Kenner City Council Meeting - August 7, 2025

The Kenner City Council held its regular meeting on August 7, 2025, at 10:00 PM UTC (5:00 PM local). The meeting began with an invocation and prayer for the Caraway family. The council reconvened from executive session (7-0 vote) and proceeded through a consent calendar, multiple summary ordinances, first-reading items, council reports, and public comments. All votes were unanimous (7-0) unless otherwise noted.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from the regular council meeting of July 25, 2025, passed 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ryan Nugent (resident) voiced ongoing frustration with the city's transition to LED street lighting, describing Kenner as a “late adopter” making mistakes seen in other cities. He questioned why an out-of-production fixture (item 110) was included in the bid packet, why his proposed alternatives were ignored, and why unshielded fixtures with cool color temperatures were selected. Mayor responded that they would continue to work with Mr. Nugent and incorporate his suggestions where possible.
• Greg Taft (District 5 resident) requested a sales tax revenue report comparing current fiscal year to the previous year. Councilmember Liz confirmed that with two months of data available by the next meeting, a report would be provided.

Discussion Items

• Item 13A – Resolution authorizing a settlement in the claim of Thomas LeViste and Bridget Levist vs. City of Kenner, Kenner Police Department, et al. (24th Judicial District Court No. 869-598). Passed 7-0 with no discussion.
• Items 15A through 15K – Summary ordinances approved as follows (all passed 7-0):
  • 15A: Agreement with Pipe Works Plumbing and Demolition LLC for demolition services (up to $100,000/year).
  • 15B: Uniforms from Peretz Men's Wear Inc. (up to $25,000/year).
  • 15C: Computer equipment from Apple Inc. via state contract (up to $10,000/year).
  • 15D: Computer equipment from Summers Industries Inc. via state contract (up to $500,000/year). Explanation noted this replaces a previous Dell contract; only $250,000 of the old $1M contract was spent.
  • 15E: Data communication products for police (up to $25,000/year).
  • 15F: 20 patrol rifles and red dot sights from Gulf States Distributors for police ($23,480). Acting chief explained rifles are for new officers in the academy.
  • 15G: Emergency repair of two generators at wastewater treatment plant ($7,739.70).
  • 15H: Garden maintenance services in Lake Town (up to $90,000). Explanation noted the area is overgrown and initial maintenance will be heavy.
  • 15I: Emergency repair of Fairbanks Morse 300 HP vertical turbine effluent pump #3 at treatment plant ($113,281). Explanation: pump is critical for handling rain events (up to 62 million gallons per day); remaining five pumps are operational.
  • 15J: Emergency replacement of Myers 6-inch 50 HP solids pump #1 at Jelpey and Osborne lift station ($20,558.90).
  • 15K: Agreement with Capitol City Press LLC for 2025-2026 police recruiting campaign (up to $48,000).
• Item 15L – Agreement with Parish Engineering LLC for generator installation at Kenner Food Bank – deferred for one meeting (7-0 vote).
• Items 16A through 16I – First reading of ordinances (no vote taken until final passage at a later meeting):
  • 16A: Amending fire inspection fees.
  • 16B: Purchase of two planetarium shows (up to $8,000).
  • 16C: Emergency AC replacement at wastewater plant ($14,689).
  • 16D: Materials for new press box at Muspertolino (up to $10,748).
  • 16E: 25 wireless outdoor cameras (up to $5,871.50).
  • 16F: Cooperative endeavor agreement with American Cruise Lines for docking facility in historic River Town.
  • 16G: Police detail at North Kenner Library (up to $140,000 over three years).
  • 16H: Professional services agreement with T Baker Smith LLC for resurfacing Vintage Drive (up to $201,390).
  • 16I: Amendment #4 to engineering agreement for sewer lift station upgrades (increase $185,179.40, term extended to September 2027).

Council Reports

• Councilwoman McKinney wished Councilman Schwartz (68th birthday) a happy birthday.
• Councilman Brannigan thanked Christine Kalamara and General Services for completing the garden soap reinstall at the Kenner sign. He also reported on a serious accident on Geo Yenny, noting a meeting with Jose Gonzalez and Entergy to discuss pole protection near the street. Additionally, he addressed power restoration delays in Chateau Lake Front Subdivision (District 4) and is working with Entergy to investigate why a feed took six hours longer to restore.
• Councilman Schwartz thanked wastewater and public works for quick response to issues, noted 10th Street resurfacing completed in one day, and congratulated East Bank Little League for winning a state title.
• Council President thanked Reverend Byron Clay for his ongoing homeless ministry.

Key Outcomes

• All items on the consent calendar and all summary ordinances (15A-15K) were approved unanimously (7-0).
• Item 15L (engineering services for food bank generator) was deferred for one meeting.
• First-reading ordinances (16A-16I) were introduced and will be scheduled for final passage at a later meeting.
• The council will receive a sales tax report at the next meeting.
• The mayor announced that American Cruise Lines will present a proposal for a docking facility in River Town at the next meeting.