MAYOR LANDRIEU ANNOUNCES SERIES OF COMMUNITY MEETINGS AS PART OF THE 2015 BUDGETING PROCESS 

Mayor Mitch Landrieu, City of New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS –  New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu announced a series of community meetings in each council district to discuss 2015 budget priorities beginning with District C on Monday, August, 18. These meetings are intended to gather input as part of the Budgeting for Outcomes process.“

Four years ago, we started these meetings to ensure that the people of New Orleans were included in the budgeting process,” said Mayor Mitch Landrieu. “These meetings allow us to hear directly from New Orleanians on what their priorities are, and allow us to stick to our budgeting principles: cut smart, reorganize, and invest in the future.”

The Budgeting for Outcomes process aims to produce a more citizen-driven budget and to ensure improved government performance and accountability. A national best practice, the Budgeting for Outcomes system encourages city agencies to invest public resources based on the end result the City wants to achieve.The Mayor will host one meeting with the district councilmember in each council district. The Mayor and Councilmembers will be joined by Deputy Mayors, NOPD Superintendent Ronal Serpas, NOFD Superintendent Tim McConnell and department and agency heads.All community meetings will start at 6:00 p.m. Prior to the meeting, from 5:30-6:00 p.m., the City will host a Resource Center with representatives from several City departments and agencies. During that time, citizens will have the opportunity to talk one-on-one with various departments about programs, initiatives and specific concerns.

The following lists community meetings in order of date:

District C
Monday, August 18, 2014
L.B. Landry High School
1200 L.B. Landry Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70114

District A 
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Lakeview Christian Center
5885 Fleur De Lis Dr.
New Orleans, LA 70124

District E
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church
5600 Read Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70127

District B
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Touro Synagogue
4238 St Charles Ave
New Orleans, LA 70115

District D
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Arthur Ashe Charter School
1456 Gardena Dr.
New Orleans, LA 70112

See the information below or click here  for the pdf flyer.

THE 2014 “WEDNESDAYS ON THE POINT” – 8 WEEK SUMMER  RIVERFRONT CONCERT SERIES ANNOUNCES TALENT LINEUP AND EXTENTION OF FERRY  HOURS

The Algiers Economic Development  Foundation (AEDF) has officially released the 2014 Wednesdays on the  Point (WOTP) Artist Line-Up. Local favorites such as Bag of Donuts,  Amanda Shaw, Little Freddie King, The Soul Rebels and GNO, Inc. President  & CEO Michael Hecht (DJ El Camino) will also grace the crowd. A total of 16 Artist and DJ’s can be seen during the 8 Week Concert Series. A  full talent line-up can be found at: www.wednesdaysonthepoint.com.

“Wednesdays on the Point”,  will take place every Wednesday from July 9th through August 27th.  Now in its 7th year, the 8 Week Riverfront Concert Series is Algiers’  most anticipated signature event, providing live music, food and
libations. In 2013, the event played host to more than 20,000 attendees. Community  champions and returning lead sponsors include, First NBC Bank &
Southern Eagle. 

Wednesdays on the Point is  an important component in driving visitors to Algiers. It gives local vendors an opportunity to showcase their products and services to a diverse  local, national and international audience. “We are ecstatic about the  recent announcement regarding extended ferry hours until 10:00PM  beginning July 21st,” said Derrick Martin, Executive Director of Algiers
Economic Development Foundation. “As a community, we are working with the
RTA to extend the hours for July 9th & 16th, which are the first two  concert dates.”

The 2014 Event Producer is  Gerald Duhon, Jr., whose resume includes past leadership roles in YLC’s  “Wednesdays at the Square” and Second Harvest Food Bank’s “Harvest the  Music.”

Algiers Economic  Development Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a focus on  economic development specifically for the Algiers community. The mission of AEDF is build a sustainable, business friendly environment that grows
investments and jobs in Westbank New Orleans through advocacy, marketing
and business development, recruitment and retention.

WHAT: AEDF’s “Wednesdays on the Point”  Riverfront Concert Series

WHEN: Every Wednesday from 5:30-8:30PM, July 9th- August 27th

 WHERE: Algiers Point Riverfront at 200  Morgan Street, Algiers, LA 70114, near the Algiers Ferry Landing.

For additional information  please visit www.algierseconomic.com,
www.wednesdaysonthepoint.com
or contact AEDF at 504 362.6436.

Emails can be sent to info@algierseconomic.com

For more detailed information, please go to wednesdaysonthepoint.com

Algiers electric bills due to rise by 31 percent over four years

BY JAQUETTA WHITE, jwhite@theadvocate.com

June 26, 2014

Monthly electric bills for Algiers residents will climb by 31 percent over the next four years, according to a resolution approved Wednesday by the City Council’s Utility Committee endorsing an agreement reached in principle between the council’s utility advisers and Entergy Louisiana President and CEO Phillip May.

The agreement also directs Entergy Louisiana to seek approval to transfer its Algiers electric service to Entergy New Orleans.

Entergy Louisiana serves about 22,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Algiers. The rest of the city receives electric service from Entergy New Orleans. Both companies are subsidiaries of Entergy Corp. Inc.

Entergy Louisiana submitted a new rate plan for Algiers residents more than a year ago. The company initially sought to raise rates by a total of $12.9 million, a 42 percent increase. The parties settled on a $9.3 million increase, phased in over four years.

The AARP and the Alliance for Affordable Energy also participated in the discussions and signed off on the agreement in principle.

Before it can take effect, the increase must be approved by the full council and the Louisiana Public Service Commission.

Rates were last changed in Algiers in November 2000. Entergy officials said the increase is needed in part to cover costs associated with restoring the company’s system following several hurricanes, including Katrina, that occurred after 2000.

Under the plan submitted to the council, the monthly bill of a typical customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity would rise by $7.77 in the first year, $5.69 in year two, $5.67 in year three and $5.26 in year four, according to figures released by the utility.

The average Algiers customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity now has a monthly Entergy bill of $79.23, an Entergy Louisiana spokeswoman said. That monthly bill would rise to $103.62 at the end of the four years.

Entergy Louisiana also plans to seek approval from the council and the Public Service Commission to transfer its Algiers electric service to Entergy New Orleans. A spokeswoman said no timeline has been established for making that request.

In other matters, the Utility Committee voted to use a $15.3 million refund to Entergy New Orleans to extend the Energy Smart and NOLA Wise programs through the end of 2014 and to fund other, as yet unidentified “energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy programs.”

The established programs will receive $2.2 million, with the balance going into an interest-bearing account until specific programs and uses are identified.