NEW ORLEANS, LA – At its regular meeting today, the City Council adopted several pieces of legislation, including an ordinance that amends the City Code to require the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) to provide periodic reports on its use of drones. The Council also adopted an ordinance amending and reordaining Chapter 159 of the City Code to establish a governance structure for the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO), among other legislation.
Before the meeting, the Council honored the late Donald Richardson, who served as the Band Director at Andrew J. Bell Junior High School. During his 32-year tenure at Bell Junior High, Richardson taught, mentored, and cultivated some of New Orleans’ most talented and well-known professional musicians.
Members of the New Orleans City Council with the family, friends, and supporters of Donald Richardson.
Council Adopts Ordinance Establishing New Regulations and Oversight of SWBNO
The Council adopted Ordinance No. 35,521 as amended, which amends and reordains Chapter 159 of the City Code to establish a governance structure for SWBNO. It establishes a new governance and oversight framework for the SWBNO following the passage of Act 938. The ordinance restructures the SWBNO Board of Directors' roles and responsibilities, formalizes the City Council's authority over key matters, and more.
The ordinance also creates comprehensive operational requirements for the SWBNO, including quarterly reporting on infrastructure, capital projects, environmental compliance, and system performance. It also mandates emergency notifications to elected officials, residents, and the media, as well as annual emergency preparedness planning.
The amendment clarifies the governance and oversight of the Sewerage and Water Board by requiring City Council approval of board appointments, key executive employment contracts, and certain board actions, and by defining board terms and the Council's approval authority. It also allows ex officio members to appoint representatives and creates a process to waive or adjust approval requirements when necessary to comply with state law or board obligations.
Ordinance Strengthens NOPD Drone Oversight and Public Reporting
The Council adopted Ordinance No. 35,523 as amended, which amends the City Code to require the NOPD to provide quarterly reports to the City Council on drone usage and to submit and publicly publish detailed drone flight and deployment data. It also requires the NOPD to submit and publicly publish detailed drone flight and deployment data, along with monthly drone flight logs, as part of its existing public safety oversight and data disclosure requirements.
The amendment expands the reporting requirements to include quarterly and monthly reports identifying the agencies, offices, and City departments requesting drone deployments, as well as monthly reports identifying the supervising officer for each drone flight.
Five Precinct Polling Sites Permanently Relocated
The Council adopted Motion M-26-308, which permanently relocates the polling place for five New Orleans precincts: 09/10, 09/11, 09/14, 09/16, and 09/17. It relocates these polling locations from Frederick A. Douglas High School to the Stallings Recreation Center, per a recommendation from the Orleans Parish Clerk of Court. It also directs the Clerk of Council to notify the appropriate state and local election officials of the approved changes.
Resolution Updates $415 Million Infrastructure Bond Project List
The Council adopted Resolution R-26-314, which updates the City Infrastructure Project List for the voter-approved $415 million General Obligation Infrastructure Bond Program. In accordance with Resolution R-25-427, it delays several projects across all Council districts in the Greater New Orleans area.
The amended project list includes investments in the Armstrong Park and Municipal Auditorium master plan, a citywide fire station alerting system, criminal justice technology modernization, Keller Community Center greenspace improvements, low-barrier shelter upgrades, traffic signal resiliency improvements, citywide sidewalk repairs, biosafety laboratory upgrades, new NOPD K-9 kennels, citywide NORD facility improvements, renovations to the Pecan Grove Recreation Center, and capital improvements for New Orleans Public Schools. The resolution adopts a revised and superseding Infrastructure Project List to reflect these changes.
It is important to clarify that the projects included in this resolution are delayed, not canceled, and that the City Council and the administration have taken steps to distribute them equally across districts.
To view the meeting agenda, click here.
To view the meeting, click here.