Keith A. Conley

The meeting included the approval of minutes from the November 18, 2025 meeting and the approval of Personnel Action Forms for both the Kenner Fire Department and Kenner Police Department. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a public hearing concerning the adoption of amendments to several Kenner Fire Department classification plans: Fire Records Clerk, Fire Communications Officer, Firefighter, and Fire Prevention/Investigation/Education (renamed Fire Prevention Officer). The adoption of amendments for the Fire Communications Supervisor classification plan was tabled. Furthermore, the Board reviewed and rejected three requests for investigation regarding the eligibility of two personnel for the Fire Captain examination, concluding that the employees appeared eligible based on departmental records and applicable statutes. The Board also addressed a discussion item concerning internal department dynamics, clarity of roles between the Fire Chief and Chief of Administration, and context regarding the aforementioned eligibility complaints.

The meeting included an Executive Session regarding the case of David Key versus the City of Kenner. The Consent Agenda covered approvals for Alcoholic Beverage Permit Applications and Bingo and Public Gathering Applications for several organizations including the Pakistani Community Association of Greater New Orleans, Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans, Kenner Central Lions Club, and First Baptist Church of Kenner. The agenda also included acceptance/rejection of certain bids and change orders under $5,000, acceptance of committee findings, and final passage of resubdivision ordinances. Under the Public Appearance Agenda, public hearings were held for zoning reclassification (Case Nos. Z-1-26 and Z-2-26) with final passage motions made. Several resolutions and ordinances were approved, including one authorizing a settlement in the David Key case. Final passage also included ordinances authorizing the utilization of existing Jefferson Parish contracts for vehicle bodies, accepting bids for HVAC system replacement at Galatas Gym, supplying corrugated plastic panels, supplying rain gear, roof replacement at Rivertown Theater, and approving change orders for roof replacements at the Police Headquarters and Training Facility. Furthermore, an amendment to the Geographic Information Services agreement was approved, as well as an agreement for the use of the Pontchartrain Convention and Civic Center by the Laketown Pelicans. Ordinances introduced for first reading involved zoning amendments, agreements for Post-Disaster Debris Collection, Processing, and Disposal Services, acceptance of bids for various supplies (flags, janitorial supplies, sports awards), increases to purchase amounts for electrical upgrades and bleachers, acceptance of quotes for grit classifiers and pump replacement, and authorization to file a pre-application for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan.

The meeting commenced after deferring special intentions and included an invocation and pledge of allegiance. The Mayor provided correspondence reports, noting the graduation of seven firemen and reporting that citywide sales tax revenues for January were up by 2.39% fiscal year-to-date. The Mayor also announced the acceptance of low bidders for two road projects: Veterans Memorial Boulevard overlay and West Loyola resurfacing, totaling approximately $2.6 million. Furthermore, a grant award of $2,787,334 was announced for a West Loyola multi-use path project, which is expected to take at least two years to commence. Under the consent agenda, the minutes of the February 5th, 2026 regular council meeting were approved. Several ordinances were approved, including the placement of no parking signs on the east side of Tennessee Avenue near fire hydrants; the renewal of a GPS tracking equipment and service agreement for city vehicles up to $90,000 annually; and approvals for change orders related to interior repairs at the Pontchartrain Convention and Civic Center (totaling an increase of $245,158 due to storm damage and unforeseen delays) and window replacement at Heritage Hall (net increase of $18,569.60). The Council also accepted bids for the purchase of six fire station recliners for the new Station 38 and approved a contract not to exceed $350,000 annually for fire truck repair and maintenance services. Finally, a resolution was passed accepting the municipal water pollution prevention environmental audit report for 2025.

The Council meeting covered several operational and financial matters. Key discussions included an update on citywide sales tax revenues, which showed an increase compared to the previous year. Reports were given on successful community events, such as the 'Sipping with Santa' fundraiser and the annual Christmas Village lighting. The agenda featured several public hearings and final passages for ordinances regarding property leases. Specifically, approval was sought for leasing portions of city property at 400 Williams Boulevard to Rivertown Optical Shop LLC (vacating two units) and to Floor Deluxe LLC (occupying the vacated units as a florist shop). Further agenda items included the amendment of traffic ordinances to add stop signs, the acceptance of a permanent donation of five works of art, and resolutions authorizing the adoption of a Multi-Jurisdictional Program for Public Information Plan, appointing a fiscal agent, and electing council officers for 2026. Contract approvals also included an amendment to the janitorial supplies agreement and acceptance of a bid for cleaning and disinfecting supplies.

The meeting commenced with the presentation and recognition of Emily Heinrich, a Special Olympics athlete, through a proclamation detailing her athletic achievements and upcoming participation in the Rose Parade. Following the invocation and pledge, the Mayor noted the quorum and reminded attendees about silencing electronic devices. The consent agenda included the approval of minutes from the December 19, 2025, regular council meeting, and several resolutions granting alcoholic beverage permits for events hosted by Friends of Rivertown and Kenner Italian Heritage Incorporated, as well as approval for a public gathering celebration organized by Visit Kenner. The primary discussion focused on public hearings and final passage for Ordinance Number 14,11, which approves a conditional use for three major airport projects: the Express Shuttle Connector Road (designed to reduce transit times between campuses and offload traffic from Veterans Road), the East Apron Expansion (adding approximately 6,000 square yards to accommodate aircraft service vehicles), and the addition of two new surface parking lots (totaling over 400 spaces). Concerns were raised by a council member regarding the impact of increased concrete/asphalt on storm water runoff capacity and existing inadequate pumps, though airport representatives stated that prior studies confirmed sufficient capacity for the proposed developments.