Norma Jean Cruz

The meeting agenda was amended to remove an item regarding the final payment for the new Fire Station contract with Gibbs Construction, LLC, and to add resolutions concerning a partial servitude grant for architectural changes at 514--516 Second Street and an ordinance amendment to the Unified Development Code regarding signs in Historic Districts. An additional resolution was added to approve Amendment No. 3 to the contract with Burk-Kleinpeter, Inc. for the 25th Street Canal Improvements Project, increasing funding for design and engineering services. Presentations included a donation from the Gretna Historical Society for cemetery maintenance. The Council entered and exited Executive Session to discuss and subsequently approve a settlement related to two consolidated litigation matters. A resolution was adopted calling for a Special Election in March 2026 to authorize a special tax levy for fire protection. The Consent Agenda included approval of the October 8, 2025, meeting minutes and an event request for a Breast Cancer Walk. A resolution authorizing a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Jefferson Parish for bathroom facilities at Gretna City Park was approved. The removed resolution concerning the final payment for the Fire Station, which noted significant construction deficiencies and reserved the City's right to pursue claims for direct costs exceeding $125,000, was adopted. Floor resolutions involved granting a partial servitude for building encroachment and authorizing the contract amendment for the Canal Improvements Project. The Planning and Zoning Commission's favorable recommendation for a major resubdivision of seven lots into one for an outpatient physical therapy clinic was approved. Monthly reports included police activity updates, a summary of the City Engineer's report, and departmental reports covering finance, permits, code enforcement, and commission activities. An ordinance was introduced to set the 2026 Legislative Calendar. Citizen comments addressed streetlight concerns.

The Planning & Zoning Commission meeting focused on two appeals to staff decisions. The first appeal concerned a request for a driveway exceeding the 20-foot width limit at 1001 Washington Street, violating Section 58-151 (a) of the Gretna Unified Development Code (UDC). The Commission ultimately voted to approve the applicant's request for a wider driveway despite the staff recommendation to deny. The second item involved an appeal regarding setback requirements for proposed new single-family home construction at 8th Street and Dolhonde Street. The staff had recommended minimum setbacks of three feet interior and eight feet exterior. The Commission resolved to approve the appeal conditionally, requiring the proposed house setback to match the setback of the existing home behind it on Dolhonde Street, aligning with UDC Section 58-150(b).

The meeting agenda included presentations covering various community recognitions, such as the Boys Flag Football Teams, the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce President, the Patron of Landscape Architecture Award, the Thomas Jefferson High School School of the Month for January 2026, Councilman Hon. Tim Kerner, and the Gretna Recreation & Instructional Dept. (G.R.I.D.) Parent Association. Bid responses were sought for EV Charging Stations and 2026 Chlorine Supply. The major item for review was the favorable recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission for the Walmart Neighborhood Market Addition and Site Improvements. The Consent Agenda covered approval of previous meeting minutes (December 10, 2025), an event request for the Italian-Irish Parade, and applications for two Alcoholic Beverage Outlets (Drink Nola Lounge and ETC 73 Restaurant). Resolutions for consent included adopting the JUMP 2025 Multijurisdictional Program for Public Information update, authorizing participation in the CDBG-HIP Fiscal Years 2027-2029 program, endorsing Rolf Preservation Works for the Restoration Tax Abatement Program, authorizing Change Order No. 1 for the Water Meter Replacement Project with Pedal Valves Inc. for an increase of $783,338.00, and authorizing a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Diamond Baseball Inc. for the use of Mel Ott Park. Monthly reports were scheduled, and an ordinance was introduced adopting the revised City Budget for Fiscal Year April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026. The City Engineer's office provided a status report on multiple infrastructure projects, including the Fifth Street Improvements, 25th Street Canal Subbasin Improvements, Governor Hall Connector-Fried Street Drainage Project, and the Gretna Blvd. Water Tank Repairs.

The meeting addressed several requests for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA). Approved COA requests included iron handrails for 1118 Huey P Long Avenue, a front door modification for 341-343 Ocean Avenue, handrails for 820 Derbigny Street, and new gutters and windows for 1030 8th Street. There was also a discussion item regarding new construction and demolition at 537 Huey P Long Avenue, focusing on the necessary documentation for the demolition request, façade ornamentation, and massing.

Key discussion points included a presentation from the Gretna Historical Society and recognition of new businesses. The Council addressed litigation discussions in Executive Session. A significant resolution was adopted to call a Special Election on March 28, 2026, to authorize a special tax levy for fire protection. The Council considered approval for a Major Resubdivision request by Joseph Squatrito III concerning property at 59 Westbank Expressway for the development of an outpatient physical therapy clinic. The Consent Agenda covered approvals for an Event Application (Lovie's Strong Breast Cancer Walk) and resolutions authorizing the execution of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Jefferson Parish for bathroom facilities at Gretna City Park (not exceeding $150,000) and a Memorandum of Understanding with Second Parish Court for police security services in 2026. A resolution was also prepared to authorize payment of the final invoice ($65,290.00) to Gibbs Construction, LLC for the new fire station. Monthly reports were presented, including updates on Police Department activities, City Engineer status reports, and departmental reports from Finance, Building, Code Enforcement, Historic District Commission, Parks and Parkways, and Planning & Zoning. An ordinance was introduced to set the Year 2026 Legislative Calendar.