NEW ORLEANS, LA – At its regular meeting on March 12, 2026, the City Council adopted legislation to establish the official polling location for the May 16, 2026, election taking place in Ward 13, Precinct 8. The Council also adopted a resolution directing Entergy New Orleans (ENO) to submit updated guidelines within 45 days that clarify when Direct Transfer Trip (DTT) equipment is required for community solar projects, among other matters.
Before the meeting began, the Council honored ReNEW Moton Lakefront Middle School with a proclamation recognizing the school’s outstanding achievements and commitment to excellence. In particular, the school’s football and basketball teams excelled this year, competing at championship levels and showcasing the hard work and commitment of both students and coaches.
The Council also recognized students and coaches from the Holy Cross School wrestling team, which won its 29th State Championship this year. The Council recognized students who won their weight-class finals, including Anthony Oubre (132 lbs.), Matthew Krail (144 lbs.), Robert Morse (150 lbs.), and Rylee Reeves (175 lbs.). Athletic Director Mark Faliveno and first-year head coach Grant Hughes were also recognized for their hard work and dedication in leading the team to their victory.
As part of the Special Orders of Business, the Council acknowledged Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.’s 106th anniversary and highlighted the impact of local chapters, including Alpha Gamma Zeta in New Orleans. In recognition of their esteemed legacy in New Orleans, representatives from Zeta Phi Beta Sorority addressed the Council about the Finer Womanhood principle, which guides the organization and honors distinguished women who exemplify qualities like courage and dedication, serving as community pillars. Councilmembers expressed their gratitude for their dedication and contributions to the women of New Orleans and the broader community.
The Council also celebrated WGNO’s Rick Erbach on his retirement after 20 years at WGNO and over 50 years working in news. Erbach spoke fondly of his time in New Orleans, a city which he now views as his home. He expressed his appreciation for how the city and its residents welcomed him with open arms, which made his time at WGNO that much more enjoyable. Members of Erbach’s team and the City Council thanked him for his service to New Orleans and wished him a happy retirement.
Official Polling Location Moved for May 16 Election
The Council adopted Motion M-26-111, which establishes the official polling location for the May 16, 2026, election in Ward 13, Precinct 8. The move is necessary because the Milton H. Latter Memorial Library, the current polling site, has been closed due to water intrusion, a non-functional elevator, and ongoing HVAC issues, making it inaccessible to voters, poll workers, and voting machines. Under Louisiana law, which permits polling location changes during an emergency and with approval from the Secretary of State’s elections division, the polling place will be permanently relocated to Sophie B. Wright Charter School, 1426 Napoleon Avenue.
Council Directs ENO to Submit Revised DTT Guidelines
The Council adopted Resolution R-26-109, which was previously discussed during the March 11 Climate Change and Sustainability Committee meeting. This resolution instructs Entergy New Orleans (ENO) to submit updated guidelines within 45 days that clarify when Direct Transfer Trip (DTT) equipment is required for community solar projects. ENO currently mandates DTT when distributed energy capacity on a substation exceeds 5 MW, but this requirement can significantly increase project costs and has caused uncertainty for projects in the application and construction queues. While ENO reviews its interconnection standards, the Council has temporarily tolled project deadlines from March 13 to April 27, 2026, for any community solar projects affected by the review.
Push for Louisiana Legislature to Review Property Tax Allocation
The Council adopted Resolution R-26-113. This resolution urges the Louisiana Legislature to reconsider the state law that allocates 2% of all ad valorem property tax collections to the Orleans Parish Assessor’s Office. The Council cites financial reports showing the Assessor’s revenues consistently exceed its expenses, with a 2024 general fund balance of $36.9 million—approximately 295% of annual expenditures—and an average annual surplus of $2.4 million over the past decade. The resolution requests the legislature to review the funding formula and consider a fairer distribution of property tax revenues among local entities.
SWBNO to Provide Monthly Operations and Compliance Reports
The New Orleans City Council adopted Resolution R-26-114, which requests that the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) provide monthly updates on operations and compliance to the Council’s Public Works, Sanitation, and Environment Committee, with these reports added as a regular agenda item. The updates will include topics such as drainage pump station status, water and sewer system operations, infrastructure repairs, service disruptions, progress on capital projects, compliance with the federal consent decree, and reports of sewer overflows or environmental incidents. The goal is to improve transparency and help the Council better monitor system performance, environmental compliance, and infrastructure upgrades while working together to address operational and funding issues.
To view the meeting agenda, click here.
To view the meeting, click here.