The Roots of Music receiving a proclamation from the Council during the first Special Order of Business

NEW ORLEANS - During yesterday's regular meeting, the New Orleans City Council passed measures pertaining to the awarding and management of City contracts, voted to require greater transparency in employee travel, set new requirements for the usage of City-issued credit cards, and updated its meeting proceedings to take up Special Orders of Business after the conclusion of the legislative agenda.

As part of yesterday's Special Orders of Business, the Council received a presentation from The Roots of Music on its mission to empower New Orleans youth through music education, academic support, and mentorship.

Members of the Council with local advocates celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Smokefree NOLA ordinance before the start of the meeting

Steps to Prohibit Pre-Execution Changes in City Contracts

With its approval of Ordinance 35,068, the Council has made it illegal for the City to enter into any publicly bid or competitively selected contract where there is a material change in the terms of the contract between the date on which a winning vendor is selected and its execution. This does not affect any authority the Council already has or has exercised, but seeks to avoid recent situations where contracts are materially changed and the Council is not made aware until after the fact.

Extension of City Employee Travel Restrictions for Further Data Collection

Ordinance 35,074 directs the Chief Administrative Officer to study and report back to the Council on the costs and benefits of city-funded travel and recommend necessary policies and procedures intended to ensure fiscal responsibility, transparency, and public accountability with regard to City-funded travel.

New Guardrails on Use of City Credit Cards

Through Ordinance 35,079, the Council prohibited the use of City-issued credit cards by persons with outstanding financial obligations to the City, helping to ensure more responsible usage and distribution of City funds.

Procedural Changes for Special Orders of Business

In an effort to increase the efficiency and timeliness of future Council meetings, the Council approved Motion M-25-247, updating its schedule of proceedings to take up Special Orders of Business at the end of the meeting once all governmental business has concluded. Moving forward, regular Council meetings will be called to order promptly at 10 a.m. and proceed to the business reflected on the agenda in the following order:

1. Mayor and/or Presiding Officer’s Call, Roll Call, Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance
2. Approval of Minutes
3. Consent Agenda
4. Regular Agenda
5. Special Orders of Business

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Contact:

Samuel J. Myers 

Council Public information Officer 

Samuel.Myers@nola.gov

504.462.4386