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Record of Proceedings

New Orleans City Council Governmental Affairs Committee Meeting - June 11, 2026

City Council — Thursday, June 11, 2026
BodyNew Orleans, Louisiana
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, June 11, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 13:55

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
2:47

Thank you.

2:47

We're gonna get started.

2:50

Roll call.

2:51

Councilmember Morrell.

2:52

Here.

2:53

Councilmember McCarran.

2:55

Councilmember Harris.

2:57

Councilmember Green.

2:59

Councilmember Hughes.

3:01

We have four members.

3:02

We have a quorum.

3:03

Thank you.

3:04

First, we'll begin with the approval of the Minister of the Joint Meeting of Economic Development and Governmental Affairs on April 29th twenty.

3:12

So move.

3:13

Thank you.

3:13

I will second.

3:15

All in favor?

3:16

Aye.

3:17

All right.

3:17

Four years, no nays.

3:19

The minutes are approved.

3:20

Next we have the meeting of the governmental affairs committee on May 14th, 2026.

3:25

So moved.

3:26

I will second.

3:27

All in favor?

3:28

Aye.

3:28

Four years, no nays, it is approved.

3:31

Next up, we have board and commission appointments.

3:33

First up, we have the Alban Commission.

3:38

I'll just posit the same question we close to everyone.

3:41

Why do you want to be on the Audubon Commission?

3:44

Hello, Laverne.

3:45

Good morning.

3:46

Good morning, everyone, as I introduce I'm Laverne Tunes.

3:49

And the reason that I um want to serve on the Ottoman Nature Institute board is because of my years of experience and understanding its history since it's been around since nineteen fourteen, and one of our largest tourist attractions, but also in regards to their focus on conservation and environment, but also and uh uh in my years of experience in working in different nonprofit organizations and helping them look at their financials as well as looking at their strategic plan and all of the major projects that they're having.

4:24

Um in the process of implementing, I'll entertain a motion.

4:26

Moved by Councilm hoping that my years of experience can be able to help them move those forward.

4:31

All in favor?

4:32

Aye.

4:42

Four years, no nays.

4:43

You're approved.

4:44

Thank you, Laverne.

4:45

Appreciate you being here today.

4:46

Thank you.

4:46

We have a waiver that was received timely for Kenneth Barton Ferris.

4:51

Uh his documentation is in order and reviewed.

4:55

I will move on Mr.

4:56

Kenneth Barton Ferris.

4:58

Can I get a second?

4:58

Second by Council Bar Harris.

4:58

All in favor?

5:02

Four years, no nays.

5:04

It is approved to the full council.

5:07

Next, we have Alvin L.

5:08

Barrington.

5:11

Why do you want to be on the Audubon Commission?

5:17

Good morning.

5:18

Again, Alvin Barrington.

5:20

I would like to serve on the Art of the Commission because my values align with this uh conservation efforts and how it uh aligns with nature and what we want to protect within this area.

5:36

I have volunteered on many uh nonprofits over the years, and service is everything with their strategic plan, big core values aligned with what I want to do.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
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Summary of Proceedings

New Orleans City Council Governmental Affairs Committee Meeting - June 11, 2026

The Governmental Affairs Committee of the New Orleans City Council met on June 11, 2026, at 4:15 PM. Four members were present (Councilmembers Morrell, McCarran, Harris, Green, and Hughes; quorum established). The committee approved minutes from prior meetings, interviewed and forwarded seven board and commission appointees to the full council, advanced an ordinance updating towing and boot fees, and approved two grant agreements.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes Approval: The minutes of the Joint Meeting of Economic Development and Governmental Affairs on April 29, 2026, and the Governmental Affairs Committee meeting on May 14, 2026, were approved unanimously (4-0).

Board and Commission Appointments

  • Audubon Commission: Laverne Tunes and Alvin L. Barrington were interviewed and forwarded to the full council. Both cited experience in nonprofit management, conservation, and strategic planning. A waiver for Kenneth Barton Ferris was also approved and forwarded.
  • New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA): Tan Chanel Washington was interviewed and forwarded. She highlighted her 23 years in real estate, homeownership at age 19, and advocacy for housing and community development. Councilmember Green praised her commitment to New Orleans.
  • Regional Planning Commission: Nissan Patel, a District A constituent, was interviewed and forwarded. He emphasized infrastructure, economic development, and environmental protection.
  • Ethics Review Board: Bishop Tyrone Jefferson was interviewed and forwarded. He stated his goal to strengthen public trust through transparency and integrity. Councilmember Green thanked him for his community service.
  • New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORD): Catherine Bodewin, Orleans Parish School Board member, was interviewed and forwarded. She aims to improve coordination between schools and parks.
  • Deferral: The Board of Zoning Adjustments appointee was deferred.

Discussion Items

  • Ordinance 35447 (Towing and Boot Fees): Introduced by Councilmember Morrell, co-authored by Councilmember Hughes. The ordinance updates boot fees to cover city costs. Currently, the city loses approximately $50 per boot; the flat fee of $121 is below the actual cost of $170.80. The new fee will be 75% of the applicable towing class minimum tow cost for regular-size vehicles, resulting in a boot fee of $172. The ordinance was approved unanimously (4-0) and forwarded to the full council.
  • Contracts per Rule 57:
    • Agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for federal funds for lead hazard abatement. Approved (4-0).
    • Agreement with the Louisiana Department of Health for state funds for HIV-related services. Approved (4-0).

Key Outcomes

  • All seven board and commission appointees were forwarded to the full council for final approval.
  • Ordinance 35447 (towing and boot fees) was advanced to the full council.
  • Two grant agreements (lead hazard abatement and HIV services) were approved.
  • The meeting adjourned at approximately 4:45 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Thank you. We're gonna get started. Roll call. Councilmember Morrell. Here. Councilmember McCarran. Councilmember Harris. Councilmember Green. Councilmember Hughes. We have four members. We have a quorum. Thank you. First, we'll begin with the approval of the Minister of the Joint Meeting of Economic Development and Governmental Affairs on April 29th twenty. So move. Thank you. I will second. All in favor? Aye. All right. Four years, no nays. The minutes are approved. Next we have the meeting of the governmental affairs committee on May 14th, 2026. So moved. I will second. All in favor? Aye. Four years, no nays, it is approved. Next up, we have board and commission appointments. First up, we have the Alban Commission. I'll just posit the same question we close to everyone. Why do you want to be on the Audubon Commission? Hello, Laverne. Good morning. Good morning, everyone, as I introduce I'm Laverne Tunes. And the reason that I um want to serve on the Ottoman Nature Institute board is because of my years of experience and understanding its history since it's been around since nineteen fourteen, and one of our largest tourist attractions, but also in regards to their focus on conservation and environment, but also and uh uh in my years of experience in working in different nonprofit organizations and helping them look at their financials as well as looking at their strategic plan and all of the major projects that they're having. Um in the process of implementing, I'll entertain a motion. Moved by Councilm hoping that my years of experience can be able to help them move those forward. All in favor? Aye. Four years, no nays. You're approved. Thank you, Laverne. Appreciate you being here today. Thank you. We have a waiver that was received timely for Kenneth Barton Ferris. Uh his documentation is in order and reviewed. I will move on Mr. Kenneth Barton Ferris. Can I get a second? Second by Council Bar Harris.

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