Meetings
 
Agenda Item
Docket No. 21-339
 
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RE:
A Request for an Advisory Opinion, submitted by Karla Courtade, regarding whether the Louisiana Code of Governmental Ethics ("Code") would prohibit her from applying for and accepting the position of Executive Director of Louisiana Operation Lifesaver ("LAOL") after she retires from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development ("LaDOTD") as the Statewide Highway Safety Improvement Program Manager.
Facts:
Mrs. Courtade is currently employed by the LaDOTD in the Highway Safety Office as the Statewide Highway Safety Improvement Program Manager. As the Statewide Highway Safety Improvement Program Manager, she is responsible for: 1) tracking, processing, invoicing, and otherwise managing federal funding (Federal Safety Transfer Funds and Federal Flex Funds) for statewide highway safety construction projects; 2) reviewing, managing, preparing, funding, and selecting consultants and/or contractors with regard to state government contracts and applications; 3) overseeing the contracting process for the Highway Safety Office; and, 4) planning and coordinating state conferences. The agency head for Highway Safety Office is Adriane S. McRae - the Highway Safety Administrator.
She also volunteers with LAOL. LAOL is a nonprofit public safety education and awareness organization dedicated to reducing collisions, fatalities, and injuries at highway-rail crossings and trespassing on or near railroad tracks. LAOL currently has a contract with the LaDOTD, under which the LaDOTD helps support LAOL's salary, public relations, training, and website development. LAOL also receives funding from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and railroad companies. In her capacity as the Statewide Highway Safety Improvement Program Manager, she gives free safety presentations and train LAOL volunteers concerning railroad crossing safety. The LaDOTD's contract is managed by Trey Jesclard, the Assistant Highway Safety Administrator. He handles all monthly reporting and invoicing made by LAOL pursuant to the contract.
She is nearing retirement. She would like to apply for the LAOL Executive Director position after she retires from the LaDOTD in December 2021.
Law:
La. R.S. 42:1121(B) provides that no former public employee shall, for a period of two years following the termination of his public employment, assist another person, for compensation, in a transaction, or in an appearance in connection with a transaction in which such former public employee participated at any time during his public employment and involving the governmental entity by which he was formerly employed, or for a period of two years following the termination of his public employment, render, any service which such former public employee had rendered to the agency during the term of his public employment on a contractual basis, regardless of the parties to the contract, to, for, or on behalf of the agency with which he was formerly employed.
Recommendations:
Adopt the proposed advisory opinion.
Assigned Attorney: LaToya D. Jordan
 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Description:
2021-06-22 Advisory Opinion.v1.draft (Docket No. 2021-339)
2021-339 - Advisory Opinion Request Karla Courtade