Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer- District C Annual Report

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1 Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer- District C Annual Report Neighbors and Friends, As we arrive upon the halfway point of my first term as Councilmember for District C, I reflect upon the successes we have had over the past two years and look forward to addressing the challenges and opportunities we still face. I have been honored to serve the interest of the public and have had the distinct pleasure of working with so many of the residents and neighborhood and community groups in District C. Over the past year, I have worked hard to serve those I have been elected to represent. I have listened loud and clear to the needs of my constituents and worked to address them either legislatively or by advocating on their behalf. I have also had the honor and privilege of being nationally recognized and selected by the Aspen Institute as a Rodel Fellow and as a NewDEAL Leader, a recently launched national network committed to highlighting pro-growth progressive state and local elected leaders from across the country for their innovative ideas. As 2012 moves forward, my team and I will continue to represent you diligently. Please let me know how we can work collectively on issues. Together, we can accomplish great things and make our district and our City an even greater place to live and to work. Please visit and to obtain the most recent information occurring citywide. Also, please register at for important updates and alerts. Thank you for your support. Sincerely, Kristin 1

2 Infrastructure Improvements and Capital Projects In August 2010, Mayor Landrieu released a list of 100 projects, which included many important projects within District C. These projects focus on capital improvements including the renovation and construction of various facilities throughout the district. Throughout her term, Councilmember Gisleson Palmer has consistently worked with the Administration to ensure that these projects are completed in a timely fashion and on budget. Some of these projects have been completed and some of them are currently underway. Below is a summary of some of the projects in District C : Behrman Park, Algiers Algiers Regional Library- currently under construction (estimated completion Summer 2012) Arthur Monday Center Repairs- completed Behrman Park Enhancements- completed Behrman Pool Repairs- completed Behrman Gym Repairs- under construction (estimated completion June 2012) Brechtel Memorial Park Golf Course and Club House- currently in design phase Hubbell Library- currently in the bid and award phase Hunter s Field Renovations- currently in design phase Louis Armstrong Park Renovations- completed NOFD Engine 40 on General DeGaulle Repairs- currently under construction (estimated completion Summer 2012) Reinventing the Crescent Park- currently under construction (estimated completion Fall 2012) St. Roch Market Renovations- currently in the bid and award phase St. Roch Neutral Ground Beautification- currently in the bid and award phase Treme Center Repairs- currently under construction Road Repair and Public Works projects in District C : 2

3 Berkley Drive Repairs- completed Holiday Drive Repairs- completed Opelousas Street Extension- completed Patterson Road Extension- awaiting construction St. Roch and St. Claude Roadway Improvements- completed French Quarter Street Repairs- Paths to Progress- awaiting construction To receive project status updates go to Projects/ Community Participation is committed to community participation in every step of the government decision making process. She works diligently to encourage constituent driven task forces and committees to identify and recommend solutions to issues that affect our quality of life. She has facilitated the organization of the following groups: Algiers Housing Policy Committee Riverfront Park Community Liaison Committee Sustainable Transportation Advisory Committee Sound Ordinance Task Force Jackson Square Task Force In addition, the Councilmember: Holds monthly town hall meetings to discuss issues pertinent to District C. Regularly attends neighborhood and community meetings and events. Holds monthly radio interviews on WBOK and WIST, and participates in other radio and television programs. Regularly distributes newsletters so all constituents have the most up to date information on events and issues in District C. You can request to receive updates via by registering at the City Council website at 3

4 Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer sits on a panel with NOPD and Department Heads Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer at the 2012 WOW Jam in Algiers City Council Committees Below are summaries of recent accomplishments achieved by the Council committees that chairs: Disaster and Recovery Committee Councilmember Gisleson Palmer on WIST Radio Advocated for the implementation of the City s $52 million Soft Second Mortgage Program for first time homebuyers. Received briefings and updates on the City s FEMA funded demolition program. Received updates from the Army Corps of Engineers on Mississippi River levels and flood potentials. Held hearings on HUD s audits of the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority s (NORA) Neighborhood 4

5 Stabilization Program (NSP2) grant. Continued to urge NORA to strategically auction Louisiana Land Trust (LLT) properties that remain in neighborhoods across the City in order to provide first time homebuyer opportunities and help in the reduction of blight. Received updates on the City Assisted Evacuation Plan (CAEP) and Evacuteer.org s efforts. Sanitation and Environmental Committee Worked with the Department of Sanitation to provide updates and information to the public on the City s recycling program. Received updates on the City s Keep New Orleans Beautiful and Don t Trash Dat campaigns. Facilitated a presentation of the French Quarter Management District s Sanitation Committee on their proposed plan for trash collection services in the French Quarter. Transportation Committee Led the effort for the City s adoption of a Complete Streets ordinance, which was ultimately adopted by the City Council. New Orleans is now the first local government in the state to adopt a complete streets ordinance. The Complete Streets ordinance states that when the City designs a street, they must design it for all users. This includes more pedestrian and bicycle facilities on the sidewalks and streets of New Orleans. Led the effort for taxi cab reform, which was ultimately adopted by the City Council. Authored and passed a Taxi Cab Passenger Bill of Rights. Established a permitting system for wheelchair accessible taxi cabs to provide transportation for elderly and disabled residents and visitors. Introduced, authored and successfully led the adoption of a city-wide pedicab service. Advocated for the extension of the bike path on top of the Algiers levee, which will now connect two ferry systems. Facilitated a presentation from the Crescent City Connection Task Force about the consequences and reduction of services that will occur if the tolls on the CCC are not extended by the Legislature. 5 Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer learning about the Treme Center renovations underway with Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Representative Helena Moreno, community leader Jerome Smith and others.

6 Advocated for streetcar expansion and was a powerful voice in getting the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) to commit to prioritizing the North Rampart/St. Claude expansion and is continuing to advocate for extending the line to Poland Avenue and into the Lower Ninth Ward. Facilitated presentations from the RTA on bus schedules, routes, reliability and accountability and asked for opportunities to improve RTA service for residents. Facilitated a presentation by the Center for Excellence on enhancing transportation options and collaboration between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. advocates for the St. Claude Streetcar to go to Poland Avenue at a Transport for NOLA and Neighborland sponsored event. Facilitated a presentation from students at UNO called Connect the 9 on transportation alternatives for improved bike and pedestrian access on the St. Claude Bridge. Received the Bike Easy annual award given annually to an individual or organization for his or her extraordinary vision, commitment and contributions to improving bicycling in New Orleans. In addition to the committees above, is a member of the Airport, Governmental Affairs, Housing and Human Needs, and Public Works Committees. She serves as an alternate to the Utilities, Competitive Selection, and Youth and Recreation Committees. For information on meeting schedules, agendas and streaming video, please visit the Council Council s website at and staff help fight the blight at Hunter s Field. 6

7 Boards and Commissions serves on a various boards and commissions in her capacity as the Councilmember for District C. The Boards and Commissions and their work are listed below: Algiers Development District (ADD) o Responsible for the construction of the bike path on the Algiers levee. o Will soon become the land owner of the Federal City Project. o Engaged in various community benefit activities in Algiers. New Orleans Building Corporation (NOBC) presenting plans for Algiers blight remediation o Oversees the construction of the Reinventing the Crescent Riverfront Park. Responsible for the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site. o Manages the Union Passenger Terminal. French Market Corporation (FMC) o Manages of the French Market and Flea Market. Upper Pontalba Building Restoration Corporation (UPBRC) o Oversees the management and leasing of the city owned Upper Pontalba building on Jackson Square. Canal Street Development Corporation (CSDC) o Responsible for the renovation of the Saenger Theatre. Rivergate Development Corporation 7

8 o Oversees the Harrah s Casino lease with the City. New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC) o Responsible for tourism marketing for the City. Total Community Action (TCA) o Provides services and resources to low income families. presents to a group on the Complete Streets legislation. o Coordinates the City s Head Start programs. Legislative Accomplishments Ordinances Authored Ordinance Calendar No. 28,929 to effect a zoning change (Zoning Docket Number 4/12) from a B1-A Neighborhood Business District to a P Park and Recreation District, on publicly-owned land bounded by Esplanade Avenue, Henriette Delille, Kerlerec and North Rampart Streets. The zoning change initiated by City Council Motion M by Gisleson Palmer will allow for the establishment of a much needed park on Esplanade in the Treme neighborhood. Authored Ordinance Calendar No. 28,967 to amend and re-ordain Article IV, Sections and to ordain of Chapter 66 of the Code of the City of New Orleans in order to provide a definition for commercial enterprises with respect to noise-related ordinances and to establish placement of loudspeakers in commercial enterprises within the Vieux Carré Historic Districts and the Central Business Districts. Authored Ordinance Calendar Number 28,411 officially restoring and dedicating Congo Square in Armstrong Park to its well-known and widely used name of Congo Square in honor of the historical cultural gatherings of enslaved Africans and free people of color held in the square. Authored Ordinance Calendar No. 28,787 to modify existing curfew times for children 16 years of age and younger to 8:00 pm in the area bounded by both sides of Canal Street, North Rampart Street, Elysian Fields Avenue, and the Mississippi River. Authored Ordinance Calendar No. 28,682 to provide for tools to address aggressive solicitation in the French Quarter, which threatens the security and privacy of residents and visitors. 8

9 Co-authored Ordinance Calendar No. 28,737 to provide for assessable taxicab service so that the City and its taxicab industry may better serve the mobility-challenged and elderly residents and visitors. Authored Ordinance Calendar No. 28,766 to establish a Complete Streets program for the City of New Orleans, to provide guiding principles and practices requiring that all transportation improvements are planned, designed and constructed to encourage walking, disabled, bicycling and transit use, while also promoting the full use of, and safe operations for all users of the City s transportation network. Authored Ordinance Calendar No. 28,590 to provide taxicab passengers with a passengers rights notice which specifies the rights of passengers in for hire vehicles. Authored Ordinance Calendar No. 28,618 to provide an amendment to taxi-cab special event fares to remove a fee allowing drivers to charge passengers an additional amount for traveling with wheelchairs. Authored Ordinance Calendar No 28,639 requiring motorcycles be equipped with Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) compliant mufflers when operating in the Vieux Carré. This cuts down on noise and air pollution in the historic neighborhood, which is home to thousands of residents and a destination for millions of visitors. Co-authored Ordinance Calendar Number 28, 433 to amend the City Code to define permit or license violations. The measure allows the revocation of permits or licenses that are issued in error, or on the basis of incorrect, inaccurate, false, fraudulent or misrepresented information. It also institutes criminal penalties for knowingly violating the provisions of the ordinance. Authored Ordinance Cal. No. 28,560 to rename St. Claude Street to the name Henriette Delille Street, the first only street named after an African American in Treme. St. Claude Street was regularly confused with St. Claude Avenue and posed problems for residents of the street. Authored Ordinance Cal. No. 28,669 to increase fines for trains blocking the public right-of-way- particularly problematic in the Lower Ninth Ward and Bywater neighborhoods where residents become essentially trapped when trains stall for long periods of time. Access to medical treatment facilities is burdened by traffic congestion due to stand-still trains. Co-Authored Ordinance Calendar Number 28,290 authorizing the transfer of property to the Canal Street Development Corporation to further the progress of the development and reopening of the historic Saenger Theatre. The Council approved Zoning Docket No. 73/11, 1031 Canal Street, following the lead of, to clear the way for the redevelopment of the longvacant Woolworth site at the corner of Canal and Rampart Streets. Additional provisos added by Councilmember Palmer established specific height limits of the building and provide the city with further over-sight of the final design. Co-Authored Ordinance Calendar Number 28,310, to authorize the City and the New Orleans Building Corporation (NOBC) to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) with the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) in connection with the construction / operation of an intermodal transportation facility at the site of the N.O. Union Passenger Terminal (NOUPT) site. 9

10 Resolutions Co-authored Resolution R to bring NOPD Chief Serpas, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Jerry Sneed and Crime Commissioner James Carter in front of the City Council to report on the Administration s plans regarding public safety and crime. Co-authored Resolution R to support the City of New Orleans and Regional Transit Authority's (RTA) submission of an application for Phase III of the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER III) funding for the Ninth Ward Streetcar Extension and Howard Avenue Connection Project (December 1) Co-authored and passed Resolution R urging Congress and the administration of President Barack Obama to continue federal funding for the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). Authored and passed Resolution R supporting the expansion of an "At Grade" Streetcar Crossing at the Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks at Press Street. The proposed Regional Transit Authority/Veolia Streetcar expansion is projected to transform the two thoroughfares down Rampart Street and St. Claude Avenue to Press Street. Authored and passed Resolution R in support of an application to the State of Louisiana to expand the boundaries of the existing Saint Claude Corridor Cultural District. The purpose of state-certified Cultural Districts is to create a mechanism for community revitalization through the creation of hubs of cultural activity via tax incentives available within the districts. Co-authored and passed Resolution R supporting the findings of the Crescent City Connection Task Force which state that the tolls on the Crescent City Connection should be renewed past December 2012 to prevent the dire consequences that will occur if the tolls were allowed to expire. These consequences include closure of ramps, no funding for ferries, no dedicated police, longer commute times, no funding for street or decorative bridge lighting and no dedicated maintenance fund. Photo Gallery 10

11 speaks to a community group about the riverfront park project, Reinventing the Crescent presents a proclamation to local musician Uncle Lionel shares City Council updates on FOX 8 with students from Craig School talks with a group of volunteers at Behrman Park celebrates the work of artist Kenneth Scott with with students August at Collins Lusher in School the renovated Armstrong Park 11 Councilmember Gisleson Gisleson Palmer Palmer invited Joseph sharing A. Craig news Young about Audiences road repair students to through perform Paths City to Council Progress

12 Contact: Office of District C Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer City Hall, Room 2W Perdido Street New Orleans, LA Phone: (504) Fax: (504) kgpalmer@nola.gov 12