NEW ORLEANS – The City of New Orleans announced a new structure of the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC), which provides governance over the recreation functions of the City.
The 13-member commission elected their District D commissioner Byron C. Williams as chair.
Additionally, the commissioners restructured and consolidated the subcommittees to form a Human Resources/ Finance Committee, Governance/ Strategic Planning Committee, Programming/ Facilities Committee and a Public Relations/ Community Relations Committee.
“I am pleased with the direction the commission is moving in, and look forward to working with this team as we continue to develop a world-class recreation system for our city,” said Mayor Mitch Landrieu. “The new structure will allow our commissioners to engage with the public at the foundational level so that all the needs of the community are considered.”
“In my role as chair of the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission, I am making a commitment to serve the people of this city with the utmost dedication,” said Byron C. Williams. “I am honored to have the opportunity to lead this commission as we continue to develop a thriving recreation program for our city.”
A New Orleans native who grew up participating in NORDC (formerly NORD) programs, Williams currently serves as a judge for the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court. He has already demonstrated commitment to the youth of New Orleans by serving as a youth coach and mentor for over 30 years, City reps said.
District A Commissioner Rini Marcus will serve as Vice-chair, District E Commissioner Brian Egana will serve as secretary and District C Commissioner Theo Sanders will serve as Treasurer.
The following commissioners will serve on the newly restructured committees:
• Human Resources/Finance Committee
Theo C. Sanders III – Chair
Andrew Kopplin
Brian Egana
• Governance/Strategic Planning Committee
Dana Peterson – Chair
Councilmember James Austin Gray II
Ava Rogers
• Programming/Facilities Committee
Corinne "Rini" Marcus – Chair
Ava Rogers
Nolan Marshall, Jr.
Louis Lauricella
• Public Relations/Community Relations Committee
Bivian “Sonny” Lee III – Chair
Kelly Brown
Louis Lauricella
In an effort to ensure public engagement and make committee meetings more convenient, the newly restructured committees will always meet at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall in the 8th floor Homeland Security Conference Room at 1300 Perdido St. The specific meeting dates are to be decided upon by the committees. All meetings will be posted on the City’s public meeting calendar when scheduled. The public is encouraged to attend committee meetings and work with the commissioners on recommended recreation improvements that will ensure the community’s concerns are a top priority.
Regular commission meetings will still be held at various NORDC facilities throughout the community at 5:00 p.m. on the specified dates. Additionally, the commissioners will be available for a meet and greet with the community members fifteen minutes prior to each commission meeting.
The next commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 1, 2016, at 5:00 p.m. at Cutoff Recreation Center at 6600 Belgrade St.
In 2010, voters approved a City Charter change to reform the New Orleans Recreation Department through the creation of NORDC, which is comprised of a total of 13 members who are nominated by the Mayor and subject to the approval of the City Council.
