The New Orleans City Council adopted several servitudes and approved grant funding for local programs during its regular meeting on April 9.
These decisions are intended to address property rights, support public health initiatives, and ensure safe voting locations in the city.
During the meeting, the council approved multiple servitudes that allow property owners to retain or use structures that encroach into public spaces. These legal arrangements permit buildings, balconies, or other structures extending into the public right-of-way to remain while generating annual revenue for the city. The council described a servitude as “a legal right that permits a governmental body to use or direct the use of a portion of private property for a specific public or infrastructure-related purpose.”
In addition to these measures, ordinances were passed amending the city’s operating budget for 2026. Ordinances Nos. 35,398 and 35,399 allocate $25,000 each from private grant funding through the Mayor’s Alliance Action Fund to support the Health Department’s No Kid Hungry Program.
The council also addressed voter safety by approving Motion M-26-139. This motion permanently moves the polling place for Precinct 41C in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward from Engine House #37—due to mosquito infestation concerns—to Sarah T. Reed High School beginning with elections on May 16.
Other actions included adopting Resolution R-26-141 in support of National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on April 10 in New Orleans. The resolution emphasizes “the importance of better access to testing, prevention, and treatment,” calls for culturally responsive education efforts by healthcare providers and schools, and reaffirms “the City’s dedication to reducing stigma and ensuring equitable care access for young people impacted by HIV/AIDS.” The council also issued proclamations recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month in May and honored organizations such as NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and Girls Light Our Way (GLOW) for their work supporting community wellness.
