|
NEW ORLEANS, LA - On Wednesday, October 15, 2025, the Governmental Affairs Committee met to review several personnel appointments, discuss a Professional Service Agreement with Aptim Environmental and Infrastructure, LLC, and consider three amendments to previous Professional Service Agreements. The Committee also reviewed and approved two ordinances regarding the City Code.
Committee Discusses Personnel Appointments
The Governmental Affairs Committee reviewed four personnel appointments for various organizations and departments. It recommended rejecting Tenisha Stevens’ appointment to the Sewerage and Water Board. It recommended approving Roger Ogden II for the Audubon Commission, Brian Bourgeois for the New Orleans Building Corporation, Nicholas Poche to the City Planning Commission. All decisions were added to the consent agenda for the 23 October Council meeting.
Committee Advances Four City Contract Agreements
The Governmental Affairs Committee reviewed a Professional Service Agreement between the City and Aptim Environmental and Infrastructure, LLC, to administer the e-bike rebate program. The contractor will design and manage an online application portal in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese to handle applicant registration, voucher distribution, vendor reimbursement, customer support, vendor training, and regular reporting. The five-year contract was recommended for Council approval.
The Committee also approved the first amendment to the Professional Service Agreement with Clutch Consulting, which supports efforts to reduce street homelessness and expand affordable housing in New Orleans. The amendment extends the contract by one year and adds $454,320 in compensation.
Additionally, the Committee approved the sixth amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Smith, Parrish & Atkins Resource Consultants, LLC, for archaeological monitoring on federally funded JIRR projects. The contract now runs through 22 December 2028, with no change to the $1,349,397 in FEMA funding.
Finally, the Committee reviewed the 11th amendment to the contract between the City and Quartech Corrections LLC, to increase the maximum compensation by $91,800. The company provides essential NOPD services, including early warning alert systems. The amendment was recommended for approval.
Governmental Affairs Committee Recommended Two Ordinances for Approval
Ordinance No. 35,242 prohibits the City from entering into agreements that authorize or support reality-based TV or media productions involving city first responders—such as police, firefighters, or paramedics—while on duty. The measure addresses concerns about distorted public perception, privacy violations, and the potential encouragement of excessive force. The restriction does not apply to legitimate news coverage or constitutionally protected public activities.
Ordinance No. 35,248 states that parade positions, routes, dates, and start times are set by Council motion. It limits night parades to three per night and allows the Superintendent of Police to change routes or times if needed for safety or emergencies. The ordinance also sets the 2026 Mardi Gras Thursday schedule: Knights of Chaos at 4:30 p.m., Krewe of Babylon at 5:30 p.m., and Krewe of Muses at 6 p.m. If problems occur, the Council can switch back to the 2025 schedule by annual motion.
|
