OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
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 — Verbatim
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.

5:48

I feel I would be a great asset to the commission and look forward to onboarding and working with the commission.

5:55

Thank you, Mr.

5:56

Barrington.

5:57

Uh, I'll entertain a motion.

5:59

So moved, moved by Mr.

6:00

Green, second by council Bar Harris, all in favor?

6:03

Aye, four years, no nays.

6:05

You are forward to full council.

6:06

Thank you.

6:07

Thank you, sir.

6:08

Next up, we have Tan Chanel Washington for the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority.

6:19

Good morning.

6:22

I would love the opportunity to serve on Nora's board as at my core.

6:29

This work is my ministry, uh, my mission in this earth, honestly.

6:36

Um, the mission of Nora aligns with my mission.

6:39

I had the opportunity of purchasing my first home at the age of 19, and that is what has caused this great passion, um, as it pertains to housing, community development, and advocacy work.

6:56

I believe that I would be a great asset if I could bring both my personal and professional um experiences to the board.

7:05

I've been a real estate professional for the last 23 years thriving.

7:10

Thank you, Councilman McGreen.

7:12

I um pleased to have nominated um T Denise Washington for the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority, but I want to mention that we have a distinguished group of appointees to date.

7:25

But I just wanted to say to you, um, thank you for buying your house here in New Orleans at the age of 19.

7:31

Thank you for staying here in the city of New Orleans, raising your children.

7:34

Thank you for your work with the New Orleans Real Estate Brokers Association and on a national level telling people about the good side of New Orleans in terms of investment.

7:44

I appreciate your willingness to serve on the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority, a very important agency as we look to support our housing community in general.

7:53

So just thank you for your willingness to serve.

7:55

But I just want to re-emphasize to all buying a house at the age of 19 and staying here in New Orleans.

8:02

That's a great thing.

8:03

Thank you.

8:04

My pleasure.

8:05

Thank you.

8:06

Uh I'll entertain a motion.

8:07

So moved.

8:08

Moved by Councilman Green.

8:09

Second by Councilmember Harris.

8:11

All in favor?

8:12

Aye.

8:12

Four years, no nays.

8:14

You are forward to full council.

8:15

Thank you.

8:15

Thank you.

8:16

Next up, well, first we will be deferring uh the Board of Zoning Adjustments appointee.

8:21

Next up, we have Nissan Patel to the Regional Planning Commission.

8:25

Come on down, Mr.

8:26

Patel.

8:32

Good morning.

8:33

Thank you all all for uh considering me.

8:35

I'm a New Orleans native and um my family settled in uh New Orleans East growing up, so uh I'd like to continue, or I'd like to start serving on this commission.

8:44

I'm a proud district A uh constituent with Councilman Councilwoman, excuse me, McCarron, and uh I believe that the regional planning commission is important in uh helping understand and build our infrastructure, our economy, and uh protect our environment.

9:00

So I believe I'd be a strong representative for the city of New Orleans.

9:04

Thanks again for considering me.

9:06

Thank you.

9:08

I want to try to motion, so so move.

9:12

Moved by Councilmember Green.

9:13

Second by Councilmember Harris, all in favor?

9:15

Aye, four years, no nays.

9:17

You are approved of the full council.

9:18

Next up we have Bishop Tyrone Jefferson for the Ethics Review Board.

9:22

Good morning, Bishop.

9:24

Why do you want to be on the Ethics Review Board?

9:27

Good morning to you, uh Council President, and of course to this uh wonderful committee.

9:29

I would like to say uh again, good morning, and my name is Bishop Tyrone Jefferson.

9:36

I love this great city.

9:38

I was born and read most of you know me that and most of you know that I'm the pastor of abundant light tabernacle, a full gospel Baptist church, better known as the TAP.

9:47

And um, whenever I'm given opportunity to serve, I'm always grateful.

9:51

I would like to serve on the ethics review board to help strengthen public trust in our great city government about ensuring transparency, accountability, and the highest standards of integrity.

10:05

Thank you.

10:06

Mr.

10:06

Chair, my machine is not working, and they're all not working.

10:10

So, uh would you like to speak?

10:12

I'd just like to say, sorry, come back up, Bishop.

10:14

He wants to say nice things about you.

10:15

Yes.

10:17

Thank you.

10:18

I just want to thank you because you're always willing to serve, and you've done so much to help people feel strong spiritually.

10:25

I appreciate your food drives.

10:27

I appreciate the emphasis on health, the emphasis on the things that are important in our community, and the very fact that you're willing to serve on such an important board is in addition to all the things that you do already.

10:39

Just want to say thank you.

10:40

Thank you so much.

10:41

Thank you, Bishop.

10:42

So Councilman Green moves.

10:44

I will second.

10:45

All in favor.

10:47

Four years, no nays.

10:49

Bishop Jefferson is moved to the full council for review.

10:52

Last up we have uh Catherine Bodewin for the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission.

11:00

Why do you want to serve on North Sea?

11:02

Hi, good morning.

11:04

Um Mr.

11:04

Chair, members of the committee.

11:06

My name is Katie Bodwin.

11:07

I currently serve on the Orleans Parish School Board representing District 5.

11:11

And I would like to be our representative on Nord because I would like to see greater strength or stronger um coordination between our schools and our parks.

11:22

Um we serve the same population, and I think we can do a great job of coming together and making sure that our children's education and recreation working well together and they have all the opportunities that they deserve.

11:35

So that's what I would like to do as a member of the board of the commission, and um thank you very much for your consideration.

11:42

Thank you.

11:43

Councilman Harris Moose, second, green, green second McCarrin.

11:48

Let her second something.

11:49

That's all right.

11:49

I didn't know.

11:50

All in favor.

11:52

Four years, no nays.

11:53

Thank you.

11:54

You afford full council for approval.

11:56

Uh next up we have calendar ordinance 35447 by myself.

12:02

This ordinance simply updates the towing fees and boot fees for the city of New Orleans.

12:09

Increase the boot fee to actually cover the costs incurred by the city.

12:12

Currently, the city loses about fifty dollars per boot.

12:15

The current boot fee is 121 dollars on average.

12:18

A boost of boost boot costs the city 170.80 cents.

12:22

The ordinance changes the boot fee from a flat fee to the percentage rate tied to published rates by the Louisiana Public Service Commission.

12:28

Boot fee will be 75% of the applicable towing class minimum tow cost for regular size vehicles.

12:35

The new boot fee is 70 172 dollars.

12:38

Cost increase essential.

12:40

The cost of increase is essential for the city to carry out parking enforcement, cannot continue to lose money on booting.

12:48

Is there any comments on this?

12:50

I would also like to know for the record that uh councilman Hughes is a co-author.

12:55

All right.

12:56

Uh I will move.

12:57

Can I get a second?

12:58

Second by Council Harris, all in favor.

13:00

Aye.

13:01

Four years, no nays.

13:02

Before to the full council for consideration.

13:05

Uh last up, we have some contracts per Rule 57.

13:10

Uh, first, we have an agreement between the City of New Orleans and the U.S.

13:14

Department of Housing and Urban Development for the acceptance of federal funds for lead hazard abatement.

13:18

I understand there are uh individuals from the administration to answer questions.

13:23

Are there any questions on this item?

13:25

All right.

13:26

Hearing none, I will move.

13:27

Can I get a second?

13:29

Second by Councilmember Harris, all in favor?

13:31

Aye.

13:31

Four years, no nays.

13:33

You'll forward to the full council.

13:34

Next, you have agreement with the city and the Louisiana Department of Health for acceptance of state funds for HIV related services.

13:39

Are there any questions on this item?

13:42

Hearing none, I will move.

13:44

Second by Council Bar Harris, all in favor.

13:47

Four years, no nays, approved.

13:49

With that, Councilman Green moves we adjourn.

13:51

Seconded by Council McCarron, all in favor.

13:53

Aye.

13:53

Four years, no nays were adjourned.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████100%
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.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com