Three-member council approves special events, engineering amendments and Public Works personnel changes during largely routine meeting
Finance Report: Sales tax revenue up 5.7% above last year – city could finish $700K-$800K above sales tax projections
MANDEVILLE — The City Council postponed votes Thursday on proposed changes to its meeting procedures and a short-term rental permit, allowing the full council to consider the two matters when they return next month.
Only three of the council’s five members attended the July 23 meeting. Councilman-at-Large Jason Zuckerman and District III Councilwoman Jill Lane were absent.
Resolution 26-32, which would repeal and replace the council’s existing rules of procedure, was postponed until Aug. 13. The proposal would increase the public speaking limit from three minutes to four minutes, formally establish the council’s general public comment period at the beginning of meetings and revise language governing which subjects may be discussed during that period.
The proposed rewrite follows a recent controversy over whether residents may use general public comment to discuss matters appearing elsewhere on the meeting agenda, including ordinances being introduced but not voted on that night.
The council also postponed a vote on Ordinance 26-24, which would grant conditional-use approval for a short-term rental at 526 Girod St.
Because the ordinance requires approval from four of the council’s five members, it could not be adopted with only three members present. The matter was also rescheduled for Aug. 13.
The remainder of the meeting was largely routine, with the council approving a slate of fall special events, two engineering contract amendments and changes to two Public Works positions.
Among the approved events were the Mandeville High School Homecoming Parade, Heroes at the Harbor, the Northshore Half Marathon and 10-Miler, the Veterans Day Parade, Festival of the Lake, Cruising for a Cause, the Wide Water Music Festival, Hola Lago Festival and Northshore Beer Fest.
The council also approved substantial completion of the Antibes West Drainage project.
Resolution 26-30, an amendment to the city’s agreement with Fairway Consulting and Engineering for lift station-related work, was adopted. Resolution 26-31, amending an agreement with Richard C. Lambert Consultants for water line engineering services, was also adopted.
Two Public Works personnel ordinances received final approval.
Ordinance 26-25 revised the job description for the Public Works Clerk II position. Ordinance 26-26 changed the title and job description of an administrative support supervisory position within the department.
The council introduced two additional ordinances that will return for later consideration. Ordinance 26-30 proposes rezoning property on Livingston Street, while Ordinance 26-31 would amend the city’s previously adopted property tax millage ordinance to authorize a 2026 roll forward to the maximum allowable rate. Introductions are procedural and do not constitute final approval.
During the finance report, city officials said sales tax collections were approximately $578,000 above budget and about 5.7% higher than during the same period a year earlier. Property tax revenue had also exceeded budget projections.
Officials estimated the city could finish the fiscal year approximately $700,000 to $800,000 ahead of its sales tax budget.
The council also recognized Mandeville Police Officer Steven Tarzia as the department’s Officer of the Year.
Mayor Clay Madden announced that Sunset Point Park would be closed during construction of improvements to the park’s fishing pier.
During public comment, resident Tracy Elsensohn, Friends of the Mandeville Cemetery, asked the city to provide additional funding for Mandeville Cemetery. She also apologized for her conduct during a previous council meeting.
Jeff Duhé, representing the U.S. Small Business Administration, informed residents and businesses about federal disaster loan assistance made available following Tropical Storm Arthur.
Representatives of the Veterans Day Parade also requested approximately $8,000 in city support. The request was referred for consideration during upcoming budget discussions.
Meeting Summary:
| Item | Summary | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes | July 9 meeting minutes | Adopted |
| Ord. 26-30 | Introduced rezoning on Livingston Street | Introduced |
| Ord. 26-31 | Introduced amendment to Ordinance 26-19 | Introduced |
| Captain Liberto Jamb. Cook-off | Nov. 1 event permit | Approved |
| MHS Homecoming Parade | Oct. 8 event permit | Approved |
| Heroes at the Harbor | Oct. 3 event permit | Approved |
| Half Marathon | Oct. 11 event permit | Approved |
| Veterans Day Parade | Nov. 7 event permit | Approved |
| Festival of the Lake | Oct. 9-11 event permit | Approved |
| Candlelight Blessing | Nov. 2 event permit | Approved |
| Cruising for a Cause | Oct. 18 event permit | Approved |
| Wide Water Music Festival | Oct. 31 event permit | Approved |
| Hola Lago Festival | Sept. 20 event permit | Approved |
| Beer Fest | Oct. 11 event permit | Approved |
| Antibes Drainage | Substantial completion accepted | Approved |
| Resolution 26-30 | Lift station engineering amendment | Adopted |
| Resolution 26-31 | Water line engineering amendment | Adopted |
| Resolution 26-32 | Council rules rewrite | Postponed |
| Ordinance 26-24 | STR at 526 Girod | Postponed |
| Ordinance 26-25 | Public Works Clerk II duties updated | Adopted |
| Ordinance 26-26 | Public Works supervisor title change | Adopted |
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