SHREVEPORT CITY COUNCIL

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MINUTES

JANUARY 22 , 2002

The Committee of the Whole was called to order by Chairman John David Stewart.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

Motion by Councilman Carmody, seconded by Councilman Huckaby to approve the Minutes of the Committee of the Whole of January 8, 2002. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Pearl Huckaby, Stewart, Carmody, Spigener, and Burrell. 5. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Serio and Shyne. 2.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR: None.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE COUNCIL MEMBERS

Councilman Carmody: I do have one brief comment and that was that the other Council members realize that I was out of town and had the opportunity to fly out of Shreveport and back into Shreveport last week, and I must say that our Airport Security as well as the Airport personnel all acted very professionally and even being pulled out and asked to empty my pockets twice. It was a slight inconvenience for feeling national security is a priority for our country right now and I encourage everyone to participate and cooperate with them, because it assures all of our safety.

Mr. Thompson: Check your shoes?

Councilman Carmody: And the shoes.

Councilman Burrell: You better be glad they didn't say "drop `em".

Councilman Carmody: And I want to thank the Administration. I had some residents who were going to be, who live along the parade route and arteries that flow into the parade route off of East Kings Highway that have expressed some concern about congestion with parking. And the Mayor and Administration has worked diligently to go ahead and address these. So I wanted to assure the residents in that area that this year, we should be very proactive in making sure that any emergency personnel can get to all the citizens who live along those streets. And I appreciate Mr.Mayor.

Councilman Spigener: I will make this just as quick as possible, but this will help me tomorrow if I take care of this today. I see someone from the Police Department (and I don't see anyone else there that would be more appropriate) but if you would report this to the appropriate person that deals with District E. I'm having speeding problems on two streets and I would like patrols to be there various hours. One is on Hayes Drive between Mansfield to Colquitt, that little short street and then New Moon Drive which is further on down Mansfield Road and that's within that little development itself. Is Mr. Strong still here? Mr. Strong, if you would have someone to check the street down by the Wal-mart Store, Artis Taylor. I don't travel that route often, but I was down there yesterday and the street is so deteriorated. I don't know if it's because of water been standing in that area.

Mr. Strong: Artis Taylor?

Councilman Spigener: Artis Taylor, it's almost the whole street. We may have to have some emergency repairs on that street. I'd appreciate it if you would check into that.

Councilman Huckaby: Yes, I wanted to thank Mr. Strong and Mr. Jim Holt and Ali Mustapha. I think there were almost 15 persons from your department on the MLK area and my constituents would just love everything that they told them they were going to do for them. I hope it will come about. Thank you so much.

Mr. Strong: And I apologize. . . .

Councilman Huckaby: Thank you so much.

Mr. Strong: I may need to check and see exactly what the problem.

Councilman Huckaby: They promised them everything, but thank you so much.

Councilman Burrell: On behalf of my constituents in District G and out in west Shreveport, I want to say that I appreciate the support you all gave to the people in the Greenwood Acres area. I think it reinforces their confidence that we are one city, that we are not-on some issues, I know that we have splits. But I think we sent a message that, if we are able to communicate and communicate meaning that we listen, not just hear, that we'll try to resolve some of the problems that we have. And I wanted to also say that the situation here, there wasn't an anti-business situation. Again, it was a quality-of-life issue that we were dealing with. And, Mr. Brazzel, I think we all will learn a lesson in this-although many of our residents seem sometimes feel that they don't have a voice once they put us in, that's it. But I want them to again have a new confidence that we take these issues very seriously and we work with them. And hopefully, it will show Shreveport that we can work together. I think that this is a clear indication that we can, even on a tough issue like this.

PUBLIC COMMENTS. None.

MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.

Chairman Stewart: I extend my sincere thanks to each of you for your support in our efforts to move forward today. I hope you will always feel comfortable to remind me if I am not handling in an appropriate fashion. I certain want everybody to be welcome. But this is a business, and while we respect that, we need to respect our responsibilities too.

THE COMMITTEE RISES AND REPORTS (reconvenes Regular Council Meeting).

Motion by Councilman Carmody, seconded by Councilman Spigener to Rise and Report and resolve itself back into regular Council meeting. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Stewart, Carmody, Spigener, and Burrell. 4. Nays: None. Absent: Councilman Serio and Shyne. 2. Did not cast a vote: Councilman Pearl Huckaby. 1.

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John David Stewart, Chairman

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Arthur G. Thompson, Clerk of Council