City Council meeting preview: February 27th, 2025
Queer Northshore is asking the City Council to approve it’s “Pride Northsore” parade special events permit tonight so that the group can parade down Lakeshore Drive for the second year in a row.
The application requests the closure of Lakeshore Drive in Old Mandeville starting at Jackson Avenue and ending at or near Coffee Street on Saturday, June 7th, from 4 to 9 p.m.
The group paraded last year on June 1st.
In other business, the remainder of the City Council’s agenda for the February 27th, 2025, regular meeting is provided here.
The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Council Chambers at Mandeville City Hall.
Introduction of ordinances:
Ordinance 25-04
(District I Councilwoman Cynthia Strong-Thompson)
Ordinance 25-04 would regulate the use of motorized conveyances on sidewalks within the City of Mandeville to enhance public safety and pedestrian accessibility. The ordinance defines motorized conveyances as any vehicle propelled by electric, gas, or battery power, excluding mobility devices for individuals with disabilities. Recognizing potential hazards posed by these vehicles, the city aims to balance the needs of different modes of transportation while prioritizing pedestrian safety.
Under the proposed ordinance, individuals over the age of ten are prohibited from operating motorized conveyances on sidewalks. Children aged ten and younger may use such devices under 5 mph, provided they do so safely without endangering or obstructing pedestrians. Additionally, motorized conveyances are strictly prohibited in business and commercial districts unless specifically allowed by signage. Exceptions are made for mobility devices, law enforcement officers performing official duties, and city workers or contractors who need access for maintenance or construction purposes.
Violations of the ordinance would result in a warning for the first offense, while subsequent violations may lead to a fine of up to $50 per occurrence. The ordinance includes a severability clause, ensuring that if any part of it is deemed invalid, the remaining provisions will still be enforceable.
Special Event Permits:
‘Mandeville Live’
(District III Councilwoman Jill Lane)
Approval of the Special Event and Alcohol Permit Application for City of Mandeville — “Mandeville Live” to be held Fridays (March 21, 2025 – May 9, 2025) 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Location: Mandeville Trailhead. Request: Approval to apply for ATC Alcohol permit Contingency: ATC permit.
‘Mandeville Family Reunion’
(District III Councilwoman Jill Lane)
Approval of the Special Event Permit and Request to Lift Ban on Food and Drinks on Lakefront for Susan Brady- “Mandeville Family Reunion” to be held May 25, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Location: Mandeville Lakefront- stage near Lafayette Street. Request: Lift ordinance of food and drinks on lakefront. Contingency: Approval of food and drinks on lakefront.
‘Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Walk’
(District III Councilwoman Jill Lane)
Approval of the Special Event Permit and Request to Lift Ban on Food and Drinks on Lakefront for Sherrard Crespo — “Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Walk” to be held on April 12, 2025, from 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. Location: Lakefront Harbor to Gazebo Walk Path Request: Lift ordinance of food and drinks on lakefront. Contingency: Approval of food and drinks on lakefront.
‘Mandeville Food Truck Festival’
(District III Councilwoman Jill Lane)
Approval of the Special Event and Alcohol Permit Application for Mandeville Lion’s Club- “Mandeville Food Truck Festival” to be held on May 10, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Location: Private Property (Mandeville Lion’s Club) Request: Approval to apply for ATC Alcohol Permit. Contingency: ATC permit.
‘Queer Northshore: Pride Northshore Parade’
(District III Councilwoman Jill Lane)
Approval of the Special Event and Alcohol Permit Application and Parade Route Approval for Queer Northshore — “Pride Northshore Parade” to be held on June 7, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Location: Lakeshore Boat Launch to Trailhead (see map) Request: Approval to apply for ATC alcohol permit and parade route approval. Contingency: ATC permit and parade route approval.
‘Old Golden Gras Neighborhood Party’ date change
(District III Councilwoman Jill Lane)
“Old Golden Gras Neighborhood Party” Event was approved on 2-13-25 and requires approval for a date change to 3-2-25 from 12:00 p.m. -6:00 p.m. Location: Copal St (Between Cindy Lou and Live Oak). Approval Requests: Date change to 3-2-25 .
Editor’s Note: The published agenda for the February 27th meeting was revised since it was first published last Thursday. The original version of the agenda did not include the above item.
New Business:
Approval of Liquor License
(District III Councilwoman Jill Lane)
Approval of the liquor license for “Iceburg Charlie’s” (sic).
Adoption of Ordinance 25-01
Ordinance 25-01 amends the City of Mandeville’s Operating Budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year to allocate additional funding for social services. This adjustment, outlined in Budget Amendment No. 6 (Social Services) and detailed in the attached Exhibit “A,” is necessary due to expenditures exceeding the originally approved budget. The amendment follows the financial procedures set by the city’s Home Rule Charter. All other provisions of the original budget ordinance (Ordinance No. 24-22) will remain unchanged.
REMOVED: Adoption of Ordinance 25-05
(Councilman at Large Scott Discon)
Editor’s Note: The published agenda for the February 27th meeting was revised since it was first published last Thursday. This item has been removed from the latest version of the agenda.
Ordinance 25-05 proposes the annexation of approximately 2.89 acres of land, encompassing portions of Lots 3 and 4 in Square 117, into the corporate limits of the City of Mandeville, which is the north side of Florida Street between Foy Street and Clausel Street. The annexed property will be designated as B-2 (Highway Business District) for zoning purposes, promoting commercial development, generating additional tax revenue, and creating employment opportunities. The ordinance also specifies revenue-sharing terms with St. Tammany Parish, allocating 80% of sales tax revenue to the City and 20% to the Parish, in accordance with prior agreements. The annexed property will fall within Council District 3, and the City’s zoning map will be updated to reflect these changes. The ordinance includes provisions ensuring its enforceability, even if specific sections are deemed invalid by a court.
Adoption of Ordinance 25-06
(Councilman at Large Jason Zuckerman)
Ordinance 25-06 proposes changes to “Sec. 2-6 – Indemnity” introducing several modifications to clarify and expand the scope of indemnification and exclusions for city employees, officers, and officials. While the original text allowed the City to select defense counsel and required officials to pay for their own counsel if they chose independent representation, the proposed changes permit officials to select their own defense counsel, subject to city council approval, which cannot be unreasonably withheld. This adjustment provides greater autonomy to those seeking legal representation while maintaining oversight to ensure responsible decision-making.
The proposed changes also expand the exclusions to indemnification. The original text excluded coverage for actions unrelated to legitimate governmental objectives, criminal or malicious behavior, and acts performed outside the course of employment. The proposed changes refine these provisions by explicitly stating that acts outside the “course and scope” of employment are excluded and by adding two new exclusions: lawsuits initiated by or at the request of the City (e.g., disciplinary proceedings) and punitive damages awards. These additions aim to safeguard city resources while ensuring that only legitimate claims related to public service are covered.
Finally, the proposed changes enhance clarity by separating reimbursement obligations into a new section. Both versions require officials found liable for excluded acts to reimburse the City for defense costs, but the proposed changes explicitly state that the City may recover attorneys’ fees incurred in enforcing reimbursement obligations. These revisions emphasize clarity, accountability, and precision, ensuring the ordinance balances protections for public servants with the responsible use of city resources.
Adoption of Resolution 25-04
(Councilman at Large Jason Zuckerman)
Resolution 25-04 authorizes the Mayor of Mandeville to execute Amendment No. 1 to the professional services agreement between the city and Waggonner & Ball, Inc. The original agreement, established on May 15, 2023, covered various design and engineering services for the Police Department Building Design project. Since the estimated construction cost has increased from $4 million to $7.207 million, the consultant’s fee must be recalculated accordingly. The resolution ensures that the revised agreement reflects the updated cost estimate while maintaining the original scope of professional services.
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