NEW ORLEANS - As Mayor LaToya Cantrell brings Mardi Gras leaders together with state and local officials, three New Orleans City Council members have been included in the working group: Jay H. Banks, Kristin Gisleson Palmer and Jared Brossett.

Recommendations and potential legislative changes proposed by this working group will then be brought before the Council's new Emergency Preparedness Special Committee. The Committee is made up of all seven council members and is chaired by Councilmember Brossett. This will also allow the public to engage in the process.

"I support Mayor Cantrell and Mardi Gras leaders coming together for this important assessment. The mayor and I have agreed that there will be a collaborative process between this group and the Council. I think it's important to bring recommendations by the working group before the City Council so the public can also provide input. All of us working together and hearing from each other will provide the best results," said Council President Helena Moreno.

"Public safety, including Mardi Gras safety, is a priority concern for me and this Council. With New Orleans hosting an ever-growing number of large events-from National Championships to Mardi Gras to Jazz Fest to Bayou Classic and everything in-between-we must always be prepared for emergency situations," said District "D" Councilmember Jared C. Brossett. "This is why we needed and established the Emergency Preparedness and Cybersecurity Committee. In the coming months, the Committee will consider how we as a city can ensure that the tragedies we saw this Mardi Gras never happen again."

"Carnival time in New Orleans is unique to New Orleans. The planning and preparation to make it successful span months, but when tragedy strikes, we all naturally question what could've been done better. And we owe better to our own whom we lost and were injured during this season. I am truly confident that with this level of collaboration, we preserve the magic of Mardi Gras and increase public safety," said Council Vice President Jason Williams.

"It is important we have everyone at the table for this discussion. I appreciate the concerns about wholesale changes to Mardi Gras, but there are no intentions to lose the magic of Carnival with a slew of new regulations. Forming a committee of Council and Krewe leaders allows us to share ideas, find common ground, and work together toward solutions. Public input will also be crucial to ensure everyone's point of view is understood," said District "A" Councilmember Joe Giarrusso.

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Media Contact:

Andrew Tuozzolo

Chief of Staff

Office of Councilmember-at-Large Helena Moreno

AVTuozzolo@nola.gov 

(504) 281-9882