NEW ORLEANS — We are just 36 weeks away from Carnival season, and the New Orleans City Council is working on updating its ordinances ahead of time.
The council spent hours on Wednesday discussing new legislation based on issues that arose during the 2024 Carnival season.
The committee discussed a total ban on confetti cannons.
Councilmember At-Large JP Morrell said mylar cannons were already prohibited, but they were used this year during Zulu and Iris. Morrell said the two krewes were notified and fined.
“These krewes think this is funny, but when you blow a transformer and disrupt an entire neighborhood, every business and homeowner in that neighborhood is impacted by that, but two, when you damage utility infrastructure, ratepayers pay for that," Morrell said.
Toth's paper cannons also knocked out power Uptown and delayed parades.
The delays are something the Department of Sanitation and other departments stressed are costly and force employees to work overtime.
Float builder, Barry Kern, agrees the delays need to be mitigated. Kern spoke at the meeting about the delay during the Krewe of Cleopatra.
“The cost to the city is hundreds of thousands, if not more, for every hour that we have these kinds of delays," Kern said.
During the Cleopatra parade, a portable toilet on top of a float nearly fell on riders as the float got caught under a tree near Jefferson and Magazine.
Kern said the float complied with the height requirements, but he said four-section floats will no longer be allowed to make that turn.
Councilmembers also expressed concerns about the neutral ground. They wish to ban certain items including all tents, sofas, and couches.
“The amount of items that are being brought to the parade route increases with each year," Parks and Parkways Director, Michael Karam, said.
Karam said the department tries its best to monitor the route four hours ahead of parades, but it gets tricky with limited staff and several parades on the second weekend leading into Fat Tuesday in particular.
Councilmembers said local universities and high schools need to be held accountable for students who partake in Carnival.
“It happens every single year in this area that these frat boys really don’t give a damn about the shift workers that are trying to get out of the box to get to their jobs," Cm. Lesli Harris said.
Karam agreed they are privatizing public space and suggested signage that is placed on the routes well in advance that reminds revelers what items are prohibited so there is no argument about the law.
Councilmembers also said large items disrupt RTA routes and pose a safety risk by blocking emergency access to the parade route.
The committee said it will look at ways to broaden who is allowed to enforce the new laws and potentially contract additional help.
“We need to enforce the rules that are on the books," Kern said.
The council said it's imperative to pass the legislation as soon as possible because the Super Bowl will also be a top priority. The Super Bowl will be held in New Orleans on February 9, and Fat Tuesday falls on March 4.
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