NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — As New Orleans begins getting ready for subsequent 12 months’s Mardi Gras season, metropolis leaders are reflecting on what labored in 2025, and what may want to alter shifting ahead.

At Tuesday’s Governmental Affairs Committee assembly, the New Orleans Metropolis Council mentioned quite a lot of doable updates to town’s carnival operations, from parade routes and security measures to vendor rules and parking enforcement.

Metropolis officers say most of the modifications carried out throughout the latest carnival season labored effectively, together with using a serpentine route alongside St. Charles Avenue, which allowed for higher crowd management and site visitors circulate.

When requested if the route would return in 2026, New Orleans Police Division representatives mentioned bringing again the serpentine path is the plan.

“That will be the intention and the plan going ahead,” Lt. Buddy Micheu with the NOPD mentioned.

Homeland Safety Director Collin Arnold famous {that a} devoted security lane may complicate the logistics.

“That may actually require much more dialog,” Arnold mentioned.

Councilwoman Lesli Harris emphasised the necessity to embody neighborhood associations within the planning course of.

“Particularly Faubourg dela Chase Neighborhood Affiliation that is there, and the Backyard District Neighborhood Affiliation to get their suggestions, as a result of we did get some push again after we talked in regards to the serpentine route,” Harris mentioned.

Council members additionally listened to public feedback. One resident voiced frustration that aged paradegoers weren’t allowed to sit down alongside sure sections of the Avenue, whereas one other referred to as for avenue sweepers to scrub up particles after every parade to cut back security hazards.

A possible ban on the sale of confetti by cell distributors was additionally mentioned as a part of efforts to scrub up the streets and cut back litter. Council members advised the ordinance could lengthen to brick-and-mortar retailers as effectively.

“Whereas we’re addressing the cell distributors, I believe we additionally want to deal with the brick-and-mortar shops nonetheless promoting it,” Harris mentioned.

“We’ll take a look at amending the ordinance and simply saying we can’t enable the sale of confetti,” added Councilman JP Morrell.

After the Krewe of Nyx was faraway from the parade schedule, Morrell mentioned town noticed a rush of curiosity from teams hoping to take the open spot. In response, he’s growing a extra formal waitlist system for parade permits.

“We’ve begun the method. We’ve a draft, it isn’t prepared for air time but, there might be a future draft launched,” Morrell mentioned.

One other proposal would consolidate parking enforcement underneath the NOPD, streamlining operations throughout parade season.

“Proper now its two separate companies to have them mixed goes to be glorious. And I believe it is going to be helpful to town of New Orleans.”

Whereas a number of points stay underneath dialogue, the committee did transfer ahead with one ordinance: eradicating the requirement for hip tags on horses utilized in parades, simplifying compliance for krewe organizers.

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