Friends,
I hope everyone had a happy and safe Mardi Gras season. Below you’ll find updates on the Council’s funding of a designated power source for the Sewerage and Water Board, dealing with rising violent crime, committee assignments in the new term, and other news.
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions at Joseph.Giarrusso@nola.gov or call 504-658-1010. |
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SEWERAGE & WATER BOARD SUBSTATION FUNDING |
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The combined age of the existing turbines at Sewerage and Water Board is 377 years old. If the ancient turbines fail during a regular storm or a hurricane, the pumps cannot drain water. We all know what happens when the pumps aren’t powered. A new, cleaner and more reliable power source – a substation -- for the pumps has been discussed for a long time.
To specifically solve this problem, a working group proposed building a substation with the state paying roughly a third of the cost and the City’s capital funds contributing another third. Initially, Entergy New Orleans committed to loaning the last third of $34 million to build the station but recently nixed that plan because of Hurricane Ida costs. It is imperative that this project receives the funding it needs. Time is of the essence.
For months, I have been saying we need to spend the City’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) dollars on critical infrastructure projects. With the clock ticking, I have authored, introduced, and unanimously passed legislation allocating ARP funds toward the substation with broad support from Congressman Troy Carter and members of the New Orleans legislative delegation. And, federal guidelines encourage cities to spend their ARP funds on “getting a jump start on water, sewer, and broadband projects that could complement investments from the infrastructure law.” This legislation helps us now and in the future.
My office put together a presentation on this proposal, which you can view here. You can read more about this legislation on NOLA.com. |
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The rash of citywide violent crime is detrimental to our quality of life. No one should have to look over their shoulder when pumping gas, stopped at a light, or even when parked in their own driveway. We have called multiple meetings with criminal justice stakeholders. A common question is, “What good does a meeting do”? It helps us understand where the problems exist and how to start fixing them. Some common themes became clear during the meeting.
There is a lack of communication. There is a lack of coordination. And, until recently, there has been a lack of urgency. All these things must improve in short order.
One meeting is simply not enough to answer all the questions and outline solutions. I sent a letter to six criminal justice entities on January 27 outlining my remaining questions and requests for more information. Many of the stakeholders have answered, and some have not. We must receive answers to begin implementing next steps. |
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Councilmembers Moreno, Morrell, Harris, and I released a compilation of action items to address short and long-term strategies in our community. Certain action items, such as improving communication and coordination, do not cost money. Some departments have money but need to access or more properly utilize available funds. NOPD receives funds for 1300-1400 officers but has only 1050 commissioned officers.
Improving retention first and then recruiting within the framework of the existing budget is important. We allocated money for juvenile probation, but the juvenile judges did not know of those funds. To address the short and long-term problems with crime, it will cost money - this is where the Council will do its part. Our job is to appropriate the budget. By critically analyzing all the budgets and appropriating where appropriate, we can ensure funding is properly allocated and spent.
Finally, many residents ask, “What can I do”? The answer is: keep your voice loud. Public officials respond to concerned residents. You are beginning to see changes because of your action.
You can watch the meeting – and skip to any presenter – via this link. |
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TICKETING & TOWING WAIVERS FOR STOLEN VEHICLES |
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No one whose car is stolen or carjacked should be victimized again to retrieve their stolen property. Unfortunately, that is exactly what is happening.
Recent reports prove some victims of these crimes are forced to pay hundreds of dollars to retrieve their own vehicles from private lots. Working together, Council President Helena Moreno and I are fixing this. I authored legislation waiving all towing, ticketing, and impound fees for future victims of these crimes. Council President Moreno has separately authored legislation appropriating money to fund an initiative aimed at returning funds to victims already charged to retrieve stolen property.
Ordinances Cal. No. 33,616, Cal. No. 33,622, Cal. No. 33,623, and Cal. No. 66,324 were introduced at the February 3 City Council meeting and passed unanimously at the February 10 Budget Committee meeting. |
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A new Council requires new standing committee chairs and members. Below is a list of each committee, the Councilmembers serving on that committee, and the respective chair. There is one additional standing committee this year: the Climate and Sustainability Committee, chaired by Council President Helena Moreno. |
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All committee meetings are posted to the City Council calendar when they are scheduled. You can view the full calendar here. You can also subscribe to Council meeting notices via this link. |
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Zoning and land use across the city can be confusing. How do you know what your home or neighborhood is zoned? What does that zoning district allow to be built by-right? What happens if you need special dispensation for a building project that isn’t allowed in your zoning district?
The job of local government is to make life easier for the people who live here. My office developed a Zoning 101 presentation to showcase how zoning and land use works in New Orleans, and who is responsible for different requests. We’re giving this presentation at various neighborhood organization meetings over the next few months. If you would like to schedule a presentation in your neighborhood, please reach out to Claire Byun at Claire.Byun@nola.gov. |
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HOSPITALITY SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE |
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The Greater New Orleans Hotel & Lodging Association Hospitality Education Foundation plans to award two scholarships to students interested in pursuing a career in the hospitality and tourism industry. The recipients will receive $1,000 per semester, up to $8,000 towards a higher education program at the University of New Orleans or Delgado Community College.
To qualify for the scholarship, students must have an overall cumulative high school GPA of 2.5 and must enroll to study hospitality at either the University of New Orleans or Delgado Community College. Applicants must be a junior or senior enrolled in a high school in Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, Iberville, Tangipahoa, or St. James parish. Applications are due May 10, 2022.
To access the application, please visit gnohla.com and click on the Foundation tab. You can also call Kristyn Williams at (504) 525-2264 or email kristyn@gnohla.com with any questions. |
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FEDERAL PROGRAM INCREASES BROADBAND ACCESSIBILITY |
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AT&T and Cricket Wireless recently opened enrollment for the new federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which lowers the monthly cost of broadband service for eligible customers and will help close the digital divide. Congress recently created the long-term $14 billion Affordable Connectivity Program, which replaces the temporary Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program.
Under the ACP, the maximum monthly benefit will change to up to $30 per month for eligible households. You can find out details on which AT&T services are available by going to att.com/acp or to cricketwireless.com/ACP for information on Cricket Wireless plans. |
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New Orleans City Council Joseph I. Giarrusso, III — District A |
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