Meetings

Regular Meeting

August 08, 2019 10:00 AM

City Council Chamber

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NEW ORLEANS - At today's regular meeting, the City Council passed several new regulations pertaining for Short Term Rental (STR) platforms and operators, called a special election at which voters will be asked to authorize two new tax propositions, and approved a study on the effects of blight on youth and family violence.

Additionally, the Council recognized members of the Louisiana Consular Corps in honor of International Day, and received presentations from the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executive (NOBLE) on its work to foster growth and development of law enforcement officers, and New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC) and 504 Health Net on their new Healthy Hospitality initiative.

Councilmembers with NOBLE Executive Director Dwayne Crawford and board members


Council Approves New Rules and Regulations for STRs

The Council approved two ordinances authorizing a comprehensive overhaul of the City's STR program. Ordinance No. 32,685 modifies the City's Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO) to establish two classifications of STR permits, Residential and Commercial, along with zoning regulations for each. The most significant modification is a homestead exemption requirement for the residential permit, outlawing whole-home STR rentals in residential areas and ensuring that owners reside at the property full-time. 

The ordinance requires commercial STR applicants to provide a security, sanitation, and nuisance plan. Both residential and commercial STR permits must be renewed annually and are not transferrable. The ordinance also bans STRs in the French Quarter (except for Bourbon Street) and Garden District. 

Ordinance No. 32,691 establishes STR owner, operator and platform permits and fees; operating regulations; and enforcement penalties. New permitting and operating fees are below:

ANNUAL PERMIT FEES

STR Owner Permit - per dwelling unit:

  • Residential - Partial - $250.00
  • Residential - Small - $500.00
  • Residential - Large - $500.00
  • Commercial - $1,000 

STR Operator Permit: 

  • If the owner is the operator - $0.00  
  • For operators of 1 dwelling unit - $150.00 
  • For operators of 2 or more dwelling units - $1,000

STR Platform Permit:  $10,000  

STR Nightly Occupancy Fee - per night of occupancy per dwelling unit:

  • Residential - $5.00 
  • Commercial - $12.00

The new regulations, permitting and fees will take effect on December 1, 2019. For an overview presentation of the changes presented at today's meeting, click here.

"Thank you to every resident, every Council and administration staff member who, for 14 months now, worked to establish these new rules. Today's milestone vote was a win for our residents and is the first step towards preserving our neighborhoods. Without proper rules and regulations for operating short term rentals, they would have continued to inundate our communities. Updating the STR regulations isn't something we took lightly. We considered a lengthy study from the City Planning Commission, held countless community meetings and public hearings, and answered hundreds of phone calls and emails before crafting equitable and sustainable legislation. I believe that this is just the beginning of a larger conversation about sustainable communities, which can only happen when we have explored every possible option of using commercial STRs to incentivize affordable housing," said District "C" Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer.

City officials presenting the proposed STR changes during today's meetings


Voters to Consider Two Taxes for Citywide Infrastructure Needs at Upcoming Elections

The Council adopted two by-request resolutions calling a special election on Saturday, November 16, 2019, at which Orleans Parish voters will be asked to consider authorizing two new taxes.

Resolution R-19-286 proposes a special tax of 3.0 mills on all property subject to taxation for a period of twenty years to address various infrastructure and public safety needs. The revenues generated would be used to repair roads, streets, bridges, and drainage systems; and purchase equipment, software, vehicles and other public improvements for the City.

Chief Administrative Officer for the City of New Orleans Gilbert Montano, New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) Superintendent Shaun Ferguson, New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD) Superintendent Tim McConnell, and New Orleans Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Chief William Salmeron attended today's meeting to present on the proposed tax, each highlighting the various needs within their departments the funding would help address.

CAO Montano presenting alongside Chiefs Ferguson, McConnell and Salmeron during today's meeting

The Council also approved a separate resolution (R-19-308) that proposes an occupancy tax on STRs not to exceed 6 ¾ percent of the rent or occupancy fee charged. The proceeds of the tax would be deposited into the dedicated infrastructure fund for the City (75 percent) and to New Orleans & Company to promote tourism (25 percent). 


Council Recognizes Louisiana Consular Corps

The Council welcomed the Louisiana Consular Corps in celebration of International Day. The first special order of business included a presentation from The Honorable Vincent Marc George Sciama, Consul General of the French Republic and Dean of the Consular Corps and The Honorable Bret Alden Clesi, Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Albania and Vice Dean of the Consular Corps on the importance of fostering ties between New Orleans and the international community to further economic development and cultural exchange. The Council also heard from former City Councilmember and State Representative, Jackie Clarkson, who was named Honorary Consul of the Republic of Lithuania for the State of Louisiana in 2014. 

The Louisiana Consular Corps is among the nation's largest, having existed in the state since the late 1700s. Today, there are 59 operating career and honorary consulates in Louisiana, serving countries on five continents. The Corps works closely with leading state, federal, regional and local economic development organizations and government agencies to identify and cultivate trade and commercial opportunities between nations. In New Orleans, the organization partners closely with organizations such as the World Trade Center of New Orleans, the Louisiana Department of Economic Development, and the Mayor's Office.

Members of the Council with Honorary Consuls of the Louisiana Consular Corps


Tulane Study Approved to Examine Blight and Family Violence

The Council passed Ordinance 32,715 authorizing a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) between the Mayor and Tulane University for a five-year study to better inform City policies around blight reduction. The study will focus on the effects of blight on youth and family violence by abating and reducing blight in certain high-crime neighborhoods in New Orleans. 


NOTMC and 504 Health Net Present New Healthy Hospitality Initiative

As today's third special order of business, the Council received a presentation from representatives of 504 Health Net and NOTMC on their newly-launched Healthy Hospitality Initiative to provide healthcare to New Orleans hospitality workers. The program will connect the local hospitality industry to high-quality, affordable, accessible health care at over 50 sites around the city. 

In 2018, NOTMC engaged 504 HealthNet to lead a coordinated effort to respond to the health care needs of the roughly 100,000 hospitality workers in New Orleans, many of whom face barriers to accessing and paying for health care. The Healthy Hospitality Initiative, comprised of 17 participating health care organizations and one hospital system, will help hardworking hospitality workers and their families find affordable health care options, with or without insurance. 

Councilmembers Palmer, Williams and Banks joined City and hospitality officials for the program's launch event on Tuesday, which featured free health screenings and testings where hospitality workers including glucose, STD and blood pressure screenings. For more information or to find a participating clinic, visit healthyhospitality.com.

Councilmembers with NOTMC and 504 Health Net representatives (left) and Councilmembers Palmer, Williams and Banks at the Healthy Hospitality community launch event (right)


 

Created on: 10/16/2018 9:21:02 AM | Last updated: 8/15/2019 3:24:22 PM

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