All right.

So Madam Clerk, we can get started when you're ready.

Yes.

Roll call.

Council President Morel.

Here.

Vice President Willard.

Councilmember McCarron.

Here.

Councilmember Harris.

Councilmember King.

Councilmember Green.

Councilmember Hugh.

Here.

We have six members.

We have a quorum.

Thank you.

First up, we have Special Order.

Special orders.

Thank you.

Special orders of business.

First order of business presentation, Mardi Gras Queen.

Recognizing recognization of Zulu Associate and Pleasure Club in this 2026 Mardi Gras Court.

Mystic Crew of Fimfatel and the 2026 Mardi Gras Queen for their community involvement in their reign as Crown Jews.

Yes, so to the table just to refresh, it's Oscar Rainey, Clarence Becknell, Ron Tasson, Kimberly Early, and Dr.

Davis.

We have the 2026 Mardi Gras Kings, Orleans Parish, Mr.

Crew of Fem Fatel, Queen 2026, Lisa Ballard Jackson, Mr.

Crew of Female Fimfatel, Grand Marshall 2026 Taj, Queen Taj Williams, Queen Allah 94, Dimberley, Debbie Carr Lithum, Queen Carolton, 11, Faith Elizabeth Hemings, Princess Kakator, Tony Susan, Queen Cleopatra 53, Stephanie Burroughs, Queen Endemi and 60, Lily Joyce Brunew, Queen Ferrette 14, Shannon E.

Thomas, Queen Iris, 2026, Kimberly Rochelle Williams, Queen Geneveer, 49, Victoria Lexis, Jordan, King Arthur, Legion of Mars Queen 13, Victoria Rose Telmo, Queen May City, 92, Amy Fritzert Carter, Queen Morpheus 23, Michelle Sanders, Queen Nefertiti 6, Lashonda Radian One Tanner, Queen Nam Tok 55, Hollister Michaela Davis, Queen Oshan 27, Stephanie Osborne, Queen Pontra Train 52, Elizabeth Homer Murnault, Queen Papen.

Queen Sparta 2026, Julie, Jolie, Grace Hopkins, Queen Tote 78, Savannah Catherine Virgin, Queen Chuck 58, Virginia, Jenny Hamilton, Casey, Queen Zulu 2026, Sherelle, Monique Chapman.

Thank you.

So we're ready to do the presentations for those to the table, and then we'll call the Queens by one by one.

And you can come to the podium to give some very brief remarks.

So take it away.

I'll start off.

My name is Darren Meyer, Director of Public Relations for the Zulu Associated and Pleasure Club Incorporated.

Clarence Becknell hasn't been here in four years.

We're gonna get those record correct.

Get that correct.

Get that correct.

Uh just to start off, as you know we're the Zulu Associated and Pleasure Club Incorporated 365 days a year.

And doing from January 6th to Mardi Gras Day with the crew of Zulu.

So we've been spending our whole year preparing for our Zulu parade.

Uh since 1909, we've been a fixture in this community.

And once again, we thank you for letting us come before the city council to present you with our gifts uh for you for to start off the Mardi Gras Day for the Carnival season and Mardi Gras Day.

Um I'm going to turn over the um podium, the microphone to our president Oscar J.

Rainey for a few remarks.

Brother Mara, thank you.

And first, before we get into the Mardi Gras festivities and the accolades, let me take an opportunity to congratulate each and every one of you on your election.

Uh Councilmember Huges, uh Councilmember Willard, and Councilwoman McCarron, congratulations on your newly election and those of you that have been re-elected.

Congratulations.

It's been a pleasure over the years to work with you.

Thank you for what you've done.

And as we move forward, as Brother Meyer mentioned, Zulu operates 365 days a year here in the city of New Orleans.

And as we operate 365 days of the year, uh this organization of some 800 plus members, we couldn't do what we do without the support of the city council.

So although we are located at 732 North Broad, we extend our footprint over the city of New Orleans, rather it's on the West Bank with a softball game against the Nam Tac crew, rather it's out at City Park.

Uh we do a lot throughout this community.

We were founded based upon being a benevolence organization and contributing to those in needs rather tar us for Todd's Thanksgiving.

But as you all know, our anchor is what we call carnival season, and as we preparing, we're in the midst in the heart of Carnival, and here we are coming before you want to thank you also so that you can recognize who our 2026 characters are.

So as the president of the Zulu Association Pleasure Club, I want to take a moment to personally thank each and every one of you for what you have done and the newly elected council members that don't know.

Our doors are open.

Please come by and visit us.

You have an open invitation for me.

Thank you.

Council members, just to let you know before our we don't have a captain of our crew.

We have a chairman of Carnival Activities.

He handles everything for the carnival season.

February 1st, our queen arrives.

Our queen will not be here today.

Good morning, counsel.

Thanks again for the opportunity for us to introduce our royalty in our character class of 2026.

First, I would like to introduce our King Zulu elect, Dr.

Ron Tassin.

Good morning.

As I say thank you, and I say thank you to the head of my honor, um, my Lord Jesus Christ.

Um it is an honorable member of the New Orleans City Council.

Us.

On behalf of the Zulu Associated and Pleasure Club, thank you.

Thank you, thank you for our leadership and your support of tradition that makes New Orleans unlike any piece on earth.

As we approach Mardi Gras Day, we are reminded that this celebration is more than a parade.

It's a culture, it's a history, it's a community.

Over a century has proudly reflected the resilience, creativity, the joy of this city.

Your support helps ensure that Mardi Gras remains a powerful economic engine, a global culture symbol, and most importantly, a moment of unity for our residents.

As I stand here as the 110th king of Zulu, we make history again.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with us with New Orleans culture and with the spirit of Mardi Gras.

Happy Carnival, and may God bless this great city, Hail Zulu.

Thank you.

Now, as I introduce our 2026 character class, as I introduce them, they will stand and remain standing until the introductions have been concluded.

And as usual, Zulu come bearing great gifts.

The Zulu Coconut.

First, we have our big shot, Troy Jackson.

Lewis Doctor 2026, James Rayford.

Ambassador 2026, Desmond Davis.

Our mayor of 2026, Jermaine Labain.

Private Prince of 2026, Carnell Jupiter.

Governor 2026, Dennis Lenahan.

And finally, Mr.

Big Stuff himself, Leo Washington.

As I say, they have gifts that they would like to give to each council member.

Okay.

That's cross the street.

Okay.

I don't know how long it's should we go.

Is that right, bro?

That's what he should do.

All right.

Thank you, Council members.

Uh, that's our presentation for Zulu.

I know the characters wanted to take a picture, but um, I we know what we also know you have some other business, so we'll figure that all out after that.

Okay.

That sounds great.

So Femme Fatale.

Yeah.

Good morning, City Council.

And Dr.

Gwendolyn V Rain, the founder and visionary of the Mystic Crew of Femme Fatel.

We were established in twenty thirteen, and this year we're thirteen years old.

We can't compete with Zulu, but they're a hundred and nine years, but we're here.

There's a little bit of sibling rivalry going on.

Yeah, we have sibling rivalry.

People in the audience do not know Oscar Rainey is my brother.

Uh we are the children of the late George V.

Rainey.

So we grew up in Mardi Gros.

We know what that is.

And so it's a blessing to be here with him.

I want to say congratulations to the city council, to the newly elected uh city council members.

I just want to share a story of how we got here.

So it was the late Barbara Lace and Keller who came up with this idea that Zulu comes before uh the city council, so why can't we gather all the queens from all the Marti Gorka crews to come before City Council?

And if you knew Miss Barbara, who was going to tell her no?

So I said, okay.

I said, okay, Miss Barbara, we're gonna do it.

And so we're here today.

So we had our blessing of the street, which we named uh the Barbara Lace and Keller blessing of the street because she also uh birthed that vision of the Mystic Crew of Femfertel.

So, on behalf of the Mystic Crew of Fimfatel and to all the queens that are present, we say congratulations, and you have a great reign.

And I'm gonna turn it over to our president Kimberly Early.

Good morning, City Council.

I am Kimberly Early.

I am a founding member of the Mystic Crew of Fimfatel, and I am serving as the president.

Um today we stand 2026 ladies of the Mystic Crew of Fimfatel.

So we have gradually grown um to be a gem of the Mardi Gras season.

Um we parade the first Sunday of Mardi Gras, which is February to the 8th, and we look forward to seeing all your faces in the in the box when we come through.

Um the theme of our parade this year is Fems Just Wanna Have Fun.

So you know we know how to have fun.

You see all the ladies here in their red and black, and um we have been having fun all season.

Um, one of the things like our founder Gwen spoke about is we just recently had our blessing of the street service um on this past Saturday at the Beacon Light Um International Cathedral, and we definitely packed the house.

It was very um very um beautiful to see all of the ladies come out and we actually bless the streets that we parade down to make sure we have a safe Mardi Gras, um Mardi Gras with no rain and a lot of sun and a lot of um members out of the community to come out and see us.

So we thank you for having us here this um Tuesday morning, and we look forward to seeing you on February the 8th.

I just want to say one thing that uh Kimberly forgot to say we've been coined the name the Rich Aunt T.

Rich.

We have been coined the rich aunties, yes.

Good morning, City Council.

Um, excuse me for my voice a little bit raspy.

Um, my name is Dr.

Takisha Charles Davis, and I have the pleasure of serving as the parade captain for the Mystic Crew of Fimfatel, uh, and I'm a proud founding member.

Uh, as our founder and visionary and president stated, uh we have become a gem uh of the Mardi Gras season.

Uh and as uh the first um Mardi Gras crew led by African American women in the city of New Orleans, uh we are proud to have uh an inclusive presentation to you today uh that was started uh by the late Barbara Layson Keller, where we bring um and invite all of our Mardi Gras queens uh to come before you to celebrate.

Uh and while uh we will uh acknowledge uh all of those queens, we want to today uh to first acknowledge our reigning queen, uh Queen 2025 of the Mystic Crew of Fimfatel, uh Yolanda Singleton.

We'll ask her to stand uh and be recognized.

Uh next, uh our uh royalty for the 2026 season, Queen 2026 select, Captain Lisa Balor Jackson, and our Grand Marshal 2026 Taj, Queen Taj Williams.

Well, as uh Captain Lisa Ballard Jackson and Queen Taj to please come to the podium.

Uh, as uh I described to you, they both have um uh designed uh their very own unique uh throws, and as we have been coined the rich aunties.

Uh we have some very unique throws and gifts that we will provide uh to you today.

Uh, but they have uh design those unique throws as well as for our parade.

Uh we also like to pride ourselves on being more than a Mardi Gras crew.

So we have the second year of a partnership with United Way of Southeast Louisiana and the Department of Louisiana's Learning and Literacy Center, where we will be uh actually not just throwing beads uh in trinkets, but books uh to our young people along the street.

So we will be giving out over 3,000 books off our floats for our future films uh in nice uh backpacks, and so we hope uh that you all will be there on February 8th with some young people uh to be able to receive that gift of literacy as well.

Uh at this time I'll turn it over uh to Queen Select uh and our Grand Marshal.

Good morning.

I am Captain Lisa Ballard Jackson.

I am so excited to be a part of this organization.

It's a wonderful organization.

I am a police officer in St.

Panard Parish.

I've been there for 33 years, and I'm excited about my job, but I am excited to represent 2026 ladies.

We are more than a Mardi Gras Club.

And we're gonna show up when we're called on.

Thank you guys.

Good morning.

My name is Taj Williams.

You all may know me as Queen Taj.

Usually around this time, I'm working on a Mardi Gras Indian suit, which I still am.

They don't get off that quick.

But I also have had the pleasure to serve as the Grand Marshal for the Mystic Crew of Fimfatel, and I've also had the pleasure of designing a bead this year.

So you will get a chance to see that bead up close and personal.

And as I stand here and I look at this podium that is honored in the memory of Big Chief Thule, Montana, you will see a lot of feathers on that bead, which represents being a Mardi Gras Indian and New Orleans culture and New Orleans pride and also all of the colors of the crews of the Mystic Crew of Fimfatel, and then a second bead, which is designed with my logo that actually looks beaded like the beads I will use on my Indian suit.

So happy to be here and happy to serve as the Grand Marshal for the Mystic Crew of Fimfatel.

Again, we thank the council for allowing us to come forward and celebrate all of our Mardi Gras Queens.

As we wind up, I will just ask those Queens to stand who are here with us from the crew of Morpheus, the crew of Allah, the crew of Ferrett, the crew of King Arthur, the crew of Oshan, and we do have a Queen from Jefferson Parish joining us as well from the crew of music.

And so we congratulate them and wish them a successful rain.

Thank you.

I actually have a staff we're going out there to distribute the proclamations to those queens that we had pre-prepared for you.

We appreciate all of you being here today.

So why don't we start with District A with Ms.

McCarron?

Well, thank you all for being here.

This is the most exciting, I think, council meeting that we all look forward to every year.

So I'm honored to be here for the first year as a council member and welcome you all here.

And Darren Meyer, another fellow young leadership council president.

So here we are again, another YLC rep.

Look, as I remember going to Zulu as a kid every single year.

Um you guys are not just a parade.

You are a crew.

This is our culture, this is our community, and you do stuff for our community all throughout the year.

And we really, really appreciate that.

And it's it's an honor um to be here today with you all.

And I everybody looks so beautiful, the queens in the back and the gentlemen here.

So I'm really looking forward to this Mardi Gras season and seeing you all um at Gallier Hall on Mardi Gras Day and on the eighth of you guys.

Thank you.

Council Burrers.

Well, happy carnival.

Happy carnival.

I'm just I'll start with the ladies.

I just want to say how beautiful you all are.

I get really excited to see you every single year.

But I also want to thank you for all of your support that you've shown over the past year uh with Barbara Lace and Keller Park, uh getting it established and then cleaning up on the day of service and building additional things to go into the park.

It really is just a good memorial for a great lady, a community memorial for a great lady who started the crew, helped found her crew.

Um I can't wait to see you all parade.

Um, and your trademarks are done, so there's that.

Yay.

For the gentlemen, um, you know, look, District B is really the heart of Carnival, I would say.

Y'all come through it.

It's one of my favorite parades before I was on City Council and got to go to Gallier Hall.

I would make breakfast at four o'clock in the morning for people in my community.

They'd stop by, then we go watch it at Jackson and Brainard, and then we catch it at the end.

So you all do so much good work in the community, and every year I just say how honored we are to have you here.

Um, how honored we are to have the characters and the leadership here.

So thank you for everything you do for the city of New Orleans and Queens.

Thank you.

Good morning, ladies of Fimfatel, the Mystic Crew of Fimfatel, and I'll remind everyone uh that your parade is one of the hottest tickets uh that you can request.

And I I think I've I've um I've already promised all of my tickets and then some for for your box for the box on your day because that's how that's how much people enjoy going to your parade.

So keep up the good work, keep up the great community service that you all do throughout the year.

I want to acknowledge uh our clerk, our uh second city clerk, Madam Uh Lisa Diggs, uh Miss Grubb, our Allegher's president's council, president, um to the Queens, to the Queens of the different Mardi Gras crews.

Uh, congratulations on your on your reign this year.

I want to give a special shout out to Dr.

Uh Shandra Williams of Inclusive Care, the Queen of the Crew of Music over in Jefferson Paris.

So enjoy your reign and to the men of Zulu.

Um, always, like you say, you Zulu 365, always in the community doing things throughout the year.

I really really appreciate it.

I think the community appreciated that the uh the unity you all, along with the jugs displayed, having uh your your initiative in Darker Roosevelt softball game.

It showed uh that different crews, different sides of the river, but we all are one community, and we had a great time.

I look forward to that that game again later on this year.

So enjoy your reign and enjoy your day, and I see you on Mardi Gras Day.

Consumer Warler.

Good morning, everybody.

Good morning.

Happy Carnival.

Excited to have y'all here.

Uh just want to thank you for everything that you know the Mystic Crew of Femme Fitel and Zulu does, not only during carnival season, but year round.

Both of your organizations are uh what I would describe as a true partnership for the city of New Orleans.

Uh showing up to volunteer, showing up for our community, showing up for our neighbors year round.

Uh and that should not be overlooked.

Uh we know during Carnival, which is probably my favorite time in the city of New Orleans.

Uh, tons of people in the New Orleans, they come.

They come to celebrate Mardi Gras season with everything that you all do.

So you contribute to our economy, you contribute to the overall well-being of the city of New Orleans, specifically during Carnival, but you help take care of the people in the city of New Orleans year-round.

Uh, and for me, that is very special.

Uh, Zulu is a huge event for my family.

Uh, we set up every year on Jackson Avenue.

I'm not sure what I'm gonna do this year.

Maybe, you know, I guess I'll do that and then and then try to head to to Gallia Hall, but it's uh a special time when the Mystic Crew of Femme Fatel and Zulu uh hit the streets to parade.

Uh so I want to thank you for for everything that you do.

Certainly wish you for a very successful uh and happy carnival season.

And uh I would be remiss if I didn't give a shout out to one of the rich aunties, one of my aunts, uh Diane Willard in the crowd with the Mystic Crew of Fimfatel.

Thank you for being here, Aunt Diane.

Um and thank y'all so much.

Happy Carnival season.

Council Burgreen.

Good morning.

Thank you, Councilmember Willis Willard.

You gave me an opportunity to speak for four minutes.

Right.

Look, good morning.

Don't worry, I can turn this mic off.

Good morning and happy carnival to everyone, to everyone who's assembled in the room who will participate in Carnival and makes it great.

I just want to say thank you.

Certainly to the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club and the Mystic Crew of Fimfatel, because you're here at the table.

I just want to say I'm honored and pleased when I have an opportunity to attend your events, but also to see what's going on in the community that you're doing.

Whether it be the Red Um at the various events, for example, the food distribution and the like, whether it be the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club at its toy giveaways and its other activities, supporting purple persons after tragedies have taken place in our city.

I just want to say to you all and to everyone who is here, thank you for the work that you do.

This is a special day for me too.

Um certainly I'm old enough to remember those days when the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club parade was where are they gonna be, we'll go find them, or something like that.

Because we would be stopping at bars and the like.

But my father looked forward every morning to Mardi Gras, and I remember people would call around to say, where are they now?

They were at somebody else's place, where are they now?

But we always made it because it was important to him, and it was important to the family that this group of African American men had an opportunity to participate in something that had been segregated from us for so long.

So I don't want to dwell on that so much because I want to move forward.

As I look today at you all and I celebrate with you, I'm just so proud of what you do, and I'm proud to be a New Orleanian for a variety of reasons.

One of the reasons is the work that you do, not just the social part, but the not just the pleasure part, but the social aid part makes a real big difference, whether it be the junior Zulus or the young people that you support by going to their schools.

I just want to say two important words as we celebrate this carnival season in behalf of myself, my family, and everybody that I know.

Thank you for what you do.

Looking forward to seeing you during the season.

Good morning, everyone.

It's so great to see so many of our crews represented to all of the Queens, to all of the uh Grand Marshals, captains that are assembled.

Uh, in her absence, I do want to just acknowledge uh my dear friend and sister Gian Duran, uh the captain of Ocean, who continues to uh honor the life and legacy of the legendary Dorothy May Taylor, uh, ensuring that our Mardi Gras uh is inclusive of everyone and that it truly looks like the city of New Orleans.

Uh to Zulu, uh, the brothers of Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club.

You know, to many people around this world and this country, um, you know, when they think of Zulu, they think of Mardi Gras Day.

To those of us who actually live in this city, we know what you do off the float.

Uh, I represent a community, an extraordinary community of New Orleans East and the Lower Ninth Ward, who often feels forgotten.

Uh Zulu, you have always made my residents and my community feel included.

Uh, and I really appreciate you for that.

And to the extraordinary ladies of Femme Patel, my dear friend uh Gwen Rainey, uh, thank you for your vision.

Uh, Dr.

Davis, who uh has uh New Orleans East Hospital, uh, an extraordinary asset and vessel, the crown jewel uh of my district.

Um, but I was really excited, Femme Fatel, to read a few weeks ago that you all were gonna be intentionally focusing on literacy.

When I got to the House of Representatives six years ago, uh two-thirds of our third graders could not read.

Many of them looked like me.

Uh, and that became my signature issue.

That great prolific and from immortal philosopher Dr.

Seuss said the more you read, the more you the more you'll grow, the more you learn, the more places you will go.

So thank you for being intentional uh for investing in our young people and focusing on literacy.

God bless you all, and happy Mardi Gras.

Thank you.

And to close this out, I'll give a few comments.

First, I know you spoke briefly on it, Gwen, but I think it is a tremendous moment to see the two children of George Rainey at that table here today.

Um, for those of you who know Mardi Gras, you know George Rainey.

Um I remember when I met your dad at his restaurant.

I will say, and I'm sure my dad's watching, the food was an acquired taste, but the friendship, the warmth, and just the tradition and leadership of your father was second to none.

I mean, you go in that restaurant and you would leave having learned more than you ever thought you needed to know.

Umfital, what can I say?

As Freddie said, it is the highest ticket in town.

Literally, when we get our request for tickets, it is at the top of the list.

And I wish we had bigger stands, more stands, but we do what we can for all the the ladies across the city that want to see you guys show up and show out.

Zulu, as everyone said, you really set the bar on being 24-7, 365 days a year giving back to this community.

Um you look at parading organizations, there are very few that meet that standard.

And for many people who are not from New Orleans, they see the parade as the event, they don't see the 364 days as the lead up.

And to that note, I want to highlight our queens.

People really do not see how much time, effort, and money goes into being a royalty in a parade.

Yes.

I want to be very, very clear.

So let's get a round of applause because someone I want to call out the Queen of Allah.

I got to serve as the Grand Marshal of Allah last year.

I wasn't royalty, and it was still a very um involved experience.

So uh when you're celebrating those queens and kings, I know sometimes you get you get roped up in the envy of how awesome it is, but also remember for the Queens in particular, there's a reason why there's a harness behind them holding up that massive flaring cape that's probably 40 or 50 pounds, which they have to wear without assistance on numerous occasions.

The amount of physical and economic sacrifice you guys go through is not unseen.

And I know Nefertiti has brought that back to New Orleans East.

Thank you, Queens.

Thank you, Barbara Lace and Carol Keller looking down at us right now, saying, y'all better keep doing this.

And have a great rest of your day.

Excuse me, we're supposed to do photos first, so all of y'all don't well dressed people don't leave yet.

So can we have everybody facing me, please?

So what we're gonna have what we're gonna do is, excuse me, what we're gonna do is we're gonna have Fanfatao on the left, Zulu on the right, council members in the middle.

Y'all gotta face me.

Y'all gotta face me.

Face me.

Yeah, y'all facing me.

We're gonna all get back here and face that wheel.

Yeah.

That way we can fit more people.

So line up until it's them in the middle.

All right, everybody piling with haste, please.

Thank you.

Yeah, and then y'all are kind of just in the middle.

Madame Clark, when you're ready, we're gonna go to the regular agenda.

At the top of page thirty.

At the top of page thirty, item forty-six.

We have motion M twenty six fifty by Council Member Morrell.

Submitting the parade positions at start time for the twenty twenty-six carnival parade season.

I thought it'd be appropriate to knock this one out while we slot some crews in here.

There is no throwing past Choppatoolis.

The parade is over.

The city will not clean up after you pass Chopper tools.

That is very important.

Do not throw past Chopper tools or else you're getting out your float and clean it up yourself.

Just some safeguard Marty Gras reminders.

No confetti, no paper confetti, no mylar, Matella confetti, no confetti guns.

This is a public safety issue.

It has led to power outages.

It will be strictly enforced this year with penalties.

Things you can't bring to the route.

No tents, no generators, no open flames, upholster furniture, ladders must be six feet back from the curb, and no enclosing the public space.

So for those people who like setting up their own private Shengra laws with ropes, that is not allowed.

It will be taken down, and you cannot party and claim your land.

So that some quick PSAs with those float route changes.

Council member, can I uh just one thing?

Absolutely.

By ordinance, you cannot have pets on the parade route unless we are service animals.

So that is a reminder.

Dogs get very spooks when you bring them to parades, and we've seen incidents where dogs get spooked and they might bite someone.

So do not bring your dog to the parade route.

Thank you for that.

You just spared someone a massive lawsuit.

All right.

I will move.

Can I get a second?

Second by Councilmember Hughes.

By Council Mr.

King.

All in favor?

All right.

Seven yes, no nays.

It is adopted.

Consent agenda, I believe now, Madam Clerk.

Yes.

We have a communication from Aaron Spears.

This may be received.

We have a communication from Joseph I.I.I.

This may be received.

We have a communication from Christina Carroll.

This may be received.

We have a communication from and referred to budget.

We have a communication from Christina Carroll.

This may be received and referred to budget.

We have a communication of Yvonne Lewis, which was being withdrawn by the applicant's request.

We have a communication from Amika Riley.

This may be received.

We have a communication from Shantae Powell.

This may be received.

We have a communication of Laura Tuggle.

This may be received.

We have a communication of Elizabeth Russo.

This may be received.

We have a communication from Aaron Hansen.

This may be received.

We have a report of Tracy D.

Madison.

This may be received.

We have a reporter, Casey Gidry.

This may be received.

We have a reporter, Cassandra B.

Robert.

This may be received.

We have a report of Angel Larek.

This may be received.

We have a report of Anita Curren.

This may be received.

We have a report of a Caitlin Tamarick.

This may be received.

We have a reporter, Jennifer Vegno.

This may be received.

We have a reporter, Melissa Pertello.

This may be received.

We have a reporter to Mia Johnson.

This may be received.

We have a reporter, Randy Heyman.

This may be received.

We have a report of Angel Larek.

This may be received.

We have motion M2633 by Councilmembers Morrell McMurrell McCarran.

Green and Hughes by request.

Governmental Affairs recommended approval.

We have a motion M2634 by Councilmembers Morel McCarran.

Harris and Green by request.

Governmental Affairs recommended approval.

We have motion M2635 by Councilmember McCarron by request.

Governmental Affairs recommended approval.

We have motion M2636 by Councilmember King by request.

This governmental affairs recommended approval.

We have motion M2637 by Councilmember Morel by request.

Governmental Affairs Recommended Approval.

We have motion M2642 by Councilmembers Harris, Willard Morrell, McCarran, and King.

Budget Audit Border Review Committee recommended approval.

We have motion M2643 by Council Members Harris, Willard Morrell, McCarran, and King.

Budget audit border review committee recommended approval.

We are motion M2645 by Council Members Harris, Willard, Morrell, McCarran, and King.

Budget audit border review recommended approval.

We have motion M2646 by Council Members Harris Willard Morel, McCarron, and King.

Budget Audit Border Review recommended approval.

We have motion M2647 by Councilmembers Harris, Willard Morel, McCarran and King.

Budget Audit Border Review Committee recommended approval.

We have motion M2648 by Councilmember Council Members Harris Willard Morel McCarran and King.

Budget audit border review recommended approval.

We have motion M2649 by Council Members Harris Willet Morel McCarran and King.

Budget audit board of review recommended approval.

We have motion M2659 by Councilmember Harris by request.

Governmental Affairs Committee recommended approval questionnaires received.

We have motion M2660 by Councilmember Green by request.

Governmental Affairs Committee recommended approval.

Questionnaires received.

This is all matters on consent.

Thank you, madam clerk.

Do we have any public comments?

No.

Okay.

Uh move to move to uh adopt the consent agenda.

All second who is the seconder.

Councilmember McCarron seconds all in favor, vote yay.

Five years, zero nays.

And the consent agenda was adopted.

Madam Clerk.

We can make a vote to go to executive session.

Okay.

Uh I make a motion to move into executive session.

Uh, Councilmember King has made that motion seconded by Councilmember Hughes.

All in favor.

Four years, zero nays.

We need one more open we need one more.

Five years.

We have five years, zero nays, and we'll move into executive session.

Ladies and gentlemen, I think we've got a quorum we come back.

I will move that we exit executive session.

Can I get a second?

Second by Councilmember Freddie King.

All in favor.

Aye.

That is five yes, no nays.

We are out of executive session.

Regular agenda.

We're on page fifteen.

Regular agenda.

Item one, we have a legislative grouping, which has been deferred to the meeting of two twelve along with resolution line over or twenty-six nine and or twenty-six ten.

At the top of page sixteen item four, we have a legislative grouping has been deferred to the meeting of two twelve along with resolution line over 2611 and resolution twenty-six twelve.

At the top of page 17, item seven, we have a hearing which has been deferred to the meeting of two twelve.

Item eight, hearing twenty twenty-six through twenty thirty.

Capital improvement has been deferred to the meeting of two twelve.

Item nine, demolition application has been deferred to the meeting of two twelve.

At the top of page eighteen, item ten, legislative grouping, ADLC American Vargas has been withdrawn at the applicant's request along with motion M2657.

At the bottom of the page, we have legislative grouping HDLC of Susan Johnson, principal town of Carrollton Watch, LLC.

Requesting to appeal the historic district landworth commission decision to approve a roof demolition of over fifty per 50%, specifically 55.9% for the property located at 7801 through 7803 Zimple Street.

We are motion M261 by Councilmember McCarron, a motion deny the applicants request for property located at 7801 Zimple Street.

Hi, just by way of introduction.

Um I'm Eleanor Burke.

I'm the deputy director of the Historic District Landmarks Commission.

Congratulations to the City Council.

We look forward to working with you for this term.

Uh I would like to introduce Evette Jett, who is a principal architectural historian in our office, who will be uh taking on some of the duties of City Council appeals.

Because the proposed camelback would be located at least two historic rooms back from the front building wall as per HDLC design guidelines.

Staff had no objection to the request for partial roof demolition.

At its hearing on December third, twenty twenty-five, the commission voted to approve this application.

A concerned neighbor has filed this appeal, not the property owner.

Thank you.

Plans are not stamped or approved.

They're not finals.

There's a third full bathroom in violation of the university area overlay, which limits investors to 2.5.

No plumbing riser diagram has been supplied to confirm the bathroom count is not even higher than three.

Developers are now getting around the 2.5 limit by misrepresenting on architect's plans.

Finally, the developer bought the house from a long-time resident family for cheap at less than half the assessed value.

Civil law calls this practice lesion beyond moiety.

A similar sale happened at 1218 Burdett two weeks ago.

This inequitable practice is common, and people should know that civil law provides a remedy.

Please, I respectfully ask that you overturn the decision and grant this appeal.

Thank you.

Thank you, Caesan.

Um, this appeal is based on the claim that the property will be modified as a student dormitory, collectively known as doubles to dorms, which I totally understand and does happen in the Carrollton neighborhood.

However, I've reviewed the plans of this particular property.

There are large common areas, clearly a large kitchen, shared bathrooms.

It's clearly to me a family single family home.

And I've heard from the neighbors next door and on the block, and they are in favor of this project of this renovation.

And the HDLC does not ext object to this demolition request.

Therefore, I move to approve motion M2661 and deny the appeal.

All those in favor.

At the top of page 20 item 16, we have zoning DACA 6325.

Danny M.

Natser requesting a conditional use of permit, the retail sale of packaged alcohol beverages, and an MU1 medium intent, intensity mixed use district on square 1539, Lot 11 in the third municipal district, bounded by Nord Broad Street, Dual Street, Verleck Street, Municipal Address 2037 Nord Broad Street.

The recommendation that a city planning being for approval, subject to one provisal.

We have a motion under suspension by council member green, approving the applicant's request for the property located at 2037 Nordbroad Street, subject to one provisal.

We need to move to receive this motion.

So move Green.

Can I get a second?

Second by morale.

We need to move Furtas Minerva add this motion to the agenda.

Seven seven.

Matthew.

Okay.

Seven Y's.

All right.

We'll have a report for the city.

Oh, we have to move to add to the agenda.

So move.

Second by Morel.

Members, please vote your machines to add this to the agenda.

Seven years.

And it's added to the agenda.

We'll have a brief city planning commission report.

Yes, good morning, Council members.

Uh, this is a request for conditional use to permit the retail sale of packaged alcoholic beverages in an MU1 district.

Uh, the land that is subject of this application houses a corner store that has historically sold alcohol but lost the ability when the permit was not renewed, requiring the applicant to apply for conditional use.

The planning commission believes the proposed sale of alcoholic beverages is sensible as it aligns with the commercial purpose of the zoning designation and it recommended approval subject to one proviso.

Thank you for that report on the city planning commission and for the members of the public who are watching.

I would just like to make a couple of notes on this important location.

The motion approves a conditional use request for the retail sale of packaged alcohol beverages at an existing corner grocery store, which has been there for decades.

The store previously held an alcoholic beverage license, and this request allows the business to simply restore the use of something that existed already.

The city planning commission unanimously recommended approval.

Neighborhood support was actually expressed.

There were no speakers in opposition at the City Planning Commission hearing or at the neighborhood participation plan meeting.

Approval is subject to provisals requiring final plans to be approved.

Based on all of these factors, the City Planning Commission's unanimous recommendation after analysis, I move for approval of the conditional use for this location.

Seconded by Councilmember Jason Hughes, members, please vote your machines.

Seven years and this conditional use is approved.

Thank you, City Planning Commission, for the research.

Item 17, we have a legislative group and zoning back is 6425 Jane Place Neighborhood Sustainability Initiative Inc.

Requesting a zoning change from an H U R D2 Historic Urban Two Family Residential District to an H UMU Historic Urban Neighborhood Mix Youth District on Square 605 Lots 4849, 5051 and Exh one or lots 25, 26, 27, 28 in the rear portions of original lots 1 and 2 in the first municipal district, founded by Jane Alley, Bank Street, Palomar Street, and Southwest Street.

Municipal address is 32, I mean 323 through 343 Jane Alley.

The recommendation of the CPC being for approval, we have motion M2658 by Councilmember Harris.

A motion approving the applicant's request for the property located at 323 through 343 Jane Alley.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

CPC, will you brief us on your report?

Yes, this is a request for zoning change from a two-family residential district to a mixed choose district on a property that is located in mid-city, close to the intersection of Rod and Bank Street.

The site is being developed by the Jane Place Neighborhood Sustainability Initiative, which is a community land trust and housing rights organization.

The site consists of five lots with uh three of which are vacant, developable lots, and two lots are developed with existing two-family dwellings.

While it has historically always been designated residential, uh it was also developed with commercial use around the 1950s.

The applicant has stated that the intention for the vacant parcel is to develop a 3,600 square foot administrative office for their operations on the ground floor and construct three one-bedroom apartment units on the second floor.

The commission found that the intended development is in keeping with the previous and existing surrounding land uses and would remain compatible with the scale and character of the surrounding residential neighborhood.

Thank you.

I have some comments.

Paul Kramer, followed by Lucinda Flowers, followed by Veronica Reid.

Good to see you, Paul.

Thank you, Councilmember Harris.

We are so happy to have you on another term with the City Council and your long-standing support of affordable housing.

And congratulations to all the newly elected members.

In the City Planning Commission report, you'll note some remarkable before and after photos of the houses.

In this zoning change request, Jane Place has found the ideal location for their administrative office.

It extends the existing HUMU Historic Urban Mixed Use Zoning from the Ruby Slipper Restaurant Parking Lacross the Street to the five lots on Jane Alley where commercial uses previously operated.

Additionally, five new units of affordable housing are part of the project, and numerous existing Jane Place rentals will be visible and accessible from just a half a block away.

The site of these new affordable rentals and the office are only one block from Broad Street and walking distance to grocery stores, amenities, major employers, including the VA and LCMC hospitals.

We thank you for your support.

Thank you, Paul.

Lucinda Flowers, followed by Veronica Reed.

Wait, before you leave, Paul wants my quick comment.

Especially considering in the wake of what we're dealing with with musicians village.

That when we have properties and problems like that arise, you guys really could have been part of the solution of that problem rather than now having people that are probably going to need your services to find somewhere to live.

So I just want to thank you for always being a partner with the city and for Jane's place always being a partner with the city to try and make sure that we are providing affordable homes to people.

Mr.

President, since you brought that matter up, I want to report to the public that the owner, the new owner of those properties that were transferred from the um transferred from one entity to the next has decided that he is in fact going to raise the rents.

So at this time, a couple of persons who are culture bearers in our city who moved back to our city and found a place to stay are going to have to be accommodated elsewhere.

And Mr.

Mahdi has the right to do so.

But when I think about Habitat for Humanity, and I think about other organizations that are out there designed to help people to get into more stable situations, I am greatly concerned and disappointed that people who located in an area certainly rent increases are part of a formula, but that other organizations were not given an opportunity to potentially own these properties and maybe either keep the rents as they were or gradually increase them.

This is not a blasting of someone who has executed a private property right.

What it is is an expression of concern relative to organizations that are purposed and also have chosen to provide supportable and um affordable housing opportunities for people taking advantage of opportunities to relieve themselves of properties without even putting covenants in that protect some of their people.

That's all.

I think it's very unfortunate, and because Councilmember Morel brought it up, it's been something that's a little bit concerning to me.

I'm very concerned and very disappointed as to what I've heard recently.

Thank you, Councilmembers.

I think that we're all concerned and upset about how the habitat transfer uh happened and the potential eviction of culture bearers from our city.

Uh with that, Lucinda Flowers.

Good morning.

Thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.

Um I am here to support uh what Dane Place is doing.

This zoning change will enable them to locate their offices at the site of their affordable rental housing, um, which to me is a best practice.

I am a former city planner focused on housing issues and also a longtime affordable housing policy and advocacy professional here in New Orleans.

And for that reason, I speak from my experience where where I say that um putting the management office on site for affordable housing is a best practice.

It benefits residents, neighbors, and even the the housing owners and managers.

It's a it enables strong resident management communication because the office is right there.

It helps to ensure good property maintenance because again, folks are on site and they can see what's going on, and it really benefits the neighborhood because the neighbors know that the office is right there, and they can come and talk about whatever if they have any issues or any concerns, they know right where to go and who to talk to.

Um Jane Place is providing much needed affordable rental housing in a city where we know it is strongly needed, as um the council has just been discussing.

Um they will be there for the long haul, and this zoning change enables them to put their office there and really strengthen their own um management best practices.

Thank you.

Thank you, Veronica Reed.

Good afternoon, Council.

Veronica Reed, Jane Place, Neighborhood Sustainability Initiative 200 South Broad Street currently.

I want to um thank you for um having me here, and I want to um just ask your support of this zoning change.

Um, this will allow Jane Place to better serve our residents because it will allow us to have our office um within a block and a half of 90 percent of our current housing, and um in our current development pipeline, we have um an increase of a hundred percent, which will be in within another two blocks of that current office location.

Um, being able to serve within that distance will be um allow us for better resident engagement, but will also allow us for better property management.

Um all of our housing is permanently affordable.

Um, so the city council does not have to worry that um in the future um our rents will be unaffordable to anyone, and um what we want to do is current continue to serve the residents um who need permanently affordable rental housing, quality permanently affordable rental housing in the city of New Orleans.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, and thank you for the work that you all do.

I've moved council member McCarron seconded.

78th, thank you.

At the top of page 21, we have item 19 zoning docket 6525 has been deferred to the meeting of 212.

Item 20 zoning document 6625 has been deferred to the meeting of 212.

Legislative grouping ordinance calendar 34,385, along with motions line over M2346 and M23427 has been deferred to the meeting of 212.

We have ordinance calendar 35,117 has been deferred to the meeting of 212.

At the top of page 23, item 25 ordinance calendar 35,127 has been deferred to the meeting of 212.

Item 26, ordinance calendar 35,296 by Councilmember Morel.

And ordinance to call an election on November 3rd, 2026, at which the electors of the city of New Orleans will be asked to approve an amendment to the Home Rule Charter Section 6 103 to add provisions intended to ensure their spending remains consistent with the approved annual operating budget and otherwise supervisor respects there too.

Thank you.

It deals with uh changing the process for the budgetary process so that going forward when this council and an administration confects a budget, that is the budget for the city of New Orleans, and that no monies can be spent outside of what has been appropriated without coming back to the city council in a public setting and moving that money around.

What we're seeking to do in this instance is many, if not all of the budgetary problems that were created last year were created because you had numerous instances in which heads of departments on their own authority spent tremendous amounts of monies, tens of millions of dollars that was not previously budgeted by this council or even by the mayor in the regular budgetary process.

What this does is it creates an expectation and environment that when both the council and administration and the public as they interact throughout the budget process, when we create a budget, the four corners of that budget define spending for the year, and that if an administration wants to spend money that is not budgeted or move money that has been budgeted for a different purpose, they will have to come back to the council during budget in a budget hearing to make that change.

And it's very similar to my former colleagues in the legislature to the BA7 process, with basically, and it's a very rote normal process, but it helps us keep track of how much money is being spent and helps us avoid things like we saw last year, which was the 160 million dollar cash crisis because tremendous amounts of money were spent without actually trueing up and accounting for it in the budget.

Councilman Green.

Councilmember Morrill, I want to thank you for this legislation.

I've watched um city council for a number of years, and I was the head of economic development for 30 years ago.

I know that when I've attended certain hearings in the past, people have said who were the heads of particular departments.

Well, we just decided to spend it in a particular area because the money was available.

I think that one thing that your legislation does that I'd be pleased to be a co-author of, it gets us to think a little bit more during the budget process and as we move into the new Moreno administration.

I think that her directors that she's appointed are very responsible in this way.

But it gets a little bit more thought involved with the budget process, not just one lump sum that you have to spend.

It makes us spend it in areas where we have a real need, and I think it presents us with an opportunity to have directors and to have those who are in positions to make important decisions, make those decisions based on more thought processes.

So I commend the legislation and I'm pleased to support it for that reason.

Thank you, Councilman Green.

Is anyone else?

Oops, Council Bar Harris.

Yeah, uh, I just would also like to be added as a co-author.

I think we all probably would like that.

Well, uh, why don't we do this?

Uh, Madam Clerk, why don't we add everyone as co-authors on the final legislation?

Uh I also want to commend uh council Bar Harris last term, worked with me diligently on trying to get this resolved because this is really the missing piece in the charter.

The charter already contemplates the budget committee having tremendous authority over the budget.

It contemplates the budget committee meeting regularly in concert with the administration to make sure the budget is in sync, but without this key component added to the process, there is no teeth for the budget committee to have that accountability and no requirement that administrations be transparent in their spending.

So we'll have the whole council added as co-authors.

If no other comments, I will move to adopt.

I get a second second by council Harris.

Please vote your machines.

That is seven yes, no nays.

It is move forward.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

At the bottom of the page, item 27, ordinance counter 35,323 has been withdrawn.

At the top of page 24, we have uh ordinance calendar 35,325 by Councilmember Green by request.

And ordinance authorized the mayor of the city of New Orleans to enter into an agreement to grant a servitude to an adjacent property owner for encroachments on an overportions of public right away located at municipal address 1544 Gentilly Boulevard to fix the minimum price in terms of say servitude agreement to declare that such use as granted in the servitude agreement will incorporate space that is neither needed for public purpose nor shall such use interfere with the use of public right away to set forth the reasons for say servitude agreement and otherwise supervival respects there too.

Members of council, this is a simple ordinance which authorizes Mayor Moreno to enter into a servitude agreement granting air rights over a portion of the public right of way at a specific address, 1544 Gentili Boulevard to an adjacent property owner for an existing canopy encroachment.

The ordinance sets the annual fee at 200 with periodic adjustments and finds that the encroachment does not interfere with the public use of the right of way while generating revenue for the city of New Orleans.

I have moved it's been seconded by council member Jason Hughes.

Members, please vote your machine.

We have six years, and that ordinance is approved.

Thank you.

At the top of page 26, we have motion line over M25189 has been deferred to the meeting of 212.

Motion line over M25235 has been deferred to the meeting of 212.

Motion line over M25236 has been deferred to the meeting of 212.

At the top of page 27, we have motion line over M25238 has been deferred to the meeting of 212.

Motion line over M25239 has been deferred to the meeting of 212.

Motion line over M2528 has been deferred to the meeting of twelve.

At the top of page 28, we have motion line over M252435 has been deferred to the meeting of 212.

Motion M2638 has been deferred to the meeting of 212.

Motion M2639 has been deferred to the meeting of 212.

At the top of page 29, motion M2640 has been deferred to the meeting of 212.

Motion M2641 has been deferred to the meeting of 212.

Motion M2644 has been deferred to the meeting of 212.

On page 30, we have item 47, motion M2651 by Council Members Morel and Wheeler authorizing the president of Council to sign contracts with Granicus for a period not to achieve one year beginning March 1st, 2026 through February 28, 2027, with a maximum compensation of 82,684 dollars and 38 cents to provide a turnkey, comprehensive, scalable, and flexible agenda preparation and document management system along with an internet video and meetings management solution for the city of New Orleans, the services.

Thank you, madam clerk.

Members, this is just another one-year extension of Granicus, which we use for document management and legislative services.

Uh, while we search for possibly another provider that'll better meet our needs.

Uh I see we have a second by councilmember Amy McCarron.

Uh, all those in favor vote yea.

Six years, zero nays.

The motion has been approved.

At the bottom of the page, item 48 M2652 by Councilmember King.

Rescinding the VCE at Double Live Performance Venue Interim Zone and District in its entirety.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

We have Mr.

Mark Settler.

Mark Shetler, 2768 Orchid Street.

I'm with Shift Change.

You are culture bearers with a direct line of 300 plus years of our city's identity and are valued members of our hospitality workforce like anybody else.

M267 and the still unaddressed anti-competitive M268 and the CP study, uh directed on a rotten foundation, all need to be rescinded.

And if council or the CPC does anything with ALPBs in the future, it needs to be driven by this workforce and to their benefit.

Now I'm not gonna ask my questions about uh 26, 7 and 8 for the third time today.

Fool me once and all that.

Um District C will never answer those questions on record, and I know that because I know the answers.

I know the names and the businesses they plead back to.

I know there were no legitimate land use problems needing a solution, just greed and influence.

And we know who's.

I do want to speak to the other six council members.

Two weeks ago I was here asking about this, and nobody had any answers, yet nobody voted in opposition to the laws that at this very next meeting will be partially unanimously rescinded.

I feel that you're to be simple and fair, and that y'all know the broken with outsiders trying to subvert your efforts.

Forgive me for being Pollyanna in my ask today.

We need to end the tradition of cross-district land use vote reciprocity.

Because some colleagues cannot be trusted with a rubber stamp, and it's a failure of trust in the whole council every time they get one anyway.

Much face faith has been lost in our institutions lately, including our cities.

This council could play a role in repair.

Start by cutting the puppet strings, certain outsiders get to hold, whether they're former lawyers disbarred for kitty porn, former heads of safety and permits, or other political power brokers willing to wield their spears against you in your districts, and do so by simply taking responsibility for all your votes.

Repeal these, but realize that there's a culture issue in this chamber of uncuriously trading approval.

As a city, we'll continue to only go as far as allowed a tangle and strength and will not Emily Nestor Emily Nestor, and I am speaking today on behalf of myself and colleagues that cannot speak out today for fear of retribution.

As you well know, our industry faces stigma.

Restrictions on adult live performance venues have historically harmed workers.

In 2018, hundreds of workers lost their ability to conduct their business after shuttering six clubs, all of the privately owned establishments were lost, leaving only corporate clubs.

These establishments we currently have are great, but we lack the diversity that made Bourbon Street even more appealing.

Many ALVPs hire on strict guidelines regarding appearance, weight, age, and race.

We welcome new business on Bourbon Street as more options means more jobs for a wider range of entertainers, and of course, more money circulating within the VUCRA.

The fewer options we have, the less freedom we have to decide the best option for us.

And since we are hired via auditions, our options may be limited based on things we cannot control.

We want variety and freedom to choose where we work.

It provides upward mobility and is a stepping stone or safe landing for many young women.

Capping clubs or selectively approving permits seems nothing less than arbitrary as none of the secondary effects outlined during Operation Trigger Treat or named in M267 and 268 were found to have occurred.

When proposing these bills, Mr.

King referenced secondary negative effects of ALVPs.

We would like provable clarification on what those secondary effects might be.

What about the effects these laws have on us?

Stripping saves lives and adult entertainment is a part of New Orleans history and its culture.

On a personal note, I began dancing as a means to support myself on the heels of multiple traumatic events, including a sexual assault.

Despite its stigma, this career choice has allowed me to build a life for myself where I have freedom over where I work, when I work, and who I work for.

And that is a level of autonomy I have not always been afforded in my personal life.

Correct.

All right.

Good morning.

I'm very pregnant, so give me a second.

All right.

I have very proudly, I very proudly have worked in many clubs all over New Orleans, up and down bourbon since 2018.

I, like so many others, consider dancing as my career.

What worries me about this motion is that it would discourage any smaller or independent club owners to be able to open a club.

Smaller-owned clubs listen to their entertainers, can adjust their rules or policies based on the needs of the people actually there, versus all the paperwork and power so many corporate clubs have.

Locally owned clubs tend to also have more diverse hires because they can take into account personality.

As anyone who has been to a club knows, our bodies are the billboard, but our personalities create the atmosphere that tourists travel here and expect.

More clubs give entertainers options to work.

If one club enforces a policy that takes more money than us, we we can move to a different one.

If one club hires staff that makes us uncomfortable, we can move to a different one.

Club options give workers the ability to better regulate clubs themselves.

One of the most dangerous situations for a dancer is feeling forced to work in conditions that are harmful, scary, or exploitative.

By giving so much power to the owners, by restricting the ability for new clubs to open easily by smaller owners.

This would create an environment where dancers are controlled by a one-size-fits-all policy that do not make sense for the city of New Orleans or us as a workforce.

I support rescinding in 26-7 and 26-8.

Thank you.

Samantha Stradford.

Hi, my name is Devin Ladner.

I worked in the strip club industry in New Orleans for over seven years.

My research has an emphasis on sex work.

In 2018, when the strip clubs were raided, I sat in several meetings while I watched city council members and the like make decisions that affected mine and my community's livelihood.

During that time period, you claim that it was an effort to prevent sex trafficking, although next no sex trafficking victims were found.

After that didn't work, you came for our job through zoning regulations, which forced us to learn legal jargon that was both confusing and tiring.

Today, once again, we are seeing our job opportunities diminish, and once again, no one considered the impact it would have on the actual workers.

Limiting our job opportunities puts us at risk for the very thing you claim to want us to protect to protect us from.

It causes us to take riskier jobs and stay in problematic establishments.

We deserve to have multiple opportunities as it places power back into our hands.

I will ask, like I asked last time I stood up here eight years ago, that you consider and talk to us before you make decisions that directly impact us.

I think we're deserving of that.

Samantha Stratford.

And there should be nothing decided about us without us.

Christopher O'Hearn.

My name's Chris Olson, uh, 1029 St.

Peter's Street.

Um, that's in the French quarter.

Uh, I live there with my family.

We have some of the only quarter kids.

Um, I also own stores in the quarter, um, and I advocate for preserving the precarious balance that is the French quarter.

Um, Councilmember King, I want to say thank you uh for hearing us and for reconsidering this IZD, um, as it does not help that balance that we're trying to maintain.

Um I support today's motion, but also believe that this should be repealed in its entirety, both 26-7 and 26-8, not just one portion of it.

The French quarter thrives when like businesses can open together.

Um, workers can go back and forth between similar businesses, and in turn, competition protects workers because you can go somewhere else when there is a bad actor at play.

Um, this is why our bars and our restaurants work so well.

Um, and when there is not a critical mass of businesses, the industry starts to fall apart.

We've seen this on Royal Street with the antique stores, where at some close, the entire business basically fell apart, making it impossible for everyone else.

Strip clubs are no different, but for some reason they are often regulated differently.

Um, and in a place like New Orleans where we were literally built on vice, where these clubs started and where they proliferated.

Um, I think we shouldn't, we should not be getting in the way of new clubs opening, but we should make it easier for them.

Um I will say though, that again, my comment here is probably the least important of the day.

Um, any of the decisions that happen with these clubs need to include the people who actually work in the clubs.

Um the entire industry really rests on their backs, and any future zoning changes should not be based on a technical study of land use law, but should consider their opinion first and foremost.

Thank you.

Four to nine, nineteen chopper tools, and maybe pronouncing the name, just pronouncing the name.

Zoe or Zay.

Last answer starts with a Court and 19 Chopper Tools.

Hi, uh Lynn Archer, 701 Loyola.

I started stripping on bourbon in 2015.

I'm really moved by the presence and the heartfelt and reasonable comments of my colleagues.

But to be honest, I'm fairly stunned that we're being forced to relitigate an issue that we fought off 10 years ago.

We came before this council and vividly laid out the results of zoning changes like these.

They're always the first step, not only to rapacious gentrification, but it goes hand in hand with predatory policing.

This playbook was designed not only to shutter nightlife venues, it also rolls out the red rug from multi-badge vice squads to haze young women and make our already hard work harder.

And now, ten years later, look where we are.

We have National Guard high-fiving ice on every block in the French quarter while NOPD looks on.

I'm wondering how long before New Orleans looks like Minneapolis.

Thank you.

Logan Lindsay.

Logan Lindsay.

Margaret Bondy, Councilmember, is Margaret Bondy.

I'm a business owner resident.

I'm here to speak in support of rescinding this interim zoning restriction in its entirety.

Limiting the number of LVPs does not eliminate the industry, it concentrates it and concentration creates risk.

When dancers are forced into a small number of clubs, they lose choice and leverage.

If a club is unsafe, exploitative, or poorly managed, workers have fewer alternatives.

That dynamic makes it harder for dancers to leave bad situations, report misconduct, or negotiate fair conditions.

From a safety and labor perspective, fewer options make workers more vulnerable, not more protected.

This restriction also runs counter to the spirit of small business that New Orleans claims to value.

By freezing out new venues, we effectively protect existing operators from competition.

That creates a de facto monopoly environment where prices, working conditions, and standards stagnate because there is no market pressure to improve.

But this is not just about one industry, it's about jobs and community stability.

Orleans parish unemployment rate remains meaningfully above zero, reflecting that many residents are still seeking stable work opportunities in this economy.

That competition is what allows businesses to differentiate themselves and workers to choose where they feel safest and most respected.

Removing that choice harms both sides.

Rescinding this motion restores balance.

It supports workers' autonomy and safety, fair competition, and the small business ecosystem that makes this city what it is.

Thank you.

Thank you.

That concludes our comments online, Mr.

X that you put the uh online comments, the uh added to the agenda, add them to the record.

Yes, before we uh go to the vote, Council President Morell.

Thank you.

Uh I just wanted to brought some really brief comments because as I was listening to the testimony, it reminded me.

Uh a lot of you are highlighting 2016 and what happened in 2016.

I actually was in the legislature when Act 395 was passed by Senator Johns.

And it's ironic, I distinctly remember when we were in judiciary B.

I think it's before most of my colleagues from the legislature served, but this literally was a companion piece to the ordinance that you are talking about today, and it was a very nasty battle because there were a tremendous amount of people from your industry who came up to speak against it.

And I remember being one of six legislators that voted against it.

And at that time, that battle was so voracious and so personal that it led to the falling out with myself and one more one of the former representatives of district C.

Just because when it came to the arguments that were being made at the state level dealt with body autonomy and dictating to people of a certain age, they couldn't do certain things, and it was very jarring at that time in modern times to have the state try to dictate at what age you could do certain types of employment.

So we hear what you're saying.

We certainly are gonna do better as far as trying to communicate with the industry before we do things, but it is unfortunate that 10 years later we're still having these conversations.

Thank you.

All right, want to thank everyone for coming out and expressing their concerns.

At the top of page 31, item 49, we have motion M2653 by Councilmember King.

Direct the Nacity Planning Commission to conduct a public hearing to consider an amendment to Article 18 of the comprehensive zone and ordinance, ordinance number 4264 MCS is amended by ordinance number 26,413 MCS and subsequent amendments to establish a new overlay zoning district to be named the Berman makes youth integrity overlay district.

The intent of which is to ensure that any multifamily developments proposed within the SMU suburban neighborhood mixed use district in the MU1 medium intensity mixed use district, founded by Wall Boulevard, Holiday Drive, and General DeGaulle Drive contain non-residential uses which align with the mixed use goal of those districts.

Thank you, Madam Clark.

This motion directs CPC to examine how and what to extend and to what extent any mixed-use zoning districts within the Gaulle, Wall Boulevard, Holiday Drive, incorporate non-residential uses as part of new developments.

This is to ensure that the development pattern goal of these zoning districts is being met.

This is a move adoption.

Second by council member Hughes.

One more vote.

Thank you.

Item 50, motion M2654 by Councilmember King, directing the city planning commission to conduct a public hearing to consider an amendment to Article 19 of the comprehensive zone and ordinance.

Ordinance number 4264 MCS has amended by ordinance number 26, 413 MCS and subsequent amendments to establish a new interim zoning district to be named to be named the Berman Mixed Use Integrity Interim Zoning District.

The intent of which is to is to temporarily prohibit the use of mixed family dwellings with an XMU suburban neighborhood mixed use district in the MU1 medium intensity mixed use district bounded by Wall Boulevard Holiday Drive General DeGaulle Drive.

They do not incorporate non-residential use that's occupying at least 50% of the ground floor area until the CPC has considered the implementation of an overlay zone and district that ensures any proported proposed developments within the affected area aligned with the mixed use goals of those districts.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Any comments?

Hearing none, make a motion to adopt.

Second by councilmember Hughes.

7 YA's no nays.

Thank you.

Item 51 motion M2655 by Council Members Morel Willem McCarron Harris King Green and Hughes.

Motion stating that all unclassified employees within the city council shall be subject to one mandatory unpaid furlough day per pay period beginning February 15, 2026, and continuing to December 31st, 2026 for a total of 22 unpaid furlough days.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Uh simply put, as you know, on the executive side, which is the majority of city government.

There are pursuant to a CAO memo and the acknowledgement of our dire financial straights.

There has been a furlough that has been required of all employees.

This ordinance, this motion of excuse me, this motion simply clarifies that we will be sharing in the burden of having those furloughs as well.

And that applies not just to our employees but to the council as well.

Mr.

Hughes.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Uh, just wanted to say on the record, um, you know, having been furloughed twice in the previous life, this will be my third time.

Uh I just really want to sincerely thank the hardworking staff members of the New Orleans City Council.

Uh, I know this is challenging times for all of us, but uh, you know, we're putting some skin in the game to try to write the ship as well.

So I just wanted to publicly thank our respective staffs and our central staff for their hard work and for uh hanging in with us during these challenging times.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you, Mr.

Hughes.

With that, I'll move to adopt.

Can I get a second?

Second by council member Hughes, please vote your machines.

Seven years, no nays.

Motion is adopted.

At the top of page 32, item 52, motion M2656 by Councilmember Morel by request adding the president of council as a signatory to the contract between the City of New Orleans and the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office and authorizing the president of council to sign a contract between the City of New Orleans and the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office.

We need to suspend Rule 57.

Take it a second.

Second by Council Member Harris, please let your machines.

Rule 57 is suspended.

For those of you who are new to the council roof, typically most ordinances or CEAs go to committee first.

A rule 57 suspension simply means that we are by passing committee.

Um we could vote on the matter.

Yep, sorry.

Um, this is the ordinance that allows the city to engage with the sheriff's office for supplemental supplemental assistance during the Mardi Gras season.

Uh Buddy Mishu GA meeting.

So it did receive public discussion.

That's all it does.

I will move.

Can I get a second?

Second by councilmember McCarron.

Please vote your machines.

Seven years, no nays is adopted.

Council members, we could file a motion to move on ordinance on first reads.

Uh Councilman Green moves.

We go to order first three.

Councilman Hughes seconds.

All they were saying aye.

Seven years, no nays.

We're on first reads.

Thank you.

Sorry.

Our nuts on first reads.

Um, ordinance calendar number thirty-five thousand three thirty by council member McKaren.

An ordinance to grant an amendment to ordinance number twenty-eight thousand ninety-seven MCS, zoning docket thirty-two nineteen for conditional use to permit the operation of a previously constructed drive-through facility in an HMU historic urban neighborhood, mixed use district on an undesignated portion of ground on square seven six seventeen in the second municipal district, bounded by City Park Avenue, North Anthony Street, North Vernad Street, St.

Louis Street, and Tulu Street.

The municipal address is five twelve City Park Avenue and otherwise to provide with respect there too, zoning docket number sixty-one twenty-five.

That concludes the ordinance on first reading.