LMR JUNE 2021

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BROWNFIELDASSESSMENTLET LAMATSCONDUCT ASITE VISIT &GIVE YOURCOMMUNITY ACLEAR PATHFORWARD.CALL TODAY(225) 344-5001The Louisiana Municipal Review, the official publication of the Louisiana Municipal Association, serves as a medium for the exchangeof ideas and information for municipal officials in Louisiana. With a circulation of over 3,200, this publication is read by employees ofLouisiana municipal governments, sheriffs, parish presidents, state government officials, and members of the state legislature andCongressional delegation, among others. Subscription rate: $24 per year; Single copy: $2. Louisiana residents,add 9% sales tax.Rates for display, professional-listing, and classified advertising available upon request at editor@lma.org.Statements or expressions of opinions appearing herein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the LouisianaMunicipal Association. Publication of any advertisement shall not be considered an endorsement of the product or service involved.No material from this publication may be reprinted without the express permission of the editor.Editorial offices: Louisiana Municipal Association, 700 North 10th Street, Suite 400, Post Office Box 4327, Baton Rouge, LA 70821 -4327, editor@lma.org, www.lma.org, (225) 344-5001, (800) 234-8274, FAX (225) 344-3057.LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL REVIEWMUNICIPAL REVIEW STAFF(USPS 832-560) (ISSN 0164-3622)Editor-in-Chief: John Gallagher jgallagher@lma.org3 rd class postage paid atManaging Editor: Karen Day White kwhite@lma.orgBaton Rouge, Louisiana.Postmaster – Send address changes to:Editor: Anita Tillman atillman@lma.orgLOUISIANA MUNICIPAL REVIEWProduction Coordinator: Baton Rouge Press, Inc.Post Office Box 4327Baton Rouge, LA 70821-43272020-2021 LMA EXECUTIVE BOARD (non-affiliate, non-advisory)President – Jimmy Williams – Mayor, SibleyDistrict J Vice President – Rodney Grogan, Mayor, PattersonFirst Vice President – Michael Chauffe – Mayor, Grosse Tete LMA Past President – Barney Arceneaux, Mayor, GonzalesSecond Vice President– Jennifer Vidrine – Mayor, Ville Platte LMA Past President – Johnny Berthelot, Councilman, GonzalesImmediate Past President – Harry Lewis – Mayor, RayvilleLMA Past President – Glenn Brasseaux, Mayor, CarencroDistrict A Vice President – Peggy Adkins, Mayor, SareptaLMA Past President – David Butler, Mayor, WoodworthDistrict B Vice President – Ronny Walker, Mayor, RustonLMA Past President – David Camardelle, Mayor, Grand IsleDistrict C Vice President – Adam Holland, Mayor, Oak Grove LMA Past President – Clarence Fields, Mayor, PinevilleDistrict D Vice President – Rick Allen, Mayor, LeesvilleVice President at Large – Mark Piazza, Mayor, Abbeville,District E Vice President – Nathan Martin, Councilman, Pineville Vice President at Large – Darnell Waites, Mayor, BakerDistrict F Vice President – Charles James, Mayor, SunsetVice President (< 1K) – Kevin Colligan, Mayor, CanktonDistrict G Vice President – Kenneth Stinson, Mayor, VintonVice President (1K – 2.5K) – Randal Rodgers, Mayor, StonewallDistrict H Vice President – David Toups, Mayor, AddisVice President (2.5K – 5K) – Robert Hardey, Mayor, WestlakeDistrict I Vice President – Jean.Pelloat,.Mayor,.MadisonvillePage 2LMR | JUNE 2021
Inside the LMADirector’s ViewpointLMA’S SUMMER IS HEATING UPBY JOHN GALLAGHER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTORThe heat of summer is settling inthroughout our great state, signalingthe beginning of the LMA’sannual summer events (which wemissed so much in 2020). I look forward to completingour ten LMA District Meetings, which kicked off with DistrictF on June 2 in Sunset and will run through the endof the month. I hope to see each of you at these meetings.Planning is also well underway for our 84th AnnualConvention, which will take place July 29 - 31 at the RaisingCane’s River Center in Baton Rouge. With COVID-19event restrictions easing significantly, Mayor SharonWeston Broome and her staff are eager to roll out thered carpet in Red Stick for you. We have a strong lineup of informative workshops and exhibitors, and arethrilled to announce that once again, the City of Pinevillewill coordinate the annual Friday morning Prayer Breakfast.We have tentatively confirmed the participationof Governor Edwards, Lieutenant Governor Nungesser,Treasurer Schroder, and Clarence Anthony, the ExecutiveDirector of the National League of Cities. Registration isopen now, so reserve your hotel rooms early as they aregoing fast! Registration and accommodation informationis included this issue but may also be accessed onour website at www.lma.org.I am grateful that so many LMA members have engagedin our calls and webinars regarding the American RescuePlan Act (ARPA) and I would like to thank the advocacystaff of the National League of Cities for providingregular updates on the usage of those ARPA funds.This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we at theLMA are committed to providing guidance and supportto our members as you navigate through the processof receiving, allocating, expending, and accounting forARPA funds. As a reminder, municipalities over 50,000in population (“Entitlement Units” or “EUs”) will receivetheir allocations directly from the U.S. Department ofTreasury; whereas those under 50,000 in population(“Non-Entitlement Units” or “NEUs”) will receive theirallocations by way of the Division of Administration’sOffice of Community Development. The DOA is developingan online portal that will be used to access the funds,but in the meantime, you must complete the User AccessForm and return it to OCD. You should have received anemail from the LMA containing the form and other pertinentinformation, but please contact our offices if yourequire additional information.Another perennial federal issuethat is currently resurfacing isthe National Flood InsuranceProgram (NFIP), namely theupdating of the NFIP riskrating methodology throughthe implementation of a newpricing approach known as“Risk Rating 2.0,” which is set totake effect on October 1, 2021. Weshare the concerns of our fellow Gulf Coast municipalleagues about this new methodology, which shifts focusaway from the mitigation of vulnerable propertiesin favor of targeting homes outside of flood zones withhigher insurance premiums. According to U.S. Senator BillCassidy’s office, the new risk rating methodology couldincrease premiums for 80% of Louisiana policyholders,some by hundreds of dollars annually. We will continueto monitor this evolving issue and will work with SenatorCassidy, Senator Kennedy, and our entire congressionaldelegation to address these concerns.As I write this column, the 2021 Regular Session of theLegislature is winding down. Overall, we had a successfulsession. Though we tracked 263 bills and spent manylong hours lobbying on relevant bills, much of our timewas dedicated to two instruments: HB 199 on streamliningour current sales and use tax collection system, andHB 648 whose stated purpose is to proliferate broadbandaccess statewide through allocation of state funding andenabling the use of federal and other funding to installcritical infrastructure. You will hear more about both inour district meetings this month.Speaking of district meetings, we are all very excitedabout resuming these important in-person gatheringsafter our forced cancellation of the 2020 meetings dueto the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s been such a pleasure tosee everyone again in person and I look forward to completingour meetings as we travel the state this month,updating our members on LMA activities, along withlegislative advocacy.Thank you all for your leadership during the past yearas we all maneuvered our way through the COVID-19issues. With meaningful funding not on the horizon,please continue to monitor your emails so that you willhave the latest information on ARPA and other fundingopportunities.LMR | JUNE 2021 Page 3
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Page 5 and 6: Inside the LMALegal BriefsA VOTER
Page 7 and 8: Inside the LMALetter of IntentBY MA
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Page 15 and 16: LAMSA Conference RecapBY MARLAINE P
Page 17 and 18: Attorney General’s OpinionsBY JEF
Page 19 and 20: Partner InsightTake a StaycationBY
Page 21 and 22: Partner InsightALWAYS ONFOR YOU.JOH
Page 23 and 24: Partner InsightTreasury NotesRememb

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