COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA

JANUARY 25, 2000

The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Shreveport, State of Louisiana, was called to order by Chairman Phil Serio at 3:10 p.m.,Tuesday, January 25, 2000, in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 1234 Texas Avenue.

Invocation was given by Councilman Carmody.

On roll call, the following members were present: Councilmen Huckaby (arrived at 3:15), Stewart, Carmody, Serio, Spigener, Shyne and Burrell. 7. Absent: None

Motion by Councilman Shyne, seconded by Councilman Burrell for approval of: the Summary Minutes of the Administrative Conference of January 10, 2000 and the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 11, 2000, and the Agenda as amended on January 24, 2000. Motion approved by the following vote: Councilmen Stewart, Carmody, Serio, Spigener, Shyne and Burrell. 6. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Huckaby. 1.

Awards, Recognition of Distinguished Guests and Communications of the Mayor Which Are Required by Law. Resolution No. 12 of 2000: A resolution to recognize the week of January 24-28, 2000 as Caddo Parish 4-H Week (see text in numerical order of Resolutions). Councilman Burrell: Councilwoman Spigener and I sponsored this Resolution for the 4-H Club Week, January 24-28. At this moment I'd like to turn it over to Rad, I believe we have some guests.

Mr. Snelding: We have some members from the Junior Leaders Club with Caddo Parish 4-H that are here to come up and receive this recognition, so with your permission Mr. Chairman we could ask them to come up. We might read that resolution, vote on it, and present them with that resolution.

4-H Representative: On behalf of the 1,700 members of Caddo 4-H, Lisa Astrophe, Christine Myers, Joe Snelding, Josh Buckley, and Timothy Seal, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support of the Caddo 4-H program and for this proclamation. We would like to mention that we've brought some cookies for the members of the Council and the Mayor which are in your offices, if you would like to take the opportunity to eat them. We have brought some materials which are in front of each you about the Caddo 4-H Program. Once again I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for supporting Caddo 4-H program.

Mayor Hightower: I did go back there and eat some of those cookies and they were all gone. Is there anyway ya'll can bring some more? Councilman Serio: Somehow I missed that Mr. Mayor, somehow I came in the wrong door. I want to thank the young ladies and gentlemen that came.

Councilman Shyne: I wanted to let them know that I didn't let the Mayor eat all of those cookies by himself; they are very delicious, and they are fattening but I can stand a few pounds, so I really enjoyed them. Ya'll got some good cooks, somewhere, very delicious.

Councilman Spigener: I would like to commend these young people for choosing to participate in the 4-H Club activities. I've observed over the years that those young people who do participate in 4-H get a lot of training and a lot of help in developing leadership skills, good worth ethics skills and also just character development and think they've made a wise choice to participate in this organization. I've found it to be a very useful one over the very many years that I've known about 4-H.

Councilman Burrell: 4-H is one of those organizations that really build character in a lot of our young people. And I guess being an old farmer myself or at least coming from a farmer, it really helped me to learn more about even entrepreneurship because when you are out there feeding a sheep or a calf everyday you keep up with how much feed you feed those jokers, because they can definitely eat and it comes out of your bottom line so you learn a bit about business. So I think it does a lot for our young people and congratulations to our young people.

Councilman Shyne: I'd like to recognize three important people: 1) Ms. Gwendolyn Minor. Ms. Minor is one of the activist who live in District F and in the city of Shreveport who has made contributions to this city over the years. She has had a fine family, some fine sons, and a fine daughter who have lived here in this city and who have made worthwhile contributions and Ms. Minor I'm glad to see you down today. 2) We also have Ms. Lois Wilson, who we have called her from time-to-time, the Mayor of Mooretown. Ms. Wilson's family probably go back almost to the beginning of Caddo Parish, and Ms. Wilson we are so happy to have you down today. 3) Everybody know Ms. Lydia Jackson, our young and beautiful State Representative from District 2. Ms. Jackson we are so happy and so proud to have you down.

Councilman Serio: To our folks with 4-H, I'd like to extend an appreciation for you coming down today. I'm sure that if everybody would find their way back into the back into the Council Chambers throughout the meeting and see what is left over. But, we do appreciate ya'll coming down and I also take this opportunity with what you are learning now to utilize throughout life and I think you will find that 4-H is a good program for you.

Mayor Hightower: I'd like to recognize an ex-City Councilman that is in the audience today that I had the pleasure of serving with, Claude Underwood is with us today (you got your video camera). Second thing, I would like to recognize, we put together, I talked for several months now about the census and how important it is to not only Shreveport but to the State of Louisiana all the way from the number of delegates that we are able to send to Washington in the form of congressmen, all the way down to what it means to us for every single person that we count and that we have to live with this count for a 10-year period and it affects federal dollars we receive or worse, don't receive because we didn't count everyone. And then the other thing that it certainly helps us with is in our recruitment efforts when we are out and about around the country in trying to get locals to expand their businesses. They truly believe that if you are not over 200,000 you can't offer the quality-of-life type opportunities that we have to offer here in Shreveport, a symphony. Surely, we couldn't host a college football bowl game in a city that is under 200,000. I doubt that we could have a symphony in a city that is under 200,000 and the list goes on and on and on. The things that we do have to offer from a feature and benefits standpoint when we are selling our city that we'll never get the opportunity to talk about if our count is not over 200,000.

What we've done is we've put together a Complete Count Committee, many of them are seating here in the first three rows of the audience. The Committee is headed up by Lydia Jackson our newly elected State Representative and Scott Hughes. We've assembled several neighborhood association presidents to join in the organization and certainly we want to enlarge that organization so that we are able to run it much like we in the political world run campaigns to where you do it block-by-block so that we can be sure we count everybody; so these are the people that are going to help us to get to where we need to be. If I could get everybody on the committee to stand up so we can see who you are and thank you for your volunteer efforts, I certainly appreciate that on the behalf of all the citizens of Shreveport; so, thanks very much. Lillian, I forgot to mention you. She actually works for the Census and is directing us in that effort as well.

I would like for Liz Washington if I could get her to come forward just a minute. We received an award this past week for Excellence in Financial Reporting that is presented to the City of Shreveport and obviously that comes under the heading of the Finance Department who is headed by Liz Washington; so Liz if you would come forward. I'd like to pass this own to you so that you can hang another one in your suite down there and thank all of the employees down there for doing a great job on our financial reporting. Ms. Washington: Thank you very much.

Public Hearing: None.

Confirmations and/or Appointments: Motion by Councilman Carmody to appoint Clair P. Sharp and Clarence Babineaux to the 911 Board, seconded by Councilman Burrell. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Huckaby, Stewart, Carmody, Serio, Spigener, Shyne and Burrell. 7. Nays: None.

The Council considered the CONSENT AGENDA legislation.

INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES ON CONSENT:

Motion by Councilman Burrell, seconded by Councilman Spigener for Introduction of the Resolutions on the Consent Agenda not to be adopted prior to February 8, 2000. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Huckaby, Carmody, Stewart, Serio, Spigener, Shyne and Burrell. 7. Nays: None.

INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS:

• Resolution No. 16 of 2000: A resolution ratifying the use of the Exposition Hall by Project Uplift on February 8, 2000 and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES:

• Ordinance No. 6 of 2000: An ordinance to repeal existing speed limit ordinances for the Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway Ordinance No. 28 of 1991 and Ordinance No. 88 of 1994 and amending and reenacting a portion of Section 90-198 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Shreveport pertaining to the maximum limits on Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.



• Ordinance No. 7 of 2000: An ordinance to create and establish a stop intersection at the intersection of Irving Place and Topeka Street and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.



• Ordinance No. 8 of 2000: An ordinance to create and establish a no parking anytime zone on the east side of Spring Lake Drive from Janie Lane to Glen Erica Street and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.



• Ordinance No. 9 of 2000: An ordinance to create and establish Virginia Avenue as a one-way street between Midway Avenue and Corbitt Street requiring vehicles to travel in a southerly direction only and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.



• Ordinance No. 10 of 2000: An ordinance closing and abandoning Durham Place in the Hollywood Heights, Unit No. 4-A Subdivision and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES ON CONSENT:

Motion by Councilman Shyne, seconded by Councilman Burrell for Adoption of the Resolutions on the Consent Agenda. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Huckaby, Carmody, Serio, Spigener, Shyne and Burrell. 6. Nays: None. Did Not Cast a vote: Councilman Stewart. 1.

RESOLUTIONS:

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE WAIVER OF THE ENTIRE BUILDING RENTAL FEE FOR THE CONVENTION HALL TO ALLOW THE NORTHWEST LOUISIANA CHAPTER OF THE LOUISIANA RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION TO HOLD ITS "TASTE OF MARDI GRAS" ON MARCH 5, 2000, AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

WHEREAS, the Northwest Louisiana Chapter of the Louisiana Restaurant Association will hold its "Taste of Mardi Gras" event on March 5, 2000; and

WHEREAS, the Louisiana Restaurant Association is a non-profit organization and the "Taste of Mardi Gras" event is a fundraiser for them; and

WHEREAS, the funds raised will be used for educational programs operated by the Northwest Louisiana Chapter and the LRA; and

WHEREAS, it is therefore in the public interest and it serves a public purpose of the City to waive the entire building rental fee for the use of the Convention Hall for "Taste of Mardi Gras" event on March 5, 2000,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, in due, legal and regular session convened, that the entire building rental fee for the Convention Hall to allow "Taste of Mardi Gras" event on March 5, 2000 is waived and the provisions of Section 26-123 and Section 26-124 of the Code of Ordinances are suspended relative to this event only.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if any provision or item of this resolution or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items, or applications of this resolution which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items, or applications; and to this end, the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared severable.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE WAIVER OF THE ENTIRE BUILDING RENTAL FEE FOR THE EXPO HALL TO ALLOW LOYOLA COLLEGE PREP TO HOLD ITS ANNUAL STYLE SHOW AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BY: Councilman Serio

WHEREAS, Loyola College Prep will hold its annual style show on November 9, 2000 in the Expo Hall; and

WHEREAS, Loyola College Prep of Shreveport-Bossier City is a nonprofit educational organization and the annual style show is one of its major fund-raising events; and

WHEREAS, the funds raised from this event will be used for student activities, additional resources and academic scholarships for children that cannot afford the tuition; and

WHEREAS, it is therefore in the public interest and it serves a public purpose of the City to waive the entire building rental fees for the use of the Expo Hall for Loyola College Prep's annual style show to be held on November 9, 2000.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, in due, legal and regular session convened, that the entire building rental fee for the Expo Hall to allow Loyola College Prep to hold its annual style show on November 9, 2000 is waived and the provisions of Section 26-123 and Section 26-124 of the Code of Ordinances are suspended relative to this event only.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if any provision or item of this resolution or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items, or applications of this resolution which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items, or applications; and to this end, the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared severable.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EMPLOYMENT OF SPECIAL LEGAL COUNSEL TO REPRESENT THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT, AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

WHEREAS, it is the desire of the City of Shreveport to retain the services of outside legal counsel to represent the interests of the City of Shreveport, its officers and employees in connection with oil, gas, and other minerals litigation and related issues.

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 8.03 of the City Charter, the City Attorney recommends that John M. Shuey, Jr., Attorney at Law, with the law firm Shuey, Smith and Reynolds, be retained for the purpose of said representation.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due, regular and legal session convened that the Mayor be and he is hereby authorized to execute, for and on behalf of the City of Shreveport, a retainer agreement with John M. Shuey, Jr., Attorney at Law, with the law firm Shuey, Smith and Reynolds, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the draft thereof which was filed for public inspection, together with the original copy of this resolution in the office of the Clerk of Council on January 11, 2000.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that expenses from this contract shall be paid out of the general government legal expense fund. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any provision or item of this resolution or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this resolution which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items or applications and to this end the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared severable.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

A RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE WAIVER OF THE BUILDING RENTAL FEE AND RATIFYING THE USE OF CERTAIN EQUIPMENT BY SHREVEPORT COMMUNITY RENEWAL AT THE A.B. PALMER RECREATION CENTER ON JANUARY 23, 2000 AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BY: Councilman Philip Serio

WHEREAS, the City desires to participate in programs which directly benefit the citizens and visitors of the City by providing wholesome activities which serve to benefit the entire community; and

WHEREAS, Shreveport Community Renewal is the sponsor of the Secure In Skills To Enjoy Relationships ("SISTERS") program which is a 5 month program intended to teach or reinforces self empowerment skills to propel program participants to the next level of employment preparation and personal development; and

WHEREAS, the 5 month program will culminate in a graduation celebration for program participants on Sunday, January 23, 2000; and

WHEREAS, Community Renewal has reserved the use of the A. B. Palmer Recreation Center for this event and has requested a waiver of the building rental fee and the use of 10-round tables, 60 chairs, a skirted stage with runway, sound system with control board or control mechanism, podium with portable microphone, uprights, bases and drape (for back of stage and other area coverage) and trash cans with liner for the graduation; and

WHEREAS, the fee waiver and the use of the equipment will assist Community Renewal in the production of and event which will serve to encourage the program participants to exceed and excel in their future endeavors.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, in due, legal and regular session convened, that the building rental fee for the use of the A.B. Palmer Recreation Center on January 23, 2000 and the use of 10-round tables, 60 chairs, a skirted stage with runway, sound system with control board or control mechanism, podium with portable microphone, uprights, bases and drape (for back of stage and other area coverage) and trash cans with liners by Shreveport Community Renewal on January 23, 2000 in the SISTERS graduation celebration is ratified.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any provision or item of this resolution or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications, and to this end, the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared severable.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE INSTITUTION OF EXPROPRIATION PROCEEDINGS AGAINST CERTAIN DESCRIBED PROPERTY WITHIN THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT IN CONNECTION WITH THE RUSSELL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT NO: 96-C003, PARCEL NO: P3-2, AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

WHEREAS, the City of Shreveport has developed the Russell Road Improvements, Project No: 96-C003; and

WHEREAS, the property described in the legal description, and more fully shown on the plat map marked as Exhibit "A" attached hereto, is situated in said development; and

WHEREAS, all attempts to amicably acquire fee title to the property comprising Parcel No: P3-2 have failed; and

WHEREAS, public necessity dictates that this property be owned by and subject to the use by the City of Shreveport.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due, regular and legal session convened, that the expropriation of this property is necessary for the public interest; therefore, the City Attorney be and he is hereby authorized to institute expropriation proceedings against the owners of record, as they might appear at the time of filing suit, of the property described in Exhibit "A" attached hereto as Parcel No: P3-2, to be acquired in fee title for street right-of-way.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if any provision or item of this resolution or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this resolution which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items or applications and to this end, the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared severable.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

ORDINANCES: None.

Motion by Councilman Carmody to suspend the rules to add a resolution to the agenda, seconded by Councilman Shyne and unanimously approved. Motion by Councilman Carmody to add Resolution No. 18 (Mardi Gras parade) to the agenda, seconded by Councilman Shyne and unanimously approved.

Councilman Burrell: The rules are already suspended, we may have to do it again for a person who asked to do it again, for a request for a person who asked to speak prior to a piece of legislation that we have. Motion by Councilman Burrell to suspend the rules to allow a speaker, seconded by Councilman Shyne and unanimously approved.

Dr. Ardis Cash (9700 St. Vincent Avenue, Shreveport, Louisiana): Today, I come to talk with you about an issue that is very close to my heart and it is one that I believe that we need to address and I think today as far as I know, it was suppose to have been on postponement and then most recently I got a call and I was told that it would be ruled upon by you guys today. So, I just wanted to talk about it just for a moment just to make my position known in it and hopefully that position will give some of you all an opportunity take a hard look at what you are getting ready to do. One of the things that I wanted to talk about is with respect to the voting on the Entertainment District, the $4 million dollar guaranty that you guys are getting ready, all of you all are getting ready to embark upon. I believe that from all indications is that it necessitates us to really take a hard look at this. I know today you are planning on voting, but what I would ask for you just to give us a cooling off period in this thing, a two weeks period for two reasons.

1) Because there is no minority ownership involved in it and as you well know, one of the hallmarks or footnotes of the campaign across America now is that there must be inclusion. And so I believe that we need to have some inclusions taking place. And I believe in the next two weeks, we will have an opportunity and enough time to work out the various positions or situations in order to get that taken care of.

2) I really want to have an opportunity with the attorneys for the individuals that we are representing to have an opportunity to take a look at what the City is getting ready to do. I believe that once you stand and pledge for $4 million dollars, you have to understand that these are public funds that you are pledging and so I am concerned about that. So with that in mind, I can conclude at this point, but I would ask that you guys give, all of you will have a cooling off period of two weeks, allow us an opportunity to really take a look at what's going on here.

Councilman Huckaby: Dr. Cash, you may not be aware of it not being a City Council member but there is a commitment for substantial minority involvement and there is underway at time, negotiations for minority ownership. Dr. Cash: And I am aware of it, sir. I had an opportunity to meet and so I know what's taken place. I know that there is a 35% commitment on the table that far exceeds the 25% that exists now in this City. However, that is only (inaudible) area. What I'm saying to you is that must be some participation in the management-ownership agreement that exist here.

Councilman Huckaby: You and I are obviously discussing two different negotiations. Dr. Cash: Okay. Councilman Huckaby: I say, not being a member of the City Council, you may not be aware of commitments made by . . . Dr. Cash: That throws up another flag, Judge. Councilman Huckaby: What is that? Dr. Cash: That means that you as a voting member on this, is privy to information that we the public is not privy to. Councilman Huckaby: That's always, that's in every case. Councilman Shyne: That's true.

Councilman Burrell: Well, I'm a City Council member and I'm not privy to the information.

Councilman Shyne: That could be true. Councilman Burrell: I'm sure it could be true, but I think that if we are dealing with an issue and we are asked to vote on it, then it would be applicable that Councilwoman Spigener know about it, Councilman Carmody, Councilman Serio, Councilman Stewart, myself as well as yourself and Councilman Shyne. Are we saying that we are not privy to that information? Councilman Huckaby: No, we are not saying that Mr. Burrell. What we are saying is that in almost every case that comes before this Council, there are instances of negotiations between certain Council members and outside parties that other Council members are not aware of.

Councilman Burrell: Well, I'm asking that if we are going to vote on this, then as a City Council Member, it is my understanding just from our conversation here today that there are some negotiations that are taking place that could move this thing forward if we all knew about them or if it is to be shared with the rest of us.

Councilman Serio: Mr. Mayor could you help us out a little bit on this. I think right now, I know that there is a good time constraint with trying to meet an opening of October that is very, very important. I think it is very important because with the casinos they are trying to be completed with their construction, with both casinos trying to complete their construction by October. And I think one of the issues is trying to make sure that all of the restaurants and clubs were also open at the same time so that while we are having the grand opening, we are not having the grand opening for casinos but we are not having the grand opening for restaurants, the clubs, the retail openings and they are 3, 4, 6 months behind in that then we've shot ourselves in the foot by not being able to take advantage of the tourist and the people who are seeking entertainment that are coming into the City. I mean at this point right now, I think that is the important issue to get this whole development completed at one time. Am I correct on that or am I thinking something else? Mayor Hightower: I do think that you are correct on that and certainly we want to take advantage of the advertising and grand opening opportunity in dollars that the Hollywood Casino will provide to us. However, I have said all along that my position is if we are going to embark upon an additional guaranty, that we should all be in agreement and on this boat together. I'm not sure that two weeks makes a difference if there are Council members that aren't comfortable and don't feel that they know all of the facts at this point. I think it is essential for us to have Entertainment District. I think that this is probably our best shot to have the Entertainment District happen. That area down there has sat vacant and dormant for many, many years and may continue to do that if we don't seize the opportunity. However, we are talking about a lot of public dollars and we are talking about a huge public commitment. And I think everyone should be comfortable with that and every one should be as knowledgeable and have all of the background information they need to make that decision, so I' not so sure that two weeks kills the deal by any means. There are things that have to be done behind the scenes. I know that the group is working on the leases that they are suppose to be signing. I have not seen that any of those have been done to this point and that was one of our talking points two weeks ago is that they would go out and bring some leases back to insure us that we would be able to get the type of rents that have been talked about over the past couple of months. I don't think that it is absolutely necessary we vote today and I'd like for all seven members to be comfortable before we move forward, however, again I do stress this may be our best opportunity to take advantage of the Entertainment District downtown with outside help and also it will obviously be a big drawing effort in our recruitment efforts to fill the Convention Center once its doors open three yeas from now.

Councilman Spigener: Mr. Mayor, when do you expect that we will have the opinion back from the Attorney General's Office about the legality of what we are doing? Mayor Hightower: I know there was some effort to get that back today and to my knowledge we have not received it, but I would look forward to receiving it hopefully this week. Councilman Spigener: And you will let us know about that? Mayor Hightower: Absolutely, we'll get a copy to each member.

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Huckaby, I'm about to make some statements and if I mis-quote you, would you please correct me. I believe when we first started talking about this project about the initial $5 million dollars, I believe that those were questions that you raised, but at that particular time, they didn't seem to be that important, am I right or wrong ? Councilman Huckaby: Correct. Councilman Shyne: And I believe at that particular time, you didn't seem to be comfortable with the information, right? Councilman Huckaby: I was not. Councilman Shyne: I was not comfortable either at that particular time but we went on and we voted on it. I agree with what the Mayor said, his last statements, that this is a golden opportunity for us to be able to take advantage of a group that will come in and help to develop the riverfront and do away with some of the blight that we have down in that area. I think it is going to be a tremendous boast for the City of Shreveport, not only for the City of Shreveport, but for north Louisiana and for the state. I was not comfortable at that particular time, but after talking to some of the people who are involved in it, I was more or less guaranteed, as much as you can guarantee a business venture of this nature, that there would be black participation.

When we were first asking for black ownership, I don't--now maybe I could be wrong--but I don't recall but two voices, am I right, Councilman? Councilman Huckaby: To the best of my recollection, that is correct. Councilman Shyne: I think it was your voice and mine that was really adamantly opposed and really wanted minority ownership from the top down. But after we looked at the project and we saw the benefits that it would bring to the city, we didn't want to kill the project because we did not have minority investors from the top down. We thought maybe the overall benefit would be better for the community at large than maybe just killing the project and stopping the project. And after talking with some of the investors the more we delay the project, if I'm not mistaken and I believe the rules are suspended now and Dr. Cash is up speaking, we might have to have Attorney Marshall Jones to come up and maybe make a few remarks on how this will impact this business deal on getting things done.

I would not want us to kill the business deal because some of us might be uncomfortable and we all have agreed to vote for an initial $5 million dollars. And I know that the CAO and the Administration did their homework in the beginning. I don't think that they would bring anything to the Council that would be illegal because I think, Councilman Huckaby, you raised that question at the beginning. I think we were assured that what we are doing, we are using these funds and I believe we had Mr. Larry Ferdinand (and Larry I don't need you to come up right now, I'm just using your name and you can kind of duck a little bit) but I think we had Mr. Ferdinand to come up and give some reasons why this was not illegal. And I believe he had a couple of people out of his office who said that this money could be used because our question was in the beginning, we don't want to use up all the funds down on the riverfront and we were told that this is legal.

All of a sudden and this is not fair to Attorney Jones and his group for us to get half way into the program and then say, gentleman we want to stop this because I'm uncomfortable with is. If I'm uncomfortable with something, I want to get off in the beginning if I'm that uncomfortable. I was uncomfortable from the beginning and Councilman Huckaby was uncomfortable from the beginning and we didn't say hey look, lets stop this whole show. After we realized the benefits that the total community would derive from this, then we had an opportunity to change our position. Now. we have been told and I've not really been privy to a lot of information, but it doesn't necessarily make me that uncomfortable because I know that happens a lot of times in business and especially in the political arena, there are things that the Administration-there are people that the Administration deal with and talk with and I might not know all of the details but I vote with it because I trust the Administration.

So, we should have thought about this when we first appropriated the $5 million dollars and told those gentleman, hey look, go to work. This is a vote of confidence. We didn't put any strings on it then, we didn't say well, lets get an Attorney General's opinion to see if this is legal. I think we took Mr. Ferdinand's opinion then that it was legal and I don't know whether we asked our Legal Department to see whether it was legal or not.

I personally think it is a worthwhile project. I have been told that there will be an opportunity for minority ownership, that they will meet the 35% or better and I think or I know that I fight as hard for minority inclusion in economic opportunities in this City as anybody. Councilman Huckaby and myself, both, were very involved in the Fair Share Program that we have before us now. We worked day and night and some times there was a little disagreement between Councilman Huckaby and myself and Councilman Huckaby and myself and the Administration but that happens. None of this is personal, it is all business and we want to do what is right for the City of Shreveport.

We are looking at this from a comprehensive standpoint. We want to make sure that Shreveport grows. We

want to make sure that there are job opportunities and as I look at Ms. Minor and others who are here and look at Mr. Sam Gilliam whose sons and daughters are in Chicago or in Atlanta, in St. Louis and some other places, we'd like to have them back home, working here in Shreveport using their talents here to make Shreveport grow. And sure we might pass some things and I might be uncomfortable with, but Mr. Chairman, I think it has gotten to the point where we don't want to kill this program and when Dr. Cash get through speaking since the rules have been suspending, I'd like to ask Attorney Jones to come up and tell us what impact this will have on making this program come to fruition.

Councilman Carmody: I just wanted to clarify one thing and so that I think that maybe it will put us on all on the same page. I think the situation changed in what my concern is, is legality of the City of Shreveport guaranteeing $4 million dollars on a loan which, as I appreciate it, was in addition to the $5 million dollars of Section 108 money that we originally voted to approve. There, I think is the difference as to why we are now requesting an Attorney General's opinion as to whether or not the City of Shreveport can underwrite $4 million dollars worth of loans for this particular project.

Councilman Serio: Julie, do you want to give us some help with that? Ms. Glass: What Mr. Carmody just said as far as the two different situations, is correct. If you want to discuss the legalities of this resolution, I believe Mr. Lafitte is the one that has really been working on it.

Councilman Serio: Does it create any problems if this was voted on today? Ms. Glass: No, I believe it was ready for adoption, short of working out all of the questions about it.

Councilman Huckaby: I have no problem with getting an Attorney General's opinion on the legality of this whole matter and I'm not addressing that issue. I'm addressing the issue of minority participation. At this point, I am satisfied with the position of minorities in this project and I don't think that the request for an Attorney General's opinion ought to stand in the way of voting on this matter today.

Councilman Spigener: Could Mr. Carmody repeat what he just said. Councilman Carmody: Councilwoman, I was trying to clarify a position and again I appreciate where Councilman Huckaby is coming from in that we are taking about minority participation. What I was trying to clarify was what Councilman Shyne had said in that what we were talking about, seeking the opinion originally upon $5 million dollars, that as I appreciate it, the circumstances changed when we were approached by the development group and asked to guarantee an additional $4 million dollars worth of loans. And that's were, personally, I had requested that the Administration seek an Attorney General's opinion to find out whether or not the City of Shreveport can legally do so under the Louisiana Constitution. And that is what has made me uncomfortable is that we can certainly talk about passing resolutions contingent upon them being legal but do we really want to do that.

Councilman Shyne: Julie, did I hear you say that this resolution was ready to be adopted today? Ms. Glass: It is on its second reading on the agenda and it is a resolution authorizing the making of the contract, so it meets the Charter provision.

Councilman Shyne: So, if it meets the Charter, it seems like that we should have stopped it before it got to this point from the way I look at it. I wouldn't want to get it to this point and because we could get an Attorney General's opinion tomorrow or it could be two months. When Dr. Cash get through, Mr. Chairman, I would like for Attorney Marshall Jones to come up and maybe tell us how this will impact the project.

Councilman Burrell: This particular piece of legislation is not hinged necessarily on minority participation. I think that the groups, I know that I have talked with them and was told unequivocally that there would not be any minority ownership. I pretty well accepted that. Now, if they've told others that there is since yesterday then that is something different. I mean I'm all elated about that. But I wasn't aware of it as of a few minutes before the Council meeting and as Councilman Huckaby said, there are things that they know that we don't know and I don't see that as a big problem because there are times in which things will be shared with others or compromises will be made with some that won't be made with others, I can understand that.

I think the issue still is, whether or not the $4 million dollars that we are asked to pledge which are not Section 108 dollars which clearly states under that, under Section 108 money that it is to be used to eliminate slum and blight. I think any project that will add to the well being of this City is a worthwhile and worthwhile considering. But when we've already placed $5 million dollars of Section 108 monies, when we couldn't even get some of the same funds to even build houses in areas that need it, I accepted it. I voted the first time, I'll be the first to admit to give them an opportunity to come up with whatever was necessary to add to it based on a personal guaranty, based upon, as I understand, part of the commitment that was made that so many leases would be signed already. I understand that that has not been the case, I don't know what that number is exactly and I may ask the Mayor this question because we are not privy to all the information. Based upon the leases that were, it was told to us that would be signed, a percentage that would be signed at this point, has that level been reached Mr. Mayor, do you know? Mayor Hightower: That may be a question to ask Mr. Jones. I have not been privy to any leases that have been signed, at this point.

Councilman Burrell: Was there a promise that there would be a certain number of leases signed? Mayor Hightower: Part of the promise and the commitment from the Texas bank that is financing most of the deal was that 90% of the leases be signed prior to any funds being released to the project. Part of a commitment Mr. Elkington made two weeks ago was that he would go out and get some of these leases done over the next 2 weeks and I have not talked to Mr. Elkington in the past two weeks. So, that may be something Marshall can address when he comes forward, but to this point, no sir, to answer your question, I've not seen any.

Councilman Burrell: Well, I think we made a good faith effort. Like I say when we first started this deal, I was all, well I was reluctant at first, but I took the risk, personally, to give the group an opportunity to go out and do what they promised that they said that they would do. I didn't have a problem with that. But, I didn't know at that time just as Councilman Carmody said, that we would be facing another $4 million dollar guaranty of non-Section 108 money which is actually guaranteed by your CDBG funds. That $5 million dollars that we put up is actually guaranteed for repayment by our CDBG funds, so basically we have CDBG funds that are pledged against the 108 loan right now that will be tied up until this money is repaid. Now we are asking for $4 million dollars more of General Fund dollars, I don't know if it is Riverfront dollars or just general tax dollars, but in terms of the legalities of it, we are talking about two different issues here. And I think the question still remains as to whether or not we can pledge, loan, or whatever the other term is of general tax dollars, and I think that that is what we are wrestling with, right now moreso than anything. An Attorney General's opinion has been requested and it appears that the Mayor is not comfortable with that. Nobody is against the project, and I don't want anybody to paint that. I've talked to the gentleman and I told him, nobody is against this project regardless of whether we get minority ownership or not, but I do think that there is a larger issue here that we are discussing.

Councilman Serio: I have a comment on this and one of the things over the last several year been involved, try to be involved with tourism back before I ever ran for the Council. And I know that outside dollars are very important to the City, outside dollars are important because it is bringing in money and it is bringing in new money into the City of Shreveport. One of the issues that has always come up with the casinos is not having enough money spent locally that is creating income for outside of the casinos where you have money that rolls over quicker in the community rather than just within the casino itself. And this is probably one of the largest investment opportunities we have ever seen for development of retail, of restaurants, of shopping that is outside of the casinos but also the way that it is designed, it is designed to bring people from the casinos to the riverfront and get those folks involved with the local community and the business groups.

Interestingly, with the way that this is laid out, it will help the Revel, we also have December on the Red that goes on that accounts for the five week programs that has brought as many as a million people between Marshall and Natchitoches through the City of Shreveport and of course we have Les Boutique De Noel that goes on, on the riverfront now that attracts 20,000+ to the riverfront during this holiday season. The Indy Bowl that brings 40- or 50,000 people into the community as well as Mardi Gras which we know of the two parades, brings 250,000/ 300,000/ 400,000 people into the area during the Mardi Gras period. Councilman Shyne: Don't forget about the Grambling and Arkansas game. Councilman Serio: And we got the Grambling and Arkansas game, but unfortunately Mr. Shyne, thanks for pointing that out because unfortunately, when these folks have been coming into the casino lately, we have not been taking advantage of the opportunity we had with those folks spending money in the city of Shreveport and creating new tax dollars. And, I would bet if we were to calculate and see what this money would be worth to us in tax dollars, it is going to be worth much more than the money that we are putting up to make sure that all of these developments conclude at the same time.

I think that's the whole issue is, making sure these developments conclude at the same time, so that come next October when hotel is open and the hotel spends $4 million dollars or more to advertise in Dallas and all over the southeast to attract people into the city, that when they come here they find a completed tourism attraction. Because the last thing you want them to do is come in and find a shell and find two casinos and they have got restaurants that might be completed in 90 to 120 days. You know they say, well, why come back until it is completed. But if it is completed and everything is in place, we would definitely have one of the most dynamic entertainment districts that you'll find anywhere in the southeast. I mean, the money that we are putting forward is short-term and I hope that if you start counting the investment that we are putting in the City of Shreveport that you will see that it is worth what we are doing, what we are trying to complete because once you have this many restaurants, this many clubs, this many shopping facilities open up all in one consolidated area, I think some of the other issues of downtown Shreveport are also going to be resolved as far as the development of some of the other areas that have not been touched. I think at this time it does make sense that we bring our lawyer forward--Dr. Cash: Excuse me, are you going to let me finish? Councilman Serio: That is fine, I will let you rebut if you would like to.

Dr. Cash: Well, you've said a mouth full, Mr. Serio. One thing I noticed, I don't go to nightclubs, but, you have clubs here now and they still aren't full; so, I don't know where you were coming from with respect to that. The letter of credit, lets talk legalities, here. There was suppose to have been a letter of credit that was suppose to have been initiated in this deal; as of yet, we have not seen the letter of credit. Also, you all are responsible for the bond ratings that this city has. Now, your $4 million dollars affects that bond rating. In addition to that, you all are talking about two weeks is too long, but have you checked the weather report. You haven't checked the weather report; I have. And so I saw that we have inclement weather coming up; so what does that say? Construction don't take place. So, you can't give me or try to wash this thing under with those type of suggestions, I think it is wrong. And concerning black participation, I'm not like Mr. Burrell in that. I believe that there should be and I don't care who say that they have championed black causes, I know I champion their cause and so I'm concerned. If we can't get participation, it is wrong. All across this nation we are enjoying prosperity; lets enjoy it here. And someone mentioned about the blight area. Well go over to this Councilman's area, Mooretown, go to Queensborough, you've got blight areas over there. Take $2 million dollars and put it over there, but you guys are coming at this thing for your own reasons and you are going to have to live with your own conscious with it. Now, with respect to qualifying. I believe that you need to qualify this thing. If you don't qualify it, it is going to come back to haunt you. So, a two weeks period will not hurt you in this matter, that is my last say on it.

Councilman Huckaby: Dr. Cash, have you attempted to negotiate for yourself or for your organization, the opportunity for minority participation in this project? Dr. Cash: Yes, I have. Councilman Huckaby: Have you met with any success? Dr. Cash: Yes. Councilman Huckaby: How much? Dr. Cash: I got three businesses out of it. Councilman Huckaby: You got three businesses out of it, what do you mean? Dr. Cash: Not guaranteed, but there was talk on the table to assure that there would be three businesses owned by minorities. Councilman Huckaby: You negotiated upon this? Dr. Cash: Nay, but we talked about it, I didn't negotiate it. Councilman Huckaby: It was already there, was it not? That was already on the table, was it not? Dr. Cash: No, it was not. Councilman Huckaby: You negotiated upon this? Dr. Cash: I just said that, Judge. Councilman Huckaby: Just said what? Dr. Cash: I just said, what I just said. Councilman Huckaby: That you negotiated upon the three businesses? Dr. Cash: I said that I was not a negotiator. I was in on a meeting and the three businesses was brought to the table. Councilman Huckaby: My question to you was: Have you negotiated for yourself or for your organization the opportunity for minority participation? Dr. Cash: No, I don't need a job, Judge. Councilman Huckaby: I didn't ask you about a job.

Councilman Serio: Mr. Huckaby, I don't know with the discussion right now, is directed towards or where the discussion is headed, but. . . Dr. Cash: I not either. Councilman Huckaby: I can tell you where it is headed. I think it is headed to the conclusion that because you have been unsuccessful in getting yourself or the people you represent into this project, you want a so-called cooling off period. My position is and I don't claim to be a champion of civil rights or minority participation in this city, but I can say that the record shows that I've been in the forefront from the very beginning. Councilman Shyne: Right. Dr. Cash: So. Councilman Huckaby: So? Dr. Cash: That's what I'm saying. Councilman Huckaby: That's a fact. So we don't claim to be a champion of anything. We just know the fact, I've been out front, Mr. Shyne has been out front. I've concluded that you want a cooling off period because you have failed in your efforts to position yourself or your organization into the project as a minority participant and that's why you--Dr. Cash: We call that prerogative. You can possess that if you want it. Councilman Huckaby: You can have it. What I'm telling you as a City Councilman, I am satisfied with the minority participation. Dr. Cash: I am telling you as a Minister of the Gospel, it doesn't make any difference, that's your prerogative. Councilman Huckaby: This is not the church house. This is City Council. Dr. Cash: I don't care where we are, every place is where I need to be. So I'm saying to

you Judge, that is your prerogative. You can have it.

Councilman Serio: Mr. Huckaby, I think we've accomplished what we are trying to accomplish here. I think also it would probably make sense at this point, to bring Marshall Jones forward and I think he has a couple of comments he can bring forward as well.

Councilman Burrell: I just want to make a clarification about something that Dr. Cash said. I didn't want the statement to be taken out of context about, I don't care about the minority participation. Because from the beginning of this project the persons who came forth and asked for this project, they know that that was one of the first things that we talked about. And I don't want it to be taken out of context that I don't care about minority participation regardless of who wants to make claims of being for inclusion. I think that my record would show that even prior to us talking about economic inclusion, my last five years has been singing that same song, so I don't think that that's the issue and I want to make sure that that is clear.

I think the issue here, in addition to that, I think we've all, as black councilmen, are very conscious of that fact that we do want to have diversity in everything that we do because we've all worked on an inclusion plan with the Mayor. We just didn't all fall on the same side of the argument that is the only thing that makes a difference here.

I think it is evident that there were some negotiations that were done differently between one and the other, nothing wrong with that, I don't have a problem with that. There may have been more promises made one place than it was in others, I don't have a problem with that. But I still think that an issue that is on the table, one of the main issues, and I'm sure it is one that the Mayor is concerned about and one that we should be concerned about as guardians of the taxpayers dollars and being legislators ourselves that make the law, we should try to uphold the law and as of right now, it my understanding that the question is whether or not this $4 million dollars is money that we can actually pledge or loan to a private concern; I think that is one of the main issues that we have.

The second is, is that when it was asked whether or not these individuals who are asking for $4 million dollar guarantee would they pledge their own monies as security for this, the answer was, no. That when that question was asked and I think we all asked that question, the answer was no, so I guess a flag went up. Well, if they don't want to guarantee their monies against the $5 million we've already given, why should we guarantee taxpayer's money to pledge against a loan just in case it happens. The first thing, I would be suspect, not suspect of them, but suspect of whether or not this particular loan is real safe. And I think the only way that we can find that out is to go to the Administration because they have the wherewithal and monies to investigate these matters, we don't. I know I'm a part-time Councilman, I don't have the money to do that. I know Councilman Huckaby is an attorney, he probably definitely on the legal end knows more than probably all of us from a legal standpoint put together, but I think that that is where we all.

Councilman Shyne: I am going to make mine's short and I believe Councilman Burrell keeps on referring to personal and I want Dr. Cash and I think that you have to live with this. I want him to know that, none of this personal to me, now. And I think Councilman Burrell say, his personal credibility or whatever it is might be at stake. Whenever I'm up here I represent the people. Councilman Burrell: I didn't say that. Councilman Shyne: Let me finish, let me finish. Councilman Burrell: I didn't say that. Councilman Shyne: I think you pointed to yourself. I want to make it clear now, when you all see me up here, I have no personal involvement, at all. This is strictly professional. First of all, I represent the citizens of District F, then I represent the people of the city of Shreveport. I do not represent Joe Shyne as an individual when I'm up here. Because some times individually I might disagree with something, but if this is something that is going to do my district some good or going to do the city of Shreveport some good, I go along with it. I'm not going to let my personal opinion or what I believe in impact my decisions when it comes to what's best for my district and what's best for the City of Shreveport. I want to make that clear. This is not personal to me, this is strictly professional.

Marshall Jones (2124 Fairfield Avenue): I'm one of the several partners of the proposed Red River Entertainment District and I'd like to talk, very briefly, about three topics that I heard various Councilmen raise and all very valid topics need to be discussed.

First, Councilman Carmody's concern and the topic regarding the Attorney General's opinion. I believe the facts are that in good course, being concerned about what is legal and what can the City do and not do, our Mayor requested the Attorney General of the State of Louisiana to render an opinion as to the legality and constitutionality of the proposed $4 million dollar loan guaranty that is being brought before you; that opinion is not back yet.

Our sense of urgency is that the Attorney General received that request for the opinion last Thursday. And just in the ordinary course of their doing the things that they do in the Attorney General's Office in Baton Rouge, they have not had the opportunity to return a written opinion to the Mayor's Office to my knowledge yet.

Our sense of haste, and let me address Mr. Carmody's point, is first of all Texas Capital Bank is the entity that requested, actually insisted, that we ask the City Council to guarantee $4 million dollars of the $11 million loan that Texas Capital Bank committed to for a period only during our construction period, which is approximately 10 months. If the Attorney General advises or Mayor or the CAO or me, if it comes to the Mayor that this proposal is in fact unconstitutional or does not pass any form of legal scrutiny, I can assure you, we will stand aside. Texas Capital Bank made the $4 million dollar city guaranty part of our commitment. I'm of the opinion to see whether the City of Shreveport stands behind our proposed Entertainment District or not.

If we learn and we've tried to learn today, if we learn from the Attorney General's Office that the proposal that Texas Capital Bank has asked us to make on the City Council is in fact, improper for any reason, we will stand aside and have to do something else. Whether we can renegotiate that point with our bank or not, we don't know yet.

Our sense of urgency is for two reasons why we would like to request the Council to approve the proposal today subject to the Attorney General's opinion is that our bank commitment and I'm going to ask my partner, Joe Rodriguez whose been in touch with Texas Capital Bank more recently this week than I have our loan commitment that took us a long time to get, expires this week and one of the subjects to-s is that we get a favorable vote here.

Secondly, and more important to the big picture of the success of the Entertainment District and I speak to also the success of your Convention Center, your $85 million dollar Convention Center, is that if we started construction today which we wish we could do, we are going to have to run our construction crews, which we are ready to do, on at least a two-shift basis so that we will have the opportunity to open in contemporaneous with the opening of Hollywood Casino. We were advised by Mr. Pratt, Sr. today that Hollywood Casino, the good news is, they are now 10-days ahead of their proposed October opening date and for us to wait another two weeks for us to negotiate with Dr. Cash or--we'll be glad to visit with anyone, my phone number is in the book and I'll talk to anyone and we'll talk more about our discussions with Dr. Cash in a minute--we are here to talk with anyone about anything.

And the important point of this Entertainment District and the timing of what we are asking this Council to do is that we are behind now and for us to be apart of a $4 million dollar multi-state media campaign that Hollywood has budgeted, we have to open contemporaneous with them otherwise we loose out on being a key part of Hollywood's $4 million dollar campaign, that would be very detrimental to our efforts. The success our Entertainment District to a great extent, a first priority is opening in contemporaneous with Hollywood Casino and Harrah's which may be a couple of weeks, a few weeks ahead of their--I think Hollywood is trying to open ahead of Harrah's now and I think the rush is on between those two corporate competitors.

But the points of the Entertainment District from a dollar return to you as the keeper of the taxpayers' funds are these: This was a $30 million dollar project. The $4 million dollar guaranty that our bank has requested that you agree to is a portion of a $11 million dollar loan to the bank, Texas Capital Bank, has agreed to. The Entertainment District so says not us, but Hollywood Casino and their financial consultants, Bear Stearns, the Entertainment District itself, assuming it opens and we get past all of these hurdles that, we have one today, creates a 15% shift in the market here from the Bossier side of the river to the Shreveport side. And if you take Bear Stearns calculations of what this market will be once Hollywood Casino opens, you are talking 15% of an $800 million dollar market for a $120 million dollar shift in money from the east side of Red River to the west side of Red River, and that should be important to you, that's the Entertainment District's impact on actual dollars.

We anticipate in our first year, on just our first phase of having $55 million dollars in sales. I think any financial advisor that you might talk to will tell you that a 20% figure off of that would give you an idea of what our payroll is going to be and you back in the number the other way, of what we anticipate our payroll to be without talking about sales. We anticipate our annual payroll of being $11 million dollars, that's the first phase. We also anticipate that our new sales tax and other tax dollars that you don't receive now that will be a direct result of businesses that open in the Entertainment District will also approximate that $11 million dollar sum. We anticipate providing, at minimum, of 700 new jobs. These are not jobs that exist somewhere else, these are new jobs. And these jobs, by nature of what they are, will be for persons who are either unemployed now or underemployed.

On the issue of minority involvement. We have pledged--there is a 25% Fair Share Plan that the City has adopted elsewhere and ya'll are well aware of the challenges that have been made with respect to the City and Hollywood's fulfillment of that Fair Share Plan. It is easy for us to do because we want to do the right thing, that we've committed to whatever Councilman has inquired about it, to have a minimum of 35% minority participation. We don't have any minorities yet if you say that a minority is an African-American male or female. One of our partners is Hispanic, one of our partners is a female, they always like to debate the point of why aren't they included as a minority here, but they are not. But that point is something that we hope you will understand that we are going to do the right thing there. We'll do the right thing there whether the City endorses this $4 million dollar guaranty or not and that will happen. And we've made that pledge to Councilman Huckaby, we've made that pledge to Councilman Burrell, and I think there was a meeting last night, and to Councilman Shyne because they are concerned about the African-American community, but even at this, my partners want to do the right thing even if you don't approve this guaranty or the Attorney General says, you can't approve this guaranty, we are still going to do what we said we are going to do because it is the right thing to do and it is easy for us to do it.

To address some of the other points involving our negotiation on minority participation and where we are on our bank loan, I'm going to ask my partner, Joe Rodriguez to speak to you just for a second. Mr. Rodriguez is President of an entity called Hospitalities Ventures, Inc. out of Germantown, Tennessee and he is a developer of hotels and shopping centers around America and Mexico and let him tell you a little bit about Texas Capital Bank's requirement that we get something done today or our commitment will expire.

And I promise all of you regardless of what you think of the merits of the Entertainment District we have worked very, very hard to get this bank commitment and if we lose it, there will be no Entertainment District. None. And ya'll can talk about all of schematics of whether Dr. Cash should be our partner or not or who shouldn't be, there is not going to be an Entertainment District and we are on the edge of that now. And I just urge you to vote your conscious, do the right thing, and if the Attorney General says, we shouldn't do this, the Mayor is going to let us know because he is as concerned about this Attorney General's opinion as we are.

The reason we were requested to ask for this commitment is that the bank, quite frankly wanted to see if the City of Shreveport was behind our Entertainment District or not. They are a Texas bank and they don't know the politics and economics of what is going on in our local community and that is where that requirement is coming from. And the Mayor rightfully asked for the AG's opinion which will be forth coming and if that opinion is in the negative, we will have to go to Plan B. But as it stands now, I request, respectably, is that you approve the loan guaranty, $4 million dollars of an $11 million dollar loan guaranty during the construction period only, that will be approximately 10-12 months hopefully shorter on the 10-month period and that is our request today period and respectfully ask you to consider it.

Councilman Burrell: Clarification, Marshall. We've been talking back and forth from Day One on this issue. I am a little confused because Councilman Huckaby on one end in which I was a pleasantly surprised to hear him say that because I know that I didn't get that information.

Lets get back to the ownership part of this thing and it has nothing to do with Dr. Cash being the owner, as far as I know, in this. He never has requested that because I've been in a lot of the meetings that he has been in. It was my understanding from your partners, you included that there would not be, unequivocally, not be and I made that statement because I just recently got that statement again, yesterday, that there will not be any African-American ownership, especially local ownership in your project other than the possibility of some ownership in the business that may become a part of this Entertainment District, am I correct or not? Mr. Jones: I wasn't a part of the meeting, the 2 ½ hour meeting that you had with Mr. Rodriguez last night, so I'll let him address the conversation that ya'll had.

Councilman Burrell: Well, you are a partner and you are a legal partner. I can ask you that. Mr. Jones: You can ask me anything, Councilman be glad to answer it. Councilman Burrell: I've asked a question. Do you know that to be the case? Mr. Jones: Councilman, unlike a lot of people that are giving us a lot of scrutiny these days, our partnership doesn't look at each of our partners whether they are black or white. The partners that are involved in the District are persons that have been involved for years now. And those persons that have approached us recently, both African-American and White, that have asked to be our partners are persons that are, quite frankly, coming on board when the boat is about to leave the dock. We have spent thousands and thousands of hours putting this project together and it has nothing to do with whose black or whose white, it has to do with whose been involved in this for years.

Councilman Burrell: Mr. Jones, I only asked that question as a clarification because Councilman Huckaby made

a statement and I asked for clarification. Was the statement that he made earlier concerning African-American ownership in this, not associated with the ownership in the business, a business that will be a part, a tenant, will be a part of it?

Councilman Huckaby: Mr. Burrell, I want to be sure that you quote me correctly, do you recall what my statement was? Councilman Burrell: Well, that's the way I understood it. If I didn't, then I would like for you to clarify it for me. Councilman Huckaby: You haven't said what my statement was yet. Councilman Burrell: The statement that I understood you to say was that, there will be African-American ownership in this. Councilman Huckaby: That is not what I said. Councilman Burrell: Okay, will you clarify. Councilman Huckaby: I said, African-American ownership is being negotiated .

Councilman Burrell: Maybe I need a further clarification. Is it in the, as a tenant coming in, in terms of business or as a managing partner? Councilman Huckaby: The tenant position is already on the table, always has been on the table. There are other negotiations underway. Councilman Burrell: For? Councilman Huckaby: Ownership. Councilman Burrell: For managing partner ownership? Councilman Huckaby: That is correct.

Councilman Burrell: Is that a correct statement? Mr. Jones: I'm not sure what statement you are debating back and forth you want me to agree with or not agree with. Councilman Burrell: To keep me from having to repeat something that Councilman Huckaby is saying as a clarification, Councilman Huckaby will you re-state that about the tenant ownership negotiations. I just want to ask is it correct or not.

Councilman Shyne: Don't get involved in that. Councilman Burrell: I have a right to ask a question of clarification. Councilman Huckaby: I've made my statement, I think I've made it clear. I'm not going to make any more comments.

Councilman Burrell: Let me make the statement then, since I've asked him to make his own statement. That is, I understood Councilman Huckaby to say that there is negotiations going on for African-American, local African-American ownership as a managing partner in your venture, is that correct or not?

Mr. Jones: I don't know the answer to that because I wasn't in the meeting with you last night and don't know what you've requested. Councilman Burrell: It is not about that meeting, it is about what he just said. Mr. Jones: If you'll let me answer the question. And I also haven't been a part of discussions directly with Councilman Shyne or Councilman Huckaby. One of my partners, John Elkington, a developer of Beale Street has been telling Councilman Shyne, Councilman Huckaby, and other Councilmen, I think including you about the success on Beale Street as a working model of how there are minority owners of the various businesses down there, approximately I think 35- or 40% of the businesses on Beale Street, not the employees, but the owners of those businesses, the people that make the decisions and reap the benefits of those decisions are African-American and that's the information that I think my partner, Mr. Elkington has given to Councilman Shyne, Councilman Huckaby. I have not been a part of those conversations. My job in connection with our partnership, I am the guy that does all of the paperwork; I can't answer that question for.

Councilman Burrell: Well, who can answer that question for me, and I'll just cut to the chase.

Councilman Shyne: You or Roy tell us about the meeting last night. Mr. Jones: Well, I wasn't in the meeting last night where there was discussion with you about minority ownership in the Entertainment District so I can't really address that, I don't know where that stands.

But to my knowledge, the reason we have the partners of who we have has nothing to do with whether they are black or white or male or female or Hispanic or Canadian or whatever, it's the persons that have been involved in this. I been fooling with for 4 or 5 years, Councilman and to my knowledge no one else has come to us until last week or two suggesting that we need to add some additional owners. Councilman Burrell: That's not true. That came up in the initial negotiations, even prior to the last vote for the $5 million dollars, that came up because I brought it up. Mr. Jones: But we were never given any specific names by you, it was a group out there. I don't know who those people are and I'll let you and Mr. Rodriguez share with the public what ya'lls conversation was last night, because I wasn't there.

Councilman Burrell: Mr. Marshall, the conversation last night in that meeting was just to get a clarification. I asked before we had the meeting, I was called in order to have the meeting, so that's no big secret about that. It was to clarify some things that needed to be clarified before the vote today. Mr. Jones: I was not part of that meeting, so I don't know what took place.

Councilman Burrell: I was told that a letter would be sent to me clarifying these things. I looked and it was suppose to have been faxed to me. I looked at my fax at my business, I looked at the fax at home, I've looked in my book and I never got the letter and that is what I stated last night. Undoubtedly, the letter was shared with someone but it was not shared with me as far as any clarification and that is what that was about, clarifying that. It is no big secret. Mr. Jones: I'll stand aside and there are different partners that have different roles in this.

Councilman Burrell: Well, it seems like there is discussion. One thing is being discussed with us, maybe something different being discussed with them and when we come here to the Council meeting and something different is brought up, then yes, I think we are curious as to whether or not we are all being told the same thing. Mr. Jones: Well Councilman, if you are suggesting that we are doing anything improper. Councilman Burrell: I'm not. Mr. Jones: I can assure you that is not the case. Councilman Burrell: I'm not. Mr. Jones: And I'll let Mr. Rodriguez address what ever information---Councilman Burrell: I'm just hearing different information. Mr. Jones: Well, I'm sure you are.

Councilman Spigener: These meetings and all of this is very interesting I'm finding out about right now and haven't been privy to none of them, but that is neither here or nor there. I just have a problem, with just a real simple question, maybe it is to simple to ask in this environment. But the bank is still going to guarantee or going to let you borrow $11 million dollars. You are asking the City to guarantee $4; that leaves $7, I believe. Whose name is on the line for that $7 million?

Mr. Rodriguez: The bank is. It is a non-recourse, the balance of the loan is non-recourse meaning that no one would have any liability.

And Ms. Spigener, while you are on this issue because I think Councilman Burrell raised a good issue a minute ago. Please keep in mind, when you say, why we would not personally guarantee. I've developed hotels and companies as have my partners John Elkington and Marshall to a certain degrees. Typically, when you go to a bank or a cashflow lender, you either put up equity or you put up signatures. I think to put things into perspective here, what the Council ought to consider is this is a $30 million project. We are responsible, at the bank, for $7.5 million dollars in equity (hard cash) plus the $5 million dollar Section 108. The city's exposure is really only $5 million dollars after the 10 month construction period. So, when you posed that a little while ago, I think it was a fair comment, Councilman Burrell but, I think it is also fair that there is a lot equity going ahead of this loan that we would lose because the City is going to

have a second mortgage which hadn't been discussed at this point, a shared second mortgage with HUD because they are requiring it as security under the 108 loan. So, there is a lot of equity in front of the City's stock gap, 10 months/12 months worse case as far as the $4 million dollar guaranty and then that guaranty automatically goes away.

With respect to the meetings that we've been having. I can say honestly and bluntly that no promises have been made. First of all, I wouldn't be a party to making promises to someone and then turning around and making different promises to someone else and I regret that, that implication has even come up.

But just to set the record straight. We have been asked on two separate occasions, back in August, the day of the Section 108 second vote for minority participation in the Entertainment District and the answer was, no. We are not going to buy votes. We are not interested in buying votes, we are not interested in people approaching us and saying, you want us to support this in a community then we expect ownership in return after we have spent thousands of dollars and thousands of man hours, I have been at this project for over 2 years now. And, that would apply whether it was Hispanic such as I am or black or white, it is not a racial issue, it is a business issue. Now, last night after you left Councilman Burrell and quite frankly, I'm going to put in the proper context, I found it not only inappropriate but offensive that that issue came up for the second time, after you left the meeting, you weren't there. But this time it went from 18% to 51% and as a businessman I find it a little offensive.

Councilman Burrell: What went from 18 to 51? Mr. Rodriguez: The proposed ownership in the Entertainment District by minorities and I've got a memorandum here that was faxed to me that deals with a to-be announced LLC that is going to be our partners for 51% of this District. I don't need the deal that badly not at 18%, not 8%, not at 8/10 of 1%.

Councilman Burrell: I think that that is incorrect. Dr. Cash: That's a totally incorrect, that's a lie.

Councilman Serio: I think right now, Dr. Cash, you are out of line right now.

Mr. Rodriguez: Dr. Cash was not a party to this first of all, let me say, I could understand how he would be upset. He was there and when I told the other party that we would not bring in someone for any percentage in the Entertainment District, Dr. Cash quickly dismissed it. He was there for a totally different purpose, quite frankly, that was pretty clear to me. He is a Pastor. I think he dealt with us honestly and up front and he said basically that he would like to see, didn't demand anything, that he would like to see if there was some way that we as developers could help minorities own one or two or three businesses, that was Dr. Cash's involvement in this meeting last night. Now, that's the extent of it and that is where he had his discussion.

Councilman Burrell had already left. I think we talked in general terms, it had nothing to do with ownership while you were there, Councilman. It really had to do with the Fair Share and making sure that we met out commitment as far as the 35% that we committed to this Council and to this Administration. That which we commitment, that we will do and I'm talking about sub-contractors, service contracts, and so on and so forth.

Councilman Burrell: Well, I just want to make a clarification on the 51%. I think it was also said that the 51% was actually the figure that was in, it may have been typed on there, I believe it was even considered a typo. The fifty-one percent (51%) had to do with the ordinance that was passed last time; it had 51%. I think it has to do with jobs, if you read it. Mr. Rodriguez: Well, I've got the memorandum here, Councilman, it says ownership, 51%. Councilman Burrell: And then the other 51% that was discussed had to do with 51% of the business, not ownership, managing partner ownership. You don't remember any discussion along that line? Mr. Rodriguez: You weren't there at the time, but let me just read it because it is very clear, it is all on one page. It says: The purpose is to achieve an understanding of the major deal points to a written partnership agreement to finance, develop, and manage an Entertainment District in Shreveport, Louisiana. I think that is pretty--you weren't there and I got handed this after--as far as any discussion of these issues, you were already gone, Councilman Burrell. But I mean, and it says right down here: Deal Points. Ownership, 51%. Management Participation, parity and it goes on and on and on. I mean, it is all on one sheet of paper. And this is the second time I've received a document, the last time it was also on one sheet of paper that dealt with ownership in the Entertainment District. Now, I think what Dr. Cash was interested in doing last night was clear to my partner and I that were there and was to explore ways, and I applaud Dr. Cash and what he proposed to us, to find ways if it can be done to creatively finance 2 or 3 minority owned businesses in the district and that makes sense and I don't have any problem with that, none of the partners have any problems with it.

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Rodriguez, I feel pretty bad by knowing anything of this nature would happen. To me, this is almost like hijacking. I mean I wouldn't want to see anybody twist your arm in a backroom meeting. If we have some questions about minority participation, I think it has been handled by Councilman Huckaby and myself with you all standing right there in front of the microphone with the t.v. cameras rolling. Mr. Rodriguez: That is correct, sir, both you and Councilman Huckaby. . . .Councilman Shyne: I'm not going to, and I know Councilman Burrell probably meant well, but you are kind of getting in a gray area now when you start meeting in backrooms and you are going to twist somebody's arm although you might walk out five or ten minutes before the actual twisting starts.

Councilman Burrell: Councilman Shyne, I resent that.

Councilman Shyne: I was just--Councilman Burrell: Councilman Shyne, I am not going to let you sit there and imply that. Councilman Shyne: . . .that we would stop this whole conversation.

Councilman Burrell: If anybody knows anything about, in a backroom, you should know about it. Councilman Serio: Gentlemen. Councilman Burrell: Now, we won't get into that area of business. Councilman Serio: Gentlemen. Councilman Shyne: Well, I do and that is why I'm saying, I wish that we would let Mr. Rodriguez would take his seat. Councilman Burrell: That wasn't called for, Mr. Shyne. Councilman Serio: I'm going to turn off the microphones. Gentlemen, we are going to bring this back to order. Councilman Burrell: That wasn't necessary, Mr. Shyne. Councilman Serio: I'll turn off yours too, Mr. Burrell. Councilman Burrell: This didn't have any thing to do with any backroom actions or meetings.

Councilman Serio: Lets come back to order. This has nothing to do with anything that is on the table, at this moment. We are talking about the development of the Downtown District. We are not talking about personal bickerings right now, that has nothing to do with anything on the table right now.

Councilman Shyne: Could we let him take his seat. Councilman Serio: I think at this point right now Mr. Rodriguez, I think you have enlightened us very much and I think also Mr. Jones has enlightened us that we are faced with the incredible development in the riverfront and I think that, I just picked up one thing that I think Marshall Jones said. I think that if we just consider th impact of the dollars, the 700 new jobs, the $10,000 employment figure and that's a low employment figure for anything on the riverfront. That generates $7 million dollars locally. And if you are looking at a 20,000 salary, you are looking at creating $14 million dollars of new employment, locally. And we are talking about $4 million dollars right here, to help move this project along so that this project opens up at the same time that two

casinos open up. We know that Hollywood has $4 million dollars that they are planning to spend and I have no idea, if anybody knows what Harrah's plans to spend because they'll be opening at the same time.

I mean, the impact on the City of Shreveport, we have never had this type of impact for tourism dollars in the City of Shreveport. And the wonderful thing about tourism dollars is that it is new money, that is totally new money that comes into the City of Shreveport. I know anybody that is responsible it is the DDA knows the impact of outside dollars and what outside dollars mean to the City of Shreveport. And you are talking about businesses spending $4, $6, $8 million dollars to attract people here. And what will we do to make this project work. I also received a request--Mr. Rodriguez to you have any other comments that you think are necessary at this point.

Mr. Rodriguez: Yes, sir, just one thing because I don't want to discourage Dr. Cash. I think Dr. Cash's proposal last night was something that we would work toward and that we could accomplish and I think that what he suggested was productive and I just thank the Council. You all have spent a lot of time on this project both in Chamber and in meetings. Just for the record, I want to make sure that Pastor Cash, and what he was suggesting was very productive and will be good for the City and good for our district also.

Councilman Shyne: Mr. Rodriguez just before you take your seat, I would like to make this statement. I would hope that any negotiations that is dealing with minority participation would at least be brought to this Council because we are the ones that is ultimately going have to vote on it and we are the ones that is going to have consider it. And I think all of the discussions that you all have had, Councilman Huckaby and myself have brought it before the Council and if you notice and it was nothing personal. When you all came before the Council before, we may have spent maybe about an hour talking about minority participation. It was here, it was out in the opening where everybody could see what was going on. We are concerned about minority participation but we are also concerned about this project. At this particular time, we would like to get this project on the road headed down the right direction if we are going to have it. I think you all gave us your word that you would do everything in your power to make sure that minorities are included. Mr. Rodriguez: That's correct, absolutely correct.

Councilman Shyne: I trust you on that. Now, if I have any questions that I want to talk to you about, I'm going to call you and ask you to come to a Council meeting where you can stand where you are now and I can sit where I am now and Council members can sit here and we'll kind of discuss it back and forth and that is what will happen from time to time. From time to time, we are going to ask you all to come before the Council and give us an update. I don't even want you meeting with me in the Council offices room. If so, I'm going to ask Arthur and Dianne and some of the other Council members to meet. We want you to come out front and give us a report on the progress At this point, Mr. Chairman, I think we need to look at voting this either up or down.

Mr. Rodriguez: We will lose this commitment otherwise and the timing, one comment Dr. Cash made no we don't expect to get under construction the next couple of weeks, but there is an awful lot of money, construction plans that have got to be completed, budgets, leases signed. As the Mayor said, 90% of the leases have to be signed before the bank advances one dollar, so there is a lot of safety, there is a lot of safety values here that we are negotiating with this deal; thank you for your time.

Mr. David Alvis (823 Brook Hollow): I been sitting out here, I've never been to a City Council meeting, so you have to excuse me. Councilman Burrell: Welcome. Mr. Alvis: Pretty exciting so far. I guess, I have a restaurant here in town, out on Brook Hollow right off Bert Kouns. Councilman Serio: Mr. Burrell, that's in District D. Mr. Alvis: That is correct and actually we've made a commitment to go to the Entertainment District and are very excited about it. We are ready for it all to come together and I guess the one thing that I wanted to address was something that came up earlier were the leases, well do they have leases signed. And of course the missing piece to the puzzle at this point is the $11 million dollars. And I know we've not signed a lease. Once this all comes together we are ready to sign a lease and I think the other people are in that same situation. I guess that is what I'm trying to tell ya'll, nobody wants to commit on the lease or maybe some have, I don't know but I know that is what we are waiting on. As soon as the $11 million dollars is in place, then we are ready to go. And I just thought maybe being a local businessman, I wanted to hear, kind of our thoughts on it and how excited we were to be involved in it.

Councilman Burrell: The only question that I have too, if we decide to postpone this, there is nothing wrong with a call meeting, we have call meetings to actually decide upon this thing, we do that all the time where at least 4 council members come and vote on it. So, we still have an option here, I just want to put forth here to you at this time.

Councilman Shyne: I'd like to ask Legal, in case we, he say in case we postpone, but in case we vote for it and it flies, do we still have an opportunity to come back and rescind our vote, I mean rescind the action in case something doesn't go right? Councilman Serio: I think the question is, can Attorney General rescind what we did? Ms. Glass: It is my understanding that there is an amendment that would make the contract contingent on the Attorney General's opinion. If that's adopted then that would be part of the deal, that would keep it from going forward. If that is not adopted then that could be a problem.

Mayor Hightower: I'd like to make one comment. When Marshall was speaking a while ago, he talked about a deadline. And certainly I want to make it clear, and I would ask you, Marshall, to take back a message to Texas Capital Bank of whom I met with, that we want the project. We need the project and the City has put up five million reasons to say that we stand behind the project. So whether this is tabled today, delayed today, voted up or voted down today because of any uncomfortable conditions, again this Council has given that bank five million reasons to say, we're behind the project. And again, I'll say I want the Council to be comfortable with what we do and I think everyone in the City ought to be comfortable and be able to explain where we are coming from on this deal. But we want the project, we need the project and I would certainly appreciate you relaying that back to the bank and if you need me to pick up phone and call them, I'll be glad to do that as well. Mr. Jones: Probably would rather hear from you on that.

RESOLUTIONS ON SECOND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE:

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH CADDO PARISH AND OTHER TAXING AUTHORITIES RELATIVE TO THE SALE AND / OR DONATION OF ADJUDICATED PROPERTIES, AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR HIS DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE SALE AND DONATION AGREEMENTS FOR THE SALE OF SAID PROPERTIES AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

WHEREAS, there are a number of properties in the City of Shreveport on which the owners have not paid

CONTINUED - RESOLUTION NO. 5 OF 2000

the ad valorem taxes, the property has been offered in a tax sale, and the property has been adjudicated to the City of Shreveport and/or Caddo Parish; and

WHEREAS, Caddo Parish plans to implement a procedure for the sale and/or donation of said adjudicated properties and the distribution of the the proceeds to the taxing authorities in Caddo Parish.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due, legal and regular session convened that Keith P. Hightower, Mayor, be and is hereby authorized to execute an agreement between the City of Shreveport and Caddo Parish substantially in accordance with the draft thereof filed in the Office of the Clerk

of Council on January 24, 2000.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Keith P. Hightower, Mayor, be and is hereby authorized to execute, or to appoint a designee to execute, agreements for the sale or donation of adjudicated properties pursuant to the agreement with Caddo Parish, in a form approved by the City Attorney.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any provision of this resolution or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this resolution which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items or applications and to this end the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared severable.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

Read by title and as read motion by Councilman Shyne seconded by Councilman Huckaby for passage. The Deputy Clerk read the following amendment:

Delete pages 1 through 2 and substitute in lieu thereof the attached pages 1 through 2 containing the footer "Rev.1/20/00adjintgovres1".

Motion by Councilman Shyne, seconded by Councilman Burrell for adoption of the amendment. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Huckaby, Stewart, Carmody, Serio, Spigener, Shyne and Burrell. 7. Nays: None.

Motion by Councilman Shyne, seconded by Councilman Burrell for adoption of the resolution as amended. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Huckaby, Stewart, Carmody, Serio, Spigener, Shyne and Burrell. 7. Nays: None.

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT AND THE J. FRANK MCANENY MUSEUM, INC., AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

WHEREAS, the City desires to support programs which directly benefit the citizens of this City by participating in endeavors that provide artistic and cultural opportunities which benefit the entire community; and

WHEREAS, the J. Frank McAneny Museum, Inc., is the owner of certain artifacts and collectibles which are significant to the history of the City of Shreveport and the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, the Museum desires to make the collection available on an extended loan to the City to be used for purposes which benefit the citizens of the City of Shreveport and City desires to accept the loan of the collection.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due, legal and regular session convened that the Mayor is authorized to execute an agreement with the J. Frank McAneny Museum, Inc., substantially in accordance with the draft attached hereto and filed for public inspection with the original of this resolution in the Office of the Clerk of Council on January 11, 2000.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any provision or item of this resolution or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this resolution which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items or application, and to this end, the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared severable.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

Read by title and as read motion by Councilman Serio, seconded by Councilman Shyne passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Huckaby, Stewart, Carmody, Serio, Spigener, Shyne and Burrell. 7. Nays: None.

A RESOLUTION TO REQUIRE THE REMOVAL OF THE SCULPTURE LOCATED AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DRIVE AND BLANCHARD HIGHWAY, AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BY: COUNCILMAN HUCKABY

WHEREAS, in 1995 the City of Shreveport commissioned the creation of a sculpture to represent the life and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to be a part of the Martin Luther King, Jr.(MLK) Drive Streetscape Enhancement Project ; and

WHEREAS, the sculpture concept was to represent Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. standing with arms crossed and clasped with two persons, one male and one female; and

WHEREAS, the sculpture was delivered to Shreveport on October 9, 1996, and before it was accepted by the City, Representative Cedric Glover and MLK neighborhood representatives asked the City to reconsider acceptance of the work because it would be perceived as an offence and not a celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s memory; and

WHEREAS, the City reconvened the MLK Sculpture Committee to consider formal acceptance or non-acceptance of the sculpture; and

WHEREAS, although the MLK Sculpture Committee found "that the sculpture is significantly different from

CONTINUED - RESOLUTION NO. 9 OF 2000

the model as presented by the artist and that the artist took significant licence in revising the work during the fabrication process", and "...there is an indication that the neighborhood will be disappointed and even offended in the installation of the sculpture 'as is' without significant revisions", two of the three members present voted to accept the sculpture and the City Administration also accepted and installed the sculpture; and

WHEREAS, on January 13, 1998 Ms. Earnestine Coleman, representing the NAACP, and other citizens, appeared before the City Council and requested the removal of the MLK Sculpture, and presented a petition ( about one inch thick) with hundreds of signatures from persons who live and worship in and near the MLK Community: and

WHEREAS, said petition requested the City to "REMOVE THE STATUTE AND REPLACE IT" because it

is "degrading, distracting' and it is not a "positive image."; and

WHEREAS, citizens have appeared before the Council several times since January 30, 1999 to requests the removal of the sculpture; and

WHEREAS, since the election of Mr. Huckaby to represent District A in 1998, many citizens have asked that the sculpture be removed, and another petition has been received by Mr. Huckaby requesting the removal of the sculpture; and

WHEREAS, the Sculpture is not a realistic likeness of Dr. King and the legs, arms and other parts of the anatomy are distorted; and

WHEREAS, this MLK Sculpture should be a realistic likeness of Dr. King that portrays his eloquent bearing, vision and determination, and it should be an inspiration to the Citizens of the MLK Community, all citizens of Shreveport, and all who view it to adopt lofty goals and resolve to reach them;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due, legal, and regular session convened that the sculpture located at the southeast corner of the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and Blanchard Highway should be removed for the reasons cited herein.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Administrative Officer is directed to have the sculpture removed immediately.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any provision or item of this resolution or application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this resolution which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items, or applications and to this end the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared severable.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all resolutions or ordinances or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

Read by title and as read motion by Councilman Huckaby, seconded by Councilman Shyne for passage.

Councilman Carmody: Councilman Huckaby, I know we are looking at voting on removing the statute but what I was trying to find out was, what type of, the neighborhood has approached you to say that they want the statute removed? Councilman Huckaby: Mr. Carmody: Long before I was elected to the Council, there was petitions presented to the Council under the previous Administration requesting that the statute be removed and replaced. Since I've been on the Council, I've received numerous petitions, the last one probably about 60 days ago, again requesting that this statute be removed. And my resolution calls for the statute being removed because, declare it surplus property by the City, sold and the proceeds used toward another statute that would be acceptable to the people in the area. And I certainly ask my colleagues to join with me in voting yes on this resolution.

Councilman Shyne: Councilman Carmody, if you would see that statute, it does not look anything like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I don't know where the people got their ideas because they say art is in the, appreciation of it is in the, eye of the beholder. So, I think that it is really an insult to that community to have a statue like that and if you get the time, drive up and look at it and you would probably . . Councilman Carmody: I did. I'd noticed there were two busts of Dr. Martin Luther King that were built on the Martin Luther King Drive as soon as you go in, and they looked exactly like the profile of Dr. King that I've seen before. Councilman Shyne: Really, I've never seen. Councilman Carmody: There are monuments. Councilman Shyne: I mean, I've been up a number of times that I've seen it and it doesn't look anything like the Dr. Martin Luther King that I've seen. Councilman Burrell: I think that he is talking about coming off of North Market. Councilman Carmody: Yes, coming of North Market as you proceed west on Martin Luther King Drive.

Councilman Spigener: Do we have any estimates of cost of removal? Councilman Huckaby: Ms. Spigener: I do not; no ma'am.

Resolution passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Huckaby, Stewart, Serio, Spigener, Shyne and Burrell. 6. Nays: Councilman Carmody. 1.

Councilman Shyne: We might want to give that to Tom, then Tom like it. Councilman Carmody: We'll take it and stick it up in District C. Councilman Stewart: Put it on Youree Drive. Councilman Shyne: Now, Mr. Mayor, let me hear you comment on that. Mayor Hightower: . . . that statute look like you. Councilman Carmody: We'll put it on Hollywood. Mr. Antee: From what I've seen on t.v., it looks a like Mr. Shyne, I wonder if he knew the artist or what. Councilman Shyne: Ken, thank you here. He sound just like another Council member I know that used to get me and somebody else confused, I believe that was, Councilman Burrell.

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A LOAN GUARANTY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RED RIVER ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BY: COUNCILMAN STEWART

WHEREAS, the City of Shreveport is committed to significantly contributing to the elimination of slum and

CONTINUED - RESOLUTION NO. 10 OF 2000

blight; to economic development and job creation, and to improve the quality of life for citizens and,

WHEREAS, the City of Shreveport has undertaken an assertive effort to rehabilitate its downtown area and encourage the development of mixed uses for this area; and,

WHEREAS, the Red River Entertainment District is located on the riverfront in the downtown area of the city, and its new construction and renovations will create new jobs for all citizens of this city as well as significantly enhance the appearance of the downtown area of this city; and,

WHEREAS, Red River Entertainment District, LLC, ("Red River") proposes to develop 70,000 square feet of new construction and 30,000 square feet of renovated space; and,

WHEREAS, in furtherance of the City's objectives of eliminating slum and blight and providing job creation and retention, the City of Shreveport proposes to guarantee a portion of the loan needed to develop the Red River Entertainment District not to exceed $4,000,000.00 in order to insure a viable and successful entertainment district; and,

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport in due, regular and legal session convened, that the Mayor of the City of Shreveport or his designee is authorized to negotiate terms and conditions loan guarantee, and the Mayor is authorized to sign all documents necessary to guarantee up to $4,000,000 of an $11,000,000 loan to Red River Entertainment District, LLC, for the development of the Red River Entertainment District on the Shreveport Riverfront.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in addition to any other terms and conditions negotiated by the Mayor to secure the City's $4,000,000 loan guarantee, the guarantee shall be subject the terms and conditions contained in Attachment 1, attached hereto and made a part hereof, and the following:

(1) At least 90% of the Shreve Square Project and 90% of the Hollywood Square Project (the entire project) must be leased, as evidenced by signed leases; and

(2) An Attorney General's Opinion that the City of Shreveport has the constitutional and legal authority to guarantee the loan.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in addition to any other terms and conditions negotiated by the Mayor to secure the City's $4,000,000 loan guarantee, the guarantee shall be subject the terms and conditions contained in Attachment 1, attached hereto and made a part hereof.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the loan guarantee authorized by this resolution shall be for the purpose of new construction and renovation within the Red River Entertainment District located within the downtown area of the City of Shreveport by Red River.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any provision or item of this resolution or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this resolution which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items or applications and to this end the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared severable.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

Read by title and as read motion by Councilman Shyne, seconded by Councilman Huckaby for passage. The Deputy Clerk read the following amendment:

Amend the resolution as follows:

Delete the first "Be It Further Resolved" Clause and substitute the following:

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in addition to any other terms and conditions negotiated by the Mayor to secure the City's $4,000,000 loan guarantee, the guarantee shall be subject the terms and conditions contained in Attachment 1, attached hereto and made a part hereof, and

the following:

(1) At least 90% of the Shreve Square Project and 90% of the Hollywood Square Project (the entire project) must be leased, as evidenced by signed leases; and

(2) An Attorney General's Opinion that the City of Shreveport has the constitutional and legal authority to guarantee the loan.

Motion by Councilman Huckaby, seconded by Councilman Shyne for adoption of the amendment. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Huckaby, Stewart, Carmody, Serio, Spigener, Shyne and Burrell. 7. Nays: None.

Read by title and as read motion by Councilman Huckaby, seconded by Councilman Shyne for adoption of the amendment. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Huckaby, Stewart, Carmody, Serio, Spigener, and Shyne. 6. Nays: Councilman Burrell. 1.

A RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE THE WEEK OF JANUARY 24 - 28, 2000 AS CADDO PARISH 4-H WEEK AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

By: Council Members Burrell and Spigener

WHEREAS, The Caddo Parish 4-H is celebrating the week of January 24-28, 2000 as Caddo Parish 4-H Week; and

CONTINUED - RESOLUTION NO. 12 OF 2000

WHEREAS, during this week, 4-H educational project exhibits will be on display in Mall St. Vincent from Tuesday, January 25th through Thursday, January 27th; and

WHEREAS, as a part of the celebration, local school clubs are wearing the 4-H colors, green and white; preparing project exhibits, decorating the school cafeteria with 4-H flags, banner, etc., and providing snacks for their school faculty; and

WHEREAS, the mission of Caddo Parish 4-H is to provide hands-on learning to diverse youth and emphasizes developing life skills, providing leadership training, and promoting community service learning; and

WHEREAS, 4-H club members conduct Community Service Projects which include: collecting and donating over a ton of rice and beans to the Northwest Louisiana Food Bank; collecting school supplies, food and clothing for local schools and organizations; assisting with the Great American Clean-Up day; the Jerry Lewis Telethon; with the bagging and distribution of city compost to local citizens; and coordinating the collection of telephone books within their schools for recycling; and

WHEREAS, during Caddo Parish 4-H Week members of the Caddo 4-H Junior Leadership Club will also be making visits to local governing bodies and other local supporters to express appreciation.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, in due, legal and regular session convened, that the Council recognizes the week of January 24 through 28, 2000 as Caddo Parish 4-H Week.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the City Council thanks and appreciates the Caddo Parish 4-H for helping to make Shreveport and Caddo Parish a better place to live.

Read by title and as read motion by Councilman Burrell, seconded by Councilman Spigener passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Huckaby, Stewart, Carmody, Serio, Spigener, Shyne and Burrell. 7. Nays: None.

RESOLUTION STATING CITY OF SHREVEPORT'S ENDORSEMENT OF SENIOR RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, INC. TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BENEFITS OF THE LOUISIANA ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

WHEREAS, the Louisiana Enterprise Zone Act of 901 of 1981, Act 337 of 1982, Act 433 of 1987, Act 1024 of 1992, Act 581 of 1995, Act 624 of 1997, and Act 997 of 1999;

WHEREAS, the Louisiana Enterprise Zone Program offers significant incentives for economic development to some of the most distressed areas in parish, and

WHEREAS, SENIOR RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, INC. is located in Census Tract 239.01 Block Group 3 , which is not a designated Enterprise Zone, and

WHEREAS, said business will employ a minimum of 35% of its employees from the distressed groups targeted by the Enterprise Zone, and

WHEREAS, the City of Shreveport states this endorsement is in agreement with the Overall Economic Development Plan for the parish, and

WHEREAS, the attached Enterprise Zone map is marked showing the location of the business being endorsed, and

WHEREAS, in accordance with the Louisiana Enterprise Zone Program requirements the City of Shreveport agrees:

1. To participate in the Enterprise Zone Program

2. To assist the Department in evaluating progress made in any Enterprise Zone within its

jurisdiction

3. To REBATE all applicable* local sales / use taxes on the purchase of eligible construction materials, machinery, and equipment purchased for this project and used by a business permanently on that site.

*Application sales taxes are defined as all local sales taxes EXCEPT those that are dedicated to the repayment of a Bond issue or dedicated to ANY school.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Shreveport, in due, regular, and legal session convened that on this 25^th day of January 2000 that SENIOR RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, INC. and their project THE TERRACE OF SHREVEPORT, Enterprise Zone Application # 19990549, is endorsed to participate in the Louisiana Enterprise Zone Program.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any provision or item of this resolution or the

application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this resolution which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items or applications and to this end the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared severable.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are

hereby repealed.

Read by title and as read motion by Councilman Carmody, seconded by Councilman Shyne passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Huckaby, Stewart, Carmody, Serio, Spigener, Shyne and Burrell. 7. Nays: None

A RESOLUTION TEMPORARILY SUSPENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 10 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATIVE TO THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AT MARDI GRAS PARADES AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

WHEREAS, it is the desire of the City of Shreveport to encourage the development of entertainment and tourism opportunities in the city; and

WHEREAS, the celebration of Mardi Gras in the Shreveport - Bossier area involves Louisiana culture and tradition and promotes such entertainment and tourism; and

WHEREAS, the existing ordinances governing the consumption of alcoholic beverages at Mardi Gras parades need to be studied and may need to be revised, and the City Council desires to suspend certain provisions thereof temporarily.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, in due, legal and regular session convened, that the following ordinance provisions are suspended under the following conditions only:

1. Sections 10-185 and 10-187 of the Code of Ordinances are suspended to the limited extent necessary to permit the consumption and possession of alcoholic beverages on the public right of way and in city parks when said right of way or park is adjacent to the route of a Mardi Gras parade for which the City of Shreveport has approved the closing of the street.

2. Section 10-141 of the Code of Ordinances is suspended to the limited extent necessary to permit the consumption and possession of alcoholic beverages on private property (when permitted by the property owner) when said property is adjacent to the route of a Mardi Gras parade for which the City of Shreveport has approved the closing of the street.

3. This suspension shall be effective in February 26, and March 4, 2000 from 7: a.m. until 11:00 p.m. on the date of each Mardi Gras parade.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any provision or item of this Resolution or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this Resolution which can be given affect without the invalid provisions, items or applications and to this end the provisions of this Resolution are hereby declared severable.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all Resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith or hereby repealed.

Read by title and as read motion by Councilman Carmody, seconded by Councilman Spigener passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Huckaby, Stewart, Carmody, Serio, Spigener, and Burrell. 6. Nays: Councilman Shyne. 1.

INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS:

1. Resolution No. 14 of 2000: A resolution authorizing the filing of a 5307 application with the Department of Transportation, United States of America, for a grant under the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964, as amended.

• Resolution No. 15 of 2000: A resolution authorizing the filing of a 5309 application with the Department of Transportation, United States of America, for a grant under the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964, as amended.



• Resolution No. 17 of 2000: A resolution authorizing submission of an application for a Louisiana Recreational Trails Grant by the Department of Public Assembly and recreation and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES:

• Ordinance No. 11 of 2000: An ordinance authorizing the use of certain city-owned property by the Caddo Parish School Board and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.



• Ordinance No. 12 of 2000: An ordinance amending the 2000 Capital Improvements Budget, appropriating the funds therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.



• Ordinance No. 13 of 2000: An ordinance amending Sections 46-102 and 46-107 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Shreveport relative to Class B non-emergency ambulance services and otherwise providing with respect thereto.



• Ordinance No. 14 of 2000: An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by approving the continuation of R-1D-E, Urban, One-Family Residence/Extended Use District zoning limited to "an automotive body repair and restoration business" only" on property located on the north side of Pine Hill Road, 100 feet east of its intersection with N. Market, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.



• Ordinance No. 15 of 2000: An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by rezoning property located on the south side of Stoner, 150 feet west of Rex Street, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from B-1, Buffer Business District to R-3, Urban, Multi-Family Residence District and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.



• Ordinance No. 16 of 2000: An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of

Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by rezoning property located on the south side of Jordan, 200 feet west of Creswell, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from SPI-1, Highland Urban Conservation District to SPI-1-E, Highland Urban Conservation/Extended Use District limited to a "medical office, orthotics and prosthetics lab" only and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

• Ordinance No. 17 of 2000: An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by rezoning property located on the NW side of E 70^th Street, 250 feet north of Dixie Meadow Road, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from R-A, Residence-Agriculture District to B-1, Buffer Business District with Planned Building Group approval, o otherwise provide with respect thereto.



• Ordinance No. 18 of 2000: An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by rezoning property located on the NW corner of St. Vincent Avenue and Natalie, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from B-2, Neighborhood Business District to B-2-E, Neighborhood Business/Extended use District limited to "an air conditioning, heating, and sheet metal shop" only and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. n ordinance amending



• Ordinance No. 19 of 2000: An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by rezoning property located on the NW corner of Business Park Drive and Fern, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from R-3, Urban, Multi-Family Residence District to B-2-A, Business Park District and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.



• Ordinance No. 20 of 2000: An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by rezoning property located on the east side of Avalon Drive, 120 feet south of Hoyte Drive, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from R-1D-E, Urban, One-Family Residence/Extended Use District to R-1D-E, Urban, One-Family Residence/Extended Use District limited to "office use" only and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.



• Ordinance No. 21 of 2000: An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by rezoning property located on the south side of Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, 150 feet west of Baird Road, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from R-3, Urban, Multi-Family Residence District and B-2, Neighborhood Business District to B-1, Buffer Business District with MPC approval and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.



• Ordinance No. 22 of 2000: An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by rezoning property generally located at the NE corner of W 70^th Street and Courtesy Lane, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from B-3, Community Business District to R-3, Urban, One-Family Residence District and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.



• Ordinance No. 23 of 2000: An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by rezoning property located on the NW corner of Pines Road and Flores Lane, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from R-A, Residence-Agriculture District to B-1, Buffer Business District with MPC approval and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.



• Ordinance No. 24 of 2000: An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by rezoning property located on the SW corner of Gravois Drive and Linwood Avenue, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from R-1D, Urban, One-Family Residence District to B-1, Buffer Business Park District and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

Read by title and as read motion by Councilman Spigener, seconded by Councilman Burrell for Introduction of the Resolutions and Ordinances to lay over until the February 8, 2000 meeting. Motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Carmody, Serio, Spigener, and Burrell. 4. Nays: None. Out of Chamber: Councilmen Huckaby, Stewart and Shyne. 3.

ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE:

1. Ordinance No. 221-A of 1999: An ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by rezoning property located on the SE corner of Lewis Lane and California, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from R-2, Suburban, Multi-Family Residence District to R-2-E, Suburban, Multi-Family Residence/Extended Use District limited to "a motel only" and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.

Having passed first reading on December 14, 1999 was read by title and on motion ordered passed to third reading. Read the third time in full and as read motion by Councilman Burrell, seconded by Councilman Serio to postpone the ordinance until the February 8, 2000 meeting. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Huckaby, Carmody, Serio, Spigener, and Burrell. 5. Nays: None. Out of Chamber: Stewart and Shyne. 2.

• Ordinance No. 1 of 2000: An ordinance to amend Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by adding "alcoholic beverage, wholesale and warehousing" to the list of uses requiring Planning Commission approval in the B-3, Community Business Districts and by otherwise providing with respect thereto.

Having passed first reading on January 11, 2000, was read by title and on motion ordered passed to third reading. Read the third time in full and as read motion by Councilman Spigener, seconded by Councilman Burrell adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Huckaby, Carmody, Serio, Spigener, Shyne and Burrell. 6. Nays: None. Out of

Chamber: Councilman Stewart. 1.

• Ordinance No. 2 of 2000: An ordinance to amend Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by adding "taxidermist" to the list of uses requiring Planning Commission approval in the B-3, Community Business Districts and by otherwise providing with respect thereto.

Having passed first reading on January 11, 2000, was read by title and on motion ordered passed to third reading. Read the third time in full and as read motion by Councilman Carmody, seconded by Councilman Spigener adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Huckaby, Carmody, Serio, Spigener, Shyne and Burrell. 6. Nays: None. Out of Chamber: Councilman Stewart. 1.

• Ordinance No. 3 of 2000: An ordinance to amend Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by amending the B-3, Community Business Districts and B-4, Central Business Districts, relative to specific uses that include "need not be enclosed" language and by otherwise providing with respect thereto.

Having passed first reading on January 11, 2000, was read by title and on motion ordered passed to third reading. Read the third time in full and as read motion by Councilman Serio, seconded by Councilman Burrell adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Huckaby, Carmody, Serio, Spigener, Shyne and Burrell. 6. Nays: None. Out of Chamber: Councilman Stewart. 1.

• Ordinance No. 4 of 2000: An ordinance to amend Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Shreveport Zoning Ordinance, by adding "material shaping and contouring" to the list of uses requiring Planning Commission approval in the B-3, Community Business Districts and by otherwise providing with respect thereto.

Having passed first reading on January 11, 2000, was read by title and on motion ordered passed to third reading. Read the third time in full and as read motion by Councilman Shyne, seconded by Councilman Burrell adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Huckaby, Carmody, Serio, Spigener, Shyne and Burrell. 6. Nays: None. Out of Chamber: Councilman Stewart. 1.

• Ordinance No. 5 of 2000: An ordinance authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with a joint venture to be formed between Hollywood Casino Shreveport, A Louisiana General Partnership and a subsidiary of Clubcorp U. S. A. Inc. for the lease of certain city owned property for a golf course and related facilities and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

Having passed first reading on January 11, 2000, was read by title and on motion ordered passed to third reading. Read the third time in full and as read motion by Councilman Burrell, seconded by Councilman Serio to postpone the ordinance until the February 8, 2000 meeting. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Huckaby, Carmody, Serio, Spigener, Shyne and Burrell. 6. Nays: None. Out of Chamber: Councilman Stewart. 1.

Councilman Shyne: I just want to make a few observations and its not that I'm against this project and it is not that this project doesn't have any validity in it, but we just want to make sure that Hollywood lives up to any agreements that we might agree on in relation to the golf course. Because from reading it in the paper, it seems like that they have not lived up to their obligations with the casino. And this is not personal, but I would not like to be caught in situation again where we give our confidence in a particular project and those persons do not live up to the agreements. I would hope that we would keep in touch with that and I know my neighbor, Mr. Sam Gilliam will be right on top of that. He's the kind of guy who stays on top of whatever he is suppose to me, but I would like for all of the Council members to keep that in mind.

Councilman Burrell: Councilman Shyne, they'll do it, they gave their word.

Councilman Huckaby: I have similar concerns to Mr. Shyne. And I would like to see some measures taken to ensure that the Fair Share agreement aspect of the lease is adhered to. I'm not sure what we can do to ensure minority participation is at least 25% but with the casino we had a committee that was to be appointed to monitor the participation and that did not happen and I am seriously concerned about this.

I'm as concerned about the non-participation in these projects as I am about the projects themselves. So, I think we need to take every possible measure to see that these agreements are lived up to. And when we start looking at the fact that these agreements affect at least 50% of the population of this city, African-American people, then we ought to do all that we can to see that minority participation is a matter of reality. So I am calling on the Administration at this time to make some effort to insure minority participation, and that, that effort be greater than, that which was in the lease agreement between Hollywood Casino and the City of Shreveport.

Councilman Shyne: Maybe I shouldn't say this, but I wish we would do this at the Council and I know the Administration is going to do it. And like Councilman Burrell said earlier, I would not like and I would not like for any of us to be dealing with these people, I won't say behind closed doors but. . . . Councilman Burrell: You can say that. Councilman Shyne: Well, lets say, behind closed doors because some times things can be taken out of context. Councilman Burrell: Well don't forget at luncheons and dinners. Councilman Shyne: Well, right. Sometimes at luncheons and dinners you got a lot of other folks looking on, so Mike that doesn't mean that you can't invite me out to lunch here, because I'll accept that. But, you have to be careful when you start doing that because sometimes things like that will be taken out of context. But I do want to make sure that these people do live up to their agreements. And Mr. Huckaby I think we covered it extremely well, but I think all of us need to be committed to that to make sure that they do live up to their agreement and when they do not live up to their agreement, we need to bring them before the City Council and make it known that they have not lived up to their agreement. And Archie, I promise you I will not be meeting today behind closed doors or in the restroom or anywhere else, because you have to be extremely careful. Don't you, Councilman Burrell? Councilman Burrell: I don't know you've got experience, I don't. Councilman Shyne: That's why I told you earlier.

The adopted Ordinances:

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 106 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT ZONING ORDINANCE, BY ADDING "ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE, WHOLESALE AND WAREHOUSING" TO THE LIST OF USES REQUIRING PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVAL IN THE B-3, COMMUNITY BUSINESS DISTRICTS AND BY OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO

BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, Louisiana, in due, legal and regular session convened, that Article 6, Division 5, Sec. 106-679 of the Code of Ordinances, the City Zoning Ordinance, is hereby amended by adding the following:

Alcoholic beverage, wholesale and warehousing.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that if any provision or item of this ordinance or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items, or applications of this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items, or applications and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared severable.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that all ordinances or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

_________________________

Phil Serio, Chairman

____________________________

Arthur G. Thompson, Clerk of Council

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 106 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT ZONING ORDINANCE, BY ADDING "TAXIDERMIST" TO THE LIST OF USES REQUIRING PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVAL IN THE B-3, COMMUNITY BUSINESS DISTRICTS AND BY OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO

BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, Louisiana, in due, legal and regular session convened, that Article 6, Division 5, Sec. 106-679 of the Code of Ordinances, the City Zoning Ordinance, is hereby amended by adding the following:

Taxidermist.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that if any provision or item of this ordinance or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items, or applications of this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items, or applications and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared severable.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that all ordinances or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

_________________________

Phil Serio, Chairman

____________________________

Arthur G. Thompson, Clerk of Council

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 106 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, AS AMENDED, THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT ZONING ORDINANCE, BY AMENDING THE B-3, COMMUNITY BUSINESS DISTRICTS, AND B-4, CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICTS, RELATIVE TO SPECIFIC USES THAT INCLUDE "NEED NOT BE ENCLOSED" LANGUAGE, AND BY OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, Louisiana, in due, legal and regular session convened, that Article VI, Division 5, Section 106-678 of the Code of Ordinances, the City Zoning Ordinance, is hereby amended by deleting the following from the list of uses permitted by right in the B-3 Districts:

Amusement, commercial; miniature golf courses and golf driving range; need not be enclosed within structure.

Automobile storage (commercial); need not be enclosed within structure; operative vehicles only.

Bait store or sales (live bait); need not be enclosed within structure.

Fairgrounds, baseball park and stadium; need not be enclosed within structure.

Farm equipment and supplies sales; need not be enclosed within structure.

Landscape garden sales; need not be enclosed within structure.

Lumber sales, retail; need not be enclosed within structure.

Riding academy; need not be enclosed within structure.

CONTINUED - ORDINANCE NO. 5 OF 2000

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that Article VI, Division 5, Section 106-679 of the Code of Ordinances, the City Zoning Ordinance, is hereby amended and reenacted by adding alphabetically the following to the list of uses requiring Planning Commission approval in the B-3 Districts:

Amusement, commercial; miniature golf courses and golf driving range; need not be enclosed within structure.

Automobile storage (commercial); need not be enclosed within structure; operative vehicles only.

Bait store or sales (live bait); need not be enclosed within structure.

Fairgrounds, baseball park and stadium; need not be enclosed within structure.

Farm equipment and supplies sales; need not be enclosed within structure.

Landscape garden sales; need not be enclosed within structure.

Lumber sales, retail; need not be enclosed within structure.

Riding academy; need not be enclosed within structure.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that Article VI, Division 6, Section 106-698 of the Code of Ordinances, the City Zoning Ordinance, is hereby amended by deleting the following from the list of uses permitted by right in the B-4 Districts:

Amusement, commercial golf course and golf driving range; need not be enclosed within structure.

Automobile storage (commercial); need not be enclosed within structure; operative vehicles only.

Farm equipment and supplies sales; need not be enclosed within structure.

Landscape garden sales; need not be enclosed within structure.

Outdoor general advertising structure; need not be enclosed within structure.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that Article VI, Division 6, Section 106-699 of the Code of Ordinances, the City Zoning Ordinance, is hereby amended and reenacted by adding alphabetically the following to the list of uses requiring Planning Commission approval in the B-4 Districts:

Amusement, commercial golf course and golf driving range; need not be enclosed within structure.

Automobile storage (commercial); need not be enclosed within structure; operative vehicles only.

Farm equipment and supplies sales; need not be enclosed within structure.

Landscape garden sales; need not be enclosed within structure.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that if any provision or item of this ordinance or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items, or applications of this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items, or applications and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared severable.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that all ordinances or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

_________________________

Phil Serio, Chairman

________________________________

Arthur G. Thompson, Clerk of Council

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 106 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, AS AMENDED, THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT ZONING ORDINANCE, BY ADDING "MATERIAL SHAPING AND CONTOURING" TO THE LIST OF USES REQUIRING PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVAL IN THE B-3, COMMUNITY BUSINESS DISTRICTS, AND BY OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, Louisiana, in due, legal and regular session convened, that Article VI, Division 5, Section 106-679 of the Code of Ordinances, the City Zoning Ordinance, is hereby amended by adding the following:

Material shaping and contouring; limited to abrasive water jet contouring or wire electrical discharge machining.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that if any provision or item of this ordinance or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items, or applications of this ordinance which can be given effect

CONTINUED - ORDINANCE NO. 4 OF 2000

without the invalid provisions, items, or applications and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared severable.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that all ordinances or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

Phil Serio, Chairman

____________________________

Arthur G. Thompson, Clerk of Council

UNFINISHED BUSINESS (the legislation remained tabled):

• Ordinance No. 211 of 1998: ZONING: C-64-98, QUERBES LAND CO; N side of E 70th St. between Sand Beach Bayou and Bayou Pierre from R-A to B-2 and B-3, shopping center. (C/Carmody) (Tabled on Nov. 10, 1998 and Postponed on Nov. 24, 1998)



• Resolution No. 142 of 1999: To request the Attorney General to provide an opinion on the following issue: Whether the Mayor can amend a concession agreement to add new buildings without introducing a new ordinance and advertising same. (A/Huckaby) (Tabled on August 10, 1999)



• Ordinance No. 54 of 1999: Creating a Police Department Citizens' Review Board. (A/Huckaby) (Tabled on August 10, 1999)

NEW BUSINESS: ABO Card Appeal: - Kimberly L. Wilson (Postponed on Jan. 24) Councilman Serio: Do we have another ABO Card appeal. Lieutenant Shoemake: I'm not sure if Mr. Thompson has been contacted by these people. I contacted the probation officer of this lady and she said that she will try to have her here today, but I don't see her in the Chamber, apparently she was not able to get a hold of her.

REPORTS FROM OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES. Councilman Burrell: At this time, we would like to take this opportunity into the records the last audits that we did from the Audit and Finance Committee. I would like to ask Rad Snelding, if he would do that at this time. Mr. Snelding: These are the audits that we last year, in 1999, there are nineteen of them. In addition to that, four auditing alerts and two investigative reports. This actually has been the most prolific year we've had or the second greatest since I've been here, since 19991 (I'll read the 19 reports in and I have copies to give to the Clerk for the record): 1) SPAR - Special Facilities Division 2) SPAR - Operations Division 3) Querbes Golf Course Restaurant Operations 4) Employee Sick Leave Donation 5) Public Works Department Administration Division 6) Combined Fourth Quarter and Annual Report for 1998 7) Fraud Hotline Activity Report 8) Recycling 9) Golf Enterprise Fund 10) Traffic Engineering Division 11) Finance Department Administrative Division 12) Harrah's 13) Casino Magic 14) SPAR Review of Time and Attendance Reporting Guidelines 15) Community Development Improper Demolition 16) SPAR - Airport Park Recreational Facility 17) Evaluation of Responses to Questions for the Water and Sewer Department 18) Review of SPAR Implemented Audit Findings and 19) Caddo Communications District Number One. Councilman Burrell: That should conclude our report and I want to commend our Audit and Finance Committee as well as the auditors for completing these.

CLERK'S REPORT.

1. ZONING APPEAL: C-7-00, DELORIS M. HORTON, 401 Gravois Drive from R-1D to B-2 or B-1, future B-2 or B-1 development. (D/Serio)

• ZONING APPEAL: C-11-00, MAC MOS INVESTMENT CO., 9300 Normandie Dr., MPC and PBG approval in a B-2 District, used car sales. (E/Spigener)



• BAC-5-00, CENTENARY COLLEGE OF LA, 2911 Centenary Blvd., Special Exception use in an R-1H, R-2, R-2-E, B-1 and B-2 District, college and university (with parking plan). (B/Stewart)

Councilman Stewart: Just as a matter of record, I had indicated yesterday that on BAC-5-00 that I would consider remanding this back. However, due to the good work of Ms. Glass, Mr. Kirkland, and I assume Mr. Thompson they made us be aware that while that may be appropriate, this is not the appropriate time so it will lay over until February 8^th and we will consider it at that time. Is that appropriate, Ms. Glass? Ms. Glass: That is correct.

Councilman Stewart: Further for the record, two meetings have been scheduled with the leadership at Centenary in order to consider the issues and to reaffirm that they are committed to the following the guidelines that were established some 20 years ago that really not come into play until recent. Councilman Spigener: Then there is no action that we are going to take today? Councilman Stewart: That is correct, no action.

COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.

Motion by Councilman Carmody, seconded by Councilman Spigener that the Committee Rises and Report and

convene itself as the Council. Motion approved by the following vote: Councilmen Huckaby, Stewart, Carmody, Spigener, Shyne and Burrell. 6. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Serio. 1.

There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.

_________________________

Phil Serio, Chairman

Arthur G. Thompson, Clerk of Council