Regular Meeting
April 19, 2018
City Council Chamber
Scheduled, 10 a.m.
NEW ORLEANS - At today's regular New Orleans City Council meeting, the Council approved a parking citation ordinance, passed an amendment to the City Code on honorary street naming, modified regulations for the issuance and application of alcohol permits, and approved an ordinance to restructure and clarify functions for the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC). Additionally, the Council authorized Cooperative Endeavor Agreements with the State of Louisiana for the facilitation of renovations at the Algiers and Normand Playgrounds, approved an ordinance to establish an independent third-party evaluation procedure for City agencies, received a presentation and performance from Deacon John Moore, and presented several special proclamations to community standouts.
Members of the Council recognizing April Dupre, Founder of Footprints to Fitness, for her work to provide affordable health and wellness programs in the City of New Orleans
Council Approves Increase in Parking Citation Threshold for Booting Cars
The Council unanimously passed a parking citation ordinance, which was introduced by District "D" Councilmember Jared Brossett at the meeting on April 5, raises the threshold for booting cars in New Orleans. Ordinance No. 32,236 represents a joint effort by Councilmember Brossett and State Senator J.P. Morrell, to amend the City Code to increase the threshold for booting or "immobilizing" a vehicle due to unpaid parking citations from one to three.
"I'm extremely proud to see this pass today and would like to thank Senator Morrell and my colleagues on the Council for their support," said Councilmember Brossett. "New Orleanians deserve better than the harsh and unfair treatment they've received under the previous policy."
Councilmember Brossett discussing his parking citation ordinance in a WWL-TV interview with Sheba Turke earlier today
Ordinance Passes to Streamline Alcohol Permitting Process
The Council approved a measure by Councilmember-At-Large Stacy Head that amends the City Code to modify regulations for the issuance and application of alcohol permits. The ordinance passed by the Council today represents a replacement ordinance to a by-request ordinance authored by the Landrieu Administration and introduced by Councilmember Head, which would have required liquor license-holding businesses to install surveillance cameras that would be shared with the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) among other changes. The replacement ordinance no longer includes the camera requirement and pertains solely to alcohol permitting in an effort to streamline the issuance of liquor licenses. With this change, the Department of Safety and Permits will now be responsible for the distribution of licenses, instead of the Department of Finance. The Department of Safety and Permits already issues the bulk of City licenses and permits, with alcohol permitting among the last to be brought under its control. This ordinance represents a rational and long overdue amendment to the City Code, bringing liquor licensing into the City's One Stop Shop.
Council Establishes Honorary Street Naming Program
The Council passed an ordinance that amends the City Code to establish an honorary street naming process and provide approval criteria, application fees, and requirements. The creation of an honorary street naming dedication program enables the City to commemorate individuals who have made significant contributions to the community and humanity. This memorial celebrates these citizens without imposing substantial burdens associated with modification to the City's Official Street Map.
Honorary street naming will not replace the official street name or require re-addressing of the street. It will simply allow for a portion of a street to be renamed in commemoration of an exemplary citizen who meets certain criteria established by the Council. Requests for the renaming of City streets must be submitted to City Planning Commission.
Photo courtesy of Patrick Sisson via Curbed
Series of Ordinances Passes to Align City Oversight and Ethics Agencies with City Charter
The Council approved a series of ordinances proposed by District "A" Councilmember Susan Guidry to amend the City Code relative to the Ethics Review Board, the Independent Police Monitor and the Office of Inspector General. These ordinances were designed to align the language in the City Code with that of the Home Rule Charter.
Council Approves NORDC Restructuring Ordinance
The Council voted in favor of an ordinance to amend the City Code regarding the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC) to clarify its functions, composition, terms of membership and organizational structure.
NORDC will be composed of 13 members, appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Council, from each of the nominating entities listed in the ordinance. The ordinance allows those nominating entities to nominate himself or herself as opposed to a designee. Any vacancy will be filled by the same appointing procedure.