Kenner · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Kenner public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Accessory building setback appeal — 3804 Connecticut Avenue
A homeowner on Connecticut Avenue is appealing how the city's accessory-building rules apply to their property. Kenner's code requires detached accessory buildings — sheds, garages and similar structures — to sit at least six feet from the main house. The board's decision could affect how strictly that rule is enforced.
Wastewater improvements and Clean Water loan
The mayor announced $8.1 million in federal funding, secured through Senators Cassidy and Kennedy and Rep. Carter, to rehabilitate six badly needed projects at the wastewater treatment plant — important as airport expansion strains the system.
No-parking sign dispute in District 1
Resident Glenda McGee said it took over a year for the city to remove signs illegally placed in the right-of-way near her home, leaving safety concerns with damaged grass and holes. The mayor promised to follow up with her and Code Enforcement next week.
Firefighter pay dispute and FY2026-27 budget
The council adopted next year's operating and capital budgets, restoring the general fund balance to about $10.1 million and moving money to council district capital accounts for streets and drainage. The mayor warned that repeatedly cutting capital money could cost the city state and federal matching funds for big projects.
Pontchartrain Center parking agreement
A proposed Premium Parking deal would upgrade and monetize the Pontchartrain Center lot before the Squadrons' November 14 home opener, but councilmembers balked at approving a proposal without an attached contract. A 4-3 deferral delays paid parking, and a special meeting may be called.
Kenner mall abatement progress
The council president is pressing the mall's owners over cut-but-uncollected grass, fallen trees and trash, sending dozens of code enforcement photos.
Open Meetings Law Violation
The Louisiana Attorney General says Kenner’s City Council violated open meetings law, meaning public business may have been discussed behind closed doors. That’s a transparency problem for residents who expect to see how decisions are made. The finding could lead to legal costs, penalties, or do-overs of improperly handled business.
Council Legal Violation
Louisiana’s attorney general says some Kenner City Council members broke state law by sending a letter about the airport board. That’s a direct hit on the people running city government—and it could mean legal and political fallout.
Police Lieutenant exam with time-in-rank waiver
Sergeants who haven't usually spent the required time in rank can now sit for the Police Lieutenant exam, but only for this one exam — widening who can compete for promotion.
Crimen annual leave dispute
Chief of Fire Prevention Keith Crimen, Jr. is contesting the fire department's decision to rescind annual leave he says state law entitles him to. A hearing will be held at the board's next regular meeting.
Fire Prevention Officer classification amendment
Kenner's fire department wants to update the Fire Prevention Officer job description to match new statewide certification standards for inspectors and investigators. A public hearing is set for December 15, 2026, and the change only takes effect if the department first shows how employees will earn the required certifications.
Special Industrial rezonings in Kenner Heights
Two rezonings put recently sold street parcels and a former planned-unit-development lot into the Special Industrial district, matching the surrounding airport-area uses.
Roosevelt Boulevard construction ahead of schedule
Northbound concrete pours April 21 and 23 will close the road to northbound traffic; the project is running roughly eight months ahead of schedule.
G-League arena renovations change order
The council awarded a $3.44 million contract to Kent Design Build to renovate the convention center for the Pelicans' G-League team, who reimburse the city over time through rent offsets. The team should be playing there this fall.
$3.5 million in state aid to the Kenner Police Department
SWAT is getting 20 new ballistic helmets now, and a $415,720 armored tactical response vehicle was introduced. The city also ratified emergency fire apparatus repairs and celebrates the new Duke Street fire station opening Monday.
Outsourced game-day operations at the convention center
Pelican Events will handle the basketball court and game-day staffing, with those costs passed on to the team and other renters rather than absorbed by the city.
Sale of paper streets for airport-area hotel development
The council sold two never-built street segments near the airport so a developer can assemble land for a new hotel, with the developer building and re-dedicating the rest of Lexington Street. One councilmember worried about selling a street behind an existing hotel and fire access.
Denied occupational license for home-based aesthetics business
A licensed esthetician can't get an occupational license because her studio sits in a high industrial zone; the council urged her to work with her District 1 councilwoman on options.
Westminster Towers senior housing rehab
A PILOT deal cleared the council, unlocking $2.6 million in private equity to renovate Tower Two's 82 senior apartments after a $4.1 million Tower One makeover that never displaced residents.
City's storm-media visibility
A resident asked why Kenner gets no airtime during weather events; the city's PIO explained the parish leads emergency press conferences and various city officials appear on TV and radio.
Odor and pest complaints at LA Fish and Seafood
A District One resident says foul odors from the fish market at 606 Shaw Street seep into homes and draw swarms of flies; the councilwoman promised to revisit the site.
Command Construction site complaints in District One
A resident read a 2006-era list of promised buffers and protections around the industrial yard near Reverend Richard Wilson Drive, saying the company never delivered. City staff confirmed some violations have been cited and talks continue.
Rivertown mural regulations veto stands
The council amended new mural rules for the historic district to require a final council vote after the Historic District Commission signs off. Business owners say the extra step deters mural investment; supporters say elected officials need final say on what goes on buildings. The mayor has promised a veto.
Firefighter cancer screening compliance
A resident flagged that a state-approved voluntary cancer screening program for firefighters, passed in mid-2024, hasn't reached Kenner firefighters yet. The mayor and fire chief explained they're building a first-in-the-nation tracking registry with LSU and Ochsner and expect testing to start within a month or two.
Retirement of CAO Jose Gonzalez
The council honored — and jokingly tried to block — the retirement of CAO Jose Gonzalez, credited with roughly $100 million in infrastructure work and countless grants over nearly 50 years of public service.
School-zone and stop-sign safety
Councilman Riehm flagged viral resident concern about speeding and thanked police for traffic enforcement, reminding drivers the limit is 20 mph in neighborhoods.
Recycling contract renewal
Kenner's ten-year recycling contract expired, and the council had to decide whether to keep curbside recycling at $3 a month (up 70 cents) or drop it. Both town halls supported it, but a social media poll showed 80% opposition. The council approved it 6-1; the mayor says corrected billing errors mean no bill increase until at least the next budget cycle.
Flock camera oversight
A resident asked whether Kenner's license-plate cameras have been abused, after scandals elsewhere. The police chief reported audits since 2023 have found no abuse and new AI audit tools are coming.
New Orleans Aviation Board appointment process
The seat has been vacant since February; the council sent three names forward but not before a fight over whether incoming members should get a say. The New Orleans mayor makes the final pick.
Driftwood Entergy undergrounding project
Entergy unveiled a roughly $20 million underground hardening plan for the Driftwood neighborhood, with smaller switchgear and sectioned loops so outages hit 38 customers instead of 237. Timeline still depends on equipment manufacturing.
Power Boulevard resurfacing and U-turn safety
Design starts within a month on a federal-aid resurfacing of Power Boulevard from West Esplanade to Vintage, with construction expected within about two years.
Waste tire dumping enforcement
The city contracts with Waste Pro to collect and track dumped tires, with costs historically under $10,000 a year. Council members flagged heavy commercial dumping near the railroad tracks and urged residents to report it.
North Kenner town hall after South Lake Village/Woodlake incident
After Tuesday's SWAT-level incident in North Kenner, the chief plans a town hall with Councilman Riehm to answer residents' questions.
Kenner Loop transit overhaul
Starting Sunday, one bus runs straight up Williams Boulevard while a modified loop serves the rest, cutting the ride by about 40 minutes. The northwest corner (two-lane and West Loyola north of West Esplanade) becomes a door-to-door lift zone paid by the parish. Hospital and Social Security Office stops are preserved.
Motorized scooters and bicycles in traffic
A resident described a near-miss with an unlicensed motorized bicycle weaving between cars. The police chief said enforcement is active, including arrests, and a public awareness and school outreach program is planned before summer.
Missed garbage and bulk pickups by Waste Pro
Council members from Districts 2, 3 and 4 reported whole streets skipped, bulk piles missed, and rude call-center responses. Waste Pro's division manager blames new-driver training gaps and promised GPS/video reviews, better internal communication, and customer-service coaching.
Rivertown amphitheater moving to bid
Jefferson Parish took a procedural vote Wednesday to start advertising the amphitheater construction bid — the culmination of two years of funding and permitting work, including Army Corps sign-off near the levee.
Laketown playground construction
The recreation director reported the gym repair is stuck in a dispute with FEMA over more than half a million dollars of a roughly $1 million estimate, but new playground equipment for the north side arrives this month and should open by summer.
Muss Bertolino Stadium upgrades and fall football
New wall pads approved and members celebrated the stadium's rebirth — expanded seating, donated AEDs and Catholic League football coming to Kenner, which officials say could bring an economic boost.
AED donations to Kenner Recreation
Councilman Riehm's family foundation — created after his cousin Chad Barcia died of sudden cardiac arrest — donated five AEDs to the city's recreation department. Three will go to Muss Bertolino.
New four-way stop signs at Thirty-Second Street and Arkansas Avenue
Cars keep crashing at this intersection — sometimes straight into a house at the corner. A city traffic study backed a four-way stop, and the council approved it unanimously. Councilwoman Dunn wants police to publicize the change so drivers actually stop.
Ponchartrain Center layoffs
Legends terminated its management contract June 30, and ten long-time workers were given a week's notice with no severance. Workers appealed to the council; the mayor says the city cannot pay severance to non-employees.
Arthur P. Clay Community Center and South Kenner medical clinic
A $3.875 million rebuild of the tornado-damaged community center is underway, and InclusiveCare will open a clinic and pharmacy there bringing medical, dental and behavioral health services plus an estimated 158 jobs to a 'medical desert.'
Post-storm flooding and drainage capacity
After last week's floods, all pumps worked but still couldn't keep up. The mayor is pushing for more north-side pumps and a pump-to-the-river project for Rivertown.
Vehicle Inspection Ordinance Repeal
Kenner’s City Council voted to scrap the brake tag requirement, so drivers there no longer need the annual vehicle inspection sticker. If you own a car in Kenner, that means one less errand and one less fee each year.
West Esplanade bridge condition
The 50-year-old westbound bridge was limited to 5 tons in February but emergency repairs reopened both lanes at higher load ratings; officials will seek federal money to replace it.
Brake tag elimination legislation
Kenner is dropping its own vehicle inspection sticker rule, aligning with the state's new QR-code system. Supporters say it saves residents money and hassle; opponents worry unsafe cars will go unchecked.
CDBG and HOME grant plan
The council approved the annual action plan for about $519,022 in federal community development money that funds programs for the public.
recreation department Nike purchasing ban
Skate park lights come on tonight after an 82-week grant wait — a $225,000 solar lighting project with a 25-year warranty, plus inclusive sports nights at Lincoln and new pickleball courts coming to Girouard/Beach Free Heights.
Airport expansion and drainage capacity
A lifelong University City resident asked what's being done about canal overflow and flooding. Jefferson Parish — not Kenner — controls the pump stations; a new pump is being added at the Parish Line Pump Station and a new 200 CFS station is planned at Seatham Park.