City Council on 2026-08-06 10:00 AM.
Summary
Summary of New Orleans City Council meeting material (2026-08-06) — Meeting basics
- Title: City Council on 2026-08-06 10:00 AM
- Date: 2026-08-06
- Start time: 9:27 AM
- Duration: 3 hours 2 minutes
Public comments and speakers — Irma Plummer (speaking for Sewage and Water Board employees and residents)
- Called for greater accountability and transparency from the council regarding Sewage and Water Board governance.
- Described SBW as a committed workforce with day-to-day operation concerns; urged engagement on meter readings, repairs, and customer service.
- Rejected the idea of a hostile takeover; urged collaboration to improve oversight and public access.
Christie Solano
- Urged phasing out mule-drawn carriages as incompatible with a modern humane city.
- Described mules as intelligent but suffering in heat, with long hours; proposed electric carriages as an alternative to protect animals and sustain tourism.
Jeff Dorsen (Humane Society of Louisiana)
- Highlighted budget cuts to the SPCA, rise in stray animals, and need for improved animal welfare.
- Supported electric carriages as an alternative; cited examples from other cities that shifted away from horse/mule-drawn carriages.
- Emphasized accountability and better oversight/resources for animal welfare.
Catherine Cassidy (resident)
- Noted mules working in extreme heat and crowds; argued the practice is unethical.
- Emphasized heat stress and pain; questioned why regulation focuses on limiting heat exposure rather than eliminating the practice.
- Urged consideration of mules’ welfare and ethical implications of the industry.
Danilo Feliciano
- Acknowledged SBW staff; called for a health audit of Sewage and Water Board (preferably by the Legislative Auditor) to assess financial status and governance.
- Emphasized cost-effectiveness and urged use of state-level audits to uncover issues and improve transparency.
Council actions, ordinances, and proposals — Drone usage transparency (introduced by Councilmember Willard)
- An ordinance introduced to require quarterly and monthly reporting on NOPD drone usage and to create a public-facing dashboard.
- Amendment would require monthly reporting to the Criminal Justice Committee and publication of drone deployment data to enhance transparency and oversight.
Percent-for-art allocation
- The council approved returning the city’s percent-for-art allocation to 1% of the capital budget.
- Changes preserve the Arts Council as a partner and do not affect the current year’s budget.
United Airlines lease extension at Louis Armstrong International Airport
- An ordinance authorizes a two-year extension of the United Airlines lease through December 31, 2027.
- Rationale: provides stability while the airport completes capital planning and negotiates a new long-term agreement.
- Terms: United will continue paying airport rates and fees under the existing structure; no fiscal impact to the city.
Alaska Airlines signatory lease agreement
- An ordinance authorizes the New Orleans Aviation Board to enter into a signatory airline use and lease agreement with Alaska Airlines for space at Louis Armstrong International Airport.
- Alaska Airlines will pay rents, fees, and a share of operating costs in exchange for lower airport rates and charges than non-signatory carriers.
- Duration: remains in effect until a new airport-wide airline lease agreement takes effect (whichever comes first, by December 31, 2027).
- Note: No competitive solicitation was required by state law for this type of airport lease.
Unresolved issues / notes
- Drone-use transparency ordinance: introduced, but no vote/approval status provided in the material.
- Health audit proposal for Sewage and Water Board: recommended by a speaker; no council decision stated.
- Animal welfare policy changes (phasing out mule-drawn carriages and related oversight): discussion points raised by public speakers; no council decision stated.
- Lease extensions and Alaska Airlines agreement: ordinances described as authorizing actions, but explicit council vote outcomes not provided.
Transcript
Transcripts may contain automated transcription errors. Verify important details against the official recording.
Sewage and Water Board governance – public comment (Irma Plummer)
Irma Plummer spoke on behalf of Sewage and Water Board employees and residents, urging greater accountability and transparency from the council regarding Sewage and Water Board governance. She described the SBW as a committed workforce with day-to-day operation concerns, and she urged addressing issues such as meter readings, repairs, and customer service by engaging with the board and the council. She rejected the notion of a hostile takeover and urged collaboration to improve oversight and public access.
Public comment: Christie Solano on mule-drawn carriages
Christie Solano urged phasing out mule-drawn carriages, arguing they are not compatible with a modern humane city. She described mules as intelligent but suffering in heat, traffic, and long hours, and suggested electric carriages as an alternative to protect animals and maintain tourism.
Public comment: Jeff Dorsen on animal welfare and SBW
Jeff Dorsen, Humane Society of Louisiana, spoke about budget cuts to the SPCA, the rise in stray animals, and the need for improved animal welfare. He highlighted calls for electric carriages as an alternative and cited examples from other cities that have shifted away from horse or mule-drawn carriages. He emphasized accountability and suggested better oversight and resources to address animal welfare.
Public comment: Catherine Cassidy on mule welfare
Catherine Cassidy, a resident, described witnessing mules working in extreme heat and crowds, arguing that the practice is unethical. She emphasized that living beings experience heat stress and pain, and questioned why regulation focuses on limiting heat exposure rather than eliminating the practice altogether. She urged consideration of the mules' welfare and the ethical implications of the industry.
Public comment: Danilo Feliciano on SBW audit
Danilo Feliciano acknowledged the service of SBW staff and then spoke about the need for a health audit of Sewage and Water Board, preferably by the Legislative Auditor, to assess the financial status and governance. He emphasized cost-effectiveness and urged use of state-level audits to uncover issues and improve transparency.
Drone reporting ordinance – public oversight (Councilmember Willard)
Councilmember Willard introduced an ordinance to provide quarterly and monthly reporting on drone usage by the NOPD and to create a public-facing dashboard. The amendment requires monthly reporting to the Criminal Justice Committee and publication of drone deployment data to enhance transparency and oversight.
Percent for Art - returning to 1% (Ordinance 35-523)
The council approved returning the city's percent-for-art allocation to 1% of capital budget, saving funds for critical infrastructure. The Arts Council remains a partner, and the change does not impact the current year's budget.
Airport leases: United Airlines extension (Ordinance 35-501)
An ordinance authorizes a two-year extension of the United Airlines lease agreement at Louis Armstrong International Airport through December 31, 2027. The extension provides stability while the airport completes its capital planning and negotiates a new long-term agreement. United will continue paying airport rates and fees under the existing structure with no fiscal impact to the city.
Airport leases: Alaska Airlines lease extension (Ordinance 35-502)
An ordinance authorizes the New Orleans Aviation Board to enter into a signatory airline use and lease agreement with Alaska Airlines for space at Louis Armstrong International Airport. Alaska Airlines agrees to pay rents, fees, and a share of operating costs in exchange for lower airport rates and charges than non-signatory carriers. The agreement will remain in effect until a new airport-wide airline lease agreement takes effect on December 31, 2027, whichever comes first. No competitive solicitation was required by state law for this type of airport lease.