New Orleans City Council Regular Meeting - August 6, 2026

The New Orleans City Council convened on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 10:11 AM in City Hall Council Chamber, with all seven members present. The meeting adjourned at 12:29 PM. The agenda included a proclamation, a consent agenda with unanimous approvals, and a regular agenda featuring extensive debate on Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) governance, drone transparency reporting, zoning changes, and many deferrals.

Proclamation

• Councilmember Green presented a proclamation honoring the late Donald W. Richardson, a beloved music educator at Andrew J. Bell High School. Family members, former students, and colleagues spoke about his mentorship and impact on New Orleans music culture. The proclamation was accepted by the family.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda (items 1–29) was adopted unanimously (7-0) and included:
  • Receipt of communications related to electric and gas utility matters from Entergy New Orleans and Delta New Orleans Gas Company.
  • Amendments to Civil Service Rules (Chief Administrative Office) referred to the Budget Committee.
  • Withdrawal of a conditional use request for 2400 Napoleon Avenue.
  • Receipt of a communication requesting to speak on phasing out mule-drawn carriages.
  • Monthly NOPD staffing and hiring data for July 2026.
  • Proposed contract amendments for Professional Accounting Management and Universal Protection Services (referred to committees).
  • Polling location changes from the Clerk of Court.
  • Reports from Municipal Court, City Planning Commission (setting hearing for 8/20/26), District Attorney, Finance Department, SWBNO on Q2 construction and operations, and the Law Department on judgments.
  • Adoption of three ordinances: Convention Center Hotel Overlay District (Cal. 35,494), zoning map change in Algiers (Cal. 35,497), and conditional use for a hotel at 709 Jackson Avenue (Cal. 35,499).
  • Approval of multiple board appointments (Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, Industrial Development Board, Fairgrounds Citizen Advisory Committee, Recreation Development Commission, City Planning Commission).
  • Adoption of Resolution R-26-309 (electric service disruptions) and R-26-310 (extension of formula rate plans).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mule-drawn carriages (Consent item #4): Several speakers addressed the request to consider phasing out mule-drawn carriages. Business owners Alex Mata and Louis Charbonnet opposed a ban, citing good animal welfare records and industry stability. Benjamin Spate, an equine professional, noted mules are self-regulating and invited inspection of barns. Christie Solano and Catherine Cassidy supported a phase-out, arguing the practice is inhumane in heat and humidity; Jeff Dorson (Humane Society) also supported a transition to electric carriages and raised concerns about SPCA budget cuts affecting stray animal services.
• SWBNO governance (Item 20): Multiple public speakers addressed the proposed governance overhaul. Irma Plummer, a SWBNO employee, called it a “hostile takeover.” Russell Kelly asserted racial motives. Morgan Clevinger expressed hope for accountability. Dr. Angela Chalk urged the council to stop finger-pointing and work collaboratively. Anthony Generat defended worker pride and objected to personal attacks on the executive director.

Discussion Items

• SWBNO Governance Overhaul (Item 20, Cal. 35,521): The council debated and adopted Ordinance 35,521 establishing a new governance structure for SWBNO, including council oversight, board composition, and procedures. Council President Morrell emphasized that the council previously had no authority over SWBNO and that the ordinance aims to fix broken billing, customer service, and accountability. He noted that the city paid $2.1 million to a contractor for customer service because SWBNO’s billing was “irrevocably broken.” Councilmember King clarified it is not a takeover but an oversight tool. A substitute amendment (McCarron, Hughes, Morrell, Willard) clarifying board membership approval, ex officio roles, and council powers was adopted (7-0). The ordinance as amended passed 7-0.
• SWBNO Bylaws (Item 47, M-26-311): A motion requiring SWBNO to submit new bylaws by December 31, 2026, addressing executive director/general superintendent roles, procurement policies, and consideration of holding board meetings in council chambers, was adopted (6-0, King absent).
• SWBNO Compensation Review (Item 48, M-26-312): Motion directing Civil Service Commission to review SWBNO classified employees’ compensation alignment with other public utilities, adopted (6-0).
• SWBNO Audit (Item 49, R-26-313): Resolution requesting the Louisiana Legislative Auditor to conduct an audit of SWBNO, adopted (6-0). Councilmember Green noted this could expose needed corrections and help secure state support.
• SWBNO Local Control (Item 51, R-26-315): Resolution supporting pursuit of a local-control governance model for SWBNO, adopted (6-0).
• Infrastructure Project List (Item 50, R-26-314): Resolution amending the City Infrastructure Project List to add 12 projects, freeing up general fund cash flow. Adopted (7-0).
• Capital Budget Amendment (Item 21, Cal. 35,522): Ordinance appropriating bond funds to various departments, enabling general fund relief. Adopted (7-0).
• Drone Transparency (Item 22, Cal. 35,523): Ordinance requiring NOPD to provide monthly and quarterly reports on drone usage, including a public dashboard. An amendment added reporting on deploying agencies and supervising officers. Adopted as amended (7-0). Public commenter Sue Mobley expressed concern about surveillance and urged transparency.
• Percent for Art (Item 23, Cal. 35,524): Ordinance reducing the capital budget allocation for public art from 1.5% to 1%, saving $2.5 million over six years. Adopted (6-0).
• Airport Leases: Two ordinances authorizing lease extensions for United Airlines (Cal. 35,501) and a new signatory lease for Alaska Airlines (Cal. 35,502) at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport were adopted (6-0 each).
• Zoning Items:
  • ZD 47/26 (100 Poydras billboard): Amendment to allow electronic conversion of a billboard; approved 7-0.
  • ZD 58/26 (7979 Earhart Blvd hotel): Conditional use for an 8-bedroom hotel; approved 7-0.
  • ZD 60/26 (2901 Magazine St restaurant): Conditional use for standard restaurant with alcohol; approved 7-0.
  • ZD 62/26 (2657-2659 Treasure St): Zoning change denied (spot zoning); motion to deny adopted 7-0.
  • ZD 65/26 (3200 Cadiz St B&B): Conditional use for accessory bed and breakfast; approved 6-0.
  • Property Disposition 1/26 (John Churchill Chase Street): Sale of street/parkland for convention center hotel development; ordinance adopted 6-0.
• Deferrals: Numerous items (RTA applications, sanitation fee ordinance, short-term rental regulations, pay plan amendments, etc.) were deferred to dates between August 20 and September 3, 2026.
• Executive Session: Held to discuss litigation (Rice Group LLC v. City Council). Council entered (6-0) and later reconvened (7-0).
• Add-On Item: Resolution R-26-320 establishing a comment period for community solar rules was adopted (7-0).
• Ordinances on First Reading: 11 ordinances were introduced and laid over, including zoning changes, affordable housing fee reductions, and budget appropriations.

Key Outcomes

• SWBNO Governance Ordinance (Cal. 35,521) adopted as amended (7-0).
• Motions on SWBNO bylaws, compensation review, and LLA audit adopted (6-0 each).
• Resolution supporting local control for SWBNO adopted (6-0).
• Drone reporting ordinance (Cal. 35,523) adopted as amended (7-0).
• Percent for art ordinance (Cal. 35,524) adopted (6-0).
• Airport lease extensions for United and Alaska Airlines adopted (6-0 each).
• Zoning approvals: ZD 47/26 (7-0), ZD 58/26 (7-0), ZD 60/26 (7-0), ZD 62/26 denial (7-0), ZD 65/26 (6-0).
• Property disposition for convention center hotel adopted (6-0).
• Infrastructure project list amendment (R-26-314) adopted (7-0).
• Capital budget amendment (Cal. 35,522) adopted (7-0).
• Consent agenda adopted (7-0).
• Minutes of July 9 and July 23, 2026 approved (6-0).
• Executive session conducted; council reconvened (7-0).
• Many items deferred to future meetings.
• Meeting adjourned at 12:29 PM.

Note: The meeting date is August 6, 2026, as specified in the agenda and minutes. The roll call shows all seven members present at start; some votes had one member absent (King III or McCarron).