Joint Committee Meeting – Governmental Affairs, Public Works, Budget – September 10, 2026

The Joint Governmental Affairs, Public Works, and Budget Committee met on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Five members were present, establishing a quorum. The meeting covered approvals, board appointments, a confirmation hearing, ordinance changes, and extensive updates from the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO), including the Public Utility Modernization Process (PUMPS) reform effort.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The committee unanimously approved minutes from five prior meetings: Governmental Affairs (August 13, 2026), Public Works (June 9, 2026), Joint Utility/Cable/Telecommunications/Technology & Public Works (July 22, 2026), Joint Climate Change/Sustainability & Public Works (July 30, 2026), and Joint Budget & Public Works (August 27, 2026).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Christy McKinney (Kenner City Council member): Expressed concerns about the appointment of Barry Ranshi to the New Orleans Aviation Board, stating the Kenner Council had not ratified the nomination and that the mayor had vetoed the process. She requested the committee vote against the appointment or seek an Attorney General opinion.
• Amy Vallet (Deputy CAO, City of Kenner): Requested a one-meeting deferral to resolve process conflicts with Kenner’s charter, noting that Councilman Stagney’s letter was sent without full council awareness.
• Mr. Robinson (resident): Complained about unresolved potholes since 1987, lack of response from SWBNO, and urged the city to stop funding what he called an incompetent utility.

Discussion Items

1. Confirmation of Austin Wilty as Director of Property Management (Sec. 4-106 hearing): Deputy CAO Steve Nelson introduced Wilty, citing his legal background and experience. Wilty was confirmed unanimously (6-0) and forwarded to the full council.

2. Boards and Commissions Appointments:

   • Ethics Review Board: Jay Marks approved (6-0).
   • Audubon Commission: Elaina Boutte approved (6-0).
   • New Orleans Aviation Board: Barry Ranshi advanced (6-0) despite Kenner objections; committee determined the process was proper based on the existing CEA.
   • New Orleans Redevelopment Authority: Sandy Duet and Adam Stumpf approved (6-0 each); Travis Phipps deferred.
   • Sewerage and Water Board: Ariane Greenidge approved (6-0).
   • Alcoholic Beverage Control Board: LaTanja Silvester approved (6-0).

3. Ord. Cal. No. 35,559 (Carnival solicitation): Councilmember Morrell explained the ordinance allows carnival organizations to advertise memberships via modern methods outside carnival season, while continuing the ban on solicitation during parades. Unanimously passed (6-0).

4. Motion M-26-374 (Waiver for fossil fuel vehicles): The motion waives code Section 2-905 to allow NOPD acquisition of three used internal-combustion vehicles for undercover operations. Council expressed concern about the after-the-fact waiver but passed it (6-0) with a warning about future compliance.

5. SWBNO Updates (presented by director Heyman and staff):

   • Killdeer Street water main break: Acknowledged a failure in escalation—the leak, entangled in tree roots, led to a tree collapse that damaged a home. Director Heyman called the response “unacceptable” and outlined new standard operating procedures (SOP) by September 30 to improve escalation and close-the-loop communications.
   • Work orders: 3,100+ completed in July–August; non-urgent water main repairs average 41 days. A new work order system is expected by summer 2027.
   • Co-generation/parallel operations: Lowered static frequency changer trip settings from 80% to 28% (covering 86% of voltage sag events). An Entergy agreement in place by end of 2024 will enable parallel power from turbines, targeting zero voltage sags.
   • Dwyer Canal investigation: Phase 1 repaired 15 defects; continued monitoring and dye testing for additional issues. Sampling results updated monthly on SWBNO website.
   • Catch basin cleaning: 3,366 basins cleaned (out of ~76,000), 5.5 million lbs of debris removed, but data reporting gaps (closed orders not updating 311) are being corrected.
   • Quality of Life Initiative: Letters sent to contractors on site cleanliness; customer concern portal launching by September 30.
   • Council frustration: Vice President Willard reported a 20% non-response rate to council inquiries, average 7-day response time, and 55% follow-up rate. Director Heyman committed to a specific action plan by mid-next week and a dedicated customer service point-of-contact per district.

6. DPW Updates (presented by Deputy CAO Steve Nelson):

   • Hiring: 55 new hires (42 frontline paving, electricians, signal technicians); target 50 more by October. First in-house mill-and-overlay block by end of 2024.
   • Streetlights: 7,995 lights turned on year-to-date; backlog reduced from 3,000+ to 1,948; average wait time for 2026 work orders = 59 days. Focus on Interstate 10 and oldest orders from 2022–2023.
   • Potholes & paving: 19,000 potholes repaired, 19,000 linear feet of shoulder work, 5,000 sq ft of asphalt patching, 2,300 linear ft of sidewalk repaired.
   • Pavement assessment: Citywide pavement condition index contract expected within 2–3 months, using LIDAR and AI, with a 25-week study.
   • Traffic signals & signs: Two PTOE-certified engineers hired; backlog includes 800-day average for name signs. School zone beacon repairs prioritized.
   • Neighborhood focus: Starting in two months, DPW will concentrate work in 10x10 block areas each week (e.g., Ubuntu Village model) to improve efficiency.
   • Morrison Road & Crowder Bridge: Morrison Road project on schedule for late summer 2027; Crowder Bridge closure for piling repair expects completion by December 2026.
   • Coordination with SWBNO: Blanket agreement for equipment use and combined paving operations to eliminate delays between dig-and-pave.

7. PUMPS Update (Andrew Tuzzolo, Leo John Arnett, Chuck Tony):

   • Governance reform: New SWBNO board elected citizen president (Jonathan Stewart) for the first time in decades; board meetings moving to City Council chambers for transparency.
   • Integration roadmap: Two-year plan to merge SWBNO as a full city department by 2028. Board passed a resolution to support integration and appoint a transition officer.
   • Operational efficiencies: Proposed blanket CEA allowing shared equipment and yards; consolidation of IT, communications, and admin functions.
   • Parcel fee: Future ballot measure to fund drainage and street improvements by taxing non-paying parcels (40% of properties). Detailed proposal expected this fall.
   • Next steps: SWBNO board meeting September 16 to act on contract extensions, bylaws, and a formal transition roadmap.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved for five prior meetings.
• Austin Wilty confirmed as Director of Property Management.
• Six board appointments advanced to full council; all votes unanimous (6-0).
• Ordinance 35,559 passed (6-0).
• Motion M-26-374 passed (6-0).
• SWBNO commitments: New escalation SOP by September 30; improved council response with 24–48 hour acknowledgment; action plan for council inquiries by mid-next week.
• DPW commitments: Continue hiring, launch neighborhood-scale work, issue pavement assessment contract, reduce streetlight and sign backlog to 30-day target, and develop blanket coordination agreement with SWBNO.
• PUMPS: Board resolution for integration; transition officer to be named; September 16 board meeting to adopt specific measures.