1 00:07:15,500 --> 00:10:19,165 Hit it once. Yes, sir. Good afternoon. So 2 00:10:19,165 --> 00:10:23,245 today we are here the Metro Council budget 3 00:10:23,245 --> 00:10:28,525 hearing and today is the mayor's proposed 2023 4 00:10:28,845 --> 00:10:36,320 budget being Tuesday, November 2022. The meeting has 5 00:10:36,320 --> 00:10:40,320 been called to order and we have informational 6 00:10:40,320 --> 00:10:45,535 presentations by five different entities. And so we 7 00:10:45,535 --> 00:10:49,855 will begin with the Prison Medical Services. If 8 00:10:49,855 --> 00:10:52,815 you'll come on up, followed by the Department 9 00:10:52,815 --> 00:10:57,615 of Buildings and Grounds, Juvenile Services, the mayor's 10 00:10:57,615 --> 00:11:01,540 office, and the Mayor's Office of Community Development. 11 00:11:01,780 --> 00:11:05,940 Let me say that there will be, because 12 00:11:05,940 --> 00:11:09,460 no action will be taken, there will be 13 00:11:09,460 --> 00:11:13,065 no public comment. There was an opportunity for 14 00:11:13,065 --> 00:11:16,505 this on November 22 at the council meeting 15 00:11:16,505 --> 00:11:19,785 and then there will be another opportunity on 16 00:11:19,785 --> 00:11:25,250 December 13. So, And you can always reach 17 00:11:25,250 --> 00:11:27,810 out to your council person or to the 18 00:11:27,810 --> 00:11:31,649 department. So we'll go with Prison Medical Services. 19 00:11:31,649 --> 00:11:34,370 Thank you, Councilman Coleman. I'm going to introduce 20 00:11:34,370 --> 00:11:36,770 Flint Juneau who is actually the CEO of 21 00:11:36,770 --> 00:11:40,654 Turnkey Medical. Turnkey, which you guys probably remember, 22 00:11:40,654 --> 00:11:43,055 took over Prison Medical at the beginning of 23 00:11:43,055 --> 00:11:45,295 this year. The mayor has asked them to 24 00:11:45,295 --> 00:11:47,295 come back in January to do a full 25 00:11:47,295 --> 00:11:49,375 one year report in terms of what their 26 00:11:49,375 --> 00:11:51,680 activities have been at the prison. But just 27 00:11:51,680 --> 00:11:55,520 as a refresher, the current budget for 2023, 28 00:11:55,520 --> 00:11:59,520 the proposed budget for prison medical is $6,600,000 29 00:11:59,839 --> 00:12:02,560 approximately, just a little bit over that. The 30 00:12:02,560 --> 00:12:07,765 base contract is $6,100,000 We have about $380,000 31 00:12:07,765 --> 00:12:10,565 worth of medical supplies, which in this case 32 00:12:10,565 --> 00:12:13,205 are mainly HIV drugs. We've had an issue 33 00:12:13,205 --> 00:12:15,925 with a change in the formulary for HIV 34 00:12:15,925 --> 00:12:18,485 drugs. We're working on this with the state. 35 00:12:18,485 --> 00:12:20,085 We think we'll find a solution where we 36 00:12:20,085 --> 00:12:22,350 will be able to cut those costs, and 37 00:12:22,350 --> 00:12:26,910 about $140,000 for contractual services, which include people 38 00:12:26,910 --> 00:12:30,030 who have to go to a medical facility 39 00:12:30,270 --> 00:12:33,230 where those charges aren't covered by DOC and 40 00:12:33,230 --> 00:12:34,670 where we have to send them for x 41 00:12:34,670 --> 00:12:37,505 rays, etcetera, outside of the facility. So I'll 42 00:12:37,505 --> 00:12:42,065 introduce Flint. Turnkey is actually in 92 facilities 43 00:12:42,065 --> 00:12:46,385 and nine states. The RFP process was competitive. 44 00:12:46,385 --> 00:12:48,625 We had five different groups that examined coming 45 00:12:48,625 --> 00:12:51,505 in and Turnkey was picked through that process. 46 00:12:52,530 --> 00:13:00,530 Good afternoon. Thank you all for allowing me 47 00:13:00,530 --> 00:13:02,450 to come in and speak with you today. 48 00:13:02,770 --> 00:13:05,890 We've enjoyed a partnership with the East Baton 49 00:13:05,890 --> 00:13:09,865 Rouge Parish, as Darryl mentioned, since last January. 50 00:13:10,825 --> 00:13:13,225 We came in of course in the heart 51 00:13:13,225 --> 00:13:16,345 of the COVID epidemic. So we've had some 52 00:13:16,345 --> 00:13:20,745 challenges coming in as far as facility movement, 53 00:13:21,625 --> 00:13:26,550 you know, working through the epidemic and, but 54 00:13:26,550 --> 00:13:30,149 even through that time, we've made drastic improvements 55 00:13:30,149 --> 00:13:33,430 and major strides with what we do out 56 00:13:33,430 --> 00:13:36,105 at the prison with you all. As he 57 00:13:36,105 --> 00:13:39,305 mentioned, I'm Flint Juneau, CEO. I have been 58 00:13:39,305 --> 00:13:43,625 down here numerous times personally in in Baton 59 00:13:43,625 --> 00:13:48,425 Rouge, I I enjoy the southern hospitality. So 60 00:13:48,425 --> 00:13:52,100 I I love eating southern food and sharing 61 00:13:52,500 --> 00:13:56,740 hospitality with you all. I am gonna cover 62 00:13:56,740 --> 00:14:00,420 a few highlights. As he mentioned, we are 63 00:14:00,420 --> 00:14:02,260 willing to come back. What we would like 64 00:14:02,260 --> 00:14:06,315 to do and as you guys have asked 65 00:14:06,315 --> 00:14:08,955 us, we want to provide kind of an 66 00:14:08,955 --> 00:14:11,835 annual review as we go through our relationship 67 00:14:11,835 --> 00:14:15,435 with you. We will do that as we 68 00:14:15,435 --> 00:14:18,430 wrap up each contract year and give you 69 00:14:18,430 --> 00:14:22,029 a little bit more meat and statistics and 70 00:14:22,029 --> 00:14:27,070 kind of shifts in things throughout the year. 71 00:14:27,710 --> 00:14:30,714 But today I just came in to just 72 00:14:30,714 --> 00:14:32,795 kind of give you guys a highlight of 73 00:14:32,795 --> 00:14:35,514 where we've been and kind of an idea 74 00:14:35,514 --> 00:14:37,595 if you guys have questions, you know, that 75 00:14:37,595 --> 00:14:39,915 you want us to address as well in 76 00:14:39,915 --> 00:14:43,870 our January presentation. This might spur some ideas 77 00:14:43,870 --> 00:14:48,110 and we're always welcoming of those suggestions so 78 00:14:48,110 --> 00:14:51,149 we can cater it to a way that's 79 00:14:51,870 --> 00:14:57,615 feasible to you guys. So I'm gonna have 80 00:14:57,615 --> 00:15:00,255 a hard time reading through this. It's a 81 00:15:00,255 --> 00:15:03,375 little far out there. But we, first of 82 00:15:03,375 --> 00:15:06,095 all, I wanna just go through some achievements 83 00:15:06,335 --> 00:15:09,860 that we had over this last year beginning 84 00:15:09,860 --> 00:15:12,900 with, you know, we started a year ago 85 00:15:12,980 --> 00:15:16,740 in January 1 and it truly was a 86 00:15:16,740 --> 00:15:23,220 very compressed transition process. We actually, I believe, 87 00:15:23,805 --> 00:15:27,964 thank you. The contract was actually signed, I 88 00:15:27,964 --> 00:15:30,445 believe, less than two weeks before we even 89 00:15:30,445 --> 00:15:32,845 started services, but we did a lot of 90 00:15:32,845 --> 00:15:37,480 work upfront, meeting with the existing staff, etcetera, 91 00:15:37,800 --> 00:15:40,120 working with some of the community clinics and 92 00:15:40,120 --> 00:15:43,800 providers to get prepared for the transition. And 93 00:15:43,800 --> 00:15:46,680 of course, as you guys know, from Thanksgiving 94 00:15:47,320 --> 00:15:50,665 to New Year's Day, people are pretty stable 95 00:15:50,665 --> 00:15:53,145 with where they're at. So we had some 96 00:15:53,145 --> 00:15:55,625 recruiting challenges to work through those last couple 97 00:15:55,625 --> 00:16:03,010 weeks. Although they were challenges, we did a 98 00:16:03,010 --> 00:16:06,370 lot initially. To begin with, we increased the 99 00:16:06,370 --> 00:16:10,690 staffing out there by more than 2.4, what 100 00:16:10,690 --> 00:16:15,410 we call FTEs, full time equivalents. From the 101 00:16:15,410 --> 00:16:19,355 get go, we implemented some critical positions that 102 00:16:19,355 --> 00:16:23,835 we believe were lacking out there, one being 103 00:16:23,835 --> 00:16:28,075 an HMP nurse to make sure we had 104 00:16:28,075 --> 00:16:32,010 somebody dedicated to make sure every individual who 105 00:16:32,010 --> 00:16:35,370 became incarcerated out there had a full physical 106 00:16:35,370 --> 00:16:38,730 within the fourteen day guideline and then an 107 00:16:38,730 --> 00:16:43,050 additional physical within a year. Since we implemented 108 00:16:43,995 --> 00:16:47,675 that position, we are current on both of 109 00:16:47,675 --> 00:16:51,115 those categories, which is very important because the 110 00:16:51,115 --> 00:16:58,089 facility is accredited by NCCHC. We did inherit, 111 00:16:58,089 --> 00:17:01,769 as you guys know, or probably know through 112 00:17:01,769 --> 00:17:06,490 COVID, there's been massive inflation. No area in 113 00:17:06,490 --> 00:17:08,890 our industry has been hit harder than the 114 00:17:08,890 --> 00:17:15,184 healthcare area, especially nursing for like correctional facilities. 115 00:17:15,664 --> 00:17:19,424 Nurses in our industry, we have experienced over 116 00:17:19,424 --> 00:17:24,030 a 20% inflation in salaries. So when we 117 00:17:24,030 --> 00:17:29,789 came in, we had a vacancy rate to 118 00:17:29,789 --> 00:17:32,750 fill positions for full time staff of over 119 00:17:32,750 --> 00:17:38,945 73% of nursing staff and 100% vacancy rate 120 00:17:38,945 --> 00:17:41,984 of the CMAs. Now that's not saying that 121 00:17:41,985 --> 00:17:45,344 services weren't being provided before we came in, 122 00:17:45,664 --> 00:17:49,909 but the individuals providing those services were on 123 00:17:49,909 --> 00:17:52,710 like a contract basis or a temporary staff, 124 00:17:52,710 --> 00:17:57,669 agency staff, which provides essential services but it 125 00:17:57,669 --> 00:18:00,789 doesn't provide the continuity of care that you 126 00:18:00,789 --> 00:18:04,230 want to establish to make sure services are 127 00:18:04,230 --> 00:18:09,825 being delivered right. The nursing staff were dramatically 128 00:18:09,825 --> 00:18:13,185 underpaid out at the prison which was part 129 00:18:13,185 --> 00:18:16,145 of the contribution of why they had so 130 00:18:16,145 --> 00:18:20,225 many vacancies. We have increased the hourly rate 131 00:18:20,460 --> 00:18:23,020 for the nurses out there by over $8 132 00:18:23,020 --> 00:18:25,340 an hour from what they were being paid 133 00:18:25,340 --> 00:18:29,419 before we assumed the contract. We believe in 134 00:18:29,419 --> 00:18:32,059 spending more money on the front end because 135 00:18:32,059 --> 00:18:38,675 lower turnover obviously is more financially sound. So 136 00:18:38,675 --> 00:18:43,155 we always pay a very competitive rate in 137 00:18:43,155 --> 00:18:46,195 the healthcare industry, not just the corrections industry. 138 00:18:48,019 --> 00:18:51,700 We so as of today, we've been fully 139 00:18:51,700 --> 00:18:54,580 staffed out there. As of today, we we 140 00:18:54,580 --> 00:18:57,700 have two individuals filling two of the last 141 00:18:57,700 --> 00:19:01,215 permanent positions and we still got a couple 142 00:19:01,215 --> 00:19:04,015 temporary staff out there while we get them 143 00:19:04,015 --> 00:19:08,175 fully oriented. But within a year, we pretty 144 00:19:08,175 --> 00:19:13,200 much stabilized the entire program out there. This 145 00:19:13,200 --> 00:19:19,039 also included adding a very qualified RN administrator 146 00:19:19,360 --> 00:19:24,000 who works there Monday through Friday. I know 147 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:26,475 in the past that that had been kind 148 00:19:26,475 --> 00:19:30,075 of hit and miss due to personal reasons 149 00:19:30,075 --> 00:19:33,035 but that is a critical component of the 150 00:19:33,035 --> 00:19:35,755 program that has helped to stabilize it as 151 00:19:35,755 --> 00:19:42,419 well. We implemented a new medical director who 152 00:19:42,659 --> 00:19:47,140 has received great reviews by not only the 153 00:19:47,140 --> 00:19:49,700 security staff out there but also by the 154 00:19:49,700 --> 00:19:55,135 inmate population out there. And we have implemented 155 00:19:55,135 --> 00:19:58,575 a full time psychiatric provider where there were, 156 00:19:58,575 --> 00:20:00,655 prior to us, there were only two part 157 00:20:00,655 --> 00:20:03,775 times who came out as their scheduled allowed. 158 00:20:06,340 --> 00:20:08,419 One main area I do wanna touch on 159 00:20:08,419 --> 00:20:11,140 is the community coordinator. That was a new 160 00:20:11,140 --> 00:20:15,460 position out here. We, as he mentioned, as 161 00:20:15,460 --> 00:20:18,020 Darryl mentioned, we work with over 90 some 162 00:20:18,705 --> 00:20:22,384 parishes and counties in the Southern United States 163 00:20:22,705 --> 00:20:26,465 and the larger facilities such as Baton Rouge, 164 00:20:26,865 --> 00:20:31,184 we are very progressive in trying to continue 165 00:20:31,184 --> 00:20:34,280 to care once inmates go back into the 166 00:20:34,280 --> 00:20:38,360 community because if they stay healthy, it's proven 167 00:20:38,360 --> 00:20:41,640 to reduce the recidivism back into the jail. 168 00:20:41,960 --> 00:20:44,840 So we have implemented that system. We're trying 169 00:20:45,000 --> 00:20:48,914 to get that program built up and I 170 00:20:48,914 --> 00:20:50,755 have a few things that we've already accomplished 171 00:20:50,755 --> 00:20:53,075 with that that I'll continue on here in 172 00:20:53,075 --> 00:20:59,635 a minute. So as I mentioned, NCCHC, our 173 00:20:59,635 --> 00:21:04,700 services now exceed those standards. Should NCCHC come 174 00:21:04,700 --> 00:21:08,380 back for a review at any given time 175 00:21:08,380 --> 00:21:11,980 when they're scheduled to, we are fully confident 176 00:21:11,980 --> 00:21:14,815 that not only we meet the standards but 177 00:21:14,815 --> 00:21:19,295 we exceed them and that is a big 178 00:21:19,295 --> 00:21:23,695 accomplishment for the parish overall. NTCH, is that 179 00:21:23,695 --> 00:21:26,415 the accreditation group? It is, yes. It stands 180 00:21:26,415 --> 00:21:29,710 for the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare. And 181 00:21:29,710 --> 00:21:31,470 did y'all fail the last time, is that 182 00:21:31,470 --> 00:21:33,310 what you're saying? And now you're on position 183 00:21:33,310 --> 00:21:35,310 to pass, I may have missed that. No, 184 00:21:35,310 --> 00:21:38,190 no, so the facility's still accredited but they 185 00:21:38,190 --> 00:21:40,270 only come in every three to four years. 186 00:21:40,270 --> 00:21:45,275 Okay. The initial accreditation was done, I believe 187 00:21:45,275 --> 00:21:50,715 two years ago, maybe. I'm sorry. But it's 188 00:21:50,715 --> 00:21:52,955 not an annual review and we haven't went 189 00:21:52,955 --> 00:21:58,010 through one since we've been there. There's also 190 00:21:58,010 --> 00:22:00,330 the electronic health record that was in place. 191 00:22:00,330 --> 00:22:04,650 We had a seamless transition because the system 192 00:22:04,650 --> 00:22:07,210 that the parish was using is the same 193 00:22:07,210 --> 00:22:14,665 system we use throughout our company. So we 194 00:22:14,665 --> 00:22:17,225 were able to make sure there was no 195 00:22:17,225 --> 00:22:19,785 lack of care or loss of care through 196 00:22:19,785 --> 00:22:24,680 that transition because the records transitioned smoothly. Some 197 00:22:24,680 --> 00:22:28,920 of the new implementations which we're very proud 198 00:22:28,920 --> 00:22:32,840 of is we have implemented an MAT program 199 00:22:32,840 --> 00:22:37,725 which is medicated or medication assisted treatment. For 200 00:22:37,725 --> 00:22:40,365 those of you who are not in the 201 00:22:40,365 --> 00:22:44,205 healthcare industry, what that means is we treat 202 00:22:44,285 --> 00:22:48,925 people with opioid and alcohol addiction while they're 203 00:22:48,925 --> 00:22:52,100 in the facility as long as they you 204 00:22:52,100 --> 00:22:54,260 know, are willing to do it and meet 205 00:22:54,260 --> 00:23:00,900 the qualifications to prevent detox, to prevent illness 206 00:23:01,300 --> 00:23:05,539 from them coming off the medication and also 207 00:23:05,620 --> 00:23:08,435 to give them a higher success of when 208 00:23:08,435 --> 00:23:13,875 they return to the community, they are not 209 00:23:13,955 --> 00:23:17,075 completely off of something and their body's not 210 00:23:17,075 --> 00:23:19,715 transitioning. As we know that the parish is, 211 00:23:20,360 --> 00:23:23,240 the parish prison is for the parish, it's 212 00:23:23,240 --> 00:23:26,120 not the state DOC system. So the amount 213 00:23:26,120 --> 00:23:29,720 of time individuals stay in the parish prison 214 00:23:29,960 --> 00:23:33,880 is much smaller. So it's better to provide 215 00:23:33,880 --> 00:23:37,825 a continuity of care for those services as 216 00:23:37,825 --> 00:23:43,105 long as they meet qualifications and are willing 217 00:23:43,105 --> 00:23:47,905 to participate. So along with that, we have 218 00:23:49,890 --> 00:23:53,490 introduced as part of our discharge planning program, 219 00:23:53,730 --> 00:23:58,210 the implementing release of medications which is done 220 00:23:58,210 --> 00:24:02,450 through our community coordinator position. Those medications have 221 00:24:02,450 --> 00:24:06,585 also been enhanced to include access to Narcan 222 00:24:07,225 --> 00:24:13,385 which is in layman terms, somebody is overdosed, 223 00:24:13,385 --> 00:24:18,330 it's an inhibitor that prevents bad outcomes. So 224 00:24:18,330 --> 00:24:22,250 we've allowed those and we provide education to 225 00:24:22,250 --> 00:24:26,250 the inmates at the prison on how to 226 00:24:26,250 --> 00:24:30,330 use Narcan, the benefits of having it around 227 00:24:30,330 --> 00:24:33,635 if you have even, obviously not for themselves 228 00:24:33,635 --> 00:24:36,515 but for family members as well. And we 229 00:24:36,515 --> 00:24:38,195 try to get them access so they can 230 00:24:38,195 --> 00:24:40,995 have access to NARCAN when they're back in 231 00:24:40,995 --> 00:24:46,610 your community as well. Grievances, inmate complaints have 232 00:24:46,610 --> 00:24:49,570 reduced by over, regarding medical has reduced by 233 00:24:49,570 --> 00:24:54,610 over 50% since we started services in January, 234 00:24:55,090 --> 00:24:59,955 which is a substantial reduction. And we also 235 00:24:59,955 --> 00:25:04,355 through the year provided numerous COVID vaccines for 236 00:25:04,355 --> 00:25:07,555 the population out there and even boosters for 237 00:25:07,555 --> 00:25:12,090 those who had been fully vaccinated. And one 238 00:25:12,090 --> 00:25:14,010 thing we are working on now is a 239 00:25:14,010 --> 00:25:17,290 new technology that's called Custody Protect, which we'll 240 00:25:17,290 --> 00:25:18,650 go over that a little bit more in 241 00:25:18,650 --> 00:25:22,010 January as that advances, which is a health 242 00:25:22,010 --> 00:25:28,825 monitoring system for those at highest risk. It 243 00:25:28,825 --> 00:25:33,544 allows, since individuals in correctional facilities are locked 244 00:25:33,544 --> 00:25:37,780 down sometimes without correctional staff around or definitely 245 00:25:37,780 --> 00:25:42,500 without medical staff around. It's a tool to 246 00:25:42,500 --> 00:25:45,700 monitor their vital signs if they're a higher 247 00:25:45,700 --> 00:25:49,700 risk category, so hopefully we can catch a 248 00:25:49,700 --> 00:25:53,955 downfall and be able to be proactive in 249 00:25:53,955 --> 00:25:57,395 addressing it. So those are some highlights that 250 00:25:57,395 --> 00:26:01,555 we will expand on in January. Some of 251 00:26:01,555 --> 00:26:04,355 the challenges we're still working through. Hey, it's 252 00:26:04,355 --> 00:26:09,370 not all roses and perfect after one year. 253 00:26:09,370 --> 00:26:12,090 We realize that. A lot of that is 254 00:26:12,090 --> 00:26:15,130 due to there is a, and it's not 255 00:26:15,130 --> 00:26:17,850 just East Baton Rouge Parish by any means. 256 00:26:17,850 --> 00:26:21,674 It's nationally, there's a correctional officer shortage. Out 257 00:26:21,674 --> 00:26:24,075 of 91 clients, I do not have one 258 00:26:24,075 --> 00:26:28,315 single client that is fully staffed correctionally. It's 259 00:26:28,315 --> 00:26:31,434 a national crisis that we're dealing with as 260 00:26:31,434 --> 00:26:34,075 well as a national crisis with nursing shortage. 261 00:26:35,150 --> 00:26:37,230 Fortunately, we've been able to get staffed up 262 00:26:37,230 --> 00:26:40,429 on the medical side. I'm hoping on the 263 00:26:40,429 --> 00:26:43,230 correction side that starts reversing. But it does 264 00:26:43,230 --> 00:26:46,429 create additional challenges, makes our, sometimes our staff 265 00:26:46,429 --> 00:26:49,070 have to work additional hours to get all 266 00:26:49,070 --> 00:26:53,605 the tests done and make sure we can 267 00:26:53,605 --> 00:26:56,005 coordinate with the other systems going on within 268 00:26:56,005 --> 00:27:01,205 the facility. There is a, I believe we're 269 00:27:01,205 --> 00:27:04,405 still working with their IT department. The EMR 270 00:27:04,405 --> 00:27:09,179 is on, from my understanding, on a older 271 00:27:09,179 --> 00:27:11,659 service system. We found a way to move 272 00:27:11,659 --> 00:27:15,979 that onto a newer system which we will 273 00:27:16,380 --> 00:27:19,755 take care of that for the parish to 274 00:27:19,755 --> 00:27:23,195 make it a little bit more secure and 275 00:27:23,195 --> 00:27:26,555 prevent any crashing of the system. So we're 276 00:27:26,555 --> 00:27:28,315 working with IT to try to get that 277 00:27:28,315 --> 00:27:34,090 done. The jail did change. JMS providers, which 278 00:27:34,090 --> 00:27:36,809 is the jail management system that does all 279 00:27:36,809 --> 00:27:41,210 the security side records. There's been a few 280 00:27:41,210 --> 00:27:43,850 hiccups we're still working through with that. The 281 00:27:43,850 --> 00:27:46,105 interface, which is how they talk to each 282 00:27:46,105 --> 00:27:51,065 other, the two systems, is not the best 283 00:27:51,065 --> 00:27:53,705 with the new JMS system, I'll just say 284 00:27:53,705 --> 00:27:56,585 that. They don't have the best interface capability. 285 00:27:57,300 --> 00:27:59,380 But we are working through it and hopefully 286 00:27:59,380 --> 00:28:04,420 we'll get those resolved. And as Darryl mentioned 287 00:28:04,660 --> 00:28:10,180 previously for me, the HIV epidemic, of course, 288 00:28:11,335 --> 00:28:15,495 Ryan White funding is federal funding that is 289 00:28:15,735 --> 00:28:20,215 allocated to combat the HIV epidemic. We're trying 290 00:28:20,215 --> 00:28:23,895 to find ways to help that relieve the 291 00:28:23,895 --> 00:28:27,820 cost for the parish financial burden for the 292 00:28:27,820 --> 00:28:32,860 inmates who are on medication for HIV. So 293 00:28:32,860 --> 00:28:34,940 those are kind of the challenges we look 294 00:28:34,940 --> 00:28:37,739 to try to overcome in this next year. 295 00:28:39,500 --> 00:28:46,235 Questions? Okay, Councilwoman? You for being I can't 296 00:28:46,235 --> 00:28:47,995 tell you how much it means that you 297 00:28:47,995 --> 00:28:49,995 were willing to come in and speak with 298 00:28:49,995 --> 00:28:52,554 us and give us this high level presentation, 299 00:28:52,635 --> 00:28:56,235 so it's certainly very, very encouraging. I just 300 00:28:56,235 --> 00:28:59,289 wanted to drill down on the so it's 301 00:28:59,289 --> 00:29:01,130 a million dollar increase in the budget this 302 00:29:01,130 --> 00:29:03,370 year. Is that and I may need Daryl 303 00:29:03,370 --> 00:29:06,010 for this. It may not be you. Is 304 00:29:06,010 --> 00:29:09,690 that related to salaries for employees? Is that 305 00:29:09,690 --> 00:29:15,845 related to medications? Part of the increase this 306 00:29:15,845 --> 00:29:18,405 year is actually the CPI increase. It's a 307 00:29:18,405 --> 00:29:23,045 5% CPI adjustment in the contract. Also the 308 00:29:23,045 --> 00:29:27,570 HIV, is 380,000 and other contract services is 309 00:29:27,570 --> 00:29:31,090 roughly, we estimate, about $140,000 Okay. Got it. 310 00:29:31,090 --> 00:29:34,850 And then there's an increase from 2022 in 311 00:29:34,850 --> 00:29:37,250 that it's kind of hard to explain. In 312 00:29:37,250 --> 00:29:42,205 2022, we budgeted what we estimated the contract 313 00:29:42,205 --> 00:29:44,525 to be. So we weren't fully funded even. 314 00:29:44,525 --> 00:29:45,965 We're going to come back with a budget 315 00:29:45,965 --> 00:29:48,205 supplement to cover the end of twenty twenty 316 00:29:48,205 --> 00:29:50,765 two. Got it. Because the right amount wasn't 317 00:29:50,765 --> 00:29:53,590 actually budgeted then. Okay. And just out of 318 00:29:53,590 --> 00:29:55,990 curiosity, you mentioned Ryan White funds. I know 319 00:29:55,990 --> 00:29:57,989 we do see a lot of those funds 320 00:29:58,070 --> 00:30:00,230 flowing into the parish. Do we need to 321 00:30:00,230 --> 00:30:03,909 apply specifically for? It's very interesting to me. 322 00:30:03,909 --> 00:30:05,750 I always thought that those Ryan White funds 323 00:30:05,750 --> 00:30:09,435 actually for HIV drugs. Those funds actually go 324 00:30:09,435 --> 00:30:13,035 for housing, for medical care, etc. The drugs 325 00:30:13,035 --> 00:30:15,115 actually come from a different pot that we 326 00:30:15,115 --> 00:30:17,275 actually do not control. They're controlled by the 327 00:30:17,275 --> 00:30:20,155 state and administered through the state. And there's 328 00:30:20,155 --> 00:30:24,039 a different formulary for small cities versus large 329 00:30:24,039 --> 00:30:27,559 cities. It's very complicated. And that formulary is 330 00:30:27,559 --> 00:30:30,360 actually changed through some court orders. So we 331 00:30:30,360 --> 00:30:31,799 have some work we're trying to do to 332 00:30:31,799 --> 00:30:33,880 get through all of that. So we may 333 00:30:33,880 --> 00:30:37,635 be able to access some additional funding. We 334 00:30:37,635 --> 00:30:39,315 have an agreement with the state to cover 335 00:30:39,315 --> 00:30:42,115 three months of 2022. We're trying to get 336 00:30:42,115 --> 00:30:44,355 through the paperwork that may carry over into 337 00:30:44,355 --> 00:30:47,955 part of 2023. And then we think we 338 00:30:47,955 --> 00:30:50,500 do have the way, In theory, what should 339 00:30:50,500 --> 00:30:52,500 happen if you go into the facility and 340 00:30:52,500 --> 00:30:54,980 you're a local person and you're getting treated 341 00:30:54,980 --> 00:30:57,860 at a local clinic, those drugs should follow 342 00:30:57,860 --> 00:31:00,580 you into the prison for up to ninety 343 00:31:00,580 --> 00:31:02,500 days. So we have work to do to 344 00:31:02,500 --> 00:31:06,025 get through that process. Okay. Right. Thank you. 345 00:31:06,265 --> 00:31:09,465 And Mr. Junior, just a little quick aside. 346 00:31:09,545 --> 00:31:11,305 I was at a social event a couple 347 00:31:11,305 --> 00:31:13,145 months ago, was talking with a gentleman who 348 00:31:13,145 --> 00:31:14,505 was a nurse, had just gotten a new 349 00:31:14,505 --> 00:31:17,545 job. He was telling me about how excited 350 00:31:17,545 --> 00:31:19,385 he was and what a great place it 351 00:31:19,385 --> 00:31:21,389 was, and he was working at the prison 352 00:31:21,389 --> 00:31:23,309 for y'all and he was explaining to me 353 00:31:23,309 --> 00:31:26,589 the protocols and how impressed he was. So, 354 00:31:26,990 --> 00:31:29,070 that was from an employee at a social 355 00:31:29,070 --> 00:31:33,565 event. So, anyway, kudos to you. Wonderful. Great 356 00:31:33,565 --> 00:31:37,965 Councilman Hurst. Hey, thank you again for presenting. 357 00:31:38,045 --> 00:31:42,845 I had the the fortune to fortunate opportunity 358 00:31:42,845 --> 00:31:45,405 to visit the prison or jail. I hate 359 00:31:45,405 --> 00:31:46,685 using the word because it's not a prison, 360 00:31:46,685 --> 00:31:51,850 it's a jail. Earlier this year. And, you 361 00:31:51,850 --> 00:31:53,210 know, the one thing that I look at 362 00:31:53,210 --> 00:31:54,650 when I look at the EBR jail is 363 00:31:54,650 --> 00:31:56,890 the majority of those people have not been 364 00:31:56,890 --> 00:32:01,370 sentenced. They are either awaiting trial or they're 365 00:32:01,370 --> 00:32:04,815 waiting to get a bond or they're transitioning 366 00:32:04,815 --> 00:32:08,415 back into society from a more hardened facility. 367 00:32:09,455 --> 00:32:12,175 And so when I got there, said, hey, 368 00:32:12,175 --> 00:32:13,455 show me the medical. I've heard a lot 369 00:32:13,455 --> 00:32:15,940 about the medical. And I mean the medical 370 00:32:15,940 --> 00:32:18,419 is not as big as the council, the 371 00:32:18,419 --> 00:32:20,740 little booth right here, man. But how many 372 00:32:20,740 --> 00:32:26,179 prisoners do y'all service? Fluctuates but On average, 373 00:32:26,179 --> 00:32:28,179 how many? About 1,000. A thousand inmates. Yep. 374 00:32:29,145 --> 00:32:31,225 How many rooms do you have for medical? 375 00:32:32,265 --> 00:32:34,985 Actual exam rooms, I think there's a couple 376 00:32:34,985 --> 00:32:38,185 exam rooms, there's a main triage room and 377 00:32:38,185 --> 00:32:42,825 then several offices. Due to the, as we 378 00:32:42,825 --> 00:32:46,480 mentioned, the smaller medical unit, we we use 379 00:32:46,480 --> 00:32:50,240 multipurpose rooms, sometimes out on the actual facility. 380 00:32:50,720 --> 00:32:52,560 Okay. And tell me about your women's facility 381 00:32:52,560 --> 00:32:57,835 at the prison for medical? As far as 382 00:32:58,235 --> 00:33:00,155 Just in general? Because when I got there, 383 00:33:00,155 --> 00:33:01,434 there wasn't one. So I was hoping there 384 00:33:01,434 --> 00:33:04,875 was an Yeah. I yeah. I don't I 385 00:33:04,875 --> 00:33:07,355 don't know anything about a prison or a 386 00:33:07,355 --> 00:33:14,310 women's facility. What's that? No. There there's no 387 00:33:14,310 --> 00:33:17,669 women's health facility in the in the jail. 388 00:33:17,910 --> 00:33:20,549 So those people have to be transported out 389 00:33:20,550 --> 00:33:24,950 to women's hospital because there's no on-site resources 390 00:33:25,495 --> 00:33:27,174 to support the women in jail. So what 391 00:33:27,174 --> 00:33:29,575 I'm trying to do is because when I 392 00:33:29,575 --> 00:33:31,974 went there, I thought the facility was deplorable. 393 00:33:32,375 --> 00:33:33,815 I thought the health care part of it 394 00:33:33,815 --> 00:33:35,975 was deplorable as well. And so I've had 395 00:33:35,975 --> 00:33:38,934 several conversations of how do we put another 396 00:33:38,934 --> 00:33:42,750 facility in place. The challenge is that without 397 00:33:42,750 --> 00:33:44,590 a plan, it's even worse than what it 398 00:33:44,590 --> 00:33:46,270 is because you end up sending people to 399 00:33:46,270 --> 00:33:47,790 a facility that's worse, that you have no 400 00:33:47,790 --> 00:33:50,190 control over, or you end up sending somebody 401 00:33:50,190 --> 00:33:54,750 to a facility where their parents or family 402 00:33:54,750 --> 00:33:57,310 members are unable to access them based on 403 00:33:57,445 --> 00:34:00,805 limited transportation. So, I mean, this is where 404 00:34:00,805 --> 00:34:02,885 my heart is and I want to help 405 00:34:02,885 --> 00:34:05,285 you. So in a perfect world, what would 406 00:34:05,285 --> 00:34:09,205 your medical facility look like? In a perfect 407 00:34:09,525 --> 00:34:12,160 the facility is dated. I mean they're That's 408 00:34:12,160 --> 00:34:16,800 an understatement. Being transparent, my veterinary facility looks 409 00:34:16,800 --> 00:34:19,360 better than that and it's built in 1960s. 410 00:34:19,360 --> 00:34:24,719 Yeah, the facility's dated, either a new facility 411 00:34:24,719 --> 00:34:30,975 or a new bookingmedical unit. Most of our 412 00:34:30,975 --> 00:34:33,775 services are provided either through the intake process 413 00:34:33,775 --> 00:34:37,135 or directly through a medical unit. But we 414 00:34:37,135 --> 00:34:38,975 are limited on what we can provide there 415 00:34:38,975 --> 00:34:42,050 as you mentioned just because of the facility 416 00:34:42,050 --> 00:34:46,449 layout and when it was built, medical was 417 00:34:46,449 --> 00:34:50,290 an afterthought with the way they designed jails 418 00:34:50,290 --> 00:34:55,545 back then. So there should be numerous, the 419 00:34:55,545 --> 00:34:59,625 perfect facility would have numerous medical exam rooms. 420 00:34:59,625 --> 00:35:02,905 Are you comparing this to other sites? Yes. 421 00:35:03,224 --> 00:35:04,825 Tell me, I think it's a better way 422 00:35:04,825 --> 00:35:06,425 to put it because I believe in a 423 00:35:06,425 --> 00:35:09,460 perfect world is dreaming, right? Tell us how 424 00:35:09,460 --> 00:35:11,060 this compares to some of the other facilities 425 00:35:11,060 --> 00:35:12,740 you've been to to know where we are 426 00:35:12,740 --> 00:35:16,580 and where we need to go. So we 427 00:35:16,580 --> 00:35:19,540 work with about 90 some facilities, obviously. I've 428 00:35:19,540 --> 00:35:23,220 been to many more than that just through 429 00:35:23,220 --> 00:35:27,244 my career. Large facilities of this site should 430 00:35:27,244 --> 00:35:32,125 have an inpatient infirmary. It should have multiple 431 00:35:32,125 --> 00:35:35,964 exam rooms. Should have Quantify that. How many 432 00:35:35,964 --> 00:35:40,900 inpatient rooms? Those are overnight rooms, right? We 433 00:35:40,900 --> 00:35:44,500 can get I would want to get with 434 00:35:44,500 --> 00:35:48,660 our Chief Medical Officer on CEO. Can definitely, 435 00:35:49,164 --> 00:35:51,404 if you guys would like us to make 436 00:35:51,404 --> 00:35:54,684 some recommendations for a new design, can get 437 00:35:54,684 --> 00:35:56,845 all those rooms and that now. I just, 438 00:35:56,924 --> 00:35:58,684 I don't want to take a wild guess 439 00:35:58,684 --> 00:36:01,005 without considering. No, I just want to know 440 00:36:01,005 --> 00:36:02,285 the report that I would ask that you 441 00:36:02,285 --> 00:36:05,090 send back is what does adequate health care 442 00:36:05,090 --> 00:36:07,890 look like based on the facility to support 443 00:36:07,890 --> 00:36:11,810 the amount of the average amount of inmates 444 00:36:11,810 --> 00:36:12,850 that we have in there at a single 445 00:36:12,850 --> 00:36:14,610 at a single point in time. That's all 446 00:36:14,610 --> 00:36:15,650 I need to know. What does that look 447 00:36:15,650 --> 00:36:17,945 like for both male and female? Because it's 448 00:36:17,945 --> 00:36:21,785 not there right now for sure. Yeah. Yeah. 449 00:36:21,785 --> 00:36:24,265 Please. I'm ask you a question. Yeah. You 450 00:36:24,265 --> 00:36:26,505 asked for a report on that thing. What 451 00:36:26,505 --> 00:36:30,640 about funding? Funding? Well you can't get funded 452 00:36:30,640 --> 00:36:32,000 until you got a problem and so I 453 00:36:32,000 --> 00:36:33,760 wanna show how big the problem is so 454 00:36:33,760 --> 00:36:35,760 we can get to the funding portion. So 455 00:36:35,760 --> 00:36:37,440 you have to be able to solve something. 456 00:36:39,680 --> 00:36:47,645 Gentleman. Gentleman. Alright. So and the other part 457 00:36:47,645 --> 00:36:52,045 is what services are provided to detainees transferred 458 00:36:52,045 --> 00:36:57,920 to other facilities out of Parish? I don't 459 00:36:57,920 --> 00:37:03,520 have an answer to that. We provide health 460 00:37:03,520 --> 00:37:06,640 services to even the females. We do provide 461 00:37:06,640 --> 00:37:10,285 services to females. We don't do specialty female 462 00:37:10,285 --> 00:37:14,445 care like OBGYN, women's health services, those go 463 00:37:14,445 --> 00:37:17,725 out to outside entities and that works through 464 00:37:17,725 --> 00:37:21,085 the Department of Corrections. I think actually in 465 00:37:21,085 --> 00:37:23,805 the state of Louisiana it's mandated that that's 466 00:37:24,660 --> 00:37:29,540 scheduled and managed through the Department of Corrections 467 00:37:30,020 --> 00:37:32,260 because we do all of our scheduling for 468 00:37:32,260 --> 00:37:36,980 that through them. So ideally it would be 469 00:37:36,980 --> 00:37:40,175 great if we could bring an OBGYN on-site. 470 00:37:40,655 --> 00:37:42,895 That would be great for security as well 471 00:37:42,895 --> 00:37:45,215 because you know they don't want to transfer. 472 00:37:45,535 --> 00:37:46,975 But we also have to follow in the 473 00:37:46,975 --> 00:37:50,095 guidelines that the state has set up. Okay, 474 00:37:50,095 --> 00:37:52,420 so I appreciate that and go back to 475 00:37:52,420 --> 00:37:54,180 don't need a whole rendering of how you 476 00:37:54,180 --> 00:37:57,060 would redo the facility. Redoing a facility is 477 00:37:57,060 --> 00:37:58,340 a waste of time because it needs to 478 00:37:58,340 --> 00:38:02,180 be demolished. But just come back and tell 479 00:38:02,180 --> 00:38:04,420 me what adequate healthcare is based on the 480 00:38:04,420 --> 00:38:06,974 patients, how many rooms, how many physicians, do 481 00:38:06,974 --> 00:38:08,734 you need dental which I don't believe you 482 00:38:08,734 --> 00:38:10,734 have right now? We do. Oh you do? 483 00:38:10,734 --> 00:38:13,855 Okay. Maybe expand the dental because I believe 484 00:38:13,855 --> 00:38:16,494 there's one little cubbyhole room if I remember. 485 00:38:16,494 --> 00:38:17,775 But just tell me what a perfect world 486 00:38:17,775 --> 00:38:19,375 would that look like based on that size. 487 00:38:20,140 --> 00:38:22,380 We'd be more than happy to provide you 488 00:38:22,380 --> 00:38:24,380 that. I can't give you that. That's fine, 489 00:38:24,380 --> 00:38:30,380 don't expect that. Thank you. Okay. Okay, Councilman 490 00:38:30,380 --> 00:38:32,875 Moak. I might want to add one thing. 491 00:38:32,875 --> 00:38:35,194 There actually has been a study on the 492 00:38:35,194 --> 00:38:37,994 prison in terms of rightsizing. The big issue 493 00:38:37,994 --> 00:38:39,994 is what size of a facility do we 494 00:38:39,994 --> 00:38:42,315 need. The next step really is to have 495 00:38:42,315 --> 00:38:45,490 someone design the facility and those discussions are 496 00:38:45,490 --> 00:38:47,569 actually going on right now. Does that include 497 00:38:47,569 --> 00:38:50,130 the medical portion It would to figure out 498 00:38:50,130 --> 00:38:52,849 what we need for a new facility, what 499 00:38:52,849 --> 00:38:55,329 space we need, what the cost would be 500 00:38:55,490 --> 00:38:57,089 and then determine where it would be located 501 00:38:57,089 --> 00:38:58,615 and where the funding would come from. And 502 00:38:58,615 --> 00:39:00,295 so as you do that study, Daryl, I'm 503 00:39:00,295 --> 00:39:03,015 going add three things to it. Is find 504 00:39:03,015 --> 00:39:05,815 a space to add for mental health, find 505 00:39:05,815 --> 00:39:08,855 a space dedicated to substance abuse, and then 506 00:39:08,855 --> 00:39:11,335 find a space dedicated to rehabilitation because I've 507 00:39:11,335 --> 00:39:14,120 already spoken with BRCC and some other folks 508 00:39:14,120 --> 00:39:16,280 who would come there and put a program 509 00:39:16,280 --> 00:39:18,760 in place so when the inmates transferred out 510 00:39:18,760 --> 00:39:20,040 they wouldn't go through the street, they would 511 00:39:20,040 --> 00:39:23,400 have a sustainable education platform that would transfer 512 00:39:23,400 --> 00:39:24,760 from in the prison walls to out the 513 00:39:24,760 --> 00:39:26,635 prison walls so that they could become part 514 00:39:26,635 --> 00:39:29,194 of our workforce and not part of recidivism 515 00:39:29,194 --> 00:39:34,394 and keep recycling those same criminal activities. And 516 00:39:34,394 --> 00:39:37,275 we do Prison Medical now has a person 517 00:39:37,275 --> 00:39:39,990 who actually helps transition people out, and the 518 00:39:39,990 --> 00:39:41,670 big trick is trying to connect them with 519 00:39:41,670 --> 00:39:43,990 all of those groups on the outside. No, 520 00:39:43,990 --> 00:39:46,470 I mean inside and then Right. Yeah, like 521 00:39:46,470 --> 00:39:49,910 BRCC have a campus inside the walls where 522 00:39:49,910 --> 00:39:52,390 they can get high set degrees, earn certificates 523 00:39:52,845 --> 00:39:54,605 for short periods of time and if those 524 00:39:54,605 --> 00:39:57,484 certificates don't last, the problem is a lot 525 00:39:57,484 --> 00:39:59,085 of the things inside the prison don't go 526 00:39:59,085 --> 00:40:01,405 outside the walls. Then you give somebody $20 527 00:40:01,405 --> 00:40:02,525 and tell them go ahead and have a 528 00:40:02,525 --> 00:40:05,484 great day. And we need to make sure 529 00:40:05,484 --> 00:40:07,405 that the programs in the prison are sustainable 530 00:40:07,405 --> 00:40:09,740 outside so that they add to the workforce 531 00:40:09,740 --> 00:40:12,220 and not add to recidivism. Right. Thank you. 532 00:40:12,220 --> 00:40:20,619 Okay. Councilman Moak. So I'm just trying to 533 00:40:20,905 --> 00:40:23,305 go along, I'm trying to further the discussion. 534 00:40:23,305 --> 00:40:27,865 I agree that as far as medical facilities, 535 00:40:27,865 --> 00:40:30,345 y'all are just managing what we're providing to 536 00:40:30,345 --> 00:40:34,530 you through the contract. Correct. I mean, if 537 00:40:34,530 --> 00:40:37,730 we provide you two beds or two rooms 538 00:40:37,970 --> 00:40:40,770 to work in and two office spaces to 539 00:40:40,770 --> 00:40:42,770 work in, that's what you have, that's what 540 00:40:42,770 --> 00:40:46,130 you manage, that's what you contract out? That 541 00:40:46,130 --> 00:40:51,025 is correct. We work with what we have, 542 00:40:51,025 --> 00:40:53,505 yes. Yes, that's what it sounds like, you're 543 00:40:53,505 --> 00:40:55,105 working with what you have. Now, I agree 544 00:40:55,105 --> 00:40:57,345 with Councillor Maherst, I think the whole thing 545 00:40:57,345 --> 00:40:58,865 needs to be leveled and rebuilt and it's 546 00:40:58,865 --> 00:41:01,505 old and I would love for, since y'all 547 00:41:01,505 --> 00:41:03,810 are the medical contractors, to come back to 548 00:41:03,810 --> 00:41:05,970 us and say, here's the wing that we 549 00:41:05,970 --> 00:41:08,850 want, you know, the women's facility, this, that, 550 00:41:08,850 --> 00:41:11,170 so on and so forth. I just think 551 00:41:11,170 --> 00:41:15,490 that he's called for a report from y'all. 552 00:41:15,490 --> 00:41:17,885 I think with that report, I would like 553 00:41:17,885 --> 00:41:21,805 to see what your estimated, basically, correct me 554 00:41:21,805 --> 00:41:24,365 if I'm wrong, you're asking for what would 555 00:41:24,365 --> 00:41:25,885 it take to bring the standard of care 556 00:41:25,885 --> 00:41:27,964 up, what facilities and type and stuff that 557 00:41:27,964 --> 00:41:29,405 you would need to do that type of 558 00:41:29,405 --> 00:41:31,990 stuff. I would like the financial part on 559 00:41:31,990 --> 00:41:34,630 your recommendation on what we would also be 560 00:41:34,630 --> 00:41:39,990 looking for to do that. So we don't 561 00:41:39,990 --> 00:41:44,869 do construction consulting. Okay. So our estimate would 562 00:41:44,869 --> 00:41:48,205 be just, I mean that what we could 563 00:41:48,205 --> 00:41:50,765 do is make a recommendation of an ideal 564 00:41:50,765 --> 00:41:54,125 facility. We do provide the standard of care. 565 00:41:54,125 --> 00:41:56,125 I wanna clarify that. We do provide that 566 00:41:56,125 --> 00:41:59,405 No, agree. Like you said, it's gone down, 567 00:41:59,405 --> 00:42:03,690 it's dropped. I haven't heard, there's problems, don't 568 00:42:03,690 --> 00:42:06,010 get me wrong, but medically, I haven't heard 569 00:42:06,010 --> 00:42:07,370 the problems that we've had and so on 570 00:42:07,370 --> 00:42:10,490 and so forth, I will agree with Councilman 571 00:42:10,490 --> 00:42:13,850 Hurst that there are additional services that could 572 00:42:13,850 --> 00:42:18,075 be provided if we had more facility resources. 573 00:42:18,075 --> 00:42:21,835 Right. And it both, to me, like I 574 00:42:21,835 --> 00:42:23,355 said, all the services are great and everything, 575 00:42:23,355 --> 00:42:24,715 but it boils back down to like everything 576 00:42:24,715 --> 00:42:26,395 else and all the other departments that report 577 00:42:26,395 --> 00:42:30,240 to us is, it's about funding. And I 578 00:42:30,240 --> 00:42:32,640 think the Sheriff's Office is looking at some 579 00:42:33,120 --> 00:42:35,600 things to do for funding and I know 580 00:42:35,600 --> 00:42:36,960 we would have to look for funding and 581 00:42:36,960 --> 00:42:39,360 stuff. So that was my big thing is, 582 00:42:39,360 --> 00:42:41,760 you know, I think y'all are doing a 583 00:42:41,760 --> 00:42:45,625 great job with the facilities that we as 584 00:42:45,625 --> 00:42:49,305 a city parish have provided to y'all. They 585 00:42:49,305 --> 00:42:50,984 are not the best facilities, they are not 586 00:42:50,984 --> 00:42:53,945 whatever, but y'all are managing the facilities that 587 00:42:53,945 --> 00:42:56,585 we have provided for y'all in the contract. 588 00:42:57,260 --> 00:43:01,339 And like I said, I think the complaints 589 00:43:01,339 --> 00:43:04,220 have gone down significantly medically and so on 590 00:43:04,220 --> 00:43:05,819 and so forth. So anyway, thank you all 591 00:43:05,819 --> 00:43:07,740 very much for coming for your report. Thank 592 00:43:07,740 --> 00:43:10,300 you. I just wanna clear up that mine 593 00:43:10,300 --> 00:43:13,025 wasn't a complaint about how you're servicing. Mine 594 00:43:13,025 --> 00:43:14,865 was more about what can we do as 595 00:43:14,865 --> 00:43:16,945 a counsel to make sure that you have 596 00:43:16,945 --> 00:43:19,265 the best resources because these people aren't convicted. 597 00:43:19,905 --> 00:43:21,345 Can think about my son being held in 598 00:43:21,345 --> 00:43:23,185 there with no bond, right? I always try 599 00:43:23,185 --> 00:43:25,505 to put myself in somebody else's position of 600 00:43:25,505 --> 00:43:27,265 my child being there, what would I want? 601 00:43:27,265 --> 00:43:29,130 I want the best for him. And so 602 00:43:29,130 --> 00:43:30,089 I'm just trying to figure out what does 603 00:43:30,089 --> 00:43:31,930 that best look like. That's it. Yeah. And 604 00:43:31,930 --> 00:43:33,770 we're more than happy to work with you 605 00:43:33,770 --> 00:43:36,569 guys on recommendations and all that. I just 606 00:43:36,569 --> 00:43:37,849 want to make sure I get the right 607 00:43:37,849 --> 00:43:41,225 people in the room for it. Thank you. 608 00:43:41,225 --> 00:43:45,465 So with all of that being said, when 609 00:43:45,465 --> 00:43:48,905 we thank you, we look forward to hearing 610 00:43:48,905 --> 00:43:53,580 from you in January and even your, maybe 611 00:43:53,580 --> 00:43:57,100 your operating manual if you have one to 612 00:43:57,100 --> 00:43:59,180 kind of let us see some good stuff 613 00:43:59,180 --> 00:44:03,020 and you know, talk about the retention of 614 00:44:03,020 --> 00:44:05,820 your staff and all of those things. We 615 00:44:05,820 --> 00:44:10,975 look forward to seeing you after Santa. Very 616 00:44:10,975 --> 00:44:12,895 good. He's got a better beard than I 617 00:44:12,895 --> 00:44:15,935 He should come first. You got a mark. 618 00:44:16,815 --> 00:44:20,895 Thank you all. Council Member Coleman, do we 619 00:44:20,895 --> 00:44:22,655 have a public hearing component to this? No, 620 00:44:22,655 --> 00:44:30,490 we don't. Okay, thank you. Alright. Next, we 621 00:44:30,490 --> 00:44:38,875 have the Department of Building and Grounds. And 622 00:44:38,875 --> 00:44:42,635 while building and grounds coming forward, Councilman Go. 623 00:44:42,795 --> 00:44:48,474 Yeah, as I said earlier, December 13, that 624 00:44:48,474 --> 00:44:50,714 would be an opportunity, that's our approval meeting, 625 00:44:51,220 --> 00:44:55,060 but that'll be an opportunity for any other 626 00:44:55,060 --> 00:44:58,260 questions from the public just as November 22 627 00:44:58,260 --> 00:45:05,675 was. I think this may be your first 628 00:45:05,675 --> 00:45:08,955 time doing a presentation. Yes, ma'am. Yes. Indeed. 629 00:45:17,420 --> 00:45:20,860 Alright. Good evening. Thank you guys for inviting 630 00:45:20,860 --> 00:45:24,380 us. I'm Joe Joe Butler, director of buildings 631 00:45:24,380 --> 00:45:27,820 and grounds. Here to give you our 2023 632 00:45:27,820 --> 00:45:32,954 presentation. Alright, in our buildings grounds, we have 633 00:45:32,954 --> 00:45:36,395 a mission to provide quality service in effective 634 00:45:36,395 --> 00:45:40,315 and professional manner to ensure safety and the 635 00:45:40,315 --> 00:45:42,395 health and welfare of the city employees and 636 00:45:42,395 --> 00:45:45,450 the patrons that use our facilities on a 637 00:45:45,450 --> 00:45:49,450 daily basis. Something that we take serious. It's 638 00:45:49,770 --> 00:45:51,930 something that we discuss every morning. Our morning 639 00:45:51,930 --> 00:45:53,850 meetings. Our guys, when they go out and 640 00:45:53,850 --> 00:45:55,370 hit the ground, they know that we are 641 00:45:55,370 --> 00:45:58,090 here a service to all these facilities that 642 00:45:58,090 --> 00:46:05,275 we do manage. So, this year, 2023 for 643 00:46:05,275 --> 00:46:06,955 our budget, we have a little bit over 644 00:46:06,955 --> 00:46:10,955 $10,000,000 dedicated to building maintenance. Outside of that, 645 00:46:10,955 --> 00:46:15,970 for prison maintenance, it's, 907,000 that we have 646 00:46:15,970 --> 00:46:20,130 committed for that. And what we managed in 647 00:46:20,130 --> 00:46:22,770 that is different contractor services that we have 648 00:46:22,770 --> 00:46:29,090 from electrical, plumbing, HVAC, janitorial service, elevator maintenance, 649 00:46:29,994 --> 00:46:34,635 and pest control. Prison maintenance, we we offer 650 00:46:34,635 --> 00:46:36,715 the same services over the prison maintenance. It's 651 00:46:36,715 --> 00:46:38,075 identical to what we do with the rest 652 00:46:38,075 --> 00:46:44,420 of the facilities. Well, in our allotment this 653 00:46:44,420 --> 00:46:48,980 year for 2023, we we have a 20% 654 00:46:48,980 --> 00:46:52,900 vacancy rate. Something that we fighting across DPW 655 00:46:52,900 --> 00:46:56,260 as a whole. Find employees to come in. 656 00:46:56,500 --> 00:47:01,204 Qualified employees, but, we're pushing with reaching out 657 00:47:01,204 --> 00:47:04,964 to BRCC, different technical schools to see if 658 00:47:04,964 --> 00:47:06,645 we can get some candidates, out of school 659 00:47:06,645 --> 00:47:08,085 and get them trained up to come work 660 00:47:08,085 --> 00:47:10,325 for, city parish and some the benefits that 661 00:47:10,325 --> 00:47:14,300 we have to offer. What you don't see 662 00:47:14,300 --> 00:47:17,660 in there is architecture services. The breakdown, we 663 00:47:17,660 --> 00:47:22,300 do have three senior architects. One one junior 664 00:47:22,300 --> 00:47:25,740 architect and next year for 2023, we're looking 665 00:47:25,740 --> 00:47:28,195 to get an internal architect to come in 666 00:47:28,195 --> 00:47:34,515 as well. So, some of the services that 667 00:47:34,515 --> 00:47:38,915 architect service provide is developing scope and budgets 668 00:47:38,915 --> 00:47:41,714 for facilities. That's facilities they build from the 669 00:47:41,714 --> 00:47:44,860 ground up or facilities that require any major 670 00:47:44,860 --> 00:47:50,220 renovations. They do select design consultant. So, some 671 00:47:50,220 --> 00:47:52,300 of these projects are too big for us 672 00:47:52,300 --> 00:47:53,900 to do in house. So, what we do 673 00:47:53,900 --> 00:47:57,715 is architects will manage the project from a 674 00:47:57,715 --> 00:48:01,395 project manager standpoint and oversee any outside services 675 00:48:01,395 --> 00:48:05,075 that we receive from any architectural architectural group. 676 00:48:06,195 --> 00:48:10,450 We we also review the invoices of do 677 00:48:10,450 --> 00:48:14,289 construction management. So as soon as they as 678 00:48:14,289 --> 00:48:16,289 soon as we start breaking ground, we have 679 00:48:16,289 --> 00:48:19,490 a a gentleman that that goes out, assesses 680 00:48:19,490 --> 00:48:22,765 all the safety aspects, assesses the scope, makes 681 00:48:22,765 --> 00:48:25,165 certain that the contractor is working within this 682 00:48:25,165 --> 00:48:30,845 necessary scope that we provided for them. For 683 00:48:30,845 --> 00:48:35,590 building maintenance, our responsibilities are the overall to 684 00:48:35,910 --> 00:48:38,470 I'm sorry. To overall the the manage the 685 00:48:38,470 --> 00:48:42,470 maintenance of overall facilities, custodial operations. We also 686 00:48:42,470 --> 00:48:44,790 set up for different events that we have 687 00:48:44,790 --> 00:48:47,510 that's also on City Parish property, and it's 688 00:48:47,510 --> 00:48:53,275 put on for the City Parish employees. Prisoner 689 00:48:53,275 --> 00:48:57,435 maintenance, we manage the electrical service, plumbing, HVAC, 690 00:48:58,235 --> 00:49:01,115 kitchen and laundry equipment, and also any structural 691 00:49:01,115 --> 00:49:03,435 repairs that we have around the prison facilities. 692 00:49:07,089 --> 00:49:08,530 What you see right there in front of 693 00:49:08,530 --> 00:49:13,089 you is the work request for 2022. So 694 00:49:13,089 --> 00:49:16,290 we in total, we have 167 facilities that 695 00:49:16,290 --> 00:49:18,130 we manage. We have one hundred and forty 696 00:49:18,130 --> 00:49:21,329 forty five that we actually provide services to. 697 00:49:22,085 --> 00:49:24,325 So that's all the services that I mentioned. 698 00:49:24,325 --> 00:49:27,925 We offer those services to all those facilities. 699 00:49:29,125 --> 00:49:31,845 For work orders, we had roughly 12,000, a 700 00:49:31,845 --> 00:49:33,525 little bit over 12,000 work orders for the 701 00:49:33,525 --> 00:49:36,080 year. We we completed a little bit over 702 00:49:36,080 --> 00:49:40,000 5,800 work orders with a 65% completion rate. 703 00:49:40,640 --> 00:49:43,200 We do have a slight backlog. Some of 704 00:49:43,200 --> 00:49:45,760 that is due to material costs. Some is 705 00:49:45,760 --> 00:49:49,415 some of that is due to some of 706 00:49:49,415 --> 00:49:51,335 the some of the items that's just unavailable 707 00:49:51,335 --> 00:49:54,055 and we're working plans to change out some 708 00:49:54,055 --> 00:49:55,975 of the older assets that we do have. 709 00:49:56,055 --> 00:49:57,415 Some of these assets that we have a 710 00:49:57,415 --> 00:49:59,494 little bit over twenty years old or better 711 00:49:59,494 --> 00:50:03,015 and we're working to to to swap those 712 00:50:03,095 --> 00:50:08,960 out. Alright. What you have in front of 713 00:50:08,960 --> 00:50:10,960 you is the building ground projects that that 714 00:50:10,960 --> 00:50:15,520 we completed over 2022. '1 that you may 715 00:50:15,520 --> 00:50:18,635 notice is the front entrance, the apron as 716 00:50:18,635 --> 00:50:20,875 you come into City Hall. That was just 717 00:50:22,795 --> 00:50:26,234 repaved. We put down new concrete pavers and 718 00:50:26,234 --> 00:50:28,875 we resealed the steps. We put a water 719 00:50:28,875 --> 00:50:31,035 seal on those steps that would help anything 720 00:50:31,035 --> 00:50:33,720 down in B B 1, any leaks that 721 00:50:33,720 --> 00:50:35,400 we have coming from the frontage as we 722 00:50:35,400 --> 00:50:37,800 did have some issues with that over the 723 00:50:37,800 --> 00:50:42,680 past years. So we also assisted with the 724 00:50:42,680 --> 00:50:47,335 OCD seven floor renovations. We did this inspection 725 00:50:47,335 --> 00:50:53,015 department control installation. We we replaced several pieces 726 00:50:53,015 --> 00:50:56,375 of equipment in the prison, ovens, walk in 727 00:50:56,375 --> 00:51:01,150 coolers. We did a relamping on the paper 728 00:51:01,150 --> 00:51:03,470 clip dock on eleven. You'll see that picture 729 00:51:03,470 --> 00:51:06,910 above. And we also replaced some air handlers, 730 00:51:06,910 --> 00:51:08,670 two air handlers at the prison as well. 731 00:51:12,335 --> 00:51:15,295 Here's, some more of the equipment that I 732 00:51:15,295 --> 00:51:23,710 was, discussing that we changed out. Here so 733 00:51:23,710 --> 00:51:25,630 this is just a a view of some 734 00:51:25,630 --> 00:51:27,470 of the things that we that we took 735 00:51:27,470 --> 00:51:30,430 care of over the past year. The first 736 00:51:30,430 --> 00:51:33,550 one, the top left, SJ Jewel Newman. We 737 00:51:33,550 --> 00:51:37,550 repainted the the gym and relayed the floors. 738 00:51:38,875 --> 00:51:43,355 Chanelville Community Center. We went into total renovation 739 00:51:43,355 --> 00:51:45,995 from front to back. Put in some exam 740 00:51:45,995 --> 00:51:49,915 rooms. Redid the kitchen for him. We also 741 00:51:49,915 --> 00:51:52,635 did some hazard elimination over at Leo Butler 742 00:51:52,635 --> 00:51:54,430 Center. They had a retaining wall in the 743 00:51:54,430 --> 00:51:58,270 back that had bees and those are hazardous 744 00:51:58,270 --> 00:52:00,750 anyone that walked by. So, we replaced that 745 00:52:00,750 --> 00:52:03,710 and then over over the at the River 746 00:52:03,710 --> 00:52:06,435 Center, we had some air handling units that 747 00:52:06,435 --> 00:52:08,035 were dated, they need to be changed out, 748 00:52:08,035 --> 00:52:10,675 they were cooling part of the arena, and 749 00:52:10,675 --> 00:52:14,035 we changed those out and replaced those mid 750 00:52:14,355 --> 00:52:21,020 part of the year. So for the upcoming 751 00:52:21,020 --> 00:52:26,060 year, were awarded $10,500,000 Some of the facilities 752 00:52:26,060 --> 00:52:27,580 that will be impacted by that is going 753 00:52:27,580 --> 00:52:31,100 to be the River Center, City Hall. We're 754 00:52:31,100 --> 00:52:34,475 doing security for the First Floor upgrades. We 755 00:52:34,475 --> 00:52:36,715 got wind wind retrofit that'll be done in 756 00:52:36,715 --> 00:52:38,395 the building as well. We'll be changing out 757 00:52:38,395 --> 00:52:41,595 the windows on the building, to make those, 758 00:52:42,475 --> 00:52:45,995 missile proof. We have DHDS. They'll have some 759 00:52:45,995 --> 00:52:50,220 upgrades and public safety complex over at the 760 00:52:50,220 --> 00:52:53,900 police headquarters. We have a lot of renovations 761 00:52:53,900 --> 00:52:55,500 that will be taking place over the over 762 00:52:55,500 --> 00:52:59,340 the H 2 Building. And juvenile services will 763 00:52:59,340 --> 00:53:02,540 will be buying a modular building to extend 764 00:53:02,845 --> 00:53:06,125 extend their offices and then also upgrading and 765 00:53:06,125 --> 00:53:12,845 and putting in 25 doors and controls. For 766 00:53:12,845 --> 00:53:16,125 prison maintenance, some of the facility improvements that 767 00:53:16,125 --> 00:53:19,710 we plan on having, We're going to be 768 00:53:19,710 --> 00:53:23,790 installing some more kitchen equipment. We also have 769 00:53:23,790 --> 00:53:28,430 some 25 rooftop HVACs that we'll be replacing. 770 00:53:28,670 --> 00:53:31,150 We have some air handlers, eight air handlers 771 00:53:31,150 --> 00:53:34,545 in house that we'll be changing. And we 772 00:53:34,545 --> 00:53:37,585 also have some exterior improvements that we'll be 773 00:53:37,585 --> 00:53:41,025 doing with lighting. There's bad security lighting around 774 00:53:41,025 --> 00:53:43,185 the facility. We're working with energy to improve 775 00:53:43,185 --> 00:53:49,970 that. Some of the efforts that we're pushing 776 00:53:49,970 --> 00:53:52,770 forward in the department itself that help with 777 00:53:52,770 --> 00:53:57,010 overall efficiencies, continuous improvement efforts. So part of 778 00:53:57,010 --> 00:53:58,770 that is going to be as you see 779 00:53:58,770 --> 00:54:02,545 plan, schedule, execute, analyze and follow-up. That'll just 780 00:54:02,545 --> 00:54:04,465 help us as far as we are a 781 00:54:04,465 --> 00:54:06,545 service to all the buildings that that we 782 00:54:06,545 --> 00:54:08,865 use. I mean, that we service to. So, 783 00:54:08,865 --> 00:54:10,625 we wanna do is make certain that we 784 00:54:10,625 --> 00:54:12,785 are meeting all the needs of the facilities. 785 00:54:13,185 --> 00:54:17,290 So, by by implementing the continuous improvement efforts 786 00:54:17,290 --> 00:54:19,290 that would help us make certain that we're 787 00:54:19,290 --> 00:54:23,130 executing all the work orders and eliminating any 788 00:54:23,130 --> 00:54:26,570 dead dead hours and dead man hours is 789 00:54:26,570 --> 00:54:28,730 basically hours wasted going back having to touch 790 00:54:28,730 --> 00:54:31,085 the PC equipment twice. So if I have 791 00:54:31,085 --> 00:54:33,724 an asset that breaks down, we make certain 792 00:54:33,724 --> 00:54:35,885 that we're fixing it right the first time 793 00:54:35,885 --> 00:54:37,244 and not having to double up on the 794 00:54:37,244 --> 00:54:43,260 work. So what we'll be focusing on is 795 00:54:43,260 --> 00:54:46,300 three aspects of maintenance: corrective maintenance, preventive maintenance 796 00:54:46,300 --> 00:54:49,420 and predictive. So, we're try to eliminate the 797 00:54:49,420 --> 00:54:51,820 corrective maintenance to get away from reactive maintenance 798 00:54:51,820 --> 00:54:54,220 and go into a more proactive phase. And 799 00:54:54,220 --> 00:54:57,500 that's going be using preventive and predictive maintenance 800 00:54:57,500 --> 00:55:02,255 measures. That should help us with better workflow 801 00:55:03,535 --> 00:55:08,734 also reduction in asset breakdowns and identifying any 802 00:55:08,734 --> 00:55:10,974 equipment that we have in place right now 803 00:55:11,420 --> 00:55:13,420 that it needs to be changed out. Will 804 00:55:13,420 --> 00:55:15,420 be able to put together a three year 805 00:55:15,420 --> 00:55:17,340 I'm sorry, one year, three year, and five 806 00:55:17,340 --> 00:55:20,060 year plan so we can plan ahead, budget, 807 00:55:20,300 --> 00:55:22,780 and request the money as needed. So, we're 808 00:55:22,780 --> 00:55:24,140 not coming to you guys when we have 809 00:55:24,140 --> 00:55:29,395 a emergency and things breaking down. So here's 810 00:55:29,395 --> 00:55:31,234 an example of some of the predictive maintenance 811 00:55:31,234 --> 00:55:33,315 that we've, been using over the past couple 812 00:55:33,315 --> 00:55:35,635 of months and past four months. This is, 813 00:55:35,795 --> 00:55:38,515 electrical testing and inspection that we did at 814 00:55:38,515 --> 00:55:43,460 the, exhibition hall. We identified some faulty fuses. 815 00:55:44,260 --> 00:55:45,940 So this this fuse that you see on 816 00:55:45,940 --> 00:55:48,740 the table here, this fuse powers up the 817 00:55:48,740 --> 00:55:52,740 exhibition hall. This fuse was delegated. If this 818 00:55:52,740 --> 00:55:54,580 fuse would have continued to be in service, 819 00:55:55,095 --> 00:55:56,855 we possibly could have could have lost this 820 00:55:56,855 --> 00:55:59,415 fuse on the load to doing an event. 821 00:55:59,415 --> 00:56:01,335 So we it had a ball concert or 822 00:56:01,335 --> 00:56:03,655 anything in the exhibition hall. We'd have lost 823 00:56:03,655 --> 00:56:05,895 power, which would have been embarrassing for us 824 00:56:06,055 --> 00:56:08,615 and as as well to the patrons ruining 825 00:56:08,615 --> 00:56:11,270 the experience. So by doing this test and 826 00:56:11,270 --> 00:56:13,350 inspection, we were able to identify it before 827 00:56:13,350 --> 00:56:17,590 we fail, change it out, and, prevent any, 828 00:56:18,070 --> 00:56:20,710 interruption in services that we may had. So 829 00:56:20,710 --> 00:56:23,190 this is this is vital to, for us 830 00:56:23,190 --> 00:56:24,950 to step, for us to step up our 831 00:56:24,950 --> 00:56:28,675 program and to help us provide adequate service. 832 00:56:30,115 --> 00:56:34,035 Here's another example of predictive maintenance. This is 833 00:56:34,035 --> 00:56:36,115 for all the rotating equipment. So we have 834 00:56:36,115 --> 00:56:38,355 a ton of rotating equipment around the facilities 835 00:56:38,355 --> 00:56:42,930 with our air handling units. And there's a 836 00:56:42,930 --> 00:56:45,010 lot of vibration, a lot of movement, a 837 00:56:45,010 --> 00:56:46,610 lot of this equipment is old, hasn't been 838 00:56:46,610 --> 00:56:49,570 touched as far as tighten down tighten down 839 00:56:49,570 --> 00:56:53,490 boats in a while because because the the 840 00:56:53,490 --> 00:56:56,515 practice of it is is is not where 841 00:56:56,515 --> 00:56:58,275 it needed to be. So what we're doing 842 00:56:58,275 --> 00:57:02,275 is we we revamp in our rotational PMs 843 00:57:02,355 --> 00:57:04,915 and we're doing the the vibration analysis. This 844 00:57:04,915 --> 00:57:06,995 will tell us any type of movement we 845 00:57:06,995 --> 00:57:08,675 may have on the shaft that you that 846 00:57:08,675 --> 00:57:10,910 you can't see with your eye and tell 847 00:57:10,910 --> 00:57:13,230 us if we have any potential failures in 848 00:57:13,230 --> 00:57:19,150 our bearings or shaft alignments. Some of the 849 00:57:19,150 --> 00:57:21,310 employee training and process improvements that we're going 850 00:57:21,310 --> 00:57:25,465 to implement is work order process flow. We're 851 00:57:25,465 --> 00:57:30,025 implementing a CMS system working with MGO. This 852 00:57:30,025 --> 00:57:32,505 process will help us be able to track 853 00:57:32,505 --> 00:57:34,665 our assets, to know exactly what work we've 854 00:57:34,665 --> 00:57:36,590 done on our assets, how much money we 855 00:57:36,590 --> 00:57:38,510 spend on our assets, so that way we're 856 00:57:38,510 --> 00:57:40,590 not pouring too much money into our assets. 857 00:57:40,910 --> 00:57:42,910 And let's say for instance, have an air 858 00:57:42,910 --> 00:57:45,630 handling unit and I spent 80% of the 859 00:57:45,630 --> 00:57:47,950 value of a new one, I know it's 860 00:57:47,950 --> 00:57:49,950 time to purchase a new air handling unit 861 00:57:49,950 --> 00:57:53,414 versus continue to put money into asset that's 862 00:57:53,414 --> 00:57:56,855 that's past its life cycle. We're improve our 863 00:57:56,855 --> 00:57:59,255 planning and scheduling. We're actually doing some training 864 00:57:59,255 --> 00:58:01,015 on planning and scheduling. We're working with, with 865 00:58:01,015 --> 00:58:04,775 Shell. Shell Geisman employee, mister Glenn. He's come 866 00:58:04,775 --> 00:58:07,590 in. He's helping us, organize and try to 867 00:58:07,590 --> 00:58:10,950 help bring City Perish employees in the building's 868 00:58:10,950 --> 00:58:13,350 grounds area up to industry standards on how 869 00:58:13,350 --> 00:58:16,870 we actually do our planning and scheduling. So 870 00:58:17,270 --> 00:58:20,765 while I'm researching with BRCC and I have 871 00:58:20,765 --> 00:58:23,805 a group of failure prevention associates, they're they're 872 00:58:23,805 --> 00:58:25,405 going to come out and help us with 873 00:58:25,405 --> 00:58:28,525 millwright precision training. That's going to help us 874 00:58:28,525 --> 00:58:33,160 with our shaft alignments, pump pump installs, and 875 00:58:33,160 --> 00:58:37,240 overall mechanical maintenance inspections. We're going to do 876 00:58:37,240 --> 00:58:41,000 some continuous improvement for our HVAC employees. We're 877 00:58:41,000 --> 00:58:43,240 going to do boiler maintenance training, five s 878 00:58:43,240 --> 00:58:46,280 training, that's six sigma six sigma practices that's 879 00:58:46,280 --> 00:58:51,775 used across industrial industry standards. Hazard eliminations, and 880 00:58:51,775 --> 00:58:54,255 then also we're going to do some management 881 00:58:54,255 --> 00:58:58,175 training to help our management staff make sure 882 00:58:58,175 --> 00:59:03,440 that we're managing our guys adequately. Alright. That 883 00:59:03,440 --> 00:59:10,400 is it. Any questions? Okay. Councilman Moak. You 884 00:59:10,400 --> 00:59:15,805 have two minutes. Thank you Mayor Pro Tem. 885 00:59:17,005 --> 00:59:18,925 Feel like I'm working directly under him right 886 00:59:18,925 --> 00:59:23,245 now. Can you go back to the slide 887 00:59:23,245 --> 00:59:25,405 that has the list of facilities and the 888 00:59:25,405 --> 00:59:40,579 man hours? Right there. Okay. Did that take 889 00:59:40,579 --> 00:59:42,099 up my time going to that slide or 890 00:59:42,099 --> 00:59:51,405 no? Community centers. Throw those out and I 891 00:59:51,405 --> 00:59:52,765 don't mean throw them out as whatever but 892 00:59:52,765 --> 00:59:54,045 I'm not going to talk about them on 893 00:59:54,045 --> 00:59:55,565 the list. Parish prison. I'm to talk about 894 00:59:55,565 --> 00:59:59,325 headquarters, police headquarters, juvenile service, juvenile court, EMS 895 00:59:59,325 --> 01:00:07,870 fire. What is EOPP building? EOPP. I mean, 896 01:00:07,870 --> 01:00:09,070 I mean, I know I got a contact 897 01:00:09,070 --> 01:00:10,590 in Lasix and one eye but it does 898 01:00:10,590 --> 01:00:19,135 say it's on 4523 Plank Road. Emergency Operations 899 01:00:19,135 --> 01:00:24,335 Building. Emergency ATM. It's emergency what? That's the 900 01:00:24,335 --> 01:00:27,215 Emergency Response Building. That's the ATM Building. The 901 01:00:27,215 --> 01:00:29,055 the address is wrong with it. Okay. Think 902 01:00:29,055 --> 01:00:30,895 so. That's on Harding. Okay. That's the other 903 01:00:30,895 --> 01:00:57,125 address is wrong. Yeah. You what? Keep keep 904 01:00:57,125 --> 01:01:02,480 your office as social service. You had you 905 01:01:02,480 --> 01:01:04,320 had to forgive me. I'm five months in. 906 01:01:04,320 --> 01:01:08,080 He's active. Right. That's the And and anyone 907 01:01:08,240 --> 01:01:10,320 you know, feel free to assist. They just 908 01:01:10,400 --> 01:01:20,565 with this. Okay. Okay. You. Yes. City Court 909 01:01:20,565 --> 01:01:24,565 Building, City Hall, we know okay. In the 910 01:01:24,565 --> 01:01:28,805 City Hall, the City Court Building, Nineteenth JDC 911 01:01:31,380 --> 01:01:35,060 what else do we have downtown? Know Human 912 01:01:35,060 --> 01:01:38,900 Resources is right downtown and we have we 913 01:01:38,900 --> 01:01:43,140 have a planning commission over on is that 914 01:01:43,140 --> 01:01:50,955 North? Laurel. Laurel? Yeah, Laurel. What has anything 915 01:01:50,955 --> 01:01:54,075 been looked into or and and again, it's 916 01:01:54,075 --> 01:01:55,755 hard to ask these. Know you've been in 917 01:01:55,755 --> 01:01:57,115 five months and I respect that, but does 918 01:01:57,115 --> 01:01:58,875 anybody else have the answer to these? Has 919 01:01:58,875 --> 01:02:02,940 anybody been looked into the percent of use 920 01:02:02,940 --> 01:02:05,900 for each of these buildings? In other words, 921 01:02:05,900 --> 01:02:08,940 the occupancy of each of these buildings. And 922 01:02:08,940 --> 01:02:11,740 I'll give you one example. I've started at 923 01:02:11,740 --> 01:02:14,655 the Tenth Floor with some other council members 924 01:02:14,655 --> 01:02:16,015 and went floor to floor to floor to 925 01:02:16,015 --> 01:02:18,815 floor to floor, seeing what exactly this building 926 01:02:18,815 --> 01:02:21,455 is used for. And I know we've had 927 01:02:21,455 --> 01:02:24,655 a couple floors that we've got multiple areas 928 01:02:24,655 --> 01:02:28,370 of just stuff stacked up. Has there been 929 01:02:28,370 --> 01:02:32,050 any thought, any study, any last time it 930 01:02:32,050 --> 01:02:35,730 was done on consolidation of these buildings or 931 01:02:35,730 --> 01:02:39,330 resources? Yeah, that's, I'll let Darryl answer that. 932 01:02:41,495 --> 01:02:44,455 I know in City Hall, we we have 933 01:02:44,455 --> 01:02:47,095 consolidated storage space. Like right now, we have 934 01:02:47,095 --> 01:02:49,255 some vacant space that the registrar of voters 935 01:02:49,255 --> 01:02:52,775 uses for elections. We have some space. The 936 01:02:52,775 --> 01:02:55,700 Tenth Floor has the the restaurant or the 937 01:02:55,700 --> 01:02:57,940 food service area that has basically been shut 938 01:02:57,940 --> 01:03:01,220 down because of the COVID epidemic that's getting 939 01:03:01,220 --> 01:03:03,780 ready to be reopened. But we don't have 940 01:03:03,780 --> 01:03:06,180 a lot of storage space. We had OCD 941 01:03:06,180 --> 01:03:09,715 space that's actually now been fully repurposed and 942 01:03:09,715 --> 01:03:12,355 those files have basically been eradicated. So we're 943 01:03:12,355 --> 01:03:14,755 really doing everything we can to maximize the 944 01:03:14,755 --> 01:03:17,395 use of space. Well, I mean, I'll just 945 01:03:17,395 --> 01:03:20,515 be like when I first came in and 946 01:03:21,700 --> 01:03:23,780 didn't even have a desk in the office, 947 01:03:23,860 --> 01:03:27,380 I got taken to, I forget what floor 948 01:03:27,380 --> 01:03:28,820 it was, where the courtrooms were, and there's 949 01:03:28,820 --> 01:03:31,300 just desks stacked all through, and they're still 950 01:03:31,300 --> 01:03:33,220 there. And I guess what I'm looking at 951 01:03:33,220 --> 01:03:34,740 is, I'm looking at the building and it 952 01:03:34,740 --> 01:03:36,580 doesn't seem that big, it may be huge, 953 01:03:37,815 --> 01:03:44,695 Where I forget the Where sign all your 954 01:03:45,095 --> 01:03:47,255 paperwork and everything? So across from where the 955 01:03:47,255 --> 01:03:50,935 voters registration Where the voters is on the 956 01:03:50,935 --> 01:03:53,470 Ninth Floor at the parish attorney's Office is 957 01:03:53,470 --> 01:03:56,110 what you're referencing. Yeah, but then a couple 958 01:03:56,110 --> 01:03:59,230 of other locations Right. It may be the 959 01:03:59,230 --> 01:04:02,030 public defender space. They have space in their 960 01:04:02,030 --> 01:04:05,470 floor that they're struggling to make better use 961 01:04:05,470 --> 01:04:08,085 of their space that exists. Well, I was 962 01:04:08,085 --> 01:04:10,485 just thinking, it seemed like some of these 963 01:04:10,485 --> 01:04:15,445 services could be pulled here with redoing the 964 01:04:15,445 --> 01:04:17,125 resources of It just seemed like we had 965 01:04:17,125 --> 01:04:18,485 a lot of open space and that would 966 01:04:18,485 --> 01:04:21,320 save us money by releasing these older buildings 967 01:04:21,320 --> 01:04:25,480 that we're having to proactively maintain and take 968 01:04:25,480 --> 01:04:28,280 on. Don't even know what to, and I 969 01:04:28,280 --> 01:04:30,360 know it's a brand new building. I don't 970 01:04:30,360 --> 01:04:32,135 know if they just built it for complete 971 01:04:32,135 --> 01:04:34,214 size or if there was more space available 972 01:04:34,214 --> 01:04:36,295 in there that certain services could go to 973 01:04:36,295 --> 01:04:39,974 the courthouse over here. It just seems like 974 01:04:39,974 --> 01:04:41,415 I know the state a while back went 975 01:04:41,415 --> 01:04:43,175 through a big consolidation thing and they built 976 01:04:43,175 --> 01:04:45,540 buildings, but We do know again in our 977 01:04:45,540 --> 01:04:47,380 building, I'd have to say that pretty much 978 01:04:47,380 --> 01:04:50,020 if there's a vacant space, it's sitting there 979 01:04:50,020 --> 01:04:52,340 based on like in Hiller's case, there's some 980 01:04:52,340 --> 01:04:53,940 space that he needs to build out that 981 01:04:53,940 --> 01:04:55,300 we just haven't had the funding to do 982 01:04:55,300 --> 01:04:57,780 yet. I think that funding is actually being 983 01:04:57,780 --> 01:05:01,244 appropriated. Some of the other buildings we do 984 01:05:01,244 --> 01:05:02,925 have two or three buildings that we are 985 01:05:02,925 --> 01:05:05,165 on the verge of working on selling. The 986 01:05:05,165 --> 01:05:07,805 old Council on Aging building on Florida Boulevard, 987 01:05:08,045 --> 01:05:10,605 the old detox building on Florida And Nineteenth, 988 01:05:10,925 --> 01:05:12,605 and we have a fire station building that 989 01:05:12,605 --> 01:05:15,010 is going to be sold also. Okay. And 990 01:05:15,010 --> 01:05:16,610 I get that, but like the Council on 991 01:05:16,610 --> 01:05:19,650 Aging, you're selling that building, but where did 992 01:05:19,650 --> 01:05:22,050 they go? They have a new space. They 993 01:05:22,050 --> 01:05:23,490 have a new space. They were in a 994 01:05:23,490 --> 01:05:25,650 building that belonged to City Parish that they 995 01:05:25,650 --> 01:05:28,450 are actually going to move they're fully vacating. 996 01:05:28,745 --> 01:05:30,425 I guess that's what I was kind of 997 01:05:30,425 --> 01:05:32,585 getting at is, I don't know how many 998 01:05:32,585 --> 01:05:34,505 spaces they have at this new space, they 999 01:05:34,505 --> 01:05:36,585 couldn't come down here? Oh, no, the Council 1000 01:05:36,585 --> 01:05:38,665 on Aging is huge. It's a huge complex 1001 01:05:38,665 --> 01:05:42,220 that they built their own dedicated funds. But 1002 01:05:42,220 --> 01:05:44,540 again, maximization is one of the things we've 1003 01:05:44,540 --> 01:05:46,700 really worked on, trying to consolidate things, make 1004 01:05:46,700 --> 01:05:48,860 sure we don't have things. The Public Safety 1005 01:05:48,860 --> 01:05:51,260 Complex, there's a space out there that has 1006 01:05:51,260 --> 01:05:53,420 been vacant in H2, which is next to 1007 01:05:53,420 --> 01:05:58,694 the police headquarters. We have moved the Cooperative 1008 01:05:58,694 --> 01:06:01,095 Extension Service. They vacated a building that we 1009 01:06:01,095 --> 01:06:03,095 had there in that space. Some of the 1010 01:06:03,095 --> 01:06:05,974 ARP money is set up to actually redo 1011 01:06:05,974 --> 01:06:08,694 part of H2. The registrar of voters will 1012 01:06:08,694 --> 01:06:11,015 be moving out of one location on Corsey 1013 01:06:11,015 --> 01:06:12,359 end of the building. So we have a 1014 01:06:12,359 --> 01:06:14,200 lot of plans in terms of how to 1015 01:06:14,200 --> 01:06:17,559 maximize those building spaces. It is pretty critical 1016 01:06:17,559 --> 01:06:19,319 to us. Do we have any kind of 1017 01:06:19,319 --> 01:06:23,559 reporter information on occupancy, vacancy, and stuff like 1018 01:06:23,559 --> 01:06:27,185 that as far as each building? Yes, And 1019 01:06:27,185 --> 01:06:29,105 we can also provide what we're doing with 1020 01:06:29,105 --> 01:06:31,744 those ARP funds to help people understand what 1021 01:06:31,744 --> 01:06:33,985 we're retrofitting in terms of filling out vacant 1022 01:06:33,985 --> 01:06:38,945 space. We can get that back. Alright. Thank 1023 01:06:38,945 --> 01:06:42,640 you. Councilman Hurst. I know when they saw 1024 01:06:42,640 --> 01:06:44,080 me and Moke walk in the building and 1025 01:06:44,080 --> 01:06:45,840 they they start looking at their watches. I 1026 01:06:45,840 --> 01:06:50,080 never had. But you have three minutes. Gens 1027 01:06:50,080 --> 01:06:54,815 three. So to answer one thing about Aaron's, 1028 01:06:54,815 --> 01:06:56,175 I did have the opportunity. I think you 1029 01:06:56,175 --> 01:06:58,415 should go also visit the new COA Building. 1030 01:06:58,575 --> 01:06:59,695 1 Day about a week and a half 1031 01:06:59,695 --> 01:07:02,494 ago. And the whole bottom floor is bigger 1032 01:07:02,494 --> 01:07:04,335 than my community center on both sides of 1033 01:07:04,335 --> 01:07:06,000 the kitchen. So now they make their own 1034 01:07:06,000 --> 01:07:08,080 meals or their own meal prep, their own 1035 01:07:08,080 --> 01:07:09,920 TV dinner. They do all that stuff there 1036 01:07:09,920 --> 01:07:11,600 to cut down on cost in other areas. 1037 01:07:11,600 --> 01:07:14,880 You're using your time? I got you. So 1038 01:07:14,880 --> 01:07:16,640 when I look at this, I go back 1039 01:07:16,640 --> 01:07:18,975 to what pain points that that I believe 1040 01:07:18,975 --> 01:07:20,575 are part of the reason god put me 1041 01:07:20,575 --> 01:07:22,255 here and I'm going back to that prison. 1042 01:07:22,735 --> 01:07:24,895 I'm looking at two thousand seventy five man 1043 01:07:24,895 --> 01:07:28,255 hours, fourteen forty two work hours. I want 1044 01:07:28,255 --> 01:07:29,695 you to come back to me and quantify 1045 01:07:29,695 --> 01:07:31,535 that and tell me how much it cost 1046 01:07:31,535 --> 01:07:34,750 in terms of material and labor to do 1047 01:07:34,750 --> 01:07:37,549 whatever you did for two thousand seventy five 1048 01:07:37,549 --> 01:07:39,390 hours. And I know you're new, so it 1049 01:07:39,390 --> 01:07:40,430 may not all be you. You have to 1050 01:07:40,430 --> 01:07:42,750 do a little digging, but that's very important 1051 01:07:42,750 --> 01:07:44,750 to understand how much money we're wasting every 1052 01:07:44,750 --> 01:07:54,385 year. And then also, as a matter of 1053 01:07:54,385 --> 01:07:55,825 fact, can probably stop there because that was 1054 01:07:55,825 --> 01:08:00,385 my biggest concern is Okay. Is in turn 1055 01:08:00,465 --> 01:08:03,110 oh, the other one was 20% reduction our 1056 01:08:03,110 --> 01:08:06,070 challenging workforce. So do you know the dollar 1057 01:08:06,070 --> 01:08:09,110 per hour that you're paying those people that 1058 01:08:09,110 --> 01:08:11,670 are unable to get jobs or don't wanna 1059 01:08:11,670 --> 01:08:13,350 get jobs because of what you're paying them? 1060 01:08:13,350 --> 01:08:14,550 I'm trying to figure out what that gap 1061 01:08:14,630 --> 01:08:15,750 you know, we talk all the time about 1062 01:08:15,750 --> 01:08:17,685 trying to fill the workforce and I call 1063 01:08:17,685 --> 01:08:18,725 you and say, hey man, I might have 1064 01:08:18,725 --> 01:08:22,085 somebody. But what's the average pay for those 1065 01:08:22,085 --> 01:08:23,604 jobs that we're talking about have a gap 1066 01:08:23,604 --> 01:08:25,445 in your in your in your department? The 1067 01:08:25,445 --> 01:08:27,925 average pay is roughly around $13 an hour. 1068 01:08:29,450 --> 01:08:32,010 Okay. And what type of job would they 1069 01:08:32,010 --> 01:08:34,570 be doing for about $13 an hour? It 1070 01:08:34,570 --> 01:08:40,649 can range from general maintenance, cleanup to electrical, 1071 01:08:40,649 --> 01:08:46,054 plumbing, HVAC work, boiler maintenance. So now I've 1072 01:08:46,054 --> 01:08:47,574 met with the labor unions and because I 1073 01:08:47,574 --> 01:08:49,895 I really wanna understand what workforce challenges in 1074 01:08:49,895 --> 01:08:51,895 the community to the point where I was 1075 01:08:51,895 --> 01:08:54,135 at the carpenter's union last week all day 1076 01:08:54,135 --> 01:08:58,534 long. Work met with Louisiana Workforce Commission. These 1077 01:08:58,534 --> 01:09:02,460 people who are untrained, skilled labor that are 1078 01:09:02,460 --> 01:09:05,899 going through an apprentice program for what you're 1079 01:09:05,899 --> 01:09:07,979 paying for $13 an hour for somebody who's 1080 01:09:07,979 --> 01:09:10,779 knowledgeable, they will pay $19 an hour for 1081 01:09:10,779 --> 01:09:13,580 somebody who's not knowledgeable and learning that same 1082 01:09:13,580 --> 01:09:15,984 trade, whether it be boilermakers, they can bank 1083 01:09:15,984 --> 01:09:19,825 a little bit more boilermakers, painting electrical so 1084 01:09:19,825 --> 01:09:21,185 this is not a slap and chew. This 1085 01:09:21,185 --> 01:09:24,865 is just a public statement to say, again, 1086 01:09:24,865 --> 01:09:27,345 I've I've I've asked for a pay study. 1087 01:09:27,830 --> 01:09:29,830 I've not gotten my email back from Daryl 1088 01:09:29,830 --> 01:09:32,950 Gissel, I was listening, to approve the pay 1089 01:09:32,950 --> 01:09:37,029 study for the Department of of HR. But 1090 01:09:37,029 --> 01:09:39,029 when we talk about $13 an hour, we 1091 01:09:39,029 --> 01:09:41,750 talk about gaps. We talk about prison is 1092 01:09:41,750 --> 01:09:44,155 not fixed. We talk about challenges and work 1093 01:09:44,155 --> 01:09:46,075 orders that sit out there for four years. 1094 01:09:46,635 --> 01:09:50,235 I need the email approval piece there, I 1095 01:09:50,235 --> 01:09:51,595 guess, so that we can get that study 1096 01:09:51,595 --> 01:09:53,835 done at least to show the disparity with 1097 01:09:53,835 --> 01:09:56,155 it. Then then once we create that gap, 1098 01:09:56,155 --> 01:09:57,835 show how we can close that gap. Thank 1099 01:09:57,835 --> 01:10:03,650 you. Okay. Mister Butler, excellent presentation. Four months, 1100 01:10:03,650 --> 01:10:05,570 five months it's been? Five, a little bit, 1101 01:10:05,570 --> 01:10:07,570 yeah, the five months is some change. So 1102 01:10:07,570 --> 01:10:09,409 excellent and just keep on doing what you're 1103 01:10:09,409 --> 01:10:10,929 doing at the Butler Center here over there 1104 01:10:10,929 --> 01:10:14,435 in the District 10, okay? Keep on doing 1105 01:10:14,435 --> 01:10:17,875 what you're Yes, sir. Sir. May add one 1106 01:10:17,875 --> 01:10:21,155 thing about salaries. Looking at Joseph's numbers, he's 1107 01:10:21,155 --> 01:10:22,595 actually done a really good job in terms 1108 01:10:22,595 --> 01:10:25,235 of recruiting. And we have talked to some 1109 01:10:25,235 --> 01:10:27,155 of the labor union groups about bringing in 1110 01:10:27,155 --> 01:10:29,770 people who are retired in some cases, who 1111 01:10:29,770 --> 01:10:31,370 have great skills, who would like to come 1112 01:10:31,370 --> 01:10:33,050 to help us. One of the things that 1113 01:10:33,050 --> 01:10:35,850 you guys did through ARP funding, through the 1114 01:10:35,850 --> 01:10:38,970 funding that was provided to Joseph's organization, we're 1115 01:10:38,970 --> 01:10:41,130 really having the opportunity to get rid of 1116 01:10:41,130 --> 01:10:43,025 a lot of antiquated equipment, which is not 1117 01:10:43,025 --> 01:10:45,025 only going to cut down his maintenance costs, 1118 01:10:45,025 --> 01:10:47,584 is going to greatly reduce energy costs also. 1119 01:10:47,824 --> 01:10:49,585 So we should see some big savings all 1120 01:10:49,585 --> 01:10:51,824 across the board. River Center for instance was 1121 01:10:51,824 --> 01:10:54,065 built back in the 1970s, still has the 1122 01:10:54,065 --> 01:11:12,315 original mechanical equipment. Only want to help you 1123 01:11:12,315 --> 01:11:14,075 close that gap. Let make that clear. Okay, 1124 01:11:14,075 --> 01:11:16,795 thank you. Also I'd have to say Mr. 1125 01:11:16,795 --> 01:11:18,955 Butler you're to be commended about that training 1126 01:11:18,955 --> 01:11:22,875 and that education component. That is of utmost 1127 01:11:23,530 --> 01:11:27,930 importance, train folk then require folk to work. 1128 01:11:28,170 --> 01:11:32,570 So you're to be commended for that. Okay, 1129 01:11:32,570 --> 01:11:36,250 Mr. Gaudet, just two minutes. Thank you ma'am. 1130 01:11:37,195 --> 01:11:40,475 Yeah, Mook took your minutes. Can give an 1131 01:11:40,475 --> 01:11:44,795 update, Darryl, on the City Hall security? Yes. 1132 01:11:44,875 --> 01:11:46,955 We have actually done a study in terms 1133 01:11:46,955 --> 01:11:49,995 of what we need. The ARP funding is 1134 01:11:49,995 --> 01:11:54,000 providing money for the new doors and for 1135 01:11:54,000 --> 01:11:57,679 the scanners, etcetera. We're now working on writing 1136 01:11:57,679 --> 01:12:00,239 the protocol for the scanners to be put 1137 01:12:00,239 --> 01:12:01,599 in place. We have a couple of legal 1138 01:12:01,599 --> 01:12:03,199 things we need to do. Can we have 1139 01:12:03,199 --> 01:12:05,119 signs that say you can't bring weapons in, 1140 01:12:05,119 --> 01:12:06,960 etcetera? These are metal detectors when you say 1141 01:12:06,960 --> 01:12:09,855 scanners? Yes, yes. And so those things we've 1142 01:12:09,855 --> 01:12:12,815 actually set up the teams within the building 1143 01:12:12,815 --> 01:12:15,775 so each operating division, all the different groups 1144 01:12:15,775 --> 01:12:17,935 of sheriff's office, the assessor, etc. We have 1145 01:12:17,935 --> 01:12:20,255 teams now that we've created so that we 1146 01:12:20,255 --> 01:12:22,790 can do alerts within the building. The constable 1147 01:12:22,790 --> 01:12:25,190 has now taken over security in the building. 1148 01:12:25,430 --> 01:12:27,030 So we still have more work to do 1149 01:12:27,030 --> 01:12:28,550 there, but we're on the way to getting 1150 01:12:28,550 --> 01:12:30,230 where we think we need to be. Okay, 1151 01:12:30,230 --> 01:12:32,630 thanks. Thank you. That was an excellent question, 1152 01:12:32,630 --> 01:12:34,790 Councilman Goldaert. I could have given you five 1153 01:12:34,790 --> 01:12:43,315 minutes. Thank you. Yeah, just have one question. 1154 01:12:43,315 --> 01:12:45,715 Has that department ever looked at being privatized? 1155 01:12:47,235 --> 01:12:53,060 The grounds and maintenance? I don't think we've 1156 01:12:53,060 --> 01:12:54,500 ever looked at that. I think it's part 1157 01:12:54,500 --> 01:12:56,020 of the plan of government. I mean, it's 1158 01:12:56,020 --> 01:12:58,580 part of DPW. Well, mean, I don't really 1159 01:12:58,580 --> 01:13:00,340 need the department, but I'm talking about the 1160 01:13:00,340 --> 01:13:02,500 workforce and everything. So, you know, you have 1161 01:13:02,500 --> 01:13:04,180 a list of contractors and a boiler goes 1162 01:13:04,180 --> 01:13:07,665 out. You call a certain company and they 1163 01:13:07,665 --> 01:13:09,264 go do it. We do have a lot 1164 01:13:09,264 --> 01:13:11,905 of contractors in place. Probably knows a huge 1165 01:13:11,905 --> 01:13:14,304 number of contracts for outside services. One of 1166 01:13:14,304 --> 01:13:16,065 the things that straightened out, for some reason 1167 01:13:16,065 --> 01:13:19,930 we had a bizarre setup where if we 1168 01:13:19,930 --> 01:13:22,650 had a contractor to do mechanical equipment, we 1169 01:13:22,650 --> 01:13:24,810 would order the parts and they would have 1170 01:13:24,810 --> 01:13:26,170 to wait for us to get them the 1171 01:13:26,170 --> 01:13:28,650 parts to put the product in place. That 1172 01:13:28,650 --> 01:13:30,650 made no sense. So we're doing a lot 1173 01:13:30,650 --> 01:13:32,250 of those things to kind of clean up 1174 01:13:32,250 --> 01:13:34,675 how the maintenance is actually done. The River 1175 01:13:34,675 --> 01:13:36,675 Center now is going to be fully maintained 1176 01:13:36,675 --> 01:13:39,635 by the River Center under their contract as 1177 01:13:39,635 --> 01:13:43,395 opposed to us sharing those responsibilities. And I 1178 01:13:43,395 --> 01:13:44,835 do want to add something and this is 1179 01:13:44,835 --> 01:13:48,850 just Permission first. Yeah, hold on. And that 1180 01:13:48,850 --> 01:13:53,330 word privatized, yeah, let's let's let's be mindful 1181 01:13:53,330 --> 01:13:55,570 of that in my opinion there. Yeah, these 1182 01:13:55,570 --> 01:13:57,810 folk working like Hebrews saying, you tell them 1183 01:13:57,810 --> 01:14:00,930 privatized and okay, go on councilman Hurd. So 1184 01:14:00,930 --> 01:14:03,115 that I was One minute. Yeah. I was 1185 01:14:03,115 --> 01:14:05,515 just gonna address that one statement. And I 1186 01:14:05,515 --> 01:14:07,115 talked about this on the radio the other 1187 01:14:07,115 --> 01:14:09,035 day, and then I actually talked about it 1188 01:14:09,035 --> 01:14:11,675 with interim director Fred Ray for the challenge 1189 01:14:11,675 --> 01:14:14,635 of improvisation is that when we put contracts 1190 01:14:14,635 --> 01:14:17,360 in place, they are specified for a job 1191 01:14:17,360 --> 01:14:19,760 or whatever it may be. A lot of 1192 01:14:19,760 --> 01:14:22,159 times, we have jack of all trades who 1193 01:14:22,159 --> 01:14:23,840 may be on one job, but then when 1194 01:14:23,840 --> 01:14:25,600 that job ends, we can move them over 1195 01:14:25,600 --> 01:14:27,600 here. We don't have to constantly bid it 1196 01:14:27,600 --> 01:14:29,905 out and slow the process down to solve 1197 01:14:29,905 --> 01:14:31,425 city problems. We can move it from one 1198 01:14:31,425 --> 01:14:33,825 space to another. So when we control the 1199 01:14:33,825 --> 01:14:35,745 workforce, we have the ability to solve problems 1200 01:14:35,745 --> 01:14:38,465 a lot faster. When we privatize them, we 1201 01:14:38,465 --> 01:14:39,585 have to then go bid them out for 1202 01:14:39,585 --> 01:14:42,550 the new project because they guess what? They 1203 01:14:42,550 --> 01:14:44,710 bid based on what we told them would 1204 01:14:44,710 --> 01:14:46,790 be a part of that packet and not 1205 01:14:47,030 --> 01:14:49,430 playing A, B, C and D. They're only 1206 01:14:49,430 --> 01:14:51,190 gonna do E, F and G because that's 1207 01:14:51,190 --> 01:14:52,950 what they bid for. But we still need 1208 01:14:52,950 --> 01:14:55,534 A, B and C and D done. So 1209 01:14:55,534 --> 01:14:58,255 for that reason, I'm probably against privatization and 1210 01:14:58,255 --> 01:15:00,255 more so looking at how we, from an 1211 01:15:00,255 --> 01:15:02,975 internal standpoint, close that workforce gap. Then Aaron, 1212 01:15:02,975 --> 01:15:04,175 we can talk about that offline, but I 1213 01:15:04,175 --> 01:15:09,350 wanted to make that public. Juvenile service. Thank 1214 01:15:09,350 --> 01:15:12,150 you so very much, mister Butler. Juvenile services, 1215 01:15:12,150 --> 01:15:18,470 if you'll come on up. Oh, I saw 1216 01:15:18,470 --> 01:15:20,310 Fred move out. It's about to say, Fred, 1217 01:15:20,310 --> 01:15:28,764 you got juvenile services too? Wow. Good afternoon, 1218 01:15:28,765 --> 01:15:31,005 everyone. Thank you for the opportunity to present 1219 01:15:31,005 --> 01:15:37,230 the 2023 operating budget for juvenile services. So 1220 01:15:37,230 --> 01:15:42,590 our purpose is to provide supervision and probation 1221 01:15:42,590 --> 01:15:45,710 services as well as oversee the juvenile detention 1222 01:15:45,710 --> 01:15:57,005 center. Next slide please. Next slide, please. The 1223 01:15:57,005 --> 01:16:00,205 mission, is to help change lives and build 1224 01:16:00,205 --> 01:16:03,245 futures and restore hope to the youth and 1225 01:16:03,245 --> 01:16:06,239 to their families. Our mantra at Juvenile Services 1226 01:16:06,239 --> 01:16:18,915 is hope. Have only positive expectations. So the 1227 01:16:18,915 --> 01:16:22,435 Department of Juvenile Services basically have two divisions, 1228 01:16:22,515 --> 01:16:25,875 Probation and Family Services and the Juvenile Detention 1229 01:16:25,875 --> 01:16:30,040 Center. Well, the probation side is responsible for 1230 01:16:30,040 --> 01:16:34,280 pretrial and post disposition monitoring of our youth. 1231 01:16:34,440 --> 01:16:38,360 And with detention, we provide for the care 1232 01:16:38,520 --> 01:16:40,920 and the custody as well as the services 1233 01:16:40,920 --> 01:16:44,835 for those detained youth, which include medical, mental 1234 01:16:44,835 --> 01:16:49,395 health screenings, educational, faith based programming, and educational 1235 01:16:49,395 --> 01:16:52,755 services where our partner is the East Baton 1236 01:16:52,755 --> 01:16:57,889 Rouge Parish School System. As it relates to 1237 01:16:57,889 --> 01:17:01,889 family services, FANS, also known as family in 1238 01:17:01,889 --> 01:17:06,690 needs of services, that particular department welcomed the 1239 01:17:06,690 --> 01:17:09,275 individual families from off of the street. They 1240 01:17:09,275 --> 01:17:10,395 do not have to be a part of 1241 01:17:10,395 --> 01:17:12,155 the system. And if they have a need, 1242 01:17:12,155 --> 01:17:14,795 they come into our facility and we partner 1243 01:17:14,795 --> 01:17:17,515 them or refer them to the necessary community 1244 01:17:17,515 --> 01:17:20,555 service providers in an effort to keep them 1245 01:17:20,555 --> 01:17:25,690 out of delinquency and the juvenile detention center. 1246 01:17:31,930 --> 01:17:36,250 The organizational structure shows the position allotments for 1247 01:17:36,415 --> 01:17:40,094 our respective divisions. More than half of the 1248 01:17:40,094 --> 01:17:44,494 positions are concentrated in the juvenile detention facility 1249 01:17:44,655 --> 01:17:48,094 with 51 positions and on probation and family 1250 01:17:48,094 --> 01:17:55,800 services side, there are 33 positions. We have 1251 01:17:55,800 --> 01:17:58,440 two grants that we work with, families in 1252 01:17:58,440 --> 01:18:00,920 needs of services, our FENS grant, and this 1253 01:18:00,920 --> 01:18:03,559 is outside of the City Parish General Fund. 1254 01:18:03,560 --> 01:18:06,775 They provide, services in order that we may 1255 01:18:06,775 --> 01:18:11,414 cover two positions, specifically counselor positions. For the 1256 01:18:11,414 --> 01:18:15,894 Title IV E grant, we have five positions, 1257 01:18:16,614 --> 01:18:18,454 that are covered. I don't have my glasses, 1258 01:18:18,454 --> 01:18:20,660 I'm sorry. We have five positions that are 1259 01:18:20,660 --> 01:18:23,540 covered and this is specifically for our commission 1260 01:18:23,540 --> 01:18:28,500 law enforcement officer positions, the probation post officers. 1261 01:18:31,700 --> 01:18:35,054 So this shows the total budget inclusive of 1262 01:18:35,054 --> 01:18:38,494 sources as well as operations. I want to 1263 01:18:38,494 --> 01:18:42,094 focus on operations. Go to the next slide, 1264 01:18:42,094 --> 01:18:46,815 please. So when we look at 2022 versus 1265 01:18:46,815 --> 01:18:54,540 2023, we saw a 9.12% increase, which equated 1266 01:18:54,540 --> 01:18:58,380 to approximately half a million dollars that had 1267 01:18:58,380 --> 01:19:03,205 been allocated in the proposed 2023 budget. Later 1268 01:19:03,205 --> 01:19:05,925 in the slides, we'll explain or I'll explain 1269 01:19:05,925 --> 01:19:08,885 the need for the positions that we've requested. 1270 01:19:17,160 --> 01:19:20,920 So with our professional service contracts, all of 1271 01:19:20,920 --> 01:19:25,239 these contracts are renewal contracts, which means that 1272 01:19:25,239 --> 01:19:28,679 these providers, for me, have provided a proven 1273 01:19:28,680 --> 01:19:32,725 track record in which they help to respond 1274 01:19:32,725 --> 01:19:35,205 to not only the Department of Juvenile Services 1275 01:19:35,205 --> 01:19:38,565 need, but also to the court orders by 1276 01:19:38,565 --> 01:19:42,085 the juvenile judges from juvenile court. And so 1277 01:19:42,085 --> 01:19:45,440 we have three main providers, which is Convenient 1278 01:19:45,440 --> 01:19:49,599 Care that does business as total occupational medical. 1279 01:19:49,679 --> 01:19:52,960 We have Doctor. Brandon Romano that provides four 1280 01:19:52,960 --> 01:19:56,480 psychological and other evaluations. And we have New 1281 01:19:56,480 --> 01:20:01,224 Decisions that's responsible for social, therapeutics and recreational 1282 01:20:01,224 --> 01:20:05,545 services as well as those medical evaluations and 1283 01:20:05,545 --> 01:20:14,740 on-site medical care. So for the department positions 1284 01:20:14,740 --> 01:20:19,300 request and rationale, I have requested the addition 1285 01:20:19,300 --> 01:20:24,420 of an Assistant Executive Director, three positions for 1286 01:20:24,420 --> 01:20:29,135 Juvenile Probation Officers post two, and for data 1287 01:20:29,135 --> 01:20:34,575 coordinator. By adding these particular positions, it will 1288 01:20:34,575 --> 01:20:38,975 allow our department to operate more effectively and 1289 01:20:38,975 --> 01:20:44,199 efficiently. The creation of the Post two allows 1290 01:20:44,199 --> 01:20:48,679 for recruitment and promotion of retention of staff, 1291 01:20:48,840 --> 01:20:52,680 but it also improves the ratio of commission 1292 01:20:52,680 --> 01:20:56,245 law enforcement officers that's available to help improve 1293 01:20:56,245 --> 01:21:02,244 safety and security of our entire complex. Also, 1294 01:21:02,485 --> 01:21:06,005 the last rationale is with the data coordinator, 1295 01:21:06,085 --> 01:21:07,285 I feel that we will be in a 1296 01:21:07,285 --> 01:21:10,530 better position to respond to data requests from 1297 01:21:10,530 --> 01:21:14,210 three primary organizations that we are responsible to 1298 01:21:14,210 --> 01:21:17,409 provide that data to. That's Louisiana Commission for 1299 01:21:17,409 --> 01:21:22,210 Law Enforcement, the Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative, and 1300 01:21:22,210 --> 01:21:26,445 the Louisiana Juvenile Detention Association for the State 1301 01:21:26,445 --> 01:21:28,845 of Louisiana in which I serve as Vice 1302 01:21:28,845 --> 01:21:38,180 President. Now over the last year and a 1303 01:21:38,180 --> 01:21:41,540 half, we certainly saw a change in the 1304 01:21:41,540 --> 01:21:46,500 landscape for juvenile services. And in doing so, 1305 01:21:46,500 --> 01:21:48,955 we attribute a lot of that to raise 1306 01:21:48,955 --> 01:21:52,315 the age law as we examine the associated 1307 01:21:52,315 --> 01:21:58,795 data. If I may, I want to read 1308 01:21:58,795 --> 01:22:02,490 from the Louisiana Children's Code Article eight zero 1309 01:22:02,490 --> 01:22:06,890 four, for the definition of child. Child means 1310 01:22:06,890 --> 01:22:11,290 any person under the age of 21, including 1311 01:22:11,290 --> 01:22:15,450 an emancipated minor, who commits a delinquent act 1312 01:22:15,635 --> 01:22:20,835 before attaining 17 years of age. So, as 1313 01:22:20,835 --> 01:22:24,435 a result of these changes, the detention center 1314 01:22:24,435 --> 01:22:27,395 now has to house people that are aged 1315 01:22:27,395 --> 01:22:30,920 17 to 20 years old, including those youth 1316 01:22:30,920 --> 01:22:34,760 who have been indicted or billed for prosecution 1317 01:22:34,760 --> 01:22:41,080 in adult courts. Doctor Wade, I'm sorry. Point 1318 01:22:41,080 --> 01:22:43,400 of personal privilege, if that's okay. I'm so 1319 01:22:43,400 --> 01:22:45,000 glad that you're talking about this because I 1320 01:22:45,000 --> 01:22:46,945 know that this is a pain point. But 1321 01:22:46,945 --> 01:22:48,785 can you tell us while we're speaking on 1322 01:22:48,785 --> 01:22:49,985 this, you may have been getting to it, 1323 01:22:49,985 --> 01:22:52,145 so I apologize, the youngest age of a 1324 01:22:52,145 --> 01:22:54,945 person in the juvenile detention facilities? The youngest 1325 01:22:54,945 --> 01:22:56,545 age of a person is 10 years of 1326 01:22:56,545 --> 01:22:59,505 age. So 10 to 20? Yes, ma'am. Thank 1327 01:22:59,505 --> 01:23:03,730 you so much. Phase one of raise the 1328 01:23:03,730 --> 01:23:07,170 age only address those youth who committed minor 1329 01:23:07,170 --> 01:23:11,969 offenses. Phase two now addresses anyone who commit 1330 01:23:11,969 --> 01:23:17,014 any offense which includes fourteen-two violent crimes which 1331 01:23:17,014 --> 01:23:19,574 is inclusive of first and second degree murder, 1332 01:23:19,574 --> 01:23:26,135 aggravated rape, and offenses of that nature. So 1333 01:23:26,135 --> 01:23:30,215 the changes to the population created new pressures, 1334 01:23:30,810 --> 01:23:35,369 which you'll see that the allocated ARPA funding 1335 01:23:35,369 --> 01:23:38,090 from the mayor's office is certainly helping us 1336 01:23:38,090 --> 01:23:40,730 to address those challenges. So we are thankful 1337 01:23:40,730 --> 01:23:48,825 for that. This particular slide shows a consistent 1338 01:23:48,825 --> 01:23:52,105 decline in the admissions of juvenile detention over 1339 01:23:52,105 --> 01:23:57,305 a thirteen year period from 02/2007 to 2020. 1340 01:23:58,690 --> 01:24:00,690 Raise the age is kind of what I 1341 01:24:00,690 --> 01:24:04,770 considered as an unfunded mandate. And so although 1342 01:24:04,770 --> 01:24:07,890 those individuals came to juvenile services, there was 1343 01:24:07,890 --> 01:24:11,945 no funding attached to it. I would like 1344 01:24:11,945 --> 01:24:15,625 for you to pay particular attention, 02/2007, the 1345 01:24:15,625 --> 01:24:18,825 admissions population was a little bit over a 1346 01:24:18,825 --> 01:24:23,865 thousand. Over that thirteen year period, it declined 1347 01:24:23,865 --> 01:24:30,610 to three ninety three. The next slide. But 1348 01:24:30,610 --> 01:24:34,850 we then started to experience an admissions influx 1349 01:24:34,930 --> 01:24:38,450 in 2021. And if you are reminded, in 1350 01:24:38,450 --> 01:24:41,905 much of 2020, during the pandemic, we were 1351 01:24:41,905 --> 01:24:44,145 pretty much under a global stay at home 1352 01:24:44,145 --> 01:24:47,105 order. And so we did not experience the 1353 01:24:47,105 --> 01:24:51,745 influx until 2021 when we started to return 1354 01:24:51,745 --> 01:24:55,370 to some states of normalcy. And so in 1355 01:24:55,370 --> 01:24:59,690 2021, we would see the increase of admissions 1356 01:24:59,930 --> 01:25:03,370 go up to four sixty nine. In this 1357 01:25:03,370 --> 01:25:06,490 particular year, as of today, at one p. 1358 01:25:06,490 --> 01:25:08,490 M. When I ran this data, we have 1359 01:25:08,490 --> 01:25:12,764 admitted four sixty youth to the juvenile detention 1360 01:25:12,764 --> 01:25:16,284 center. Now the average or the range over 1361 01:25:16,284 --> 01:25:18,925 the last five months have been anywhere from 1362 01:25:18,925 --> 01:25:24,699 32 to 48 admissions averaging about 40 admissions 1363 01:25:24,940 --> 01:25:28,300 per month. So we are on track according 1364 01:25:28,300 --> 01:25:32,300 to the data to meet or exceed 500 1365 01:25:32,300 --> 01:25:42,215 by the end of the year. So what 1366 01:25:42,215 --> 01:25:44,775 are the areas of impact and actions as 1367 01:25:44,775 --> 01:25:47,094 it relates to the challenges with juvenile services? 1368 01:25:47,650 --> 01:25:49,890 I see it as two fold staffing and 1369 01:25:49,890 --> 01:25:53,970 infrastructure. When we look at staffing from the 1370 01:25:53,970 --> 01:25:58,050 City Parish general fund, we have been able 1371 01:25:58,050 --> 01:26:03,425 to address a special recruitment rate increase. Let 1372 01:26:03,425 --> 01:26:06,145 me use for an example, in April of 1373 01:26:06,145 --> 01:26:10,625 this year, detention officers made $11 and some 1374 01:26:10,625 --> 01:26:15,105 change. Right now, their entrance rate is nearly 1375 01:26:15,105 --> 01:26:18,670 $17 an hour. And so I want to 1376 01:26:18,670 --> 01:26:22,590 thank finance and the mayor's office for hearing 1377 01:26:22,590 --> 01:26:28,110 and immediately addressing those needs. Another example I 1378 01:26:28,110 --> 01:26:32,605 like to share. For more than two years, 1379 01:26:33,005 --> 01:26:37,885 we received requisitions, some literally that had one 1380 01:26:37,885 --> 01:26:41,645 name or zero names on those requisitions. And 1381 01:26:41,645 --> 01:26:44,605 so we attributed that to an influx of 1382 01:26:44,605 --> 01:26:47,100 prime in area and this not being a 1383 01:26:47,100 --> 01:26:51,100 very attractive institution in which people desire to 1384 01:26:51,100 --> 01:26:55,100 work. So we are at a point, the 1385 01:26:55,100 --> 01:26:58,380 last requisition I looked at for detention officers 1386 01:26:58,380 --> 01:27:02,715 had 22 names on it. It had 22 1387 01:27:02,715 --> 01:27:07,515 names. And so that is a significant improvement 1388 01:27:07,515 --> 01:27:10,315 and it certainly speaks to the special recruitment 1389 01:27:10,315 --> 01:27:13,355 rate that has been implemented across the board 1390 01:27:13,355 --> 01:27:21,250 for juvenile services. I want to add, you 1391 01:27:21,250 --> 01:27:26,369 know, the question may eventually be if the 1392 01:27:26,369 --> 01:27:29,489 rate has went up to nearly $17 an 1393 01:27:29,489 --> 01:27:32,945 hour, why are there still staffing issues? I 1394 01:27:32,945 --> 01:27:35,825 want to remind everyone that in order to 1395 01:27:35,825 --> 01:27:39,025 work in juvenile detention, you go through a 1396 01:27:39,025 --> 01:27:43,185 series of qualifications, including a state background check, 1397 01:27:43,905 --> 01:27:46,705 a CANS, which is a child abuse and 1398 01:27:46,705 --> 01:27:50,050 neglect system, a matrix, which is a psychological 1399 01:27:50,050 --> 01:27:54,690 evaluation, and a drug examination. And so failure 1400 01:27:54,850 --> 01:27:57,730 to meet any of those standards eliminate them 1401 01:27:57,730 --> 01:28:00,690 from the requisition. So although we started at 1402 01:28:00,690 --> 01:28:03,645 22 names on the requisition, when you go 1403 01:28:03,645 --> 01:28:06,764 through that process, it dwindles it down to 1404 01:28:07,005 --> 01:28:09,885 maybe three or maybe four that make it 1405 01:28:09,885 --> 01:28:19,210 through the entire process. The one thing we 1406 01:28:19,210 --> 01:28:21,930 identified at the beginning of this year is 1407 01:28:21,930 --> 01:28:24,490 that there is always a need for additional 1408 01:28:24,490 --> 01:28:27,770 training, but especially in light of the changed 1409 01:28:27,770 --> 01:28:30,985 landscape within juvenile services. And so we are 1410 01:28:30,985 --> 01:28:33,625 happy to say that that is in progress. 1411 01:28:33,705 --> 01:28:37,305 They are receiving, those additional trainings that are 1412 01:28:37,305 --> 01:28:40,425 specific to juvenile detention and we are in 1413 01:28:40,425 --> 01:28:43,705 partnership with the Baton Rouge Police Department to 1414 01:28:43,705 --> 01:28:48,949 offer defensive tactics and other professional development for 1415 01:28:48,949 --> 01:28:58,045 our staff. Next slide. The second area of 1416 01:28:58,045 --> 01:29:02,125 impact and actions associated deals with the infrastructure 1417 01:29:02,125 --> 01:29:05,485 for juvenile services. We've often heard on the 1418 01:29:05,485 --> 01:29:07,565 media that it is a building built in 1419 01:29:07,565 --> 01:29:12,205 1952. However, we are certainly working with what 1420 01:29:12,205 --> 01:29:15,699 we have, But specifically through the funding, again 1421 01:29:15,699 --> 01:29:20,260 from the administration, the allocated ARP money of 1422 01:29:20,260 --> 01:29:25,380 $2,000,000 will help us to update and renovate 1423 01:29:25,380 --> 01:29:29,275 needed areas within the juvenile detention center. I 1424 01:29:29,275 --> 01:29:32,795 did not go into much detail simply because 1425 01:29:32,795 --> 01:29:35,195 of the nature of the facility, but in 1426 01:29:35,195 --> 01:29:38,795 general it will help to provide security doors, 1427 01:29:38,875 --> 01:29:42,635 surveillance control and additional trainings, things of that 1428 01:29:42,635 --> 01:29:51,810 nature. So we started this year, early February 1429 01:29:51,810 --> 01:29:55,970 or March, working with DPW to do an 1430 01:29:55,970 --> 01:30:04,345 assessment, working with other state subject matter expertise 1431 01:30:04,425 --> 01:30:08,265 for prisons and for juvenile detention centers to 1432 01:30:08,265 --> 01:30:10,505 come walk our buildings. Not only did we 1433 01:30:10,505 --> 01:30:13,145 invite them in to come walk our buildings 1434 01:30:13,145 --> 01:30:16,950 this summer between July and August, my staff, 1435 01:30:16,950 --> 01:30:21,510 my leadership and administration, we visited approximately five 1436 01:30:21,510 --> 01:30:25,190 or six out of state juvenile detention centers. 1437 01:30:25,190 --> 01:30:28,230 And the purpose of that was to understand 1438 01:30:28,390 --> 01:30:32,304 best practices outside of a state with a 1439 01:30:32,304 --> 01:30:35,505 raise the age law. For example, we visited 1440 01:30:35,505 --> 01:30:39,425 the Harris County Juvenile Detention Center. It was 1441 01:30:39,425 --> 01:30:43,344 quite intriguing because their detention center is located 1442 01:30:43,344 --> 01:30:46,290 in City Hall and it takes up about 1443 01:30:46,290 --> 01:30:49,250 five or six floors. They have recreation on 1444 01:30:49,250 --> 01:30:51,730 the roof so that was a bit surprising 1445 01:30:51,730 --> 01:30:56,530 for us. We also visited the Harris County 1446 01:30:56,610 --> 01:31:00,495 in Marietta, the Regional Youth Center and we 1447 01:31:00,495 --> 01:31:04,015 studied their systems, we studied their practices and 1448 01:31:04,015 --> 01:31:07,295 we studied their policies and through these visits 1449 01:31:07,295 --> 01:31:10,575 and the DPW walk throughs and the experts 1450 01:31:10,575 --> 01:31:13,375 within the state of Louisiana, I believe that 1451 01:31:13,375 --> 01:31:15,670 we are on track to address the needs 1452 01:31:15,670 --> 01:31:23,989 that we have within the detention center. That 1453 01:31:23,989 --> 01:31:32,114 concludes the presentation. Councilwoman Bianca. Thank you so 1454 01:31:32,114 --> 01:31:34,835 much, Doctor. Wade. This has been a passion 1455 01:31:34,835 --> 01:31:36,515 of mine to see what you guys have 1456 01:31:36,515 --> 01:31:38,594 been doing since I started on the council. 1457 01:31:38,755 --> 01:31:40,275 And I'm so happy that you talked about 1458 01:31:40,275 --> 01:31:42,610 the raise the age law and how that 1459 01:31:42,610 --> 01:31:45,090 law did not come with additional funding to 1460 01:31:45,090 --> 01:31:49,250 change your facility. Also, think I've been out 1461 01:31:49,250 --> 01:31:51,250 there multiple times and I think it's important 1462 01:31:51,250 --> 01:31:53,410 for everyone to know how antiquated your building 1463 01:31:53,410 --> 01:31:56,450 is. And if you go into modern facilities, 1464 01:31:57,365 --> 01:31:59,525 you would have open space where guards could 1465 01:31:59,525 --> 01:32:02,405 see everything that's happening. However, in your facility, 1466 01:32:02,725 --> 01:32:05,125 there are blind spots all over it where 1467 01:32:05,125 --> 01:32:08,165 people can hide or do bad acts or 1468 01:32:08,165 --> 01:32:09,845 whatever they may be up to, and it 1469 01:32:09,845 --> 01:32:12,245 puts the guards in a particular position that 1470 01:32:12,245 --> 01:32:14,329 is unsafe for them as well as the 1471 01:32:14,329 --> 01:32:17,770 people that are in the facility. So can 1472 01:32:17,770 --> 01:32:19,690 you can you tell us a little bit 1473 01:32:19,690 --> 01:32:23,050 about if that $2,000,000 is gonna help with 1474 01:32:23,050 --> 01:32:26,925 some of those issues and and what it 1475 01:32:26,925 --> 01:32:29,885 is looking moving forward through 2023. What do 1476 01:32:29,885 --> 01:32:31,245 we need to be looking for to make 1477 01:32:31,245 --> 01:32:33,165 sure that we're moving forward and getting you 1478 01:32:33,165 --> 01:32:37,165 those funds? Because so certainly the ARP funding 1479 01:32:37,165 --> 01:32:42,780 of $2,000,000 will greatly help with juvenile detention, 1480 01:32:43,020 --> 01:32:45,740 as we specifically look out and look at 1481 01:32:45,740 --> 01:32:48,940 changing doors, with a heightened level of security, 1482 01:32:49,020 --> 01:32:52,860 the locking mechanisms, their surveillance, video, things of 1483 01:32:52,860 --> 01:32:54,940 that nature. Those things that we are able 1484 01:32:54,940 --> 01:32:59,175 to renovate in an antiquated building. And so 1485 01:32:59,175 --> 01:33:04,055 we will start there. Additionally, not just with 1486 01:33:04,055 --> 01:33:06,455 the facility, but I believe that there was 1487 01:33:06,455 --> 01:33:09,390 a great need for additional training with a 1488 01:33:09,390 --> 01:33:12,670 new population coming into the juvenile detention center 1489 01:33:12,670 --> 01:33:16,190 that officers were not familiar with. And so 1490 01:33:16,190 --> 01:33:20,910 we have seen a drastic improvement. For example, 1491 01:33:20,910 --> 01:33:23,165 it has been more than a year since 1492 01:33:23,165 --> 01:33:26,205 there has been an escape from that particular 1493 01:33:26,205 --> 01:33:29,165 facility. And within the four years that I've 1494 01:33:29,165 --> 01:33:32,525 been there, there have been two escapes. In 1495 01:33:32,525 --> 01:33:37,160 comparison to any other facility, that's a decent 1496 01:33:37,320 --> 01:33:40,120 number. And so I attribute that to the 1497 01:33:40,120 --> 01:33:43,000 officers and to my team members who are 1498 01:33:43,000 --> 01:33:46,600 dedicated, diligent and very determined to do their 1499 01:33:46,600 --> 01:33:50,485 jobs. So one more question. With regard to 1500 01:33:50,485 --> 01:33:52,885 visiting some of these newer facilities and some 1501 01:33:52,885 --> 01:33:54,805 of the educational programs that you guys have 1502 01:33:54,805 --> 01:33:57,685 put in place, are y'all fighting? Can you 1503 01:33:57,685 --> 01:34:01,605 show the recidivism rates with some of your 1504 01:34:01,605 --> 01:34:05,469 residents? Is that declining within moving on, growing 1505 01:34:05,469 --> 01:34:07,390 up? How does that work? How do we 1506 01:34:07,390 --> 01:34:10,430 compare? So at one point we saw the 1507 01:34:10,430 --> 01:34:14,350 recidivism rate declining. Just through observation over the 1508 01:34:14,350 --> 01:34:18,245 last few months, we see the same individuals 1509 01:34:18,245 --> 01:34:22,965 returning. And so we've not yet run the 1510 01:34:22,965 --> 01:34:26,245 statistics for recidivism, but it's certainly something that 1511 01:34:26,245 --> 01:34:28,005 we're watching and we'll be doing at end 1512 01:34:28,005 --> 01:34:33,500 of year. Thank you so much. I just 1513 01:34:33,500 --> 01:34:35,820 want to say God bless you. I have 1514 01:34:35,820 --> 01:34:39,500 spent my career in schools and most recently 1515 01:34:39,500 --> 01:34:41,020 working in a school that had everything from 1516 01:34:41,020 --> 01:34:43,420 six weeks old to 18 years old. And 1517 01:34:43,420 --> 01:34:46,325 I know what we went through just to 1518 01:34:46,325 --> 01:34:49,365 make things developmentally appropriate and to keep children 1519 01:34:49,365 --> 01:34:52,885 of certain age distances apart from each other. 1520 01:34:52,965 --> 01:34:55,685 And just in very controlled school setting, was 1521 01:34:55,685 --> 01:34:58,590 difficult, so I cannot even imagine what it 1522 01:34:58,590 --> 01:35:00,590 has been like for you. So thank you 1523 01:35:00,590 --> 01:35:06,750 for all your efforts. Thank you. Hey Doctor. 1524 01:35:06,750 --> 01:35:08,110 Wade, have you come up with a job 1525 01:35:08,110 --> 01:35:10,750 description for the addition of the Assistant Director? 1526 01:35:11,865 --> 01:35:15,305 Yes, have. And, Mr. Gaudet, I don't have 1527 01:35:15,305 --> 01:35:17,225 that with me, but, I would be happy 1528 01:35:17,225 --> 01:35:19,625 to forward it to What I would like 1529 01:35:19,625 --> 01:35:22,665 to say is through the visitation of juvenile 1530 01:35:22,665 --> 01:35:25,880 detention centers out of state, but specifically in 1531 01:35:25,880 --> 01:35:29,400 state. We have 13 juvenile detention centers with 1532 01:35:29,400 --> 01:35:31,960 about three maybe on the style of the 1533 01:35:31,960 --> 01:35:35,639 East Bainbridge Parish. Most detention centers are operated 1534 01:35:36,195 --> 01:35:39,954 separately than from the services side. And so 1535 01:35:39,954 --> 01:35:42,675 certainly I believe that the addition of the 1536 01:35:42,675 --> 01:35:46,114 Assistant Executive Director allows for more leadership at 1537 01:35:46,114 --> 01:35:51,739 the helm to effectively and efficiently address the 1538 01:35:51,739 --> 01:35:55,340 needs of the entire building as opposed to 1539 01:35:55,340 --> 01:35:59,340 focusing solely on juvenile detention which in the 1540 01:35:59,340 --> 01:36:01,420 last year it has been a huge focus. 1541 01:36:04,245 --> 01:36:07,685 Thank you. Thank you. And I'm sorry, was 1542 01:36:07,685 --> 01:36:10,485 pulling up the budget. Meals caught my attention. 1543 01:36:10,485 --> 01:36:12,565 It's a I I don't know if it's 1544 01:36:12,565 --> 01:36:15,045 a revenue source for you. There's a 50 1545 01:36:15,045 --> 01:36:18,165 in the 2023 budget for juvenile detention meals. 1546 01:36:18,829 --> 01:36:20,670 Help me out with that. So at one 1547 01:36:20,670 --> 01:36:25,309 point, we were receiving funds from the Department 1548 01:36:25,309 --> 01:36:28,590 of Health and Nutrition for those funds to 1549 01:36:28,590 --> 01:36:31,469 supplement. It came with a lot of restrictions 1550 01:36:31,469 --> 01:36:35,695 and stipulations, And so it has dwindled down 1551 01:36:35,695 --> 01:36:37,775 and we are looking to move away from 1552 01:36:37,775 --> 01:36:40,335 it as we do have the funds available 1553 01:36:40,335 --> 01:36:43,295 through our City Parish General Fund account. Y'all 1554 01:36:43,295 --> 01:36:45,840 are cooking on-site. You have a full operational 1555 01:36:45,840 --> 01:36:47,679 kitchen out there. We have a full operational 1556 01:36:47,679 --> 01:36:51,760 kitchen and we have five staff that operate 1557 01:36:51,760 --> 01:36:54,719 the kitchen and the laundry services for detention. 1558 01:36:54,719 --> 01:37:01,395 Okay, thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Okay. 1559 01:37:01,395 --> 01:37:04,995 I might make one statement about the facility. 1560 01:37:05,075 --> 01:37:07,315 The study that's been done on the prison 1561 01:37:07,315 --> 01:37:10,435 actually has also been done on juvenile services 1562 01:37:10,595 --> 01:37:13,800 and the correctional facility there. So that study 1563 01:37:13,800 --> 01:37:15,639 is done to help right size that doctor 1564 01:37:15,639 --> 01:37:17,560 Wade has worked along with the warden, with 1565 01:37:17,560 --> 01:37:20,360 the consultants, and the next phase really is 1566 01:37:20,360 --> 01:37:22,440 to figure out what it takes to build 1567 01:37:22,440 --> 01:37:25,079 that facility, what the spatial needs are, etcetera. 1568 01:37:25,080 --> 01:37:26,679 So that'll be coming back to the council 1569 01:37:26,679 --> 01:37:33,355 at some point for approval. Councilwoman Banks. I 1570 01:37:33,355 --> 01:37:36,235 I guess I I came in on my 1571 01:37:36,635 --> 01:37:39,035 one of my pet on departments that I 1572 01:37:39,035 --> 01:37:42,659 really appreciate working with you as the director. 1573 01:37:43,700 --> 01:37:45,780 One of the things, I guess again from 1574 01:37:45,780 --> 01:37:49,220 the perspective of being an East Baton Rouge 1575 01:37:49,220 --> 01:37:55,005 Parish school employee and working with, now I 1576 01:37:55,005 --> 01:37:56,765 don't even know if it exists, but when 1577 01:37:56,765 --> 01:37:59,725 I worked with the Office of Adjudicated Youth, 1578 01:38:01,005 --> 01:38:04,205 in which I was responsible for transitioning students 1579 01:38:04,205 --> 01:38:08,205 from juvenile services back into the school system, 1580 01:38:08,760 --> 01:38:11,719 and one of the things that was during 1581 01:38:11,719 --> 01:38:18,599 that time was never put into practice was 1582 01:38:18,599 --> 01:38:22,760 an actual MOU between East Baton Rouge Parish 1583 01:38:22,760 --> 01:38:25,455 School System and the Office of Juvenile Services 1584 01:38:25,455 --> 01:38:30,014 and I was wondering can you elaborate on 1585 01:38:30,014 --> 01:38:33,374 that because with that also it was necessary 1586 01:38:33,455 --> 01:38:36,334 to have the proper staff on both sides 1587 01:38:36,574 --> 01:38:41,430 because students were and I I would be 1588 01:38:41,430 --> 01:38:43,910 remiss if I didn't say that, you know, 1589 01:38:43,910 --> 01:38:45,990 I I'm not sure about this this current 1590 01:38:45,990 --> 01:38:49,670 superintendent but we children actually got Carnegie units 1591 01:38:49,670 --> 01:38:52,885 when they left under your helm where before 1592 01:38:53,285 --> 01:38:54,885 time just went by and a lot of 1593 01:38:54,885 --> 01:38:58,645 the frustration that led to not only recidivism 1594 01:38:58,645 --> 01:39:03,045 but also students dropping out is that when 1595 01:39:03,045 --> 01:39:06,325 they were in detention and they were doing 1596 01:39:06,325 --> 01:39:08,860 the work under the East Bandwidth Parish School 1597 01:39:08,860 --> 01:39:11,820 staff and when they left there were no 1598 01:39:11,820 --> 01:39:15,579 grades, no attendance, no anything. And I know 1599 01:39:15,579 --> 01:39:19,500 that getting that back into full a lot 1600 01:39:19,500 --> 01:39:21,099 of time, a lot of that had been 1601 01:39:21,099 --> 01:39:23,885 delayed with the change in a lot with 1602 01:39:23,885 --> 01:39:26,364 the larger employee and all the other things 1603 01:39:26,364 --> 01:39:28,605 that happened. So I'm going back to find 1604 01:39:28,605 --> 01:39:32,525 out if the MOU had been established and 1605 01:39:32,525 --> 01:39:37,680 what positions possibly on both sides are gonna 1606 01:39:37,680 --> 01:39:41,200 be needed or implemented or suggested for both 1607 01:39:41,200 --> 01:39:43,360 sides and if that is included in your 1608 01:39:43,360 --> 01:39:47,920 current budget? So that's not included in the 1609 01:39:47,920 --> 01:39:51,405 current budget, Councilwoman, but I will say that 1610 01:39:51,405 --> 01:39:54,125 when I started at the helm of juvenile 1611 01:39:54,125 --> 01:39:57,165 services, I went in to do review and 1612 01:39:57,165 --> 01:40:01,165 assessments to see what existed and what needed 1613 01:40:01,165 --> 01:40:05,090 to be maybe modified. I found upon my 1614 01:40:05,090 --> 01:40:08,929 entrance that no students were receiving Carnegie credit 1615 01:40:08,929 --> 01:40:12,770 units, and so it troubled me that these 1616 01:40:12,770 --> 01:40:17,055 young people would attend school between 07:45 a. 1617 01:40:17,055 --> 01:40:20,495 M. And 02:45 p. M. For busy work. 1618 01:40:20,495 --> 01:40:23,855 And so I met with the administration, the 1619 01:40:23,855 --> 01:40:27,855 superintendent, the director of alternative schools for EBR, 1620 01:40:27,935 --> 01:40:32,079 and we quickly put a system in place 1621 01:40:32,320 --> 01:40:34,559 where for the first time in the history 1622 01:40:34,559 --> 01:40:39,440 of juvenile detention, that students receive Carnegie credit 1623 01:40:39,440 --> 01:40:42,800 units. And so it did a few things. 1624 01:40:42,880 --> 01:40:46,055 It incentivized them to want to do the 1625 01:40:46,055 --> 01:40:51,655 work. Also, it prepared them for better reentry 1626 01:40:51,655 --> 01:40:56,470 into society without having an education gap. I 1627 01:40:56,470 --> 01:41:01,990 am thankful for the leadership of EBR, specifically 1628 01:41:01,990 --> 01:41:07,030 Mr. Larry James, the Executive Alternative Director, who 1629 01:41:07,030 --> 01:41:09,905 has worked side by side with me to 1630 01:41:09,905 --> 01:41:12,225 address any needs that I brought to his 1631 01:41:12,225 --> 01:41:15,985 attention. We have a current draft of a 1632 01:41:15,985 --> 01:41:19,025 memorandum of understanding for East Baton Rouge Parish 1633 01:41:19,025 --> 01:41:22,545 School System and juvenile detention that is in 1634 01:41:22,545 --> 01:41:25,750 draft form that we will meet on and 1635 01:41:25,750 --> 01:41:29,990 have conversations on both sides. What are the 1636 01:41:29,990 --> 01:41:33,350 expectations for juvenile services? And then what are 1637 01:41:33,350 --> 01:41:36,150 the expectations for East Baton Rouge Parish School 1638 01:41:36,150 --> 01:41:38,704 System? I would be remiss not to say 1639 01:41:38,704 --> 01:41:42,065 that I believe that our partnership over the 1640 01:41:42,065 --> 01:41:46,065 last three years have seen great improvement, and 1641 01:41:46,065 --> 01:41:48,784 so we hope to continue on a positive 1642 01:41:48,784 --> 01:41:53,280 trajectory. As we go into 2023. We will 1643 01:41:53,280 --> 01:41:58,560 continue those conversations and ultimately between legal services 1644 01:41:58,560 --> 01:42:01,040 for the city and legal services for East 1645 01:42:01,040 --> 01:42:04,560 Baton Rouge Parish enforce a memorandum of understanding. 1646 01:42:04,560 --> 01:42:07,895 Okay. Who which staff of the parish attorney 1647 01:42:07,895 --> 01:42:11,175 works closest with you in juvenile services? So 1648 01:42:11,175 --> 01:42:15,175 that has been attorney, well, attorney Joe Scott, 1649 01:42:15,175 --> 01:42:18,534 Elena Branserou, Don Gilliat, and so I worked 1650 01:42:18,534 --> 01:42:21,430 with multiple ones. But within this year I 1651 01:42:21,430 --> 01:42:24,310 worked a little bit more closely with Attorney 1652 01:42:24,310 --> 01:42:27,590 Joe Scott who's actually here today. Okay, because 1653 01:42:27,590 --> 01:42:30,550 I do know chances are you have to 1654 01:42:30,550 --> 01:42:34,605 go through the General Counsel but also just 1655 01:42:34,605 --> 01:42:39,165 wanting to make sure there was also under 1656 01:42:39,165 --> 01:42:44,205 your staff a Director of Education. At the 1657 01:42:44,205 --> 01:42:46,445 time this was Mr. Newman before he retired. 1658 01:42:47,100 --> 01:42:49,739 So yes, Mr. Newman was the superintendent. The 1659 01:42:49,739 --> 01:42:51,900 superintendent. And so we don't have a superintendent, 1660 01:42:51,900 --> 01:42:55,100 we changed the name to senior shift supervisor 1661 01:42:55,100 --> 01:42:59,100 to stay with best practices. There is no 1662 01:42:59,100 --> 01:43:01,340 detention center that I'm aware of that has 1663 01:43:01,340 --> 01:43:05,475 a detention manager and a superintendent because the 1664 01:43:05,475 --> 01:43:07,955 functions are too similar. And so we changed 1665 01:43:07,955 --> 01:43:10,835 that position to senior shift supervisor. Now we 1666 01:43:10,835 --> 01:43:13,955 have a detention counselor who is a licensed 1667 01:43:13,955 --> 01:43:16,835 professional counselor that will be starting within a 1668 01:43:16,835 --> 01:43:19,850 week. That particular position is charged with the 1669 01:43:19,850 --> 01:43:23,610 coordination of educational activities within the JDC. So 1670 01:43:23,610 --> 01:43:26,650 are they doing academic and mental health or 1671 01:43:26,650 --> 01:43:30,969 just academic? They are doing academics. Way the 1672 01:43:30,969 --> 01:43:34,895 structure is right now, through our partnership with 1673 01:43:34,895 --> 01:43:37,534 East Baton Rouge Parish school system, we have 1674 01:43:37,534 --> 01:43:41,054 on-site five days a week, seven forty five 1675 01:43:41,054 --> 01:43:44,094 a. M. To 02:45 p. M. Certified teachers 1676 01:43:44,094 --> 01:43:47,695 and so the detainees attend class on a 1677 01:43:47,695 --> 01:43:52,070 regular basis. On that particular staff, all East 1678 01:43:52,070 --> 01:43:58,710 Bay Village Parish School System, we have an 1679 01:43:58,710 --> 01:44:02,550 assistant director of EBR Readiness who is on-site 1680 01:44:02,550 --> 01:44:04,614 every day And then we have the teachers 1681 01:44:04,614 --> 01:44:07,094 for the various subjects as well as the 1682 01:44:07,094 --> 01:44:11,094 paras that are needed. Our detention counselor, we 1683 01:44:11,094 --> 01:44:14,534 certainly don't want to intrude on their expertise. 1684 01:44:14,695 --> 01:44:17,574 So our position from the detention counselor is 1685 01:44:17,574 --> 01:44:21,350 to ensure the coordination of educational services. So 1686 01:44:21,350 --> 01:44:25,110 that's a new budget position? It is not. 1687 01:44:25,110 --> 01:44:27,190 Okay, just a name change and a position 1688 01:44:27,190 --> 01:44:29,430 change. Yes ma'am. Once you all get the 1689 01:44:29,430 --> 01:44:32,895 MOU in order, it would be great if 1690 01:44:32,895 --> 01:44:37,854 you would meet with Ms. Brazier so that 1691 01:44:37,935 --> 01:44:41,534 each school counselor has that person's contact so 1692 01:44:41,534 --> 01:44:44,494 that when children transition they will make sure 1693 01:44:44,494 --> 01:44:47,449 those records follow them because that, you know, 1694 01:44:47,449 --> 01:44:49,449 all of that is really the pipeline that 1695 01:44:49,449 --> 01:44:50,890 is leading to a lot of our youth 1696 01:44:50,890 --> 01:44:53,290 violence. You know, we don't have to go 1697 01:44:53,290 --> 01:44:56,810 through that and I do recognize, you know, 1698 01:44:56,810 --> 01:45:00,409 this administrator totally embracing you, Doctor. Larry James, 1699 01:45:00,409 --> 01:45:03,085 having you in professional development as well as 1700 01:45:03,085 --> 01:45:05,885 our fun stuff. So, you know, just thank 1701 01:45:05,885 --> 01:45:08,045 you. We do have to work together and 1702 01:45:08,045 --> 01:45:10,364 that's something I believe since I've been here 1703 01:45:10,525 --> 01:45:12,685 and I do see it working very well 1704 01:45:12,685 --> 01:45:16,860 between Juvenile services and the Spanish Fair School 1705 01:45:16,860 --> 01:45:19,500 System. Thank you. Also, I wanted to share, 1706 01:45:19,500 --> 01:45:22,460 we do have what I call a hope 1707 01:45:22,460 --> 01:45:26,540 series, a leadership series. Again, hope have only 1708 01:45:26,540 --> 01:45:29,260 positive expectations. So we bring in what I 1709 01:45:29,260 --> 01:45:33,434 call realistic speakers for the youth. And recently, 1710 01:45:33,435 --> 01:45:35,515 we had Mr. Bobby Ginn, who is the 1711 01:45:35,515 --> 01:45:40,315 general manager for Winfield. We've had Superintendent Sito 1712 01:45:40,315 --> 01:45:44,130 Narcisse. We've had Baton Rouge Police Department, Chief 1713 01:45:44,130 --> 01:45:49,409 Murphy Paul, Deputy Chief Myron Daniels. We've had 1714 01:45:49,409 --> 01:45:52,690 Ms. Vernadine Mabry, workforce and development. It is 1715 01:45:52,690 --> 01:45:55,489 our goal to be intentional in pairing them 1716 01:45:55,489 --> 01:45:58,205 with the resources so that they can successfully 1717 01:45:58,205 --> 01:46:03,565 reenter into society. All right, thank you so 1718 01:46:03,565 --> 01:46:06,285 very much for all that good information. And 1719 01:46:06,285 --> 01:46:09,885 just keep in mind some individualized academic education 1720 01:46:09,885 --> 01:46:13,300 plans for these children to see where they 1721 01:46:13,300 --> 01:46:17,940 are and where they can go. Absolutely. Yes. 1722 01:46:17,940 --> 01:46:20,180 Thank you so very much. If I could 1723 01:46:20,180 --> 01:46:22,340 just have three seconds just to tell you 1724 01:46:22,340 --> 01:46:25,380 that the city of Birmingham did launch a 1725 01:46:25,380 --> 01:46:29,375 conflict resolution curriculum and so you know once 1726 01:46:29,375 --> 01:46:31,295 that MOU that might be something we can 1727 01:46:31,295 --> 01:46:34,575 also work on as a preventive methods for 1728 01:46:34,575 --> 01:46:37,935 those to avoid recidivism and it'll help us 1729 01:46:37,935 --> 01:46:39,775 in the school system so much better as 1730 01:46:39,775 --> 01:46:43,330 well. Absolutely. Thank Thank you. Thank you. At 1731 01:46:43,330 --> 01:46:48,530 this time we'll have the mayor's office. Thank 1732 01:46:48,530 --> 01:46:50,930 you very much. This should be the briefest 1733 01:46:50,930 --> 01:46:54,450 presentation of the night. My throat says yes. 1734 01:46:55,575 --> 01:46:58,375 Our budgets, I think I have a little 1735 01:46:58,375 --> 01:47:02,455 clicker, the mayor's office budget basically has three 1736 01:47:02,455 --> 01:47:07,655 different divisions, administrative division, grant division, and special 1737 01:47:07,655 --> 01:47:15,090 programs. The actual administrative part of our office, 1738 01:47:15,570 --> 01:47:18,210 the budget there, excuse me, has actually gone 1739 01:47:18,210 --> 01:47:20,530 down just a little bit from last year, 1740 01:47:20,915 --> 01:47:24,275 and that decrease actually includes a 5% pay 1741 01:47:24,275 --> 01:47:27,475 raise that everybody got. And part of that 1742 01:47:27,475 --> 01:47:30,594 decrease is removing two of the positions out 1743 01:47:30,594 --> 01:47:33,315 of our office into a special grants division, 1744 01:47:33,475 --> 01:47:34,915 which we'll talk about in just a minute. 1745 01:47:35,680 --> 01:47:40,320 But our total budget is roughly $2,500,000 for 1746 01:47:40,320 --> 01:47:43,760 the administration part, 15 employees, one of those 1747 01:47:43,760 --> 01:47:46,240 is actually the mayor, and one of those 1748 01:47:46,240 --> 01:47:48,480 positions is made up of two part time 1749 01:47:48,480 --> 01:47:51,414 people who serve as receptionists in our office. 1750 01:47:53,975 --> 01:47:55,975 Grants has been a big challenge in my 1751 01:47:55,975 --> 01:47:58,775 mind in City Parish. We have tried two 1752 01:47:58,775 --> 01:48:01,415 different things to get to where I think 1753 01:48:01,415 --> 01:48:04,810 we should be. We've had a federal grants 1754 01:48:04,810 --> 01:48:08,650 coordinator which we needed to expand. We brought 1755 01:48:08,650 --> 01:48:12,010 in a contract worker who was housed in 1756 01:48:12,090 --> 01:48:14,890 the police department and that person was willing 1757 01:48:14,890 --> 01:48:18,065 to do grant work for other departments. What 1758 01:48:18,065 --> 01:48:20,385 we discovered was that our departments really don't 1759 01:48:20,385 --> 01:48:24,705 have the capability to handle grants. We're trying 1760 01:48:24,705 --> 01:48:28,145 to build that capacity. So this new division, 1761 01:48:28,385 --> 01:48:32,000 we've taken two people, from our team and 1762 01:48:32,000 --> 01:48:35,120 one person from OCD to create a special 1763 01:48:35,120 --> 01:48:38,400 grants office. And the main person in that 1764 01:48:38,400 --> 01:48:40,240 office, their key job will be to go 1765 01:48:40,240 --> 01:48:44,080 out and basically market grants to different departments. 1766 01:48:45,655 --> 01:48:47,575 There are grants all across the board, the 1767 01:48:47,575 --> 01:48:51,175 fire department, police department, etcetera. So they will 1768 01:48:51,175 --> 01:48:53,575 go out and encourage the departments to take 1769 01:48:53,575 --> 01:48:55,415 grants that they find that they think are 1770 01:48:55,415 --> 01:48:58,230 a good match. The National League of Cities, 1771 01:48:58,230 --> 01:49:01,670 which we belong to, is a community. We 1772 01:49:01,670 --> 01:49:04,389 have a special grants program that we have, 1773 01:49:04,710 --> 01:49:07,030 contracted for there where they will actually write 1774 01:49:07,030 --> 01:49:10,855 grants for us for $6,000 So as opposed 1775 01:49:10,855 --> 01:49:12,695 to having a grants division that is stuck 1776 01:49:12,695 --> 01:49:14,775 writing grants, we want to make certain that 1777 01:49:14,775 --> 01:49:16,855 our grants division is out trying to get 1778 01:49:16,855 --> 01:49:19,815 our departments to take those grants. And then 1779 01:49:19,815 --> 01:49:21,975 two people to help administer the grants to 1780 01:49:21,975 --> 01:49:23,575 make sure the departments can get through the 1781 01:49:23,575 --> 01:49:26,119 process. One of the things we're working through 1782 01:49:26,119 --> 01:49:28,679 also, we had a consultant who came in 1783 01:49:28,760 --> 01:49:34,679 who's examined everything from the grant startup process, 1784 01:49:34,679 --> 01:49:37,639 grants review, how it rolls through finance. We're 1785 01:49:37,639 --> 01:49:39,480 trying to make certain that we can streamline 1786 01:49:39,480 --> 01:49:42,335 that process to make it easier for everybody 1787 01:49:42,335 --> 01:49:44,815 along the way. I think everyone here has 1788 01:49:44,815 --> 01:49:46,895 seen that we struggle with grants. It takes 1789 01:49:46,895 --> 01:49:48,815 a long time to get through that process. 1790 01:49:48,815 --> 01:49:51,295 It's very cumbersome if you've ever tried to 1791 01:49:51,295 --> 01:49:52,895 work with one of those grants per se. 1792 01:49:53,160 --> 01:49:55,800 We love the money, but again, the bureaucratic 1793 01:49:55,800 --> 01:49:59,640 process is very difficult. The other part of 1794 01:49:59,640 --> 01:50:03,160 our budget within the mayor's office is special 1795 01:50:03,160 --> 01:50:08,215 programs. Those include community sponsored programs. Those are 1796 01:50:08,215 --> 01:50:10,855 things such as the Kiwanis Christmas Parade, which 1797 01:50:10,855 --> 01:50:14,535 we help fund, White Light Night, which is 1798 01:50:14,535 --> 01:50:18,855 a Dan ten Merchants Program. Different community events 1799 01:50:18,855 --> 01:50:23,449 are funded through this category. Economic development programs, 1800 01:50:23,850 --> 01:50:30,010 our actual, our lobbying functions are categorized in 1801 01:50:30,010 --> 01:50:34,585 that. We do have a Corsten Nichols that 1802 01:50:34,585 --> 01:50:36,825 does lobbying for us on the state level, 1803 01:50:36,825 --> 01:50:38,985 and we have Crossroads that does lobbying work 1804 01:50:38,985 --> 01:50:41,385 for us on the federal level. And then 1805 01:50:41,385 --> 01:50:45,785 under economic development programs, we have things such 1806 01:50:45,785 --> 01:50:48,665 as Oceans Medical, which we gave a stipend, 1807 01:50:49,100 --> 01:50:51,980 a ten year commitment to help incentivize them 1808 01:50:51,980 --> 01:50:55,900 to come to Baton Rouge. That's where these 1809 01:50:55,900 --> 01:50:58,940 funds come from. The summer youth program, there's 1810 01:50:58,940 --> 01:51:04,105 $200,000 in that category. There's also another $250,000 1811 01:51:04,105 --> 01:51:07,465 of ARP money for 2023 that will help 1812 01:51:07,465 --> 01:51:14,270 augment that program. Educational support initiatives used to 1813 01:51:14,270 --> 01:51:17,070 be Cradle to K. That funding is now 1814 01:51:17,070 --> 01:51:19,630 used for special education programs that we can 1815 01:51:19,630 --> 01:51:23,150 help fund through the mayor's office. Neighborhood revitalization 1816 01:51:23,150 --> 01:51:25,790 is a new category in our office. I 1817 01:51:25,790 --> 01:51:29,745 think we explained that in budget meetings. We 1818 01:51:29,745 --> 01:51:32,945 have a process that's been proven successful in 1819 01:51:32,945 --> 01:51:37,025 Monroe and in New Orleans to expedite the 1820 01:51:37,025 --> 01:51:39,665 blight remediation process and get some of those 1821 01:51:39,665 --> 01:51:43,360 properties back in the marketplace. What that does 1822 01:51:43,360 --> 01:51:44,560 is it will give us a way to 1823 01:51:44,560 --> 01:51:47,280 clear titles on the most distressed properties, the 1824 01:51:47,280 --> 01:51:48,880 ones that we just can't quite move through 1825 01:51:48,880 --> 01:51:51,440 the process. There's a way we can take 1826 01:51:51,440 --> 01:51:53,120 it through the court system and then clean 1827 01:51:53,120 --> 01:51:55,105 the title up and get it in commerce 1828 01:51:55,105 --> 01:51:58,064 very quickly. These funds will actually help us 1829 01:51:58,784 --> 01:52:03,025 basically start almost a revolving fund where the 1830 01:52:03,025 --> 01:52:04,864 funds will come in, the properties will be 1831 01:52:04,864 --> 01:52:06,770 sold and the money will go back to 1832 01:52:06,770 --> 01:52:09,970 continue the program. The Baton Rouge Film Commission 1833 01:52:09,970 --> 01:52:13,170 is actually funded through this category also. There's 1834 01:52:13,170 --> 01:52:15,970 a small increase in that this year. I 1835 01:52:15,970 --> 01:52:19,170 think in 2020 or 2019 when we had 1836 01:52:19,170 --> 01:52:21,455 to reduce budgets, we took a little bit 1837 01:52:21,455 --> 01:52:23,135 of money away from that group and we're 1838 01:52:23,135 --> 01:52:25,695 now giving it back. And I'm proud to 1839 01:52:25,695 --> 01:52:28,255 say that the Baton Rouge Film Commission is 1840 01:52:28,255 --> 01:52:32,255 doing extremely well. This year alone in 2020, 1841 01:52:32,255 --> 01:52:35,455 there's $81,000,000 of production that's been done in 1842 01:52:35,455 --> 01:52:39,050 Baton Rouge. The largest project was a Disney 1843 01:52:39,050 --> 01:52:41,130 production that's getting ready to have its main 1844 01:52:41,130 --> 01:52:47,130 screening. It was a $56,000,000 production. So that 1845 01:52:47,130 --> 01:52:49,370 summarizes where we are in terms of our 1846 01:52:49,370 --> 01:52:51,635 funding and where our money goes. Be glad 1847 01:52:51,635 --> 01:53:02,915 to answer any questions. Do. Okay. Councilwoman Banks. 1848 01:53:03,555 --> 01:53:07,400 In each of these categories, is it possible 1849 01:53:07,719 --> 01:53:14,120 based on a 2022 budget to break down 1850 01:53:14,120 --> 01:53:16,679 these initiatives, the ones that were current based 1851 01:53:16,679 --> 01:53:21,405 on districts? We could come back and do 1852 01:53:21,405 --> 01:53:24,205 that. Okay. I don't know about, I don't 1853 01:53:25,005 --> 01:53:28,445 know if And some of them, like I 1854 01:53:28,445 --> 01:53:34,480 was looking at I'm surprised the community sponsored 1855 01:53:34,480 --> 01:53:37,920 program, it looks like that amount, I'm surprised 1856 01:53:37,920 --> 01:53:40,720 it's only 65 because a lot of programs 1857 01:53:40,720 --> 01:53:44,735 have been sponsored through But as it relates 1858 01:53:44,735 --> 01:53:49,375 to that neighborhood revitalization, I probably did miss 1859 01:53:49,375 --> 01:53:54,175 that meeting last Tuesday. Is there a department 1860 01:53:54,175 --> 01:53:57,650 head for that? Marley Pittman who actually housed 1861 01:53:57,650 --> 01:54:00,050 in OCD. Marley who is here. Marley might 1862 01:54:00,050 --> 01:54:01,490 want to come up and give a little 1863 01:54:01,490 --> 01:54:04,770 information. Is actually going to oversee that program 1864 01:54:04,770 --> 01:54:07,970 and it's a program that Marley researched and 1865 01:54:07,970 --> 01:54:11,090 discovered and has convinced everybody that we need 1866 01:54:11,090 --> 01:54:14,125 to do a pilot program. If you have 1867 01:54:14,125 --> 01:54:18,765 time to briefly tell me who qualifies, is 1868 01:54:20,285 --> 01:54:23,565 it something that is from the top down 1869 01:54:23,565 --> 01:54:27,250 or can, is it for non profits, is 1870 01:54:27,250 --> 01:54:30,530 it for profits, how do you determine programs, 1871 01:54:31,330 --> 01:54:34,610 all that good stuff? Yes ma'am. So our 1872 01:54:34,610 --> 01:54:36,929 piece of the project is really about identifying 1873 01:54:36,929 --> 01:54:40,005 the most distressed properties that have had title 1874 01:54:40,005 --> 01:54:42,805 issues for years, if not decades. And so 1875 01:54:42,805 --> 01:54:44,325 this is a process that the city can 1876 01:54:44,325 --> 01:54:46,805 use. The ARP funding that y'all already dedicated 1877 01:54:46,805 --> 01:54:50,165 for blight work, once that property is cleared 1878 01:54:50,165 --> 01:54:52,179 of blight, to take it through a court 1879 01:54:52,179 --> 01:54:55,780 process, to then put it into the land 1880 01:54:55,780 --> 01:54:58,179 bank, so that we're then able to sell 1881 01:54:58,179 --> 01:55:00,900 that to non profits, local developers, and have 1882 01:55:00,900 --> 01:55:03,059 some community control over that property now that 1883 01:55:03,059 --> 01:55:05,614 it has cleared title. I know that there 1884 01:55:05,775 --> 01:55:08,415 we we wanna make sure that it is 1885 01:55:08,415 --> 01:55:09,935 quickly moved out of the land bank and 1886 01:55:09,935 --> 01:55:13,455 into community hands, but with cleared title, they'll 1887 01:55:13,455 --> 01:55:14,975 actually be able to get the financing that 1888 01:55:14,975 --> 01:55:16,415 they need to then do something with it, 1889 01:55:16,415 --> 01:55:17,935 so that property will be a lot more 1890 01:55:17,935 --> 01:55:20,390 useful to our local developers and to our 1891 01:55:20,390 --> 01:55:21,910 local nonprofits, and so there will be a 1892 01:55:21,910 --> 01:55:25,190 lot more interest in it. Because my concern 1893 01:55:25,190 --> 01:55:28,870 is when you said land bank. I know. 1894 01:55:28,870 --> 01:55:30,310 I'm not the man of the land bank 1895 01:55:30,310 --> 01:55:32,230 at all. No. Know. And so are we 1896 01:55:32,230 --> 01:55:34,230 still talking about the Bill Baton Rouge land 1897 01:55:34,230 --> 01:55:36,525 bank? Yes, ma'am. But what's key to know 1898 01:55:36,525 --> 01:55:38,845 is that the the reason the land bank 1899 01:55:38,845 --> 01:55:41,085 really isn't able to to live up to 1900 01:55:41,085 --> 01:55:44,525 some of those hopes that we have for 1901 01:55:44,525 --> 01:55:47,405 our community is that the enabling legislation for 1902 01:55:47,405 --> 01:55:49,429 how they were gonna clear its title, it 1903 01:55:49,429 --> 01:55:51,989 fell. And you know this, and but we 1904 01:55:51,989 --> 01:55:55,110 will actually be handling handing them titled cleared 1905 01:55:55,110 --> 01:55:58,070 title property from the Okay. So they won't 1906 01:55:58,150 --> 01:55:59,429 so we won't have to work with some 1907 01:55:59,429 --> 01:56:01,030 of those other existing issues. And then they'll 1908 01:56:01,030 --> 01:56:03,030 be able to use their equitable resale model 1909 01:56:03,435 --> 01:56:05,355 to get that back into people's hands. Because 1910 01:56:05,355 --> 01:56:06,635 our our goal is not to have the 1911 01:56:06,635 --> 01:56:09,195 auction determine these things. Sure. The other thing 1912 01:56:09,195 --> 01:56:12,155 is I'm concerned about big business with big 1913 01:56:12,155 --> 01:56:14,635 money eating up the little fish and the 1914 01:56:14,635 --> 01:56:18,080 little developers. Yes, ma'am. I'm thinking about a 1915 01:56:18,080 --> 01:56:21,760 particular piece of land that has been difficult, 1916 01:56:21,760 --> 01:56:25,760 it has been targeted by some very wealthy 1917 01:56:25,760 --> 01:56:28,639 people and I could see them using this 1918 01:56:28,639 --> 01:56:34,295 mechanism to clear title, but then there are 1919 01:56:34,295 --> 01:56:38,295 other less fortunate developers that would like to 1920 01:56:38,295 --> 01:56:42,135 have that same opportunity. And a lot of 1921 01:56:42,135 --> 01:56:47,120 these things happen absent the of the council 1922 01:56:47,120 --> 01:56:50,480 members. And so I like the idea that 1923 01:56:50,480 --> 01:56:54,800 when, for instance, ABC, when Okay. I've gotten 1924 01:56:54,800 --> 01:56:58,159 it where and and also planning where they 1925 01:56:58,159 --> 01:57:01,115 let us know what's coming down because they're 1926 01:57:01,195 --> 01:57:03,835 each one of our areas have may have 1927 01:57:03,835 --> 01:57:06,075 a focus that we're working on. And and 1928 01:57:06,075 --> 01:57:08,555 you can help to determine Right. So if 1929 01:57:08,555 --> 01:57:10,555 someone out the blue comes up with their 1930 01:57:10,555 --> 01:57:12,795 own little deal and we aren't aware, that's 1931 01:57:12,795 --> 01:57:16,510 taking resources from like, I work very closely 1932 01:57:16,510 --> 01:57:19,630 with CPEX in Scotlandville. And so if I'm 1933 01:57:19,630 --> 01:57:22,830 working with CPEX and Southern University and we're 1934 01:57:22,830 --> 01:57:26,270 going around trying to make sure that the 1935 01:57:26,270 --> 01:57:29,595 quality of life for people living, working, whatever 1936 01:57:29,595 --> 01:57:33,435 around Southern University and then somebody comes and 1937 01:57:33,435 --> 01:57:35,755 they go through this and it just mess 1938 01:57:35,755 --> 01:57:39,115 up the whole ecosystem. So I'm interested in 1939 01:57:39,115 --> 01:57:42,075 making sure, wanna know how we could mitigate 1940 01:57:42,075 --> 01:57:44,720 that, will that, And just, you know, a 1941 01:57:44,720 --> 01:57:47,680 little bit more focus on I don't wanna 1942 01:57:47,920 --> 01:57:49,920 I I don't like working six years to 1943 01:57:49,920 --> 01:57:51,680 get get us to a point and then 1944 01:57:51,680 --> 01:57:54,480 someone just come in and do their thing. 1945 01:57:54,800 --> 01:57:57,120 I mean, I think that clearly outlines why 1946 01:57:57,120 --> 01:57:59,445 we need to use the capabilities of a 1947 01:57:59,445 --> 01:58:01,045 land bank. Because we could just take it 1948 01:58:01,045 --> 01:58:03,605 to auction and then just whom Houston Developers 1949 01:58:03,605 --> 01:58:05,685 could kinda come in, use a tax write 1950 01:58:05,685 --> 01:58:07,445 off or something like talking about the the 1951 01:58:08,485 --> 01:58:11,500 service prior to that. Yes ma'am, so once 1952 01:58:11,500 --> 01:58:13,260 it's in a land bank, then the land 1953 01:58:13,260 --> 01:58:15,739 bank can adopt those community plans, can work 1954 01:58:15,739 --> 01:58:18,219 with council members to find ways to sell 1955 01:58:18,219 --> 01:58:20,380 and use that property that meets the best 1956 01:58:20,380 --> 01:58:22,219 needs of the districts, which really our council 1957 01:58:22,219 --> 01:58:24,744 members know. And I'm talking about before we 1958 01:58:24,744 --> 01:58:26,025 even get to that. So how do you 1959 01:58:26,025 --> 01:58:28,505 identify the One of my biggest points, problems 1960 01:58:28,505 --> 01:58:30,184 with land bank is that we just land 1961 01:58:30,184 --> 01:58:33,945 bank. And for me to when I've got 1962 01:58:33,945 --> 01:58:37,224 and talked to other programs that did redevelopment, 1963 01:58:37,700 --> 01:58:39,700 You don't just choose a piece of land. 1964 01:58:39,700 --> 01:58:43,460 Yeah. Used targeting, didn't And we're clear, you 1965 01:58:43,460 --> 01:58:48,020 have to have a specific plan. Yes, ma'am. 1966 01:58:48,020 --> 01:58:49,540 And as a matter of fact, anybody comes 1967 01:58:49,540 --> 01:58:51,220 You're talking my language. I You have to 1968 01:58:51,220 --> 01:58:53,135 have a plan before it even gets to 1969 01:58:53,135 --> 01:58:56,415 a land bank to qualify for all these 1970 01:58:56,415 --> 01:58:59,775 other things. Yeah. Because how often I mean, 1971 01:58:59,775 --> 01:59:02,575 these land bank, it stays forever, you know? 1972 01:59:02,575 --> 01:59:05,200 So I'm talking about where we get where 1973 01:59:05,200 --> 01:59:07,760 someone is coming to meet, they're like, we're 1974 01:59:07,920 --> 01:59:10,160 I'm trying to let's just say Scholumbert Avenue. 1975 01:59:10,160 --> 01:59:12,640 I'm trying to do the Scholumbert Avenue thing 1976 01:59:12,960 --> 01:59:16,160 and this particular property is in the land 1977 01:59:16,160 --> 01:59:18,400 bank Mhmm. And they're able to show you 1978 01:59:19,495 --> 01:59:25,094 substantial abilities and a plan, that should cut 1979 01:59:25,255 --> 01:59:27,895 before you just people just sit in there. 1980 01:59:27,895 --> 01:59:29,975 Yes, ma'am. And so I have several properties 1981 01:59:29,975 --> 01:59:32,600 like that that are in blend in the 1982 01:59:32,600 --> 01:59:34,440 land bank Mhmm. As being they don't have 1983 01:59:34,440 --> 01:59:35,880 to their title, so you can't keep them 1984 01:59:35,880 --> 01:59:38,120 with them. I don't want whatever the existing 1985 01:59:38,120 --> 01:59:40,760 land bank to you start working on those 1986 01:59:40,760 --> 01:59:42,920 property when I got some people waiting with 1987 01:59:42,920 --> 01:59:45,160 money in their pockets to do something else. 1988 01:59:45,160 --> 01:59:47,725 Ma'am. How do we avoid that? So the 1989 01:59:47,725 --> 01:59:49,085 best way to avoid that is to I 1990 01:59:49,085 --> 01:59:50,285 think it's what you said, is to pick 1991 01:59:50,285 --> 01:59:52,685 the properties in the beginning for this process 1992 01:59:52,685 --> 01:59:55,405 that are we know there's a community plan 1993 01:59:55,405 --> 01:59:57,725 for, we know that there's a community partner 1994 01:59:57,725 --> 01:59:59,405 that's ready and willing to do stuff. Because 1995 01:59:59,405 --> 02:00:01,730 I think I know that I have residents 1996 02:00:01,730 --> 02:00:03,489 that reach out to me, local developers that 1997 02:00:03,489 --> 02:00:04,690 reach out to me, same that do to 1998 02:00:04,690 --> 02:00:07,170 you. There is enough people in this community 1999 02:00:07,170 --> 02:00:08,930 who have things that they wanna achieve. So 2000 02:00:08,930 --> 02:00:10,050 we just need to work with them to 2001 02:00:10,050 --> 02:00:11,410 pick the we this is a pilot, so 2002 02:00:11,410 --> 02:00:14,415 just a little 25. It's a good Pilot. 2003 02:00:14,415 --> 02:00:16,735 So we're gonna pick those properties using data, 2004 02:00:16,735 --> 02:00:19,295 using our community partners. We'll take it through 2005 02:00:19,295 --> 02:00:21,375 this process. We'll we'll work out the kinks 2006 02:00:21,375 --> 02:00:23,055 on the small level, and then we'll get 2007 02:00:23,055 --> 02:00:24,895 to, you know, a place where once it 2008 02:00:24,895 --> 02:00:25,935 gets to the land bank, and then we 2009 02:00:25,935 --> 02:00:27,670 immediately sell it back out and we're able 2010 02:00:27,670 --> 02:00:28,869 to do what we need to do as 2011 02:00:28,869 --> 02:00:31,909 as a community with that land. Okay. And 2012 02:00:31,909 --> 02:00:34,469 then eventually get to where mister Gissel said 2013 02:00:34,469 --> 02:00:36,389 that if we're able to if this works 2014 02:00:36,389 --> 02:00:38,070 and then we're able to invest in this 2015 02:00:38,070 --> 02:00:39,110 in a real way, then we have a 2016 02:00:39,110 --> 02:00:41,925 revolving fund where we're constantly doing this. Mhmm. 2017 02:00:41,925 --> 02:00:43,365 And it might only take a year for 2018 02:00:43,365 --> 02:00:45,525 somebody to bring to you a good idea, 2019 02:00:45,845 --> 02:00:47,765 but this clear title has been abandoned for 2020 02:00:47,765 --> 02:00:50,005 ten years or more, fire, all that kind 2021 02:00:50,005 --> 02:00:52,165 of stuff. We'll be able to take it 2022 02:00:52,485 --> 02:00:55,400 through this process, land bank sold within a 2023 02:00:55,400 --> 02:00:56,840 year, year and a half, as opposed to 2024 02:00:56,840 --> 02:01:01,079 a ten year auction, prescriptive period adjudication process. 2025 02:01:03,400 --> 02:01:10,414 Yes, ma'am? Yes, ma'am? Okay. In the right 2026 02:01:10,414 --> 02:01:16,255 area. Mhmm. But I've gone from ten years 2027 02:01:16,255 --> 02:01:19,934 of promising and believing god for Scotlandville area 2028 02:01:19,934 --> 02:01:23,439 to have a full service grocery store. To 2029 02:01:23,440 --> 02:01:26,880 the possibility of having a one and a 2030 02:01:26,880 --> 02:01:31,439 half grocery store. But in the special projects, 2031 02:01:33,280 --> 02:01:36,000 how do we fit that into economic development 2032 02:01:36,000 --> 02:01:40,145 program? You know, we've done Healthy BR. I've 2033 02:01:40,145 --> 02:01:42,625 approved Healthy BR with the promise that it's 2034 02:01:42,625 --> 02:01:44,385 going to get a grocery store in Scotlandville. 2035 02:01:44,385 --> 02:01:48,545 And then once it's approved, I've heard from 2036 02:01:48,545 --> 02:01:51,500 grocery stores from the top of Bank 1 2037 02:01:51,500 --> 02:01:56,059 in downtown to Plank Road to everywhere else 2038 02:01:56,219 --> 02:01:57,980 and so of course I feel like I've 2039 02:01:57,980 --> 02:02:01,660 been I've I've been duped. Then I've there's 2040 02:02:01,660 --> 02:02:05,660 been it we've we've in the past approved 2041 02:02:05,735 --> 02:02:10,855 money for strategic retail strategies. I'm thinking we 2042 02:02:10,855 --> 02:02:13,815 are working again on Scotlandville because nobody was 2043 02:02:13,815 --> 02:02:17,175 talking about a grocery store other than Scotlandville 2044 02:02:17,175 --> 02:02:21,420 for ten years. No other it has the 2045 02:02:21,420 --> 02:02:23,980 largest food bank. It's where all the interest 2046 02:02:23,980 --> 02:02:26,619 was. But like every good plan, once you 2047 02:02:26,619 --> 02:02:28,619 start, then everybody sees it as a good 2048 02:02:28,619 --> 02:02:32,395 plan for their communities. And, you know, I've 2049 02:02:32,395 --> 02:02:34,475 heard the excuse of, well, if I make 2050 02:02:34,475 --> 02:02:37,115 it just for your community, your other colleagues 2051 02:02:37,115 --> 02:02:39,035 are going to get upset, and all kind 2052 02:02:39,035 --> 02:02:41,835 of foolishness like that. How do I get 2053 02:02:41,835 --> 02:02:45,995 to the place where there is a sincere 2054 02:02:46,315 --> 02:02:50,420 focus on a grocery store in this budget, 2055 02:02:50,739 --> 02:02:53,540 in the Scholumbier community, not that we cut 2056 02:02:53,540 --> 02:02:57,540 shortcuts, because I'm confident that we wouldn't check 2057 02:02:57,540 --> 02:03:00,565 the box that are necessary, but that we 2058 02:03:00,565 --> 02:03:02,565 go through the real plan because we don't 2059 02:03:02,565 --> 02:03:04,804 want a project that's gonna Right. And that 2060 02:03:04,804 --> 02:03:09,925 no other funds are there's a dedicated funding 2061 02:03:09,925 --> 02:03:13,940 stream just like we did with Costco under 2062 02:03:13,940 --> 02:03:18,100 Melvin Kip Holden. Like, what does it take 2063 02:03:18,100 --> 02:03:20,820 for that? We still have, and Linda could 2064 02:03:20,820 --> 02:03:23,700 correct me, we still have $750,000 that was 2065 02:03:23,700 --> 02:03:25,700 allocated for a grocery store and I think 2066 02:03:25,700 --> 02:03:27,540 the big issue has been trying to find, 2067 02:03:28,315 --> 02:03:31,755 right now it's set up for disinvested community 2068 02:03:31,755 --> 02:03:34,795 for a food desert. But that's the problem. 2069 02:03:36,715 --> 02:03:38,635 When we deal with downtown, we didn't deal 2070 02:03:38,635 --> 02:03:40,475 with city of Baton Rouge, we dealt with 2071 02:03:40,475 --> 02:03:43,190 downtown. When we dealt with Plank Row, we 2072 02:03:43,190 --> 02:03:45,110 dealt with Plank Row. When we dealt with 2073 02:03:45,110 --> 02:03:47,030 Arden Wood, we say Arden Wood. But when 2074 02:03:47,030 --> 02:03:50,550 it talks about a grocery store in Scotlandville 2075 02:03:50,550 --> 02:03:54,405 that had that had four grocery stores and 2076 02:03:54,405 --> 02:03:59,204 because of federal, state, and local disinvestment, we 2077 02:03:59,204 --> 02:04:02,804 lost those arteries. So at what point is 2078 02:04:02,804 --> 02:04:06,485 there gonna be the retail reciprocity owed to 2079 02:04:06,485 --> 02:04:08,645 the people in the community in and around 2080 02:04:08,645 --> 02:04:12,710 Scotlandville where this city says we are focusing 2081 02:04:12,950 --> 02:04:16,390 on a grocery store in the community of 2082 02:04:16,390 --> 02:04:21,350 Scotlandville. I can say as a realtor from 2083 02:04:21,350 --> 02:04:23,830 the outside, I've worked on grocery store projects 2084 02:04:23,830 --> 02:04:26,514 in other communities and the tough thing there 2085 02:04:26,514 --> 02:04:29,554 is trying to incentivize someone to come in 2086 02:04:29,554 --> 02:04:31,474 which those funds are actually there for. And 2087 02:04:31,635 --> 02:04:37,474 it has never happened, that's my I'm asking 2088 02:04:37,474 --> 02:04:39,635 Darrell to defer to me on this because 2089 02:04:39,635 --> 02:04:42,730 I think that it's something that I could 2090 02:04:42,730 --> 02:04:46,810 probably speak to a little bit more in-depth 2091 02:04:47,530 --> 02:04:52,090 as it relates to the whole grocery store 2092 02:04:52,090 --> 02:04:56,005 closing that gap. I think you will recall 2093 02:04:56,005 --> 02:04:58,005 and maybe some of your colleagues, but you 2094 02:04:58,005 --> 02:05:02,485 certainly have the longevity here. When I first 2095 02:05:02,485 --> 02:05:09,850 came in office, we started an initiative with 2096 02:05:09,850 --> 02:05:13,130 the Fresh food initiative. Yeah, but we started 2097 02:05:13,130 --> 02:05:19,130 an initiative with Together Baton Rouge that asked 2098 02:05:19,130 --> 02:05:23,445 us to use some of our resources to 2099 02:05:23,445 --> 02:05:28,645 help uplift and stand up a grocery store 2100 02:05:28,645 --> 02:05:32,405 in disinvested communities. The name of the company, 2101 02:05:32,565 --> 02:05:35,125 not really a company but nonprofit, was Hope. 2102 02:05:37,280 --> 02:05:41,440 We all came into agreement, counsel as well 2103 02:05:41,440 --> 02:05:44,480 as the administration on that would be a 2104 02:05:44,480 --> 02:05:48,160 good path forward. I will be very candid 2105 02:05:48,160 --> 02:05:50,720 with you and say that we did not 2106 02:05:50,720 --> 02:05:53,365 see the results that we thought we were 2107 02:05:53,365 --> 02:05:55,445 going to see. Now, I'm not going to 2108 02:05:56,005 --> 02:05:59,605 cast a negative light on hope. I think 2109 02:05:59,605 --> 02:06:04,485 that perhaps they it was a little bit 2110 02:06:04,485 --> 02:06:07,969 more challenging for them than than they anticipated. 2111 02:06:09,090 --> 02:06:12,850 Fast forward, as Daryl said, we still have 2112 02:06:12,850 --> 02:06:17,489 that money and that commitment. For example, I 2113 02:06:17,489 --> 02:06:20,455 want to say it was either the North 2114 02:06:20,455 --> 02:06:23,415 Baton Rouge Economic Development District or the Blue 2115 02:06:23,415 --> 02:06:26,935 Ribbon Commission. One of those groups asked us 2116 02:06:26,935 --> 02:06:32,329 to help support a study for retail. And 2117 02:06:32,329 --> 02:06:34,170 I think that I don't know which group 2118 02:06:34,170 --> 02:06:35,929 that was but it was one of the 2119 02:06:35,929 --> 02:06:38,729 groups in the North Baton Rouge area that 2120 02:06:38,809 --> 02:06:40,809 coincides with some of the work that's being 2121 02:06:40,809 --> 02:06:43,130 done in Scotlandville. Do you recall which group 2122 02:06:43,130 --> 02:06:45,495 that was? No, I know it wasn't in 2123 02:06:45,495 --> 02:06:47,175 NBR now because we know that we don't 2124 02:06:47,175 --> 02:06:49,255 need any more studies. We know that together 2125 02:06:49,255 --> 02:06:51,495 Baton Rouge for six years, I already did 2126 02:06:51,495 --> 02:06:54,295 a study on it. It was one of 2127 02:06:54,295 --> 02:06:56,295 Probably NBR now because they came in late. 2128 02:06:56,295 --> 02:06:58,295 Okay, it was one of those groups. But 2129 02:06:58,295 --> 02:07:03,230 with that being said, the commitment to having 2130 02:07:03,230 --> 02:07:08,190 closing that grocery gap, it still exists. Is 2131 02:07:08,190 --> 02:07:11,230 there a specific plan now that we have 2132 02:07:11,230 --> 02:07:13,630 all rallied around, whether it's been the council 2133 02:07:13,630 --> 02:07:16,954 or the administration? There's not a specific plan 2134 02:07:16,954 --> 02:07:19,514 at this moment, but we still have the 2135 02:07:19,514 --> 02:07:22,554 dollars. We still have the resources to make 2136 02:07:22,554 --> 02:07:25,275 that happen. And I don't think there's anybody, 2137 02:07:25,275 --> 02:07:27,435 whether it's a council member, certainly not my 2138 02:07:27,435 --> 02:07:31,680 administration, that does not want to see a 2139 02:07:31,680 --> 02:07:36,560 grocery store happen in the Scotlandville area. You 2140 02:07:36,560 --> 02:07:39,520 mentioned a few minutes ago being specific. I 2141 02:07:39,520 --> 02:07:42,080 have no problem with Scotlandville because I believe 2142 02:07:42,080 --> 02:07:44,535 that it is certainly part of the fabric 2143 02:07:44,535 --> 02:07:47,655 of North Baton Rouge. And when you put 2144 02:07:47,655 --> 02:07:51,735 a grocery store in Scotlandville, you certainly help 2145 02:07:51,735 --> 02:07:54,615 empower North Baton Rouge. So I don't have 2146 02:07:54,615 --> 02:07:57,895 a problem with that. And the administration is 2147 02:07:57,895 --> 02:08:02,840 certainly open to any plans that perhaps we 2148 02:08:02,840 --> 02:08:06,599 can incentivize. As you well know, Councilwoman, there 2149 02:08:06,840 --> 02:08:09,320 were nothing at one point, and I think 2150 02:08:09,320 --> 02:08:11,239 we all had a meeting about this, a 2151 02:08:11,239 --> 02:08:14,325 public meeting at the library where we were 2152 02:08:14,325 --> 02:08:18,245 talking about the different the potential of having 2153 02:08:18,245 --> 02:08:21,685 grocery stores in the Scotlandville area because there 2154 02:08:21,685 --> 02:08:23,685 had been a lot of discussion around it. 2155 02:08:23,685 --> 02:08:26,565 You remember that meeting? I'm not remember. Is 2156 02:08:26,565 --> 02:08:29,139 Scotlandville Library? No we had it right next 2157 02:08:29,139 --> 02:08:31,699 I probably wasn't there. Okay well some of 2158 02:08:31,699 --> 02:08:35,219 the members of the Schollerville community who've been 2159 02:08:35,219 --> 02:08:36,820 working on that and I think some of 2160 02:08:36,820 --> 02:08:38,260 them have been working with you on that 2161 02:08:38,260 --> 02:08:42,355 were at that meeting. Nevertheless, I would certainly 2162 02:08:42,355 --> 02:08:53,480 welcome any tangible strategic partnership that speaks directly 2163 02:08:53,480 --> 02:08:58,360 to let's get a grocery store in Scotlandville 2164 02:08:58,440 --> 02:09:04,600 with Plan ABC. I do believe that there 2165 02:09:04,600 --> 02:09:07,575 are some other initiatives, as you may well 2166 02:09:07,575 --> 02:09:11,975 know from some of the state legislators, that 2167 02:09:11,975 --> 02:09:16,615 are trying to certainly bring a grocery store 2168 02:09:16,615 --> 02:09:21,000 to that area as well. Listen, we have 2169 02:09:21,000 --> 02:09:25,480 room for more than one grocery store when 2170 02:09:25,480 --> 02:09:29,080 it comes to disinvested communities. So the money 2171 02:09:29,080 --> 02:09:33,305 is here. We are certainly willing and ready 2172 02:09:33,305 --> 02:09:35,784 to move forward with a plan of action. 2173 02:09:36,425 --> 02:09:39,945 So I think, you know, I hear what 2174 02:09:39,945 --> 02:09:42,505 you're saying and I've heard those things before 2175 02:09:43,380 --> 02:09:46,020 as it relates to you saying you care 2176 02:09:46,020 --> 02:09:49,860 about Schollinville and you support, but then when 2177 02:09:49,860 --> 02:09:51,780 we get down to the nuts of Nabalta 2178 02:09:51,780 --> 02:09:54,179 and we bring a plan and we think 2179 02:09:54,179 --> 02:09:56,145 we're ready to go, then you renege on 2180 02:09:56,145 --> 02:09:58,385 those plans. Well I disagree with you. You 2181 02:09:58,385 --> 02:10:01,425 continue and then I'll rebut. Yes, and then 2182 02:10:01,425 --> 02:10:03,824 so the thing about it is one of 2183 02:10:03,824 --> 02:10:05,664 the reasons why we've come up with so 2184 02:10:05,664 --> 02:10:10,199 many plans is because when there have, when 2185 02:10:10,199 --> 02:10:12,920 the goal, when you set a goal such 2186 02:10:12,920 --> 02:10:16,360 as in 2016 and you don't move forward, 2187 02:10:16,360 --> 02:10:19,559 it gives an opportunity for more people to 2188 02:10:19,559 --> 02:10:22,840 just come up with ideas because it's difficult 2189 02:10:23,545 --> 02:10:27,784 to have someone setting a precedent and a 2190 02:10:27,784 --> 02:10:31,864 leadership and stating specifically this is the direction 2191 02:10:31,864 --> 02:10:35,065 we're going. That takes leadership. And so that's 2192 02:10:35,065 --> 02:10:38,540 why we get all these people who have 2193 02:10:38,540 --> 02:10:41,740 not been vested in Schuylenville Twenty And Thirty 2194 02:10:41,740 --> 02:10:44,140 Years, go out of office forty years, come 2195 02:10:44,140 --> 02:10:48,140 back, and they have the assets and they 2196 02:10:48,140 --> 02:10:51,324 are able to get the money at the 2197 02:10:51,325 --> 02:10:54,605 federal level or the state level, you know, 2198 02:10:54,605 --> 02:10:58,685 all out the door. And if we're discombobulated 2199 02:10:58,685 --> 02:11:03,405 with no one standing and saying, this is 2200 02:11:03,405 --> 02:11:06,300 where we are and this is the direction 2201 02:11:06,300 --> 02:11:09,659 we're going. So, it has put me, someone 2202 02:11:09,659 --> 02:11:14,139 who has been fighting since 2012, to get 2203 02:11:14,139 --> 02:11:16,940 these projects off the road to be in 2204 02:11:16,940 --> 02:11:20,415 some several areas of conflict. You know, when 2205 02:11:20,415 --> 02:11:23,775 you met mention North Baton Rouge Economic Development 2206 02:11:23,775 --> 02:11:25,855 District, they weren't even the North Baton Rouge 2207 02:11:25,855 --> 02:11:30,255 Economic Development District when we started getting these 2208 02:11:30,255 --> 02:11:33,050 plans together. They had no funding. They didn't 2209 02:11:33,050 --> 02:11:36,170 even cover at that time. They didn't they 2210 02:11:36,170 --> 02:11:38,410 were not even part of our district. Our 2211 02:11:38,410 --> 02:11:42,250 district didn't even cover their boundaries. So, my 2212 02:11:42,250 --> 02:11:45,655 problem is, you know, just like we're heroes 2213 02:11:45,655 --> 02:11:47,735 for hope, we came up with a plan. 2214 02:11:47,735 --> 02:11:50,375 We we we did every the the dots. 2215 02:11:50,535 --> 02:11:53,255 You know, those developers based on your word, 2216 02:11:53,255 --> 02:11:55,655 based on you bringing that to the council, 2217 02:11:55,895 --> 02:11:58,855 based on you approving those things, and now 2218 02:11:58,855 --> 02:12:01,519 we gotta go to council we gotta get 2219 02:12:01,519 --> 02:12:03,280 the the federal people that gave us the 2220 02:12:03,280 --> 02:12:05,679 money, we done everything, and now you're making 2221 02:12:05,679 --> 02:12:10,399 the developers go ask congressman Graves and congressman 2222 02:12:10,400 --> 02:12:13,199 Carter, and they think it's laughable. And so 2223 02:12:13,199 --> 02:12:17,265 I am dis disgusted that, you know, that 2224 02:12:17,265 --> 02:12:19,425 it's lip service that we could If you 2225 02:12:19,425 --> 02:12:22,065 would come with a plan, that you're gonna 2226 02:12:22,065 --> 02:12:23,825 support it and that you don't have a 2227 02:12:23,825 --> 02:12:26,305 problem with it because in the reality of 2228 02:12:26,305 --> 02:12:28,670 it, we don't see it. And that is 2229 02:12:28,670 --> 02:12:31,870 the disgust and there's no, no, no, there 2230 02:12:31,870 --> 02:12:35,230 is no working together. You know, that's me 2231 02:12:35,230 --> 02:12:37,870 stuck out trying to help developers who put 2232 02:12:37,870 --> 02:12:40,990 all their funding on the retail side based 2233 02:12:40,990 --> 02:12:43,905 on an approval and you don't give a 2234 02:12:43,905 --> 02:12:45,985 damn about the fact that they losing money 2235 02:12:45,985 --> 02:12:49,105 every day. And that's a that's a problem 2236 02:12:49,105 --> 02:12:52,545 for me. And you have the asset. You 2237 02:12:52,545 --> 02:12:55,105 have the federal. You have the ability to 2238 02:12:55,105 --> 02:12:57,344 go to treasure. We've I've asked for that. 2239 02:12:57,590 --> 02:13:00,389 We've asked you to to show to all 2240 02:13:00,389 --> 02:13:04,229 the documentation. I've talked to finance to explain 2241 02:13:04,309 --> 02:13:06,949 what where they're different. We've done everything we 2242 02:13:06,949 --> 02:13:08,710 could do. So, for you to say that 2243 02:13:08,710 --> 02:13:11,315 if we follow that same path to get 2244 02:13:11,315 --> 02:13:14,835 a grocery store, it is is not is 2245 02:13:14,835 --> 02:13:18,034 not really something that I could put my 2246 02:13:18,034 --> 02:13:20,594 dollars on or that I could go back 2247 02:13:20,594 --> 02:13:23,235 to the people and say, the mayor said, 2248 02:13:23,235 --> 02:13:24,995 I can I no longer have that kind 2249 02:13:24,995 --> 02:13:27,900 of support or belief that you would do 2250 02:13:27,900 --> 02:13:31,340 it because you reneged on this other deal? 2251 02:13:32,060 --> 02:13:37,820 So, Councilwoman, it's unfortunate that you feel that 2252 02:13:38,540 --> 02:13:43,895 yeah, it's unfortunate that you listen, I'm not 2253 02:13:43,895 --> 02:13:46,455 gonna I'm not going, you know, I could 2254 02:13:46,455 --> 02:13:49,335 I think you have confused the truth. How 2255 02:13:49,335 --> 02:13:51,495 about we say that? And I'm not gonna 2256 02:13:51,495 --> 02:13:53,895 get into that debate. I've told you time 2257 02:13:53,895 --> 02:13:55,415 and time again, if you want to talk 2258 02:13:55,415 --> 02:13:58,369 to me about that in a civil manner, 2259 02:13:58,690 --> 02:14:00,690 you have come to my We have emailed 2260 02:14:00,690 --> 02:14:02,530 you. But you have you seen the emails 2261 02:14:02,530 --> 02:14:05,489 you Listen, listen. I'm not going to debate 2262 02:14:05,489 --> 02:14:08,050 that with you right now. I'm not going 2263 02:14:08,050 --> 02:14:09,730 to debate it with you right now. If 2264 02:14:09,730 --> 02:14:10,530 you want to have a civil conversation with 2265 02:14:10,530 --> 02:14:15,435 I have had those conversations with you and 2266 02:14:15,435 --> 02:14:17,755 you dismissed them. I have I have. I've 2267 02:14:17,755 --> 02:14:19,195 gone I've gone to every Are you gonna 2268 02:14:19,195 --> 02:14:21,595 let me talk? I listen to you. But 2269 02:14:21,595 --> 02:14:24,635 you're not Madam Leader, Councilwoman, I listen to 2270 02:14:24,635 --> 02:14:27,040 you. I am telling the truth. Mary, you're 2271 02:14:27,040 --> 02:14:28,880 I am telling the truth. Councilor. And I'm 2272 02:14:28,880 --> 02:14:30,400 not going to let you try to discredit 2273 02:14:30,400 --> 02:14:31,680 me. Well, miss. I'm not going to get 2274 02:14:31,680 --> 02:14:33,520 up here and debate with you. I'm not 2275 02:14:33,520 --> 02:14:36,080 going know the problem is you. You worry 2276 02:14:36,080 --> 02:14:39,375 about yourself. That's the problem. You're delusional about 2277 02:14:39,375 --> 02:14:41,375 some of this stuff you're talking about. And 2278 02:14:41,375 --> 02:14:43,455 call the developers, they'll tell you about the 2279 02:14:43,455 --> 02:14:45,375 money that they're The developers tell me one 2280 02:14:45,375 --> 02:14:48,415 thing and they have another conversation with But 2281 02:14:49,055 --> 02:14:50,895 let me just say this, do you want 2282 02:14:50,895 --> 02:14:52,415 to allow me a time to speak or 2283 02:14:52,415 --> 02:14:53,695 you don't? If you're not going tell the 2284 02:14:53,695 --> 02:14:55,330 truth. I'm to tell the truth. I'm gonna 2285 02:14:55,330 --> 02:14:58,850 tell the truth. All right let's see, I 2286 02:14:58,850 --> 02:15:03,570 think this one is. All right. Councilwoman, the 2287 02:15:03,570 --> 02:15:07,170 truth is when you brought that program to 2288 02:15:07,170 --> 02:15:12,025 me, I readily embraced it. I am still 2289 02:15:12,265 --> 02:15:15,785 very dedicated to the project, whether you believe 2290 02:15:15,785 --> 02:15:20,185 it or not. The proof is the pudding, 2291 02:15:20,185 --> 02:15:22,745 and we are getting to that point. But 2292 02:15:22,745 --> 02:15:26,109 the issue is, I'm going to do everything 2293 02:15:26,429 --> 02:15:30,829 decently, in order, cross every T, dot every 2294 02:15:30,829 --> 02:15:34,270 I. So I do not put you, the 2295 02:15:34,270 --> 02:15:38,535 developers, this administration, at any liability. Now I'm 2296 02:15:38,535 --> 02:15:40,455 not going if you wanna have an extended 2297 02:15:40,455 --> 02:15:41,815 conversation with me If we ask you to 2298 02:15:41,815 --> 02:15:43,735 go to U. Treasury, how that's not in 2299 02:15:43,735 --> 02:15:46,935 If if if you wanna have an extended 2300 02:15:46,935 --> 02:15:51,030 conversation with me about this in addition to 2301 02:15:51,030 --> 02:15:54,150 what we've all the information we've already shared 2302 02:15:54,310 --> 02:15:56,550 then you can do that but I'm not 2303 02:15:56,550 --> 02:15:58,230 going to do it at the budget hearing. 2304 02:15:59,190 --> 02:16:02,235 Okay thank you very much thank you. Alright, 2305 02:16:02,235 --> 02:16:04,715 at this time we're gonna ask that the 2306 02:16:05,595 --> 02:16:12,235 Office of Community Development come on down and 2307 02:16:12,235 --> 02:16:14,555 I just hope no children were watching. Come 2308 02:16:14,555 --> 02:16:16,860 on, come on baby. Children need to know 2309 02:16:16,860 --> 02:16:20,220 about debates. That's why our kids can't function. 2310 02:16:20,220 --> 02:16:33,695 They don't have a void. Thank you. Good 2311 02:16:33,695 --> 02:16:37,375 evening council members. We'll be going through, of 2312 02:16:37,375 --> 02:16:39,615 course, the mayor's office of community development budget 2313 02:16:39,615 --> 02:16:42,094 today. The two documents that you have, one 2314 02:16:42,094 --> 02:16:43,695 is a presentation that is on the screen. 2315 02:16:44,010 --> 02:16:46,170 The other is the detailed budget as well 2316 02:16:46,170 --> 02:16:48,729 that breaks down some of the costs. For 2317 02:16:48,729 --> 02:16:51,850 the office of community development, of course, we're 2318 02:16:51,850 --> 02:16:55,049 currently staffed at four full time staffers and 2319 02:16:55,049 --> 02:16:59,704 nine contracted employees, which includes, of course, our 2320 02:16:59,704 --> 02:17:02,584 community revitalization director that you spoke with earlier. 2321 02:17:02,824 --> 02:17:05,064 It's important to note as we go through 2322 02:17:05,064 --> 02:17:07,865 the budget for the Office of Community Development, 2323 02:17:07,943 --> 02:17:11,700 it is comprised of entitlement funds as well 2324 02:17:11,700 --> 02:17:15,221 as general fund budget as well, which we'll 2325 02:17:15,221 --> 02:17:17,780 go through on the next slide. In the 2326 02:17:17,780 --> 02:17:20,900 first quarter of twenty twenty two, we also 2327 02:17:20,900 --> 02:17:23,700 went paperless in OCD. If you spent any 2328 02:17:23,700 --> 02:17:25,745 time on the Seventh Floor, you'd know that 2329 02:17:25,745 --> 02:17:29,344 we had rooms filled with boxes of files 2330 02:17:29,344 --> 02:17:32,545 that dated back into the early 2000s, '20 2331 02:17:32,545 --> 02:17:35,905 '10. Our team has now gone paperless in 2332 02:17:35,905 --> 02:17:38,305 doing that. We also held a boot camp 2333 02:17:38,305 --> 02:17:41,150 for our new employees and hosted an affordable 2334 02:17:41,150 --> 02:17:45,230 housing developer workshop all within City Parish. In 2335 02:17:45,230 --> 02:17:47,150 the past, you've seen many of these instances 2336 02:17:47,150 --> 02:17:49,950 done through contractors or third parties, but our 2337 02:17:49,950 --> 02:17:52,805 department has taken on that task. If you 2338 02:17:52,805 --> 02:17:54,485 look behind me, you'll see a row of 2339 02:17:54,485 --> 02:17:56,805 folks. I'm really elated that they've taken their 2340 02:17:56,805 --> 02:17:59,844 time while off to join us today to 2341 02:17:59,844 --> 02:18:02,165 see and understand the proceedings of the Office 2342 02:18:02,165 --> 02:18:04,805 of Community Development, and these contractors and employees 2343 02:18:04,805 --> 02:18:07,365 are committed to the process of improving our 2344 02:18:07,365 --> 02:18:10,568 department and making sure that we are putting 2345 02:18:10,568 --> 02:18:13,209 out our federal funds in a timely fashion 2346 02:18:13,209 --> 02:18:16,969 and a compliant fashion as well. In that, 2347 02:18:16,969 --> 02:18:19,450 we've also had an annual stakeholder meeting for 2348 02:18:19,450 --> 02:18:22,295 community input for our action plan and we've 2349 02:18:22,295 --> 02:18:25,976 hosted a statewide lead hazard reduction grantee meeting 2350 02:18:26,056 --> 02:18:28,216 and many of our members have also attended 2351 02:18:28,216 --> 02:18:32,136 several community development association conferences to increase professional 2352 02:18:32,136 --> 02:18:35,016 development to be able to vet projects within 2353 02:18:35,016 --> 02:18:38,880 our community. Our major programs are funded by 2354 02:18:38,880 --> 02:18:41,841 those four entitlements, which you'll see on the 2355 02:18:41,841 --> 02:18:46,240 next slide, which is CDBG, Community Development Block 2356 02:18:46,240 --> 02:18:52,056 Grants, HOME, HOPWA, housing opportunities for persons with 2357 02:18:52,056 --> 02:18:57,255 AIDS and ESG. Within these grants, you'll see 2358 02:18:57,255 --> 02:19:00,535 under here that we've listed how these funds 2359 02:19:00,535 --> 02:19:03,016 are eligible to be used, whether it's home 2360 02:19:03,016 --> 02:19:09,709 buying activities, homeowner rehab, public facilities, public services, 2361 02:19:10,030 --> 02:19:12,430 and then with our home dollars, construction and 2362 02:19:12,430 --> 02:19:17,311 rehab for sidewalks, utility connections, soft costs, also 2363 02:19:17,311 --> 02:19:21,684 converting properties from commercial to residential, homeowner rehab, 2364 02:19:21,684 --> 02:19:25,445 and tenant based rental assistance. Speaking to some 2365 02:19:25,445 --> 02:19:27,205 of the programs that we've had within these 2366 02:19:27,205 --> 02:19:29,924 budgets, we've done many projects in the North 2367 02:19:29,924 --> 02:19:32,565 Baton Rouge area because these funds are focused 2368 02:19:32,565 --> 02:19:35,900 towards low to moderate income households. For example, 2369 02:19:35,900 --> 02:19:38,300 we've had Elm Grove Capstone Project, which put 2370 02:19:38,300 --> 02:19:42,141 $1,400,000 of home dollars in the Scotlandville area. 2371 02:19:42,540 --> 02:19:45,980 YWCA Providence Place, dollars seven and fifty six 2372 02:19:45,980 --> 02:19:49,261 thousand home project for domestic violence victims with 2373 02:19:49,261 --> 02:19:52,995 the YWCA. Central Road Rehab, which is also 2374 02:19:52,995 --> 02:19:55,955 in the Scotlandville area, 600 ks. And then 2375 02:19:55,955 --> 02:19:59,555 UREC Foster Oaks, dollars one point seven million 2376 02:19:59,555 --> 02:20:02,675 has been put in within those areas. In 2377 02:20:02,675 --> 02:20:05,110 the last three to four years, we've put 2378 02:20:05,110 --> 02:20:09,750 out approximately $10,000,000 in active housing projects for 2379 02:20:09,750 --> 02:20:13,671 low to moderate income home buyer rental properties 2380 02:20:13,671 --> 02:20:16,631 with developers within our community. And if you 2381 02:20:16,631 --> 02:20:19,945 include the C and I grant, Choice Neighborhood 2382 02:20:19,945 --> 02:20:22,905 grant that came from HUD that awarded $30,000,000 2383 02:20:22,905 --> 02:20:26,825 to our parish, we also included $1,500,000 in 2384 02:20:26,825 --> 02:20:28,825 an add on allocation to that as well 2385 02:20:28,825 --> 02:20:32,720 in entitlement funding to support land acquisition and 2386 02:20:32,720 --> 02:20:35,360 rehab that was needed to support that project. 2387 02:20:36,800 --> 02:20:40,160 If you go to the next slide. The 2388 02:20:40,160 --> 02:20:42,800 Office of Community Development within the last few 2389 02:20:42,800 --> 02:20:46,320 years has also received a large amount of 2390 02:20:46,880 --> 02:20:49,435 non entitlement funding as well. What you're looking 2391 02:20:49,435 --> 02:20:52,635 at on this slide particular is our funding 2392 02:20:52,635 --> 02:20:56,875 sources for general fund as well as our 2393 02:20:56,875 --> 02:21:01,435 entitlement programs. As you'll see, 2023 has dates 2394 02:21:01,435 --> 02:21:03,790 in that column. The reason why is because 2395 02:21:03,790 --> 02:21:06,110 we do not receive our entitlements for that 2396 02:21:06,110 --> 02:21:09,870 year until September. So the funding that you'll 2397 02:21:09,870 --> 02:21:12,190 see for fiscal year twenty twenty two will 2398 02:21:12,190 --> 02:21:16,415 actually be spent in 2023. Some of these 2399 02:21:16,415 --> 02:21:18,975 dollars also carry over from year to year 2400 02:21:18,975 --> 02:21:21,215 when you look at the budget within the 2401 02:21:21,215 --> 02:21:23,615 budget book, so you'll see that there's increased 2402 02:21:23,615 --> 02:21:26,815 funding year over year based upon carryover from 2403 02:21:26,815 --> 02:21:32,450 those entitlement funds. For 2022 entitlement funds, again, 2404 02:21:32,450 --> 02:21:35,090 that are spent in 2023, you're looking at 2405 02:21:35,090 --> 02:21:39,971 $3,200,000 in CDBG funding, dollars 2,000,000 in HOPWA 2406 02:21:39,971 --> 02:21:45,275 funding, 1.5 in home funding and 273,000 in 2407 02:21:45,275 --> 02:21:48,715 ESG. Those entitlement funds is where most of 2408 02:21:48,715 --> 02:21:53,915 our dollars for our staffing, contracts and administration 2409 02:21:53,915 --> 02:21:56,630 of various grant programs and activities take place 2410 02:21:56,630 --> 02:22:00,790 year over year. There's a reduction from 2022 2411 02:22:00,790 --> 02:22:04,311 into 2023 for the general fund budget. There 2412 02:22:04,311 --> 02:22:07,604 was a special allocation of $400,000 that you 2413 02:22:07,604 --> 02:22:10,005 all, along with Mayor Broome, awarded to the 2414 02:22:10,005 --> 02:22:13,604 Office of Community Development to improve processes for 2415 02:22:13,604 --> 02:22:16,564 our home rehabilitation program, which is why you 2416 02:22:16,564 --> 02:22:19,685 saw there was a special infusion in 2022 2417 02:22:19,685 --> 02:22:21,285 that's not a part of the normal allocation, 2418 02:22:21,900 --> 02:22:26,620 and traditionally the department receives 392,000 but you 2419 02:22:26,620 --> 02:22:29,101 had Daryl reference that there was one staff 2420 02:22:29,101 --> 02:22:31,980 position and some funding that moved from OCD 2421 02:22:32,301 --> 02:22:35,181 to the mayor's office for the grant administrator. 2422 02:22:35,465 --> 02:22:38,104 That grant administrator will also be able to 2423 02:22:38,104 --> 02:22:41,225 support grants that are available through HUD for 2424 02:22:41,225 --> 02:22:43,865 community development departments as well and this person 2425 02:22:43,865 --> 02:22:47,465 is particularly specialized in finding new funding sources 2426 02:22:47,465 --> 02:22:50,825 for gap programs that may exist within the 2427 02:22:50,825 --> 02:22:56,561 department. Next slide. Now we're gonna talk about 2428 02:22:56,561 --> 02:22:59,920 non entitlement funding which we've received several projects 2429 02:22:59,920 --> 02:23:02,801 for within the last year. You have emergency 2430 02:23:02,801 --> 02:23:06,676 rental assistance with the Treasury, lead based paint 2431 02:23:06,676 --> 02:23:10,436 hazard reduction, the American Rescue Plan dollars that 2432 02:23:10,436 --> 02:23:15,315 went specifically for home within, the Treasury program, 2433 02:23:15,955 --> 02:23:19,395 CARES Act, Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security 2434 02:23:19,395 --> 02:23:25,311 Act, weatherization assistance, declared disaster recovery funds and 2435 02:23:25,311 --> 02:23:29,230 even more recently CDBG disaster recovery funds which 2436 02:23:29,230 --> 02:23:31,790 are tied to a specific disaster and they 2437 02:23:31,790 --> 02:23:34,511 must be used to meet unmet needs caused 2438 02:23:34,511 --> 02:23:38,485 by that named disaster. You can look at 2439 02:23:38,485 --> 02:23:40,165 the budget breakdown of that on the next 2440 02:23:40,165 --> 02:23:43,765 slide. Rental assistance particularly I want to take 2441 02:23:43,765 --> 02:23:45,125 some time to talk about because that's a 2442 02:23:45,125 --> 02:23:48,325 significant number when you look at $80000000.80.6 to 2443 02:23:48,325 --> 02:23:50,810 be exact. On the next slide, you'll see 2444 02:23:50,810 --> 02:23:54,650 the breakdown of funding for that program. 59,000,000 2445 02:23:54,650 --> 02:23:59,930 of that 80,000,000 is allocated to direct assistance 2446 02:23:59,930 --> 02:24:02,570 for residents, meaning those are dollars that are 2447 02:24:02,570 --> 02:24:04,984 going in the hands of tenants to make 2448 02:24:04,984 --> 02:24:07,305 sure that they are not evicted from their 2449 02:24:07,305 --> 02:24:11,064 homes. Another portion of those dollars went to 2450 02:24:11,064 --> 02:24:14,104 the eviction diversion program, which is supported by 2451 02:24:14,104 --> 02:24:17,625 organizations like Southeast Legal Services who just celebrated 2452 02:24:17,625 --> 02:24:20,051 eleven years of being in operation today that 2453 02:24:20,051 --> 02:24:23,971 have served over two forty nine families, six 2454 02:24:23,971 --> 02:24:26,931 zero nine individuals that we have prevented from 2455 02:24:26,931 --> 02:24:29,011 being homeless through the work of that program. 2456 02:24:31,570 --> 02:24:33,730 The last slide, of course, does give that 2457 02:24:33,730 --> 02:24:36,665 information particularly for the districts for the rental 2458 02:24:36,665 --> 02:24:38,665 assistance and I know that there may be 2459 02:24:38,665 --> 02:24:41,225 particular questions about many of the programs within 2460 02:24:41,225 --> 02:24:44,744 CDBG or HOME for your districts and the 2461 02:24:44,744 --> 02:24:47,305 Department of Community Development will start to host 2462 02:24:47,305 --> 02:24:51,210 quarterly meetings to give general information to the 2463 02:24:51,210 --> 02:24:54,010 council members about the projects that are happening, 2464 02:24:54,090 --> 02:24:56,890 hold ups on particular projects because just like 2465 02:24:56,890 --> 02:24:59,449 many other dollars that we see through City 2466 02:24:59,449 --> 02:25:02,716 Parish, when you have federally regulated dollars, There's 2467 02:25:02,716 --> 02:25:05,756 compliance restraints that we have to fall within, 2468 02:25:05,915 --> 02:25:09,035 environmental reviews. So these projects can span anywhere 2469 02:25:09,035 --> 02:25:11,995 from one to five or six years. That 2470 02:25:11,995 --> 02:25:14,155 may seem like a long time just hearing 2471 02:25:14,155 --> 02:25:16,090 that but there are so many phases that 2472 02:25:16,090 --> 02:25:17,530 we have to go through within that. We 2473 02:25:17,530 --> 02:25:19,370 want to make sure that we're having more 2474 02:25:19,370 --> 02:25:21,931 conversations with you all as council members to 2475 02:25:21,931 --> 02:25:24,811 be able to articulate to your residents that 2476 02:25:24,811 --> 02:25:27,610 may be contacting you about them. I'll now 2477 02:25:27,610 --> 02:25:34,695 take any questions. All by myself. First of 2478 02:25:34,695 --> 02:25:36,775 all, Courtney, you did a great job. Thank 2479 02:25:36,775 --> 02:25:39,096 you. Can you go back to slide number 2480 02:25:39,096 --> 02:25:50,080 one? Slide number two. So, entitlement funds, it 2481 02:25:50,080 --> 02:25:53,520 was my understanding that those are like extra 2482 02:25:53,520 --> 02:26:00,215 funds that are pulled from other areas, I 2483 02:26:00,215 --> 02:26:02,535 don't know if it's federal or state, but 2484 02:26:02,535 --> 02:26:05,415 and then it that's how it's not like 2485 02:26:05,415 --> 02:26:08,535 a reoccurring something you could count on, it's 2486 02:26:08,535 --> 02:26:13,250 like lame yap. So explain that to me 2487 02:26:13,250 --> 02:26:15,491 as it relates to this and is this 2488 02:26:15,730 --> 02:26:20,450 part of the proposal for 2023 because they're 2489 02:26:20,450 --> 02:26:23,011 gonna these are the entitled the city has 2490 02:26:23,011 --> 02:26:29,325 received notification of entitlement funds under these programs 2491 02:26:29,485 --> 02:26:32,045 coming in 2023? It's a little bit of 2492 02:26:32,045 --> 02:26:34,605 both. There's some some fact in that so 2493 02:26:34,605 --> 02:26:37,085 I wanna bring some articulation to it and 2494 02:26:37,085 --> 02:26:39,485 align it, the facts there. So first off, 2495 02:26:39,485 --> 02:26:42,605 the city and parish does receive annual allocations. 2496 02:26:43,040 --> 02:26:44,880 You are right, we cannot count on those 2497 02:26:44,880 --> 02:26:47,360 until we get an award letter that comes 2498 02:26:47,360 --> 02:26:49,680 in saying that we will receive them. And 2499 02:26:49,680 --> 02:26:51,520 then part two, we have to submit an 2500 02:26:51,520 --> 02:26:53,680 action plan for those dollars, which also has 2501 02:26:53,680 --> 02:26:55,600 to be approved. So there may be times 2502 02:26:55,600 --> 02:26:58,635 that you'll receive a notification and dollars may 2503 02:26:58,635 --> 02:27:00,635 be withdrawn if you're not spending them down 2504 02:27:00,635 --> 02:27:04,715 enough. These dollars are all contingent. Contingent upon 2505 02:27:04,715 --> 02:27:08,875 criteria of the program, contingent upon criteria of 2506 02:27:08,875 --> 02:27:11,515 the city parish and their prior spending from 2507 02:27:11,515 --> 02:27:15,540 previous years. For example, OCD is still managing 2508 02:27:15,540 --> 02:27:19,620 dollars as far back as 2015. We have 2509 02:27:19,620 --> 02:27:22,260 disaster dollars as far back as Gustaf and 2510 02:27:22,260 --> 02:27:24,900 Ida that are still obligated and tied up 2511 02:27:24,900 --> 02:27:29,415 into programs, however they are still on our 2512 02:27:29,415 --> 02:27:31,976 books and we're still carrying them. What you 2513 02:27:31,976 --> 02:27:33,415 see here, and if you go to the 2514 02:27:33,415 --> 02:27:36,455 next slide for fiscal year twenty twenty two 2515 02:27:36,455 --> 02:27:40,455 that says projected, these dollars were not awarded 2516 02:27:40,455 --> 02:27:44,390 to the OCD until September of twenty twenty 2517 02:27:44,390 --> 02:27:47,270 two. Our fiscal year is almost over at 2518 02:27:47,270 --> 02:27:49,909 that point. So what you're seeing here that 2519 02:27:49,909 --> 02:27:52,869 says fiscal year twenty twenty two, the spending 2520 02:27:52,869 --> 02:27:55,590 of that will happen in 2023 up to 2521 02:27:55,590 --> 02:28:00,465 five years after that. When you see 09/2023 2522 02:28:00,465 --> 02:28:02,945 in all of those areas in September of 2523 02:28:02,945 --> 02:28:05,186 twenty twenty three, we'll be able to speak 2524 02:28:05,186 --> 02:28:08,705 about 2024 spending with twenty twenty three dollars, 2525 02:28:08,705 --> 02:28:10,465 if that makes sense. So what you hear 2526 02:28:10,465 --> 02:28:12,865 me talking about now is general fund from 2527 02:28:12,865 --> 02:28:18,329 2023 but program year dollars from 2022. But 2528 02:28:18,329 --> 02:28:21,210 they are the are the lanyard. Some of 2529 02:28:21,210 --> 02:28:22,649 it is and some of it isn't but 2530 02:28:22,649 --> 02:28:24,489 you all roll it all in together if 2531 02:28:24,489 --> 02:28:26,409 it had not been used. So you look 2532 02:28:26,409 --> 02:28:28,625 at every year that's there. This shows the 2533 02:28:28,625 --> 02:28:31,105 amount that we were given. Yeah. And we 2534 02:28:31,105 --> 02:28:33,985 award them every year. However, if they're not 2535 02:28:33,985 --> 02:28:35,985 used in a timely fashion, there may be 2536 02:28:35,985 --> 02:28:37,825 land yet to roll over, yes, but that 2537 02:28:37,825 --> 02:28:40,705 the rollover is not reflected in what you're 2538 02:28:40,705 --> 02:28:42,720 looking at right now. Okay. Only what is 2539 02:28:42,720 --> 02:28:45,600 awarded on paper, on books every year. Okay, 2540 02:28:45,600 --> 02:28:48,960 so that was I received a notice that 2541 02:28:48,960 --> 02:28:51,760 there was some entitlement money EBR just got 2542 02:28:51,760 --> 02:28:54,160 like two or three weeks ago like 1,300,000.0, 2543 02:28:54,160 --> 02:28:55,725 3 point 1 million. So that is from 2544 02:28:55,725 --> 02:28:58,365 the state, that is state OCD, yes ma'am. 2545 02:28:58,365 --> 02:29:00,845 So how much was that? It depends on 2546 02:29:00,845 --> 02:29:03,085 the particular program but I will go, if 2547 02:29:03,085 --> 02:29:05,085 you go to the next slide, two slides 2548 02:29:05,085 --> 02:29:08,070 back, actually one more. So if you look 2549 02:29:08,070 --> 02:29:10,950 here, two to three weeks is not reflected 2550 02:29:10,950 --> 02:29:14,950 within this, but you're probably speaking about approximately 2551 02:29:14,950 --> 02:29:18,311 1.3 to 1.8 that came from the state 2552 02:29:18,311 --> 02:29:21,511 specifically for infrastructure. Yeah. And I don't know 2553 02:29:21,511 --> 02:29:23,965 if you have that email up but. So 2554 02:29:23,965 --> 02:29:27,405 when it's entitlement, what I I was told 2555 02:29:27,405 --> 02:29:33,325 that when it's entitlement entitlement, it isn't it 2556 02:29:33,325 --> 02:29:39,301 is not earmarked for a particular purpose. Once 2557 02:29:39,301 --> 02:29:42,820 it becomes, once it's entitled, that it may 2558 02:29:42,820 --> 02:29:48,020 have gone out initially under, you know, a 2559 02:29:48,020 --> 02:29:51,141 specific whatever, but once it be kept, once 2560 02:29:51,141 --> 02:29:54,135 that money is left over and that pot 2561 02:29:54,135 --> 02:29:56,935 of money is given to You're probably speaking 2562 02:29:56,935 --> 02:30:01,015 from state language, and and most respectfully, our 2563 02:30:01,015 --> 02:30:03,975 state legislators are very familiar with how money 2564 02:30:03,975 --> 02:30:06,601 goes from congress to the state. When it 2565 02:30:06,601 --> 02:30:09,400 goes to the municipality, we have three layers 2566 02:30:09,400 --> 02:30:11,881 of compliance that we have to follow. Local 2567 02:30:12,120 --> 02:30:15,800 compliance for city parish, HUD compliance from the 2568 02:30:15,800 --> 02:30:19,175 federal level, and we cannot operate as a 2569 02:30:19,175 --> 02:30:22,535 city parish local jurisdiction like a state jurisdiction 2570 02:30:22,535 --> 02:30:25,095 can. Sometimes the state will give us money 2571 02:30:25,095 --> 02:30:27,415 if they have something left over. Before an 2572 02:30:27,415 --> 02:30:30,774 entitlement, we are given these dollars specific under 2573 02:30:30,774 --> 02:30:33,760 these categories and there's project uses for for 2574 02:30:33,760 --> 02:30:35,279 each category that we have to have. So 2575 02:30:35,279 --> 02:30:37,520 the only reason I was asking that is 2576 02:30:38,000 --> 02:30:42,080 how do we as council members, since it's 2577 02:30:42,080 --> 02:30:43,840 not count in, you know, like a lot 2578 02:30:43,840 --> 02:30:45,936 of times you come with your projects you 2579 02:30:45,936 --> 02:30:48,096 don't have enough money. But once we get 2580 02:30:48,096 --> 02:30:56,096 entitlement fund, how do we become a consideration 2581 02:30:56,655 --> 02:30:58,895 for this Absolutely. Every year. I got that 2582 02:30:58,895 --> 02:31:01,261 notice, I already have a plan. So how 2583 02:31:01,261 --> 02:31:03,500 how does that work? So number one, we 2584 02:31:03,500 --> 02:31:05,181 have to look at what the compliance rules 2585 02:31:05,181 --> 02:31:07,900 are for the dollars. It's great to have 2586 02:31:07,900 --> 02:31:10,141 a plan of an idea, but then you 2587 02:31:10,141 --> 02:31:11,420 have to figure out how we can put 2588 02:31:11,420 --> 02:31:15,020 it into a compliant program that will be 2589 02:31:15,020 --> 02:31:17,525 approved by HUD. I have to be very 2590 02:31:17,525 --> 02:31:20,246 honest to say over the last five years, 2591 02:31:20,325 --> 02:31:22,165 when and you're you're familiar because of the 2592 02:31:22,165 --> 02:31:24,565 timeline that you've been here, OCD in in 2593 02:31:24,565 --> 02:31:26,565 the city of Baton Rouge did not have 2594 02:31:26,565 --> 02:31:29,960 favorable consideration with HUD. Over the last five 2595 02:31:29,960 --> 02:31:32,200 years, we've worked very hard to become very 2596 02:31:32,200 --> 02:31:34,520 compliant in our projects. We've had to get 2597 02:31:34,520 --> 02:31:36,600 red tape. We've had to go back to 2598 02:31:36,600 --> 02:31:39,800 HUD and other national departments to make sure 2599 02:31:39,800 --> 02:31:42,545 that we're doing it correctly. Because when many 2600 02:31:42,545 --> 02:31:47,105 other jurisdictions may get a breeze over, city 2601 02:31:47,105 --> 02:31:49,105 parishes look through like a fine tooth comb. 2602 02:31:49,105 --> 02:31:50,945 Yeah. And that's not a problem, it's just 2603 02:31:50,945 --> 02:31:54,261 that is it our responsibility as counsel, you 2604 02:31:54,261 --> 02:31:55,540 know, so I might have a plan and 2605 02:31:55,540 --> 02:31:58,261 yeah, may or may not fit. Yes ma'am. 2606 02:31:58,261 --> 02:32:00,500 But, and hopefully I guess that's now that 2607 02:32:00,500 --> 02:32:03,860 we have an in house OCD, we need 2608 02:32:03,860 --> 02:32:06,261 to know who is the contact person who 2609 02:32:06,261 --> 02:32:08,375 is not as what I found in housing. 2610 02:32:08,375 --> 02:32:10,695 He wrote to tell me why all of 2611 02:32:10,695 --> 02:32:13,495 a sudden I don't qualify or I'm not, 2612 02:32:13,495 --> 02:32:15,336 but how do you make it work? And 2613 02:32:15,336 --> 02:32:18,136 it shouldn't take nine months, ten months. It 2614 02:32:18,136 --> 02:32:20,775 does unfortunately. We have projects that have taken 2615 02:32:20,775 --> 02:32:22,851 over two years to even get approved. Wasn't 2616 02:32:22,851 --> 02:32:24,610 about to say that. Yes ma'am. To work 2617 02:32:24,610 --> 02:32:28,610 the plan out. Yes. To present. And so 2618 02:32:28,610 --> 02:32:31,730 it's like I'm glad we got an in 2619 02:32:31,730 --> 02:32:33,490 house staff again. I think that's gonna be 2620 02:32:33,490 --> 02:32:35,490 helpful. But we really gonna need to know 2621 02:32:35,490 --> 02:32:38,484 what each person does. Sure. And know I 2622 02:32:38,484 --> 02:32:40,564 like the idea of having an in house 2623 02:32:40,564 --> 02:32:45,524 grant department because I've recommended and grants and 2624 02:32:45,524 --> 02:32:47,925 they get approved but it never comes back 2625 02:32:47,925 --> 02:32:49,925 to my district. Yes ma'am. But you know 2626 02:32:49,925 --> 02:32:51,660 so how do we, I don't know if 2627 02:32:51,660 --> 02:32:54,780 that's gonna be a case management project. I 2628 02:32:54,780 --> 02:32:56,620 can give you some information. I'm looking for 2629 02:32:56,620 --> 02:32:59,341 more inclusion. I'm not like, you know, a 2630 02:32:59,341 --> 02:33:01,660 lot of I'm not like every other council 2631 02:33:01,660 --> 02:33:04,221 member that might just wanna wait. I really 2632 02:33:04,221 --> 02:33:06,614 am, you know, if the mayor is right, 2633 02:33:06,614 --> 02:33:07,975 I'm in a hurry to get things done 2634 02:33:07,975 --> 02:33:10,055 in my history. Yes, ma'am. Am in a 2635 02:33:10,055 --> 02:33:12,854 hurry. Patience is a virtue for the Office 2636 02:33:12,854 --> 02:33:17,175 of Community Development because one, every incremental year 2637 02:33:17,175 --> 02:33:19,095 for every entitlement year, we have to put 2638 02:33:19,095 --> 02:33:21,029 in an action plan. That's it. You all 2639 02:33:21,029 --> 02:33:23,909 approve that action plan every year. Every three 2640 02:33:23,909 --> 02:33:25,109 to five years, we have to do a 2641 02:33:25,109 --> 02:33:27,430 consolidated plan. Right. You all have to approve 2642 02:33:27,430 --> 02:33:30,069 that plan every year. I will share another 2643 02:33:30,069 --> 02:33:32,390 non popular thing is meeting after meeting after 2644 02:33:32,390 --> 02:33:34,869 meeting. OCD has to do that on paper. 2645 02:33:34,869 --> 02:33:36,425 None of those are problems for me. I've 2646 02:33:36,425 --> 02:33:38,505 been through all of that. Yes ma'am. I'm 2647 02:33:38,505 --> 02:33:41,145 just saying that before we get to the 2648 02:33:41,145 --> 02:33:43,865 action plan, coming to each council member and 2649 02:33:43,865 --> 02:33:47,305 asking them for project. We legally can't do 2650 02:33:47,305 --> 02:33:49,310 that. Here's what we'd have to do. We 2651 02:33:49,310 --> 02:33:51,150 have to open up an action plan or 2652 02:33:51,150 --> 02:33:54,190 a consolidation plan. We can talk to you 2653 02:33:54,190 --> 02:33:58,110 about concepts, ideas and put together projects that 2654 02:33:58,110 --> 02:34:00,430 may have a general cost, but that project 2655 02:34:00,430 --> 02:34:02,750 then, after the action plan, has to be 2656 02:34:02,750 --> 02:34:05,845 submitted in an RFP period. If the project 2657 02:34:05,845 --> 02:34:08,885 has gone through an RFP, for example, Housing 2658 02:34:08,885 --> 02:34:11,284 for Heroes, the reason why Housing for Heroes 2659 02:34:11,284 --> 02:34:13,765 was able to be allocated or suggested for 2660 02:34:13,765 --> 02:34:16,324 a home or CDBG project, and that's still 2661 02:34:16,324 --> 02:34:19,381 on the table, is because they presented a 2662 02:34:19,381 --> 02:34:22,500 proposal in prior funding rounds for the action 2663 02:34:22,500 --> 02:34:24,740 plan, so we're able to go back to 2664 02:34:24,740 --> 02:34:26,980 that project at any given time. Sure, but 2665 02:34:26,980 --> 02:34:30,580 Holly for Heroes was approved, not presented, under 2666 02:34:30,580 --> 02:34:34,595 ARPA because it fit the ARPA mandates. Yes, 2667 02:34:34,595 --> 02:34:36,355 ma'am. And so and one of the things 2668 02:34:36,355 --> 02:34:39,476 that the expansion of the ARPA program in 2669 02:34:39,476 --> 02:34:43,555 April was because so many municipalities found the 2670 02:34:43,555 --> 02:34:47,850 stringently of using home and CDC that they 2671 02:34:47,850 --> 02:34:51,529 actually wrote guidelines to say, no, do not. 2672 02:34:51,529 --> 02:34:54,810 You all are limiting the process of ARPA. 2673 02:34:54,810 --> 02:34:57,130 ARPA is not for you to keep doing 2674 02:34:57,130 --> 02:35:00,649 what you're doing here. It's to leverage the 2675 02:35:00,649 --> 02:35:03,984 plan so that more people, and you are 2676 02:35:03,984 --> 02:35:06,225 able to do more work, not that slow 2677 02:35:06,225 --> 02:35:10,545 process that home is CDBG. And there's been 2678 02:35:10,545 --> 02:35:16,091 a huge misinterpretation that from this municipality, based 2679 02:35:16,091 --> 02:35:17,610 on what I heard when I talked to 2680 02:35:17,610 --> 02:35:21,290 finance, they were under the impression that you 2681 02:35:21,290 --> 02:35:24,811 have to be go by home guidelines, CD 2682 02:35:24,811 --> 02:35:28,091 guidelines, HUD guidelines. That is not what it 2683 02:35:28,091 --> 02:35:31,435 said. It said if it will If meets 2684 02:35:31,675 --> 02:35:36,555 those qualifications, it automatically meets OPERA. OPERA. It 2685 02:35:36,555 --> 02:35:38,795 did not mean you gotta go through those 2686 02:35:38,795 --> 02:35:42,234 plans to get OPERA. And that So, when 2687 02:35:42,234 --> 02:35:43,595 we get to that and even her, and 2688 02:35:43,595 --> 02:35:45,610 I see why we've had a problem, because 2689 02:35:45,610 --> 02:35:48,729 we are misinterpreting their plans so often. So 2690 02:35:48,729 --> 02:35:50,570 there is something that they offer called technical 2691 02:35:50,570 --> 02:35:52,410 assistance? And that's what I've been asking about 2692 02:35:52,410 --> 02:35:54,570 for nine months. Sure, so I'm gonna speak 2693 02:35:54,570 --> 02:35:56,729 back specifically to And the reason I'm so 2694 02:35:56,729 --> 02:35:58,890 smart in knowing that we're not doing right 2695 02:35:58,890 --> 02:36:01,574 is because I have a relationship with her. 2696 02:36:01,574 --> 02:36:03,895 I have a relationship with Oprah. And the 2697 02:36:03,895 --> 02:36:06,534 reason why I have been disgusted and debusted 2698 02:36:06,534 --> 02:36:10,135 with the mayor is because she's on NLSC 2699 02:36:10,135 --> 02:36:12,410 exactly the board and she won't ask them 2700 02:36:12,410 --> 02:36:14,570 because she's a mayor and she won't ask 2701 02:36:14,570 --> 02:36:17,370 treasury because she won't act wouldn't act and 2702 02:36:17,370 --> 02:36:19,370 we've been doing this nine months and those 2703 02:36:19,370 --> 02:36:22,250 guys lost money and they constantly lose money 2704 02:36:22,250 --> 02:36:24,330 and she just keep passing us on to 2705 02:36:24,330 --> 02:36:26,655 different one of her staff. Dontay just get 2706 02:36:26,655 --> 02:36:28,895 here. What's the other girl name? I'm gonna 2707 02:36:28,895 --> 02:36:32,015 go to respectfully, Councilwoman, I'll share that we 2708 02:36:32,015 --> 02:36:33,936 can go to the patients is the virtue 2709 02:36:33,936 --> 02:36:35,135 piece of this to be able to go 2710 02:36:35,135 --> 02:36:38,255 through because we for example, the YWCA Providence 2711 02:36:38,255 --> 02:36:40,175 project and I'm gonna go back to OCD 2712 02:36:40,175 --> 02:36:42,870 Because they never received AQRA funding that was 2713 02:36:42,870 --> 02:36:45,189 approved by the Right. We're speaking through OCD. 2714 02:36:45,189 --> 02:36:47,510 So I'm going back to that I apologize. 2715 02:36:47,510 --> 02:36:49,430 Speaking back to the OCD lens, you need 2716 02:36:49,430 --> 02:36:52,550 me? Okay. Back to the OCD lens, you 2717 02:36:52,550 --> 02:36:55,029 do have to go through the RFP process. 2718 02:36:55,029 --> 02:36:57,854 Once the RFP process is done, you then 2719 02:36:57,854 --> 02:37:01,774 also have to submit your projects through HUD 2720 02:37:01,774 --> 02:37:03,535 to be approved, which is that one to 2721 02:37:03,535 --> 02:37:05,774 two year project. All is understood per year. 2722 02:37:05,774 --> 02:37:09,055 Yes ma'am. When interjected that housing for heroes 2723 02:37:09,135 --> 02:37:10,814 I just answered your question. That's what got 2724 02:37:10,814 --> 02:37:12,859 me fired up. I answered your question. I 2725 02:37:12,859 --> 02:37:14,220 wanna go on record for that fact. I 2726 02:37:14,220 --> 02:37:17,500 did answer your question. Any more questions? Any 2727 02:37:17,500 --> 02:37:21,819 questions, councilman? Mayor, I hope you don't think 2728 02:37:21,819 --> 02:37:23,899 you're security I mean, you don't think I'm 2729 02:37:23,899 --> 02:37:27,225 about to like No, ma'am. Just wanted to 2730 02:37:27,225 --> 02:37:30,665 be clear. The next slide. Next slide. Yes, 2731 02:37:30,665 --> 02:37:34,105 I'm representing my people. I'm an elected official 2732 02:37:34,345 --> 02:37:37,465 representing the people. I'm just as a married 2733 02:37:37,465 --> 02:37:39,705 and I'm not being negative. Time. And I'm 2734 02:37:39,705 --> 02:37:56,055 not being yeah, Thank you. Please. Could you 2735 02:37:56,055 --> 02:37:58,295 walk me through this slide? I don't fully 2736 02:37:58,295 --> 02:38:01,175 understand it. This is specific to emergency rental 2737 02:38:01,175 --> 02:38:04,774 assistance by district. So the 80,000,000 on the 2738 02:38:04,774 --> 02:38:12,290 previous slide that was non entitlement funding, that 2739 02:38:12,290 --> 02:38:15,729 slide represents 41,000,000 of that that has been 2740 02:38:15,729 --> 02:38:17,810 paid out to date since we received those 2741 02:38:17,810 --> 02:38:21,410 dollars by districts specific only to emergency rental 2742 02:38:21,410 --> 02:38:24,665 funds from the treasury. What's the unclassified? So 2743 02:38:24,665 --> 02:38:29,306 unclassified is a bucket of projects that are 2744 02:38:29,306 --> 02:38:33,785 not labeled by address by district solely because 2745 02:38:33,785 --> 02:38:35,705 our system, and this is an internal system 2746 02:38:35,705 --> 02:38:38,186 glitch, is not sourcing it by district based 2747 02:38:38,186 --> 02:38:40,320 upon the address. These have to go back 2748 02:38:40,320 --> 02:38:43,760 in hand process to see which district those 2749 02:38:43,760 --> 02:38:46,720 are versus the computer generating them. So I 2750 02:38:46,720 --> 02:38:48,160 wanted to show the total so that's why 2751 02:38:48,160 --> 02:38:50,480 that shows there, but it's literally that these 2752 02:38:50,480 --> 02:38:53,040 10,000 are actually broken up into 12, it 2753 02:38:53,040 --> 02:38:55,975 just has to be manually processed. So District 2754 02:38:55,975 --> 02:38:59,175 3 being the district that I'm privileged to 2755 02:38:59,175 --> 02:39:02,375 represent? Yes, sir. Three fifty mean three fifty 2756 02:39:02,375 --> 02:39:06,854 residents received emergency rental assistance who were placed 2757 02:39:06,854 --> 02:39:09,040 in District 3? That is correct. That their 2758 02:39:09,040 --> 02:39:11,439 landlord and their address that they are in 2759 02:39:11,439 --> 02:39:14,960 currently, that they receive rental assistance for is 2760 02:39:14,960 --> 02:39:17,439 within District 3. That is correct. And it 2761 02:39:17,439 --> 02:39:19,199 very well may be possible that of that 2762 02:39:19,199 --> 02:39:21,439 10,000, there may be some District 3 as 2763 02:39:21,439 --> 02:39:23,995 well. Just have to manually place them. Okay. 2764 02:39:23,995 --> 02:39:27,355 That seems like a task. So I couldn't 2765 02:39:27,355 --> 02:39:29,436 have it today, but yes. So do you 2766 02:39:29,436 --> 02:39:34,235 have funding breakdown? Gardere is obviously the area 2767 02:39:34,235 --> 02:39:36,155 that I'm most interested in. Sure. Do you 2768 02:39:36,155 --> 02:39:39,030 have a funding breakdown within the zones within 2769 02:39:39,030 --> 02:39:41,750 East Baton Rouge Parish? Not just for ERAP, 2770 02:39:41,750 --> 02:39:43,910 but for what all funding? You you named 2771 02:39:43,910 --> 02:39:47,351 about 1,700,000.0 within Scottsville. Yes, You have similar 2772 02:39:47,351 --> 02:39:49,030 data. I I'd be interested in receiving it 2773 02:39:49,030 --> 02:39:51,431 for District 3. Absolutely. I do not have 2774 02:39:51,431 --> 02:39:53,595 it today. I apologize. But I can follow-up 2775 02:39:53,595 --> 02:39:55,274 to get that to you. And we are 2776 02:39:55,274 --> 02:39:57,915 planning our first scheduled meetings for each of 2777 02:39:57,915 --> 02:40:01,035 you in January. So we will have more 2778 02:40:01,035 --> 02:40:03,035 information about your district, what's The actual plan 2779 02:40:03,035 --> 02:40:06,475 is Yes, yes sir. Thank you. Thank you 2780 02:40:06,475 --> 02:40:11,760 ma'am. Thank you all. Thank you. Thank you, 2781 02:40:11,760 --> 02:40:15,681 mister Toots. And you all have a good 2782 02:40:16,240 --> 02:40:17,040 good evening.