New Orleans City Council Regular Meeting - July 9, 2026

The New Orleans City Council held its regular meeting on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 10:03 AM, presided over by Council President JP Morrell. The meeting included approval of minutes, consent agenda items, public comments, consideration of multiple zoning dockets, a PILOT resolution for the Rivana affordable housing development, an executive session, and a special presentation on gene therapy. The meeting adjourned at 1:00 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes – Minutes of June 4, 2026, and June 24, 2026, were approved unanimously (6–0, with Councilmember Hughes absent).
• Communications Received – Utility filings from Entergy New Orleans and Delta New Orleans Gas; a waiver request for the Mercy Hospital Redevelopment (private funding match waiver); a public records request from Russell Kelly; monthly NOPD staffing data; a proposed agreement with OpenGov, Inc. (referred to Budget Committee); a proposed agreement with GNOFEF, Inc.; Employee Retirement System certification; Housing Trust Fund quarterly report; City Planning Commission transmittal for zoning dockets; May 2026 Finance report; Orleans Parish DA report; Sewerage and Water Board storm report for June 15–19, 2026.
• Ordinances Adopted – Cal. No. 35,453 (signage regulations for detached signage over driveways in MU-1 and MU-2 districts); Cal. No. 35,454 (conditional use for social club at 420 Julia Street, CBD-6 district); Cal. No. 35,471 (additional $1.00 gasoline surcharge per trip through December 31, 2027); Cal. No. 35,481 and Cal. No. 35,482 (budget amendments to reduce reliance on one-time revenues and fund a priority project).
• Motion M-26-270 – Establishing a task force for the prenatal-to-three population, focusing on climate-related risks. Adopted after suspension of rules (6–0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Herman Joseph – Expressed concern about gun violence and youth, urged the council to rebuild community centers and provide direction for young people.
• Russell Kelly – Alleged improper awarding of a $78,422 emergency contract to a non-licensed electrical contractor and questioned staff augmentation billing practices, citing whistleblower retaliation.

Discussion Items

• Deferrals to July 23, 2026 or August 6, 2026 – Many items were deferred, including several Restoration Tax Abatement applications, Historic District Landmarks Commission (HDLC) appeals, and classified pay plan motions. Notable deferrals: Zoning Docket 42/26 (affordable housing definition amendments), Zoning Docket 49/26 (vocational educational facility), Cal. No. 34,385 and related short-term rental regulations, Cal. No. 35,384 (sanitation fees), and several budget appropriations for housing and rehousing.
• Zoning Docket 52/26 – Mag Oak Management, LLC – Request for a conditional use for a standard restaurant at 4807 Magazine Street. The City Planning Commission recommended approval with three provisos. The restaurant will operate on a “pay-what-you-can” model. Public comment was supportive. Motion M-26-278 adopted unanimously (7–0).
• Zoning Docket 53/26 – Bearchild Company, LLC – Request for a commercial short-term rental at 1131-1133 Reverend John Raphael Jr. Way. CPC recommended approval with two provisos due to the commercial surroundings. Motion M-26-279 adopted 6–1 (Councilmember Morrell voted no, citing his consistent opposition to short-term rental exemptions during the interim zoning district).
• Zoning Docket 54/26 – WDG, LLC – Request for a conditional use for a social club at 5325 Canal Boulevard (architectural office expansion). CPC recommended approval with one proviso. Motion M-26-273 adopted unanimously (7–0).
• Resolution R-26-271 – Rivana PILOT Term Sheet – Approved a PILOT agreement for 220 units of affordable housing at 1480 Tchoupitoulas Street, with a 40-year property tax exemption and an annual administrative fee of $5,000, increasing 3% per year. The development will include units at 60% and 80% AMI, with some at 20% and 30% AMI. Public comment was largely supportive. Councilmember Hughes expressed concerns about property tax revenue and the lack of guarantee for local workers. Councilmember Morrell voted no, citing the city’s budget crisis and the difficulty of explaining the PILOT to furloughed city workers. Motion adopted 6–1.
• Executive Session – Held to discuss three pending litigation cases: Chelsey Richard Napoleon v. City of New Orleans, Council of the City of New Orleans v. Edward Wisner Donation, and Granaio, LLC v. City of New Orleans. Motion to enter executive session adopted unanimously (7–0). Reconvened with 6 yeas, 0 nays, 1 abstention (Councilmember Green).
• Zoning Docket 55/26 – Gabriel Riles – Approval for a reception facility at 1701 St. Bernard Avenue. Motion M-26-276 adopted unanimously (7–0).
• Zoning Docket 56/26 – Tony and Nicolette Montgomery – Approval for a commercial short-term rental at 422 Natchez Street. Motion M-26-280 adopted 6–1 (Councilmember Morrell again voted no).
• Zoning Docket 57/26 – MMJSS Holdings, LLC – Text amendment to signage regulations affecting the Jack’s Brewery (Mill House) building. Motion M-26-277 adopted 7–0.
• Ordinance Cal. No. 35,486 – Amended Section 70-565 to clarify scope and provide exceptions consistent with court orders (related to school board fees). Adopted unanimously (7–0).
• Ordinance Cal. No. 35,489 – Authorized a cooperative endeavor agreement with the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office for executive protection services for the council, with a term greater than one year. Adopted unanimously (7–0).
• Motions Under Suspension – M-26-281 (RDA agreement for New Lab energy incubator project, no cost to city) adopted 6–0; M-26-282 (CEA for lot abatement using $100,000 state allocation) adopted 6–0; M-26-283 (lease for Mercy Hospital redevelopment) adopted 6–0.
• Special Presentation – Manning Family Children’s Hospital recognized Daniel Cressy as the first patient in Louisiana to be functionally cured of sickle cell disease through gene therapy. Councilmembers praised the achievement and discussed barriers to access. Proclamations were presented.
• Ordinances on First Reading – Introduced and laid over 13 ordinances, including carnival regulations, a zoning map change, and cooperative endeavor agreements.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved (6–0).
• Consent Agenda adopted (6–0).
• Zoning Docket 52/26 approved (7–0).
• Zoning Docket 53/26 approved (6–1, with Morrell dissenting).
• Zoning Docket 54/26 approved (7–0).
• Resolution R-26-271 (Rivana PILOT) adopted (6–1, with Morrell dissenting).
• Executive Session held (entered 7–0, reconvened 6–0–1).
• Zoning Docket 55/26 approved (7–0).
• Zoning Docket 56/26 approved (6–1, with Morrell dissenting).
• Zoning Docket 57/26 approved (7–0).
• Ordinance Cal. No. 35,486 adopted (7–0).
• Ordinance Cal. No. 35,489 adopted (7–0).
• Motions M-26-281, M-26-282, M-26-283 adopted (each 6–0).
• Motion M-26-269 (appointments in globo) adopted (6–0).
• Special presentation acknowledged with proclamations.
• Ordinances on first reading introduced (7–0).
• Meeting adjourned (5–0, with McCarron and Hughes absent).