Councilmember Willard-Lewis said, " 'Seniors Screen for Life' is an event where we can honor our seniors for their wisdom and contributions to the growth and development of our beloved City. We are providing our citizens with an opportunity to attend a comprehensive event, where fun and relaxation are joined with the opportunity to interact with health and City agencies that impact the daily lives of our senior community."

The free event was open to all senior citizens, and provided free health screenings including blood pressure, eye, ear and cholesterol screenings. Senior citizens enjoyed a free lunch and entertainment provided by Charmaine Neville, Kermit Ruffins and Sharon Martin, as well as patriotic costume and dance contests.

To view complete News Release click here.

Budget Committee Chair District "D" Councilmember Cynthia Hedge-Morrell led a Budget Committee meeting to address amendments to the Classified Pay Plan as well as the creation of community-based health centers. Councilmember Hedge-Morrell, along with the Administration, received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association.

Approves Amendments to Classified Pay Plan

The Committee passed a Motion to be taken up at the regular Council meeting on July 10th, co-authored by Councilmembers Hedge-Morrell, Fielkow, Head and Clarkson approving an amendment to the Classified Pay Plan which sets new hiring rates for job classification groups effective July 1st, August 1st, September 1st, October 1st and November 1st.

Supports Community Health Centers

The Committee passed a Resolution to be taken up at the regular Council meeting on July 10th, co-authored by Councilmembers Hedge-Morrell, Fielkow, Head and Clarkson, in support of community-based health centers and their expansion throughout the New Orleans area.

Councilmember Hedge-Morrell said, "These community health centers are an important addition to the City. These centers will make healthcare more accessible to all our citizens."

The Council also supported the formation of a task-force to be comprised of Tulane University's School of Medicine, Chief Administrative Office, and the Health Department to work collaboratively and identify the needs to establish the community-based health centers.

Receives Distinguished Budget Presentation Award

At a press conference at City Hall, representatives from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the U.S. and Canada presented the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award to the City of New Orleans. Budget Committee Chair District "D" Councilmember Hedge-Morrell, along with Mayor C. Ray Nagin and Chief Administrative Officer Dr. Brenda G. Hatfield were present to accept the prestigious award.

The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting. A panel of independent reviewers examined the City's budget document presented to the New Orleans City Council in November 2007 for the current fiscal year.

To view complete News Release click here.

At a Special Council Meeting, the Council supported a public/private economic development partnership, playground development and the creation of cultural districts.

Supports Public/Private Economic Development Partnership

The Council adopted Resolution R-08-329 expressing the Council's support of a public/private economic development partnership.

The Council also requested the Mayor, in conjunction with the Council's Special Development Projects and Economic Development Committee, initiate discussions with interested parties and stakeholders regarding a detailed and comprehensive Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the City and an appropriate private entity to establish a public/private economic development partnership in New Orleans.

Supports Playground Development

The Council adopted Resolution R-08-346 which states that FEMA should immediately undertake the removal of all utilities or other hindrances in connection with parks and playgrounds previously used for placement of group trailer sites.

The Resolution also states that all 14 parks and playgrounds should be immediately sodded with work to commence no later than Thursday, June 26, 2008 and should be re-opened for use no later than thirty days from commencement of sodding.

Supports Creation of Cultural Districts

The Council passed nine resolutions in support of the creation of various cultural districts around the City.

The City of New Orleans supports and endorses the submission of applications to the LDCRT, Office of Cultural Development to designate the following as state-certified Cultural Districts:

- Bayou Road & African American Heritage Cultural District
- Downtown Development District
- Downtown Rampart-Basin Street Corridor
- French Quarter Cultural District
- Gentilly / Pontchartrain Park Cultural District
- Lincoln Beach Cultural District
- Lower Ninth Ward Cultural District
- Museum-City Park Cultural District
- Saint Claude Corridor Cultural District
- Viet Village Cultural District

The creation of Cultural Districts is part of Act 298 of the 2007 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature which authorizes Local Governing Authorities to create Cultural Districts as a mechanism for community revitalization through the creation of hubs of cultural activity.

To view complete News Release click here.

District "B" Councilmember Stacy Head in collaboration with the Central City Partnership / Comeback Committee, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) 6th District and the Mahalia Jackson Early Childhood and Family Education Foundation hosted the ninth annual Central City Youth Against Violence March to promote and encourage non-violence among the youth in the community.

Councilmember Head said, “This event is an important step in our fight against crime and violence – the community had an opportunity to get together, promote non-violence and confront the problems they are facing in Central City.”

The March began at City Hall and ended at the Mahalia Jackson School at 2400 Jackson Avenue where a Kaboom Playground was dedicated to NOPD Officer Nicola Cotton, who was killed in the line of duty in Central City. The community event was open to the public and the “Nicola Cotton Playspot” dedication was followed by a family day featuring food, entertainment, guest speakers and other family activities.      

Speakers at the event included Criminal Justice Committee Chair District “C” Councilmember James Carter, NOPD Superintendent Warren Riley, Mayor C. Ray Nagin and other community representatives.

Utility Committee Chair District "A" Councilmember Shelley Midura joined Green Light New Orleans Executive Director Andi Hoffmann for Green Light New Orleans' Energy Efficiency Initiative at the residence of local artist Amzie Adams to replace the light bulbs throughout his entire home with energy efficient compact fluorescent lights.

The mission of Green Light New Orleans is to help low and middle income families and individuals make the switch from incandescent bulbs to energy efficient compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) one house at a time.

Councilmember Midura said, “Green Light’s strategy is simple and effective – all homeowners have to do is sign up for an appointment and they get the energy efficient bulbs and installation free. The positive impact this organization is making in New Orleans is truly an inspiration to all of us.”

Green Light sends volunteers into homes across New Orleans to replace standard incandescent bulbs with donated CFLs, which require only a fraction of the energy, yet provide the same amount of illumination.

The Council addressed the World Trade Center lease agreement, extended Districts "D" and "E" FEMA trailer removal deadline and supported the Green Jobs Act and Energy Efficiency Grant Program. The Council also honored Colonel Terry Ebbert, Director of Homeland Security.
 
Extends Districts "D" & "E" FEMA Trailer Removal Deadline

The Council passed Ordinance Calendar No. 27,029 temporarily suspending, for a three-month period, all relevant provisions of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO) to allow the temporary placement of Temporary Housing Structures on private property affected by Hurricane Katrina in Council Districts "D" and "E."

The provisions of the Ordinance, co-authored by District "D" Councilmember Cynthia Hedge-Morrell, District "E" Councilmember Cynthia Willard-Lewis and District "C" Councilmember James Carter, will not apply to property located within Central Business Districts and Vieux Carre Historic Districts.

The Ordinance specifies that trailers and travel trailers may be placed on public or private property with the permission of the owners after all necessary permits have been obtained from the Department of Safety and Permits.

Addresses World Trade Center Lease Agreement

Representatives from the World Trade Center (WTC) of New Orleans, the New Orleans Building Corporation (NOBC) and Full Spectrum, the selected developer for the World Trade Center building, appeared before the Council to address the WTC lease agreement and provide Councilmembers with additional details regarding the terms and conditions of the lease.

The Councilmembers requested a detailed briefing regarding the details of the lease. The Council also emphasized the importance of ensuring the utmost accuracy in a timely fashion.

Supports Green Jobs Act & Energy Efficiency Grant Program

The Council adopted Resolution R-08-325, authored by District "A" Councilmember Shelley Midura, calling upon the Senate and the House of Representatives to fully fund the Green Jobs Act and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program in the 2009 Appropriations Bill.
 
The Green Jobs Act of 2007 pledged $125 million in federal funding for "green" jobs training and the creation of "pathways out of poverty" for low-income adults.
 
A fully funded Green Jobs Act and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program would make $2 million of grants available to cities and local governments like New Orleans to engage in strategies to improve energy efficiency.

Honors Colonel Terry Ebbert

The Council honored Colonel Terry Ebbert, Director of Homeland Security, for his hard work and dedication to the City of New Orleans.

The Council presented Colonel Ebbert with a proclamation expressing the Council's gratitude and appreciation for his years of service in the New Orleans community.

To view complete News Release click here.

District “D” Councilmember Cynthia Hedge-Morrell spoke to members of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) as a part of their joint community relations mission to New Orleans as part of the national anti-poverty campaign “There Shall Be No Needy Among You.”

Councilmember Hedge-Morrell addressed the impact of community development and the challenges of leadership during a disaster.

The joint Community Relations Mission, held at the Hotel Monteleone, was an opportunity for Jewish and African American leaders from cities across the country to learn more about race, poverty, and climate change and how these three forces intersected when Hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit almost three years ago.
 
Councilmember Hedge-Morrell said, “I am honored to speak at such an important event - it is vital that we share our experiences as leaders in times of crisis and recovery with others. We are grateful to these African-American and Jewish leaders who have committed to engaging their communities in Gulf Coast and anti-poverty activism and advocacy.”

The JCPA is the public affairs arm of the organized American Jewish community and the coordinating body for the 14 national and 125 local Jewish public affairs organizations. JCPA member agencies work in coalition with government representatives and a wide array of religious, ethnic and civic organizations in strengthening community relations and pursuing the policy objectives of the Jewish community and the nation.

Councilmembers Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson, Shelley Midura and James Carter joined with other prominent leaders in celebrating the grand opening of the Audubon Insectarium. The grand opening celebration included a block party featuring live music, face painting, balloon artists and much more.

Council President Clarkson said, “We are very excited about the opening of this wonderful museum and are honored to be a part of the celebration. This is yet another positive sign of our rebuilding and recovery.”

The Audubon Insectarium, located in the historic U.S. Custom House on Canal Street in downtown New Orleans, showcases insects - the largest group of animals on the planet - while providing an educational and entertaining experience for both children and adults alike.

The first Louisiana delegation to Posidonia 2008, the world's premier international shipping industry conference, recently concluded a week-long trip to Greece.

The delegation led by Councilmember-at-Large Arnie Fielkow included representatives from the New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center, the Port of South Louisiana, Louisiana Economic Development (LED) and several local law firms and businesses.

During the bi-annual, week-long conference in Athens, the Louisiana delegation met with the Greek Foreign Ministry; the City Council President of Athens; Mayor Panagiotis Fasoulas of Piraeus; the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM); and Travel Plan, one of Greece's largest tour operators in North America.

The discussions ranged from formalizing close ties between Greece and New Orleans - such as reopening the Greek Consulate, to cementing an official "sister city" relationship between Athens and New Orleans. Tourism, investment opportunities and the New Orleans and South Louisiana ports were also major points of discussion.

To view complete News Release click here.

The charter amendment would also require a portion of the OIG's budget to be allocated to the City's Ethics Review Board and establish an Independent Police Monitor Division.

District "C" Councilmember James Carter said, "The New Orleans Police Department has done a tremendous job under the leadership of Superintendent Warren Riley and I appreciate all of their efforts. This is a tremendous reform step forward in improving the relationship between law enforcement and the citizens of New Orleans."

Supports Southeast Regional Airport Authority

The Council adopted Resolution R-08-282 supporting House Bill No. 1272, which creates the Southeast Regional Airport Authority.

The Resolution reflects the Council's belief that the House Bill be amended to assign the responsibilities relative to the New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport to the New Orleans Building Corporation (NOBC). NOBC is a Public Benefit Corporation with the purpose of owning, leasing, developing and operating properties owned by the City of New Orleans.

Addresses 311 System

Colonel Sneed of the Department of Homeland Security came before the Council to discuss the 311 System. Among items discussed: the need to encourage citizens to call 311 and visit www.nolaready.info, New Orleans' evacuation plan and the 311 System's technical issues.

Colonel Sneed addressed the issue of connection difficulties and confirmed that this problem is currently being looked into. He offered two other numbers citizens should call for further assistance: 504-658-2299 and the toll free number 1-877-286-6431.

Recognizes New Council President

Councilmember-at-Large Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson led her first Council meeting as Council President. The new Council President's priorities were demonstrated with the Presentation of the Colors and the National Anthem being handled by the Marine Corps Reserve, and Orders of Business addressing healthcare in the City and the 311 System.

Supports NORD / New Orleans Public Library

The Council adopted Resolution R-08-275 requesting that the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) work with the New Orleans Public Library to institute procedures so that when a child registers for any NORD program, the registration acts as a valid registration for a library card.

The Council emphasized its strong belief that every child in New Orleans should have access to quality recreation programs and access to a library card to be able to take advantage of all of the information and services that the New Orleans Public Library has to offer.

To view complete News Release click here.