NEW ORLEANS – At its regular meeting Thursday, August 7, 2025, the Council unanimously overruled the mayor’s veto of ordinance No. 35,166 regarding an amendment to the Home Rule Charter. The Council also approved a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the City, the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORD), and the Lafitte Greenway Partnership (LGP) to maximize public recreational use and enjoyment of the Lafitte Greenway. The Council also adopted resolutions to hold several special elections on November 15, 2025, where voters will approve or disapprove several bond propositions.
As part of the Special Orders of Business, the Council recognized Ray’Mon Lewis for his perseverance, resilience, and passion in the nursing profession. Mr. Lewis works as a floor nurse for Ochsner’s main campus hospital and is the only floor nurse in Louisiana who utilizes a wheelchair. The Council also recognized the winners and over 20 volunteers who participated in the 116th NAACP National Convention ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics) Awards. Each year, high school students attend to sharpen their skills in disciplines such as digital arts, business, culinary arts, and much more.
Floor nurse Ray'Mon Lewis and Director of Nursing Renata Schexnaydre recognized by the City Council.
Before the start of the meeting, the Council received a presentation regarding the French Quarter Economic Development District Trust Fund and considered a resolution calling for an election on November 15, 2025, where voters will approve or disapprove an authorization to renew the levy of .245% in sales tax within the boundaries of the French Quarter Economic Development District. The Council also recognized members of NOLAReady and several community members for their efforts in preparing sandbags ahead of the Invest 93L storm, as well as Ms. Linda Lewis for her 77th birthday and her contributions to the community.
Ms. Linda Lewis was recognized for her 77th birthday.
Council Unanimously Overrules Mayor’s Veto of Clarifying City Attorney’s Role
Members of the Council voted unanimously to overrule Mayor Cantrell’s veto of an amendment to the Home Rule Charter rule clarifying the responsibilities of the City Attorney. In response to the mayor’s veto message, Council President Morrell said, “There is language the mayor utilizes saying that the amendment violates the charter, and just for clarification…, an amendment to the charter cannot violate the charter because the amendment is actually changing the charter.”
Essentially, ordinance No. 35,166 aims to strengthen the independence of the City Attorney, mandate impartial legal judgment, and more. The ordinance also limits the mayor’s power to remove the City Attorney in certain situations unilaterally.
Council Authorizes CEA between City, NORD, and Lafitte Greenway Partnership
The Council adopted an ordinance authorizing a CEA between the City, NORD, and the LGP for the public purpose of maximizing the Lafitte Greenway for public recreational use and the enjoyment of residents of New Orleans. This CEA will last three years with potential for extension.
LGP will handle responsibilities such as turf maintenance on designated areas of the Greenway, fundraising for and submitting plans relating to facilities and programs, as well as maintaining community engagement surrounding the Greenway. NORD will, in turn, collaborate with LGP on programming and facility development and act as a designated point of contact for communication and coordination.
City Council Amends and Approves Legislation to Ensure Second Line Club Voices are Included and Considered
The Council moved to adopt an amended motion and a resolution to ensure second line clubs are included in new safety regulations for second line parades. First, the Council adopted an amended motion, M-25-433–authored by Councilmembers Morrell, Moreno, King, and Harris with an amendment from Councilmember Thomas—that ensures the Social Aid & Pleasure Club Task Force, representatives from parading organizations, the police department, and the Office of Cultural Economy, can come together and discuss potential changes or policies for improving public safety at second line parades going forward.
Additionally, the Council moved to adopt a resolution, R-25-434, from Councilmembers Morrell, Moreno, King, and Harris, that formally requests NOPD to use second line requirements from the 2024-2025 season until all parties can come together to discuss the appropriate direction to move forward with second line parades for the benefit of all parties.
Council Approves Several Bond Proposition Elections
With the adoption of resolutions R-25-425, R-25-426, and R-25-427, there will be special elections on November 15, 2025, where New Orleans residents will vote on several different bond propositions. R-25-425 pertains to affordable housing projects, where general obligation bonds would be used to construct, renovate, acquire, and improve affordable housing facilities. These bonds would be repaid through existing property taxes.
R-25-426 involves drainage and stormwater management projects, and funds would be used to renovate and improve the city’s drainage systems. Projects included in this resolution include Audubon Park Stormwater, Kenilworth St. Drainage, City Park Avenue, and more.
R-25-427 pertains to city infrastructure projects. The issued bonds would be used to fund a wide range of projects, including upkeep, restoration, and construction of roads, bridges, buildings, parks, recreational spaces, and much more. Some of the projects proposed include the New Orleans Downtown Transit Center & Connecting Corridors project, the Agriculture Street Solar Field Redevelopment project, Harmony Circle redevelopment, and more.
Resolution Approved to Authorize Comprehensive Traffic Study of St. Claude
The Council adopted Resolution R-25-430, which urges the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to conduct a comprehensive, community-informed traffic safety study of St. Claude Avenue from Elysian Fields Avenue to the St. Bernard Parish line. This study will assess roadway design, traffic signals, truck routes, bike lanes, and pedestrian crossings, among other things.
The study will be thorough, transparent, and community-driven, emphasizing both immediate and long-term infrastructure solutions that safeguard those walking, biking, using transit, mobility devices, and driving.
View the full meeting here: YouTube or council.nola.gov/meetings.