How to engage with the new City Council
New Orleans has a new City Council! Following the January 2026, inauguration, fresh faces joined returning council members, and the entire committee structure has been reorganized with new chairs and members.
This means new opportunities for you to engage with the local government on issues that matter the most. But what you might not realize is that the real work of the City Council isn’t done at big meetings you might see on TV. The real work happens in committee meetings.
This guide will help you understand what these committees do, who’s now on them, and how you can participate in shaping policy decisions that affect your daily life.
Why they matter:
Committee meetings are where core city legislation can be shaped, amended, or even stopped before it comes before the full council. This is your best opportunity to influence policy while it’s still being developed, and usually in smaller settings. Committee meetings are designed to give you a voice in the policy of New Orleans, and councilmembers use these meetings to gather information. They genuinely want to hear from you! Therefore, your input can make a big difference. Committee meetings are also usually less formal than Council meetings, creating an opportunity to have meaningful dialogue with councilmembers.
What do city council committees do?
City Council committees are smaller groups of five councilmembers assigned to focus on specific areas of the city. Committees serve as a method for the City Council to dive deep into certain policy matters, review legislation and city budgets, and hear from the public, before these come before the full Council. This is where the heavy-lifting is done for City Council, and after breaking down the complex issues that come before them, recommendations are made to the full City Council.
Who is on what committee, and what do they do?
Budget, Audit, and Board of Review Committee
Focus: Oversees the city’s financial planning, budget allocations, and auditing processes.
Chair: Lesli Harris (District B)
Members: Jean-Paul “JP” Morrell (At-Large), Matthew Willard (At-Large), Aimee McCarron (District A), Freddie King III (District C)
Climate Change and Sustainability Committee
Focus: Addresses environmental issues, sustainability initiatives, and the city’s response to climate challenges.
Chair: Aimee McCarron (District A)
Members: Jean-Paul “JP” Morrell (At-Large), Matthew Willard (At-Large), Lesli Harris (District B), Eugene J. Green (District D)
Community Development Committee
Focus: Addresses housing, neighborhood revitalization, and community development programs.
Chair: Matthew Willard (At-Large)
Members: Jean-Paul “JP” Morrell (At-Large), Lesli Harris (District B), Freddie King III (District C), Eugene J. Green (District D)
Criminal Justice Committee
Focus: Examines public safety policies, police accountability, criminal justice reform, and emergency services.
Chair: Freddie King III (District C)
Members: Jean-Paul “JP” Morrell (At-Large), Lesli Harris (District B), Eugene J. Green (District D), Jason Hughes (District E)
Economic Development and Special Development Projects Committee
Focus: Reviews major development proposals, economic initiatives, and projects aimed at creating jobs and growing the local economy.
Chair: Matthew Willard (At Large)
Members: Jean-Paul “JP” Morrell (At Large), Aimee McCarron (District A), Eugene J. Green (District D), Jason Hughes (District E)
Governmental Affairs Committee
Focus: Handles administrative matters, intergovernmental relations, and general governance issues on how the city government operates.
Chair: Jean-Paul “JP” Morrell (At-Large)
Members: Aimee McCarron (District A), Lesli Harris (District B), Eugene J. Green (District D), Jason Hughes (District E)
Public Works, Sanitation and Environment Committee
Focus: Oversees infrastructure projects, street maintenance, sanitation services, and environmental protection efforts.
Chair: Jason Hughes (District E)
Members: Matthew Willard (At-Large), Aimee McCarron (District A), Freddie King III (District C), Eugene J. Green (District D)
Quality of Life Committee
Focus: Addresses issues affecting residents’ daily lives from noise ordinances to neighborhood quality concerns.
Chair: Jason Hughes (District E)
Members: Aimee McCarron (District A), Lesli Harris (District B), Freddie King III (District C), Eugene J. Green (District D)
Transportation and Airport Committee
Focus: Examines transportation infrastructure, public transit, and airport-related matters.
Chair: Eugene J. Green (District D)
Members: Matthew Willard (At-Large), Lesli Harris (District B), Freddie King III (District C), Jason Hughes (District E)
Utility, Cable, Telecommunications and Technology Committee
Focus: Oversees the Sewerage and Water board, utility services, cable franchise, and technology infrastructure.
Chair: Jean-Paul “JP” Morrell (At-Large)
Members: Matthew Willard (At-Large), Aimee McCarron (District A), Freddie King III (District C), Jason Hughes (District E)
How do you engage with a council committee?
The general public can and is encouraged to engage with City Council Committees. If you have something you want addressed, this is the place to have your voice heard! A great way to engage with a council committee is to attend their meetings. All meetings are held in City Hall (1300 Perdido Street, New Orleans, LA 70112) in the City Council Chamber, which is on the first floor. Committee meetings are often more accessible than full council meetings because they’re smaller and more focused. And if you aren’t able to make the meeting, you can watch all of the live video streams online at the City Council’s website.
Most meetings include time for public comment. This is a great chance for you to speak to councilmembers about your perspectives, recommendations, or concerns related to issues within the committee’s focus.
There is also a comment section on the main page of the City Council Website that looks like this:
Another great way to stay engaged with a council committee is to subscribe to their committee-specific email updates, which are also accessible on the City Council website. These updates will inform you of upcoming meetings, agendas, and important developments. You can also stay informed by following the City Council on Instagram at @nolacitycouncil. Finally, you can always contact committee members directly who serve on a committee important to you. Their contact information is available on the City Council website.
Where can you find the committee meeting schedule?
You can find the full schedule at council.nola.gov/meetings or council.nola.gov/committees.
Each committee page on the website displays upcoming meeting dates, times, and links to the agendas. The main meetings page includes a calendar view showing all upcoming committee meetings and full Council sessions.
Committee meetings are usually held on weekday mornings or early afternoons in City Hall. You can also call the Clerk of Council at (504) 658-1085 for more information.
Back up - What is the city council again?
The City Council is the legislative body of the city government. New Orleans has 5 District council members (See the district map here) and 2 At-Large council members who represent the entire City. The City Council's main responsibilities are:
making local laws (called ordinances),
controlling the city budget (how money gets spent),
Regulating land use & zoning
Regulating our energy utilities, Entergy and Delta Utilities
Both the City Council and its sub-committees are crucial to understand and engage with. Democracy is not a spectator sport! Committee meetings are where you can be part of the process, not just an observer of the outcome.
