Yielding to critics, Kenner Mayor Mike Yenni on Friday scheduled a community meeting to explain and take feedback on his $47 million plan for refinancing debt?and making aesthetic improvements at 10 sites around town. The session will be held Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the City Park pavilion, 3800 Loyola Drive. Doors open at 7 p.m.
"I am confident that by accomplishing the suggested goals outlined in the 2030 Plan, which will require financing, Kenner will once again become a thriving 'community of choice' for residents and businesses," Yenni said. "However, I know I cannot do this alone; cooperation and community are the keys to this city's future."
The announcement came a day after two City Council members, Joe Stagni and Gregory Carroll, complained that Yenni was moving too quickly with the plan. Before the council voted 5-2 to apply to the state Bond Commission for refinancing approval, Stagni said, "I look at this as a slap in the face to the numerous amount of citizens who are not cognizant of what's going on."
Yenni's first reaction was to justify the pace. He said the plan grew out of two years of public meetings of his 41-member economic development committee, had been publicized in the news media and been presented to business groups. He also said he'd explained the plan to council members in individual meetings a month earlier.
But on Friday he acquiesced somewhat by setting the community meeting, while still defending his tactics thus far.
"The Kenner 2030 Plan for a Prosperous Future can be found on the city's website at www.kenner.la.us. The plan has been publicized since late October 2012. ... Despite publishing in The Times Picayune, Advocate, Kenner Star and reaching out to the community via other sources since October, there have been accusations that this has not gone public. I have promised transparency and will not be accused otherwise."
The five council members who backed Yenni at Thursday's meeting downplayed the significance of applying to the Bond Commission for refinancing. They said it commits Kenner to nothing.
Two votes, likely in the coming weeks, will be carry more weight. The next will seek final Bond Commission approval for the refinancing, and the third will actually sell the bonds, thus extending some debt from 2018 to 2033 and producing revenue to pay for the aesthetic improvements.
Further votes would come in the ensuing months on the individual projects themselves.
If residents are unable to attend Wednesday's session, updated information is available via the city website, Kenner Facebook page or by calling the mayor's office at 504.468.7240.
Source: http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/04/yielding_to_critics_kenner_may.html
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