Department of Safety and Permits Hearing
The committee held a hearing to consider the confirmation of Susannah Kirby as the Director of the Department of Safety and Permits. Kirby gave a presentation before the committee detailing the department's operations, leadership, and ongoing improvements as of May 2026.
Kirby explained that key priorities include reducing permit delays, filling staff vacancies, expanding community engagement, and improving internal training and communication.
Recent improvements include a new online application process for trade licenses, expanded community outreach, and the elimination of permit requirements for properties vacant for more than two years. The department also reported April 2026 customer service metrics showing 3,503 calls received and an 83% call answer rate. Through the SPARC City Council Dashboard, the department resolved most resident concerns and permit-related inquiries, reflecting ongoing efforts to improve responsiveness and streamline services.
After Kirby addressed questions and concerns, the committee voted to forward Kirby's appointment favorably to the full Council.
Board and Commission Appointments
The committee discussed and voted on several Board and Commission appointments. The committee favorably recommended Amanda Berger, Tracie Griffin, Joseph Wilson, and Richard Freeman to the Audubon Commission. The committee also favorably recommended Ryan King, Kenneth Rubenstein, Michael DiSimone, and Stephanie Burks as members of the Downtown Development District Board.
Next, the committee favorably recommended Adrian Bruneau to the Regional Planning Commission, followed by Dernell Johnson and Austin Lavin to the New Orleans Public Library Board. The committee also favorably recommended Renard Thomas, Pike Howard, Thelma French, and Margaret Washington to the Sandy Krasnoff New Orleans Criminal Justice Council. Finally, the committee favorably recommended Ayame Dinkler to the Industrial Development Board.
Amendments to Contracts
The committee voted to recommend two Amendments to separate contracts for approval. The first was Amendment No. 3 to the Professional Services Agreement between the City and Hammerman & Gainer, LLC, for workers' compensation claims administration services, extending the term by one year and reaffirming the maximum amount payable.
The second was Amendment No. 5 to the Licensing Agreement between the City and Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc., for access to GIS and mapping software, extending the term by three years and increasing the maximum amount payable.
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