New Orleans public meetings in 2023

City Council

The New Orleans City Council met on December 1, 2023, and approved the minutes from November 2 and November 16, 2023. The council received multiple communications and reports, including several proposed amendments to the classified pay plan for various city departments, which were referred to the Budget Committee. No substantive decisions were made beyond procedural approvals and referrals.

• Approved minutes from November 2 and November 16, 2023
• Received and referred to Budget Committee: amendments to Classified Pay Plan for HDLC/VCC, Fire, Juvenile Justice Intervention Center, Sewerage and Water Board, Automotive Retention Pay, and Real Time Crime Center
• Received communication on Board of Liquidation millage levy of 16.5 mills for 2024
• Received Office of Economic Development recommendation for River District - Shell Gulf of Mexico Headquarters PILOT application
• Received polling location changes from Criminal District Court
• Received Vieux Carré Commission report on appeal of denial at 625 Dauphine Street
• Received City Planning Commission report on zoning dockets and property dispositions

Rsp Edd Meeting

The Riverwalk-Spanish Plaza Economic Development District (RSPEDD) adopted Resolution R-2023-4A, which amends a prior resolution authorizing the levy of a sales tax within the district. The meeting was held on December 1, 2023, in the City Hall Council Chamber. No other substantive actions were recorded.

• Adopted Resolution R-2023-4A amending sales tax levy authorization

City Council

The council adopted two zoning ordinances: one creating a Commercial Short-Term Rental Interim Zoning District that caps timeshare units and prohibits short-term rentals in most areas, and another allowing domestic protection and emergency shelters by-right in multi-family districts. Several communications were received and referred to committees, and presentations were made honoring Juvenile and the A'sani Heartbeat Foundation.

• Adopted Ordinance No. 29701 M.C.S. establishing Commercial Short-Term Rental Interim Zoning District (Cal. No. 34,420)
• Adopted Ordinance No. 29702 M.C.S. permitting domestic protection and emergency shelters by-right in multi-family districts (Cal. No. 34,421)
• Approved minutes from October 3, 5, 17, 19, and 25, 2023 meetings
• Received communications on utility adjustments, zoning appeals, and housing agreements, with hearing dates set for November 16, 2023

City Council

The New Orleans City Council adopted six zoning ordinances, including conditional uses for bed-and-breakfasts in the Marigny/Tremé/Bywater district, a packaged alcohol retail sale on Tulane Avenue, a multi-family dwelling expansion, a zoning change to neighborhood business on Poland Avenue, and a large child-care center. The consent agenda also received multiple communications and reports, including utility filings, vehicle fleet reports, and encampment cleanup documentation, with no substantive decisions made on those items.

• Adopted conditional use for bed-and-breakfast at 807 Esplanade Ave and 1404-1414 Bourbon St (Ord. 29688)
• Adopted conditional use for bed-and-breakfast at 1238-1240 N Robertson St (Ord. 29689)
• Adopted conditional use for packaged alcohol retail at 2501-2537 Tulane Ave and 2500-2520 Banks St (Ord. 29690)
• Adopted conditional use for multi-family dwelling expansion at 301 Adams St (Ord. 29691)
• Adopted zoning change from HU-RD2 to HU-B1A at 1301-1303 Poland Ave (Ord. 29692)
• Adopted conditional use for large child-care center at 2000-2008 N Galvez St (Ord. 29693)
• Received communications on utility reports, EBO scorecard, vehicle fleet, encampment cleanups, and appeals (no votes taken)
• Received and referred BASF pest control agreement to Public Works Committee

City Council

The New Orleans City Council adopted the consent agenda (5-0) and approved several items including zoning changes for properties on Dwyer Boulevard and St. Charles Avenue, a resolution ratifying SWBNO appeal decisions, and a restoration tax abatement for 1306 Magazine Street. The council also received communications on various appeals and reports, setting hearing dates for October 5, 2023.

• Adopted consent agenda (5-0)
• Approved zoning change from OS-N to S-RS at 14051-14071 Dwyer Boulevard (Ordinance 29646)
• Approved conditional use for restaurant hours extension at 1513 St. Charles Avenue (Ordinance 29644)
• Adopted resolution ratifying SWBNO appeal manager decisions (R-23-429)
• Approved restoration tax abatement for 1306 Magazine Street (R-23-379)
• Received communications on HDLC and VCC appeals, setting hearings for October 5, 2023

Rspedd Meeting

The Riverwalk-Spanish Plaza Economic Development District (RSPEDD) held a meeting and adopted Resolution R-2023-3, giving preliminary approval to issue up to $25 million in revenue bonds. No other substantive actions were taken.

Abcb Nuisance Hearing

The ABCB voted 4-0 to continue the nuisance hearing (trial) for a liquor license case involving Allie & Glenn, Inc. d/b/a Nice Guys NOLA, originally scheduled for August 15, to September 19, 2023. The board also ratified continuations from the canceled June 20 sales tax hearing. No substantive decisions were made on the allegations.

• Continued nuisance hearing for Nice Guys NOLA to September 19, 2023 (4-0)
• Ratified continuations from canceled June 20 sales tax hearing

Abcb Sales Tax Hearing

The August 15, 2023 Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Sales Tax Hearing was cancelled, and all 12 agenda items were deferred to the next hearing date of September 19, 2023. No decisions or recommendations were made on any of the listed permittees' alleged violations.

• Cancelled August 16, 2023 Sales Tax Hearing
• Deferred all 12 agenda items to September 19, 2023

City Council

The New Orleans City Council approved three zoning changes, including a rezoning on Franklin Avenue and a conditional use for alcohol sales at 929 Howard Avenue. The council also adopted a consent agenda that included multiple board appointments and contract amendments for sanitation services. No substantive decisions were debated beyond the consent agenda items.

• Adopted zoning change from LI to MU-1 at 2905-2941 Franklin Avenue (Ord. 29634)
• Adopted conditional use for packaged alcohol sales at 929 Howard Avenue (Ord. 29635)
• Adopted text amendment adding 'broadcasting studio' as permitted use in CBD-5 district (Ord. 29636)
• Adopted motion directing City Planning to consider generator regulations (M-23-385)
• Adopted reappointment of Cherie Teamer Henley to Industrial Development Board (M-23-397)
• Adopted contract amendments for sanitation with IPL North America and MDL Enterprises (M-23-399, M-23-400)
• Adopted MOU with JPSO for HIDTA drug trafficking funds up to $47,700 (M-23-401)
• Adopted appointments to Aviation Board, Downtown Development District, and CBD Landmarks Commission (M-23-402, M-23-407, M-23-408, M-23-409)

Rsp Edd Meeting

The Riverwalk-Spanish Plaza Economic Development District board adopted its bylaws, approved a public notice of intent to levy a separate sales tax up to 2% within the district, and continued a resolution for up to $25 million in revenue bonds to the October 5, 2023 meeting.

• Adopted bylaws for RSPEDD (Resolution R-2023-1)
• Approved publication of public notice of intent to levy a separate sales tax not to exceed 2% within the district (La. R.S. 33:9038.39)
• Continued Resolution R-2023-2 (preliminary approval of up to $25 million in revenue bonds) to the meeting of October 5, 2023

City Council

The City Council adopted two zoning ordinances: one changing a property at 1646-1654 N. Robertson Street from residential to commercial, and another allowing alcohol sales at 3814-3816 Magazine Street. The rest of the meeting was procedural, receiving communications and reports, with no substantive decisions beyond these adoptions.

• Adopted zoning change from HMR-2 to HMC-2 for 1646-1654 N. Robertson Street (Zoning Docket 26/23, Ord. 29495)
• Adopted conditional use for alcohol sales at 3814-3816 Magazine Street (Zoning Docket 29/23, Ord. 29496)
• Adopted amendment to Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Foundation for Louisiana for Children and Youth Planning Board (Ord. 29500)
• Received multiple HDLC appeals and set hearing dates for July 13, 2023
• Received and referred several proposed agreements to committees

City Council

The City Council adopted a consent agenda including a curb cut ordinance and several resolutions regarding Entergy New Orleans. The Council also approved a demolition permit for Pauger Street and overruled a $20,000 fine for a property on Soniat Street.

• Adopted Ord. No. 29482 to permit a curb cut at 351 Calliope Street
• Adopted Motion M-23-189 amending Council rules for board and commission appointments
• Adopted Resolution R-23-244 declaring June as Eat Local Month
• Adopted Resolution R-23-254 regarding the 2024 Triennial Integrated Resource Plan of Entergy New Orleans, LLC
• Adopted Resolution R-23-255 establishing a comment period for Entergy New Orleans LLC’s RCPS compliance report
• Approved demolition permit for 2204-2206 Pauger Street (M-23-267)
• Overruled and approved appeal of a $20,000 fine for unpermitted demolition at 2123 Soniat Street (M-23-259)

City Council

The City Council adopted a consent agenda and approved a demolition permit for a property on Touro Street. Several other demolition and renovation appeals were received and scheduled for future hearings, while one renovation appeal for 502 Frenchmen Street was withdrawn.

• Approved demolition request for 1330-1332 Touro Street (M-23-248)
• Adopted Consent Agenda (5-0)
• Referred proposed agreement with Children’s Hospital to Governmental Affairs Committee
• Referred proposed agreement with Interstate Electronic Systems, LLC to Governmental Affairs Committee
• Referred proposed agreement with Celeste Landing, L.L.C. to Governmental Affairs Committee
• Referred Police Retention Pay amendment to Budget Committee
• Referred Code Enforcement Case Specialist pay amendments to Budget Committee
• Withdrawn: Renovation appeal for 502 Frenchmen Street

Fqedd Meeting

The French Quarter Economic Development District received quarterly budget and expenditure reports for the FQ EDD Trust Fund. No other substantive actions were recorded.

• Received quarterly budget and expenditure reports of the FQ EDD Trust Fund

City Council

The City Council approved the minutes from April 6 and April 20, 2023. The remainder of the meeting consisted of honorary presentations and the receipt of various communications and reports, many of which were referred to committees for further review.

• Approved minutes from April 6, 2023
• Approved minutes from April 20, 2023
• Referred proposed agreements with Witt O’Brien’s, LLC and Ceres Environmental Services (Zones 1, 2, and 3) to the Community Development Committee
• Referred proposed agreement with Unity of Greater New Orleans, Inc. to the Community Development Committee
• Referred proposed agreement with LDH SHHP to the Quality of Life Committee
• Referred four Classified Pay Plan amendments to the Budget Committee
• Referred proposed agreement with Orleans Tower, LLC to the Criminal Justice Committee
• Referred proposed agreement with Global Solutions Group, Inc. to the Governmental Affairs Committee

City Council

The City Council adopted an ordinance establishing new definitions for urban blight and public nuisances. It also approved several short-term rental regulations, including permit fee prorating and administrative adjudication procedures. Additionally, the Council authorized multiple cooperative agreements for childcare, homeless services, and veteran benefits.

• Adopted updated definitions for urban blight and public nuisances (Ord. No. 29391)
• Approved $3.2M in ARP funds for pandemic-related utility assistance (Ord. No. 29402)
• Adopted administrative adjudication rules for short-term rental violations (Ord. No. 29397)
• Approved prorating of interim and residential short-term rental permit fees (Ord. No. 29398)
• Approved $3.7M in grant funds for organizations including New Orleans African American Museum and Preservation Hall Foundation
• Approved conditional use for a community center at 1804 Lizardi Street
• Approved conditional use for a restaurant at 1829 Sophie Wright Place
• Approved temporary polling location changes for precincts 9/09 and 9/12

City Council

The Council approved a comprehensive ordinance establishing application procedures, fees, and operating regulations for short-term rentals. It also created a Residential Short Term Rental Interim Zoning District to temporarily prohibit new permits citywide. Additionally, the Council approved several board appointments and street renamings.

• Adopted Ord. No. 29381 M.C.S. establishing short-term rental permits, fees, and regulations
• Adopted Ord. No. 29382 M.C.S. modifying short-term rental regulations for Fifth Circuit compliance
• Approved Residential Short Term Rental Interim Zoning District to prohibit new permits citywide
• Approved demolition permits for 2126 Mandeville Street and 2020 Calhoun Street
• Approved renaming of Press Drive to SUNO Knights Drive and Cadillac Street to Roneagle Way
• Extended Michelle Woodfork's appointment as NOPD Superintendent for six months
• Approved police pay plan amendments for Academy hiring and Recruiter Incentive Pay
• Approved 9 board appointments including Industrial Development Board and Ethics Review Board

Nuisance Hearing

The Board approved a consent judgment for a business on Bourbon Street regarding tax and check violations. One nuisance case was continued to a later date, and a previous sales tax hearing was ratified.

• Approved $600 consent judgment for Executive 325, LLC (d/b/a The Bace of Clubs) for tax and NSF check violations (5-0)
• Continued Lucky Tab, LLC (d/b/a The Willow Uptown) nuisance case to March 21, 2023 (5-0)
• Ratified January 17, 2023 sales tax hearing (5-0)

Abcb Sales Tax Hearing

The Board processed 14 cases involving delinquent alcohol permits and sales taxes. Several businesses reached consent judgments for fines, while others were dismissed or continued to a future meeting.

• Recommended $1,200 fine for Desi Vega's Steakhouse
• Consent judgment of $1,200 reached for Cousins Bar
• Consent judgment of $800 reached for Basin Seafood & Spirits
• Consent judgment of $800 reached for The Phoenix Bar Complex
• Recommended dismissal for Cozy Bar
• Recommended dismissal for Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken
• Recommended dismissal for Gordon Biersch Brew Restaurant
• Continued cases for Perfections, NOLA Deli, Ciel Market, Red Zone, Napoleon's Itch, and Best Western St. Christopher Hotel to March 21, 2023

City Council

The City Council approved two ordinances calling for elections on October 14, 2023, to amend the Home Rule Charter regarding budget submission deadlines and the establishment of a Department of Code Enforcement. The Council also approved several zoning changes, retention pay amendments for city employees, and a new ordinance regarding firearm storage. Multiple land use appeals and zoning requests were continued to future meetings.

• Called October 14, 2023 election to amend Home Rule Charter budget deadlines (Ord. 29370)
• Called October 14, 2023 election to establish Department of Code Enforcement (Ord. 29371)
• Approved retention pay amendments for Police, EMS, Automotive, and Juvenile Justice Intervention Center staff
• Adopted ordinance allowing custodial arrest for careless firearm storage resulting in minor injury/death (Ord. 29363)
• Approved zoning change for 3670 Bennett Street to Suburban Two-Family Residential (Ord. 29364)
• Established Lower Algiers Rural Protection Interim Zoning District to prohibit certain developments (Ord. 29365)
• Approved $15,000 reduced fine for unpermitted demolition at 2220 Broadway Street
• Denied zoning change and conditional use request for 1819 Esplanade Avenue

City Council (Special Meeting)

The City Council held a reinstatement hearing for Sharon Jasper and voted to return her to the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) Board. The Council also adopted a resolution to investigate the 'City of New Orleans 2022 Recap' mailers.

• Adopted Motion M-23-86 to reinstate Sharon Jasper to the Housing Authority Board
• Adopted Resolution R-23-85 to investigate the 'City of New Orleans 2022 Recap' communications

City Council

The Council approved several budget amendments, including $283,295,769 for intergovernmental revenues and expenditures. It also adopted resolutions establishing reliability performance standards and financial penalties for electric distribution. Additionally, the Council approved various Cooperative Endeavor Agreements for public services and redevelopment.

• Appropriated $283,295,769 for intergovernmental revenues and expenditures
• Adopted reliability performance standards and financial penalties for electric distribution (R-23-73)
• Approved $2.1M for youth participants via Mayor's Office of Workforce Development
• Approved conditional use for a hotel over 10,000 sq ft at 1441-1451 N. Rampart St
• Approved demolition permit for 1923 St. Charles Avenue
• Approved conditional use for live entertainment at 3033 Tchoupitoulas Street
• Adopted ordinance increasing penalties for not reporting lost or stolen firearms
• Approved CEA for redevelopment of former Six Flags/Jazzland site

City Council

The City Council adopted the 2023 Mardi Gras parade schedule and approved multiple amendments to civil service pay plans for police and Sewerage and Water Board employees. The body also granted several zoning requests and waived building permit fees for residents affected by the December 14, 2022 tornadoes.

• Adopted 2023 Mardi Gras parade schedule (Ord. No. 29313)
• Waived building permit fees for non-structural repairs from Dec 14, 2022 tornadoes (Ord. No. 29311)
• Approved multiple Classified Pay Plan amendments for Police and Sewerage and Water Board
• Approved lease agreements at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport for Voice of the Covenant Church and Sure Logix, LLC
• Eliminated alcoholic beverage outlet application processing fee (Ord. No. 29309)
• Granted demolition request for 740 Jena Street (M-23-29)
• Approved conditional use for reception facility at 2400 Napoleon Ave (M-23-30)
• Established permanent polling locations for future elections (M-23-33)

City Council (Special Meeting)

The City Council adopted two motions focused on crime mitigation and public health. One requires the Health Department to develop a violence intervention model, and the other directs the City Planning Commission to consider security requirements for parking structures and lots.

• Adopted Motion M-23-11 requiring New Orleans Health Department to develop a violence intervention model
• Adopted Motion M-23-12 directing City Planning Commission to consider security and crime mitigation requirements for parking structures and lots
• Continued Resolution R-23-13 regarding an ATF crime task force to 2/2/23
• Continued Resolution R-23-14 regarding a stolen firearms educational program to 2/2/23
• Withdrew Resolution R-23-15 advocating for juvenile curfew enforcement
• Continued Resolution R-23-16 regarding a truancy and juvenile curfew working group to 2/2/23
• Continued Resolution R-23-17 regarding Law Enforcement Management District police presence to 2/2/23

Abcb Nuisance

The board voted to continue two nuisance hearings to the January 17, 2023 meeting. The board also ratified the December 20, 2022 Sales Tax Hearing.

• Continued hearing 04-22 (A) for Executive 325, LLC (The Ace of Clubs) to 1/17/2023 (5-0)
• Continued hearing 05-22 (A) for Lucky Tab, LLC (The Willow Uptown) to 1/17/2023 (5-0)
• Ratified 12/20/22 Sales Tax Hearing (5-0)

Abcb Sales Tax

The board reviewed 22 cases involving allegations of delinquent sales taxes and operating without alcohol licenses. Most cases were continued to a future meeting or continued without a date based on recommendations from the Assistant City Attorney.

• Continued case 58-22 (Court Liquors) to 1/17/2023
• Continued case 68-22 (Barkode Lounge) without date
• Continued case 83-22 (Perfections) to 1/17/2023
• Continued case 84-22 (Claiborne Supermarket) without date
• Continued case 87-22 (Delmonico Restaurant) without date
• Continued case 93-22 (Cozy Bar) to 1/17/2023
• Continued case 94-22 (Nola Deli) to 1/17/2023
• Continued case 102-22 (Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken) to 1/17/2023

City Council

The Council is reviewing several proposed ordinances to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, including new regulations for the CBD-5 Urban Core. The agenda also includes requests to approve updated pay plans for Sewerage & Water Board and Police personnel.

• Ordinance to prohibit new hotels/motels and allow commercial short-term rentals in CBD-5
• Creation of the Convention Center Neighborhood (CCN) Overlay District
• Amendments to Classified Pay Plan for Sewerage & Water Board infrastructure roles
• Amendments to Classified Pay Plan for Police DNA and Forensic Firearm Examiner roles
• Zoning change request for 2431-2441 Kerlerec Street

The Council approved several zoning ordinances, including the creation of the Convention Center Neighborhood Overlay District and various conditional uses for hotels and restaurants. Leadership was established with JP Morrell as President and Helena Moreno as Vice President. Multiple security and improvement district elections were scheduled for April 29, 2023.

• Elected JP Morrell as President and Helena Moreno as Vice President
• Adopted Ord. No. 29285 creating the Convention Center Neighborhood Overlay District
• Adopted Ord. No. 29284 prohibiting new hotels/motels in CBD-5 Urban Core Neighborhood Lower Intensity Mixed-Use District
• Approved conditional use for hotel at 610-616 Baronne Street (Ord. No. 29288)
• Approved conditional use for hotel at 2121-2127 Chartres Street and 616 Elysian Fields Avenue (Ord. No. 29292)
• Approved conditional use for restaurant at 3511 Magazine Street (Ord. No. 29291)
• Adopted Ord. No. 29300 and 29301 to appropriate funds for the Orleans Parish Public Defender’s Office
• Adopted Resolution No. R-23-10 urging a national search for a Superintendent of Police