New Orleans City Council Regular Meeting - January 27, 2026

The New Orleans City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, beginning at 9:00 AM and adjourning at 12:33 PM. Six of seven councilmembers were present at roll call (Councilmember Green absent), with all seven present for most votes later in the meeting. The meeting included a special presentation of Mardi Gras queens, approval of carnival parade rules, adoption of a consent agenda, an executive session on litigation, and decisions on several zoning and legislative items.

Consent Calendar

• Received communications and reports from various city agencies, including utility matters (Entergy New Orleans, petitions for intervention by Air Products and the Alliance for Affordable Energy, and a motion by Together New Orleans), interim appointments from the Mayor's Office, contract amendments for the Civil Service Commission (Jay Ginsberg and Big Easy Law Group), nominations to the Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee (Monique Blossom, Elizabeth Holman, Elizabeth Harvey, Maxwell Ciardullo), and attendance reports for multiple boards.
• Confirmed several appointments: Charline Gipson as City Attorney (M-26-33); Jennifer Avegno, M.D. as Director of the Department of Human Services (M-26-34); Hattie Collins, Jamar McKneely, Kyle Walker, Michael Farley, and Kevin Kimbrough to the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (M-26-35, M-26-36, M-26-37, M-26-59, M-26-60).
• Approved amendments to the Classified Pay Plan and Civil Service Rules for the Sewerage and Water Board, Municipal Yacht Harbor, and other agencies, effective February 1, 2026 (M-26-42 through M-26-49).
• The consent agenda was adopted by a vote of 5-0 (Councilmembers Green and Morrell absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

• HDLC Appeal – 7801-7803 Zimpel Street: Susan Johnson, principal of Town of Carrollton Watch, LLC, spoke in support of her appeal against a partial roof demolition (55.9%). She argued the developer purchased the property below market value, plans lacked approval, and a bathroom count violated overlay limits. No one spoke in opposition.
• Zoning Docket 64/25 – Jane Alley: Several speakers expressed strong support for the Jane Place Neighborhood Sustainability Initiative's zoning change, citing the need for permanently affordable housing and on-site management offices. Paul Kramer, Lucinda Flowers, and Veronica Reed spoke in favor.
• Rescinding ALPV IZD (M-26-52): Multiple current and former adult entertainers, business owners, and community members testified in favor of rescinding the interim zoning district. They argued that limiting clubs harms worker safety, reduces competition, and fails to prevent trafficking. Speakers included Emily Nestor, Devin Ladner, Samantha Stratford, Chris Olson, Lynn Archer, and Margaret Bondy. Councilmember Morrell noted his past opposition to similar state legislation.

Discussion Items

• Presentation – Mardi Gras Queens: The council recognized the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club and the Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale, along with 2026 Mardi Gras queens from various krewes. Representatives from both organizations highlighted their year-round community work and literacy initiatives.
• Carnival Parade Positions (M-26-50): Councilmember Morrell presented the 2026 parade positions and start times, reminding the public of safety rules: no throwing past Choppatoulas, no confetti guns, no tents or generators on the route, and no pets except service animals. The motion passed 7-0.
• Zoning Docket 63/25 – 2037 North Broad Street: Conditional use to allow packaged alcohol sales at a historic corner store. The City Planning Commission recommended approval. Councilmember Green noted neighborhood support and the store's prior license. The motion passed 7-0.
• Zoning Docket 64/25 – Jane Alley: Zoning change from two-family residential to mixed-use for a community land trust's affordable housing and office development. The CPC found it compatible with the neighborhood. The motion passed 7-0.
• Charter Amendment – Budget Accountability (Cal. No. 35,296): Councilmembers Morrell, Green, and Harris spoke in favor of an ordinance calling a November 3, 2026 election to amend the Home Rule Charter to require that all spending remain consistent with the approved annual operating budget, preventing unauthorized departmental spending. All seven councilmembers were added as co-authors. The ordinance was adopted 7-0.
• Servitude Agreement (Cal. No. 35,325): Authorized a servitude for an existing canopy encroachment at 1544 Gentilly Boulevard, generating $200 annual fee. Adopted 6-0 (Councilmember Morrell absent).
• Recycling Cart Contract (Item 7): Deferred to February 12, 2026 meeting.
• Behrman Mixed-Use Integrity Overlay (M-26-53 and M-26-54): Councilmember King introduced motions directing the City Planning Commission to study and temporarily prohibit multifamily developments without at least 50% ground-floor non-residential use in certain districts. Both passed 7-0.
• Council Employee Furloughs (M-26-55): All unclassified council employees will take one unpaid furlough day per pay period from February 15 to December 31, 2026 (22 days total). Councilmember Hughes thanked staff for their sacrifice. Adopted 7-0.
• Executive Session: The council entered executive session to discuss seven pending lawsuits. The motion to enter passed 5-0; the motion to reconvene passed 6-1.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted Consent Agenda (5-0) confirming appointments and reports.
• Parade Positions Approved (7-0) for 2026 carnival season.
• HDLC Appeal Denied (M-26-61): Council voted 7-0 to uphold the HDLC decision for roof demolition at 7801-7803 Zimpel Street.
• Conditional Use for Alcohol Sales Approved (M-26-66): 7-0 for 2037 North Broad Street.
• Zoning Change Approved (M-26-58): 7-0 for Jane Alley properties.
• Charter Amendment Election Called: Cal. No. 35,296 adopted 7-0; will appear on November 3, 2026 ballot.
• Servitude Agreement Approved: Cal. No. 35,325 adopted 6-0.
• Granicus Contract Renewed (M-26-51): 6-0 for one year at $82,684.38.
• ALPV IZD Rescinded (M-26-52): 7-0, ending the interim zoning district for adult live performance venues.
• Behrman Overlay and IZD Established: M-26-53 and M-26-54 both passed 7-0, directing CPC and imposing interim restrictions.
• Council Furloughs Imposed (M-26-55): 7-0, affecting unclassified council employees.
• Sheriff's Contract Signatory Added (M-26-56): 7-0, adding Council President as signatory after suspending Rule 57.
• Ordinance on First Reading: Cal. No. 35,330 (conditional use for drive-through at 512 City Park Avenue) introduced and laid over.
• Numerous Items Deferred: Most remaining agenda items were deferred to the February 12, 2026 meeting.