New Orleans City Council Meeting - March 9, 2026

The New Orleans City Council met on March 9, 2026, with a quorum of three members present. The meeting covered approval of minutes, appointments to city boards, extensive discussion of Mardi Gras cleanup and enforcement, reports from carnival crews on incidents during the 2026 season, public comments, and adoption of a carbon monoxide detector ordinance amendment.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes from the February 5 meeting were approved unanimously (3 ayes, 0 nays).

Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Several appointments were confirmed unanimously, each with brief remarks from council members and nominees:

• City Planning Commission: Jason Easy (District E) and Anthony Jackson were approved (4-0). Easy expressed excitement about serving and noted he would leave his position with Eno Knock to avoid ethical issues. Jackson cited a desire to shape development in New Orleans East, reduce blight, and enhance businesses.
• Regional Transit Authority (RTA): Andy Plessis, Erica Mann, and Barbara Major were approved (all 5-0). Council members praised Mayor's commitment to District E representation and the nominees' understanding of transit equity and regionalism. Major expressed a need to address issues with paratransit and service reliability.
• New Orleans Recreation Department Commission (NORD): Daphne Young was approved (5-0) and emphasized wellness and vibrant parks for all ages.

Mardi Gras Cleanup and Enforcement

Seth (Downtown Development District) and Matt Torre (Department of Sanitation) reported on post-Mardi Gras cleanup challenges. Key points:

• Bleachers left up for 7–10 days after parades cause debris accumulation; inconsistent removal schedules hinder cleanup.
• Matt Torre noted a 24% increase in tonnage (higher crowds) and highlighted plastic bag litter as a major issue due to wind.
• Obstruction of cleanup crews by lingering parade-goers and left-behind items like tarps and ladders were discussed. Council members expressed frustration with enforcement gaps, especially regarding tents (already prohibited) and underage drinking.
• Councilman Hughes and Councilwoman Harris advocated for stronger permit requirements, pre-paid sanitation fees for private stands, and a dedicated enforcement strike team for the 2027 season.

Carnival Crew Incidents and Public Testimony

Representatives from six carnival crews addressed incidents:

• Carrollton: Captain Wayne Lee reported no prior council appearance; they are investigating an incident but no police report or video was generated. Council noted the need for NOPD to create incident reports.
• Toth: Pendleton Larson described a float 32 incident where riders were removed for aggressive throwing; no disciplinary action taken yet pending NOPD video. Councilman Hughes raised concerns about political throws (e.g., “Let’s Go Brandon” shirts) and called for better education and enforcement.
• Tux: Mark Frischert reported that two riders were permanently banned for throwing dolls with beads around their necks (black and white dolls) to children. Councilwoman Harris and Councilwoman Green condemned the act as racist and sexist, noting Tux’s board lacked Black representation. The crew apologized but struggled to label the act as racist. Councilman Hughes announced a proposed registry for banned riders.
• Ferret: Bobby acknowledged a confetti cannon violation and unauthorized koozies; they took immediate accountability and pledged new procedures.
• Ocean: Brief statement admitting a confetti cannon violation; fine expected.
• Zulu: Darren Meyer and safety chair reported an alleged bottle strike on a child during Mardi Gras Day. Investigation ongoing pending NOPD police report and video. Council cautioned against handing off TVs/air fryers due to injury risk.

Public comments included testimony from NAACP, Louisiana Grassroots United Acorn, and residents calling for fines up to $5,000 per incident and bans after three violations. Council noted current statutory fine limit is $500.

Discussion Items

• Mardi Gras enforcement: Council discussed moving parade start times earlier (e.g., Muses finished before midnight), creating a standing-room-only zone along parade routes, and requiring incident reports for any float removal. They also addressed need for better enforcement of existing laws on tents, ladders, and underage drinking.
• Amendment to Healthy Homes Ordinance: Unanimously approved (4-0) to clarify that carbon monoxide detectors are only required in units with natural gas fixtures or appliances. Public comment supported the amendment to avoid unnecessary costs.

Key Outcomes

• All board appointments approved unanimously (votes ranged from 4-0 to 5-0).
• Healthy Homes ordinance amendment adopted (4-0).
• Council directed staff to work on legal framework for a banned rider registry, increase fines for Mardi Gras violations, and update permit fees for private bleachers to include sanitation costs.
• Council committed to working with NOPD to ensure incident reports are generated for any float removal or misconduct, and to explore moving more parade start times earlier to aid cleanup and worker safety.
• Fines will be issued to crews with confetti cannon violations (Ferret, Ocean) as per existing ordinance.
• Meeting adjourned at approximately [unknown time] after Councilman Green moved adjournment, seconded by Councilman Hughes (4 ayes).