[StBernard] St. Bernard President Dave Peralta could get authority to approve film industry leases

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard President Dave Peralta could get authority to approve film
industry leases
Print Benjamin Alexander-Bloch, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune By Benjamin
Alexander-Bloch, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune 
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on July 14, 2014 at 2:01 PM, updated July 14, 2014 at 3:43 PM

The St. Bernard Parish Council on Tuesday will vote on whether to authorize
Parish President Dave Peralta to negotiate with film and television
companies directly for all leases of St. Bernard Parish property.

Currently, the council needs to approve the leases. Peralta is arguing that
when the film industry wants some property, it needs it quickly, and that he
should have the authority to make fast decisions.

"You don't get that much time with these film companies," Peralta said.
"When they come in, they want to shoot and go."

The ordnance would allow the parish president "to negotiate leases of parish
property for use in the film and television industry that do not exceed 30
days."

The proposed ordinance states that "if the normal procedures for lease
agreements were used St. Bernard Parish would lose its competitive edge in
attracting films to this parish."

(For a full list of parish property that potentially could be leased, click
here or read and download the document below.)

Peralta said that parish property is becoming more and more in demand by the
film industry each year. As an example, he noted the recent $20,000 lease of
the second-floor of the newly renovated Old Beauregard Courthouse to a film
company for about a two-month stay.

"That $20,000 should cover the courthouse's utility expenses for at least a
year," Peralta said.

He said he has considered closing the courthouse, which currently houses a
sheriff's substation, a library and a Wildlife and Fisheries office, because
of its high utility expenses. But the recent lease should allow it to stay
open for at least another year, as he and his administration attempt to
determine its future viability.

In addition to money for leasing parish property, Peralta said film crews
support local businesses and bring in sales tax dollars.

"There is money to be made out here for sure. There's no doubt about it," he
said. "We just don't have time to bring these shorter leases to the council,
or we will lose them."

The Parish Council on Tuesday also is expected to pass a resolution
requesting an opinion from the state attorney general's office on whether
council members can run for other political positions while still in office,
or immediately upon leaving office. (To read more on that proposal, click
here.)

You also can click here to view the full Tuesday afternoon council agenda.
Below, view and download the parish property available for lease by the film
industry:
http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/07/st_bernard_president_dave_per
a_4.html