Approves PILOT agreement to preserve Rouquette Lodge senior housing
Advances budget amendments related to striping maintenance
MANDEVILLE — The City Council unanimously tabled indefinitely a proposed ordinance Thursday that would have added a social media policy to the city’s code of conduct for elected officials, appointed board and commission members, unclassified employees and contractors. The measure, Ordinance 26-08, had drawn scrutiny following prior reporting and was set aside on a 5-0 vote after a motion by District II Councilman Kevin Vogeltanz.
In contrast, the Council advanced a series of budget-related ordinances and resolutions without opposition, approving multiple amendments tied to striping maintenance and the “Keep Mandeville Beautiful” program, and adopting a resolution supporting a state PILOT agreement to preserve affordable senior housing at Rouquette Lodge. Another proposed social media policy, Ordinance 26-07 — applicable to municipal civil service employees — was postponed to the next regular meeting to allow revisions.
City Council Meeting Results: February 26, 2026
CONSENT AGENDA:
- Approval of Substantial Completion of Task Order No. 5 for the 2022 Striping Maintenance Contract. (Councilman Zuckerman, At-Large)
- Adoption of Resolution 26-04: A resolution adopting the 2026 St. Tammany Parish multi-jurisdiction hazard mitigation plan and providing for other matters in connection therewith.(Councilman Zuckerman, At-Large)
- Adoption of Resolution 26-05: A resolution authorizing the mayor of the City of Mandeville to execute Amendment No. 1 to the 2022 striping maintenance contract between the City of Mandeville and Pavement Markings LLC and providing for other matters in connection therewith. (Councilman Zuckerman, At-Large)
Outcome: Adopted 5-0
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
(none)
NEW BUSINESS:
- Adoption of Ordinance 26-04: An ordinance to execute Amendment No. 2 to Ordinance No. 25-25, the operating budget of the City of Mandeville, and for other matters in connection therewith (striping maintenance). (Councilman Zuckerman, At-Large)
Note: This is part 1 of a budget adjustment to correct miscategorization of work performed under the striping maintenance contract.
Outcome: Adopted 5-0
- Adoption of Ordinance 26-05: An ordinance to execute Amendment No. 3 to Ordinance No. 25-25, the operating budget of the City of Mandeville, and for other matters in connection therewith (Keep Mandeville Beautiful). (Councilman Zuckerman, At-Large)
Note: Funding for “Keep Mandeville Beautiful” project.
Outcome: Adopted 5-0
- Adoption of Ordinance 26-06: An ordinance to execute Amendment No. 2 to Ordinance No. 25-26, the capital budget of the City of Mandeville, and for other matters in connection therewith (striping maintenance). (Councilman Zuckerman, At-Large)
Note: This is part 2 of a budget adjustment to correct miscategorization of work performed under the striping maintenance contract.
Outcome: Adopted 5-0
- Adoption of Ordinance 26-07: An ordinance amending and adopting the personnel policies, Part I, Rule 2, General Administration, adding Section 2.12, Social Media Policy for the municipal employees’ civil service system and its employee rules and regulations, and providing for other matters in connection therewith. (Councilman Zuckerman, At-Large)
Note: Originating from the administration, this would add a social media policy to the code of ethics for police and civil service employees.
Outcome: On a motion from District II Councilman Kevin Vogeltanz, this was postponed with a 5-0 vote to the next regular City Council meeting.
- Adoption of Ordinance 26-08: An ordinance amending the code of conduct for elected officials, unclassified employees, persons appointed or elected to various boards and commissions of the City of Mandeville, and contractors with the City of Mandeville, and providing for other matters in connection therewith. (Councilman Zuckerman, At-Large)
Note: Originating from the administration, this would add a social media policy to the code of ethics for elected officials, appointed members of commissions, committees and boards, and unclassified employees.
Outcome: On a motion from District II Councilman Kevin Vogeltanz, this was tabled indefinitely with a 5-0 vote.
- Adoption of Resolution 26-09: A resolution of the City Council of Mandeville authorizing participation in a state “payment in lieu of taxes,” or PILOT, program to facilitate the sale and continued operation of Rouquette Lodge, an income-restricted senior housing complex at 4300 U.S. Highway 22. The property, long owned by an entity controlled by the Archdiocese of New Orleans, is being sold as part of the archdiocese’s bankruptcy-related asset liquidation. In order for the new owner to maintain the complex’s affordable, HUD-regulated senior housing model, the purchaser must enter into a state-authorized PILOT agreement administered through a public trust. The resolution provides the required local governing authority support to allow the transaction to proceed under that structure. Under the arrangement, the property will be transferred through a public entity and leased back to the operator, removing it from the traditional tax rolls in exchange for a structured payment in lieu of taxes. Council members emphasized that the buyer has committed to maintaining the development’s affordable housing mission, including keeping rents capped at no more than 30% of a resident’s income in accordance with federal guidelines. The agreement carries a 40-year commitment to remain in the program, with provisions that would return the property to full taxation if program obligations are not met.
Note: The measure was added to the agenda as a time-sensitive item under Robert’s Rules of Order.
Outcome: Adopted 5-0
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Mandeville Daily 