Kenner City Council Meeting | October 16, 2026

The Kenner City Council convened its regular meeting on October 16, 2026, at 3:30 PM. Following initial sound checks and a call to order, Mayor Michael J. Glazer presented a proclamation honoring the 20th anniversary of Ochsner Medical Center Kenner. The council addressed a consent agenda, several resolutions, and multiple ordinances, with a significant debate occurring over a proposed parking management agreement for the Pontchartrain Convention and Civic Center.

Proclamations and Mayor's Report

• Proclamation: Mayor Glazer proclaimed October 16, 2026, as a day to honor Ochsner Medical Center Kenner for 20 years of providing state-of-the-art health resources to the city and surrounding communities.
• Mayor's Report: The Mayor announced the city's Trunk or Treat event on October 17th at Musbertolino Stadium and the annual Food Truck Festival in Lake Town on October 25th. Councilmember Stagney noted that Jose Gonzalez, whose retirement was previously announced, will continue to work part-time as the executive coordinator for capital projects.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1: Approval of the minutes from the regular council meeting of October 1, 2026.
• Item 2: Approval of alcoholic beverage permit applications (none submitted).
• Item 3: Approval of bingo and public gathering applications for:
  • Williams Boulevard Baptist Church Fall Fest (Oct 25, 3000 Williams Boulevard).
  • Our Lady of Perpetual Help St. Rosalie Procession (Oct 18).
  • Audrey Reno's Halloween block party (Oct 31, 51 Monterey Avenue). Motion carried 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Greg Tift (5th District): Expressed gratitude to council members who voted to defer Items 8A and 15I, stating the deferrals reflected a focus on what is best for Kenner. He expressed confusion over the Attorney General's opinion on the 1985 airport expansion agreement, arguing that the legislative body (the council) determines who sits on the aviation board, not the mayor.
• Richard Brown (824 Sessions Lane): Supported the deferral of Item 15I, arguing the agenda item contained a 49-page proposal, not a contract, and the city charter requires the council to approve contracts. On the Aviation Board matter, he defended the council's actions, clarifying that the council adopted a resolution at the August 21st meeting to submit three nominees to the Mayor of New Orleans, who makes the final appointment. He argued the charter provision giving the mayor appointment powers applies to Kenner boards, not New Orleans boards.
• Glenda McGee (District 1): Raised a complaint regarding no parking signs in front of her home. She stated she received warning violations and that the signs and their posts were removed by the city. Catherine Toppel, Director of Inspection and Code Enforcement, explained the signs were illegally installed by homeowners in the city right-of-way, prompting their removal. Mayor Glazer agreed to follow up on the issue.

Discussion Items

Item 8A: Firefighter Automatic Salary Increases (Ordinance 14,263)

• Councilmember Lahat moved a one-meeting deferral for this ordinance, which would establish mandatory automatic annual 2% salary increases for Kenner firefighters with no maximum service limit. He stated he met with the legal team for three hours on Tuesday and they requested more time to review the legislation. Councilmember Stagney supported the professionalism of the request for further review. The motion to defer carried 7-0.

Item 13D: Resolution Honoring Firefighter Awareness Month

• Councilmember Stagney introduced a resolution honoring the men and women of the Kenner Fire Department during Firefighter Awareness Month. Councilmembers Lahat, Reim, McKenna, and Dunn expressed strong support for the department, citing its Class 1 insurance rating, quick and professional responses to fires and medical emergencies, and service to the airport, interstate, and river. Councilmember Dunn shared a personal story contrasting the local response time with a 20-minute response in another state where a family member lost everything. The motion carried 7-0.

Item 15I: Parking Services Agreement with Premium Parking Service LLC

• This item, which proposed an agreement for parking setup and management at the Pontchartrain Convention and Civic Center, generated extensive debate. Councilmember Lahat requested a one-meeting deferral, citing correspondence and concerns from the Jefferson Parish Councilwoman regarding the amphitheater, the lack of an attached contract, and the proposed five-year term.
• Deputy CEO Newton clarified the parking lot is a city asset and no amphitheater operator is under contract yet. She argued the tight timeline required passage to be ready for the first G League Squadron game on November 14th, noting the parking lot requires restriping, signage, and technology upgrades.
• Councilmember Stagney supported the deferral, stating it was better to have 14 more eyes on a full contract. Councilmember Brannigan opposed the deferral, worried it would delay preparations for the basketball team, and suggested a one-year deal instead.
• James Royal (Premium Parking) confirmed the company was flexible on the term, their agreements include a 60-day mutual cancellation clause, and the timeline was already very tight. He stated a one-meeting deferral would push work past the first game.
• Mayor Glazer advised that passage that day would make the ordinance effective November 1st; deferral would make it effective November 23rd.
• The motion to defer carried 4-3. Councilmembers Stagney, Lahat, Reim, and Wilmot voted in favor of the deferral. Councilmembers Brannigan, Dunn, and McKenney opposed.

Item 17: Council Reports and Committee Updates

• Mall Update: The police department reported that following a consent judgment on September 17th, contractors are clearing overgrowth and debris at the former Esplanade Mall. Security has improved with no recent arrests, though solar lighting issues remain, particularly on the east side. A hearing is scheduled for November 13th. Councilmember McKenney requested weekly update reports from the police department.
• District Updates: Councilmember Reim reported on the successful Mercy Seafood Fest and ongoing street repairs on West Loyola. Councilmember McKenney noted the gym floor dedication at Musbertolino Stadium.
• Budget Inquiry: Councilmember Wilmot requested a presentation on the city's bond rating standing and reserve funds for the next meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Deferred (1 Meeting):
  • Item 8A (Firefighter Salary Ordinance) — Deferred 7-0.
  • Item 15I (Premium Parking Agreement) — Deferred 4-3.
  • Item 13B (Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Resolution to commend Thomas and John May Brett) — Deferred 7-0.
• Approved (7-0 unless noted):
  • Consent Agenda.
  • Item 13A (Abatement of structures at 114 Holy Cross Place).
  • Item 13C (Request for KTV to air "pass it on" public service announcements from the Foundation for a Better Life).
  • Item 13D (Resolution honoring the fire department).
  • Items 15A through 15H and 15J (Mayor's contract acceptances covering pump repairs, fire department emergency lighting, legal services, portable toilets, engineering services, electrical conduit, fire station planning, and Pontchartrain Center labor and housekeeping services).
• First Reading (Laid Over for 28 days as per charter):
  • Item 16A through 16H (covering lot sales, subdivisions, radio purchases, vehicle accessories, art donations, sewer project change orders, and concession services).
• Next Steps: Multiple council members expressed a willingness to hold a special meeting to address the Premium Parking agreement before the next regular council meeting to meet the Squadron game timeline.