[00:00:03] >> WE'LL CALL OUR MEETING TO ORDER. [1. Call to Order – Jerald Jones, Chairman ] GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE TO THE BOARD OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY MEETING. I WILL APOLOGIZE FROM THE BEGINNING THAT I AM FILLING IN FOR A PRO, AND YOU HAVE MAYBE AN AMATEUR. I DO WANT TO MAKE ONE REMINDER REAL QUICK THAT WHEN YOU SPEAK, PULL THE MIC DOWN, SPEAK INTO THE MIC SO THE COURT REPORTER CAN HEAR US. IF YOU COME TO THE TABLES, IDENTIFY YOURSELF, WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT COMPANY YOU'RE REPRESENTING. WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE'VE CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER. IF WE'LL GET THE ROLL CALL, PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. STUART MOSS? >> PRESENT. >> DAVID TOUPS? >> PRESENT. >> DAVID AMOSS? >> PRESENT. >> JOHN AUSTIN? >> HERE. >> DAVID DOSS? >> HERE. >> BARRY MELE? >> PRESENT. >> SCOTT NIEMEYER? >> HERE. >> REPRESENTATIVE DARYL DESHOTEL? SENATOR FRANKLIN FOIL? KYLE POLOZOLA? I'M SORRY, I MISPRONOUNCED YOUR NAME. [LAUGHTER] >> HERE. >> JERALD JONES? RONALD REMEDIES? >> HERE. >> SENATOR BETH MIZELL? >> HERE. >> PROXY FOR REPRESENTATIVE JULIE EMERSON, BARBARA FREIBERG? MICHAEL TANNER? >> HERE. >> SECRETARY SUSAN BOURGEOIS? >> HERE. >> GEORGE NASSAR? >> HERE. >> ERWIN THOMPSON III? >> HERE. >> HAROLD CALLAIS? >> HERE. >> RIDGE MIQUEZ? >> HERE. >> WESLEY BLAKE WHEELIS? >> HERE. >> LETTIE ARDOIN? ROBBY MILLER? >> HERE. >> DESIGNATE FOR THE GOVERNOR, ANDREA MILLER? >> HERE. >> CHAIRMAN, WE HAVE A QUORUM. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. BOARD MEMBERS, IF I CAN'T SEE YOUR SIGN WHENEVER YOU MAKE A MOTION, I MAY HAVE TO ASK YOU YOUR NAME, BUT WE'LL MOVE RIGHT INTO THE NEXT ITEM OUR FIRST ITEM FOR [3. Approval of Minutes from June 26, 2024 meeting ] APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 26 MEETING. IF YOU HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW THEM, IF WE COULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ACCEPT. >> MOTION MOVED. >> MR. NASSAR, MOTION. SECOND BY MR. TOUPS. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? THANK YOU. MINUTES APPROVED. NEXT IS A QUALITY JOBS. [4. Quality Jobs Program – Michaela Adegbe ] I THINK MR. FRANK IS GOING TO DO THOSE, QUALITY JOBS. >> YES, SIR. GOOD MORNING. WE HAVE ONE NEW QUALITY JOB APPLICATION, MAGNOLIA POWER MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC IN IBERVILLE PARISH. THAT CONCLUDES THE QUALITY JOBS NEW APPLICATION. >> THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE A MOTION? >> MOTION MOVED. SECRETARY BOURGEOIS. >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY MR. MOSS. ANY QUESTIONS, ANY INPUT, QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC OR THE BOARD? ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? THANK YOU. QUALITY JOBS NEW APPLICATIONS ARE APPROVED. RENEWAL, SIR. >> NEXT, WE HAVE ONE QUALITY JOB RENEWAL APPLICATION, 20190337, CONTROLWORX, LLC IN ASCENSION PARISH. >> THEY'VE MET ALL [OVERLAPPING]. >> THAT CONCLUDES THE RENEWAL. >> RENEWAL. IT MOVE ALONG. >> MOTION MOVED. >> MR. NASSAR HAS A MOTION AND MR. TOUPS, SECOND. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM ANYONE, BOARD OR PUBLIC? ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? THE RENEWALS FOR QUALITY JOBS ARE APPROVED. WE'RE MOVING TO RESTORATION TAX ABATEMENT, MR. ROSENBERG. [5. Restoration Tax Abatement Program – Travis Rosenberg ] >> GOOD MORNING. THERE ARE TWO NEW APPLICATIONS, 20220320 FOR ECHO DEVELOPMENT SOUTH GRAND IN OUACHITA PARISH, AND 20230382 FOR FAIRMONT HOUSING ASSOCIATES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP IN CADDO PARISH. >> THANK YOU. JUST A NOTE FOR EVERYONE'S KNOWLEDGE, ON THE RESTORATION TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM, THE LOCALS HAVE TO APPROVE PRIOR TO THEIR APPLICATION OR WITH THEIR APPLICATION. THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES HAVE APPROVED THESE APPLICATIONS. WITH THAT BEING SAID, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. SENATOR MIZELL. >> MOTION MOVED. >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY MR. DOSS. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS REGARDING RESTORATION ABATEMENT? ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? NO OPPOSED, APPROVED. THANK YOU. DO YOU HAVE ANY RENEWALS? >> NO, SIR. THAT CONCLUDES THE RTA AGENDA. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ENTERPRISE ZONE. MS. METOYER. [6. Enterprise Zone Program – Joyce Metoyer ] >> GOOD MORNING. >> MORNING. >> THERE ARE 14 NEW ENTERPRISE ZONE APPLICATIONS. [00:05:04] MY EYESIGHT IS A LITTLE BLURRY. FORGIVE ME. 12151239, EXCEL FABRICATION & CONSTRUCTION, INCORPORATED, ASCENSION PARISH. 20210336, FAMILY GROCERS, LLC, ASCENSION PARISH. 20210422, LAITRAM MACHINE SHOP, JEFFERSON PARISH. 20190358, OFCH, LLC, LAFAYETTE PARISH. 20190300, OCHSNER CLINIC FOUNDATION, ST. MARTIN PARISH. 20190452, OCHSNER CLINIC FOUNDATION, EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH. 20200297, OCHSNER CLINIC FOUNDATION, EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH. 2021042, OCHSNER CLINIC FOUNDATION, ORLEANS PARISH. 20210045, OCHSNER CLINIC FOUNDATION, EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH. 20210046, OCHSNER CLINIC FOUNDATION, EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH. 20210319, OCHSNER CLINIC FOUNDATION, JEFFERSON PARISH. 20220147, PMG OPCO-BROUSSARD, LLC, LAFAYETTE PARISH. 20220148, PMG OPCO-JENNINGS, LLC, JEFFERSON DAVIS PARISH. 20200096, PERFORMANCE FOOD GROUP, INCORPORATED, LAFOURCHE PARISH. >> ENTERTAIN A MOTION? >> MOTION MOVED. >> MR. MOSS. >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY SECRETARY BOURGEOIS. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS REGARDING OUR ENTERPRISE ZONE? WITH THAT ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? ENTERPRISE ZONES HAVE BEEN APPROVED. CONTRACT TERMINATIONS. >> WE HAVE FIVE TERMINATIONS. 20180046, HUNT FOREST PRODUCTS, LLC, LA SALLE PARISH. THE EXISTING CONTRACT IS 5/15/2020-5/14/2025. THE REQUESTED TERM DATE IS 5/14/2023. THE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN MET, NO ADDITIONAL JOBS ARE ANTICIPATED. 20180227, LAFAYETTE GENERAL HEALTH SYSTEM, INCORPORATED, VERMILION PARISH. THE EXISTING CONTRACT IS JUNE 1, 2018 THROUGH, THAT'S A TYPO. OH, NO, I'M SORRY. THIS IS THE CONTRACT. JUNE 1, 2018 THROUGH 12/1/2020. THE REQUESTED TERM DATE IS 12/1/2020. THE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS HAVE A MET, NO ADDITIONAL JOBS ARE ANTICIPATED. THAT IS A TYPO BECAUSE THE CONTRACT IS 54 YEARS, SO THAT SHOULD BE 5/31/2023 FOR THE FULL FIVE YEARS. THE EXISTING CONTRACT PERIOD, THAT IS A TYPO. 20180491, PERFORMANCE CONTRACTORS, INCORPORATED, WEST BATON ROUGE PARISH. THE EXISTING CONTRACT IS 8/13/20-8/12/2025. THE REQUESTED TERM DATE IS FEBRUARY 13, 2023. THE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN MET, NO ADDITIONAL JOBS ARE ANTICIPATED. 20180165, PERFORMANCE CONTRACTORS, INCORPORATED, EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH. THE EXISTING CONTRACT IS 6/13/2020-6/12/2025. THE REQUESTED TERM DATE IS 12/13/2022. THE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN MET, NO ADDITIONAL JOBS ARE ANTICIPATED. IN 20200225, RESTIC CONSTRUCTION, LLC, WEST BATON ROUGE PARISH, AND THE EXISTING CONTRACT IS 7/18/2020-7/17/2025. THE REQUESTED TERM DATE IS JANUARY 17, 2023. THE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN MET, NO ADDITIONAL JOBS ARE ANTICIPATED. >> MS. METOYER SAID IT MORE THAN ONCE THAT THE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN MET. THEY'RE JUST EARLY, SO THEY TERMINATE THEM EARLY SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO KEEP TRACKING. IT'S GOOD FOR EVERYBODY. THEY CREATED THE JOBS. THEY DID EVERYTHING THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO AND RECEIVED THEIR BENEFIT. WITH THAT BEING SAID, I ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR CONTRACT TERMINATIONS? >> MOTION MOVED. >> SECOND. >> MR. NASSAR AND? >> MY NAME IS REMEDIES. >> MR. REMEDIES. THERE WE GO. I GOT IT. ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? YES. PULL YOUR MIC DOWN PLEASE. >> I JUST WANTED TO BE CLEAR THAT THE CORRECT DATES THAT SHE INDICATED WERE PROPERLY RECORDED, [00:10:04] SO THEY DIDN'T HAVE A ISSUE WITH. >> YOU WANT ME TO SAY IT AGAIN? I CAN. >> IF YOU WOULD JUST RECALL QUICKLY. >> IT'S 20180227, LAFAYETTE GENERAL HEALTH SYSTEM, INCORPORATED, VERMILION PARISH. THE EXISTING CONTRACT DATE 6/1/18-5/31/2023, WHICH IS THE FULL FIVE YEARS. THEY REQUESTED TO BE TERMED ON FEBRUARY 13, 2023, WHICH MET THE 30 MONTHS, AND THE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN MET. NO ADDITIONAL JOBS ARE ANTICIPATED. >> THANK YOU. >> WITH THAT MOTION BEING UPDATED, ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS OTHER THAN THAT? THANK YOU. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED. CONTRACT TERMINATIONS FOR ENTERPRISE ZONE HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED. NEXT ITEM, SECRETARY BOURGEOIS IS GOING TO HANDLE FOR US A MOTION TO AMEND THE PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED MOTION. >> CHAIR, I'M SORRY. CORRECTIONS. >> ROBBY IS GOING TO DO IT. >> JOYCE. >> MS. JOYCE. >> WE'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE A CORRECTION, SO YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO A MOTION TO RECONSIDER. >> I READ THE WRONG ONE. I'M SORRY. >> YES. >> ON CORRECTING THE? >> THE CORRECTION ON THE CORRECTION. >> THE CORRECTION ON THE CORRECTION. >> [LAUGHTER] I'M SO SORRY. >> WE'RE GOING TO DO A NEW MOTION, AND YOU'RE GOING TO READ THE CONTRACT THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ON THIS. >> WE'RE GETTING THERE. >> GO AHEAD. >> 20180227, LAFAYETTE GENERAL HEALTH SYSTEM, INCORPORATED, VERMILION PARISH. THE EXISTING CONTRACT PERIOD IS JUNE 1, 2018. THE ENDING DATE SHOULD BE MAY 31, 2023. THE REQUESTED TERM DATE IS 12/1/2020. >> EVERYBODY KNOWS WE'RE REVISITING THE ENTERPRISE ZONE CONTRACT TERMINATIONS. I HAVE A MOTION BY? >> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO AMEND MR. RAMIREZ MOTION WITH THOSE CORRECTED DATES TO TERMINATE THAT CONTRACT. >> EXCUSE ME. THAT WAS HIS MOTION, BUT I'LL JUST SECOND. I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR. >> [INAUDIBLE] MOTION. THANK YOU. >> SORRY ABOUT THAT. >> NO. THAT'S GOOD. >> DO I NEED A SECOND ON THAT? >> YEAH. >> SECOND. >> MR. REMEDIES AGAIN. DO I HAVE ANY COMMENTS? NO ONE ELSE WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT IT? >> CORRECTED THE CORRECTION. >> OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? NOW THEY'RE OFFICIALLY ACCEPTED. NOW, A MOTION TO AMEND THE PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED MOTION, SECRETARY BOURGEOIS. [7. Motion to Amend a Previously Adopted Motion ] >> I THINK MY PRIMARY ROLE TODAY IS AMENDING AMENDED MOTIONS. [LAUGHTER] AT THE LAST MEETING, IF YOU REMEMBER, WE HAD A VERY LENGTHY MOTION TO CLEAN UP SOME LANGUAGE FOR ONE PARTICULAR ISSUE THAT HAD PRESENTED ITSELF, AND THERE'S SOME ADDITIONAL CLEAN UP LANGUAGE, SO I SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING. WHEREAS DURING THE JUNE 26, 2028 BOARD OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY MEETING, BOARD MEMBERS PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED A MOTION TO AMEND AND REINSTATE THE BOARD OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY'S APRIL 28, 2021 MOTION WITH REGARD TO THE BOARD'S CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENTS TO ITAP EXHIBIT A'S REQUESTED BY COMPANIES. WAS THE PREVIOUS ADOPTION OF THE APRIL 28, 2021 AMENDMENT AND REINSTATED MOTION WAS TO SUSTAIN THE PROSPECTIVE REQUISITE FOR ITAP EXHIBIT A AMENDMENTS TO JOBS, PAYROLL, AND COMPLIANCE TERMS, AN ACCOUNT FOR THE APPLICABILITY OF SAID AMENDMENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS TO BE NO EARLIER THAN THE PROJECT YEAR IN WHICH THE COMPANY SECURES THE NECESSARY APPROVALS FROM THE LOCAL GOVERNING AUTHORITIES WITH APPROVAL FROM THE BOARD. WHEREAS BECAUSE SECTION 2 OF THE PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED APRIL 28, 2021 AMENDMENT AND REINSTATED MOTION, INCLUDED UNINTENDED LANGUAGE IDENTIFIED AS "WHICHEVER COMES LAST" SAID LANGUAGE SHOULD BE ELIMINATED WITH NO REPLACEMENT. THEREFORE, CHAIRMAN MILLER, I MOVE TO AMEND THE PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED MOTION TO AMEND AND RESTATE THE APRIL 28, 2021 MOTION BY THE BOARD DURING THE JUNE 26, 2024 BOARD MEETING BY STRIKING THE LANGUAGE "WHICHEVER COMES LAST" FROM SECTION 2 OF THE PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED MOTION, WHEREBY SECTION 2 SHALL NOW READ AS FOLLOWS. SECTION 2, AMENDMENTS TO JOBS, PAYROLL, OR COMPLIANCE, TERMS OR CONDITIONS WILL BE PROSPECTIVE AND APPLICABLE NO EARLIER THAN THE PROJECT YEAR IN WHICH THE COMPANY SECURES THE NECESSARY APPROVALS FROM THE LOCAL GOVERNING AUTHORITIES WITH BOARD APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT. >> THAT'S IT? >> YOU NEED A SECOND. YEAH. >> OKAY. THERE'S THE MOTION. WE NEED A SECOND. I'M SURE WE ALL UNDERSTAND THAT 100%. >> FULLY. >> SECOND. >> MS. MILLER, SECONDED. [00:15:01] ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? REALLY? WITH THAT SAID, ALL IN FAVOR OF ACCEPTING THE MOTION AS PRESENTED? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? WE HAVE A NEW AMENDMENT TO THE PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED MOTION. GREAT. HUD AND KRISTIN, [8. Industrial Tax Exemption – Kristin Johnson/Hud Usie ] WE'RE GOING TO ENTER INTO THE INDUSTRIAL TAX EXEMPTION SECTION. >> GOOD MORNING. >> HOLD ONE SECOND. >> MR. CHAIRMAN, IT'S NECESSARY FOR ME TO RECUSE MYSELF FROM A FEW MATTERS ON THIS DOCKET. THE ONE INVOLVING COCA-COLA BOTTLING, THE ONE INVOLVING LOTTE CHEMICALS, SUPREME RICE, LLC, AND WESTLAKE VINYLS COMPANY. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> I NEED TO REQUEST A RECUSAL FROM COASTAL CHEMICAL COMPANY. >> GET THAT? MR. MIGUEZ, REPEAT THAT ONE PLEASE. >> I NEED TO REQUEST A RECUSAL ON COASTAL CHEMICAL COMPANY. >> ARE WE READY TO MOVE AHEAD? >> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING. >> THAT'S REALLY LOUD. WE HAVE 13 NEW 2018 RULES APPLICATIONS. BEFORE WE START, TWO ARE REQUESTING DEFERRAL, 20210492, COASTAL CHEMICAL COMPANY, VERMILION PARISH, AND 20220075, THE PROCTOR & GAMBLE MANUFACTURING COMPANY. >> WE HAVE A MOTION TO DEFER BY MR. TOOPS. SECOND BY MR. MOSS. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON THAT? ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? THOSE TWO ARE DEFERRED. >> WE HAVE 11 NEW 2018 APPLICATIONS: 2023-0152 COCA COLA BOTTLING COMPANY UNITED GULF COAST, LLC, JEFFERSON PARISH, 2022-0110-A, GEORGIA-PACIFIC PORT HUDSON, LLC, EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, 2022-0543, K&B MACHINE WORKS LLC, TERREBONNE PARISH, 2022-0453-A, LOTTE CHEMICAL LOUISIANA LLC, V PARISH, 2022-0484, PROLEC GE USA LLC, CADDO PARISH, 2023-0309, STEEL FORGINGS, INC, CADDO PARISH, 20202-0493, STULLER, INC, LAFAYETTE PARISH, 2021-0465, SUPREME RICE, LLC, ACADIA PARISH, 2021-0531, SUPREME RICE, LLC, ACADIA PARISH, 2020-0407, WESTFIELD FLUID CONTROLS, INC, LAFAYETTE PARISH, AND 2019-0290-C, WESTLAKE VINYLS COMPANY, LP IN ASCENSION PARISH. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THE NEW POST EXECUTIVE ORDER 2018 RULES. >> I'LL MOVE. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY MR. NASSER. SECOND BY MR. DOS. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS, INPUT? ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? THOSE 11 HAVE BEEN APPROVED. >> NEXT, WE HAVE TWO NEW APPLICATIONS UNDER THE POST EO 2024 EMERGENCY RULES. 2024-0218, INFERNO MANUFACTURING CORP IN CADDO PARISH AND 2024-0293, ST. BERNARD RENEWABLES, LLC IN ST. BERNARD PARISH. >> ENTERTAIN A MOTION? >> MOVED. >> MR. KELLEY. SECOND, SECRETARY BOURGEOIS. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? THOSE ARE APPROVED. >> WE HAVE FOUR PRE EXECUTIVE ORDER TIMELY RENEWALS: 2016-0706, CLECO POWER, LLC, ST. MARY PARISH, 2016-1510-A, EPIC PIPING, LLC, LIVINGSTON PARISH, 2014-1578-A, SHELL CHEMICAL COMPANY, LP, ST. CHARLES PARISH, AND 2016-1514, UTLX MANUFACTURING, LLC AND RAPIDES PARISH. >> MR. POZO. >> MR. CHAIRMAN, IT'S NECESSARY FOR ME TO RECUSE MYSELF FROM THE MATTER INVOLVING CLECO AND SHELL CHEMICAL. >> MR. CHAIRMAN, I NEED TO RECUSE MYSELF FROM CLECO POWER AND UTLX MANUFACTURING. >> HAVE THOSE. DO I ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THE PRE-EO RENEWALS. >> SO MOVES. >> MR. DOS. I'M GOING TO GET IT RIGHT EVENTUALLY, REMEDIES. [00:20:02] >> REMEDIES. >> MR. REMEDIES, SECOND. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? THOSE RENEWALS ARE APPROVED. POST EXECUTIVE ORDER. >> WE HAVE THREE POST EXECUTIVE ORDER 2018 RULES, TIMELY RENEWALS. TWO ARE REQUESTING DEFERRAL. THAT'S 2018-0403, INTERIM VENTURES PINS, LLC IN CALCASIEU PARISH, AND 2018-0403-A, INTERIM VENTURES ALFINS, LLC IN CALCASIEU PARISH. >> THOSE TWO ARE BEING DEFERRED. ANY MOTION. >> SO MOVED. >> WILLIS, IS THAT RIGHT? WILLS. AND SECOND BY SECRETARY BOURGEOIS. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR OF THOSE DEFERRALS? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? WE DEFERRED THOSE TWO, SO WE'LL HANDLE THE ONE. >> WE HAVE 2017-0616, ALLIANCE COMPRESSORS, LLC IN NATCHITOCHES PARISH. >> I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. >> MOVED. >> MR. KELLEY? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY MR. DOS. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? THAT RENEWAL IS APPROVED. >> WE HAVE ONE POST EO 2018 RULES, LATE RENEWAL APPLICATION, BUT THAT COMPANY IS REQUESTING DEFERRAL, AND THAT IS 2018-0110, SERVICE MACHINE & SUPPLY, INC IN LAFAYETTE PARISH. >> THEY ARE REQUESTING TO BE WITHDRAWN FOR THE. >> DEFERRED TO THE NEXT MEETING. >> TO THE NEXT MEETING. WE HAVE A MOTION. MR. TOOPS. >> SECOND. >> MR. NASSER, SECOND. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON THIS DEFERRAL? ALL IN FAVOR OF THE DEFERRAL? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? NEXT. >> WE HAVE ONE TRANSFER OF TAX EXEMPTION CONTRACT AMENDMENT REQUEST. THAT'S UBE AMERICA INC, CONTRACT 2023-0253, IN JEFFERSON PARISH. I'M SORRY, 2023-0256 IN JEFFERSON PARISH. AND IT'S BEING TRANSFERRED TO UBE C1 CHEMICALS AMERICA, INC. >> MOTION? >> SO MOVED. >> MR. DOS. SECOND BY SECRETARY BOURGEOIS. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS TRANSFER? ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? AS FAR AS APPROVED. >> WE HAVE 15 CONTRACT CANCELLATION REQUESTS. BIO LAB, INC, CONTRACT 2015-0503 AND 2016-0771 IN CALCASIEU PARISH, COMPANY REQUESTS CANCELLATION. CLECO POWER, LLC, CONTRACTS 2015-0670, 2016-1020, AND 2016-1033 IN ST. MARY PARISH, COMPANY REQUESTS CANCELLATION. LAMB WESTON, INC, CONTRACT 2020-0134 IN RICHLAND PARISH, COMPANY REQUESTS CANCELLATION. MOSAIC FERTILIZER, LLC, 2015-0284, 2015-0285, 2015-0286, 2015-0296, 2015-0297, 2015-0299, AND 2015-0300 IN ST. JAMES PARISH, COMPANY REQUESTS CANCELLATION. AND VERACITY MACHINE, LLC, 2015-0734 AND 2016-1117 IN TERREBONNE PARISH, COMPANY ALSO REQUESTS CANCELLATION. >> IT'S NECESSARY FOR ME TO RECUSE MYSELF FROM THE MATTER INVOLVING CLECO AND MOSAIC FERTILIZER. >> MR. CHAIRMAN, I NEED TO RECUSE MYSELF FROM CLECO POWER. >> ANYBODY ELSE? I'M GOING TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE CANCELLATION OF THESE CONTRACTS. >> SO MOVED. >> MR. KELLEY. SECONDED BY MR. NASSER. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE? ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? THOSE CONTRACTS ARE CANCELED. SPECIAL REQUEST. >> WE HAVE EIGHT SPECIAL REQUESTS, STARTING WITH BAGWELL ENERGY SERVICES, INC, CONTRACTS 2018-0323, 2018-0323-A, 2018-0323-B, AND 2018-0323-C. BAGWELL ENERGY SERVICES IS REQUESTING TO AMEND THEIR EXHIBIT A AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACTS 2018-0323, 2018-0323-A, 2018-0323-B, AND 2018-0323-C TO LOWER THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF NEW DIRECT JOBS FROM 150 TO 35, AND NEW DIRECT PAYROLL FROM 1,010.5 MILLION TO TWO MILLION. [00:25:04] >> AND THE LOCALS HAVE BEEN CONTACTED IN THERE? >> WE'VE RECEIVED RESOLUTIONS APPROVING THIS AMENDMENT. >> THIS AMENDMENT. WE HAVE A MOTION BY MR. NASSER, SECOND BY MR. DOS. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? I'M GIVING A LITTLE EXTRA TIME. SENATOR? >> YEAH. DO WE KNOW WHY? THAT'S A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE NUMBER OF JOBS. >> WAS SOMEONE HERE FROM BAGWELL THIS TIME? WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME ADDRESS THAT QUESTION, PLEASE? IF YOU DON'T MIND, WHEN YOU GET HERE, STATE YOUR NAME AND, OBVIOUSLY, YOUR COMPANY, AND THEN SPEAK INTO THE MIC. >> MY NAME IS MIKE SOKOL. I'M VP OF BAGWELL ENERGY. >> DID YOU HEAR THE QUESTION FROM SENATOR MANSELL? >> YES. I THINK WHEN THIS PROGRAM FIRST STARTED, WE WERE EARLY ON, AND PRIOR TO COVID, THE WHOLE INDUSTRY HAD CRASHED, AND THEN COVID HIT AT THE SAME TIME. SO WE PROBABLY OVERSHOT OUR NUMBERS EARLY ON. BUT DURING THIS WHOLE TIME, WE CONTINUED TO SPEND MILLIONS AND MILLIONS ON NEW EQUIPMENT. SO THE NEW EQUIPMENT AND HIGH TECH EQUIPMENT THAT WE'VE INVESTED IN LOWERED SOME OF THE PAY ROLL AS FAR AS NEW EMPLOYEES, BUT IT IT MADE US A BETTER COMPANY. AND SO EARLY ON IS PROBABLY WHY WE OVERSHOT THOSE NUMBERS. >> SO YOU SEE YOURSELF AS A SOLID 35 AND IT WAS AN IFFY 150 IN YOUR EMPLOYEE COUNT? >> YES, MA'AM. >> I DO WANT TO MENTION THIS IS NEW EMPLOYMENT OVER THEIR BASELINE. THIS IS NEW JOBS OVER THE BASELINE THAT THEY HAVE RETAINED. >> THANK YOU. I WAS CURIOUS IF IT WAS SOMETHING THAT YOU COULDN'T FIND THE WORKFORCE, IF THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS FALLING SHORT IN THE RESOURCES OF WHAT WE HAD AVAILABLE IN THE STATE. >> SOMETIMES IT IS THE RESOURCE, BUT I THINK WE'VE WORKED WITH THE LOCAL IBERIA PARISH ON TRAINING PEOPLE AND WORKING WITH THE JUNIOR COLLEGE TO GET NEW EMPLOYEES, TO GET THE YOUNGER GENERATION. WE'RE HIRING A LOT OF EX MILITARY GUYS COMING IN, SO WE'RE STARTING TO GET A BETTER HANDLE ON A LOT OF THE YOUNGER PEOPLE. WE DO A LOT OF INTERNAL TRAINING, AND THAT'S BEEN A BIG PLUS FOR US. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? AND TO REITERATE, THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES HAVE SENT RESOLUTIONS IN SUPPORT OF THIS AMENDMENT. SO OBVIOUSLY, BAGWELL HAS BEEN A GOOD CORPORATE CITIZEN IN THAT AREA, AND THE LOCALS RECOGNIZE THAT AND WANT TO KEEP THEM WITH THE BEST THEY CAN. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. SENATOR MANSELL. >> THAT ONE ALREADY RAISED. >> WE DO. WHO'S THAT? WE'VE DONE THE MOTION AND THE SECOND? NO SECOND. SO SECOND BY SENATOR MANSELL. >> IT'S BEEN SECOND. >> EVERYTHING. WE HAVE TO VOTE. >> YES. >> THANK YOU. TOLD YOU ALL YOU HAD AN AMATEUR. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? BAGWELL'S SPECIAL REQUEST HAS BEEN APPROVED. THANK YOU, SIR. CONGRATULATIONS. APPRECIATE YOU INVESTING IN LOUISIANA. >> NEXT, WE HAVE TAMINCO US, LLC, CONTRACT 2018-0142. TAMINCO US, LLC, IS REQUESTING TO AMEND THEIR EXISTING EXHIBIT A AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACT 2018-0142 TO LOWER THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF RETAINED JOBS FROM 106 TO 100. >> AGAIN, WE HAVE SUPPORT FROM THE LOCAL GOVERNING AUTHORITIES? >> YES, SIR. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY MR. DOS. SECOND BY MR. KELLEY. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? THEIR REQUEST TO AMEND THE CONTRACT IS APPROVED. AND I THINK WE HAVE ONE MORE. >> WE HAVE ONE MORE FOR WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY, CONTRACTS 2021-0148, 2021-0148-A, AND 2021-0148-B. WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY IS REQUESTING TO AMEND THEIR EXISTING EXHIBIT A AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACTS 2021-0148, 2021-0148-A, AND 2021-0148-B TO LOWER THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF RETAINED JOBS FROM 134 TO 125, AND REQUIRED PAYROLL FROM $8,461,371 TO $6,893,000. [00:30:05] >> AND THE SAME QUESTION, THE LOCALS HAVE DONE THEIR SUPPORT OF THIS? >> YES, SIR. >> WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BY MR. TOOPS. >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY SECRETARY BOURGEOIS. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS RECOMMENDATION? ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? THEIR SPECIAL REQUEST IS APPROVED. >> NEXT, WE'RE ON TO THE NON COMPLIANCE FOR THE POST EO 2018 CONTRACTS. >> GO AHEAD. >> WE HAVE TWO CONTRACTS, 2018-0323A AND 2018-0323B FOR BAGWELL ENERGY SERVICES IN IBERIA PARISH. THEY WERE NON COMPLIANT FOR THE 2020, 2021, AND 2022 REPORTING PERIODS. THE REQUIREMENTS FOR 2020 WERE 40 JOBS WITH 2.8 MILLION IN PAYROLL. THE ACTUAL JOBS CREATED AND MAINTAINED FOR PROJECT YEAR 2020 WAS SEVEN JOBS WITH 276,950 IN PAYROLL. THE REQUIREMENTS FOR PROJECT YEAR 2021 WAS 60 JOBS WITH 4.2 MILLION IN PAYROLL. THE ACTUAL JOBS CREATED AND MAINTAINED IN 2021 WAS 16 JOBS WITH 435,628 IN PAYROLL. AND FOR PROJECT YEAR 2022, THEY WERE REQUIRED TO CREATE 90 JOBS WITH 6.3 MILLION IN PAYROLL, AND THE ACTUAL JOBS CREATED AND MAINTAINED WAS 16 JOBS WITH $848,796 IN PAYROLL. THE LAST TWO MEETINGS, I BELIEVE, WE'VE VISITED THIS NON COMPLIANCE. >> THAT'S ALSO THE ONE WE JUST DID THE SPECIAL. >> YES, WE DID THE SPECIAL AND IT'S PROSPECTIVE. SO THAT'S ONLY GOING FORWARD FOR THE AMENDMENT. SO WE STILL DO NEED TO DEAL WITH THE NON COMPLIANCE FOR THESE THREE YEARS, BUT THEY DID GET NEW RESOLUTIONS FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL AND THE SCHOOL BOARD, AND THE SHERIFF DID NOT APPROVE THE EXEMPTION TO BEGIN WITH, SO HE WAS NOT REQUIRED TO RESPOND TO THIS. THE PARISH IS STATING THAT THEY SHARE A LENIENT MINDSET WITH THE BC&I AND REQUEST NO PENALTIES REGARDING THE JOBS AND PAY ROLL SHORTFALLS FOR 2020, 2021, AND 2022, AS CURRENTLY COMMITTED TO IN THE EXHIBIT A FOR THE ORIGINAL ITEP APPLICATION CONTRACT 2018-0323, INCLUDING CONTRACTS 2018-0323A, 2018-0323B. AND THEN THE SCHOOL BOARD ORIGINALLY STATED THEY WANTED TO TERMINATE, BUT THEY HAVE NOW STATED THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD SHARES A LENIENT MINDSET WITH THE BC&I, REQUESTS NO CONTRACT CANCELLATION PENALTIES REGARDING THE JOBS AND PAYROLL SHORTFALLS FOR 2020, 2021, AND 2022, AS CURRENTLY COMMITTED TO IN EXHIBIT A FOR THE ORIGINAL ITEP APPLICATION CONTRACT 2018-0323, INCLUDING CONTRACTS 2018-0323A AND 2018-0323B. >> I WANT TO REMIND THE BOARD THAT THIS BOARD HAS THE AUTHORITY TO RULE ANY WAY WE WANT ABOUT THIS, WHETHER WE PENALIZE THEM, DON'T PENALIZE THEM, OR NOT. THE SECOND REMINDER IS, THIS IS A LOCAL TAX THAT IS EITHER GRANTED OR EXEMPTED. THE LOCALS HAVE SAID THAT THEY'RE OKAY WITH GETTING THE EXEMPTION. WITH THAT BEING SAID, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION IN WHATEVER FORM OR FASHION YOU WANT TO MAKE IT. >> I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE TAKE NO ACTION. >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION TO TAKE NO ACTION FROM MR. NASSER. WE HAVE A SECOND BY MR. TOOPS. DO WE HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ANY INPUT? >> JUST FOR CLARITY, SO THE TAKING NO ACTION IS NO PENALTY. THEY JUST PROCEED UNDER THEIR CONTRACT AS IT EXISTS? >> YES, MA'AM. >> JUST CLARIFYING. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> I HAVE A QUESTION. >> YES, SIR. >> SO HOW DOES THIS PLAY INTO THE TESTIMONY JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO? IS IT ONE AND THE SAME? >> THEY THE SAME COMPANY, SAME CONTRACT. THESE ARE YEARS PREVIOUS SO THAT SPECIAL REQUEST DOES NOT APPLY TO THESE. THEREFORE, THE JOB REQUIREMENT WAS NOT LOWERED IN THESE YEARS. THEY STILL DO NEED TO CREATE THE NEW REQUIREMENT OF 35 JOBS AND TWO MILLION IN PAYROLL STARTING FROM 2024. >> THANK YOU. >> ALTHOUGH THE LOCALS DID SEND SUPPORT TO TAKE NO ACTION ON THE PAST, AND THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE A MOTION FOR RIGHT NOW. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GIVE FULL AMOUNT OF TIME. >>THE MOTION AT HAND IS SORT OF LIKE WE'RE BACKTRACKING AND SAYING, [00:35:04] PLEASE FORGIVE US FOR THE MISTAKES WE MADE PREVIOUSLY AND REGARDLESS OF THE CHANGES TO THE CONTRACT. IS THAT WHAT THIS IS LIKE APPROVING FOR THOSE PREVIOUS THINGS? IT'S JUST LIKE THE I'M JUST TRYING TO MAKE SURE I'M UNDERSTANDING THE VOTE CORRECTLY. >> IT WAS NON COMPLIANCE FOR PREVIOUS YEARS, AND THEY'RE SAYING THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE ANY NEGATIVE ACTION. >> NO PENALTY. >> OR ANY ACTION. >> WE'RE NOT BEING PUNITIVE FOR THE PAST THAT, AND WE HAVE ALLOWED THEM TO AMEND THEIR CONTRACT FOR THE FUTURE. >> CAN GO FORWARD. >> EVEN WITH THE AMENDMENT, WE STILL HAVE TO APPROVE THE NON COMPLIANCE? >>BECAUSE THE AMENDMENT IS PROSPECTIVE FROM 2024. >> UNDERSTOOD. THANK YOU. >> WE ALL GOOD NOW. WE'RE READY TO VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR. >> AYE. >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? THANK YOU. >> NEXT, WE HAVE ONE CONTRACT, 2021 0013-A FOR CNC MARINE AND REPAIR, LLC AND PLACEMENT PARISH, THAT IS NON COMPLIANT FOR THE 2022 REPORTING PERIOD. THE EXHIBIT A FOR THE CONTRACT REQUIRES THE COMPANY CREATE AND MAINTAIN FIVE JOBS WITH 150,000 IN PAYROLL. THE ACTUAL JOBS AND PAYROLL CREATED AND MAINTAINED WAS TWO JOBS WITH $31,506 IN PAYROLL. THE PARISH DENIED THE EXEMPTION, SO THEY WERE NOT REQUIRED TO SUBMIT A RECOMMENDATION, AND THE SCHOOL BOARD AND SHERIFF BOTH DID NOT SUBMIT RECOMMENDATIONS. >> IN THE PAST, THE BOARD HAS TAKEN THE POSITION THAT WE IF WE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE, THAT WE WOULD CONSIDER THAT EQUIVALENT TO TAKE NO ACTION. IF IT WASN'T IMPORTANT ENOUGH FOR THEM TO CONTRIBUTE INPUT, THEN TAKE NO ACTION. EXPLAIN HELP ME THOUGH ON WHERE THE PARISH DENIED IT INITIALLY. >> AN INITIAL APPLICATION, SO THEY NEVER HAD AN EXEMPTION FROM THE PARISH. >> THE ACTION WE TAKE TODAY DOES NOT CHANGE THAT. WE'RE ONLY TALKING ABOUT THE THE OTHER TWO. >> COLE BOARD AND SHERIFF. >> WITH THAT BEING SAID, IN THEIR NORMAL ACTION, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION, HOWEVER YOU WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT IT REGARDING CNC MARINE. >> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO NO PENALTIES. >> NO PENALTIES. WE HAVE A MOTION BY MR. TOPS FOR TAKE NO ACTION, I GUESS IS THE EASIER EASIEST WAY TO SAY IT. A SECOND BY MR. AUSTIN. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? >> I HAVE A QUESTION. >> YES, SIR. >> IF YOU LOOK AT THE SALARIES VERSUS JOBS ON BOTH ACTUALS, AND THE EXPECTATIONS, THE REQUIREMENTS. IT LOOKS LIKE THE PAY IS HALF OF WHAT WAS PROJECTED, AND I'M WONDERING IF WE COULD HAVE ANY DISCUSSION OR REASONING AROUND THAT. IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S A $15,000 AVERAGE SALARY IN THE ACTUALS VERSUS ABOUT 30,000 AVERAGE SALARY IN THE EXPECTATIONS. I'M WONDERING IF WE COULD HAVE ANY REASONING BEHIND THAT. >> DO YOU HAVE ANY INPUT ON THAT OR IS THERE ANYONE HERE FROM CNC? >> THE COMPANY CAN CONFIRM, BUT I BELIEVE I RECALL CORRECTLY. THEY MAY HAVE HIRED THEM LATER IN THE YEAR, SO IT'S ONLY A FRACTION OF THEIR ANNUAL PAYROLL. >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME UP TO THE MIC, PLEASE? >> OH, THAT ANSWER. >> HOLD ON. HANG ON BEFORE. WAIT TILL YOU GET UP HERE AND TELL US WHO YOU ARE, WHO YOU'RE WITH THEN IF YOU'LL ANSWER THE QUESTION. >> SURE. >> PRESUMABLY, YOU A CNC. >> I'M ALISON SABO. I'M THE CPA FOR CNC. I HAVE BEEN CONSULTING WITH THEM ON THESE PROJECTS FOR YEARS. PART OF THE REASON IS A LOT OF THE HEAD COUNT THAT ENDED UP GETTING APPLIED TO THE NEW JOBS FOR THIS PARTICULAR CONTRACT WERE HIRED LATER IN THE YEAR, SO THE SALARIES THAT COUNTED WERE LOWER. I THINK I'M PROBABLY TOO FAR FROM THIS. OVER A YEAR THE SALARIES WOULD WELL EXCEED THE THE REQUIREMENTS. THE OTHER THING IS, ALSO, AS PART OF THE EO AT THE TIME, YOU HAVE TO END UP BACK FILLING. THERE WERE SOME ISSUES WITH BACK FILLING TO GET TO BASELINES FOR NOT ONLY THIS CONTRACT, AS WELL AS OTHER CONTRACTS THAT THEY HAVEN'T SERVED IN ACTION. >> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? I THINK WE'VE GOT A MOTION IN A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR. >> AYE. >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> APPRECIATE YOU. >> I APPRECIATE Y'ALL. >> NEXT, WE HAVE ONE CONTRACT, 2017 0416 FOR CORNERSTONE CHEMICAL COMPANY IN JEFFERSON PARISH. [00:40:01] THAT IS NON COMPLIANT FOR THE 2022 REPORTING PERIOD. THE EXHIBIT A FOR THE CONTRACT REQUIRES THE COMPANY CREATE AND MAINTAIN EIGHT JOBS WITH $838,450 IN PAYROLL. THE ACTUAL JOBS AND PAYROLL CREATED AND MAINTAINED WAS ZERO. THE PARISH AND SHERIFF DID NOT RESPOND WITH RECOMMENDATIONS. THE SCHOOL BOARD SUBMITTED A RESOLUTION STATING TO TAKE NO ACTION REGARDING THE NON COMPLIANCE. >> YES, SIR. >> MR. CHAIRMAN, I NEED TO RECUSE MYSELF FROM THE MATTER INVOLVING CORNERSTONE CHEMICAL. >> YOU GOOD THIS TIME? >> OH, YOU NEED TO RECUSE MYSELF FROM GRAVOIS, WHICH IS THE NEXT ONE. >> THE NEXT ONE. DON'T GET TOO FAR AHEAD OF. REMEMBER, I'M AN AMATEUR AT THIS. AGAIN, TAKE NO ACTION FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD, I BELIEVE IS WHAT WE HAVE, AND NO RESPONSE FROM THE OTHER TWO ENTITIES. WE TYPICALLY TAKE THAT AS TAKE NO ACTION. I WANT TO ASK THOUGH BEFORE CORNERSTONE. THIS DIDN'T CREATE ANY NEW JOBS. HOW MANY JOBS WERE RETAINED IN THE IN THE FACILITY? ANYBODY? >> I DON'T HAVE THAT NUMBER ON HAND. >> I'M WAITING ON. SEE PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE LOOKING AT EACH OTHER. APPROXIMATELY HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE EMPLOYED AT CORNERSTONE? APPROXIMATELY 400 PEOPLE ARE EMPLOYED AT CORNERSTONE. THANK YOU. THAT'S WHAT I WAS TRYING TO GET TO. WITH THAT SAID, I'LL BE I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR NO ACTION. NO PUNITIVE. >> SCHOOL BOARD SAYS TAKE NO ACTION. I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO. >> TAKE NO ACTION. >> TAKE NO ACTION. >> MOTION BY MR. TOPS. >> I'LL SECOND. >> SECONDED BY MR. DAS. ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT, WE HAVE ONE CONTRACT 2020 0220 FOR GRAVOIS ALUMINUM BOATS, LLC, AND ST. MARY PARISH, THAT IS NON COMPLIANT FOR THE 2022 REPORTING PERIOD. THE EXHIBIT A FOR THE CONTRACT REQUIRES THE COMPANY CREATE AND MAINTAIN TWO JOBS WITH $72,800 IN PAYROLL. THE ACTUAL JOBS AND PAYROLL CREATED AND MAINTAINED WITH ZERO. THE PARISH, SHERIFF AND CITY DID NOT RESPOND WITH RECOMMENDATIONS. THE SCHOOL BOARD SUBMITTED A RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING THE CONTRACT BE REDUCED IN LENGTH BY ONE YEAR AS CONSEQUENCE FOR THE NON COMPLIANCE. EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THAT? WE HAVE A MOTION. >> I'LL MAKE THE GO AHEAD. I HAVE A QUESTION. AS I LOOK AT THE AD VALOREM TAX, AT WHAT POINT DO THEY RECEIVE THIS BENEFIT? >> EACH YEAR THAT THE CONTRACTS IN PLAY. >> AS SOON AS PROPERTY IS PLACED IN SERVICE. >> THIS ONE STARTED IN 2020. BENEFITS BEEN RECEIVED. NO ONE HERE REPRESENTING THEM. >> IS THERE ANYBODY HERE FROM GRAVOIS? >> I COMPLAIN. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT. >> YOU'LL STATE YOUR NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT? >> HI, MY NAME IS PAUL TRAHAM, REPRESENTING GRAVOIS ALUMINUM BOATS DOING BUSINESSES, METAL SHARK. >> CAN YOU GIVE ME SOME EXPLANATION, THE BENEFITS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED, BUT ALL OF THE NON COMPLIANCE, WHAT'S THE STORY. >> WHEN THE CONTRACT WAS STARTED, WHEN WE BEGAN WORKING ON IN 2018, WE HAD HORN BLOWER FERRY BOATS FOR NEW YORK, FIVE OF WHICH WE HAD 205 EMPLOYEES WORKING IN FRANKLIN, LOUISIANA. AS COVID CAME THROUGH, THE HORN BLOWER BOATS COMPLETELY WENT AWAY, SO WE HAVE HAD TO DIVERSIFY INTO AUTONOMY, WIND FARM BOATS, BALTIMORE, NORTHEAST BOATS, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET BACK TO OUR 235. >> HOW MANY DO YOU CURRENTLY? >> HOW HOW MANY HAVE YOU RETAINED? >> WE HAVE 120 IN FRANKLIN RIGHT NOW. >> WHERE DID YOU START WITH? >> THE 235 WAS IN 2018 WHEN WE WERE WORKING ON HARM BLOWER. >> WHERE DO BENEFITS RECEIVED BY THE GOVERNMENT DURING COVID? BECAUSE I CONSISTENTLY HEAR COVID IS THE ISSUE. FOR THE COMPANIES THAT HAVE RECEIVED A BENEFIT, WHETHER IT BE, WITH REGARD TO EMPLOYEES? WHERE DOES THAT FACTOR IN TO THEN THE GRACE THAT THE BOARD IS SUPPOSED TO SHOW ON HAVING ALREADY RECEIVED THESE TAX BENEFITS, [00:45:06] BUT NOT BEING COMPLIANT WITH THE TERMS? >> I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION. WELL, THE COMPANY IN GOING THROUGH COVID, A LOT OF COMPANIES APPLIED FOR FEDERAL RELIEF AND MUCH OF IT WAS PAID AND POSSIBLY GRAVOIS WAS ONE. NOW WITH THIS CONTRACT, GRAVOIS IS ASKING FOR GRACE FOR BEING NON COMPLIANT. WHAT'S THE HISTORY OF THE BOARD IN ADDRESSING SUCH MATTERS? >> ANYBODY PRIOR THAT WOULD HAVE AN IDEA? >> I BELIEVE IN IN ONE OF THE OTHER CASES, I FELT WHAT WE WERE ATTEMPTING TO BE SENSITIVE TO NOT IMPUGN COMPANIES THAT TOOK A CHANCE ON LOUISIANA THAT WERE LOST JOBS DUE TO COVID, AND COULDN'T RECOVER BACK TO THE POINT OF ZERO. I BELIEVE THAT THE AD VOLEREM TAX RELIEF WAS ON THE ANNUAL TAXES PAID ON THE EQUIPMENT THAT THEY PURCHASED. THEY PURCHASED THE EQUIPMENT, BUT THEY CAME UP TWO JOBS. THEY DIDN'T CREATE THE TWO NEW JOBS, BUT THEY COULDN'T EVEN GET BACK TO WHERE THEY WERE AT ZERO. IT WAS DISCUSSED IN ONE OF THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS THAT WE SINCE HAVE ELIMINATED THE JOB REQUIREMENTS FROM THAT BECAUSE WE OR THE ADMINISTRATION HAD AGREED THAT AND WE VOTED ON IT, THAT IT WAS NOT AS IMPORTANT BECAUSE I JUST FEEL LIKE IF WE GO DOWN THAT ROAD, IT JUST MAKES LOUISIANA APPEAR AS A BEAR TRAP, AND THEN YOU COULD BE IMPUGNED LATER FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS BEYOND YOUR CONTROL, THAT WAS JUST MY UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST, TO TRY TO BE FAIR TO THESE COMPANIES THAT WERE INFECTED BY THIS COVID. >> THANK YOU. >> CAN YOU RESTATE FOR ME WHAT THE SCHOOL BOARD RECOMMENDED? >> THEY STATED IN A RESOLUTION, THE CONTRACT SHOULD BE REDUCED IN LENGTH BY ONE YEAR AS CONSEQUENCE FOR THE NON COMPLIANCE. RATHER THAN A FIVE YEAR INITIAL EXEMPTION, THEY'RE SAYING, CUT IT DOWN TO FOUR YEARS. >> IF THEY DO THAT. >> THAT'S THE PRESUMABLY THE FIFTH YEAR OF THE FIRST OF THE INITIAL CONTRACT. THE COMPANY WOULD PAY PROPERTY TAX? >> NO. THEY WOULD JUST BE ELIGIBLE TO RENEW IT ONE YEAR EARLIER. IF THEY RENEWED IT, THEY WOULD GET NINE YEARS. >> THAT'S WHAT I WAS GETTING TO TO MAKE SURE THAT THE GAP DIDN'T FORCE THEM TO LOSE ALL FIVE ON A RENEWAL. THAT RENEWAL JUST MOVES SOONER. >> THAT WAS THE ONLY RESPONSE WE HAD FROM LOCALS. >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> I DO WANT TO CLARIFY THAT NON COMPLIANCE IS ALWAYS GOING TO COME AFTER A COMPANY'S ALREADY RECEIVED THE EXEMPTION BECAUSE COMPLIANCE IS FILED IN APRIL OF THE YEAR, FOLLOWING THE YEAR THAT THEY RECEIVED THE EXEMPTION FOR EACH YEAR. THIS ONE WAS SERVED 2022, IT WAS FILED IN 2023. IF THAT MAKES SENSE. >> I BELIEVE WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN THE PAST IS WHAT THE LOCALS RECOMMEND IS NORMALLY WHAT WE DID. IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, WE WOULD PENALIZE A COMPANY BY TAKING ONE YEAR OF THE EXEMPTION AWAY FOR THE NON COMPLIANCE, BECAUSE THE COMPANY HAS ALREADY RECEIVED THEIR BENEFITS, TOO, OR AS THEIR EXEMPTIONS. I THINK THAT THAT'S THE WAY WE NORMALLY DID IT. >> DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> THIS IS PURELY FOR COLOR. YOU'LL OPERATE AS METAL SHARK, CORRECT? >> BUSINESS AS METAL SHARK. >> JUST FOR AN ANECDOTAL PIECE OF THIS ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I WAS APPOINTED, SECRETARY OF LED, THERE WAS AN ARTICLE ABOUT HOW THE OWNER OF METAL SHARK HAD SOLD THE BUSINESS IN MOBILE AND TAKEN THOSE PROFITS TO REINVEST IN HIS BUSINESS IN LOUISIANA, AND HE WAS THE FIRST PRIVATE SECTOR INDIVIDUAL I REACHED OUT TO IN THIS ROLE TO THANK CHRIS ALLARD, CORRECT? I'VE NEVER MET CHRIS FACE TO FACE. THIS IS NOT PERSONAL AT ALL, BUT TO THANK CHRIS FOR REINVESTING IN LOUISIANA AND TAKING A CHANCE ON LOUISIANA, INSTEAD OF STAYING IN MOBILE AND SHUTTING DOWN HIS LOUISIANA SHOP AND GOING TO ALABAMA, JUST FOR SOME COLOR. >> OTHER INPUT? >> WE DO NOT HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE, SO ENTERTAIN A MOTION REGARDING THE GRAVOIS CONTRACT? >> MOVE. IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE LOCALS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST, SO I WOULD MAKE THAT MOTION. >> THE MOTION INCLUDES A REDUCTION OF ONE YEAR BY THE SCHOOL BOARD, [00:50:02] NO ACTION ON THE OTHER TWO ENTITIES. >> SECOND. >> MR. DAS MOTION, MR. NESS SECOND. ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> LIKE SECRETARY BOURGEOIS SAID, THE IDEA THAT YOU DECIDED TO SELL OTHER ASSETS TO INVEST IN LOUISIANA IS ADMIRABLE. WE GREATLY APPRECIATE THAT. >> WE HAVE ONE CONTRACT, 2018 0099 FOR INFERNO MANUFACTURING AND CATO PARISH, THAT IS NON COMPLIANT FOR THE 2022 REPORTING PERIOD? THE EXHIBIT A FOR THE CONTRACT REQUIRED THE COMPANY TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN TWO JOBS WITH 100,000 IN PAYROLL. THE ACTUAL JOBS AND PAYROLL CREATED AND MAINTAINED WITH ZERO. THE PARISH SHERIFF AND CITY DID NOT RESPOND WITH RECOMMENDATIONS. THE SCHOOL BOARD CONFIRMED THAT THE BOARD AND THE COMPANY AGREED UPON A DEFAULT PAYMENT AND THE PAYMENT WAS MADE TO THE BOARD AND THE SCHOOL BOARD IS SATISFIED WITH THAT. >> DOES THAT MEAN THE SCHOOL BOARD IS WILLING TO JUST CONTINUE WITH THE CONTRACT? >> CONTINUE AS IS DEFAULT PAYMENT FOR IN PLACE OF THE NON COMPLIANCE. >> OUT OF CURIOSITY, DO WE KNOW THE NUMBER OF JOBS THAT INFERNO ACTUALLY STILL MAINTAINS? JUST SAY IT. >> TWENTY FIVE JOBS. THANK YOU. I ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ACCEPT. MR. MOSS, AND I MISSED REMEDIES. >> ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? THANK YOU. >> NEXT, WE HAVE ONE CONTRACT, 2020 0058 FOR KITCHEN MAGIC LLC, REN'S KITCHEN IN LAFE PARISH THAT IS NON COMPLIANT FOR THE 2022 REPORTING PERIOD. THE EXHIBIT 8 FOR THE CONTRACT REQUIRES THE COMPANY TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN 50 JOBS WITH 1,040,000 IN PAYROLL. THE ACTUAL JOBS CREATED AND MAINTAINED WAS ZERO. NO JOBS AND PAYROLL COULD BE CONSIDERED BECAUSE ON THE COMPANY'S CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE, THE COMPANY CONFIRMED NO BASIC HEALTH BENEFITS PLAN WAS OFFERED TO EMPLOYEES. THAT IS A REQUIREMENT IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED A JOB AS DEFINED IN THE EXHIBIT A AGREEMENT. THE PARISH, THE SCHOOL BOARD, NOR THE SHERIFF, RESPONDED WITH RECOMMENDATIONS. >> I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. THERE'S NO RESPONSE FROM THE LOCALS. >> NO RESPONSE FROM THE LOCALS? >> THAT'S CORRECT. NO RESPONSE FROM THE LOCALS. CORRECT. >> WHAT IS THE COMMERCE INDUSTRY BOARD DONE IN PREVIOUS SITUATIONS WHERE YOU HAVE NO RESPONSE AND NON-COMPLIANT IN A SIMILAR SITUATION? IS THERE ANY PRECEDENTS FOR THIS? >> FOR THE MOST PART, THE BOARD HAS TAKEN THAT AS TAKE NO ACTION. >> RIGHT. >> AT LEAST OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS OR SO. >> DO WE HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THIS COMPANY HERE? >> ANYBODY FROM KITCHEN MAGIC? WE DO NOT. >> THAT'S A GREAT BIG SWING TO ZERO FROM 50, THAT'S NOT TWO. >> IS A HEALTHCARE. THEY DIDN'T OFFER HEALTHCARE. >> I SEE. >> IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S NON COMPLIANT BECAUSE IT'S NOT THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE JOBS, IT'S THAT THEY DIDN'T PROVIDE HEALTHCARE. >> YEAH. >> CAN SOMEONE TELL ME HOW MANY EMPLOYEES DOES THE COMPANY HAVE? >> I DON'T HAVE THOSE NUMBERS OFFHAND. I DO KNOW THEY DID CREATE SOME JOBS, BUT IT HAD TO BE ZEROED OUT BECAUSE NO ONE WAS OFFERED THOSE HEALTH BENEFITS PLANS. IT DON'T COUNT AS NEW JOBS. >> IT FEELS LIKE THEY DIDN'T FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE PROGRAM AFTER BENEFITING FROM TAX EXEMPTIONS AND WITHOUT A REPRESENTATIVE, IT'S HARD TO MAKE THAT DETERMINATION. >> YOU'RE WELCOME TO MAKE A MOTION HOWEVER YOU WOULD LIKE, AND THE BOARD CAN CONSIDER IT. [BACKGROUND] THE LOCALS DID DID NOT RESPOND AND THEY WERE MADE AWARE. WE KNOW THEY GOT IT. [BACKGROUND] >> ARE THEY GIVEN NOTICE THAT THEY CAN APPEAR AT THIS MEETING? [OVERLAPPING] >> THEY DID, I SENT AN EMAIL NOTICE NOTIFYING. >> THEY WERE NOTICED THAT THIS WAS GOING TO BE TAKEN UP. >> I WOULD MOVE TO HAVE A DEFERRAL UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING. [OVERLAPPING] >> WE'RE MAKING A MOTION TO DEFER AND ASK THE COMPANY TO HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE HERE AT THE NEXT MEETING TO DISCUSS. WE HAVE A MOTION BY MR. KELLY SECOND BY MR. AMOS. [00:55:02] ANY MORE DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR OF THE DEFERMENT? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? NEXT. >> WE HAVE ONE CONTRACT, 2019 0153 FOR REAGENT CHEMICAL AND RESEARCH INC AND ASCENSION PARISH THAT IS NON COMPLIANT FOR THE 2022 REPORTING PERIOD. THE EXHIBIT A FOR THE CONTRACT REQUIRES THE COMPANY CREATE AND MAINTAIN ONE JOB WITH 50,000 IN PAYROLL. THE ACTUAL JOBS AND PAYROLL CREATED AND MAINTAINED WAS ZERO. THE SCHOOL BOARD AND SHERIFF EACH SUBMITTED RECOMMENDATIONS STATING TO NOT PENALIZE THE COMPANY AND TAKE NO ACTION FOR THE NON COMPLIANCE. THE AGENDA WAS FINALIZED WITH A NO RESPONSE FROM THE PARISH. HOWEVER, THIS PAST MONDAY, WE RECEIVED A RESOLUTION TO NOT PENALIZE THE COMPANY FROM THE PARISH, AND THEY APPARENTLY FORGOT TO SEND THE EMAIL. >> WE ACTUALLY HAVE TAKE NO ACTION. >> WE HAVE TAKE NO ACTION FROM ALL THREE. IT WAS JUST SAYS NO RESPONSE FROM THE PARISH BECAUSE THE AGENDA WAS FINALIZED BEFORE WE GOT THERE. >> MOTION BY MR. NASSER TO TAKE NO ACTION AND SECONDED BY SECRETARY BOURGEOIS. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? NEXT. >> NEXT, WE HAVE TWO CONTRACTS, 2020 0449 FOR RELIABLE EDM, LLC, AND 2020 0442 FOR SUMMER BROTHERS ENTERPRISE, LOC AND LAFAYETTE PARISH THAT ARE NON COMPLIANT FOR THE 2022 AND 2023 REPORTING PERIODS. SUMMER BROTHERS IS A REAL ESTATE HOLDING COMPANY ONLY, AND THE CONTRACTS COVERED ONE PROJECT AT THE SAME SITE. THE EXHIBIT A FOR THE CONTRACTS REQUIRES RELIABLE EDM TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN ONE JOB WITH $41,600 IN PAYROLL. FOR THE 2022 REPORTING PERIOD, THE JOBS AND PAYABLE CREATED AND MAINTAINED WAS ZERO, AND 2022 WAS ALSO FILED LATE. IT WAS DUE APRIL 30TH, 2023, BUT NOT RECEIVED UNTIL MAY 4TH, 2023, UPON NOTICE OF THE MISSED DEADLINE BY LED. FOR 2023 REPORTING PERIOD, THE JOBS AND PAYABLE CREATED AND MAINTAINED WAS ALSO ZERO. THE PARISH, THE SCHOOL BOARD, THE SHERIFF, NOR THE CITY RESPONDED WITH RECOMMENDATIONS. >> TO MAKE NOTE, IT'S TWO DIFFERENT COMPANIES BECAUSE ONE IS THE LANDLORD AND ONE IS THE OPERATOR. >> CORRECT. >> THE MANUFACTURER. BUT NO RESPONSE FROM ANYONE. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. >> ANY REPRESENTATIVES HERE? >> ANY REPRESENTATIVES? COME ON UP. >> JUST HAD A QUICK QUESTION IF YOU COULD GIVE US SOME COLOR, TEXTURE. >> BEFORE YOU BEGIN, TELL US WHO YOU ARE AND WHO YOU REPRESENT? >> YES. I'M JOHN SUMMER WITH RELIABLE EDM AND THE SUMMER BROTHERS ENTERPRISES. >> THANK YOU, SIR. I WAS HOPING YOU CAN GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF TEXTURE AS TO WHAT HAPPENED, WHY THERE'S NO RETAINED JOBS. >> WELL, WE'VE BEEN LOOKING. IT'S A PRETTY NARROW FIELD. IT'S A EDM. IT CUTS METAL, AND WE'VE HAD SIGNS. WE'VE DONE SOCIAL MEDIA. IT'S FOUR JOBS, AND THEY'RE ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR ANOTHER PERSON. BUT IT'S BEEN HARD TO FIND. >> HOW MANY JOBS DID YOU HAVE? IS THIS A NEW COMPANY OR YOU'RE EXPANDING WITH TEXAS? >> WE ARE EXPANDING FROM TEXAS INTO LOUISIANA. WE OPENED THAT. >> HOW MANY JOBS DID YOU HAVE? >> HERE IN LOUISIANA FOUR. >> LOOKING TO ADD FIVE, BUT YOU DIDN'T MAKE ANY DURING THIS TERM? >> WE TRIED, BUT WE HAD SIGNS AND WE COULDN'T FIND SOMEBODY. >> BUT WE HAVE AGAIN, NO RESPONSE FROM THE LOCALS, CORRECT? I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. >> I'LL MAKE A MOTION. TAKE NO ACTION. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY MR. TOPS. WHO WAS A SECOND? MR. AMY. MISS RHONDA, YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? STATE YOUR NAME. >> RHONDA BONER DDA CONSULTANTS. JUST TO NOTE, WE HAVE BEEN ENGAGED SINCE THIS INITIAL FILING WAS LATE, AND SO ALL OF THE SUBSEQUENT FILINGS WILL BE FILED TIMELY. I JUST WANTED EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT THE COMPANY DID REACH OUT WHEN THEIR FILING WAS LATE AND WE'VE TAKEN OVER SINCE THEN, SO THERE WILL BE NO MORE LATE FILINGS. >> THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION A SECOND. ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR. >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? THANK YOU. THEM AGAIN. >> LAST, WE HAVE 2019 0204 FOR TOMA GLASS PARTNERS, LOC AND CATO PARISH, AND THEY'VE ACTUALLY REQUESTED TO DEFER TO THE OCTOBER BOARD MEETING. >> WE HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE REQUEST REMEDIES, POZO SECOND. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTION ABOUT THE DEFERRAL? ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? WE MADE IT THROUGH THE NON COMPLIANCE. [01:00:01] OTHER BUSINESS. MR. POZO, [9. Other Business ] IF YOU WILL PLEASE GIVE US A BRIEF UPDATE ON THE ITEP RULES COMMITTEE STATUS. >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. THE ITEP RULES COMMITTEE HAS BEEN MEETING OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS. WE'VE HAD FOUR MEETINGS. WE HAD AN ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING FIRST. AFTER THAT, WE HAD SEVERAL WEEKS LATER A MEETING WHERE WE INVITED INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS TO COME IN AND GIVE WHATEVER COMMENTS THEY WISH TO GIVE ON THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER AND THE WHOLE ITEP REVISION PROCESS. THEY DID SO. AFTER THAT MEETING, LED HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THEIR PRESENTATION. IN THE COURSE OF THAT PRESENTATION, OTHER OFFICIALS LIKE FROM PARISHES. I REMEMBER CAMERON PARISH IN PARTICULAR CAME AND GAVE SOME INPUT DURING THE COURSE OF LED'S PRESENTATION. AFTER WE HEARD FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, THE NEXT MEETING WAS ANY OTHER STAKEHOLDERS. IN EACH OF THESE MEETINGS, IN THE MEETING WITH WHO WE'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM NEXT. THE LAST MEETING WE HAD HEARD FROM ANY OTHER STAKEHOLDERS THAT HAD ANY INTEREST WHATSOEVER. THAT WAS A MEETING HELD IN THIS ROOM AND WAS VERY PRODUCTIVE. THE UPSHOT OF ALL THE MEETINGS SO FAR HAS BEEN THAT PEOPLE REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE INPUT. WE ARE NOT RUSHING THE PROCESS AT ALL. WE'RE GIVING PEOPLE TIME TO GIVE THEIR INPUT CIRCLE BACK AROUND. JUST BECAUSE INDUSTRY MAYBE TALKED IN THE FIRST MEETING, THEY'RE PRESENT AT ALL THE OTHERS, SO THEY MAY HAVE INPUT IN A DIFFERENT MEETING AND VICE VERSA FOR OTHER STAKEHOLDERS AS TO THE INDUSTRY MEETING. THEY'RE VERY WIDE RANGING. THEY'VE GONE VERY WELL. WE'RE AT THE PROCESS NOW WHERE WE'VE HEARD FROM EVERYONE. THE NEXT MEETING IS GOING TO BE A DISCUSSION FROM ANYONE ABOUT WHERE TO GO FROM HERE, WHICH I BELIEVE IT WILL PROBABLY RESULT IN GOING TO SOME RED LINES, ACTUALLY RED LINING THE RULE AND START AND GET A GOOD DRAFT OF ACTUAL RED LINES THAT WILL THEN BE PROMULGATED OUT TO EVERYONE TO REVIEW. THEN PROBABLY HAVE ANOTHER MEETING TO TAKE INPUT ON THOSE RED LINES. IT'S JUST A PROCESS, BUT I WANT TO JUST ASSURE YOU THAT IT'S GOING VERY WELL. I THINK PEOPLE ARE FEELING HEARD. THEY APPRECIATE THAT. WE'LL EVENTUALLY GET TO THE ACTUAL FORMAL RULEMAKING, BUT WE'RE NOT QUITE THERE YET. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT ITEM OF OTHER BUSINESS, WE HAVE TO RENEW THE ITEP EMERGENCY RULE AND AUTHORIZATION PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF INTENT. SECRETARY BOURGEOIS, I THINK HAS INPUT ON THAT. >> THANKS. I WAS GOING TO ASK STEPHANIE LAGRANGE FROM OUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT TO COME JUST GIVE US A BRIEF ON WHY WE'RE DOING THIS BEFORE I OFFER THE MOTION. >> GOOD MORNING, MEMBERS, STEPHANIE LAGRANGE, DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL WITH LED. JUST TO GIVE YOU SOME COLOR IN REGARD TO THE MOTION, AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, AND AS MR. POLOZO DISCUSSED, THE BCI RULE SUBCOMMITTEE HAS BEEN MEETING TO DISCUSS WITH STAKEHOLDERS THEIR SUGGESTIONS AND INPUT ON THE RULES. BUT THE EMERGENCY RULES FOR THE ITEP PROGRAM THAT WERE PUBLISHED IN APRIL ARE EFFECTIVE FOR 180 DAYS AND THEY ARE SET TO EXPIRE A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED BOARD MEETING OF THIS FULL BOARD. WHAT THE MOTION BEFORE YOU DOES IS DELEGATE THE AUTHORITY FROM THE FULL BOARD DOWN TO THE RULES SUBCOMMITTEE TO AUTHORIZE LED AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME AND WHEN NECESSARY TO DO TWO THINGS. ONE TO RENEW THE EMERGENCY RULE FOR THE ITEP PROGRAM. THEN TWO, AGAIN, FOLLOWING ON MR. POLOZO'S DISCUSSION. ONCE THE RED LINE IS AT A VERSION OF THE RULE THAT THE SUBCOMMITTEE IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT TO BEGIN WHAT I'M GOING TO STYLE IS THE REGULAR RULE MAKING PROCESS, WHICH IS THE PUBLICATION OF THE FIRST DOCUMENT, THE NOTICE OF INTENT. >> WITH THAT, I OFFER THE FOLLOWING MOTION. WHEREAS, THE LOUISIANA CONSTITUTION PROVIDES IN ARTICLE 7 SECTION 21F THAT THE STATE BOARD OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, BCI, "WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNOR MAY ENTER INTO CONTRACTS FOR THE EXEMPTION FROM AD VALOREM TAXES OF A NEW MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENT ON SUCH TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS THE BOARD WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNOR DEEMS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE STATE." WHEREAS BY VIRTUE OF THIS PROVISION, THIS BOARD IS AUTHORIZED TO ADMINISTER THE GRANTING SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE INDUSTRIAL TAX EXEMPTION, PURSUANT TO THAT END, THIS BOARD WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF LOUISIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HAS ESTABLISHED THE INDUSTRIAL TAX EXEMPTION PROGRAM ITEP AND [01:05:01] FORMULATES AND PROMULGATES RULES FOR ITEP THAT PROMOTE THE BEST INTEREST OF THE STATE, AND WHEREAS A BCI RULES COMMITTEE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED TO OVERSEE THE PROMULGATION OF RULES FOR THOSE PROGRAMS, REQUIRING APPROVAL OR ADMINISTRATION BY BCI, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ITEP. WHEREAS AN ITEP EMERGENCY RULE HAS BEEN PUBLISHED WITH AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF APRIL 24TH, 2024 TO REMAIN IN EFFECT FOR A PERIOD OF 180 DAYS UNLESS RENEWED OR UNTIL ADOPTED OF FINAL RULES. THEREFORE, I MAKE THE FOLLOWING MOTION THAT THE BCI RULES COMMITTEE SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF LED TO RENEW THE ITEP EMERGENCY RULE AS NECESSARY AND AUTHORIZE PUBLICATION OF A NOTICE OF INTENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES ACT. >> DO WE HAVE A SECOND? >> I SECOND. >> DAS. ANY COMMENTS, INPUT, QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR OF THAT MOTION? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. THE NEXT ITEM IS REMARKS FROM SECRETARY BOURGEOIS. [10. Secretary Remarks – Secretary Susan Bourgeois ] >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. I'LL BE BRIEF. I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW THINGS THAT I FEEL LIKE I WOULD HOPE YOU WOULD NOTICE ARE MORE CULTURAL TO THE ORGANIZATION THAN SPECIFIC. NUMBER 1, I WAS REALLY PLEASED WHEN HUD WAS GIVING HIS REPORT ABOUT THE COMPANY THAT FILED FOUR DAYS LATE ONCE THEY WERE INFORMED OF THEIR LATE NOTICE. THAT TOLD ME FROM AN ORGANIZATIONAL PERSPECTIVE. MY ASSUMPTION IS THAT WE REACHED OUT TO A MUCH EARLIER THAN THAT. BUT WE ARE ENGAGING WITH OUR COMPANIES. WE ARE SHIFTING OUR CULTURE AT THE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ASSISTING AND SUPPORTING AND MAKING IT EASY FOR BUSINESSES TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS STATE. WE'RE NOT LOOKING TO CATCH ANYONE. WE'RE JUST TRYING TO FOLLOW THE LAW CERTAINLY, BUT ALSO MORE IMPORTANTLY BE HELPFUL ON THE FRONT END. I'M VERY PLEASED THAT I FEEL LIKE THAT WAS VERY MUCH THE FEELING OF THIS MEETING. SECONDLY, CHAIRMAN JONES SAID THIS AT THE LAST MEETING, I DON'T WANT THE MEMBERS OF THIS BOARD TO FEEL LIKE WE ARE A RUBBER STAMP BOARD. IN FACT, WHAT OUR TEAM AT THE DEPARTMENT IS DOING A VERY GOOD JOB OF IS MAKING SURE WE ARE GETTING AHEAD OF SOLUTIONS FOR THESE CHALLENGES AS THEY COME UP. WE'RE TRYING TO PRE NEGOTIATE, IF YOU WILL. WE'RE TRYING TO WORK WITH COMPANIES TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN AN ITEM BE COMES BEFORE YOU. WE HAVE PRE WORKED THAT AS MUCH AS WE CAN WITH OUR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THE SOLUTION IN FRONT OF YOU IS CONSIDERED, OBVIOUSLY, BUT THERE HAS BEEN WORK PUT IN ON THE FRONT END. THEN LASTLY, SAYING ON THE SAME THEME, I DO WANT TO COMMEND OUR TEAM AND OUR LEGAL COUNSEL OFFICE FOR THE AMOUNT OF INTENTIONAL OUTREACH THEY HAVE DONE AROUND THE RULES. I THINK ANYONE IN THIS ROOM WHO LIVES IN THIS SPACE AND WHO UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE OF IT FROM OUR LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS, TO THE CONSULTANTS WHO ARE BEFORE THIS BOARD QUITE OFTEN. THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT STEPHANIE AND ROBIN HAVE DONE TO INTENTIONALLY SEEK THEIR INPUT, TO INTENTIONALLY MAKE SURE OUR REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE REPRESENTED. IT HAS BEEN A LOT OF WORK. PERHAPS IN THE PAST, IT WASN'T DONE OR IT WASN'T EVEN THOUGHT TO BE DONE, BUT NO MATTER WHAT, I HOPE YOU'RE ALL HEARING AND FEELING THAT WE ARE DOING THINGS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY AT THE NEW LED, AND I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE TEAM THAT'S DOING IT AND FOR ALL OF YOU AS WELL. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY OTHER INPUT OR QUESTIONS? I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN, AND I THANK YOU FOR THE KINDNESS TODAY. >> MOTION TO ADJOURN. >> MOTION TO ADJOURN MISS REMEZ. SECOND. MR. KELLY. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> I'LL OPPOSE. ALWAYS WONDER IF NOBODY WANTS TO ADJOURN IF WE HAVE TO STAY. [LAUGHTER] * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.