Criminal Justice Committee Meeting - April 27, 2026

The New Orleans City Council Criminal Justice Committee met on April 27, 2026, with Councilmember King presiding. The meeting featured updates on the dormant Brechtel Golf Course and the stalled Gaul Manor demolition, a detailed proposal to raise city employee wages to a living wage, and multiple presentations on workforce development programs aimed at reducing crime through economic opportunity. Public comments highlighted the need for justice system accountability alongside job creation.

Consent Calendar

• Motion to approve minutes from the previous meeting was made by Councilmember King, seconded by Councilmember Harris, and passed unanimously (3 ayes, 0 nays).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tony Jones – A resident at 211 Dumaine Street, expressed support for the living wage proposal, arguing that investing in city workers now saves money long-term. He suggested funding the raise by addressing corruption in secondary employment, specifically referencing NOPD officer Victor Gantt (his comments were cut off due to time).
• Shantae Scott – Mother of JC Lee Scott, who was murdered in 2019, spoke twice during the meeting. She emphasized that a thriving community requires trust in the justice system, noting her family has sought answers for six years without resolution. She called for transparency and accountability, specifically demanding the firing of NOPD officer Victor Gantt. She urged the council to ensure justice is part of the foundation of economic stability.

Discussion Items

1. Brechtel Golf Course Update

Michael Carum from the Department of Parks and Parkways provided an update. The 100-acre course, donated to the city in 1931 with a restrictive covenant for public park use, has been closed since 2005. The department currently maintains about one-third of the site. A $700,000 funding request for 2026 for a master plan and park reinvestment was not received. Plans to open the course to the public remain stalled due to public safety concerns and lack of funding.

2. Gaul Manor Demolition Update

Councilmember King led a discussion on the long-stalled demolition of the Gaul Manor property in Algiers. The original $3 million set aside for demolition was spent or moved without clear authorization under a previous administration, and only partial work was completed. The current contractor (Robert Wolf Construction) has not met DBE requirements. King showed photos of overgrown grass and debris near nurseries and homes, calling the conditions unacceptable for residents and children. He stated that monthly updates will be provided until the demolition is complete, with increasingly aggressive reminders. The administration, under Mayor Moreno, has committed to resolving the issue. Councilmember Hughes requested and received confirmation that demolition data had been sent to his office.

3. Living Wage Proposal for City Employees

Amy Tripigny (Civil Service Director) and Robert Hagman (Compensation Director) presented a proposal to increase city employee wages to a living wage. They cited the MIT Living Wage Calculator, which sets the living wage for the New Orleans metro area at $20.49/hour. The city's current minimum is $16.73/hour (40-hour positions) and $16.67/hour (35-hour positions). The proposal includes two strategies: (1) raising the city minimum wage to $19.36/hour (35-hour) and $19.42/hour (40-hour), and (2) providing a $2,600 annual housing allowance for Orleans Parish residents, prorated for part-time employees. The cost for classified employees only is estimated at $4.1 million for the wage increase (affecting 582 employees) and $5.2 million for the housing allowance (affecting about 2,000 employees). Councilmember Harris requested refined cost estimates including unclassified and part-time employees. The presentation noted that the living wage is a long-term goal to reduce turnover, reliance on public assistance, and poverty-driven crime. Councilmember Hughes and King voiced strong support, framing it as an investment that pays off in reduced criminal justice and social service costs.

4. Workforce Development Presentations

Several organizations presented their workforce training programs, emphasizing connections to high-demand jobs and second-chance hiring for justice-involved individuals.

• Job One (Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development) – Director Tammy Washington and staff described services including resume help, supportive services (up to $750 for transportation), training scholarships up to $8,000, and the Committed to Change (CTC) program for justice-impacted individuals (four-week readiness with stipends). The Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program has a goal of 1,000 youth aged 16–24; as of last week, 801 were fully enrolled. Paper checks will be used to avoid past payment delays. Councilmember Hughes stressed the importance of timely pay and access to banking for youth in underserved areas.
• NOLA Public Schools & New Orleans Career Center (NOCC) – Superintendent Dr. Fatima Fulmore and Executive Director Claire Jeklin highlighted career and technical education (CTE) programs serving 880 high school and opportunity youth students. Programs include pre-nursing, EMS, welding, carpentry, and culinary arts. 90% of students earned industry-valued credentials. The center is co-located with partners like Operation Restoration and Thrive New Orleans. They emphasized alignment with the city’s youth master plan goals of economic stability and decreasing the ALICE threshold.
• Delgado Community College – Ernest Frazier presented a free four-day training program for formerly incarcerated individuals covering CPR, OSHA 10, and forklift certification. Welding training is also available at the River City campus. Contact information was provided for enrollment.
• Dillard University – Dr. Ishmael discussed the university’s shift toward workforce development certification programs (six weeks to one year) in fields like healthcare IT, construction trades, and paralegal studies. He noted the need for better marketing and stipends to boost enrollment.

5. Video Testimonial and Closing Remarks

Councilmember King played a video of Darien, a former federal prisoner now employed as a garbage truck driver through Ivy Waste, a company that provides second chances. King emphasized that gainful employment is a key crime prevention tool. Councilmember Green echoed the importance of job opportunities and encouraged residents to access council offices for help overcoming employment barriers.

Key Outcomes

• The Brechtel Golf Course will remain closed; a new capital funding request will be submitted for the next fiscal year.
• The Gaul Manor demolition will be a recurring monthly agenda item until completed. The administration is working on the DBE issue and final demolition steps.
• The living wage proposal will be refined with detailed cost estimates for all employee categories (including unclassified and part-time) and presented for further discussion. No immediate action was taken.
• Workforce development programs were acknowledged; councilmembers encouraged cross-promotion and broader outreach, especially in underserved areas like the Lower Ninth Ward.
• The meeting was adjourned (perpetually continued) without a final motion.

Note: The agenda and minutes were not available for this meeting; the summary is derived solely from the transcript.