OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kenner City Council Meeting for August 6, 2026

Council Meetings — Thursday, August 6, 2026
BodyKenner, Louisiana
SessionCouncil Meetings
DateThursday, August 6, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:47:04
Transcript — Verbatim
0:46

Like uh call Mayor Glazer to the mic to get the proclamation done.

0:53

James, come over here, Bob.

1:00

All right, guys, as I read this, you'll see some uh photographs on the screens in here.

1:07

It's equipment that you you'll find out a little bit about it.

1:10

Uh but Councilman Stagney last week, early in the week, suggested that we recognize James Mohammed for donating a bunch of equipment to the fire department.

1:24

So this proclamation, I didn't write it because I wouldn't say all these nice things about him, just to let everybody know.

1:33

And it's getting, I think it's a trick now because the fonts are getting smaller on these proclamations.

1:38

So I need glasses now.

1:40

Says, whereas the city of Kenner is fortunate to be served by individuals whose generosity, dedication, and commitment strengthen our strengthen our community and improve the lives of our residents.

1:51

And whereas after nearly 19 years of dedicated service as the as a city of Kenner employee, James Mohammed continues to consistently demonstrate an unwavering commitment to public service while also making meaningful meaningful contributions to the community as a local businessman.

2:08

And whereas Mr.

2:10

Mohammed has generously donated more than $25,000 in exercise, gym and weight training equipment to the Kenner Fire Department through donations made in April 2025 and January 2026, ensuring that our firefighters have access to high quality fitness equipment to support their physical readiness.

2:29

Whereas the men and women of the Kenner Fire Department protect the lives and property of our residents every day, and maintaining an exceptional physical fitness is essential to safety and effectively performing the demanding duties of the profession.

2:43

Whereas Mr.

2:44

Mohammed's selfless generosity has directly enhanced the health, wellness, and preparedness of Kenner firefighters, enabling them to better serve and protect the citizens of our community.

2:54

And whereas his actions exemplify the spirit of service, generosity, and civic pride that make the city of Kenner a stronger and safer place to live, work, and raise a family.

3:04

And now, therefore, I, Mayor Michael J.

3:07

Glazer, along with the Kenneth Police Chief Keith Conley and the Kenner City Council, to hereby commend and thank Mr.

3:12

James Mohammed as we extend our sincere gratitude for his extraordinary contributions to the City of Kenner and the Kenner Fire Department.

3:21

Thank you again, buddy.

3:24

Would you like to say anything?

3:30

I'm very grateful to be here tonight.

3:32

I want to thank each and every one of you guys uh for doing a great job.

3:35

I've I've noticed a lot of changes and more changes coming.

3:38

Uh you know, I it all started with Ms.

3:41

Shaw back in the day.

3:42

She was probably one of the hardest and toughest people I ever worked for, but I can tell you one thing.

3:47

She taught me that there's one way of doing things, and sometimes you have to twist the rules a little bit to help people.

3:55

And uh, you know, a lot of people don't have money to make the necessary repairs, but she was always good at finding ways of helping people, and she always told me to get out and talk to people and talk to the people of the community and what they need is somebody that's going to give them a little bit of time.

4:12

And sometimes giving somebody five minutes of time goes a long way.

4:16

And uh I've I've tried to do that lately, and uh I've did it I've done it since I worked for her, but uh I'm very grateful for her teaching me a a lot about the city of Kenner and and how to uh approach different people.

4:31

Uh each and every one of you councilmen know me one way or the other.

4:36

I really want to say thank you all for having me here tonight.

4:39

Uh I'm very grateful.

4:40

I'm grateful for my family and my friends in the fire department.

4:43

They're great.

4:44

I've I can think of a lot of calls at two o'clock in the morning, getting a phone call from them saying, hey, what are we gonna do?

4:50

Uh how can we help these people?

4:52

It was always about helping people.

4:54

It was never no.

4:55

What can we do?

4:56

And that's the most important thing that I've learned in my life is never say no.

5:01

Let's say, let's go out and see what we can do to make it work.

5:05

Thank you again.

5:06

I'm very grateful.

5:07

Y'all have a good night.

5:11

Thank you, all of them.

5:25

Good to see you.

6:53

Council meeting for August 6th to order.

6:58

Could uh do I have any special intentions today?

7:02

Councilmember McKenney.

7:04

Yes, thank you, Council President.

7:05

I just wanted to ask for thoughts and prayers for the all the students that are gonna be starting school tomorrow in Jefferson Parish and throughout the area and next week on throughout the city of Kenner and the metropolitan area.

7:21

Just you know, be aware that there are going to be students and kids on the streets catching buses and doing those things, and just you know, be careful and be aware of those and asking for prayers for them.

7:32

Thank you.

7:33

Uh Councilman Stagney.

7:35

Thank you, Mr.

7:35

President, and also the teachers in the town.

7:38

Yes.

7:38

Well, the parents are happy to get rid of the kids.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement███████████████████19%
Public Safety████████████████16%
Procedural██████████████14%
Public Works█████████████13%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████████12%
Arts And Culture██████6%
Budget Equity Analysis█████5%
Waste Management████4%
Personnel Matters███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Kenner City Council Meeting - August 6, 2026

The Kenner City Council met on August 6, 2026, to address a proclamation, consent agenda items, road project updates, zoning amendments, a series of contracts and change orders, and a detailed update on the firefighter cancer screening program. The meeting began with a proclamation honoring James Mohammed for his generous equipment donation to the fire department, followed by routine approvals, public hearings, and a deferred mural ordinance.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the minutes of the regular council meeting of July 24, 2026.
  • No alcoholic beverage permit applications were submitted.
  • Approved public gathering application No. 26-024 for the 5th Annual Kenner Food Truck Festival, scheduled for October 25, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Laketown. Motion passed 7-0.

Proclamation

  • Mayor Michael J. Glazer, Police Chief Keith Conley, and the Council recognized James Mohammed for donating more than $25,000 in exercise, gym, and weight training equipment to the Kenner Fire Department through donations made in April 2025 and January 2026. Mohammed, a nearly 19-year city employee and local businessman, expressed gratitude and credited former colleague Ms. Shaw for teaching him the importance of helping people.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Greg Tapp (District 5) questioned whether residents within the Rivertown Historic District had been consulted about the mural ordinance, noting that no specific meeting had been held for text changes.
  • Wendy Woodsett (District 2) sought clarification on the Roosevelt Boulevard panel replacement timeline, asked how to report abandoned tires, praised the police auction, and complimented the back-to-school giveaway event.
  • Earlier, during the discussion on the firefighter cancer screening program, Greg Tapp expressed agreement that a written protocol is essential to protect firefighters.

Discussion Items

  • Mayor's Updates: Mayor Glazer announced new recycling collection days by council district (District 1: Friday, District 2: Thursday, District 3: Wednesday, District 4: Tuesday, District 5: Monday) and the release of the 2026 City of Kenner Economic Profile on the website. He reported completion of the $8.5 million Roosevelt Boulevard project between West Mediterranean and West Napoleon, with only a punch list remaining; similar completion on Veterans Boulevard; and upcoming state-funded improvements on Williams Boulevard and Loyola Drive.
  • Zoning Amendment – Corrugated Metal Fencing (Item 11A): Planning Director Chris presented a text change to the Unified Development Code to allow corrugated metal fencing and chain link with screening mesh in certain screening applications, except when commercial or industrial uses abut residential zones, where a variance would still be required. The Planning Commission recommended approval on June 24, and the council approved it 7-0.
  • Mural Ordinance in Rivertown Historic District (Item 11B): The proposed text change would regulate murals, restricting them to commercial, mixed-use, or public buildings, limiting placement to secondary/side/rear facades, covering up to 90% of a wall, and requiring murals to be on already-painted masonry. Councilmembers Stagney and Wilmot expressed concerns about lack of council oversight and requested a one-meeting deferral to explore adding council approval. Councilman Lahad supported the deferral, while Councilmember McKenney opposed it, citing the existing public process and the Historic District Commission's authority. The deferral passed 6-1 with McKenney opposed.
  • Audit Firm Selection (Item 12A): Councilman Stagney introduced the renewal of the audit contract with DePlanche, Ratman, Hogan & Mayor LLP, noting the firm's long service and declining fees. Managing Partner Lindsay Caleb addressed the council, confirming the firm's qualifications and the city's receipt of the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The motion passed 7-0.
  • Contracts and Change Orders (Items 15A–15J): Approved several items, including a $6,798.57 change order for the Pontchartrain Center G League renovations (total now $3,446,748.57) and a $50,818.02 change order on first reading; an agreement with DOTD for the West Loyola multi-use path (80% federal funding); a professional surveying services contract with T. Baker Smith LLC up to $100,000; a waste tire processing container contract with Waste Pro, amended from $49,000 to $35,000; a wall pad installation contract at Muss Bertolino Stadium; purchases of a sewer launcher and a C540 push camera for the wastewater department; an emergency roof repair at the Pontchartrain Center ($18,920); and a professional services agreement for Power Boulevard resurfacing design ($145,121). All passed 7-0 unless noted.
  • Firefighter Cancer Screening Program (Item 18A): Chief Morris and Chief Dyer reported that 110 active and retired members over age 40 are eligible. Of 64 eligible retired members, 31 were tested, 4 are awaiting appointments, 2 undecided, 7 refused, and 20 had no contact established. For active members, 25 of 46 eligible were tested, 9 awaiting appointments, 2 refused, 9 no response, and 1 previously tested elsewhere. Councilman Lahad expressed concern about the lack of a written protocol and requested a formal policy with tracking. Councilman Stagney suggested involving the Louisiana Professional Firefighters Association. The council agreed to work with the city attorney to draft a formal written protocol.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved consent agenda and public gathering permit (7-0).
  • Approved zoning text change for corrugated metal fencing (7-0).
  • Deferred the mural ordinance for one meeting (6-1, McKenney opposed).
  • Approved audit firm selection for fiscal years 2026–2030 (7-0).
  • Approved all contract and change order items, including amending the Waste Pro contract amount to $35,000 (7-0).
  • Directed staff and city attorney to draft a written protocol for the firefighter cancer screening program, with a target deadline of early October 2026.
  • Recognized the retirement of two city employees, Mary Tapp and Sandra Averett, after over 20 years of service each.

Meeting Transcript

Like uh call Mayor Glazer to the mic to get the proclamation done. James, come over here, Bob. All right, guys, as I read this, you'll see some uh photographs on the screens in here. It's equipment that you you'll find out a little bit about it. Uh but Councilman Stagney last week, early in the week, suggested that we recognize James Mohammed for donating a bunch of equipment to the fire department. So this proclamation, I didn't write it because I wouldn't say all these nice things about him, just to let everybody know. And it's getting, I think it's a trick now because the fonts are getting smaller on these proclamations. So I need glasses now. Says, whereas the city of Kenner is fortunate to be served by individuals whose generosity, dedication, and commitment strengthen our strengthen our community and improve the lives of our residents. And whereas after nearly 19 years of dedicated service as the as a city of Kenner employee, James Mohammed continues to consistently demonstrate an unwavering commitment to public service while also making meaningful meaningful contributions to the community as a local businessman. And whereas Mr. Mohammed has generously donated more than $25,000 in exercise, gym and weight training equipment to the Kenner Fire Department through donations made in April 2025 and January 2026, ensuring that our firefighters have access to high quality fitness equipment to support their physical readiness. Whereas the men and women of the Kenner Fire Department protect the lives and property of our residents every day, and maintaining an exceptional physical fitness is essential to safety and effectively performing the demanding duties of the profession. Whereas Mr. Mohammed's selfless generosity has directly enhanced the health, wellness, and preparedness of Kenner firefighters, enabling them to better serve and protect the citizens of our community. And whereas his actions exemplify the spirit of service, generosity, and civic pride that make the city of Kenner a stronger and safer place to live, work, and raise a family. And now, therefore, I, Mayor Michael J. Glazer, along with the Kenneth Police Chief Keith Conley and the Kenner City Council, to hereby commend and thank Mr. James Mohammed as we extend our sincere gratitude for his extraordinary contributions to the City of Kenner and the Kenner Fire Department. Thank you again, buddy. Would you like to say anything? I'm very grateful to be here tonight. I want to thank each and every one of you guys uh for doing a great job. I've I've noticed a lot of changes and more changes coming. Uh you know, I it all started with Ms. Shaw back in the day. She was probably one of the hardest and toughest people I ever worked for, but I can tell you one thing. She taught me that there's one way of doing things, and sometimes you have to twist the rules a little bit to help people. And uh, you know, a lot of people don't have money to make the necessary repairs, but she was always good at finding ways of helping people, and she always told me to get out and talk to people and talk to the people of the community and what they need is somebody that's going to give them a little bit of time. And sometimes giving somebody five minutes of time goes a long way. And uh I've I've tried to do that lately, and uh I've did it I've done it since I worked for her, but uh I'm very grateful for her teaching me a a lot about the city of Kenner and and how to uh approach different people. Uh each and every one of you councilmen know me one way or the other. I really want to say thank you all for having me here tonight. Uh I'm very grateful. I'm grateful for my family and my friends in the fire department. They're great. I've I can think of a lot of calls at two o'clock in the morning, getting a phone call from them saying, hey, what are we gonna do? Uh how can we help these people? It was always about helping people. It was never no. What can we do? And that's the most important thing that I've learned in my life is never say no. Let's say, let's go out and see what we can do to make it work. Thank you again. I'm very grateful. Y'all have a good night. Thank you, all of them. Good to see you. Council meeting for August 6th to order. Could uh do I have any special intentions today?

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