machine is still not working.

I will move to adopt the consent agenda.

Can I get a second?

Second by Councilman Jeruso.

All in favor say aye.

All right.

Uh any nays.

Six years, no nays.

The consent agenda is adopted.

11, the regular agenda.

We have the legislative.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Actually, I think we're supposed to go to me to override first.

Yes.

I'm sorry.

Sorry.

Well, top of page 18.

The reconsideration by reason of the man's veto ordinance number 30,550, MCS, ordinance calendar number 35324 by Council Members Jerusalem Morel Moreno, Harris, King, Greener Thomas.

An ordinance to respond to the current budget challenges facing the City of New Orleans through a temporary prohibition on spending any funds received from the from the Surgeon Water Board of New Orleans, American Rescue Plan Act, Council of the City of New Orleans versus Edward Wisner Donation at all.

An ordinance to respond to the current budget challenges facing the City of New Orleans through a temporary prohibition on spending any funds received from the from the Sword June Water Board of New Orleans, American Rescue Plan Act, Council of the City of New Orleans versus Edward Wisner Donation at all, case number 2022 06765, Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans or any other new sources of revenue otherwise to provide with respect there too.

Vote on the question.

Shall the ordinance pass?

The objection of the mayor notwithstanding green vote over rules, red vote sustained.

This is to certify that the above ordinance vetoed by the mayor was returned to the clerk of council, and at the council's next regular meeting of December 18, 2525, the council voted seven yes and zero nays to overrule the mayor's veto.

All right.

So before I get started, the machines are not working.

Is there anyone that wants to provide any comments?

What's that?

Okay.

Okay, they're working now.

Thank you.

All right.

Well, before, well, obviously I'm gonna provide comments, always do.

Um I want to begin by saying I'm kind of at a loss.

Um it is common in my experience, both the state and the local level, that even in the most acrimonious relationships, there is a peaceful balance of power that's accepted to be the standard.

And I can tell you that in the last two months, I would have settled just for civility and common sense, which apparently is in short supply in City Hall.

We are in the midst of a staggering budget crisis that we've seen over just the last 72 hours.

We've had to lay off a tremendous amount of qualified people to address the significant budget shortfall that we have.

We had to take out a revenue anticipation note at the state level through the bond commission in the midst of all this crisis because we didn't have enough money to make payroll.

What this council passed unanimously was simply a position that because we have to repay this RAND note, repay all these bills, that we should not be spending money unnecessarily as it comes in.

As a new council and a new mayor are seated, they should have all the resources at their disposal to try and address this crisis.

This veto is essentially the legislative equivalent of in the face of this council unanimously trying to be fiduciarily responsible.

We had a mayor that essentially said, hold my beer.

Because to veto this ordinance, knowing that we would be coming here today, and that the last official act of this mayor would be to be overridden yet again, shows such a consistent and consistent and consistent disregard for the way government should operate.

It is not hard.

We should all be in agreement that the next council and next mayor who are going to be tasked with repaying the note we took out, have every dollar available, and yet an outgoing mayor in the waning days of the end of a term saw that as something that was worthy of a fight.

So as we passed it unanimously, I'm asking my colleagues to join me in unanimously overriding this veto and cementing the end of this awful legacy that this mayor's been leaving us.

I'll move.

Can I get a second?

Second by Councilmirus.

Please vote your machines.

At the bottom of the page, the legislative group in 34,385 has been deferred to January 27th.

As well as motion M23426 deferred to January 27, as well as motion M23427 has been deferred to January 27.

We're now back to the regular order.

We have legislative grouping.

On page 12, we have resolution R 2610 has been deferred to January 27th.

A legislative grouping 1401 Delachey Street has been deferred to January 27, as well as our resolution R 2611 deferred to 1127, as well as resolution R2612 deferred to January 27th.

We have a legislative grouping communication from Wiston C.

Fiore, Director of Land Use and Constituent Affairs Liaison, Councilmember Freddie King III District C, transmitted in the Mayor's Office of Economic Developments recommendation of disapproval and requesting the scheduling of a public hearing for the following restoration tax abatement application renew application RTA 2016 1122 11 Arbeville Street 11 Iberville LLC.

We have resolution R 2615 by Councilmember King, a resolution granting the RTA for 11 Aberville Street.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Do you have any cars on this one?

We have a forum.

We'll have enough people to move forward.

We have four people.

No call.

We have to.

Okay.

Councilmember Thomas is sitting right there.

All right.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Uh make a motion to adopt.

Five A's, no nays.

Thank you.

At the bottom of the page.

The hearing of the professional service agreement between the City of New Orleans and Rehig Pacific Company has been deferred to January 27th.

On top of page 14, the hearing of the 2026-23 Capital Improvement Plan amendment has been deferred to January 27th.

We have the legislative grouping HDLC appeal of Zachary Smith, Owner, Zach Smith Consultant, and Design.

A motion granted the applicant's request for new construction of the hotel at 621 Elysian Fields Avenue, and the decision of HDLC is hereby reversed and modified, such that the most recently submitted drawings labeled current drawings post arc submission by applicant as contained in the HDLC staff report are deemed approved.

Thank you, Madam Curse PC at the floor.

I'm sorry, HDLC.

This is an appeal of the uh 621 lesion fields approval.

Um excuse me, denial.

After numerous reviews by the HDLC Architecture Review Committee, Commission and City Council, HDLC staff agrees with the ARC.

The current proposal does not meet the HDLC design guidelines for new construction as it remains incompatible with the established scale, massing, rhythm, and site development of the surrounding historic context.

The guidelines emphasize that as a building scale and footprint increases, the burden on compatibility and contextual design sensitivity also increases.

However, despite multiple ARC recommendations, the proposed building continues to substantially exceed the height and bulk typical of adjacent one and two-story historic structures along Allegian Fields Avenue.

Royal Street and Charter Street.

The overall massing overwhelms the nearly block wide site and fails to reflect the prevailing proportions, setbacks, and datums that define the character of this portion of the Foberg Marini.

Staff also notes that the current proposed site doesn't site plans do not correspond to the city council previously approved conditional use site plan.

The design has also undergone only limited meaningful revision in response to consistent ARC recommendations.

While the applicant reduced the overall height from seven to five stories, the essential organization, intensity of use, and distribution of massing on the site remain largely unchanged.

The facade composition continues to lack sufficient articulation, depth, and upper story setbacks to break down the building's apparent scale, and the floor to ceiling heights and story proportions do not correspond to the context of the surrounding historic fabric.

Additionally, the proposed footprint and massing do not meaningfully respond to the scale, rhythm, or pedestrian experience that characterize Royal and Charter Street.

As affirmed in multiple ARC reviews, the current design does not demonstrate sufficient responsiveness to site-specific conditions or typological precedence drawn from the local historic district and therefore remains inconsistent with the intent and criteria of the HDLC design guidelines.

Furthermore, the proposed attempts at dressing this oversized box with segmented archtop panels and recessed loges do not convey harmony or even a consistent enough logic to warrant such prominence within this extremely important thoroughfare and neighborhood.

Like the unfortunate construction of the Christopher Inn on Royal Street, which permanently destroyed viewsheds of the Marini and Bywater and is visible from this site, inspiring the very creation of the Foburg Marini Historic District protections, this overscaled and poorly articulated behemoth would further erode the architectural character, quality, and continuity of the historic context.

The illogically composed facade and banal use of materials demonstrate a lack of comprehension of the rhythm, scale, and harmony inherent in the surrounding architectural context.

The HDLC does not recommend a pastiche of historical elements for this contemporary building.

However, it is critical that the aesthetic treatment rise to a level of design excellence worthy of Alisian Fields Avenue and Foburg Marini Historic District.

For these reasons, staff respectfully requests that City Council uphold the denial of the current proposal.

We remain concerned that an approval would be for what is currently only in a schematic state.

A building, especially one as large and complex as a hotel of this scale, would need much additional review prior to permitting for compliance with building codes, zoning, etc., not to mention details on how the various components, windows, doors, finished materials, mechanical systems, etc., should be delineated.

We respectfully suggest any approval be conceptual approval with the details to be worked out with the HDLC staff of the staff of the HDLC and Department of Safety and permits.

Thank you.

Mr.

Jefferson Seymour.

Who submitted the set of plans that you're approving today?

The set of plans that you're approving today are a set of plans that have never been submitted, reviewed, or approved by any party at all, not the ARC, the HDLC, not even you.

There's not a single stitch of evidence that these things have ever been submitted for approval.

Council Member King, who asked you to approve the plans that are in your motion?

Who submitted those plans for approval?

Why does the decision on the appeal of the ARC rejected plans?

Why does that result in the motion that approves a completely different set of plans?

Look at the plans you're approving today.

It's a completely different set of plans.

And it says that it's the plans that are in the HDLC report.

There is no HDLC report.

There is no such thing, it does not exist.

I went on one stop 10 minutes ago, but there's 72 items listed on one stop for this.

Not a single of the 72 match the description of the plans you are approving today.

I don't get it.

You must think I'm crazy because the alternative is to think this is crazy.

How can you approve a set of plans that can't be identified, located, never been submitted for approval?

In the context of approving an appeal on an entirely different set of plans.

Thank you.

Good morning, council members.

My name is Aaron Holmes.

I'm here representing of UK property owners, residents, and associates.

But listening to Mr.

Seymour's comments, I am kind of aghast that that situation is potentially here today, that we uh could be approving a set of plans that has never even been submitted for review.

My comments were more towards the process of this.

You know, if if this uh design has not even gone through a formal review process with the HDLC and has just um resulted in a matter of deferrals and appeals, well, we're not sticking to the process that's laid out in our historic district guidelines, and that sets a uh a pretty pretty slippery precedent in terms of um designing new buildings to fit within our historic districts.

We want them to fit within scale uh design and to be beneficial for the surrounding neighborhood and for applicants to feel that they can just hop over the step of design review in our historic districts.

It's not a good trajectory for uh the the future health of our neighborhoods.

So we support our member our friends in Foberg Marini for uh to support their wishes and uh not approve this design today.

But again, I am a very concerned about the outcome of what has been brought up today regarding plans that have never been submitted for review at all.

So thank you.

Thank you, Ms.

Holmes, Mr.

Alan Johnson.

Hello, my name is Alan Johnson, I live at 1418 Charters.

I'm here today to speak about 621 Allegian Fields.

I read the motion, and the motion talks about approving a plan of a building of a certain building size.

That was addressed a year ago when y'all granted far waivers to this building.

That's not what's actually on the issue today.

The issue today is an appeal of the HDLC and the ARC.

The HDRC denied these plans twice, but they were welcome to come back.

They were told this multiple times by the HDLC staff at that meeting, they were told them that at the HDLC meeting.

The HDLC did not deny these plans.

They deferred them back because they wanted to go back to the ARC.

These are three meetings.

These developers did not operate in good faith.

Zach Smith said that he wanted to come to the city council and that this building would not work.

This project would not work unless he had these plans specifically.

We don't understand what that means, but whether it's size, whatever you want to talk about, there is no architectural review of any elements of this building, cornices, balconies, windows, roof lines, any of the thing that happens in a historic district is not happening with this plan because they've blown past it.

They have no respect for the city of New Orleans, they have no respect for the first historic district in the city of New Orleans, which is the Foburg Marity, they have no respect for us.

All we're asking for is that they be held to the standards in historic districts.

Because let me tell you something, this is gonna happen to other historic districts.

You're setting a precedent.

We already saw it with a hotel on around street where they ended up pulling the plans at the last minute, I believe, because they didn't think they were going to get approval.

But if you continue to allow people to come to HDLC, come to ARC, say we want a denial, we're gonna go straight to the city council.

You're gonna have to have people in your staff in your office who are gonna have to talk about building design.

And that's you got a lot to do.

Let the ARC and the HDLC do their job and do it and make them operate in good faith.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Mark.

2716 and Dauphin.

Hello, I'm Mark Malou, Solid 2716 Dauphine for Bergmarny.

I am not opposed to this site being developed as a hotel.

Just a hotel that is this massive.

If the developers have to have this build of this magnitude, I know a commercial real estate agent who can find a parcel that will accept it without any overrides or exceptions needed.

If they are bought into this site because it's such a great neighborhood, I know architects that can draw up plans that will fit on the site without having to go before the city council on AX1 override.

And that's all I have to say about it.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms.

Asia Strong.

Ms.

Asia Strong.

Okay.

Hello, good morning, Council.

I first want to say that I stand with the opinions of all who have opposed so far.

Um, especially the improvement of Falber Marin Improvement Association.

Uh I am the occupant of 601 Elesion Fields, which is that blue building that you see in a lot of the pictures, and I am the former occupant of 6057 Allesion Fields, a property that was recently acquired by Katie Minor Bliss and her father, CJ Minor Bliss at a foreclosure sale that I was not aware of.

I have firsthand experience knowing that these developers are not acting in good faith.

I'm happy to answer questions from anybody about how this foreclosure sale took place and the process that I underwent.

There were promises that were made to me by them, there were implications that were made to me by them, and I am certain that they are not operating in good faith, and I am certain that they do not have the neighborhood or the occupants in mind in developing these plans.

So please, please have these people go through the proper guidelines.

Don't let them skip over anything.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mr.

Ronald, last thing is also the Pelesky.

Hello, I'm a New Orleans resident at 2026 North Rempport Street.

We live in a country where rules and regulations at the federal level are thrown out all the time.

It would be nice to know that at the city level, we can still follow the rules and regulations that were put in place.

I'm assuming by the city council, and follow those rules and regulations to its to a logical conclusion, not bypass things.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Robbie Beck.

Good morning.

I'm Robbie Beck.

I live at uh 840 Spain in New Orleans.

I'm uh here requesting that you deny the appeal, that you do not pass this motion.

The uh city has rules and uh regulations for historic districts, they're not being followed here.

The city has procedures for trying to accommodate uh people who are trying to build something in a historic district.

Those have been blown past because they don't want to try to comply, they just want to get what they want, and that's been the way it is from day one.

They purchased this property, they were spected out based on what their uh hotel franchise requires, not what the city requires.

So they're in effect saying we want a rezoning, rezone this according to the plans of our fry franchise rather than what everybody else in the historic district has.

It's unfair to us, it's unfair to our property values, and it's just for their economic benefit.

They could still put a hotel there.

I would love for them to have a hotel there.

It's my neighborhood.

A nice uh appropriately sized hotel that fits in the neighborhood and uh our architecturally would be wonderful, but I'm asking you today to deny this appeal and not pass this motion.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Gina Wendell.

Wendell, she's not an opposition not speaking.

Miss Marinel Nolan Wheatley.

Good morning, counsel.

Marinelle Nolan Wheatley with the Preservation Resource Center 923 Chapatullah Street.

Since the developers for this project first met with the HDLC's architectural review committee in June 2023, they've been told by experts and neighbors that the designs for the proposed hotel at 621 Allean Fields are incompatible for the site and historic neighborhood.

The ARC denied the most recent plans in July 2025, noting that the design included too much on the site and overwhelmed the neighboring historic buildings.

The HDLC has said repeatedly that the plans do not meet its design guidelines for new construction and raise concerns that the ARC's comments remain for the most part unaddressed, noting that while the height was reduced, the size, distribution, proportions, and overall look remain unimproved.

At the last HCLC meeting, where 14 people spoke in opposition to the project as proposed, the representative for the developer made it clear that they were unwilling to further cooperate with the regulatory process in historic districts.

The PRC shares the sentiment of Commission Chair Jenny West, who stated, quote, I would hate to see this be a precedent to approaching the the HDLC, in that the answer is just no, we won't work with the guidelines.

The PRC would like to see an appropriate design move forward on this vacant lot, but granting this appeal would set a concerning precedent by allowing developers who knowingly purchase property in historic districts to then refuse to work in good faith with the city agency that regulates those districts.

We respectfully urge the council to deny this appeal and encourage the developers to work within the guidelines to design a hotel that is compatible with its surroundings.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Ms.

Maria Crouch.

And I'm appalled at the switching of plans that was that I'm just finding out about.

And instead of having a grand avenue that would be very pleasant to walk on, and I would reach Cleborn Avenue and its beautiful trees, all of that has disappeared because of variances.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mr.

Mark Shetler.

Happy New Year.

Mark Shetler, 2768 Orchid Street.

I'm the executive director of Shift Change.

We do advocacy work for the service hospitality and nightlife industry.

This ends up having a degrading influence on the industry as a whole because now good operators end up getting uh lumped in with it as well.

If we have people who are coming into the city to try to do business and not operate in good faith, what you're effectively doing by allowing that is telling good faith operators that they're gonna have to jump through additional hoops, make it more onerous for them to do business, all the while people who just flout the rules that we've agreed to, they're the ones who actually are going to win.

This is going to discourage good faith operators from doing business here.

It's important that the laws that we have all agreed to are followed and are applied evenly across the industry.

Anyone who doesn't buy it want to play by those rules should not be allowed to play in New Orleans.

Mr.

Bernard.

Michael Burnside.

Michael Rick Burns had 2215 Felicity.

As many people know, this will be my last council meeting.

I'll be laying down my eighth council personship starting on January 11th, 1159 p.m.

My carriage will turn into a pumpkin.

I wasn't going to speak on this issue, but um I have friends in the room that I think are unfortunately naive.

Uh the political process is complex, and this last step is not really going to change any outcome.

I want to warn everybody in the room of what I read in the newspaper and received an email.

Apparently, we are very seriously competing for the 2031 Super Bowl.

Apparently, our governor has made promises in New York City.

I've been told there are many promises, including the expansion of our airport.

Apparently, we need 15 more gates because people don't want to be slow coming in and out of our city.

One of the other things that's brought up is hotels.

It seems that we don't have enough hotel rooms at 26,000.

We are apparently promising the two billion dollars will be spent in this city in the next five, six years.

And we are going to have more than 40,000 hotel rooms when we're done.

So if you think this is your first hotel, you may be right.

If you think it's your last hotel, you're probably quite wrong.

What's interesting is that all the old hotels are apparently now worth less money.

Hotels are being sold.

Newspaper articles exist.

Current hotels are only worth two-thirds of what they were no more than a couple years ago.

So you have a giant industry that needs a Super Bowl to feed it.

Thank you.

Ms.

Bliss.

Katie Bliss.

Katie Bliss.

Yes.

Uh hi everyone.

Um my name is Katie Bliss, uh, 6045 Chandler Drive, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Um, if you haven't observed thus far, the main issue here is that the ARC, um, the main issue the ARC has had with this project has always been the massing.

Despite that nearly two years ago, after our second ARC meeting, the ARC directed us to this city council to obtain the necessary waivers.

We did exactly that.

You, the city council, not only confirmed our permitted FAR under zoning, but affirmatively increased it, making your position very clear on how you felt about the way this project was supposed to be utilized.

Despite this ruling, the ARC spent the next two years wasting our time by refusing to acknowledge the city council's decision, continuing to relitigate massing while offering inconsistent and contradictory guidance.

I have receipts upon every ARC meeting.

What was said, the advice that was given, and how it was different than the time before, move the spacing here, move the massing there, change it off of Allegian Fields, put it on Allegian fields.

Why isn't this a four-story building across the entire expanse of the project?

Well, that's what we first submitted, though in the first admitted to the ARC.

So why are we now discussing that a year and a half later?

We've gone round and round throughout this process.

We made every design change requested outside of massing, as this city council had already decided that we've had 11 specific requests issued by the neighborhood, the FMIA, and every single one.

We satisfied, which made a significant impact in our design changes.

Again, we have the receipts.

Um, even after litigation was filed against the city council concerning our property.

All of this just to say that the HDLC was concerned by our limited responsiveness and lack of refinement to ARC.

Well, I'm concerned by the ARC's lack of responsiveness to the clear city council decision, as well as the ARC's confusing, misleading, contradictory advice, not to mention the HDLC's failure to encourage a path forward within the framework, the city, Ms.

Blueficial time.

Ms.

Walker.

Hello, I'm Margaret Walker and I live at 1625 Street.

1526 Pogger Street.

I'm here again trying to save our historical neighborhood from the large investors who have decided to come in and make money off us.

The reason they're so excited to do this is because we've worked so hard to make it a good neighborhood to live in.

What I do not understand is why these investors want to come into our neighborhood when we don't want them.

There are other hotels that we do support and we continue to go to and attend.

But the ones that come in, why would we want them?

And so we are the ones who suggest it to visitors or people visiting, go visit this hotel or go to this place.

The Peter Paul had has done a wonderful job of it.

Um don't they realize that we are the ones who suggest places to stay for our guests and our visitors?

This project has been through the architectural and historical review committees many times, and they've been denied by both.

Also, once this breaks one zoning law in the city, it's going to go to all other um parishes in the city and all other places.

Uh contractors are going to try to do the same.

Thank you very much for your time.

Mr.

Eddie Jacobs now speaking in support.

Angeron not speaking in support.

Not speaking in support.

CJ Minor not speaking in support.

Pardon me is a name I I can't pronounce.

Uh in support.

Mr.

Ron Lazel in support.

Are you speaking, Mr.

Lazel?

Not speaking.

Will tablet in support.

I'm sorry, I forgot.

I forgot uh Mr.

Justin Smith to speak.

Mr.

Smith.

Justin.

Justin Smith, followed by Zach's Membership Gabalas in person common car.

Good morning, Justin Schmidt, 1506 7th Street, representing FMIA and the four adjacent neighbors.

As I'm confident this matter will end up in litigation, I make uh address motion M2616, sponsored by Councilmember King as follows.

First, uh for the impellate record, I point out that this motion is fatally flawed because the full HDLC, nor the ARC considered the drawings that are in connection with this motion.

Um the post ARC submission applicant by applicant.

These plans were not considered by either of these bodies, and thus creates a procedural problem in that it violates notice and the opportunity to be heard, the open meetings law, and basic due process.

That project does not directly abut a residential uses.

It also is 5,686 square feet smaller than that that is proposed under these new plans.

And the adopted uh recommendations uh or adopted by the recommendations and have uh recommendations that were adopted by the ARC and HDLC.

I know this because I personally represented that project for two years.

My clients are not opposed to a hotel on this site.

They merely want one that is commensurate with the neighborhood.

This is the oldest suburb um in the country.

Let it let that sit in.

The oldest suburb in the country.

We need to treat it accordingly and make sure that it fits with the neighborhood.

Thank you.

Zachary Smith.

Mr.

Needle, we're going to put the comment all our comments to the record.

Thank you.

Good morning, Council Zach Smith, 1000 South Norman Sea Francis.

I want to start with a quote that's been said earlier and was actually said in this this room.

You know, you're welcome to come back.

It's hard to say you're welcome to come back after two and a half years of going through this process and being ping-ponged around.

And also when folks use words like behemoth to describe your project.

You know, the very same group that says you don't meet the guidelines, goes out of its way to use words that are not in the guidelines.

This is how we treat people.

Whether we like the project, whether we don't like the project, whether we agree with the project, we would we disagree with the project.

The idea of this kind of taking the knife, sticking it in and turning it with folks that are taking their resources in trying to do something in the city again is one of those issues that I take great umbrage with.

The idea again that we're gonna use words that are not in the guidelines that we're dragging people across the coals for not following.

Again, we're fundamentally here because this building, in the eyes of many historic preservationists, is too tall.

That's the facts.

We had an opportunity.

In fact, it was the chairwoman of the HDLC that tried to work out a compromise, and the full commission denied that.

It was to basically say, let's get past the height issue and let's send this back to the ARC and the staff to work on what what I'll uh call the skin issues.

That was denied.

I think it was denied also by the staff that said this building, you know, in our mind is unsavable at that height.

We're here because groups of city uh workers in the process decided to say the city council, who's already decided on the massing, hey, we're not gonna follow your rules because this is a separate process.

Well, here we are, we're back in front of you.

All right, to say that this proposal in front of you is fundamentally different than what you saw almost a year ago is absolutely insane.

Okay, it's the same height you guys looked at, and this incorporates a lot of changes with continued outreach to neighbors, which was required by that approval and continued two follow-up meetings by the ARC.

It's been two and a half years, and we welcome your support and approval today.

Thank you.

You get ready to call for the vote?

Before we'll do comments, but we'll make sure we have everybody out.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Let me uh I thought I was gonna ride out my time just kind of riding it out.

Uh and it's it's interesting here today.

This is the project that we approved before, but there's some really concerning issues here for me.

And and I wrote down that you mentioned words, words do mean a lot.

Especially as a politician, we use a lot of words that they don't always line up, but site plans alter setbacks, not consistent with historic fabric.

Uh step away from design excellence, uh, changes initial plans.

You know, as someone who has a little history here, I remember when I first started here working for Jim Singleton years ago, uh, him and the delay Joe Gusso getting the neighborhood and a project developer in the room.

And he said the city council is going to make a decision.

But before the city council makes a decision, we're gonna give you all a chance to get in the room and make a decision about what you think is best for the neighborhood.

That was a rink or pretending in Washington.

The neighborhood got together with the experts and with the developers, and they came up supporting a project ultimately where something happened.

I say that to say that these were the kind of words that I heard before that meeting.

But when that meeting happened with HDLC, with developers, with others, the neighborhood of Romp along with the developer came up with something that fit for them.

So someone who understands how that process can work or should work when everybody gets in the same room, especially when there's political intent.

John Williams, one of the great designers in New Orleans.

I don't think anyone runs better projects than Eddie Jacobs and Zach, you and Ron, uh ultimately are trying to help this cities prosper.

But it takes me aback knowing that those things that made difficult projects like this work in the past didn't work now.

And so for me, it's really the neighborhood, as I look at this neighborhood, I don't think I got a vote in that neighborhood.

But it's really bigger than that neighborhood.

As someone for me who understands that process of when there are alter altered plans, or when they're in disagreement on plans, how things can happen for the benefit of community.

So I wanted to say that to say that it's something that I thought that I supported in concept, given my lineage and my history and kind of understanding how this process works.

Right now, I feel like this isn't the same thing that we voted on before.

So my vote is no.

Any other comments?

FOIA is one day, thank you.

Next item.

Well, now on top of page 15, the HDLC appeal of Mary Grace Virgis, 1120 Jenna Street has been deferred to January 27th.

Legislative group and HDLC will appeal for Dr.

Mark V.

Homeowner, 1422 Jackson Avenue, requesting to appeal the historic district landmarks commission's decision to approve an elevator being placed on the exterior of 1410 Jackson Avenue.

We have motion M 2613 by Councilmember Harris, a motion denying the applicants' request for property located at 1410 Jackson Avenue, and the decision of the KIS Commission is hereby affirmed.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Eleanor, will you brief us on the HCLC report?

Yes.

This is an appeal of the commission's vote to grant approval of an ARC appeal on a designated landmark building, allowing the construction of the elevator shaft in the proposed location.

But the proviso that the height is lowered to be below the historic cornice.

If the elevator height cannot be modified to be below the cornice, further commission review would be required.

This building is a significant rated landmark structure.

The late architect and historian Sam Wilson said of this house, it's one of the most important houses in the garden district, and one of the best examples of Reynolds work.

And what's unusual about it is that what you've got there now is pretty much just the way it was.

The building was constructed in 1856 for Henry Sullivan Buckner.

It was designed by Lewis E.

Reynolds.

The building was nominated as a local landmark in 1984 and designated in 1998.

At their meeting of December 5th, 2025, the commission voted to grant approval of an ARC appeal of the designated landmark.

The staff respect requests that the HDLC decision be upheld.

Thank you.

I have three comment cards.

First from Mark Behar, second by Scott Heath, and third by John Williams.

My name is Mark Behar.

I'm the next door neighbor at 1422 Jackson Avenue.

I'm not against a senior disabled person installing an elevator on their property.

I am against the location of this elevator.

Um besides the staff reports that I've seen from the HDLC staff also against this location.

Um because it affects the site line, I imagine, and it's seen from the street of this iconic building.

As the next door neighbor, I moved in 20 years ago.

In the past, in high winds, my bamboo stocks have actually uh hit against the building.

If a six-foot structure is now placed on the side of the building coming towards my property, it's likely that my bamboo stocks are going to be hitting against that property.

Uh the stocks have been there 20 years.

I would hate to damage my neighbor's property, and I'd also hate to have to remove my bamboo stocks uh that will likely be hitting against a new um addition to that property.

I've contact I reached out to the homeowner asking for uh to discuss this matter, but I hadn't heard back from him.

Uh that was in a text.

I am unsure if there's going to be noise coming from this new uh elevator uh mechanical noise.

And so even I I'm sorry that I'm addressing this here.

I should have addressed it in front of the HDLC Commission.

Uh, the November meeting notice I received had the wrong address.

By the time I got to the commission, uh I was too late.

The December meeting arrived.

Uh, I received two days before the uh meeting, and not enough time for me to reschedule.

I raced over and was too late again.

Uh I asked for thank you.

Thank you, Mark.

Uh Scott Heath, followed by John Williams.

Scott Heath from Williams Architects at 840 824 Baron Street.

Um, we are here from the architects working on the project.

We're here to answer the questions you may have.

We would like to say that this was a decision by the uh commission uh based upon after several sessions with the ARC, and we did have a letter in support of this the elevator addition at this location from the state historic preservation office.

Can you address the issue of noise?

Do you know if the mechanics of this elevator will cause untoward noise towards uh Dr.

Behar's property?

I can answer.

Um, the mechanical room will be in in the interior of the building, so the mechanisms within the building envelope.

And um, the we're planning up being being made of uh CMU with a lime cover, so lime plaster covering.

So it's likely to loud noise would be unlikely to go out of the so essentially it's covered with soundproofing.

Is that what you're saying?

I'm saying that with the with uh concrete masonry blocks, it's unlikely sound would be significantly out going for the building.

Okay.

Uh thank you.

Any other questions?

John Williams.

Good morning.

My name's John 824 Baron Street.

I'm the architect architect for the owner.

Um we have a presentation, but I'm happy to answer questions with maps and all of that.

But the key thing is that we've got the historic district landmark commission in favor of this.

We had some other locations, and everybody settled on this location and this design, and we'd like to proceed with that.

And um be happy to.

I know the uh Dr.

Bihar hasn't met with his neighbor.

I'm happy to try and make that happen.

Um we appreciate it if you could um support the HDLC, the State His Ford Preservation Office, and the National Park Service have all lined up and and said that this is the right location.

Thank you.

All right, thank you.

Um I have two motions on the agenda, but I'm moving forward with the motions to uphold the HGLC's decision.

The applicant and HCLC have been working together for months, and I'm pleased that they were able to come to an agreed placement of the elevator on their own.

As we just heard, the elevator should be soundproofed enough such that it is not harmful to the neighbors.

I would encourage you to work with Dr.

Behar to ensure that there is sufficient contact between him, his family, and the owner of the new property, so that if there are any issues that they can be resolved outside of city council.

With that, I will move to adopt.

Second by council member King.

Five years, thank you.

On top of phase 16, motion M2614 has been withdrawn.

We have a legislative group and zoning docket 4925, City Council motion M25380, requesting an amendment to the text of Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 19, and 26 of the comprehensive zoning ordinance in order to streamline administrative processes, clarifying unclear provisions, codifying evolving practices, and consider the amendments include it in exhibit A attached to City Council motion M25380, the recommendation of the city planning commission being for approval.

Motion line over M2562 by Councilmember DeRusso approving the applicant's request with modification as set for in exhibit A for zoning docket 4925.

All right.

Good morning.

Um Ashley and Timi, please proceed.

Good morning, Council.

Ashley Becknell, Deputy Executive Counsel and Council Land Use Officer.

Uh, I'm here with my colleagues at CPC to give you a bit of background about this particular zoning docket since it's a bit unique.

Um zoning docket 4925 includes a number of changes to CZO's chapters one through four.

It also includes a change to chapter 19, which is the uh interim zoning district laws.

Um so this has been a long and lengthy process, and we started from a position of there are some things that we need to do that haven't been done yet.

Um many of the administrative sections of the CCO weren't meaningfully adopt updated since its adoption, and there had not been a concerted effort to coherently update the administrative sections of the code.

We had piecemeal updates uh that led to differing standards, and our goal here was to not only make things easier for everyone participating in this process, whether that's homeowners, developers, or city staff, but also to make sure that we are moving with the times, we're recognizing technological advances and best practices as well as changes in city and state laws.

Um as I said, this has been a lengthy effort.

We started with an initial NPP on February 12th of 2025.

Uh so it's been ongoing for almost a year.

We received feedback at that NPP and had a second NPP in May of 2025.

Uh the council acted on July 10th to adopt motion M25380, which initiated this formal process.

Uh additionally, CPC held feedback sessions while they were considering the item to make sure that we were hearing from the community given the complexity and breadth of this amendment.

CPC commission deferred consideration twice, allowing this to be viewed by the public, the report to be visible to the public and everyone to be able to digest it and provide meaningful comment.

And CPC voted to recommend approval on October 28th of 2025.

And now here we are today at the council hearing on that recommendation.

As as you all can see, but uh just as a brief overview.

Um the main change that this makes is it details review and consolidation of NPP processes into one section.

It calls in several places for enhanced use of notice me, which is the city's automated software.

Anyone can go to noticeme.nola.gov and sign up for land use related notifications.

They can filter it by property, by zoning district, by neighborhood.

Um so it allows everyone to have very granular control over what information they receive so that anyone who wants information has timely access to it.

It also provides a process for regular CZO updates, including alignment with the master plan that's more of an administrative process.

Um it clarifies extension of deadlines for conditional uses and plan developments, but it also extends those deadlines on the front end because we recognize the market realities and the increased number of requests we've seen lately.

Um it clarifies and streamlines the design review processes and requirements, codifies longstanding safety and permits interpretations, reconciles conflicting provisions, and clarifies our procedures and actions here on the council side in accordance with our processes that are already in place.

Um my friends at CPC can provide additional information if you have any questions, particularly around the design review and NPP processes, but otherwise, uh I'm here if you have questions as well.

All right, is there anybody on the dais?

Not yet.

I have one comment card.

Jeffrey Seymour.

Going once.

Going twice.

Not here, not here, Alan.

Left.

Okay.

And by the way, the for the record, um, it says says something about how the council waived an MPP requirement.

And that's why I'm glad Ashley, you went through the timeline to show that there were two MPPs and how much is done publicly.

Uh, I I just want to say before any members have anything, I really want to thank everybody at the table.

Claire, I know there's still people in the audience.

Aaron, who worked on this.

Yeah, you can speak.

I put a card in.

Okay, all right, we'll get you.

Um, but uh this took a lot of work to get to this point, and I know a lot of times in council meetings it seems like it's a snap, but as Ashley pointed out, it's been almost a year at this point.

So thank you all very much, everybody who had a big hand in dealing with this.

Aaron?

Good morning, thank you.

My name is Aaron Holmes.

I'm here representing VCPORA.

And I I do want to thank Councilmember Jeruso, Ashley Becknow, Claire Bayan, and Liz Holman over in um Councilmember Harris's office, because we've all been communicating on this.

Um, you know, this effort was designed to you know make clerical and administrative tweaks to um the CZO regarding the NPP process, and as neighborhood advocates, we're always looking for an opportunity to improve um the CZO and the city code when the opportunity arises.

So uh, you know, obviously, as someone who attends many NPPs, we always want to know as much as possible about a project from the onset so that there's no surprises at the end.

General things like size, use permission and variances, uh, general operations.

These are all good things for an applicant to share with an audience so that they can be informed about a project.

Um we understand that the changes are necessary so that the CZO is um performing at top notch.

But moving forward, we do want to continue working on improving the overall NPP process to ensure effective public participation.

Um, and so we have a couple of suggestions and we've gotten some commitments on continued work.

Um we would like to see all NPP notifications placed on a public-facing dashboard, similar to the adjudication uh calendar.

Um, we also recommend that the NPP guidelines be formally adopted by the city planning commission as policy, and we would like to see uh togling of the dates for um public comments to be due to be after, maybe two days after the uh planning report comes out so that the public can also benefit from the staff review.

So we could uh look forward to continuing to approve this process overall, and thank you.

Thank you so much.

Anyone else?

A missing card.

All right, any comments from Deis?

Seeing none, I will move on the amendment.

You need to read the amendment first, madam clerk.

Go ahead.

Amendment to motion M2562 by Councilmember Jerusalem amendments to motion M2562 to add an effective date of the amendments to the comprehensive zone and ordinance contemplate their end.

That is the amendment.

All right.

I move.

Seconded by Councilmember Harris.

Six we have I need one more yay.

Councilmember Marine.

Thank you.

Seven seven years now on the motion as amended.

I will move.

Seconded by President Morrell.

Need two more.

One more.

Sorry.

Seven Yayes no nays.

Thank you, everybody.

Thank you again.

We're now on top of page 17.

We have zoning doc 6025 has been referred to January 27th.

We have the legislative group and zoning docket 6125, Park Place Shopping Center LLC, requesting an amendment to ordinance number 28,097 MCS zoning docket 3219 for conditional use to permit the operation of a previously constructed drive-thru facility on an undesignated portion of ground on square 617 in the second municipal district, bounded by City Park Avenue, North Anthony Street, North Bernadotte Street, St.

Louis Street, and Toulouse Street.

Municipal Address 512 City Park.

The recommendation of the City Planning Commission being for approval, subject to seven provisos.

We have motion M25 and 20 M265 by Councilmember Jerusalem.

Approving and granted the applicant's request on zoning docket 6125, subject to seven provisals within the city planning commission report.

Thank you.

CBCF report.

Yeah, Councilmember, thank you.

This is an application affecting the uh building along City Park Avenue across from Delgado Community College that was previously used as a Burger King as food restaurant.

Uh it was a non-conforming use, and so when that restaurant shut down for an extended period of time, the zoning nonconformities were lost.

We now have a new uh developer that wishes to refresh the location and locate a new restaurant concept within it.

Um the zoning allows this only through conditional use approval, and so that's why we're here.

Uh nothing substantive to change in terms of the design.

The design will be improved, but the building will kind of remain at its same size.

Uh drive-thru will remain largely the same.

So, really, this is just an opportunity to take this building that has existed and allow it to be reused in a reasonable way, and the planning commission supports that and recommends approval.

Thank you.

I have no comment cards on this.

Just very quickly, members, as Mr.

Corral noted, this property was historically used as a drive-thru.

It will now be a quick service chicken restaurant run by Shep Duck Chase's team.

There will make some cosmetic changes.

Uh and in fact, as Claire has written in my notes, not only was there no opposition, but there's in fact excitement.

So that that's yeah, it's exciting when people get happy about LeonU's decision.

So I move for approval.

Seconded by Councilmember Harris 7 Yay's no nays.

Thank you very much.

Thank you all.

Thank you.

We're now on page 19 at the bottom.

The legislative group and for ordinance calendar number 35,093 has been withdrawn.

At the top of page 20, motion line over M25254 has been withdrawn.

As well as ordinance calendar number 35,103 has been withdrawn.

Ordinance calendar number 35,117 is deferred to January 27th.

On top of page 21, ordinance calendar number 35,127 has been deferred to January 27th.

We have ordinance calendar number 35,320 by Councilmember Green by request.

An ordinance to approve and authorize the mayor of the city of New Orleans, acting by and through the New Orleans Aviation Board to enter into a lease amendments to the airline airport use and lease agreements with the signatory airlines operating at the Lewis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport under circumstances in which the solicitation and selection process is not required by law and otherwise to provide with respect there too.

Members, actually, this ordinance um provides some good information.

The ordinance authorizes the New Orleans Aviation Board to extend and amend lease agreements with the major airlines operating at the Louis Armstrong International Airport.

These agreements cover American Delta FedEx Jet Blue Southwest Spirit United and UPS and allows the airlines to continue using airport facilities while paying established rents, fees, and charges.

The action ensures uninterrupted airline service at the airport, supports the airport's ongoing operations and growth, and provides stability as the city and airlines work toward a new long-term airport use and lease agreement.

The extensions run through the end of 2027 with flexibility to transition sooner once a new agreement is finalized, and of course, it's been approved by the aviation board.

Are there any cards?

You know, I'm looking at you, Mr.

Burnshire.

All right.

Moving for adoption.

May I have a second seconded by Councilmember Jerusalem.

We have 68, Council Mayor.

Councilmember Marina.

Thank you.

Seven years.

Thank you for your support.

At the bottom of the page, ordinance calendar number 35,000 323 has been deferred to January 27th.

On page 22, all matters.

Motion M25182 is deferred to January 27.

Motion M25183 is deferred to January 27.

Motion M25184 is deferred to January 27.

On page 23, all matters.

Motion M25186 is deferred to January 27.

Motion M25187 is deferred to 127.

Motion M25189 is deferred to January 27.

On page 24, motion M25235 is deferred to January 27.

Motion M25236 is deferred to January 27.

Motion M25238 has been deferred to January 27.

On page 25, motion M25239 is deferred to January 27.

Motion M2528 has been deferred to January 27.

Motion M25435 has been deferred to January 27th.

On page 26, we have resolution line over M25614 has been withdrawn.

We have motion line over M25655 has been withdrawn.

We have resolution R25671 has been withdrawn.

We have substitute resolution R25671 by Councilmember King approving the following disbursement of the 2025 reserve, subject to the availability of funds.

We have the Orleans Parish School Board, Travis High School, Travis Hill School, 1,213,423 and 85 cents.

Office of Student Support and Attendance, 1,213,423 and 84 cents.

We have the Aurora Program and Renew Therapeutic Program, 1,300,000.

Total allocation 3,726,847.

We need to suspend the rules to receive this resolution.

So move.

Second by Councilmember Morrell.

Rules are suspended, Madam Clerk.

We need to vote.

We need to further suspend the rules to add this to the agenda.

Councilmember Morrell moves our second.

Councilmember King move.

Morel second.

And now we need to vote on it.

Mr.

Burns has a comment.

So I once again am blessed by the Lord.

So we see here before us the word subject to the availability of funds.

It's somewhat similar to estimate up to we use words to deny the power of math.

Math has no power because if we read the rest of the uh substitute resolution, we find that we have two million dollars in 2014, subject to an inflation adjustment, which gets us to 2.7 million dollars, which was the original resolution.

The original resolution not only gave the money to different people, it did sum up to 2.7 million dollars.

But here in the substitute resolution, we find an interesting fact.

We find that all of a sudden we're giving away three point seven million dollars, which is of a course substantially more than 2.7 million dollars, and substantially more than it's in the fund, which is supposed to be 2 million dollars plus an inflation adjustment, which comes to 2.7 million dollars.

So, subject to the availability of funds, we are going to give somebody not one million dollars that we promised them because we do not have it.

Subject to the formula could inquiry so go down.

Thank you, Mr.

Burns.

Any other comments?

6J is no naive.

On top of page 27, we have motion M26 by Councilmember Jerusalem directing the city planning commission to conduct a public hearing to consider renaming the approximate entirety of.

Um members, this one has been stuck in my craw for a little while because Robert E.

Lee was renamed, but there's West Robert E, which never got renamed.

And so I just figured this would be a smart and easy thing to do before we left office to like conform.

And obviously, Zephyr has a strong connection with this area based on the roller coaster of Ponchatrain Beach.

So that wait wait, how long has the baseball team been gone?

I you know, I didn't baseball team.

I just said the roller coasters have been gone even longer.

Six Jays.

Thank you, everybody.

We have motion M267, our council member King directing the city planning commission to conduct a public hearing to consider an amendment to ordinance number 4, 264 MCS as amended, the comprehensive zoning ordinance to amend Article 19 to establish the new interim zoning district to be named VCE Adult Live Performance venue interim zoning district, the intent of which is to require the approval of a conditional use by ordinance for adult live performance venues where adult use is designated as a permitted use in the VCE Vulcare Entertainment District of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance.

Adult Live Performances shall be subject to all provisions in the CZO related to conditional uses, included but not limited to Section 3 4.3, all other regulations and CZO that may relate to adult live performance venues, included but not limited to use permissions and other zoning districts, use standards, bulk and yard standards, parking requirements, and stormwater management shall continue to apply to the use if approved under the terms of this IZD, unless expressly weighed by the ordinance approving the conditional use where adult use is prohibited in the CZO, it shall remain prohibited under this IZD.

Mr.

Mark Shuttler.

Hello again, Mark Shadler from Shift Change.

Um intentionally or not, uh a lot of interested parties were caught somewhat flat footed by the motion here today, so I'm just hoping to achieve a bit of clarity.

But you saw I put an info card.

Um there's uh uh a lot of questions about what and why we're biting off here.

So being the sponsoring council office, I would specifically um be curious if council member king's perspective.

Um deaf can definitely can follow up after as well.

Um, you know, that said customers and employees of ALPVs reside in all the districts in the city, so I'd imagine other council offices will be inclined to weigh in as well.

Um councilmember King, I'll I'll read the questions and then maybe circle back up to answer them.

Um first question uh what problems do these changes seek to explore and or solve?

Um second, how did council become aware of this problem?

Uh third, how and why did district C conclude that exploring andor identifying changes will lead to a resolution to the problem.

Um, and then especially in regards to possible secondary negative effects, what impact or impacts have been identified as possible outcomes of the proposed solutions.

Are there specific issues we're hoping to receive additional clarity on from CPC?

I don't know.

I don't usually do the info card, so I don't know how you want to go forward with it.

We'll talk to you offline about it.

Um is there anything on that that you might want to weigh in on right now?

I have comments.

Any other comments?

I'll give it to the okay, gotcha.

All right.

Zen Resonant District is intended to mitigate the negative secondary effects associated with adult live performance venues in the VCE district by requiring case-by-case review.

We can ensure new venues when amplified these problems.

Um this appeal, these this ICD can be appealed by those wanting to establish a new venue, or they can ask for conditional use.

Five A's, no nays.

At the bottom of the page, we have motion M268 by Councilmember King, directing the city planning commission to conduct a public hearing, consider amendments to the comprehensive zone and ordinance, ordinance number 4264, MCSS amended by ordinance number 26413 MCS and subsequent amendments to a change adult live performance venues from a permitted use to a conditional or prohibited use in the VCE Vukare Entertainment District and to consider adding a new set section to Article 25, Section 25.

I'll come back.

Motion M2617 by Councilmember Jerusalem, directing the city planning commission to conduct a public hearing to consider a conditional use to permit a wine shop and an HUB1, historic urban neighborhood business district for the property located on square 95, lot A, bounded by Fern Street, Bert Street, Short Street, and Maple Street.

Municipal address 7913 through 7915 Maple Street.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Members, I ordinarily would not submit this type of motion, but this is a special case.

The owner of Meyer's provisions wish to expand and sell package alcohol.

Myers provision held two neighborhood participation meetings.

Based on the feedback following the first meeting, they amended their initial application from a conditional use permit for retail sales of packaged alcohol beverage to conditional use for a wine shop.

A second MPP meeting required because of that change fell short of public notice by one day.

Delay of the proposed development is unnecessary as the neighbors nearby have expressed written support in two neighborhood readings were held previously to discuss.

So with that, I move to approve motion M2617.

Seconded by Councilmember Morell.

Six A is no days.

Thank you.

At the bottom of the page, we have resolution R2618 by Councilmember Thomas.

A resolution urging the New Orleans City Council to undertake formal and permanent public recognition of the lives, work, and contributions of Dorothy Mae Taylor and Diane Mama D French Cole through renaming the naming of streets or other endurance civic memorials.

And when we unanimously supported the legacy schools issues, is yes, New Orleans has changed, but in New Orleans, one of the things we identified by his comments about who you people are, which streets you grew up on, which award, and more commonly, what high school did you go to?

Well, we have iconic figures in our to in our town that though times may change, need to be remembered, like they remember the old iconic figures.

So these two women, these two black women represented the very best and struggle, uh the very best in the elected officials, and someone who always put our community first.

I understand that they may be financial constraints, that while the next administration and the city council is fighting to make sure that not only we can honor people there, but that we have the money and the resources we need to do that.

I just thought that this resolution intended, especially as someone who's a son and grandson of great iconic women like the ones we just made, I just named that we would remember as we move forward.

It's kind of hard hard to move forward in the future if you don't have a foundation for the past.

And we can say one thing, but what you do how you vote and how you feel is actually what you really mean and how you really feel.

So with that, I would move adoption of this uh resolution uh of intent and hoping that it encourages uh the next administration, next council to make sure that significant uh iconic figures like these two black women and many others are recognized, and so that generations in the future will not only cannot only read about them in the history books, but that there'll be significant locations in the city where you can not only see their names but have an understanding of what they represented.

And with that, I move adoption.

Councilman, I just wanted to my buttons.

Council Member Councilmember Green.

I just wanted to comment and um just tell you that the spirit of the resolution that you propose is very well accepted, and certainly in the communities that I represent, especially communities such as the historic seventh ward and ninth ward community, the desire community, there is benefit to the public in being reminded of the work that was done by pioneers who made a difference in our city.

So, in that spirit, I just say I appreciate what you are proposing here, and that I will certainly consider it, and I want to encourage the public to recognize that you can send in suggestions to any council member, but I'll speak for myself relative to history and the ideas that you might have relative to especially civic memorials.

The naming of streets is one opportunity, but there are other there are other opportunities to express our support for those who paid so much in our city of such a price to make our city better.

Uh any other comments from any other council members?

With that, uh I moved.

Uh I guess Councilmember Green, uh, since you spoke, we'll have you second.

All in favor?

Unanimous, seven years, no nays.

Thank you, guys.

We're going back to page 27.

At the bottom of the page, motion M268 by Councilmember King, directing the city planning commission to conduct a public hearing to consider amendments to the comprehensive zoning ordinance, ordinance number 4,264, MCS as amended by ordinance number 26,413, MCS, and subsequent amendments to adult live performance venues from a permitted use to a conditional or prohibited use in the VCE VUKARE Entertainment District, and to consider adding a new subsection to Article 25, Section 25.3.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

This this is um companion motion, but we do have two cards from our number from item 50.

Um Corey Dowden.

Are y'all doing the day, council?

Good, yes.

Okay.

Well, I came here for number 23, but you know, it's since y'all move that further.

But relating to the ordinance that you spoke about about the storm water, you know, I came here just for y'all to seek to y'all to create a local disaster property adjudication board with a reactive review review authority.

This would help us out in our city for our issue, because you had the 23, you had the American Rescue Plan.

And the American Rescue Plan is exactly to those people who are damaged or affected by storms.

And they go and assist these people.

But when they get assisted, it's not a joint effort between city and federal.

My house was destroyed by the storm.

All right, so I had to go to certain things to get it fixed in 2021.

And by the grace of God, you know, you know, FEMA came and fixed my house, but give me our brand new house.

But still my house still went on tax sale.

So if you create this board, this will safeguard all the homeowners that go into any kind of difficulty.

Do you know how many properties our investor lost during the storm?

And nothing still have got done yet in 2026.

It's time to get it done.

So that's all I have to say to that.

So please, I'm gonna file certain things with the with a new mayor and some other people as well, too, to go ahead on and protect our homeowners and protect those our fam who've been here for ages and ages who lost their property due to you know the quote unquote uh not cooperation with federal and city.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Make a motion to adopt about councilmember Thomas.

We're voting on 51, right?

Yes, yes, companionship 50.

One more five vote, five years, no nays thing.

We have resolution R263.

Council members Moreno, Morel, Jerusalem, Harris, King, Green, and Thomas.

It says be it resolved by the council of the City of New Orleans that City Council pledges to work collaboratively with the incoming administration to ensure issuance of the retention bonus payments as promptly as is feasible in partnership with the NOPD and the Louisiana Legislative Auditor.

We need to suspend the rules to receive this resolution.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

It's been moved by Councilmember Green.

I'll second.

All in favor?

Six years, no nays.

We need to suspend the rules to add it.

It's been moved by Councilmember Harris, seconded by Councilmember Green.

All in favor.

Six years, no nays.

All right.

Uh thank you, Madam Clerk.

Uh members, thank you for allowing me to take this resolution up on suspension, and I appreciate all members of the New Orleans City Council co-authoring this particular resolution.

This resolution uh really lays out our commitment to ensure that the city council and myself coming in as mayor elect that the retention bonuses which are which are owed to our New Orleans police department are met.

I received a call this morning from the state legislative auditor, uh, who obviously he told me that and he still agrees that we can use the revenue anticipation note to to meet these payments.

But he did say that he wanted to delay for a couple of weeks due to the fact that he believes that there could be some potential errors and omissions uh as he's reviewing who uh would be receiving the bonuses, and of course, we want to get all of the numbers right, he wants to ensure all the numbers are right, finance wants to ensure all the numbers are right.

So, what this resolution says is obviously that we are committed to making this payment, and what the legislative auditor is predicting that it won't happen on the 14th, but it will happen the next pay period for NOPD, which would be on January 30th.

So I thought that it was important, as did the city council to have something in writing stating our commitment that I'll that we could put all of this out in public as well, um, stating this commitment and move forward on all of this uh together today.

Councilmember Green.

Mayor Elect Moreno, I'd like to applaud your immediate response when the issue was raised relative to the possibilities of our hardworking members of the NOPD not getting the bonuses that they were provided.

It made a strong statement to our officers as well as our entire community.

I believe our community has seen such progress over the past few years, and this council has been involved that they are feeling more confident relative to our law enforcement community, its ability to cooperate with state and federal officials.

But the most important thing is that they feel that the members of the law enforcement community have gone out of their way to get the job done.

So at this opportunity and every opportunity that I have, I thank the members of the New Orleans Police Department for their work.

But I think that as you are elected, um the statement that you made in a timely manner there is important to helping our members of our police department recognize that we appreciate their work, and it also helps us to recruit officers because we are saying that if we make promises, we're gonna keep up with them and we're gonna make them happen.

So thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Green.

Council President Morell.

Thank you.

Umledge the necessity of this resolution because the purpose, the the thing that we are trying to set as a incoming and outgoing council with an incoming and outgoing mayor is transparency.

And the reality is that of the commitments that were made at the bond commission, because of the restrictions on the payroll fund, as we draw from it to pay off this commitment, we have to make sure that the entire payment is justifiable and on board, and that's why it may require the legislative auditor to take a bit more time to make sure that all those payments are valid because we don't want to run a file of those obligations with the bond commission.

So this resolution is once again the council and the mayor committing that we are gonna pay what is owed, but we're doing so within the constraints that have been outlined in the agreement that created the rant fund.

Thank you.

Thank you, Council President.

Councilmember Harris.

Thank you.

Uh Mayor Alex Moreno.

As the incoming budget chair for next term, I really want to say I appreciate the Louisiana legislative auditor taking the time to make sure that we're getting the numbers right, that our processes in place are getting the data right.

What we can't do is overpay.

What we need to do is pay correctly and on time, even if there is a slight delay to make sure that we're getting the numbers right.

So working with the new administration and as the new budget chair, that's my commitment to the city that we will make sure that the numbers presented to this council to this city are correct, and even if it requires some delay, I'd rather be delayed and correct than working quickly and incorrectly.

So thank you, Madam Mayor.

Thank you to this council.

Thank you.

Uh Councilmember Thomas.

Uh first of all, thank you for this.

Uh hopefully uh this promises uh this promise will be kept.

Uh the one thing I learned at the dinner table in my home in the little night was was that you don't make promises you can't keep.

And we promised these men and women, the one who wear that badge and raise their right hand and took an oath that this was part of an incentive package that they would get if they signed up to be there to protect us, our businesses and our families.

And for our incoming budget chair, council member uh Harris uh uh good luck.

We'll we'll pray for you that when one plus one is two, uh that it's really two.

Uh because if if you add one plus one and it's not two, then you shouldn't promise three.

So let's hope moving forward that one plus one is not only two, but you don't make political promises that say it's three, and then you have to reach a point where it's not even one, it winds up being none.

So if you promise somebody something, my daddy used to always say, if you can't deliver, son, you better die trying.

Councilmember Jeruso.

Yeah, I I think what what motivates me is is not only the promise that was made, but that there actually was money earmarked for this, and now it isn't there anymore.

And so I I think it's important that we recognize that that happened, it is not a good practice, it is a bad practice, as a matter of fact, and that we work forward to not only fixing it for NOPD right now, but also going forward with the new administration.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right, with that, I'll make a motion to adopt seconded by councilmember Thomas.

Seven years, no nays, thank you.

Council members, we need to go back to page 14, and we need to reconsider motion M2616 by Councilmember King.

Defloeman, okay.

Thank you.

Uh I'll turn the floor over to Councilmember Harris.

Thank you, Councilmember King.

Um, when this came up before the council for vote, um, I had voted yes, but I had no knowledge at that time that Baker Donaldson, which is a firm that I just joined on Monday, represented a party in a transaction involving the hotel.

So I should have recused myself had I known, which I hadn't at the time.

So out of an abundance of caution and thank you, Councilmember King, um, we're gonna reconsider this vote at the time so that I can recuse myself because Baker Donaldson does represent somebody in this transaction.

Thank you.

So by the clerk, do you call the vote?

You don't want to wait for all council members to be here.

No, we're gonna move forward.

Oh, okay.

So you gotta um call the vote.

You gotta move to reconsider.

Yes.

Second by councilmember Jerusalo, all in favor?

All right, six years, no nays.

Okay, now call to vote.

Yes.

I recuse.

Okay, but you gotta have a second.

Is this a call for the vote on the reconsiderations?

No.

On the matter, on the matter.

On the matter.

Okay.

All right.

Well, you need to clear the board.

Because we have a record.

So just ignore the board because we have we have one and one up one name.

One name.

Wait, wait.

Who's second?

I will second.

Okay.

Second of the last time.

Okay.

So borders.

Move by me, second by council president.

Morel.

Recusal by council member Harris.

Wait, actually, the machines.

Why we try the machines again now?

Okay.

So that way we don't have to have all the confusion of who's on first.

One second.

All right.

There you go.

Four years, one recusal, one name.

Thank you.

Oh no, thank you.

Council members, we need to suspend the rules to go to orders on first.

Look, look, what one thing that needs to happen is that procedure, because especially you know, which we're taking votes on on recorded matters.

You gotta make sure procedures right, and that you're filing homebrew charter and process.

Especially on some of these sensitive matters that may have to come again where there's gonna be litigation.

So just a little reminder.

That's right.

I move to um move to ordinance on first reading.

Are we doing the special order?

You have orders of business.

Well, ordinance is vote to do everything on the agenda before we did the orders of business.

Okay.

So I'm following that.

There you go.

All right.

I second, should we officially vote?

There you go.

She is moving.

Just go slowly.

All in favor.

Six years and first rate.

Orders on first orders of business on first reads.

We have ordinance counter 35,326 by Councilmember Jerusalem.

In ordinance to amend and reordain article 18 of the comprehensive zone and ordinance.

Ordinance number 4264.

MCS is amended by ordinance number 26413 MCS and subsequent amendments to establish the fairgrounds overlay district, including the area upon which the fairgrounds race courts and slots currently sits, generally bound by Gentily Boulevard, Belfort Street, Avenue, Stripogler Street, D Sag Boulevard, St.

Louis Cemetery number three, St.

Vincent Street, Vernon Court, Fortin Street to maintain certain to maintain current and historical fairground and racetrack opportunities and otherwise supervisor respects their two zoning docket 5025.

Ordinance counter 35,327 by Councilmember Jerusalem.

In ordinance to establish a conditional use of permit of secondary educational facility in the H U R D 2 Historic Urban Two Family Residential District on Square 2, lots 1 through 7, ABCND in the 6th municipal district bounded by Announciation Street, Nashville Avenue, Arabella Street, Laura Street, Municipal Address 5703 Announciation Street and 401 Nashville Avenue and otherwise supervisor respects their two zoning docket 5525.

Ordinance counter 35,328 by Councilmember King and ordinance to amend and reordain Article 10 of the comprehensive zone and ordinance ordinance 4264 MCS has amended by ordinance number 26413 MCS and subsequent amendments to A to A reception facility as a conditional use in an HMU historic marinature may buy water mixed use district subject to the use standards in section 20.3 WW and as defined in Article 26 and otherwise provide respects there to zoning docket 5825 ordinance counter 35,329 by Councilmember King in ordinance to establish a conditional a conditional use to permit a reception facility in an HMU historic marinet trauma by water mixed use district on square 170 lies 27 through 29A or live point eight in the third municipal district bounded by Dolphin Street Clue Street Montague Street and Roll Street Municipal Address 310 through 3014 Delphine Street and otherwise supervise specs there tools zoning docket 5925 this is all matters on first read we'll now go to special orders of business on page 29 the first order of business a presentation honoring Pastor Ander Andy Rebirth Pellarano and Company honoring Pastor Pellorano as an influencer community active

This is all matters on First Street.

Well now go to special orders of business on page 29.

The first order of business, a presentation honoring Pastor Ander Andy Rebert Palerano and Company, honoring Pastor Pellerano as an influencer, community activist, Christian rap recording orders, and his leadership at one accord ministry, which also fuse his passion to uplift undeserved communities, mentorship, neighborhood cleanups, and overcoming adversity.

Addition, he has led numerous initiatives such as food giveaways, violence prevention programs, and guidance to avoid evictions and through his platform as a Christian rap artist, recording orders.

He continues to inspire young people with hope, faith, and resilience.

If uh y'all want to come protect them.

But well, what an what an honor, man.

They have all of these bullet points about who you are, what you are, uh, that I could read and will read at some point.

But I often tell people about this journey in life, especially I have met some extremely special people.

And uh, like my mom used to always say, and uh, the best people good God put on this earth, uh, Pastor, the ones who put themselves second.

Uh, because they know God and their faith has them.

So don't they don't really worry about themselves.

And Bill, you and I and the rest of his friends, we have watched you, uh, young man, not only put yourself second, but we we watch you put yourself second when you wouldn't put yourself first.

And for folk who don't know, uh homeboy here, uh former Latin King, bad boy from the Callio Project to the Fisher to the West Bank, is one of the most renowned gospel artists uh in in the world uh today.

Uh we met at a family day with Pastor Rogers, where my family and other families from all over the city gathered on Washington Avenue uh when Pastor Rogers gave his first family day, where you were on the stage uh rapping and you had all of the young people and all of the old people and uh everybody captivated, and I was leaving.

And if you remember, when you started, we turned around and came back and didn't leave uh for another couple of hours.

Well, you had that gift, and then the paint the block for the people who are in here uh in the vein of what aka and the other divine nine groups have done.

What uh Pastor Pellorano has done with his church has continued those acts of service that that that you know from the great visionaries like Ethel Lyle uh and others was that your service really defines who uh who you are and then uh you and I talked several years ago about God's a new megachurch.

It's not about how many members you have in your church, but how many people you can touch with with God's word.

And you if that's the case, you have one of the biggest churches in the world.

But I'll read this the this official stuff.

He is an award-winning gospel uh artist, uh the winner of the of the NOLA Gospel Artist Rapper of the Year in 2018, uh two-time gospel award uh winner and nominee, uh reality star, uh show star, church in the streets that aired on WHNO, president of the nationally recognized one accord uh ministry, uh husband to one accord's first lady, father of five, and has a testimony six six six now uh fruitful and multiplied has a testimony that is one of the most powerful in the world uh from a man who thought he was dead inside the bathroom uh of a gas station while he was fleeing fleeing.

Law enforcement to somebody that God had given life to give us life.

Uh Pastor Andy Pearano, it's an honor here to acknowledge you guys.

Before we get this proclamation, now it's your turn and skills.

Go ahead.

Now, first and foremost, all praise and glory to God.

I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Jesus Christ.

Like you said, you know, my story could have ended in that bathroom floor with a rig filled with heroin.

But God saw it fit to let me get up off that floor.

Amen.

And we serve a God of many chances.

And I just want to give honor to the city to the city council for honoring us with a proclamation because it just shows that y'all also believe in rehabilitation.

Y'all also believe in second chances, and we want to continue to move forward.

Just being in here, you know, I went back to the glass because I'm I'm not used to all of this.

I was looking at my mother and my father.

Like any time we've been in the courtroom, it would it was bad.

You know, and uh and uh it's just this moment right now.

You gave a past of the microphone, so excuse me.

That's all right, but uh I gotta give honor to my mother and father that never gave up on me.

I was a Jew and I remember you bringing me to court and asking me, son, I don't want to have to go through this no more.

And I repeatedly put you through it over and over, but you never gave up on me.

And this proclamation is the evidence that we serve a living God because the Bible says the effectual fervent prayers of the righteous availeth much.

My mom or my dad never stopped praying for me.

My grandmother never stopped praying for me.

And although she couldn't see this on this side of heaven, she saw it in a vision that God gave her.

That she she sat me down, she said, Andy, you're gonna be fine.

I was like, What you mean?

I well, she's like, she's like, God showed me something.

I said, What he showed you?

She said, He's gonna show you.

I was like, nah, what he showed.

I need to know what you saw because I don't see nothing.

I well, I said, sit down.

And when I well, I said, sit down, you just sit down.

I sit down and she said, I had a vision.

I was at church, and you was on the pulpit preaching.

I felt sorry for her for a second because she seemed so happy, and I thought, uh I thought she was daydreaming in church, like just to be real.

I was like, there's no way, there's no way this is possible.

But she knew the God she served.

And I'm standing here before y'all because I served that same God, and that God has not forgotten about the city of New Orleans.

That God is the God of New Orleans, New Orleans will be known for a city of Shalom, Shalom Nola, a city of peace, a city of love.

And I'm so grateful to be in front of all of these council members because we look forward to connecting so we could take this paint the block as we've been doing block the block, Bill.

What is it, 220 blocks?

We've been able to clean up over 220 blocks.

We've been able to clean up, paint houses, get people in rehabilitation programs, working with with other programs like the Odyssey House, getting people in detox, working with the New Orleans mission, getting them off of the streets, getting them in faith-based programs, and it's essential for us to work together as a community.

Like I want to give honor to everyone in the room, even other people that being acknowledged, and even the ones that saw it fit just to come before y'all with some type of petition because there's something in them that wants to see change.

And I strongly believe if we want to see change, we gotta first be that change that we aspire to see.

So I'm just grateful for this opportunity.

I'm grateful this proclamation, but I have to give all praise and glory to God.

And also, I would just like to encourage this city council and all the council members if we could just advocate for better policies for the Latino community.

I know in this place there's a lot of influence that we could do because if my family was chased down when they were kids, I wouldn't be here right now.

Now they came with a visas, right?

But not everybody has the opportunity to come with those type of visas and be able to be two American citizens now.

With with with uh his own company, my mother went from being a teller all the way to the regional manager, was labeled in the top 100 Latinos of New Orleans.

None of this would have been possible if she was chased down the street with a ski mask when she was 13.

So I just feel because we're dealing with human beings.

I would never speak against the law because the Bible says to abide by the laws of the land, but I will speak for people that we are dealing with people, so we have to have humanity and have better policies in place to give people an opportunity to be documented before they're chased down.

And then if they don't utilize that opportunity, then it's on them.

Right?

One plus two, one plus one is two.

All right, so we can't promise three without getting two, right?

It gotta start with one.

You heard me so glory to God, man.

Look, I'm I'm gonna stop preaching.

Let me start come to church Sunday.

Want to call ministry.

Now y'all can see why he is who he is.

Uh your parents want to say anything?

Mom, man.

Thank God.

Andy hates it when I tell this story of how we first met over in the project.

So I won't get into that, but we've been stuck together like glue ever since.

Uh cleaning up around the city, feeding people, getting people off the street in the drug rehab, um, just praying over the city, trying to make it a better city.

And and again, I want to offer to the new council, all council, everybody, we'd love to come in the all your areas and do a paint the block.

Thank you.

Any other comments from the guests?

Councilman Morrell, Councilmember Green.

It's hard to follow Pastor Pelorano, but I want to say um thank you, two important words.

Um, you could say that I've overcome and then not pay so much attention to others, but you've gone out of your way to help a lot of other people.

And I want to say to your parents, this is kind of something that we we take for granted.

But unfortunately, I know some situations where family members have said, get out of here.

I don't want to have any connection to you.

You've shamed me, you've done me wrong, you've done the family wrong.

But in your instance, you said that your son was gonna be coming back, and that he was gonna be part of a better future.

And because of that, he's where he is today.

So thank you for what you're doing for so many other people's people.

Know that it makes a tremendous difference in our city, and I hope that the people who are watching today will have that same spirit that people who have had problems for a little while are not permanently resigned to that area of having those problems, and that there is hope for them.

So in this season, this new year, I say thank you.

And as we move forward, thank you for all that you've done to enhance the quality of life for so many people.

We look forward to working with you.

Let us know however we can help.

Thank you.

And before before I read this proclamation, uh no, I'm sorry.

I'll be short, I'm not as long as I'm not going to be able to do that.

No, you're y'all you're gonna be here, and y'all need to have a relationship, especially with the work you do in the community, Councilmember Morrell.

So this is a good time for you guys to especially make sure y'all have a.

I want to thank Councilman Thomas for bringing y'all here today because obviously, like part of how we learn about the work of people is these proclamation meetings.

And I want to especially say uh I began my career as a public defender.

I spent a lot of time trying to reach out and intercede with people who are still doing the right, doing the right and the wrong thing.

But going back to your grandmother, you have a very unique opportunity because when you're trying to get people off the wrong path, you are uniquely situated to tell them I was on the wrong path.

Exactly.

And I will tell you that when in my work over the years, working with people young and old, who need to be diverted onto the right path, they are much more receptive to someone like you who's been in their shoes telling them that you're in a bad place, but you can be in a better one, yes, than someone who does not have that background.

So I know your grandmother saw it, she visualized it, she manifested it, but you are in the right place at the right time to make changes in the city and help generations of people find the right path.

So thank you for being here.

Thank you.

Absolutely uh, you know, we uh one of our conversations years ago, speak gosh, it's been years now.

Uh our time uh flies, was we were talking about public policy.

You know, when you make we make these political speeches and five-point plans, and I promise to do this, and I promise to do that, and we had so many political promises.

And then my conversation with you uh brought me to how you fix the city, and it was 127 songs.

It said for the people who are in here, you need to understand this because you hear a lot of political promises.

127 Psalms says, if God's blessings don't supply the builders, then the builders build the city in vain.

If God's mercy doesn't protect the city, then the centurions, the police protect it in vain.

You said that's how you build and and save a city.

And it gave me an appreciation for you can espouse any kind of political platform of you can wax eloquently about what you're gonna do.

But if those things don't happen, not only will not the city be saved, the city will not be preserved.

So thank you for that, and we thank you.

And this proclamation reads, whereas Pastor Pellorano's journey from a three-time uh loser in the eyes of the system, because that third time they could have sent you away for life, but they didn't.

He is a respected leader in our community and stands as a testament to the belief that every individual has a capacity to change, overcome adversity, and live a purpose-filled life.

Whereas Pastor Pellorano has led numerous initiatives, including neighborhood cleanups, food distributions, giveaways, youth empowerment, technology drives, violence prevention, and most importantly, spiritual guidance for families facing hardship.

Whereas in his leadership, we want accord ministries and collaborations with civic organizations and local partners.

He has impacted thousands, strengthening the fabric of communities throughout the District E in the greater New Orleans region, whereas Pastor Pellarano's commitment to bringing ministry compassion and practical assistance directly into neighborhoods exemplifies the highest ideals of servant leadership.

And whereas his life, work, reflect the spirit of renewal and demonstrating that true change is not only possible, but true change is powerful, and that those who rise from adversity often become the strongest pillars of a community.

Now, therefore, be proclaimed that whereas the city of New Orleans is enriched by your leadership and leaders who point to our neighborhoods and advocates for the undeserved that will illuminate pathways through hope in both word and deed that this city council proclaims that this day and every day forward that we recognize Pastor and Andy Rebirth that for Andy Pellorano Day forever in the city of New Orleans, signed by all of our council members.

Thank you.

Glory to God.

Mrs.

Latoya Bullet Franklin, President, Alpha Kappa, Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Roe Pie Omega Chapter, and Dr.

Billy Castle Myers, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated's Alpha Beta Omega Chapter, Connections and Social Actions Committee Chair, recognizing Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, 118th Founders' Day, Local AKA chapters, impact to the Greater New Orleans area, and advocating for local communities.

All right, thank you, Madam Clerk.

Well, I'm so glad that on my last day on the New Orleans City Council that I could partake on one of my favorite days on when we celebrate Founders Day for the Alpha Kappa Alpha Incorporated Sorority.

I've been doing this every year, um, even back in the legislature.

Um, when I was there, I would um be with all of you all as you come and advocate for your for community, advocate for the city, advocate for women.

Uh I I wore green today, obviously, in your behalf.

And I told Sharay in my office who is an AKA.

I was like, I could not find my pink shirt.

You know, so this is the best that I could do today.

But I've got two AKAs in my office, uh, Michelle Augustine and Sharay Hunter.

Uh so obviously I am I am always kept aware on all of your activities, and of course, proud to support.

Um, so with that, I want to turn it over to you so you can tell us a little bit about the activities that um that you've been partaking in and what you're planning for the future as well.

Welcome to all of you.

Thank you, thank you so much.

Good afternoon, Council President Morel, um members of the New Orleans City Council, including Mayor Elec, Helena Moreno, distinguished guests, and the members of the public here today.

I'm Dr.

Takita Ferguson, president of Alpha Beta Omega Chapter.

Good afternoon.

My name is Marjorie Parker, and I'm the president of the Omicron Lambda Omega Chapter.

And good afternoon.

I am Latoria Bullard Franklin, president of the Radiant Ropi Omega Chapter.

We bring greetings on behalf of over 114,000 members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, our international organization, and the three Alpha Kappa Alpha chapters serving the City of New Orleans.

We thank you for allowing us to be present today for our AKA Day at City Council and to address the council.

We appreciate your service to the City of New Orleans and your continued commitment to civic engagement and community partnership.

I would like to acknowledge that we come before you at a moment of both celebration and uncertainty.

New Orleans is alive with the joy and the culture of the start of the Mardi Gras season, a season that reminds us of who we are at our best.

And yet many of our residents are navigating fear, instability, and unanswered questions about their safety, their health, and their future.

We are also on the threshold of new leadership.

And with that comes responsibility to lead with compassion, clarity, and courage.

We are honored to share who we are as members of your communities and the work we do as a sorority and our call to action today.

So we thank you so much for allowing us to come and be in here.

Of course, just in case everybody's not aware of who we are, we've prepared a few slides that we'll move through pretty uh swiftly.

Um but Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, uh, we have served communities like New Orleans for almost 118 years.

You heard that next week is our Founders Day.

We're educators, nurses, physicians, researchers, social workers, attorneys, and civic leaders.

We're not strangers to moments like this and times like this.

We show up when communities need stability, credible information, and care rooted in dignity.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is an international service organization founded on the campus of Howard University in January of 1908.

And of course, we're the oldest Greek letter organization established by African American women and college educated women, and we were the first one to be established in the state of Louisiana.

Today, our sorority has more than 350,000 members who have been initiated worldwide in our organization.

And I stated before, we have over 114,000 active members of our sorority.

Our international president and CEO is Dr.

Danette Anthony Reed, and our South Central Region Director is Dr.

Sean Simmons.

In December, she was here in Alpha Kappa Alpha proudly supported the City of New Orleans through our South Louisiana cluster, which was held December 5th through 6th here in the city.

And we, and of course, the city welcomed more than 1,200 attendees, generating over half of million in economic impact for our city, and we donated over 12,000 to STEM initiatives for the City of New Orleans and our children.

Within this framework, it is within this framework that our um our three chapters that we're active in the New Orleans community and the surrounding communities and in this region.

These are our three chapters that we are representing, and you're gonna hear some more about the work that we're individually doing, but as a collective that we're doing for our city, for our youth, and for our families.

As I stated, I'm president of Alpha Beta Omega chapter, and we've been serving the New Orleans community since 1927.

Yes, you've heard, right?

That that is almost 100 years, and we'll be celebrating that centennial celebration next year, and we're looking forward to seeing all of you at multiple events that we will be having throughout the year, commemorating uh that milestone with different service and celebratory activities.

Some of the work that we've been doing over the our stint uh of time in the community, and we continue to do some of the work for last year was supporting our children, our schools.

We had our CHIP, which is our Childhood Hunger Initiative, our PowerPack Initiative, and with that, we um we packed over, we have packed over 5,300 uh food bags that we've distributed to the KIP East School, and we've served over 3,000 children, and we've logged over 6,000 volunteer hours with that effort.

We also have a youth leadership initiative.

Currently, we have 12 participants, youth participants in that program, and we are doing, of course, more daily and doing different educational programs.

We've also supported black owned businesses, multiple businesses, but then we have a black owned business campaign that we do throughout the city, and with that, we have uh collective uh we've recorded collective spending over 75,000 to 100,000 in the community in that enhancing our environment initiative.

We've planted multiple trees, over 13 trees.

We've built school gardens at Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, and we've also supported the city of New Orleans recycling events and programs throughout the year.

In advocating for social justice, we've mobilized 3,000 voters, we've trained over 100 members in voting engagement strategies, and we distributed 2,500 door hangers and over a thousand voting reminder postcards during the election seasons.

Under Uplifting Our Communities, we've distributed over 3,600 cases of water this past August, thinking about disaster preparedness and preparing things for our community.

We have provided hundreds of coats to children and families.

We've donated over 200 backpacks with school supplies for our children, and of course, we've done different things around mental health and awareness.

We've raised 30, over 70,000 for scholarships, and we continue to do that effort.

All of our chapters do that.

And some of you all have participated in our Jazzy Jean luncheons, which we have, and we raise money there, and you've been there, and we also have other community programs, one of which is our Botillion program, which has been there for 36 years, and our outgoing councilman uh uh Oliver Thomas, he supported that effort many years as well.

So our chapter has our currently 330 active members committed to service and committed to this city, and we thank you for being here today, and we thank you for your um your committed service and support of us.

And then there were two.

Was a headline that featured and was featured in a local newspaper in 1984, which announced the chartering of the outstanding Omacron Lambda Omega chapter here in New Orleans, Louisiana.

So for nearly 42 years, the Omicron Lambda Omega chapter, which nearly has over 280 members, has held a steady and impactful legacy within the New Orleans community.

So we just want to give you a little snapshot into 2025 in our service and our community highlights.

First, we have our childhood hunger initiative, PowerPay, also known as CHIP, where we successfully packed over 1,400 food bags for children in our local community through the through New Renewed Dolores T.

Harney School and renewed therapeutic program.

Our youth leadership initiative, also known as YLI.

We currently have 40 students that are being mentored by our own chapter members within our chapter, and they're also getting educational support such as tutoring and other resources to be successful at their school.

We held our first Juneteenth pop-up this summer, where we had over 15 black owned businesses featured, and we're featured on WWL TV, which was kind of cool.

So we just want to shout that out.

We had over 100 attendees from the local community at that pop-up shop.

We also partnered with the housing authority of New Orleans, where we had a month-long financial series, financial workshop series for the people in that community, and we held that during the month of April.

We did adopt a class.

Hold on, let me see.

Adopt the classroom environmental initiative.

We actually planted 300 trees just this past year through our classroom initiative.

We have just launched the OLQ Pretty Girls Connect podcast, which some of you may have been a part of.

And we launched an initiative, an innovative digital platform that discusses social justice as well as civic engagement.

And all of you are welcome to be guests on our podcast this year.

So please get in touch with us.

I enjoyed it.

We remember, thank you so much.

We appreciate your participation.

We um we also held our OLQ Healthy, wealthy, and wise community health fair, where we service over 200 people in a local community, and we had multiple screenings as well as resources and bank to school items for our students at renewed Edgar P.

Horney.

We had our On the Hills of Hope, which has been a brand for over a decade, but we actually changed the concept last year and brought it to a bowling alley, and we raised over 10,000 for the Louisiana Research Louisiana Cancer Research Center for through that event.

So we have done a lot of different um initiatives within the community, and last but not least, we held our pearls of pride and promise.

This is the 19th year that we've held our Pearls of Pride and Promise Cotillion, which has generated over 100,000 with ad sales that goes back to our scholarships as well as our community programs.

So we're very happy of the strong, strong work that we're doing in New Orleans through the Omicron Lambda Omega chapter.

Thank you.

Okay, good afternoon again.

Um I am Latoria Bullard Franklin, um life member over 25 years of service in Alpha Cap Alpha Sority Incorporated.

I proudly serve as the president for the Radiant Road Pi Mega Chapter, and we serve Jefferson Parish and the LGS area of Orleans Parish, and that's since 1988.

We have over 85 members currently, and we're rising, so we're very excited about that.

And last year, also I wanted to um note that I had the pleasure of serving as co-chair for the STEM NOLA Initiative as an engineer.

It's near and dear to my heart what we're doing in the community, and we look forward to expanding our support with Stem NOLA and Dr.

Mackie.

Now, in 2025, we had a banner year.

Um, our vice president, Dr.

Hyison McKee, leads our programming initiatives, and we thank her for her service.

Also, at this time, I'd like to recognize our chapter member, Judge Tina Trahan, who's in the audience.

Uh, she is an avid community advocate and a civic leader, and we are blessed to have her.

Now, under the Empower Our Families Initiative, we support Lincoln School for the Arts.

Our sister, LaShawn Dixon, she serves as principal there, and the school is located in what's considered a food desert.

So we do many activities, such as a food pantry and partnership with Atmos Energy, as well as American Heart Association.

We do an annual back to school food share where we give 450 meals to families, as well as uh we provide health um health care through inclusive care as well.

Our childhood hunger initiative, PowerPack Initiative.

Um, we give out uh 190 PowerPacks on a regular basis so that those students can go home and have food for the weekend.

Now, in building our economic wealth, this is led by our dear uh Dr.

Shandra Williams, who is CEO of Inclusive Care.

We have over 45,000 in financial impact through our intentionality with selecting black-owned businesses in our local community for our various events for our Mother's Day Runch, for example, everything from the venue to the DJ to the photographer was a local black-owned business.

We think it is important that when we do have a choice, that we can choose our own.

We also ended the year with our annual signature Jolly Jingles and Jewels holiday pop-up shop, and that's also in partnership with inclusive care.

We had over 20 diverse vendors raising close to $3,000 in financial impact.

Under Enhance Our Environment, we continue to put the environment first.

We planted over 50 trees, and we also are in partnership with various shred days that are throughout the city.

Our chair Sara Renette Jones, she does an amazing job at coming up with creative ways for us to impact the environment, such as a solar cookie bake with area students.

Now, as we partner with West Bank Heritage Festival on an annual basis, we advocate for social justice.

We utilize that platform to get to about 2,000 plus registrants and ensure that they are registered and just also educated with our door hangers.

We have our civic leaders, Lynetta Gilbert and Wanda Davis, who leads that initiative under our uplift our local community.

We focus to continue to inspire marginalized groups.

We serve as a team leader for Sister Strut in partnership with the American Cancer Society for Breast Cancer Awareness.

We lead the AKA team, and we had over 70 plus participants, and we hope to have more this year, and we donate a collective uh thousands of dollars for research for African American women in breast cancer.

We have our back to school supply giveaway, and we also award multiple scholarships throughout the year.

And lastly, in support of AKA annual We Are One Day of Service.

We are uh also coming on that again on Monday the 19th.

We have created a Dr.

Coretta Scott King Day of Service Annual Scholarship that awards a local student that excels academically.

Last year, our awardee of 4.5 GPA with multiple organizations.

She was a track star, Chloe Wilson, and we look forward to doing so as well again on Monday.

As you can see, RPO is dedicated to ensuring we continue service to all mankind, and we understand the assignment.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And now we'll uh go down the line and hear from council members.

Councilmember Thomas.

First of all, I mean Visionary Etherlisle and Esther Brown and all of the other great women, the other seven who started this are uh extremely proud.

Uh AKA is so prominent uh in this community, Alicia Keys, Tony Morrison, Kamala Harris, uh Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks.

Absolutely.

So many historical figures, but you know, you know, I was thinking as someone who was here every day during Katrina, uh, who had sores on his body from going in and out of the water.

Uh there was an AKA, and I think as I'm I'm I'm hoping at some point we fix this.

Uh there was an AKA who was a Moses who parted the water for people to have a place to go.

And many of you guys don't know that, many leaders don't know that because weren't here with us.

Uh it was an AKA who made sure the Reliance Center, uh George Brown Convention Center in Houston.

The Astro Dome was a place where our families had a place to go.

It was an AKA whoy Oliver, uh, what y'all need?

Water, supplies, blankets, and it was an AKA that we didn't recognize on this 20th anniversary, but most people don't know, and that was the late Sheila Jackson Lee.

She was here as much as she was in Houston.

Many of the places that accepted us, it wasn't as open arms as people thought.

There were places here in Louisiana, yes, where we could not go, but you would have had to be here to know that.

And I feel really remiss now, but I wasn't really involved in a lot of treated planning.

They didn't ask someone who was here every day.

But I would hope that moving forward, uh Councilmember uh Mary Leck, as we continue to honor AKAs, that there'll be a place to remember uh our Moses uh who parted the waters to Houston so that at least people could have a place to stay.

And uh I ain't telling you what I think I know, I'm telling you what I know.

Uh Sheila Jackson Lee, uh one of your sorrows, was one of the greatest heroes we had during Katrina.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Graham.

Good afternoon, and it's an honor for me to be here today as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority celebrates its 100th and 18th Founders Day.

Um, I'm pleased to be a member of the Divine Nine Sigma Lambda chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and I look forward to continuing.

Okay, all right, round of applause.

All right, all right.

Justin, who is also a brother.

But I'm so honored to be today in your presence to celebrate with you, and as I look out over those who have gathered with us today, and I just know of all of my associates and those persons who are making a big difference, not only in City Hall, but in other places in our community.

I just want to say to everyone, thank you for what AKA does to make this city greater, this nation greater, and this world greater, because it is truly worldwide influencing organization, and I thank you.

So on this day, I appreciate this opportunity to just celebrate with you to celebrate all the successes, and most important is to celebrate what is going to be a continuing success because of the work that you do.

Thank you.

And happy Founders Day.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Council President Morrell.

Well, that was a roller coaster rod of comments.

I don't know where I'm gonna go with it, but um, I want to say I sincerely appreciate the work y'all do year-round.

Um, I think sometimes when you have a lot of organizations, they kind of have peaks and valleys throughout the year and throughout the years of how active they are.

And AKA has always been an active, tremendous member of our community.

Many of the people that I've looked up to in my entire life have been AKAs.

And many of the people I work with here daily who make us able to do our job, people like Ashley Spears and Share, who's back there lurking and Michelle.

These are all people who behind the scenes, they're not up here getting all the accolades, but they're doing the work, and that's what AKA is about.

I do want to add one last thing just as a kind of like a flex.

I also in 2019, when Kamala Harris was headlining your convention, I got an award from AKA from the work I did on IMA Jury.

So I want to thank y'all for that award.

And I want to say we all got any AK awards.

All right.

Thank you.

No.

Thank you.

No.

No, I have.

Council Member King.

You just said a lot.

We'll have some more.

I do mostly sorry.

Well, um Councilmember Morrell.

Yes.

I did receive an AK award.

No, no, no, no, no.

No, not just me being married in 2000.

In 2006.

I was to Ivy King at Southeastern University.

Yes.

I was Ivy King.

Pretty on the lambda.

Mainly because the winner got 75 hours in the college.

I was so broke.

I didn't understand.

So I I went all out to get that award.

So yes, I did a good AK award, but on a more serious note, thank you to the women of AK, sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorordi Incorporated for all that you do throughout the city, throughout the region, throughout the state and the country.

I want to acknowledge Judge Elroy, member of Alpha File for a member of the first family, and all the AKs behind the scene.

I see my my elementary school teacher, Ms.

Sandra Harrington over there.

I see Dr.

Shandra Williams.

So many other ladies.

I'm gonna stop.

I know, I know, but I I didn't want to start and in it can't stop now.

But all the ladies uh representing AK in the in in pink and green, uh, thank you for all your service, and shout outs to to my wife at home holding it down with her four future AKs also uh comes behind her.

So y'all have a great day.

Enjoy your fondness day, thank you.

Thank you.

Well, I don't know how to top that, so I I'm just gonna be quiet.

And if Joe Jarusa has an AKA award, I'm gonna be really, really upset.

I'm not saying, I'm not saying.

That's for me to know.

Right.

Um, listen, I everything that you do from environmental advocacy to voter education to food, desert, uh remediation, everything that you do.

I am just a fan of every single thing that you do, and so I just want to say thank you.

Thank you for almost 118 years of service.

I can't imagine this world without you.

I can't imagine the city without you.

I can't imagine Louisiana without you.

Just think if you weren't here, what would we be facing?

Especially given what we are facing, right?

So we need you more now than ever.

Your sisterhood, we need that more than ever.

Your energy, we need that more than ever.

And I just want to thank you so much for everything that you have done in the past, and I'm looking forward to what you do in the future, and I look forward to working with you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you so much excellent.

Thank you.

So I'm not gonna talk about my AKA participation trophy today.

I don't want to load.

But I I look what what I'm heartened by to see so many familiar faces and friends in the audience today, and I think what that says about not only the individuals who are part of AKA, but your collective as a whole.

Um there are a lot of heavy hitters in this audience and at this table right now and behind us here too.

And I think that says a lot because look, people don't join groups that they don't feel connected to, and where they don't feel fellowship and sisterhood, and so the fact that you all have kept that spirit up with so many fine women who care about each other and their families and this community is incredibly important.

I was surprised Councilmember King didn't name everybody from Algiers in the audience.

Um, you know, we're just making sure.

But but in all seriousness, um the city only thrives because in the region, uh, because you mentioned Jefferson Parish too, is because of people caring about it and wanting to give back.

And it is really easy to stay in your lane and think about your family and your kids and your life and your social activities.

It's harder to be together, make decisions together, and work together on behalf of your community.

And all of you have done that so well for so long.

So I wish you the best with your upcoming founders day.

Thank you.

So with that, let me read the proclamation.

And the proclamation says, be it proclaimed by the City of New Orleans that the City Council hereby recognizes January fifteenth as Alpha Kappa Alpha Day in the City of New Orleans.

As we celebrate the history, achievements, and enduring legacy of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, signed by all seven members of the New Orleans City Council.

Congratulations.

Excuse me.

Yes, please face me.

Councilmember Thomas, please stand in the front.

Come to the front.

Please, thank you.

They can step in front of the council members.

Come on.

All right.

Okay, one, two, three.

Oh, comments, okay.

One second.

One sec.

We're not the meetings over yet.

Ladies and gentlemen, uh uh ladies of AK, I'd appreciate you giving back me back my council members for a moment so that we can move towards a journey in the meeting, perhaps, maybe.

Maybe, maybe, okay.

Anyway, um, ladies and gentlemen, I know that we're about to adjourn our final council meeting of this term.

Before we do so, I thought it was appropriate so we could give some accolades to our outgoing council members.

Um you got open it up and see.

I'm not telling you anything.

All right, so it's not AK award, Joe.

Sorry, you got to hope so.

But you do got the award, I do not have.

Um, ladies and gentlemen, it has been a pleasure serving as the co ongoing off again president of this New Orleans City Council, serving with you guys this term, serving with the remarkable staffs of all of our offices.

And I thought it would be appropriate that all of you kind of get the final word.

We'll start with Joseph.

The final word as he leaves to go across the hall and get paid more.

That's uh Joseph Ignatius to my friend.

Joseph Ignatius, true.

Uh, well well, first, um, I have been remiss in many settings as I'm saying goodbye to thank my wife.

Uh, so I want to be the first person that I thank uh she and my family obviously bear the brunt of everything that happens and all the work that this requires.

Um, I want to thank my colleagues because you can't do this work without them.

And I want to thank this group.

I said this outside earlier that we created an environment where we could disagree with each other, but not have it become toxic.

And I always thought that was really important about this group that people could say no or have really hard tense conversations, but that it didn't permeate what was happening.

I also very much want to thank um the staff who works for council, it facilitates things and makes everything work better.

I also very much want to thank um the staff who works for council facilitates things and makes everything work better the staffs who have always helped our office thank you very much and of course um they're not really listening but I do want to thank Claire and Leanne and Amy and Nina and Amanda and everybody else who's worked for me Ashley Spears because we can't do this work without you and just in closing um I will I will miss this job uh it is not a part-time job it is easily the hardest job I've ever had in my life and I'm honored and look forward to continuing work with the council as part of the Moreno administration on Monday.

Thank you.

Alright next we will do council vice president and then we'll do councilmember Thomas since you are the longest serving council member in history I believed that'd be appropriate if you go Freddie Freddie's coming back you're not out you it's just just the three of y'all man we're coming back.

Well I I you made some comments too so I didn't know if everybody was getting all right so uh first of all you know thank you to everyone uh up on this day is thank you JP for for your leadership um I really appreciate the partnership that you and I had um same in my first term working closely with now district attorney Williams um back then he was council member at large and the first term there were just so many different crises that came upon us it was oh my goodness it was um we had the hard rock collapse we had the cyber attack we had covet we had hurricane Ida I mean it was like nonstop that that first term um so a lot of challenges there and uh you know we we got through those and still were able to to move forward with some tough things that I was able to finish off in the second term with the help of this council including the relocation uh of neighbors in Gordon Plaza we did a lot of really great things on this council around uh climate and utility regulation everything from the renewable clean portfolio standard that we did during my first term to all the stuff with expanding community solar in the second term and that we all did together of course the most recent 30 million dollar investment on additional micro grids uh two uh close to 200 million dollar investment in um storm hardening so a lot of good things have come out uh from this council but what council member so think uh said I think is really important I really appreciated the respectful way that even when we disagreed we all interacted with each other um on this council um I mean even myself and and um and councilmember thomas were both in the same uh uh election cycle for the for the same position and I just appreciated you know the way that that council member thomas that you always treated me with with respect and and I hope that you felt the same as as to how I I treated you as well I think that that's really important particularly kind of in the era that we're in right now especially with what you see on the news where everything's just so toxic and everyone has to be so against each other and everyone has to just talk so poorly against each other.

It's and then you see you know these tweets by very important elected leaders in this country and the things that they're saying like it's it's just disappointing offensive and not in my opinion what people throughout this country or what people in New Orleans want to see.

So I just really always appreciated that level of respect that everyone had for each other on this city council.

It's been an honor to be on this council for the past eight years uh two terms uh serving uh in this capacity I'm obviously incredibly excited for what's to come as I take over the the office of mayor there's so many different challenges that we face I'm incredibly concerned about the financial crisis that we're in it's something that actually wakes me up in the middle of the night but I know that that this council even those who will not no longer be on this council I know that I can still call on you to help um for advice for for guidance and I look forward to setting a a reset and a new day with the upcoming city council so that there is this true level of collaboration and partnership where we are actually working together on solving issues and that we are in a room together from the onset trying to make sure that we're moving this city in a new direction.

Thank you so much.

And you don't have to be the best of friends or have the greatest relationships, but you do have to continue to understand and respect uh the game and the people who are involved.

I I want to thank all of you guys, man.

This is I didn't know that I would uh it would really kind of feel like it felt I came here early.

Y'all would have laughed at me.

I was walking around videoing myself up in here, right?

Uh just trying to get to feel for having the last meeting for a place that is so important and central.

Uh in many cases, what happens here is a heartbeat of governance and what happens with our city.

Uh I want to thank Mr.

Burnside.

Um, Mr.

Burns, sir, your math wasn't always my math, and Joe and I would get on the side and and wonder if our math equaled your math, but no one could ever uh question your heart uh and your commitment to what God says, not just the least of the but even those who think they have.

So that's been an honor.

Some of the folk who are not here, Mr.

My D, Mr.

Morgan, um uh Nooneyman, AK, Mr.

Baptiste, Brother Chew, Zach, Ron, and uh Joe, that lady who every time you had a zoning issue in your community or land use issue, I don't know her name.

Yeah, yeah, and her, and she was in, and for the staff who who is here, uh none of us can be successful uh without having people who have the time uh to channel our dedication and our love and our intellect and our work.

Uh that has also been an uh been an honor.

But uh I I'm gonna take a privilege here because we've had our moments, and you know, I I can be big brother and adjutant and uh uh a-hole and some kind of little too nightward for the moment.

Uh but but JP, thank you.

It really it really means a lot what you did during Christmas and the the tone that you have set uh in the last few months or so is how a lot of us see you, but the public doesn't.

And and I mean that because you have I'd have our moments, but you never stop talking to me.

Uh you never stop acknowledging.

That's what I like to see in leaders.

People who can be upset at you, look at you as an adversary, have a moment where they might might want to hit you upside your head, but it doesn't stop them from wanting to engage.

And you're gonna be a central figure in this city along with the mayor elect.

And and just a little public advice.

I think people are gonna need to see that side of you that we know that the public doesn't see.

But for the folk who are up here, me and my family, we need you to be successful.

We need you to get this right, and know that I'll be praying and pulling for you.

If you hear me on the radio doing some commentary, that's just talk show stuff, right?

Uh, and I don't know that I'm gonna do that full time again.

I've been asked, but you're always welcome uh if I do that, if I guess so, or if there's anything that I could ever do.

Uh me and my family are here, but God bless you guys.

Uh, and you've done a great service for the city.

Thank you.

Sorry, uh Council Vice President Murray.

I apologize.

I forgot to thank my staff.

I could not have done uh this job over the past eight years without my uh amazing staff.

So thank you so much to all of you all for having my back and doing such a great job over the past eight years.

Thank you.

Um I am going to make the unusual move of determining who adjourns.

And so councilman Thomas adjourns, Councilman Jeruso seconds.

Vote your machines.

Second.

There you go.

Sorry, Eugene.

That's all right.

Everybody, there'll be Michael.

There'll be other meetings.

We got through a meeting without Eugene saying anything about St.

Oh.