The Record: Policy, Progress, People

Morrell passed Cal. No. 33,937 and 34,113 to establish a formal billing appeals process at the Sewerage and Water Board, with clear timelines and meter reading notice requirements. He halted rate hikes until reforms were implemented (R-23-169), paused shutoffs during critical periods (R-23-387), and passed legislation preventing Entergy from charging residents for storm damage (R-22-351). He also introduced minimum performance standards for electric service (R-22-372).

Through Ord. No. 33,898, Morrell created the Healthy Homes program, mandating inspections and a rental registry to protect tenants. He redefined blight enforcement (Cal. No. 33,983), expanded multi-family inspections following violent incidents (Cal. No. 34,046), and supported a study on land trusts for affordable homeownership (M-23-99). He also addressed short-term rental enforcement transparency (R-22-191).

Morrell improved transparency with monthly ARPA fund reporting (Cal. No. 33,698), reforms to Council rules (M-22-49), and required clear zoning signage and notifications (M-22-418). He led calls for audits into city contracts and spending (R-22-203, R-23-170) and passed strict reporting standards for the use of surveillance technology (Cal. No. 33,809).

Morrell ended outdated emergency powers (M-22-152) and established a citywide emergency response framework (M-22-259). He expanded EMS staffing (R-22-254), mandated quarterly public updates from police and courts (Cal. No. 33,724), and launched reviews of NOPD hiring and recruitment (M-23-60). He also secured coordinated enforcement for Mardi Gras safety (R-25-107).

With Cal. No. 33,807, Morrell created the New Orleans Recreation and Culture Fund, securing multi-year support with Cal. No. 33,855, 33,856, and 34,963. He expanded vocational access (Cal. No. 34,798), funded holistic juvenile defense (Cal. No. 34,004), and ensured city youth were paid on time for their work (M-23-384, M-23-403). He also backed expansion of community-access media (Cal. No. 34,334).

To eliminate waste and close loopholes, Morrell passed Cal. No. 33,935 to ban backdoor contract transfers and M-22-154 to require property tax transparency. He prioritized municipal lien payments over tax collection (Cal. No. 33,665), approved utility debt relief (R-22-144), and abolished outdated Council committees (M-24-758).

Morrell’s zoning work included adding vocational schools as permitted uses in historic districts (Cal. No. 34,798) and requiring public hearings on citywide zoning updates (M-22-155). He supported updates to emergency authority laws (Cal. No. 34,057) and used land use policy to drive smarter, more inclusive development.

Morrell led efforts to strengthen oversight through Inspector General and Legislative Auditor investigations (R-23-170, R-22-203). He reformed procurement processes (Cal. No. 33,935), mandated performance reviews of contracts (M-22-271), and required regular reporting from key administrative departments (Cal. No. 33,698).

Morrell pushed for fairer hiring practices and civil service reform, including a request to eliminate unnecessary cannabis testing for public employees (M-22-96). He also ensured youth workers received timely payment for city work (M-23-384, M-23-403) and directed workforce investment into vocational training (Cal. No. 34,798).

He supported redistricting efforts grounded in equity (R-22-113) and backed state legislation to improve access to the electoral process and strengthen local representation (R-22-147, R-22-149, R-22-153).

Morrell passed Cal. No. 33,625, calling for Council approval of mayoral appointees to major boards and commissions, reinforcing public accountability in city leadership. He also led amendments to articles of the City Charter and Home Rule Charter (Cal. No. 33,598) to modernize Council operations.

He waived fees at the Tremé Community Center to support senior programming (Cal. No. 33,701) and supported policy that made cultural programming more accessible, particularly in historically Black neighborhoods.

Morrell championed legislation that reinforced the Council’s authority over contracts and major agreements, including a push to ensure Council oversight in matters affecting energy and public works policy (R-22-157, R-22-199).

Morrell established the Gordon Plaza Environmental Justice Fund (Cal. No. 33,897), supported the creation of an Abuse Fatality Review Team (Cal. No. 33,739), and backed new investments in juvenile defense (Cal. No. 34,004). He passed Cal. No. 33,895 to set fair eligibility criteria for culture and rec funding and co-sponsored R-22-379 and R-22-380 to direct audits of city transportation and sanitation contracts. He also led Cal. No. 33,901 to create a Renter Anti-Displacement Fund and supported recognition of LGBTQ+ History Month (R-22-446).

From reorganizing department staffing (Cal. No. 33,719) to requiring real-time public safety data (Cal. No. 33,818), Morrell used policy to make city services work better. He directed studies on STR impacts (M-22-485), nonconforming use zoning (Cal. No. 33,768), and required neighborhood input for large projects (Cal. No. 33,900). He pushed to fund retirement responsibly (Cal. No. 33,913) and update the Council’s internal rules (M-22-537, Cal. No. 33,975).