New Orleans City Council Regular Meeting – June 24, 2026
New Orleans City Council Regular Meeting – June 24, 2026
The New Orleans City Council held a regular meeting on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, beginning at 10:00 AM in City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting included invocation, pledge, consent agenda, and a lengthy regular agenda with public hearings and votes on major development projects, budget amendments, and policy initiatives. Councilmembers present: McCarron, Harris, Hughes, Morrell, Willard (later joined by King and Green). The meeting recessed for an executive session and a separate Economic Development District meeting. Key items included the Convention Center Hotel Overlay District (Omni Hotel), funding for the NOPD 8th District Drone Program, a data center interim zoning district, and numerous zoning and budget matters.
Consent Calendar
- Received communications and reports from various city departments and agencies, including Entergy New Orleans filings, NOPD staffing data, 2025 Housing Trust Fund amendment, election results for Castle Manor and Upper Hurstville districts, HDLC appeal notices, bond sale documents, contract amendments, and monthly reports from SWBNO, OPCD, OIPM, Health Department, Finance, Municipal Court, and others.
- Adopted ordinances: Cal. No. 35,447 (increase fee for immobilization of unoccupied vehicles), Cal. No. 35,449 (Behrman Mixed-Use Integrity Overlay District), and multiple budget ordinances (Cal. Nos. 35,458 through 35,470) appropriating grant and capital outlay funds for various city departments and programs.
- Approved motions: M-26-241 (approving Housing Trust Fund Annual Report Amendment), M-26-243 through M-26-249 (appointments to Audubon Commission, NORA, Regional Planning Commission, Ethics Review Board, Recreation Development Commission), M-26-250 (signatory for Force 1 Protection contract), M-26-260 and M-26-261 (signatory for HUD and LDH contracts).
- All consent agenda items adopted by voice vote (6-0-1).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Omni Hotel Overlay (ZD 24/26): Over 30 speakers. Opponents (residents, unions, community groups) argued the project would increase surveillance, strain infrastructure, provide tax breaks without guarantees of union labor or living wages, and exacerbate the city's budget crisis. Supporters (convention center, business groups, construction unions) emphasized job creation (500 permanent, 2,500 construction jobs), $550M private investment, and the need for a convention headquarters hotel to remain competitive. Several speakers noted the developer had not committed to full property taxes initially.
- NOPD Drone Program (Cal. 35,450/35,451): Multiple speakers opposed, citing privacy concerns, lack of transparency, high cost ($750,000), and potential for racial profiling. Some noted that 99.9% of drone flights did not result in arrests. A few expressed support for the program for public safety.
- Octavia-Laurel Restaurant (ZD 30/26): Brief comments from neighbors and business representative; compromise reached after negotiations.
- Transient Lodging Study (M-26-229): Speakers urged careful consideration of impacts on residential areas.
- Other items: A speaker supported the Fortify NOLA roof program; others commented on encampment cleanups and the data center moratorium.
Discussion Items
- Convention Center Hotel Overlay District (ZD 24/26 & M-26-255): After extended public comment, the council debated the zoning change for a 1,000-room Omni Hotel on Convention Center Boulevard. The City Planning Commission recommended approval. Council President Morrell and Vice President Willard explained they delayed the vote until a separate pilot agreement was improved to protect the school board, include disadvantaged business provisions, job metrics, and a callback clause. The motion (M-26-255) was adopted 7-0.
- Octavia-Laurel Zoning Change (ZD 30/26 & M-26-253): Councilmember McCarron presented a compromise for Café Manu to serve alcohol with restrictions (7 a.m.–3 p.m., no to-go drinks, special event limits). A separate motion (M-26-254) directs CPC to rezone the property back to residential to prevent future incompatible uses. Both motions adopted 7-0.
- Data Center Interim Zoning District (ZD 37/26 & M-26-264): The council approved a temporary moratorium on data centers citywide while CPC studies regulations. Adopted 6-0-1.
- Transient Lodging Study (M-26-229): Approved directing CPC to amend the CZO based on the Desire Line study; the process includes multiple public hearings within 9–12 months. Adopted 6-0-1.
- NOPD 8th District Drone Program (Cal. 35,450 & 35,451): These ordinances move previously appropriated FQED funds into correct budget accounts. After public comment, the council voted 4-2 to adopt, with Councilmembers McCarron and Willard voting no.
- Airport Bond Resolutions (R-26-256 & R-26-257): Approved $225M in bond anticipation notes for capital improvements and $350M in refunding bonds for 2017 airport bonds. Both adopted 5-0-2.
- Special Event Permit Ordinance (Cal. 35,456): Requires property tax/liens clearance before permit issuance. Adopted 6-0-1.
- Mississippi River Heritage Park Height Limit (M-26-268): Directed CPC to limit height to 35 feet to protect the park adjacent to the proposed hotel. Adopted 6-0-1.
- Capital Budget Amendment (Cal. 35,457): Removed from consent to add an amendment correcting a project name. Adopted as amended 6-0-1.
- Granicus Contract (M-26-267): Authorized $124,713.59 contract for agenda/video management system. Adopted 7-0.
- Other items: Zoning Docket 38/26 (short-term rental) died past deadline; ZD 41/26 (Algiers rezoning) adopted 5-0-2; ZD 48/26 (park concessions) and Cal. 35,455 (mobile vending in riverfront park) adopted; various deferrals to July 9 or later.
Key Outcomes
- Omni Hotel Overlay District approved 7-0, contingent on improved pilot agreement.
- NOPD Drone funding approved 4-2 (McCarron, Willard opposed).
- Data center moratorium adopted unanimously.
- Transient lodging study process initiated unanimously.
- Capital budget and various grants approved as part of consent and regular agenda.
- Several new appointments confirmed to boards and commissions.
- Election results tabulated: Upper Hurstville Security District approved (221-98); Castle Manor Improvement District rejected (76-377).
Special Orders of Business
- Recognized the 90th anniversary of the New Orleans Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. with proclamations.
- Recognized the 90th anniversary of the New Orleans Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Members spoke about the chapter's history and community service.
Other Actions
- Executive session held on pending litigation.
- Meeting recessed for a separate Economic Development District meeting regarding the Omni Hotel pilot.
- Ordinances on first reading introduced (Cal. Nos. 35,472–35,490).
- Motion to adjourn adopted.
Meeting Transcript
As Olympian Day. Um, in New Orleans, our high schools are far more than buildings, they are a part of the fabric of our city. They shape our neighborhoods, our families, our traditions, and our culture. Uh, Sarah T Reed High School, established in nineteen eighty eight and named for pioneer and educator. Sarah Tiles Reed became a cornerstone of New Orleans East and a source of pride for generations of Olympians. Um, I know we have a lot of members of our unions here today, and Sarah T. Reed was responsible for founding the first teachers union in the city of New Orleans. She advocated for women and educators of color, particularly black educators. We intended to recognize Olympian Day last week, but due to tropical storm, last week's council meeting had to be rescheduled. Still, this special recognition is no less important. I want to thank the executive board for being here today and for fighting to preserve not just a school legacy, but a part of New Orleans culture. We are also proud to acknowledge two Sarah T. Reed graduates in public service, uh, Orleans, uh, City Council Clerk of Court, uh, Ayesha Kalye, uh, and my Chief of Staff, Justin McCorco, are both proud Olympians. A special thank you to Stacey Martin and Collegiate Academies for carrying forth the legacy of this school. We are looking forward to this year's Battle of the East between Abramson and Sarah T. Reed. I know it's going to be bigger and better than ever before. Won't tell y'all who I'm rooting for, but I'll be there. Uh, let me just say though, as um uh uh a Ron Eagle, uh, I have great admiration for Sarah T. Reed. Uh and I graduated from thirty thirteen thirty one Kellerek Street, and now McDonough thirty-five is located in a different building. But the legacy, the level of excellence, the culture of high expectations, it doesn't matter what building you're in. And I'm just so proud that the legacy of Sarah T. Reed will continue. Uh, so congratulations. We have uh some proclamations for you all. Uh, if you have a spokesperson that wants to say a couple quick words, we we certainly welcome that. Good morning, everyone. I'm Frank Ruby, the President of the Alumni Association, and we are very honored to be here. Hundreds of hundreds of been on campus in years. Very excited that we're moving on. Thank you. Recognize our right. Thank you. And look, um, I'm gonna say this as I'm an extreme introvert. People don't know that about me. Um, but I had the opportunity to come to Alumni Weekend on Saturday. Uh it was one of the most epic celebrations that I've ever been a part of, and my chief of staff was shocked. I actually did not want to leave. I had such a great time. So thank you all. Congratulations. We have some proclamations for you. We're gonna do a quick picture, and uh thank you all so much for being here. Hey, you stay right there for me. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Please take your seats. We're gonna get started. Thank you very much. Madam Clark, you can start.
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