NEW ORLEANS – At its regular meeting on Thursday, August 21, the Council adopted an ordinance to waive certain temporary fees and requirements surrounding the NOLAKEYS 5 Annual Stop the Violence Youth Bike Ride and School Supply Giveaway that took place on August 2, 2025. The Council also authorized several amendments to ongoing Cooperative Endeavor Agreements (CEAs), one being between the City and Hyfi, LLC, as well as between the City and the Build America Bureau within the United States Department of Transportation. Additionally, the Council adopted a motion authorizing the Council President to execute the Settlement Agreement between the City Council, LSU Board of Supervisors, and Edwin Murray as a member of the Wisner Trust Management Board.

As part of the Special Orders of Business, the Council recognized recently retired New Orleans Saints player, Tyrann Mathieu, not only for his outstanding athletic career but also for his many contributions to the City of New Orleans. Mathieu also received a key to the City from Mayor LaToya Cantrell, and the Council celebrated August 21, 2025, as Tyrann Mathieu Day.

Members of the New Orleans Health Department’s (NOHD) Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault program also gave a presentation concerning the 2024 Advocate Initiated Response (AIR) Program Data Report. The report acts as a data-driven assessment of the City’s current domestic violence response. It highlights practical steps that city agencies and partners can take to better protect survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and hold offenders accountable.

The Final Special Order of Business was another presentation from members of the NOHD, highlighting Breastfeeding Awareness Month as well as the wide-ranging benefits that breastfeeding can have for both mothers and babies.

 

Members of the New Orleans Health Department give a presentation highlighting Breastfeeding Awareness Month.

Before the start of the meeting, the Council celebrated the accomplishments of the New Orleans Spartans Football Club (FC) following their national championship victory. Additionally, members of the New Orleans Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (SHAAD) Committee held a press conference in front of City Hall to raise awareness of the disproportionate number of people living with HIV in South Louisiana. The Committee also aims to stop the stigma around HIV and advocate for resources for those living with the disease, and to take steps to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in southern Louisiana.

Council President JP Morrell with members of the Spartan Football Club.

City Council Celebrates Tyrann Mathieu Day

As part of the Special Orders of Business, the Council recognized retired New Orleans Saints player Tyrann Mathieu not only for his impressive athletic career throughout his time at LSU and in the NFL, but also for the work he has done involving the youth of New Orleans and the broader community.

Mathieu was given a key to the City by Mayor LaToya Cantrell, after which the former NFL player was presented with a proclamation by the Council. While members of the Council praised Mathieu’s outstanding professional career and highlighted his time with the New Orleans Saints, they also made note of his commitment to service within the New Orleans community. Mathieu established the Tyrann Mathieu Foundation to impact the lives of financially disadvantaged youth throughout New Orleans. Through the Foundation, Mathieu has hosted events such as the Heart of a Badger youth camp and the Back-to-School Jamboree.

Speaking on his recognition during the regular meeting, Mathieu said, “I stand here today honored, humbled, and deeply grateful. To receive the key to the city is something I never would have imagined possible growing up in New Orleans.” The retired pro athlete said that being raised in New Orleans taught him “how to rise above challenges and come up on top. We’ve been through so much as a city, but we always rise together." He concluded his speech by thanking members of his family, teammates, coaches, and fans for supporting him and believing in him throughout his career.

 

City Council honors retired New Orleans Saints player Tyrann Mathieu with proclamation.

Council Temporarily Waives Fees for NOLAKEYS School Supply Giveaway

The Council adopted ordinance No. 35,181 to ratify and confirm the temporary waiver of specific fees for the NOLAKEYS 5th Annual Stop the Violence Youth Bike Ride and School Supply Giveaway held on August 2, 2025. During the discussion period, members of the Council clarified for the public that the event was a giveaway for students to receive free school supplies for the upcoming 2025 Fall school year. They stressed that this was a purely non-profit event and that the giveaway should be viewed as a partnership between the City and non-profit organizations.

Council Authorizes Amendment to CEA between City and Hyfi, LLC

Through the adoption of ordinance No. 35,191, the Council authorized amendment No. 1 to a previously executed CEA between the City and Hyfi, LLC. This CEA authorizes the installation of a system of water monitors to acquire data for flood mitigation throughout the city. The amendment extends the term by an additional year, five months, and 12 days. It's important to note that this CEA has no fiscal implications to the city and that Hyfi, LLC, is providing these services at no cost.

Council Authorizes CEA for the Light Rail Terminal Connection Project

The Council adopted ordinance No. 35,202, which authorizes a CEA through the New Orleans Aviation Board (NOAB), between the City and the United States Department of Transportation, Build America Bureau (BAB). The purpose of this CEA is to fund and set provisions for the Light Rail Terminal Connection project, which seeks to build a light rail link between planned airport terminals as well as relieve congestion and reduce city traffic.

The Light Rail Terminal Connection project is part of the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport’s ever-evolving master plan, which seeks to have an electrified light railway that connects the North Terminal to a hub for trains, buses, and other transport to the south side of Airline Highway across from South Campus. Travelers would then be able to depart and take another train to the city’s central station near the Caesars Superdome to other regional rail stations, such as Baton Rouge.

 

Council Authorizes Execution of Wisner Trust Board Settlement Agreement

With the adoption of motion M-25-459, the Council authorized the Council President to execute the Settlement Agreement by and between the City Council, LSU’s Board of Supervisors, and Edwin Murray, a member of the Wisner Trust Management Board and a defendant in the Council for the City of New Orleans v. Edward Wisner Donation litigation.

This is one of two settlements involving the Wisner litigation, with the other involving Tulane University. As a result of these two settlements, the Council recognizes that should it lose in litigation, the City, at a minimum, will be 60% owners of the Wisner Trust instead of 35% owners. These settlements make the City the supermajority owner of the Trust, and it overall increases the patrimony of New Orleans, which is the primary goal of the Council.

View the full meeting here: YouTube or council.nola.gov/meetings.