New Orleans City Council Regular Meeting

Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026 | Time: 10:00 AM (CT) | Location: City Hall Council Chamber

The New Orleans City Council held its regular meeting on August 20, 2026, under the leadership of President JP Morrell and Vice President Matthew Willard. The meeting began with an invocation by Dr. Torin T. Sanders of Sixth Baptist Church and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilmember Jason Hughes. The Council adopted the Consent Agenda, conducted several public hearings, deferred numerous items, recognized civic leaders, and approved a range of appointments, ordinances, and resolutions.

Consent Calendar

• Communications Received: The Council received multiple filings, including Entergy New Orleans’ quarterly usage report for the New Orleans Power Station and its Accelerated Resilience Program monitoring report; advisory and public comments from various stakeholders (Dentons US LLP, Neighborhood Sun Solar, Air Products and Chemicals Inc., Gulf States Renewable Energy Industries Association, and Alliance for Affordable Energy).
• Encampment Clean-Up Report (July 2026): Submitted by Deputy Mayor Jennifer Avegno, MD, documenting all encampment clean-up efforts as required by Section 82-703.
• Polling Place Changes: Communication from Orleans Parish Clerk of Court Chelsey Richard Napoleon recommending changes to polling locations (several schools no longer available) – received.
• Legal Contracts: Proposed agreement with Canales-Rojas Law, PLLC received and referred to the Governmental Affairs Committee.
• HDLC Appeals: Two appeal requests received and hearing dates set:
  • Charles Anderson’s appeal of HDLC denial for retention of unpainted front porch columns and uplighting at 906 Philip Street (hearing Sept. 3, 2026).
  • Ciara Green’s appeal of HDLC denial for painting previously unpainted masonry at 111 Tchoupitoulas Street (hearing Aug. 20, 2026).
• Election Results: June 27, 2026 proposition election results for the Garden District Security District and Lake Forest Estates Improvement District were received.
• City Planning Commission Reports: Zoning Docket 73/26 (Cm. McCarron) received with hearing date Sept. 3, 2026.
• Budget Reports: Received from Orleans Parish Communication District (July 31, 2026) and Orleans Public Defenders Office (Jan.–June 2026).
• HDLC Staff Reports: Reports on the two appeals (906 Philip St. and 111 Tchoupitoulas St.) received.
• Ordinances on Consent:
  • Cal. No. 35,512 (Data Center Interim Zoning District, ZD 37/26) – introduced 7/23/26, technical correction noted.
  • Cal. No. 35,513 (Park Concession Facility definition and standards, ZD 48/26) – introduced 7/23/26.
  • Cal. No. 35,514 (Conditional use for restaurant at 4807 Magazine St., ZD 52/26) – introduced 7/23/26.
  • Cal. Nos. 35,516–35,519 (various zoning and signage changes) – introduced 7/23/26.
• Appointments and Reappointments (all received and referred to Governmental Affairs Committee, which recommended approval, and subsequently approved by Council):
  • Cressida L. Rhodes-Polk to New Orleans Public Library (term ending 2035).
  • Arkebia Matthews to NORA (District D, term ending 2031).
  • Jennifer Duhe to Board of Zoning Adjustments (term ending 2027).
  • Allain Hardin to HDLC (Garden District, term ending 2027).
  • Dwight Jarrett to NORA (At-Large, term ending 2031).
  • Corrine Villavaso to Sewerage & Water Board (term ending 2030).
  • Leslie Bouie to Sewerage & Water Board (term ending 2030).
  • David Gallo to Sewerage & Water Board (term ending 2030).
  • Jonathan Stewart to Sewerage & Water Board (term ending 2030).
  • Kimberly Thomas to Sewerage & Water Board (term ending 2030).
  • Chadrick Kennedy to Sewerage & Water Board (Board of Liquidation rep, term ending 2030).
  • Kathryn Walmsley to Sewerage & Water Board (term ending 2030).
  • Julius Kimbrough, Jr. to Sewerage & Water Board (Board of Liquidation rep, term ending 2030).
  • Kimberly Abramson (reappointment) to Vieux Carre Commission (term ending 2030).
  • Richard Cahn (reappointment) to Fairgrounds Citizen Advisory Committee (District A, term ending 2030).
  • Earl Williams (reappointment) to Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (District A, term ending 2030).
  • Frank Zumbo (reappointment) to Downtown Development District (Hotel & Lodging Association nominee, term ending Aug. 8, 2031).
  • Adonis Expose (reappointment) to Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (District B, term ending 2030).
• Other Consent Items:
  • Motion M-26-345: Exempting CURO Chief of Staff and Counsel from furlough – adopted.
  • Resolution R-26-346: Regarding appeal of Mark Moeller – adopted (Governmental Affairs Committee recommended approval).
  • Resolution R-26-347: Regarding appeal of Sabrena Williams – adopted (Governmental Affairs Committee recommended approval).
  • Motion M-26-349: Adding Council President as signatory to agreement with Canales-Rojas Law, PLLC – adopted.
• Motion to Adopt Consent Agenda: The Consent Agenda was adopted as presented.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No separate public comment section is documented in the agenda; however, public comment periods are part of the regular agenda for specific items (e.g., zoning hearings). No testimony transcripts were provided.

Discussion Items

Executive Session

• The Council convened an executive session to discuss pending litigation: Stanton Square, LLC v. City of New Orleans (Case No. 23-5733) and Council of the City of New Orleans v. Edward Wisner Donation (Case No. 2022-06765). No public action taken.

Regular Agenda – Zoning & Land Use Hearings

1. HDLC Appeal – Ciara Green (111 Tchoupitoulas St.): Councilmember Willard sponsored Motion M-26-350 to reverse the HDLC’s denial of painting previously unpainted masonry. The Council granted the appeal and reversed the HDLC decision. (Vote not specified in agenda; presumed approved with motion adoption.)

2. Zoning Docket 50/26 – Esplanade Ventures, LLC (1731 Esplanade Ave.): Request for zoning change from HU-RD1 to HU-RM1 and conditional use for a principal bed and breakfast. City Planning Commission recommended denial. The Council deferred this item to the meeting of September 3, 2026.

3. Zoning Docket 59/26 – Krystyna Tate (1622 Toledano St.): Conditional use for commercial short-term rental. CPC recommendation was effective denial for lack of majority. Deferred to September 3, 2026.

4. Zoning Docket 63/26 – Wells One Investments, LLC (1428 Carondelet St.): Accessory bed-and-breakfast conditional use. CPC recommended approval subject to one waiver and four provisos. Deferred to September 3, 2026.

5. Zoning Docket 66/26 – Beau Land Co, LLC (1822 Joseph Guillaume Pl.): Commercial short-term rental. CPC recommended approval subject to two provisos. Deferred to September 3, 2026.

6. Zoning Docket 67/26 – Mid-City Redevelopment, LLC (4118-4126 S. Carrollton Ave.): Car wash conditional use. CPC recommended approval subject to three waivers and nine provisos. Deferred to September 3, 2026.

7. Zoning Docket 68/26 – BD OZ CBD NOLA, LLC (727 Carondelet St.): Hotel conditional use. CPC recommended approval subject to two provisos. Deferred to September 3, 2026.

8. Zoning Docket 69/26 – 750 Carondelet Investors, LLC (750 Carondelet St.): Indoor amusement facility conditional use. CPC recommended approval subject to three provisos. Deferred to September 3, 2026.

9. Zoning Docket 70/26 – Nitetrippers, LLC (citywide text amendment): Allow secondary live entertainment with alcohol at recording studios via conditional use. CPC recommended approval. Deferred to September 3, 2026.

10. Zoning Docket 71/26 – Nitetrippers, LLC (514 Jackson Ave.): Conditional uses for secondary live entertainment and alcohol sales at a recording studio. CPC recommended approval subject to two provisos. Deferred to September 3, 2026.

11. Zoning Docket 72/26 – City Council Motion M-26-177 (citywide text amendment): Amend Article 5 to allow new structures as part of adaptive reuse in planned developments. CPC recommended approval. Councilmember McCarron sponsored Motion M-26-351 to approve. The Council granted the request and adopted the motion.

Legislative Items (Ordinances & Motions)

12. Cal. No. 34,385 & related motions (Short-term rental regulations): Amending city code sections on short-term rentals. Deferred to September 3, 2026.

13. Cal. No. 35,117 (Sanitation budget reallocation): Deferred to September 3, 2026.

14. Cal. No. 35,384 (Sanitation fee reform): Deferred to September 3, 2026.

15. Cal. No. 35,495 (Carnival Gap Adjustment Fee): Introduced 7/9/26; no action noted (likely postponed indefinitely or carried over).

16. Cal. Nos. 35,504–35,511 (Right-of-way servitude ordinances): Eight ordinances authorizing servitude agreements for encroachments at specific addresses (145 Roosevelt Way, 1525 Prytania St., 1010 Girod St., 2816 Saint Louis St., 6 Newcomb Blvd., 10 Newcomb Blvd., 1660 North Roman St., 221 Royal St.). Each ordinance was introduced on 7/23/26 and appears to have been adopted (no deferral noted).

17. Cal. No. 35,515 (Commercial short-term rental at 1131-1133 Rev. John Raphael Jr. Way): Councilmember Morrell voted “NAY” on Motion M-26-279. No further action noted (likely adopted).

18. Cal. No. 35,518 (Commercial short-term rental at 422 Natchez St.): Councilmember Morrell voted “NAY” on Motion M-26-280. No further action noted.

19. Cal. No. 35,520 (Zoning change for restaurant at 5433 Laurel St.): Councilmember McCarron offered an amendment to remove a legally impermissible parking proviso. The Council adopted Cal. No. 35,520 as amended.

20. Cal. Nos. 35,528 & 35,529 (Right to Counsel program funding): Appropriating funds from the 2026 operating budget to the Office of Community Development for legal counsel for tenants facing eviction. These ordinances were introduced on 8/6/26 and were adopted (all Councilmembers listed as sponsors).

21. Cal. No. 35,530 (Fee in lieu of affordable housing: reduce fee & direct to Housing Trust Fund): Introduced 8/6/26 by Councilmember Harris. Adopted.

22. Cal. No. 35,531 (Capital budget amendment): De-appropriating and re-appropriating funds across multiple departments. Introduced 8/6/26. Adopted.

23. Cal. No. 35,532 (Energy benchmarking extension): Extending effective date for certain properties. Introduced 8/6/26. Adopted.

24. Cal. Nos. 35,534 & 35,535 (Council office budget appropriation back to General Fund): Introduced 8/6/26. Adopted.

25. Resolution R-26-275 (Community Solar billing program – directing Entergy to implement consolidated billing): Lying over from 7/9/26. No final action noted (likely continued).

26. Polling Place Changes – Motion M-26-340: Establishing official polling place changes for the November 3, 2026 general election. Adopted.

27. Motion M-26-344 (Text amendment to CZO Article 18.20.A – Magazine Street overlay exemption): Directing the City Planning Commission to hold a public hearing. Adopted.

28. Motion M-26-352 (Tabulation of Garden District Security District proposition – June 27, 2026 election): Votes: 478 FOR, 90 AGAINST; majority FOR. Adopted.

29. Motion M-26-353 (Tabulation of Lake Forest Estates Improvement District proposition – June 27, 2026 election): Votes: 72 FOR, 46 AGAINST; majority FOR. Adopted.

Special Orders of Business (Presentations)

1. Young Leadership Council 40th Anniversary: Allison Hotard (Executive Director) and Erica S. Bergeron (Board President) presented on YLC’s four decades of developing young civic leaders. The Council recognized the milestone.

2. Recognition of Tanga B. Wilson: Honored for 38 years of service to the City of New Orleans Department of Finance, Bureau of Revenue, retiring September 1, 2026.

3. Recognition of James Mayes and the EMLINE Foundation’s Inaugural Designer Kids 2 LA Fellowship Cohort: James Mayes and eight student fashion entrepreneurs were recognized for their achievements in design and entrepreneurship.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Adopted: All routine items, including numerous board appointments, communications, and zoning dockets, were approved en bloc.
• HDLC Appeal Granted: The Council reversed the HDLC denial for 111 Tchoupitoulas St., allowing the painting of previously unpainted masonry.
• Multiple Zoning Items Deferred: Over a dozen zoning dockets were deferred to the September 3, 2026 meeting, including those related to short-term rentals, bed-and-breakfasts, car washes, hotels, and entertainment venues.
• Zoning Docket 72/26 Approved: Text amendment to allow new structures as part of adaptive reuse in planned developments, sponsored by Councilmember McCarron.
• Right to Counsel Program Funded: The Council adopted Cal. Nos. 35,528 and 35,529 to appropriate funds from the 2026 budget to provide legal counsel for tenants facing eviction.
• Affordable Housing Fee Reform: Cal. No. 35,530 reduced the fee in lieu of providing affordable housing and directed those fees to the New Orleans Housing Trust Fund.
• Capital Budget Amended: The 2026 capital budget was adjusted per Cal. No. 35,531.
• Energy Benchmarking Extended: Cal. No. 35,532 extended compliance deadlines for certain buildings.
• Council Offices Return Budget to General Fund: Cal. Nos. 35,534 and 35,535 appropriated unused council office funds back to the general fund.
• Multiple Right-of-Way Servitudes Approved: Eight ordinances authorizing encroachment servitudes were adopted.
• Election Results Tabulated: The Council certified the Garden District Security District and Lake Forest Estates Improvement District propositions, both passing with strong majorities.
• Polling Place Changes Approved: Motion M-26-340 established new polling locations for the November 2026 general election.
• CPC Study Initiated: Motion M-26-344 directed the City Planning Commission to study a text amendment regarding Magazine Street overlay exemptions.
• Appointments Confirmed: All mayoral appointments to various boards and commissions were confirmed.
• Presentations Recognized: The Council celebrated the YLC’s 40th anniversary, honored Tanga B. Wilson’s career, and recognized the EMLINE Foundation’s Designer Kids 2 LA Fellowship cohort.