[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6589453,"mediaKeyId","5575980-7e5f4c7f3c19359ae991b742f65f3cf2","parentId",5575980,"title","Council adopts ordinance adding rules for smoke and vape shops, including 500-foot distance from schools and signage requirement","audioSeconds",1053,"startMs",1327135,"endMs",2380165,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5575980-7e5f4c7f3c19359ae991b742f65f3cf2&start=1327&end=2380","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5575980-7e5f4c7f3c19359ae991b742f65f3cf2/thumbnail_1327135.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6589453/Baton-Rouge-City/East-Baton-Rouge-Parish/Louisiana/Council-adopts-ordinance-adding-rules-for-smoke-and-vape-shops-including-500-foot-distance-from-schools-and-signage-requirement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589453-cbceb34fb00184c9488fba044cb27f55/orig.mp4?Expires=1773570175&Signature=CGR-AKq70Kr9B~FtvGNqstObKYDPP0PS0uHIZWtxFFm3QsASAEYspTgt5CT6aZB6s4XsbODq6P2ctKT4eKP8SnO3irV1dILpedWx-tJ4FgA38J2~xS~7pJH6N9bN6-t9bSIiZDCSXlv4MeG0ZgiFXU-ie~S~Cm00DCZXUVZt75GayYE3XgYDsfckMfLGb6pCtKBAcZbT7rbFwNCFC2Rz3pO5s5Mt~ifRDSVOsWe8Ok3B7DxTTpf7q9Eu9m3AvdEiYFwtkdr3YPzWzwEEBaG~93S2KuSCPkCOtk9gPKNRVVNv0L3Fjott8Y9pVj0Xf4hf4-ffAnEN~RZUOFIyg8lb-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Baton Rouge","date","2025-08-13T21:05:45Z","article","The East Baton Rouge Parish Metropolitan Council voted to amend the Code of Ordinances (Title 9) by adding Chapter 25 to regulate smoke and vape shops, including distance and signage requirements.

Council members Rowdy Goday, Denise Amorosa, Carolyn R. Coleman and Tijuana Harris sponsored the ordinance. Presenters from the advocacy group ICARE and Department of Development staff described the provisions: a 500-foot distance requirement from any educational institution, religious institution, public library, child day care facility and public park; and a signage requirement mandating clear notices that minors are not permitted on the premises. The Department of Development will enforce the ordinance.

Council members debated enforcement and grandfathering. The ordinance as presented contains a grandfathering provision for a “smoke or vape shop retailer operating on the effective date of this ordinance” so that existing businesses at the same address are allowed to continue. Council members asked whether a change of ownership would preserve grandfathering; Department staff and counsel said the ordinance was written so that the grandfathering applies to the business operating at the location on the effective date and that a change of ownership could require a new occupational or occupancy permit, which may affect grandfathering. Staff noted enforcement challenges, including incomplete records of existing vape retailers. Staff also said the state has a vape-shop registration process under state statute but local distance rules are a municipal matter.

Councilmembers discussed possible additional restrictions (advertising limits, transferability windows such as six months), but authors and staff said they preferred to refine such language outside the meeting to avoid unintended consequences.

A motion to approve the ordinance was made by Councilwoman Carolyn R. Coleman and seconded by Councilwoman Tijuana Harris. No councilmember objected; the chair announced the motion carries and the ordinance was adopted.

Speakers recorded in the public hearing and discussion included representatives of ICARE Louisiana; Department of Development staff (identified in the record as Courtney and Rachel); Councilmembers Rowdy Goday, Denise Amorosa, Carolyn R. Coleman, Tijuana Harris, Dunn Jr., Hurst, Mote and others who asked questions about licensing and grandfathering. The transcript records staff answers about state registration, local permit questionnaires, and the Department of Development’s enforcement role.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Metropolitan Council Meeting - | 08-13-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Metro Council adopted an ordinance adding Chapter 25 to Title 9 of the city-parish code to regulate smoke and vape retail shops with a 500-foot buffer from schools and other sensitive sites and a signage requirement that minors may not enter.","taxTitle","Baton Rouge City, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana","taxId",3708,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6589458,"Metro Council adopts resolution honoring Sgt. Caleb Eisworth",318,67610,386355,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5575980-7e5f4c7f3c19359ae991b742f65f3cf2&start=67&end=386","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5575980-7e5f4c7f3c19359ae991b742f65f3cf2/thumbnail_67610.jpg","/articles/6589458/Baton-Rouge-City/East-Baton-Rouge-Parish/Louisiana/Metro-Council-adopts-resolution-honoring-Sgt-Caleb-Eisworth","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589458-376b77c199a6af4fdb1071ccaa1ae5c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1773570175&Signature=YowyOvtV4PS8~~0ZiA23CXSkdmBBQPxCwsfbst61~OWDAgOWm~3BMtWovlZ3zTzGohjAoUoOB8R4Dan1Cg07rwCvsRYwrFChIUvvpJurpe9kHoaNIxO4pCgKrHw5U~5TuoYb1dZB5yF~PkQbWi0tCqH6hRHXCwrM4aR3TqEdsQQC99CWZzbt-2xjSD5peov0Q3LXwk5UvRNj1V13ChtU-CQFygtKpNHeT1mUrRb85icksPHZIK7vBe-a9Doaapc-rtSsGeGWSrEoxBWpofhaJB~rklhqisBUtKHwi1mbGMHX4jIzzxNkeaIKlH8DAP20oO4vJPN2xTkHSvBINSLLfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The East Baton Rouge Parish Metropolitan Council on an expedited administrative motion adopted a resolution honoring the life and service of Sergeant Caleb Eisworth.

Council members moved to waive the rules so the resolution could be adopted at the same meeting; the waiver motion was made by Councilwoman Grama and seconded by Councilman Aaron Moak. After no public comment on the waiver, the council opened a public hearing on the resolution and received remarks from the mayor’s administration and council members before taking the adoption vote. Councilmember motion to approve the resolution carried without recorded opposition.

The body of the resolution, read during the meeting, states that Sergeant Caleb Eisworth died on Sunday, 08/10/2025 and notes his 23 years of service with the Baton Rouge City Police Department, lists department honors including the “Bridal of Valor” (as read into the record), and expresses the council’s gratitude and condolences to Eisworth’s wife, daughter, mother, father and brother. The resolution also authorized official recording of the document and directed that a duplicate be presented to the family. A wreath was presented to Chief T.J. Morris to deliver to the family on behalf of the mayor’s administration and the Metro Council.

Speakers who addressed or were named in the presentation included a representative of the mayor’s office who read the resolution on behalf of Mayor-President Sid Edwards’ administration; Councilman Aaron Moak (resolution sponsor); Councilwoman Grama (mover to waive rules); Chief T.J. Morris, who accepted the wreath; and other council members who offered condolences. Council members repeatedly expressed support for the Baton Rouge Police Department and prayers for the family during remarks recorded in the public portion of the meeting.

The council recessed briefly after the presentation and then resumed regular business.","The East Baton Rouge Parish Metropolitan Council on an expedited administrative motion adopted a resolution honoring the life and 23 years of service of Sergeant Caleb Eisworth and presented a wreath to the Baton Rouge Police Department and the family.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6589444,"Votes at a glance: key actions taken by East Baton Rouge Metro Council",1735,703125,2438165,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5575980-7e5f4c7f3c19359ae991b742f65f3cf2&start=703&end=2438","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5575980-7e5f4c7f3c19359ae991b742f65f3cf2/thumbnail_703125.jpg","/articles/6589444/Baton-Rouge-City/East-Baton-Rouge-Parish/Louisiana/Votes-at-a-glance-key-actions-taken-by-East-Baton-Rouge-Metro-Council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589444-090706ea30165d3a112f6296d360ff34/orig.mp4?Expires=1773570175&Signature=T7Se~TdvIyQE3UxsAfLDaYBz~HejLKVMOey2C9VwrUB4dpNW1yEzwEMfhw1haZMvS2O~ycpvAHZSn0QDWVBD1jWVNrf37MwxrlcqqWZdjKs28nCTL6h~RHhtAFlzucMjVH5G~9y--QecoYb0Dcspf53bFimmGGVbrWvn7B22S7NOZ8yKrYHZsJhLNDszi0EkMTAzaqmDX~dQe0j9lWFc6ASOJcftvC6l8k9sCki4lHqkyjZwNlnTsJ-w1Q8fOMfNHAKUORkGOPc~AYe2WuFZQFWMcGeJXVVZMoWJdThDwepGAi2GEpkaogVROt-Da18e80vrsR9aRExhApU5dMZ55w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Below are the formal actions recorded in the council meeting transcript and the outcomes as stated on the public record. Where the transcript did not provide a roll-call tally, the entry notes the chair’s announcement or machine result as read.

- Administrative waiver and adoption: Motion to waive rules to adopt the administrative resolution honoring Sergeant Caleb Eisworth — Motion by Councilwoman Grama; second by Councilman Aaron Moak; outcome: waiver granted and resolution adopted (see separate article).

- Approval of minutes: Motion to approve minutes of Metropolitan Council meeting 07/23/2025 and Special Metropolitan Council meeting 08/06/2025 and Greater Baton Rouge Airport Commission meeting 07/22/2025 — Motion by Councilman Kennedy; second by Councilman Dunn Jr.; outcome: motion carries.

- Introductions (mass reading): Multiple introductions including revenue anticipation note for Saint George Fire Protection District No. 2 (not to exceed $12,500,000), intergovernmental cooperative agreement for a subgrant through Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement (amount partially read), settlement Kenya Messer v. GEICO and related consolidated matters ($252,184.64 total) and other items; motion to introduce all items — Motion by Councilwoman Rock; second by Councilman Godey; outcome: motion carries.

- Condemnation docket: DPW inspection recommended proceedings to proceed on a numbered list of condemnation items, with staggered time recommendations (30/60/90 days) and one deletion; motion by Councilwoman Coleman; second by Councilwoman Amorosa; outcome: motion carries.

- Item 89 (bond application authorization): Motion by Councilwoman Rocca; second by Councilwoman Coleman; outcome: motion carries (one email comment in opposition noted in the record).

- Item 90 (prelitigation settlement — Thomas Abare Jr.): Motion by Councilwoman Harris; second by Councilman Hudson; first machine vote failed; council revoted and motion carries (transcript: initial machine vote ‘fails’; subsequent revote ‘motion carries’); recorded as carried after revote.

- Item 91 (prelitigation settlement — Ivy Fleming): Motion by Councilman Goday; second by Councilman Hurst; machine vote recorded; outcome: motion carries; note: two members recorded in opposition before machine vote.

- Item 92 (prelitigation settlement — Kenneth Griffith): Motion by Councilman Hurst; second by Councilwoman Harris; two opposing recorded; motion carries on machine vote.

- Item 93 (ordinance adding Chapter 25: smoke/vape shops): Motion by Councilwoman Carolyn R. Coleman; second by Councilwoman Tijuana Harris; outcome: motion carries (ordinance adopted). See separate article.

- Item 94 (rescission re: Harmony Center Inc.): Motion by Councilwoman Coleman; second by Councilwoman Amorosa; outcome: motion carries (rescission and cancelation of prior notices due to renovation cited).

- Items 95–100 (Ryan White program contract amendments): Items 95–100 amending subrecipient contracts for Ryan White-funded services (amendments and total award adjustments listed in the meeting text for NoAIDS Task Force; Volunteers of America; Family Services of Greater Baton Rouge; HIV Alliance for Region 2, Inc.; Capital City Family Health Center/CareSouth). Motion by Councilman Hurst; second by Councilwoman Amorosa; outcome: motion carries. The record notes one email comment in opposition to items 95–100 and one abstention: Councilman Dunn Jr. abstained for items 98 and 99 (recorded later for related items).

- Item 101 (amendment to professional services agreement — Southern Environmental Management & Specialties Inc.): Motion by Councilman Hurst; second by Councilwoman Adams; outcome: motion carries.

- Item 102 (Waste Pro Louisiana amendment for debris hauling): Motion by Councilman Hurst; second by Councilwoman Adams; outcome: motion carries.

- Item 103 (add $250,000 to agreement with Front Yard Bikes): Motion by Councilman Hurst; second by Councilman McKinney; outcome: motion carries.

- Items 104–106 (community development subrecipient contract amendments for Catholic Charities and Saint Vincent De Paul): Motions by Councilman Hurst and Councilwoman Adams; outcome: motions carry.

- Items 107–111 (Office of Community Development — substantial subrecipient amendments): Items include amendments for HIV/AIDS Alliance for Region 2, Bright Side Clinic (LaRoche LLC), Volunteers of America, Stark Corporation, MetroHealth (Baton Rouge Black Alcoholism Council). Motion by Councilman Hurst; second by Councilman Hudson; outcome: motion carries; one email comment in opposition noted.

- Item 112 (opioid-settlement allocations): Motion to authorize expenditures and agreements as read (see separate article for detail); outcome: motion carries; chair announced approval.

- Item 113 (state cooperative agreement — Act 461, 2025 — $1,025,000): Motion by Councilwoman Coleman; second by Councilman Kenny; outcome: motion carries (Senator Barrow addressed the council in support).

- Items 95–111: Additional notations — item-specific totals and program descriptions were read into the record; several items had email comments in opposition noted by staff.

Procedural notes: where a roll-call machine vote was used and produced a failure or abstentions, the transcript records the machine result (e.g., item 90 initial vote failed, revote passed; items 98–99 show Councilman Dunn Jr. abstaining). For items where the transcript records only the chair’s announcement (“motion carries”), no roll-call tally is in the transcript.

For complete text, ordinance language, and signed agreements, consult the Council clerk’s official minutes and the signed contract/grant documents filed in the Clerk’s office.","The council voted on dozens of routine and substantive items including settlements, contract amendments, introductions, condemnations, minutes approval and professional services amendments. This roundup lists each agenda item shown in the transcript with the motion, mover/second where recorded, and outcome as stated on the record.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6589448,"Council OKs opioid-settlement and state grants totaling multimillion-dollar allocations for prevention, treatment and recovery",0,3593830,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5575980-7e5f4c7f3c19359ae991b742f65f3cf2&start=3593&end=3593","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5575980-7e5f4c7f3c19359ae991b742f65f3cf2/thumbnail_3593830.jpg","/articles/6589448/Baton-Rouge-City/East-Baton-Rouge-Parish/Louisiana/Council-OKs-opioid-settlement-and-state-grants-totaling-multimillion-dollar-allocations-for-prevention-treatment-and-recovery","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589448-3fc5df17077bea248f39d488c8b7fc3b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773570175&Signature=S3wIJUWLLfcX5c80WuEWCtKPZZorY1SAnTxHGS7521VhCBMVJ2Xt1jfL0bBVSdZrU0sRxkUxvk3WaSDRmpn3Ih0Evl-OQxR52bmVedwlcbXuaJUabWm2WHM0BiF0OUZ6Vr75ytj5C5URDTO4pNCxnurgBIzjGe6rn1wTB51gm3pYOSY0Y0kLIdTuiPfWxe3Nlkopc~83JVPcAtf56KZOSAb9oEYc9t6rWrOwTMLknbnvaBLENykBMJJ4qaOIQulY1cSnOGR-byRLLN4NgjHmFOnEKC6ZW2Fy7tIZocMqHcGDbHlS1SVgMacTNMFONwpJJRhzqFYvdqBMDsIDqwiYhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The East Baton Rouge Parish Metropolitan Council approved a package of allocations from opioid-abatement settlement funds and a separate cooperative endeavor agreement with the State of Louisiana that will bring $1,025,000 to the parish for public-service programs.

Item 112 covered allocations from the opioid abatement settlement: the record lists allocations to multiple agencies (as read into the record) including $1,849,000 to the District Attorney, $1,000,000 to the Nineteenth JDC, $589,000 to CJCC, $260,000 to a pretrial diversion and recovery program, $212,000 to Victoria’s Voice for prevention/awareness, $320,020 to connect people to care, $448,500 to set free indeed for treatment and recovery, $300,000 and $148,500 (two entries) to Ecobehavioral Health for treatment and services addressing criminally involved persons, $375,000 to East Baton Rouge Parish Office of the Public Defender, $100,000 to East Baton Rouge Parish Juvenile Court, and $300,000 to the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner, for a total read into the record of $3,512,500.20.

Item 113 is a cooperative endeavor agreement authorizing the mayor-president to accept $1,025,000 in state funding (Act 461 of the 2025 legislative session) to support youth programming, community service, food and health-care disparity programs and violence prevention programs. Senator Barrow addressed the council and characterized the award as the third consecutive year she has appropriated funds to the city, noting she directed the funds to multiple council districts and asked council members to identify district projects.

Speakers at the meeting included Senator Barrow; Kelly Miles (Office of Community Development and a lead on the opioid response in the record); mayors and municipal representatives who said they are coordinating on prevention and outreach; Victoria’s Voice Foundation and other community providers; Dr. Jacqueline Mims and other treatment and court program representatives who described treatment and diversion work; Chris Kosanka of CJCC describing a pretrial diversion and recovery program; and councilmembers who asked procedural and oversight questions.

Councilmembers asked how federal and settlement funds are tracked and monitored. Human Development and Services staff explained scope-of-work and budgeting requirements for federal Ryan White funds earlier in the meeting and community development staff explained that opioid-settlement funds are being managed through the Office of Community Development to retain administrative percentages locally. Staff said the settlement funding stream is expected to continue across multiple years depending on settlements and that $3,000,000 was expected in a future distribution.

A motion by Councilwoman Coleman, seconded by Councilman Kenny, approved item 113. A separate motion approved item 112; the chair called the motions carried. Councilmembers and invited mayors and service providers emphasized coordinated prevention, treatment access, data-driven response to local overdose spikes, and outreach to affected neighborhoods. Several speakers asked council members to visit outreach and overdose-response efforts in the field.","The Metro Council approved allocations from the opioid abatement settlement and a state cooperative agreement providing $1,025,000 to support youth programming, community services and violence prevention. Council and community speakers emphasized prevention, treatment access, and coordination among mayors and service providers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council adopts ordinance adding rules for smoke and vape shops, including 500-foot distance from schools and signage requirement

Metro Council adopts resolution honoring Sgt. Caleb Eisworth

Votes at a glance: key actions taken by East Baton Rouge Metro Council

Council OKs opioid-settlement and state grants totaling multimillion-dollar allocations for prevention, treatment and recovery