THE SHREVEPORT CITY COUNCIL NEEDS TO MEET--AND SOON

The Shreveport City Council cancelled its  Monday March 23  work session and Tuesday March 24  regular meeting this week.

The council website states the cancel  was for  "the health and safety of the citizens of the city of Shreveport in light of the COVID 19 Public Health Emergency declared by the Governor of the State of Louisiana."

Although this message sounds good, it is not accurate. 

Government Plaza was closed last weekend (March 21 and 22) to fumigate the entire building. Thus the building should have been coronavirus free Monday am.

There are adequate measures to public health that other businesses and government agencies are taking. Masks, social distancing, wiping surfaces etc. 

The council could have met much like the Caddo Commission did last week.

Only three commissioners were at the horseshoe spaced apart and the others were in the audience chairs spaced apart. Minimal staff was in the meeting. Speakers were only allowed to enter, speak and then leave.

Votes were recorded and the actions of the Commission satisfied the Open Meetings Law, the Commission Charter and Commission rules of procedure.

The meeting was streamed and it was televised in the lobby area of Government Plaza.

The city council could follow the same protocol.

The Bossier City Council will have a special meeting next Thursday, with limitations on attendance. Their meeting will also be streamed.

Additionally, Gov. John Bel Edwards Proclamation 30 provided guidelines for essential governmental meeting which included teleconference or video conference.

Council chairman James Flurry wanted to combine the work session and regular meeting into a single meeting to be held on Tuesday. Unfortunately, city attorney Mekisha Creal nixed this plan.

Creal cited a concern about the legality of any council votes. The Governor's Proclamation was clearly intended to allow government bodies to continue to function. 

Creal's strict interpretation fo the Proclamation is not consistent with her past interpretations of the authority of the mayor and the council vis a vis the city charter.

The agenda this week had several "routine" matters that were needed to keep the wheels of government running as orderly as possible during this time of change. 

The appointment of Henry Whitehorn as the city's Chief Administrative Officer should have been accomplished. Whitehorn has the votes of  at least  five council members. And if the city ever needed a CAO, it certainly is now.

Another vote that was needed was to place an amendment to the property standards code on the agenda for the next council meeting. Ordinances must have two readings--be introduced at one meeting before approval at the new regular meeting. 

This amendment would appoint two environmental court administrative officers. Until the amendment is approved, enforcement of property standards is at  a standstill because the environmental court can not function.

It's time for Creal to go back and hit the lawbooks, contact the governor's office or the Attorney General's office to get clarification on her concern on legality of votes at a meeting by telephone or video conferencing.

In the alternative, the Council can meet taking adequate safeguards. Surely they will be more safe in the chambers than going to the grocery store or filling up their tank at Circle K and buying a coke!