NEW ORLEANS - During today's City Council meeting, District “B” Councilmember Jay H. Banks approved two land use motions that represent significant steps in the right direction toward green infrastructure and affordable homeownership. Zoning Docket 26/21 is the first to require electric vehicle charging stations for a gas station in Mid-City, and the development at 1721 St. Andrew Street in Central City (Zoning Docket 53/21) is a building block that will lead to future affordable homeownership opportunities.

The resolutions brought to the Council called on the Governor to reinstate Pandemic Enhanced Unemployment Benefits and on President Biden to take swift action to cancel student loan debt.

NEW ORLEANS - District "D" Councilmember Jared C. Brossett received unanimous support from his colleagues and members of the public on resolutions that improve economic conditions amidst the pandemic, which have become direr due to the surge of the Delta variant.

During today's City Council meeting, the CAO presented a plan to ensure all City workers receive a livable wage, showing several funding options to make it happen. 

NEW ORLEANS - In July of this year, District "D" Councilmember Jared C. Brossett introduced Ordinance 33,388, which directed the City to lay out a plan to raise the wages of City workers to at least $15 per hour as quickly as possible. Today, the CAO presented a variety of options to raise the hourly wage of all City employees, including members of the NOFD, some of whom are paid less than $12 per hour. 

NEW ORLEANS - Council President Helena Moreno hosted City of New Orleans Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Gilbert Montaño during today's regular meeting to present a final plan to raise the living wage for City workers to at least $15/hr. The presentation was prompted by Moreno's motion M-21-238, which required a pay analysis of increasing the living wage to $15 within 45 days. CAO Montaño's presentation confirmed that all City workers would receive at least $15, that the Administration was working closely with Civil Service to make the necessary pay plan adjustments, and CAO Montano confirmed to Moreno that the 2022 budget would contain funding for a $15 living wage for all city employees.

NEW ORLEANS - District “B” Councilmember Jay H. Banks, co-author of Ordinance 33,422 regarding the implementation of medical quiet zones, has announced he will be deferring action on the legislation to a future Council meeting.