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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Kenner City Council Meeting: Election of Officers and Multiple Ordinances Approved on July 9, 2026

Council Meetings — Thursday, July 9, 2026

BodyKenner, Louisiana

SessionCouncil Meetings

DateThursday, July 9, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 52:11

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:19

I'd like to start the meeting.

0:22

Call the meeting to order.

0:24

Um, I know there are some special intentions.

0:26

Councilman Wilmont.

0:28

Thank you, madam chair.

0:29

Um, first off, I'd like to mention my wife's best friend of 50 years.

0:36

Lydia John Fro recently passed away.

0:39

She and her family uh are former Kenner residents.

0:43

Please keep her and their family in your prayers.

0:46

And also Alvin Langsford passed away July 4th.

0:51

He lost his battle with cancer.

0:53

30 years of service with with the Kentor Fire Department.

0:57

And also on this date, I mentioned that Pan Am Flight 759, the crash occurred in Kenner this date in 1982.

1:08

153 people passed away in this horrific event.

1:12

Please keep all these folks in your thoughts and prayers.

1:16

Thank you.

1:18

Councilman Stagney.

1:20

Thank you, Madam President.

1:22

I'd like everybody to keep in their prayers.

1:24

Jane James, a longtime District Three resident, her husband Albert, their sons Tim and Tom.

1:32

Also Jimmy Traegle in District 2, uh, longtime Kenner City employee, and uh his wife, Miss uh Norma and their children, James, Jenny, and Kevin.

1:44

Miss Norma and uh and Mr.

1:47

Jimmy were married for over 60 years.

1:49

Please keep them in your prayers, and a good friend of mine who I served in the legislature with, he was a state rep and worked with me in the health and welfare committee, became a state senator, and he passed away yesterday.

2:00

So I'd like you to keep this uh Senator Larry Selders families in your prayers as well.

2:05

Thank you, Madam President.

2:07

Thank you.

2:07

Everyone could uh stand for the prayer, and I'll lead you.

2:11

I'll lead us in the prayer.

2:16

Lord God, thank you for today this day and the opportunity to come together to make impactful decisions for our community and work together for the best of Kenner.

2:25

On this day, please give us direction, fortitude, and grace to deal with anything that may lay ahead.

2:32

May we seek your guidance and work steadfastly in your name.

2:35

Amen.

2:38

Councilman Reem, would you please lead us in the pledge?

2:41

I pledge a leaders to the United States of America.

2:48

One nation under God and justice for all chairman.

3:01

You have a quorum.

3:01

Councilmember Lahat is absent.

3:04

In accordance with council resolution number B 14550, please be advised that all cellular telephones and other devices of this nature must be deactivated or silenced throughout the council meeting.

3:15

Madam Chairman, we have a request to change the order of business to take item 13a at the beginning of the meeting.

3:27

Aye.

3:28

Opposed, please say nay.

3:30

Seeing none, motion passes seven zero.

3:32

Item 13a is a resolution electing a Kenner City Council President and Vice President.

3:38

Effect of July 9th, 2026.

3:43

I have a motion by Councilmember McKenney, seconded by Councilmember Bryan again.

3:48

Is there any discussion?

3:50

Seeing none, all council members in favor, please say aye.

3:54

Aye.

3:54

Opposed, please say nay.

3:56

Seeing none, motion passes seven zero.

3:58

Madam Chairman, we've also received a request to change the order of business to take item 13b at the beginning of the meeting.

4:05

I have a motion by councilmember McKenney, seconded by Councilmember Brannigan to change the order of business.

4:10

All council members in favor, please say aye.

4:12

Aye.

4:13

Opposed, please say nay.

4:14

Seeing none, motion passes seven zero.

4:16

Item 13B is a resolution appointing Natalie Hall Tartaglia, Clerk of Council, effect of July 9, 2026.

4:23

I have a motion by Councilmember Brown again.

4:25

Second hit by Councilmember McKenny.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████59%

Public Safety████████10%

Water And Wastewater Management████████10%

Parks and Recreation███████9%

Engineering And Infrastructure███4%

Transportation Safety██3%

Economic Development██3%

Public Engagement██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Kenner City Council Meeting - July 9, 2026

The Kenner City Council convened on July 9, 2026, with Councilmember Lahat absent. The meeting began with a prayer and pledge, followed by a change in order of business to elect a new Council President and Vice President and appoint the Clerk of Council. Councilmember George Brown again was elected President, and Natalie Hall Tartaglia was appointed Clerk of Council. The council then proceeded through a consent agenda and a series of ordinances, all passed unanimously (6-0). Public comments were heard on the surplus auction, a stop sign installation, and a call for council independence.

Consent Calendar

Approval of minutes from the June 26, 2026 regular council meeting.
Approval of a public gathering application (No. 26-019) for a back-to-school jam and school supply giveaway at Susan Park Gymnasium on August 1, 2026, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
All items passed unanimously (6-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

Wendy Witzel (District 2) inquired about the public auction of surplus police property (Item 15G), confirming it is a virtual public auction. She expressed support for the new stop sign at 32nd and Arkansas Avenue, noting the accuracy of the mayor's comments about cars hitting houses. She also congratulated the council and mayor on their election and welcomed new District 2 Councilmember Tom Reim.
Richard Brown (District 4) welcomed new council members Danny Reim and Joe Stagney, praising their past work and thanking Councilmember Reim for the AED donation.
Mr. Taft (District 5) congratulated the mayor and council on their recent elections. He urged the council to act as an independent legislative body representing citizens, rather than an extension of the mayor's office, and expressed hope for improved citizen representation in the next four years.

Discussion Items

Election of Council President and Vice President (Item 13A): Councilmember George Brown again was elected President by a vote of 6-0. (Vice President not explicitly named in transcript, but the resolution included both.)
Appointment of Clerk of Council (Item 13B): Natalie Hall Tartaglia was appointed as Clerk of Council, effective July 9, 2026, by a vote of 6-0.
Stop Sign Installation (Item 12A): Ordinance to add stop signs at 32nd Street and Arkansas Avenue, following a traffic study that showed multiple accidents, including vehicles hitting a house. The measure passed 6-0. Councilmember Dunn requested that police call attention to the new signs.
Ratification of Contracts and Purchases (Items 15A-15P): The council approved a series of ordinances, all 6-0:
- Fire department nozzles (15A) – discussion on funding sources.
- Lead hazard remediation services (15B & 15C) – two contracts with Will Stand Inc.
- Planetarium shows (15D) – two new shows at $1,850 from Giant Screen Films LLC.
- Police uniforms (15E) – not to exceed $7,500.
- Police vehicles (15F) – up to $1 million for approximately 20 vehicles, using seized asset forfeiture funds. Chief explained fleet replenishment needs.
- Surplus auction (15G) – public auction of surplus vehicles and other property on July 30, 2026.
- AEDs for police (15H) – up to $100,000 annually.
- Ballistic body armor (15I) – up to $100,000 annually.
- Outdoor wall pads at Muspertolino Stadium (15J) – $9,406.90 for safety.
- Solar lights and poles (15K) – $302,680 for solar lighting at various parks (dog park, parking lots, Veterans Park). Discussion confirmed previous solar lights at lakefront were working well.
- Fitness court grant (15L) – acceptance of a grant for a fitness court along the Erlinga corridor.
- Sewer lift station acceptance (15M) – completion of 25th and Salem sewer lift station.
- Emergency pump repair (15N) – $39,845 for Fairbanks Morse pump.
- Belt filter press refurbishment (15O) – $315,287.36.
- Street sweeper repair (15P) – $13,449.04.
First Reading Ordinances (Item 16A-16K): Introduced for first reading, including subdivisions, maintenance contracts, grants, and zoning amendments (metal corrugated fencing and mural regulations). These items will have a 28-day layover as per city charter.
Council Reports: Councilmember Reim announced the Trump accounts program for children born between 2025 and 2028, with a $1,000 government contribution. He also thanked staff for their welcome and his family for attending. Mayor Glazer noted laser light shows at the planetarium every Friday in July.

Key Outcomes

Council President Elected: Councilmember George Brown again elected President for the next six months (vote 6-0).
Clerk Appointed: Natalie Hall Tartaglia appointed Clerk of Council (vote 6-0).
All 16 agenda items (consent and ratification) passed unanimously (6-0).
Stop sign ordinance approved for 32nd and Arkansas Avenue.
Public auction scheduled for July 30, 2026, for surplus police property.
First reading ordinances introduced and will be subject to a 28-day layover before final passage.

Meeting Transcript

I'd like to start the meeting. Call the meeting to order. Um, I know there are some special intentions. Councilman Wilmont. Thank you, madam chair. Um, first off, I'd like to mention my wife's best friend of 50 years. Lydia John Fro recently passed away. She and her family uh are former Kenner residents. Please keep her and their family in your prayers. And also Alvin Langsford passed away July 4th. He lost his battle with cancer. 30 years of service with with the Kentor Fire Department. And also on this date, I mentioned that Pan Am Flight 759, the crash occurred in Kenner this date in 1982. 153 people passed away in this horrific event. Please keep all these folks in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you. Councilman Stagney. Thank you, Madam President. I'd like everybody to keep in their prayers. Jane James, a longtime District Three resident, her husband Albert, their sons Tim and Tom. Also Jimmy Traegle in District 2, uh, longtime Kenner City employee, and uh his wife, Miss uh Norma and their children, James, Jenny, and Kevin. Miss Norma and uh and Mr. Jimmy were married for over 60 years. Please keep them in your prayers, and a good friend of mine who I served in the legislature with, he was a state rep and worked with me in the health and welfare committee, became a state senator, and he passed away yesterday. So I'd like you to keep this uh Senator Larry Selders families in your prayers as well. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you. Everyone could uh stand for the prayer, and I'll lead you. I'll lead us in the prayer. Lord God, thank you for today this day and the opportunity to come together to make impactful decisions for our community and work together for the best of Kenner. On this day, please give us direction, fortitude, and grace to deal with anything that may lay ahead. May we seek your guidance and work steadfastly in your name. Amen. Councilman Reem, would you please lead us in the pledge? I pledge a leaders to the United States of America. One nation under God and justice for all chairman. You have a quorum. Councilmember Lahat is absent. In accordance with council resolution number B 14550, please be advised that all cellular telephones and other devices of this nature must be deactivated or silenced throughout the council meeting. Madam Chairman, we have a request to change the order of business to take item 13a at the beginning of the meeting. Aye. Opposed, please say nay. Seeing none, motion passes seven zero. Item 13a is a resolution electing a Kenner City Council President and Vice President. Effect of July 9th, 2026. I have a motion by Councilmember McKenney, seconded by Councilmember Bryan again. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all council members in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed, please say nay.

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