Kenner City Council Meeting August 21, 2026: Mural Regulations, Aviation Board Appointments, and CAO Retirement Honored
Kenner City Council Meeting August 21, 2026: Mural Regulations, Aviation Board Appointments, and CAO Retirement Honored
The Kenner City Council met on August 21, 2026, at 3:30 PM. The meeting included a cancer screening update, a contested amendment to mural regulations in the Rivertown Historic District, the appointment of three nominees to the New Orleans Aviation Board, and a ceremonial moratorium on the retirement of Chief Administrative Officer Jose Gonzalez. Votes were taken on multiple items, with several passing on a 4-3 split, and the mayor threatened a veto on the mural ordinance.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously (7-0):
- Minutes of the August 6, 2026 regular council meeting.
- Alcoholic beverage permit for Divine Mercy Catholic Parish Annual Seafood Festival (October 9-11, 2026).
- Bingo and public gathering applications for St. Jerome Roman Catholic Church (September 26-27, 2026), City of Kenner Hispanic Heritage Festival (September 12, 2026), and Divine Mercy Catholic Church (October 9-11, 2026).
- Ordinance 14,223 approving resubdivision of Chateau Estates South Subdivision parcels 18-G-2 and 18-G-3, owned by Parish Partners Company LLC and Causeway Partners LLC, to allow a bank (Councilmember Branigan explained the rejection of a gas station, oil change, and car wash proposals, and the acceptance of a bank as appropriate for the PUD).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mural Regulations (Item 11a): Multiple speakers opposed the amendment adding City Council approval as a final step for murals in the Rivertown Historic District.
- Gail Yaden (Rivertown Main Street) stated the additional layer would prolong the process and questioned if it would set a precedent for all permits.
- Joey Calderaro (Caldero) argued the amendment is micromanagement and that boards and commissions have the necessary expertise; adding a step would be inefficient and deter investment.
- Jenny LaBellatusa (owner of The Crossing, president of Main Street Association) said every business owner contacted opposes the extra red tape, calling it a deterrent to mural investment.
- Ryan Nugent (5444 Erlinger) characterized the amendment as a failure to delegate and a lack of faith in experts, questioning whether past board decisions have shown ineptitude.
- Danny LaBellatusa (again) urged the council to update rules clearly rather than add process, warning that future councils may not be as “rubber stampy.”
- Greg Taff (Fifth District) argued business leaders have the most at stake and will make prudent decisions; delays cost money.
- Flock Cameras (Item 20): Greg Taff asked about potential abuse by Kenner police officers. Chief Conley responded that no abuse has been reported, audits are conducted, and the technology is effective.
- Recycling (Item 20): Bob Romelli (recycling contractor) reported few complaints since the August 3 change to district-based pickup, with door hangers and stickers being used to inform residents.
- Aviation Board (Item 13D): Richard Brown (24th Sessions Lane) urged the council to seek an attorney general’s opinion on the appointment process, arguing the cooperative endeavor agreement gives the council, not the mayor, the authority to recommend nominees.
Discussion Items
- Cancer Screening Update (Chief Terrence Morris):
- Retired members: 64 eligible; 33 scheduled/tested, 7 waiting for appointments, 1 undecided, 7 refused, 14 no response, 4 no contact.
- Active members (over 40): 46 eligible; 24 scheduled/tested, 15 waiting, 2 refused, 4 no response, 1 tested previously (Chief Morris).
- Councilmembers Mahat and Stagney asked about documentation of refusals and communication methods. Chief Morris confirmed documentation via email and that non-responsive active members would be addressed within the week.
- Mural Regulations (Item 11a – Amendment and Final Passage):
- Councilmember Stagney proposed an amendment requiring murals to be approved by the Historic District Commission and then by the City Council prior to installation. He argued it provides oversight and is only a two-day delay (since the commission meets the first Tuesday and the council the first Thursday).
- Councilmember McKinney questioned the process, noting that if it is an ordinance, a first and second reading would cause a month delay. City Attorney Dufrain clarified it would be a two-week layover.
- Councilmember Reim supported the amendment, stating the elected body should have final say on permanent murals in this historic district.
- Councilmember Dunn opposed, citing business owners' opposition and the existing checks and balances.
- Planning Director Vallow argued against the amendment, noting that the city already has numerous regulations and that the Arts Guild reviews content without constitutional issues.
- The amendment passed 4-3 (Councilmembers Branigan, Dunn, and McKinney opposed).
- On the main motion (as amended), Councilmember Stagney raised concerns about maintenance language (Section 3E) that makes the property owner responsible for mural upkeep. He noted that the city owns the building for the Rivertown Theater and could be liable for a $20,000 mural. Mayor Glazer stated he would veto the ordinance if it passed 4-3.
- The ordinance as amended passed 4-3 (same three opposed).
- New Orleans Aviation Board Nominations (Item 13D):
- Councilmember Stagney offered amendments to nominate three individuals: Kevin Centani, Mike Quigley, and Barry Ranchy, replacing the previous slate submitted by the mayor.
- Votes on individual amendments: Centani (5-2, Dunn and McKinney abstaining), Quigley (5-2, same abstentions), Ranchy (4-3, Branigan, Dunn, McKinney opposed).
- Councilmember McKinney questioned Barry Ranchy’s prior resignation as a magistrate judge; Mayor Glazer confirmed Ranchy served briefly but resigned for unknown reasons.
- Councilmember Dunn argued the previous council had already approved a slate with no opposition, and that the process should not be revisited.
- Councilmember Branigan moved for indefinite deferral to seek an attorney general’s opinion on the appointment process. The deferral motion failed (4-3, with Stagney, Wilmot, Lahat, and Ream opposed).
- The resolution recommending the three nominees passed 4-3 (Branigan, Dunn, McKinney opposed).
- CAO Jose Gonzalez Retirement Moratorium (Item 13E):
- A humorous resolution was presented banning Gonzalez from retiring, with provisions for confiscation of Hawaiian shirts and mandatory overtime. Councilmembers and others praised his decades of service, infrastructure achievements, and grant procurement. Gonzalez responded with a speech thanking staff and the council. The resolution passed 7-0.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda approved unanimously 7-0.
- Mural Ordinance (as amended) passed 4-3, but Mayor Glazer announced he would veto the ordinance, meaning it will return to the council for a potential override vote.
- Aviation Board Resolution passed 4-3, recommending Kevin Centani, Mike Quigley, and Barry Ranchy to the New Orleans Aviation Board.
- CAO Retirement Moratorium passed 7-0, symbolically preventing Jose Gonzalez’s retirement (though informal).
- Contracts and Ordinances (Items 15A-D) all approved 7-0.
- First Reading Ordinances (Items 16A-C) were read and will return for final passage.
- Recycling Update: Bob Romelli reported changes are proceeding with few complaints; a Keep Louisiana Beautiful grant was signed to increase recycling participation, and glass recycling is being explored.
- Flock Cameras: Chief Conley confirmed no abuse has been found, and community safeguards are in place.
Meeting Transcript
Check one too. Check two one. What the heck? Podium. We saw in the council meeting in about three minutes. So we can get the council meeting stalled for August twenty first. Yes, sir. We could start with a prayer and a pledge. Okay. I'd like to ask um are there any special intentions today. Okay, I'd like to ask Pastor Dean Ross from Family Church and University of the City of our leaders. Lord, as Jeremiah 29 7 says that we should seek the well-being of our city. Lord, we seek the well-being of our city today. So we pray that you would guide us, and it's in your name we give you glory. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Pastor. I would ask that uh Jose Gonzalez lead us in the pledge, please. And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God. Individual with liberty and justice for all. I would like that. Council Clerk? Yes, sir. You have a quorum this morning. 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. Next we have correspondence reports from the mayor, CAO, or department heads. Mayor Glazer. Thank you all. I'm gonna be brief today because I'm not gonna say anything. I'm gonna have Terrence Morris uh come up and give an update. I think a few meetings ago that was questions about the cancer screening and the process, and he'll give you the updates on there's a process in place. If the members follow it, it works seamlessly. So right, Terrence? That's correct. Um yeah, just to give you uh update on uh what's occurred since the last meeting in terms of uh our cancer screening numbers of the 64 eligible retired members. We still tested in schedule 33 of them. We have seven waiting for appointment availabilities. One is undecided, seven has refused the testing, and we have no response from 14 and no contact established with four members of that total sixty-four of the active members, four to six of which would be eligible over age 40 and over. Uh we scheduled a tested 24 of them. We have 15 waiting for appointments. Two have refused the testing. We have no response from four members, and the one member that was tested previously, which was myself. So the testing is still ongoing, uh active. Like I say, the the major issue with it is um getting schedules availability from auctioning. So any questions. Councilman Mahat. Yeah, thank you, Chief Morris. Oh, the the firemen that have refused the testing. Are you all documenting this inside of the department?
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