Kenner Mayor Mike Yenni and other city officials are set to participate in a town hall meeting Tuesday night to field residents questions on Yenni's $47 million plan to refinance old debt and pay for beautification and infrastructure projects
Kenner Mayor Mike Yenni and other city officials are set to participate in a town hall meeting Tuesday night (April 16) to field residents' questions on Yenni's $47 million plan to refinance old debt and pay for beautification and infrastructure projects. The session, called by Councilman Joe Stagni, is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. at the Kenner City Council chambers, 1801 Williams Blvd.
It is the second public meeting on the plan since Yenni presented it to the City Council earlier this month. Yenni's plan got mixed reviews from residents at the first session, April 10. While some in attendance expressed concern about saddling the city with more debt, others said there's a need to make Kenner more attractive to retain residents and businesses and lure newcomers. Yenni has dismissed criticism of the proposal as reflecting the opinion of only a small group of residents.
Yenni's plan calls for borrowing as much as $47 million, using up to $14.5 million to retire old debt and keep a reserve fund. That debt carries a 4.2 percent interest rate and is due in 2018. The new debt would carry an interest rate of about 3.31 percent and extend through 2033.
The plan would also spend as much as $32.5 million, according to the latest figures from the state Bond Commission, for 10 proposed projects, including bicycle paths, public art, better lighting, extensive landscaping, pedestrian crosswalks and some road and drainage work.
Library Board meeting
Also Tuesday, the Jefferson Parish Library Board is set to meet at 4 p.m. in Metairie. The board will discuss upcoming changes to library hours and review the library's financial status, among other items on the agenda. The session is taking place at the Administration Conference Room in the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 West Napoleon Ave.