Recently, the Department of Health and Hospitals, under the new leadership of Secretary Alan Levine, unveiled a plan to address the mental health crisis in New Orleans. The plan includes several components advocated for by District "A" Councilmember Shelley Midura and the City Council's Special Committee on Mental Health. Levine's proposal will direct approximately $1.9 million strictly to New Orleans and its critically underserved mentally ill.

Councilmember Midura said, "This is a big win for New Orleans, for public health, and public safety. We have fought hard for these changes and I am thankful to Secretary Levine and Governor Jindal for their commitment to deliver. I am encouraged not only by the swiftness of action, but by the willingness to listen to those on the front lines of this crisis on the street as well as in City Hall."

The plan features both long and short term objectives including Assertive Community Treatment teams, housing subsidies for individuals transitioning back into the community after treatment, legislative changes, and additional mental health staff for Orleans Parish Prison to name a few.

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Recently, City Council President Arnie Fielkow went on a three-day trade visit to Panama to participate in meetings with key Panamanian government officials, business leaders and U.S. Embassy officers to discuss economic development opportunities for the City of New Orleans.

"One of my biggest goals as a public servant is to grow and diversify our local economy by re-establishing New Orleans' international presence. The trip to Panama is but one of many efforts on behalf of the City of New Orleans to pursue international economic opportunities," said Council President Fielkow.

The trip to Panama City, Panama, which occurred in mid-February, was organized in anticipation of the 2014 widening of the Panama Canal. The addition of a third canal will significantly increase the volume of cargo handled by the Panama Canal, and represents a significant opportunity for New Orleans to grow its cargo volume through the Port of New Orleans. Additionally, the visit enhanced the existing economic relationships with the country of Panama and her surrounding neighbors.

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During a recent Special Arts and Culture Committee meeting, representatives from New Orleans cultural organizations appeared before the Committee to brief committee members on community activities and cultural projects under way throughout the City.

Cultural organizations represented at the meeting included the Contemporary Arts Center, the Delta Festival Ballet Company and the New Orleans Buffalo Soldiers. A representative from each organization presented the Committee with background information and an update on current cultural projects and community activities. Each representative expressed their organization's dedication and commitment to the community and the preservation of the City's cultural history.

Councilmember-at-Large Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson, Chair of the Special Arts and Culture Committee, offered the Committee's support to each organization and expressed her gratitude to the organizations for their cultural contributions to the City.

The Council unanimously passed Resolution R-08-90 formally requesting the Louisiana State Legislature adopt legislation giving law enforcement officers discretion to issue a summons rather than make a custodial arrest in response to a misdemeanor offense or non-violent municipal offense.

This Resolution reflects the recommendation by the Vera Institute of Justice, NOPD Superintendent Warren Riley and the New Orleans Police Department to expand the use of summonses and reduce custodial arrests for minor criminal offenses.

The Council emphasized that it is in the best interest of the citizens of New Orleans for the police department to focus its law enforcement efforts on the apprehension of violent criminals.

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The Council held an Executive Session to address the City Hall Security Plan and pending litigation. Due to the confidentiality of both issues, they were taken up in Executive Session closed to the public.

City Hall Security Plan Briefing

Attention was paid today in Executive Session to the continuing City Hall Security Plan. Colonel Terry Ebbert of the City of New Orleans Office of Homeland Security briefed the Council on the City Hall Security Plan. Colonel Ebbert will continue to coordinate and implement security measures as they are developed and funded.

Pending Litigation

In Executive Session today City Councilmembers individually decided that it is their policy not to comment on pending litigation. All inquiries regarding pending litigation will be referred to the City Attorney.

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The Council unanimously passed Resolution R-08-88 requesting the New Orleans legislative delegation and the Louisiana State Legislature support the necessary changes in legislation governing the tax appeal process to remove the Board of Review from the appeal process and permit property owners to appeal assessments directly to the Louisiana Tax Commission.

This Resolution reflects the Council's belief that the Louisiana Tax Commission has the expertise and ability to more efficiently deal with the high volume process and that taxpayers would best be served by removing the Board of Review from the tax appeal process.

To meet statutory deadlines in 2007, the New Orleans City Council found it necessary to employ a private firm to manage the nearly six thousand appeals received at a cost of approximately $1.6 million to New Orleans taxpayers.

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Councilmembers joined to honor the life of New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) Detective Thelonious A. Dukes. The City Council passed Resolution R-08-85, co-authored by Councilmember James Carter and Councilmember Cynthia Willard-Lewis, honoring New Orleans Police Department Detective Thelonious A. Dukes for his valiant service to his community during his nineteen years as an NOPD officer.

"We know the police department is still grieving for the loss of this courageous detective - we support you with our prayers and we support you with our love," said District "E" Councilmember Cynthia Willard-Lewis.

The Council, along with the community, mourned the loss of Detective Dukes and sent its condolences, thoughts and prayers to his family, friends and fellow officers and shared in the knowledge that Detective Dukes's service was well done.

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City Council President Arnie Fielkow and Council Cable & Telecommunications Committee Chair Councilman James Carter issued the following joint statement regarding Charter Communications' rejection of the offer made by Cox Sports Television yesterday:

"Yesterday in the best interest of the public, Cox Sports Television (CST) put forth two options to Charter Communications. Today, we are extremely disappointed to learn of Charter Communications' refusal to accept the latest good faith offer made by CST yesterday.

Charter's refusal to accept this latest offer is another blow to not only Charter's North Shore and other Louisiana customers who are unable to watch the Hornets on television, but to the recovery of the entire New Orleans region. The Hornets are a vital asset to this City and our region, and it is truly unconscionable that many of their fans on the North Shore and elsewhere in the state of Louisiana are blocked from watching them on television by Charter.

We will continue to support our St. Tammany colleagues in their efforts to work with Charter to ensure the broadcast of Hornets basketball games on the North Shore and elsewhere in the State of Louisiana."

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The New Orleans City Council passed a resolution urging the Governor and the legislature give broader confidentiality protections and subpoena power in the Offices of Inspector General and Ethics Boards in jurisdictions across Louisiana. Councilmembers joined to honor the life of New Orleans Police Department Officer Nicola Cotton who was killed in the line of duty earlier this month.

The Council unanimously passed Resolution R-08-69 urging the Governor and the State Legislature take action to improve, strengthen and protect local, parish and municipal Offices of Inspector General (OIG) and Ethics Boards.

Specifically, the Council requested that the Governor and Legislature provide local OIGs and Ethics Boards with state court subpoena power, confidentiality protections for those under investigation and broad jurisdiction over all entities and individuals engaged in activities affecting the integrity of local government.

Councilmember Midura said, "We have been working hard to develop a strong agenda to bring forward in Baton Rouge during the Special Session. I am so grateful to all of the Councilmembers for signing on to this very important Resolution."

Honors the Life of NOPD Officer

The City Council passed Resolution R-08-67 honoring the life of New Orleans Police Department Officer Nicola Cotton for her selfless sacrifice and intense commitment to protecting and serving the citizens of New Orleans.

Councilmember James Carter said, "We wanted to give special recognition to this young officer who tragically lost her life in the line of duty."

The Council, along with the community, mourned the loss of Officer Cotton and sent its condolences, thoughts and prayers to her family, friends and fellow officers and shared in the knowledge that Officer Cotton's service was well done.

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