Public Meetings - New Orleans, Louisiana

The Council convened on December 16, 2025, to approve Resolution R2569 establishing New Orleans' first Distributed Energy Resources (DER) program. This landmark initiative, born from post-Hurricane Ida resilience efforts, aims to invest $28 million over three years to deploy solar and battery systems across the city. The program seeks to provide backup power during outages and enhance grid reliability while capping administration costs and mitigating bill impacts for customers. Consent Calendar - Approval of the previous meeting's minutes was moved and seconded, with unanimous approval. Public Comments & Testimony - Rebecca Merriweather (Magic Stream Community): Expressed strong support for the program, noting its potential to serve the entire neighborhood and improve livability; emphasized that distributed panels could be a matter of life and death for residents. - Sarah Jane Gidry: Expressed concerns regarding eligibility and fairness; stated she is not eligible for the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) incentives and questioned the fairness of the compensation rate paid to customers for energy pulled from their systems. - Crack at FQA / Community Lighthouse Representative: Stated strong support, arguing that the grid failure previously caused the loss of a community shelter during Hurricane Ida due to lack of ventilation. Urged the Council to protect neighbors and prevent future families from enduring similar crises. - Matt Handler (Bethlehem Care): Stated full support for the initiative, highlighting the critical need for power in food desert communities served by the church; shared personal experience of food spoilage during a local outage in Algiers, District C, without a storm. - Parent & Community Lighthouse Tech Lead: Expressed support for scaling the program to allow families to join the green workforce and reduce energy bills to approximately $10 per year. - International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 130: Expressed support for the proposal but urged that the design include a robust apprenticeship program to provide employment opportunities for local workers. - Natalie Geordy (Hotel GM during Hurricane Ida): Expressed strong support, describing microgrids as life-saving infrastructure that builds resilience and grid stability simultaneously. - Councilmember Electric Domingue (Climate Committee Chair): Expressed support for the transformative nature of the decision and thanked outgoing leaders for moving the initiative forward. - Sean (Community Advocate): Expressed strong support for the shift toward local neighborhood energy solutions, citing the need to stop relying on remote power sources and to unite the community through local generation. - Logan Burke (Affordable Energy): Expressed support for the resolution, noting it appropriately balances the unique needs of different neighborhoods in New Orleans. - Jeff Canton (Solar Alternatives): Expressed support for the program's ability to address climate change and grid effects, highlighting that the most impacted communities are often the lowest income. - Local Homeowner: Expressed support for adding batteries to 15,000 homes like theirs to create community support pockets; emphasized the program is about saving lives, not just energy. - Manufacturers and VCs Representative: Expressed support, stating the decision signals New Orleans is open for business and provides marketplace certainty for investors. - Dominic Trainer (Schneider Electric): Expressed strong support, framing electrical energy as a human right and promising local partner support for implementation. - Greater New Orleans Interfaith Climate Coalition (Online Comment): Stated strong support for the resolution, emphasizing the critical need for resources to share power during emergencies. - Brad Ott (Online Comment): Expressed support for neighborhood power solutions to mitigate outages. - Ben Quimby (Online Comment): Expressed support specifically for the components addressing health department needs. - Jesse George (Alliance for Affordable Energy): Expressed support but advocated for implementation evaluation metrics and reporting requirements to apply to all resilience projects receiving ratepayer or taxpayer funding. - Councilmember Addressing Legislature: Urged the Council to protect city energy policy from state legislators in the upcoming session to ensure progressive renewable resources are maintained. Discussion Items - Resolution R2569 (DER Program): - Council President & Mayor's Office: Described the program as the largest single sustainability investment per capita in the country. Explained it combines solar and batteries for churches and community centers to provide backup power and peak-controlled generation. Stated the investment is nearly $30 million (noting a discrepancy with the speaker's later $28 million figure) and was designed to mitigate costs to ratepayers through grants and credits following Hurricane Ida and the May MISO outage. - Council Chair (Outgoing): Acknowledged the 7.5-year timeline starting from the resilience docket after Hurricane Ida. Outlined the financials: $28 million over three years for upfront incentives, capped year-over-year for residential and commercial customers, with a requirement for customers to be locked in for seven years. Noted administration costs are capped at $2 million and the program remains vendor-neutral. - Implementation Details: Discussed the requirement for an implementation plan by March 1st involving utility, regulators, and stakeholders. Emphasized the role of the new DER advisors and the Energy Smart program in administration. Key Outcomes - Vote on Resolution R2569: The resolution was approved. Council members moved, seconded, and voted in favor. Councilmember Harris was present and in support of the DER docket. There was no opposition recorded. - Directives & Next Steps: - The City will implement the program through the Energy Smart program. - An implementation plan is required to be presented by stakeholders by March 1st. - The Council agreed to advocate against state legislative efforts that might dilute the city's renewable resource goals. - Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned following the vote on the resolution.

The Civil Service Commission convened to address rule amendments regarding alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and subpoena issuance, approve classification pay changes, and vote on recruitment announcements. Several items were deferred or granted exceptions due to administrative procedures and scheduling conflicts. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn following unanimous approvals on most agenda items. Consent Calendar - Approval of examination announcements 11454 to 11455 (Items 5A), noting the reduced volume due to the current hiring freeze. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments or testimony were recorded during this session. Discussion Items Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Rule Amendments (Item 3A) - Mark (Subcommittee Chair): Introduced proposed rule amendments to Sections 4.9, 4.11, 5, and 11.1 to revitalize the ADR process. He explained that the current process is rarely utilized. The proposed changes allow parties to elect ADR with no review by the commission or the Fourth Circuit, resulting in a binding final decision by an arbiter (hearing officer or commissioner) within five days. - Key Provisions Discussed: ADR must be agreed upon within 30 days of an appeal's filing; the process covers all discipline types (including terminations and prior exclusions like suspensions over 10 days); union representatives may advise but not represent employees at formal hearings; human resources personnel may act as representatives for the appointing authority under the same relaxed rules. - Committee Members (Christian/Christy/Aaron/Ashley/Will): Confirmed the subcommittee meeting was productive. Staff clarified that the ADR decision is final and binding upon agreement, removing the standard appeal timeline that could extend up to a year. The goal is efficiency for uncomplicated issues, with no pressure placed on parties to use the mechanism. Subpoena Rule Amendment (Item 3B) - Commission Staff: Proposed an amendment to Rule 2, Section 8.1 to align internal scheduling letters with written rules regarding subpoena requests. The deadline for requesting subpoenas will be reduced from 15 business days to 10 days to account for internal processing speed and the loss of free service by the Sheriff's Office. Sewerage & Water Board Classification Change (Item 4A) - Staff: Submitted a request to increase the pay grade of the "Water Purification Manager" position from Grade 86 to Grade 88 for the Sewerage and Water Board. This represents a 5% base pay increase (from $78,000 to $81,000) to maintain supervisory alignment with new job series approved previously. - Staff Position: Recommended a pay policy guarantee that employees in this classification receive the 5% increase resulting from the grade change. - Commissioners: No questions were raised regarding the proposal. Police Department Grounds Transfer (Item 6) - Commission Staff: Noted a request from the Police Department to transfer grounds transportation, parking, and towing units from Public Works to the Police Department. The item was deferred because the Police Chief was triple-booked and unable to attend, with the item rescheduled for January. Workers' Compensation Exception (Item 7) - HR Staff (NOPD): Requested an exception to the 30-day reporting rule for a classification change of an employee's injury status from workers' compensation to "injured on duty." The report was received on the 31st day due to administrative oversight. - HR Position: Recommended approval to ensure the employee is made whole and not penalized for the department's administrative delay. They emphasized the significant financial difference for the employee (full pay vs. two-thirds pay). - Commissioner Position: Expressed intent to approve to avoid penalizing the employee for a procedural error. Key Outcomes - Approved Rule Amendments (Introductory): Item 3A (ADR) and Item 3B (Subpoenas) were introduced and will lie over to the January commission meeting for final consideration and approval. - Approved Classification Change: Item 4A (Water Purification Manager grade 86 to 88) was approved via unanimous vote with a motion and second. - Approved Exams: Item 5A (Examination announcements) was approved unanimously. - Approved Exception: Item 7 (NOPOD injury classification exception) was approved unanimously to allow the classification change despite the late report submission. - Deferred: Item 6 (Police Department unit transfer) was deferred to the next meeting. - Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned with holiday greetings to the commissioners.

The council convened with Councilmembers Morel, Jarusto, Harris, King, and Green present to address public safety infrastructure proposals, review administrative contract transitions under the incoming administration, and vote on several urgent municipal agreements. The primary discussion centered on the potential fabrication of permanent security gates for Bourbon Street, with a strong emphasis on delaying a final contractual commitment to allow the new administration to review the specifications. Several routine contracts regarding engineering, waste services, and parking regulations were subsequently adopted with unanimous support. Consent Calendar - Sewage and Water Board Appointment: The council approved the appointment of Ariana Greenridge to the Sewage and Water Board following a waiver of the notice period. Vote tally: 4 yes, 0 no. (Note: Councilmember Jarusto was not present to vote; the quorum of 3 was sufficient for the vote). Public Comments & Testimony - Galai Bilby, French Quarter Resident & Commissioner: Expresses support for a permanent solution but argues that "getting it right" is more important than the current timing. Believes the current temporary plan is cumbersome and that the French Quarter Management District needs to discuss the proposal thoroughly before implementation. Supports whatever proposal ensures the solution works for NOPD and DPW. Discussion Items - Bourbon Street Security Gates (TCP Security Services): - Project Description: A proposal to replace temporary "secure guards" (rated at 10 mph) with permanent 18 swing gates rated for 40 mph (7.5-ton truck) and 50 mph (1.5-ton truck). The gates aim to reduce nightly labor from 33 barriers to 18 gates and improve crash protection. Installation time is estimated at 22-23 weeks. - Councilmember Morel: Expresses a position of concern regarding the new administration being tied to a contract initiated by the current administration. Notes that while the temporary solutions are effective, they are not designed for daily repeated movement. Supports delaying the contract to allow the new leadership to weigh in on the specifications, arguing the timeline delay (to July/August or later) does not impact public safety as the "dead period" of tourism is between June and October. - Chief Thomas (Administration): Expresses a need for increased oversight due to previous failures with bollards. Argues that while a 22-23 week timeline is long, proceeding before the hurricane season (which starts in July) is critical to avoid ground disruption during active weather months. Stresses the necessity of ensuring this is a final, robust solution before contracting. - Councilmember Harris: Asks if the current team has consulted with the Mayor-Elect or incoming CAO (Judge Arusso), noting the lack of coordination as a key concern. Supports the need for robust communication between all stakeholders to ensure this is the "definitive fix" accepted by the public. - Councilmember King: Expresses agreement with the need for prudence and oversight but remains conflicted between the urgency of public safety and the importance of financial responsibility and administrative transition. - Discussion on Timeline: It was clarified that if the current administration delays the contract until after the November election, installation would likely be pushed into the Fall, whereas starting in January 2026 would see completion in June/July (still before the peak hurricane season). Temporary gates will remain in place for all events (Mardi Gras, French Quarter Fest, etc.) regardless of the permanent gate timeline. Key Outcomes - Contract Review (General): CAO staff confirmed that recent contracts reviewed were primarily extensions of existing grants, bonds, or essential services, with no new major initiatives utilizing general funds that lacked transition team communication. The NOPD consent decree legal services are in the process of closing out. - Adopted Agreements: The following contracts were voted on and adopted unanimously (4 yes, 0 no): - Engineering consulting with GEC for Ag Street solar farm preparation. - Third amendment to fresh sources agreement. - Third amendment to special service agreement with Sheer Gardner Cahill. - Renewal of Fast Enterprises LLC contract (Revenue system of record) with a 5% annual cost increase. - N Harris Computer Corporation Credit Card Payment Gateway Solution Services. - E: Cashier hardware and services. - F: Comprehensive sales tax collection software with I3 Software. - Two contracts with Bayou Tree Services (as-needed trimming/removals). - Two contracts with HO Investments LLC (Neutral ground maintenance, $1.026M annually). - Six-month service agreement with IV Waste for Sanitation Area 5 (Funded for $3.4M; noted cost increase of $12k/month due to re-bidding). - One-year extension for United Healthcare Services grant for retired city employees. - Ordinances Adopted: The council adopted ordinances to: - Adjust non-consensual towing fees to align with the Louisiana Public Service Commission standards. - Extend pre-payment periods for street parking to increase revenue without raising rates. - Correct formatting errors in the boundaries of higher-rate metered parking zones. - Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at the conclusion of the roll call vote.

The New Orleans City Council convened on December 10, 2025, to review operational updates from Delta Utilities and Energy New Orleans (ENO), adopt resolutions regarding asset management and reliability improvements, and approve key utility regulatory contracts. The meeting highlighted progress following Delta Utilities' acquisition of Entergy's natural gas assets and detailed ENO's strategies to address persistent reliability issues and reduce outage frequency. Consent Calendar - Meeting Minutes: Adopted unanimously the minutes from the September 9th joint committee meeting. (4 yes, 0 no) Public Comments & Testimony - Logan Burke (Alliance for Affordable Energy): Expressed encouragement regarding the council's action on poor service but noted concern that resolution participants are limited to council advisors and CURO. Stated a position that interveners in the docket since 2017 should be allowed to review discovery and filings for transparency. Also stated a position that customers should not face disconnections if the utility fails to provide reliable service, particularly given rising gas costs. - Elizabeth Sojak (Climate Reality Project, Greater New Orleans chapter): Echoed the need for greater transparency in proceedings. Advocated (stated a position) that the City Council vote to stop power shutoffs due to ENO's poor reliability and high bills compared to service quality. - Rev. Gregory Manning (Greater New Orleans Interfaith Climate Coalition, via written comment): Called for (stated a position) the creation of a winter-long moratorium on all electric and gas disconnections to protect citizens with limited resources from being denied heat and light during the coldest months. Discussion Items - Delta Utilities Update (Natural Gas): Provided an update on the transition from Entergy, citing a seamless switch on July 1. Reported 58% of customers have been registered, 100% retention of inherited skilled workforce, and the creation of 125 new local jobs. Noted an average customer satisfaction rating of 4.1/5, a 25% increase in service levels since launch, and 87% completion of work orders. Announced the upcoming launch of "DU CARES" within 45 days to provide financial assistance to customers facing economic hardship. - Energy New Orleans Reliability Presentation: Presented a 2025 review and 2026 plan. Reported a 70% reduction in transmission-related outages in the first three quarters of 2025 compared to 2024. Stated that self-healing networks avoided 18,000 interruptions. Explained a proactive plan to target distribution areas with frequent outages, address lightning-related incidents, and expand grid monitoring. Acknowledged that substation outages (specifically the Napoleon substation) previously impacted 10,000-12,000 customers per event, prompting an aggressive 2025 plan to replace arresters by end of 2026 and oil-filled breakers by 2027. Admitted that the impetus for new investments was driven by the uptick in 2024 substation outages and a desire to be more aggressive in addressing failure rates. Key Outcomes - Resolution (Asset Management System Review): Adopted unanimously (5 yes, 0 no) directing utility advisors to work with CURO and ENO to update the Quad Technologies (Quanta) study. Directed ENO and advisors to investigate asset management, equipment failure rates, and fair-weather outage trends that began deviating negatively in 2017. - Resolution (Cost Prudence for Hurricanes Ian & Francine): Adopted unanimously (5 yes, 0 no) to consider established schedules and certify that costs related to Hurricane Ian or Hurricane Francine were prudently incurred. - Resolution (2025 Financing Authorization): Adopted unanimously (5 yes, 0 no) to authorize Entergy to incur debt within established parameters. - Resolution (Integrated Resource Plan): Adopted unanimously to accept ENO's 2025 Integrated Resource Plan filing as compliant with IRP rules. - Resolution (Energy Smart Program): Adopted unanimously to approve the Energy Smart program for years 16 through 18. Specified that savings goals remain reduced for kWh savings (matching Year 15) and that the battery energy storage system continues. Noted that requests to expand distributed energy resources and the virtual power plant are moved to a separate docket. - Resolution (RCPS Compliance Plan): Adopted unanimously to approve Entergy's proposal to purchase unbundled renewable energy certificates for compliance years 2026 through 2028. Directs Entergy to submit a supplemental filing to address deficiencies identified by advisors regarding alternative compliance methods (electrification, community solar, etc.). - Regulatory Contracts: Adopted unanimously (5 yes, 0 no) in a global vote to renew contracts for legal advisors (Denton's US LP), technical advisors (Legends Consulting Group), and hearing officers (Jeffrey S. Gullen, Calvin Johnson, and new appointee Maria Ozan) for one year. - Adjournment: Meeting adjourned (5 yes, 0 no) on motion of Council Vice President Moreno. - Deferred Item: Item 5 was deferred to the December 16, 2025 meeting. - Discrepancy Note: During the presentation, Council member Morel referenced "Slide 6" regarding investments, but the speaker (Lee Roy) noted "We don't have a slide six," indicating a discrepancy between the speaker's reference and the visual aid displayed at that moment.

On December 10, 2025, the New Orleans City Council convened a special meeting to address the city's critical financial condition, with the primary focus on approving payroll funding to prevent employee payment delays by 10:00 a.m. The session featured a report from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, the unanimous approval of resolutions to release funds for employee benefits and payroll, and the renewal of the City Park Tax Increment Financing. Councilmembers expressed deep concern regarding long-term fiscal accountability, calling for investigations into past accounting failures and demanding testimony from the CAO. Consent Calendar - Suspension of Rules: The Council unanimously voted to suspend rules to advance the 9 a.m. start for Military Day (6-0-0). - Receipt of Reports: Moved and seconded to suspend rules to receive the Louisiana Legislative Auditor's expenditure report (7-0-0); subsequently suspended rules to add the report to the agenda (7-0-0). - Ordinance 35-318: Councilmember Gerusso moved to renew the City Park Tax Increment Financing designation for an additional six years; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Green and passed unanimously (7-0-0). Public Comments & Testimony - Michael Svack (Louisiana Legislative Auditor): - Position on Auditor Relationship: Stated that the Auditor's role is multi-faceted, serving as an overseer for the bond issuance, a trusted advisor to find efficiencies and savings, and an investigator to determine the causes of the fiscal crisis. Expressed that the advisory relationship would continue to play a more backseat role once the $125 million loan is repaid. - Position on Further Investigation: Expressed strong agreement that hearing from the CAO or subpoenaing him would be "very helpful" to determine how the city arrived at this deficit, noting a lack of timely monthly financial reports and budget amendments. - Position on Financial Oversight: Stated that failing to pay attention to the checkbook and budget variances is a primary reason the city is in crisis. - Barnes (Resident at 2215 Felicity): - Position on Payroll Distribution: Noted that police and fire employees receive three times the per-employee cost compared to other city employees ($6,900 vs. $2,180), and highlighted that retirees of the fire department receive $3.9 million, a figure exceeding the total annual allocation for the City Planning Commission ($1.5 million). - Position on Bond Transparency: Expressed frustration regarding the lack of transparency on RAN note purchasers, contrasting the city's single-page summary with the Airport's detailed list of 14 recipients. - Position on Council Accountability: Demanded that the Council cut the salaries of elected officials and City Hall employees rather than protecting friends; specifically urged Councilmember Morel to remember he owes his office to the voters, not his Spanish-speaking constituents, warning against political neglect. - Morgan: - Position on Neighborhood Funding: Expressed that residents feel neglected and believe city budget percentages are not being spent in their neighborhoods, which are described as "trashing." - Council President Morrell: - Position on Public Comments: Stated that the comments made by Morgan were "ridiculous" and "absurd," and moved to adjourn the meeting. Discussion Items - Payroll Funding Status: Michael Svack presented a preliminary review of a $13,786,533 payroll drawdown request. The breakdown included $6,539,997 for the Chase payroll card account (compensation and taxes for the period ending Dec 6, 2025) and $7,247,000 to reimburse the General Fund for prior period fringe benefits and pension contributions. Svack noted that the remaining balance in the special account would be approximately $78.1 million following these transfers, sufficient to cover January payrolls until tax revenues are received. He also noted that overtime expenses were lower than projected. - Fiscal Accountability Concerns: - Councilmember Thomas: Expressed deep concern regarding the city's accounting, stating that projected revenue not meeting expenditures is a fundamental accounting failure. He argued that the current lack of timely information and the failure to amend the budget to reflect variances led to the crisis. He emphasized the need to understand where the overspent occurred and if any individuals were complicit. - Councilmember Burnside: Expressed skepticism regarding the $19 million figure mentioned in Resolution 25610, noting that the sum of the specific line items ($6.5M + $7.2M) only totals approximately $13.8M, creating a discrepancy in the reported figures. - Councilmember Jerusalem: Moved to approve the resolutions and ordinances, citing the City Park Board's prior support and the need for the Park Tax District to generate internal revenue without hitting the city coffers. Key Outcomes - Approval of Resolution R25611 (Substitute): Unanimously approved (7-0-0) to release $6,539,097.91 from the Employee Emergency Payroll Fund to cover payroll-related expenses for city employees (excluding Police and Fire) for the pay period Nov 23, 2025 – Dec 6, 2025. This action is subject to concurrence by the Legislative Auditor. - Approval of Resolution R25610: Unanimously approved (7-0-0) to release $7,024,435.64 (noted as 7.2M in motion text, with specific breakdown in report) from the Employee Emergency Payroll Fund for friends benefits and payroll expenses for the period Nov 16, 2025 – Nov 29, 2025. This action is subject to concurrence by the Legislative Auditor. - Withdrawal of Original R25611: The original R25611 was withdrawn to be replaced by the substitute resolution mentioned above. - Deferral: Ordinance 35-305 was deferred to December 17, 2025. - Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned following public comments and the affirmation of the unanimous votes.

The City Planning Commission convened on December 9, 2025, to address routine administrative items, zoning modifications, and a comprehensive study on transient lodging. The meeting featured significant debate regarding the balance between tourism economics and neighborhood preservation, particularly concerning short-term rentals in the French Quarter and Bywater. While several routine items were approved unanimously, the landmark Transient Lodging Study sparked intense public testimony and internal commission discussion, ultimately leading to a deferral for further clarification and legal review. Consent Calendar - Minutes: The Commission unanimously voted to approve the minutes from the November 11, 2025 meeting after a hand vote. Public Comments & Testimony Zoning Docket 062-25 (Small Multifamily Affordable): - Support: Carlos Lagos (Genoa 4640) and Maxwell Cherdulo (Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee) fully supported the amendment to allow for-sale affordable units and clarify multiple ownership on a single lot, stating it creates a "consistent and thoughtful framework" and increases attainable homeownership. - Opposition: Susan Johnson (Carleton Watch) argued the legislation is "unworkable" near universities (East Carrollton/Audubon Broadway), citing three specific dorm developments (7417 Buth, 1808 Lower Lines, 7000 Jeanette) where affordable units were allegedly rented to high-income students at premium rates (e.g., $4,500 vs. $1,369 SMFA rate) without Certificates of Occupancy. She requested a carve-out for the design overlay area. Zoning Docket 063-25 (Alcohol License): - No public comments or cards were submitted for this item. Zoning Docket 064-25 (Jane Place Rezoning): - Support: Veronica Reed (Jane Place Executive Director) and Paul Kramer argued for the rezoning to a Mixed-Use (HUMU) district to establish an on-site administrative office and add three permanently affordable one-bedroom units, emphasizing benefits to tenant relations and neighborhood sustainability. Community members Bryce White, Tamar Prosper, Edith Amiker, Lucinda Flowers, Ella Catherine Strahan, Angela Ozarek, Frank Southall, and Maxwell Chardulo all expressed 100% support, citing the organization's stewardship, the need for one-bedroom housing, and the visual benefits of filling vacant lots. - Staff Position: Staff recommended denial based on inconsistency with the Master Plan's Future Land Use Map (FLUM) and concerns regarding "spot zoning." Transient Lodging Study: - Support: Alex Carter (Desire Line) and Bob Rivers (City Staff) presented the study, recommending a land use management system that aligns lodging types with community character, protecting high-impact neighborhoods while allowing small-scale lodging in commercial areas. They sought to balance tourism revenue with neighborhood protection. - Opposition (French Quarter): Members of the Viewquarry Property Owners (Nathan Chapman, Aaron Holmes), John Reed, Margaret Walker, and the Preservation Resource Center (Mary Now) argued the study misclassified the French Quarter as "moderate impact" rather than "high impact," citing inaccurate data (57 vs. 43 hotels) and the fact that over 7,600 hotel rooms already exist. They opposed any expansion of commercial short-term rentals (CSTRs) or neighborhood hotels in the VCE1 district, calling the current ban effective. - Opposition (Bywater/Marigny): Eleanor Graham (Neighbors First for Bywater), Lyle Montgomery, and Julie Jones argued the study allows too many guests (20) for "large" CSTRs and that density is too high. Graham opposed the distinction between commercial and non-commercial STRs, arguing they are legally identical and should be eliminated entirely or strictly regulated as a single category with no grandfathering. She stated the law provides no vested property rights to commercial permits. - Opposition (General): Kim Keene (1201 Canal Condos) opposed corporate STRs in residential buildings, noting the difficulty of enforcement. William Dunkervoot and Alan Johnson expressed concern that the study prioritizes tourism over residents and that the supplemental staff report ignored historic core residents' feedback. Discussion Items - Property Acquisition 00325 & Disposition 00125: Staff requested a deferral to January 13, 2026, for both items to allow time for remediation of lead contamination in the soil at the proposed park site. Commissioners moved to defer these items with a suspension of rules to bypass the 45-day decision limit, noting the CPC first considered them on October 14, when the 45-day deadline had already passed (November 29). The motions carried. - Zoning Docket 062-25: Commission discussed codifying eligibility for for-sale affordable developments. Commissioner Jordan made a motion for modified approval citing staff recommendations to add deed restrictions. The motion passed with 8 votes in favor (Commissioner Stewart present). - Zoning Docket 063-25: Commission considered a conditional use for alcohol sales at a retail store on North Broad Street. Staff recommended approval. Commissioner Flick moved for approval with a proviso; the motion passed with 8 votes. - Zoning Docket 064-25: Despite staff recommending denial due to Master Plan inconsistencies, the Commission heard strong public testimony favoring the Jane Place rezoning. Commissioner Stewart made a motion to approve against staff recommendation. The motion carried with 7 votes in favor. Commissioner Flick noted her recusal prior to the vote on this item. - Zoning Docket 065-25: Commission considered a conditional use to convert a former apartment building into a six-unit hotel on Washington Avenue. Staff recommended approval, citing historical commercial use. The motion passed with 8 votes. - Zoning Docket 066-25: Commission considered an expansion of "The Dog" restaurant on Frenchmen Street, bringing indoor space over the 5,000 sq ft limit. Staff recommended approval. The motion passed with 8 votes. - Zoning Docket 067-25: Commission considered rezoning land from HURD2 to OSN for a new use (school) where the zoning previously did not match the use. Staff recommended a deferral to January 13, 2026, for proper notice. The motion carried. - Transient Lodging Study: After extensive presentation and public comment, Commissioner Stewart moved to defer the study to the January 13, 2026, meeting. Commissioners added specific directives for staff and the consultant to address: - Clarify the legality of "grandfathering" commercial permits and ensuring they are treated as temporary licenses, not vested rights. - Remove the "neighborhood hotel" designation and reduce the occupant limit for "large" CSTRs (proposing 10-15 vs. 20). - Re-classify the French Quarter as a "high impact" area to prohibit further expansion. - Simplify the regulatory categories into a single SDR designation (or three simplified categories: owner-occupied, commercial, traditional). - Incorporate eviction data and address enforcement protocols. Key Outcomes - Approvals (with deferrals/suspensions): - Property Transactions: Deferred to Jan 13, 2026, with suspension of 45-day rules. - Zoning 062-25: Approved (8-0) modified, allowing for-sale affordable units with deed restrictions. - Zoning 063-25: Approved (8-0) for alcohol license. - Zoning 064-25: Approved (7-0) against staff recommendation to rezone Jane Place to allow an office and 3 affordable units. - Zoning 065-25: Approved (8-0) for hotel conversion. - Zoning 066-25: Approved (8-0) for restaurant expansion. - Zoning 067-25: Deferred to Jan 13, 2026. - Subdivision Ratification: Approved unanimously. - Deferrals: The Transient Lodging Study was deferred to January 13, 2026, pending further research on legal definitions of property rights, data accuracy for the French Quarter, and specific reductions in permitted occupant density and category simplification. - Votes: The commission voted via electronic machine for final items, with Commissioner Stewart and Pochet providing the seconding motions for the deferral of the study.

The final Quality of Life Committee meeting of 2025 focused on recycling updates and the expansion of residential curbside recycling in New Orleans. Hosted by Councilmember Harris, the meeting featured presentations from Glass Half Full and Department of Sanitation officials regarding new facilities, historical diversion rates, and a proposed federal grant-funded transition to an opt-out recycling model. The discussion highlighted significant disparities in recycling access across neighborhoods, the importance of waste literacy for public health and equity, and the urgency of utilizing specific EPA grant funding by March 31, 2026. Consent Calendar - Minutes Approval: The minutes from the previous meeting were adopted via voice vote. Public Comments & Testimony - Councilmember Harris: Expressed full support for Glass Half Full, encouraging residents to utilize the drop-off locations on Louisa Street (Johnny Jr. Boulevard) for glass recycling and highlighting the community building aspects of the facility. - Councilmember Green: Expressed gratitude to Glass Half Full for filling a void in private sector recycling efforts; stated they personally changed their consumption from plastic to glass due to the organization's efforts and confirmed that Glass Half Full has a drop-off location at City Hall. - Brett Davis (Executive Director, Grounds Crew): Expressed full support for expanding residential recycling, countering the narrative that residents do not want recycling bins; argued that community demand is high and that expanding recycling is a quality of life, public health, and economic win. - Michael Essa (Student/Concerned Citizen): Expressed full support for flipping the script on recycling as a justice issue; noted the disparity where wealthy and white neighborhoods receive service while predominantly Black and working-class areas do not; stated that all residents pay for the service and that haulers must abide by their contracts, specifically supporting the "Feeding on the Street" education program. - Online Comment (Ronnie La NASA): Expressed strong opposition to spending five million dollars on plastic trash cans; argued the city must prioritize twice-weekly garbage collection at the lowest possible cost and warned against spending on glass recycling for marine habitats, calling it waste. Discussion Items - Glass Half Full Presentation (Francisca Troutman): - Announced the March 2025 opening of a three-acre glass recycling facility in Chalmette with the capacity to process 500,000 beer bottles daily. - Outlined the production of sand for coastal restoration and "Cull It" for the bottle-making industry, noting a diversion of over 12 million pounds of glass and 1 million pounds of other recyclables. - Proposed expanding free drop-off locations to areas like Lakeview and Gentilly. - Expressed full support for expanding the curbside residential recycling program to include glass, citing equal access concerns while acknowledging the need for education regarding contamination. - Department of Sanitation/OOS Presentation (Matt Torrey & Chris Lang): - Current Landscape: Stated that despite a 1990 projection of a 25% diversion rate, New Orleans remains at a 2% landfill diversion rate (98% to landfill) in 2025. - Equity & Access: Highlighted that 58% of households (92,000 of 160,000) have not opted into recycling, disproportionately affecting Black neighborhoods and low-wealth households; argued that the current opt-in model forces residents to subsidize a service they do not receive. - Proposal: Discussed the plan to use a $5.3 million EPA grant to transition from an opt-in to an opt-out model, covering 100% of single-family residences. - Contamination Mitigation: Detailed the "Feeding on the Street" program (4-week tagging initiative) and in-mold labels on carts to reduce contamination, drawing parallels to success in Louisville. - Pilot Program: Proposed a pilot deploying 10,000 carts across four service areas to test contamination rates against a 34% regional average threshold before full rollout. - Contractual Concerns: Noted that waste haulers (IB Waste, Waste Pro) have expressed opposition to the opt-out pilot, citing lack of local processing capacity and labor concerns, and preferred continuing the opt-in model. - Councilmember Green's Query: Expressed concern regarding contract enforcement; questioned whether the administration is willing to renegotiate hauler contracts to enforce the pilot and metrics, warning against assuming federal funds will remain available given the budget deficit. - Councilmember King's Commentary: Expressed that the city controls the contracts and has the leverage to require haulers to participate in the pilot and implement "Feeding on the Street" if they are not already contractually obligated to do so; suggested creative public service messaging involving children to drive household participation. Key Outcomes - No Formal Vote Taken: The committee did not cast a vote on the proposed opt-out expansion or the pilot program; Councilmember Harris moved to adjourn the meeting. - Directives to Administration: Councilmembers directed the Department of Sanitation to return to the committee to discuss specific strategies for renegotiating hauler contracts to enforce the proposed pilot program and ensure contract adherence regarding contamination protocols. - Next Steps Identified: The Department of Sanitation must proceed with selecting a contractor for the Solid Waste Master Plan and is urged to finalize the cart procurement contract as the current one has expired, while preparing to address the March 31, 2026 grant deadline.

The Board of Zoning Adjustments (BZA) convened on December 8, 2025, to address a variety of variance requests, extension petitions, and appeals. The board processed 12 variance items, four extension requests, and three safety and permits decision appeals. While several applications were approved based on staff recommendations (including historic foundation considerations and hardship due to lot dimensions), significant opposition emerged regarding property impacts, notice requirements, and neighborhood character, leading to several deferrals for plan revisions or further review. One appeal regarding a medical marijuana dispensary was denied due to the untimeliness of the filing. Consent Calendar - The minutes from the November meeting were adopted unanimously (6 Yea, 0 Nay). Public Comments & Testimony - BZA Docket 05425 (509 Exposition Blvd): Multiple neighbors expressed strong opposition, arguing that the required public notice under CZO Section 3 and 4.6.DE was not properly provided. They contended that the applicant self-created the hardship by demolishing walls, losing the historic designation, and ignoring previous violations. Specific concerns included the shadowing of adjacent properties, reduced sunlight (an 11-inch encroachment), fire safety hazards due to a three-foot clearance, and the inaccuracy of the staff's Pictometry data used to justify the variance. The applicant's representative noted the project had been "messy" but argued the issues had been resolved and that the hardship resulted from city approvals and demolition thresholds rather than the owner's voluntary actions. - BZA Docket 06925 (3405 Octavia St): The applicant expressed willingness to adjust plans to meet setback requirements, noting the changes were due to a late notification from staff. Opponents were not present during the public comment portion of this item. - BZA Docket 07925 (2212 South Claiborne Ave): The applicant argued that the hardship was not financial but necessary to create a viable sit-down restaurant on a very small lot, noting they were rebuilding a family business. Support was offered by a neighbor in the form of a letter, while the applicant acknowledged the need for professional architectural guidance to optimize the floor plan. - BZA Docket 09825 (72 North Park Place): The applicant presented an emotional plea regarding the need for compliant stairs to accommodate a legally blind, dementia-stricken family member. Neighbors expressed support, citing the safety improvements, better visibility, and the fact that the building had been elevated by FEMA requirements, which squeezed the stair design. Concerns were raised regarding the parking pad extending beyond the property line and the applicant's potential use of a "reasonable accommodation" process. - BZA Docket 09925 (3727 Ron Eagle Way): The applicant explained that the resubdivision was necessary to solve a drainage issue between properties and to provide a smaller yard for a neighbor to manage, citing financial hardship due to unexpected post-Katrina repair costs. - BZA Docket 10125 (3201-3205 Charter St): The applicant stated the canopy was added to shelter a barbecue area from massive rain and protect a 150-year-old shared brick wall, asserting that all neighbors supported the structure. - BZA Docket 10525 (1923 Broadway St): The applicant requested a deferral to present a visual case for restoring a historic neon sign, while opponents argued the sign was a recreation (not a restoration) of a removed design, posed safety risks in a hurricane zone, and created a bad precedent for the French Quarter. - BZA Docket 10625 (1714 Shirley Drive): The applicant argued that the resubdivision would create obtainable housing and align with district C patterns, while opponents countered that the lot width would create a "sliver lot" unable to provide off-street parking, primarily benefiting the owner's profit. - BZA Docket 10925 (1407 South Carrollton Ave): Opponents raised significant concerns regarding traffic, safety, the proximity to a library and schools, and the use of the zoning verification to bypass the conditional use process. They argued the use is closer to adult-oriented businesses than general retail. The applicant (represented by counsel) countered that the appeal was untimely, filed over eight months after the decision, and that the use is properly classified as retail goods under the CZO. - BZA Docket 7301 Burt St (Appeal): The appellant expressed a belief that the property was being used as a dormitory/rental unit despite plans indicating three bedrooms, citing rental ads as evidence. The Department of Safety and Permits opposed the appeal, stating it was based on conjecture and personal distrust rather than zoning errors. Discussion Items - BZA Docket 05425 (509 Exposition Blvd): Discussed the definition of "historic foundation" versus official HDLC designation, the timeline of the unauthorized demolition, and whether the hardship was self-created. Staff noted the request was an exception due to partial demolition (over 50% but not 100%) requiring new construction review while retaining existing footings. - BZA Docket 06925 (3405 Octavia St): Discussed the feasibility of providing a compliant parking stall within the elevated garage space versus the utility room requirements mandated by FEMA guidelines. The board considered the context of similar raised homes in the neighborhood. - BZA Docket 07925 (2212 South Claiborne Ave): The board questioned why the applicant did not pursue a more efficient layout to reduce side yard variances while maintaining the same square footage. Staff noted that the applicant's current plans were less efficient than a compliant design might be. - BZA Docket 09325 (6384 Vicksburg St): Discussed the lack of new drawings submitted since the prior deferral and the applicant's request for an additional 60-day extension to finalize the plan. - BZA Docket 09825 (72 North Park Place): Addressed the potential conflict between the stair variance and the requirement for a compliant parking stall that does not encroach onto the public right-of-way. The board discussed the appropriateness of using the "reasonable accommodation" process versus the variance request. - BZA Docket 10525 (1923 Broadway St): Discussed the distinction between "restoring" a sign and "recreating" a sign that had been gone for 50 years, and the safety implications of projecting large signs in a hurricane-prone area. - BZA Docket 10625 (1714 Shirley Drive): Debated the definition of "hardship" when single-family development options still existed but would result in larger, more expensive lots. The board considered the precedent of similar lot widths in other parts of District C. - BZA Docket 10925 (1407 South Carrollton Ave): A detailed discussion ensued regarding the 45-day appeal window, the classification of medical marijuana dispensaries as "retail goods," and the square footage calculations (5,000 sq ft threshold). The board noted that while some neighbors had valid concerns about the location, the legal timeliness of the appeal was the primary procedural hurdle. Key Outcomes - BZA Docket 05425: Approved (6 Yea, 0 Nay) with one proviso, granting the side yard setback variance. - BZA Docket 06925: Approved in part, Denied in part (6 Yea, 0 Nay). Variances for parking approved; variance for porch encroachment denied. - BZA Docket 07925: Deferred for 30 days (6 Yea, 0 Nay) to allow the applicant to revise plans addressing side yard setbacks. - BZA Docket 09325: Deferred for 60 days (6 Yea, 0 Nay) at the applicant's request to reconfigure plans. - BZA Docket 09825: Approved (6 Yea, 0 Nay) with two listed provisos regarding the stairs and the parking pad dimensions to ensure compliance. - BZA Docket 09925: Approved (6 Yea, 0 Nay), granting variances for lot area, width, and permeable open space. - BZA Docket 10025: Approved (6 Yea, 0 Nay), granting the corner side yard setback variance. - BZA Docket 10125: Deferred for 30 days (6 Yea, 0 Nay) to confirm if the canopy could be detached to function as an accessory structure. - BZA Docket 10225: Approved (5 Yea, 0 Nay), granting variances for a swimming pool and cabana in the front yard. - BZA Docket 10325: Approved (5 Yea, 0 Nay), granting variances for a high fence, opaque wall, and front yard pool/machinery. - BZA Docket 10425: Approved (6 Yea, 0 Nay), granting the rear yard coverage variance for a detached accessory structure. - BZA Docket 10525: Deferred for 30 days (6 Yea, 0 Nay) to allow the applicant to present further historical evidence regarding the neon sign. - BZA Docket 10625: Denied (5 Yea, 1 Abstention, 1 Absent/Not Voted), refusing the variances for lot width and area due to lack of demonstrated hardship. - Extension Requests: - BZA Docket 05822: Extension granted for 1 year (5 Yea, 0 Nay). - BZA Docket 10323: Extension granted for 2 years (5 Yea, 0 Nay). - BZA Docket 01124: Extension granted for 2 years (5 Yea, 0 Nay). - Appeals: - BZA Docket 10725 / 10825: Deferred for 30 days (5 Yea, 0 Nay) regarding the homestead exemption/permit issues. - BZA Docket 10925: Decision of the Director upheld (5 Yea, 0 Nay) due to the untimeliness of the appeal and lack of error in the classification of the use. - BZA Docket 7301 (Burt St): Deferral requested by appellant to review inspection results; discussion concluded without a final vote recorded in the text, but the motion was pending.

The City Planning Commission convened on November 11, 2025, to address property acquisitions and dispositions, zoning requests, a reconsideration of a previously denied gas station application, and a market feasibility study regarding Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning (MIZ) and office-to-residential conversions. The meeting featured presentations from HRNA Advisors, public testimony from community members and applicants, and significant procedural discussions regarding rule waivers and reconsideration petitions. Consent Calendar - Ratification of Subdivisions: Approval of eight subdivision items for ratification was granted with a unanimous vote (7-0). Public Comments & Testimony - Edgar Chase: Stated as the applicant for Zoning Docket 6125, Mr. Chase expressed full agreement with the staff's recommendation for approval and confirmed his acceptance of the seven proposed provisos. - Ms. Gretchen Chase: Expressed strong support for the staff's recommendation to approve Zoning Docket 6125. - Maddie Charleston: Representing the applicants for Zoning Docket 5325, Ms. Charleston detailed that she was the victim of an assault and robbery and required surgery during the previous hearing, preventing her attendance. She requested reconsideration of the previous denial to withdraw the application, engage with the community to develop a better plan, and refile the project later. - Betty Perez: Representing her family and as President of the Holy Cross Neighborhood Association, Ms. Perez expressed steadfast opposition to the gas station proposal on St. Claude Avenue. While acknowledging the developers' desire to include fresh produce, she stated that the community has "done enough" gas stations and will never accept another in the area. She noted that previous discussions with the owners suggested interest in a coffee house, though she clarified that her opposition remains active regardless of the owners' potential withdrawal. - Jordan Rogers: Speaking on behalf of Housing NOLA, Rogers expressed disappointment regarding delays in executing the MIZ program but expressed strong support for the proposed adjustments to the policy. Rogers emphasized the need for continuous market monitoring and warned against allowing homeowners to convert single-family homes into commercial short-term rentals without homeownership components. Discussion Items - Property Acquisition & Disposition (0325 & 00125): Staff recommended deferring both items to the December 9th hearing to allow for the completion of a full environmental assessment regarding lead concentrations. Commissioners noted that deferring the items would require suspending commission rules regarding the 45-day decision deadline. - Zoning Docket 6025 (Old Land Orleans LLC): Discussion focused on a request for a conditional use for an outdoor storage yard. Commissioners reviewed four specific provisos regarding site plan approval, parking compliance, screening standards, and lot subdivision before approving the request. - Zoning Docket 6125 (Edgar Chase): Discussion centered on a proposal to operate a drive-through facility in a formerly vacant Burger King building. The applicant and staff confirmed alignment with seven provisos. - Zoning Docket 5325 (Gas Station Reconsideration): A lengthy deliberation occurred regarding a motion to reconsider a prior denial for a gas station on St. Claude Avenue. Commissioner Josh Gupta advocated for reconsideration to allow the applicant to withdraw the application voluntarily, thereby avoiding a two-year refile prohibition if the application were denied or withdrawn while pending before City Council. Commissioner Flick expressed concern regarding procedural fairness and the burden on the community. Staff clarified that a voluntary withdrawal after reconsideration would lift the two-year restriction, whereas a withdrawal after the application moves to City Council would still trigger the restriction. Commissioner Steeg made the motion to reconsider. - 2025 Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning (MIZ) Feasibility Analysis: HRNA Advisors presented findings indicating the current mandatory MIZ policy (10% at 60% AMI) is not feasible due to macroeconomic headwinds (interest rates, construction costs) and a local softening market. They recommended shifting to a voluntary approach (5% at 80% AMI) and reducing the fee in lieu. The presentation also analyzed Office-to-Residential conversion, finding significant feasibility gaps that could only be partially mitigated by tax abatements and historic tax credits, necessitating public-private partnerships and pilot programs similar to those in DC and Boston. - Subdivision Docket 9625 (Community Solar): Staff noted a procedural error where this item was not properly noticed for a vote as it exceeded the two-acre threshold. The item was reviewed for informational purposes, and no formal action was taken to avoid legal complications regarding notice. Key Outcomes - Property Acquisition 0325: Motion to defer to the December 9th meeting, including a waiver of the 45-day rule, passed. - Property Disposition 00125: Motion to defer to the December 9th meeting, including a waiver of the 45-day rule, passed. - Zoning Docket 6025: Approved with four provisos. - Zoning Docket 6125: Approved with seven provisos. - Zoning Docket 5325: Motion to reconsider passed; the applicant, Maddie Charleston, subsequently withdrew the application, allowing for a potential new application without the two-year prohibition. - MIZ Feasibility Study: The Commission adopted the market feasibility analysis presented by HRNA Advisors and voted to transmit it to the City Council, with a motion to amend the underlying regulation to include a mandatory reassessment every three years rather than two. (Note: A discrepancy exists in the transcript where a vote count of 7 yes is recorded despite mentions of a chair change and a commissioner leaving, but the motion is recorded as carrying). - Subdivision Ratification: The eight subdivision items for ratification were approved (7-0). Note: The record indicates that Commissioner Jordan stepped down as Chair during the MIZ vote, with Commissioner Whittree assuming the role, coinciding with the finalization of the vote count.