Jefferson Parish Council Meeting Notes, December 8, 2010

· Deborah Foshee sworn in as Jefferson Parish Attorney

· John Young announces plans to bring curb side recycling back to Jefferson Parish “hopefully in getting a competitive price…environmentally sound decision to preserving land space"---bring it back to the citizens of Jefferson Parish

· Parish President John Young recently had a meeting with the Citizens for Good Government

· Land fill audit---Parish President John Young wants the finalized report and says it is “one of the most scrutinized reports in a while” and “wants a thorough review, signed, sealed, delivered and ready to go” so it will be ready to present to the parish council and to the citizens of JP

· JP employees will have holiday break on Dec. 27

· Audit should be finished by end of December for landfill “if we owe money, we will pay it.”

· Resolutions 91 & 94: Citizens for Good Government—resolution---“this is a good idea” for Resolution 94 “items for zoning changes and campaign contributions for political candidates seeking zoning changes.”

· Citizens appearing before the council urging for transparency regarding political contributions in proposing zoning ordinances, and represents of Citizens for Good Government presenting thorough reports on contractors contributing to various Jefferson Parish council members

· Citizens appearing before the council proposing alcoholic beverage permits and revoking certain alcoholic permits

· Citizens appearing before the council disagree with the Waggaman-Riverbirch Landfill settlement: “It’s a pain to have this landfill in my yard. The odors are so strong. You don’t know what it is like to waking up to this every morning”

· Councilman Byron Lee on Waggaman and Riverbirch Landfill settlement “I inherited this agreement and d if anyone wants to read this agreement, it says that any of these funds can be spent anywhere in District 3. I have worked tirelessly with the people of Waggaman to remedy a number of their issues and concerns and spent millions of dollars remedy their problems. Over and over when they have requested things, their requests have not gone unheard. We created a nonprofit to act as a conduit to meet the needs of the residents. I made a promise to them in 2009 and when said we would come to the conclusion that 70 percent Waggaman and 30 percent to Avondale. The fact of the matter is that it was going to the recreation department to ensure that kids would get uniforms…they don’t have the means to buy these kids jackets and trophies. The fact is the money is going to improve the quality of life…we are reaching and nearing our end to the balance of that account."

· Councilwoman Lee-Sheng suspends alcohol retail permit for City Bar for two weeks

· Council approves La. Legislative Auditor to conduct an audit of all existing contracts involving the Housing Authority of Jefferson Parish-La. Housing Development Corporation

· Council approves Resolution 94

· Council suspends and revokes several alcohol retail permits

· Appointments by JP Council: Edith "Dee Dee" Lancaster as administrative assistant to Councilmember Diane Hollis, Kriss Fortunato as new public information officer and Sean Burke as the new citizen affairs director

· Council approved to enter into an agreement with a proposed budget of $30,000 Community Block Grant funds to provide matching grant funding for program targeting homeless, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse/addition and mental health individuals in Jefferson Parish for Responsibility House.

· Council approved to enter into an agreement with Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans with a proposed budget of $23,500 from Community Development Block Grant funds to provide matching funds for a grant to assist individuals in Jefferson Parish who are homeless and suffering from substance abuse/addiction and mental health

· Council approved to enter into an agreement with Resources for Human Development with a proposed budget of $48,125 from Community Development Block Grant funds for a HUD supportive housing program to assist homeless individuals in Jefferson Parish with transitional-permanent housing

· Council approved to enter into an agreement with Resources for Human Development with a proposed budget of $105,000 from Community Development Block Grant funds to provide programming for homeless women in Jefferson Parish with residential substance abuse treatment

· Council approved to enter into an agreement with Arc of Greater New Orleans for $98,000 to provide training program for eligible youth

· Council approved to enter into an agreement with the Department of Community Development and Volunteers of America of Greater New Orleans for $230,000 for the Repairs on Wheels Program

· Council approved $150,000 for the Housing Counseling and First-Time Homebuyer Training Program