2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 25 - Libraries, Museums, and Other Scientific › §25:799. Creation of the French Quarter Management District

RS 25:799 - Creation of the French Quarter Management District
A. Creation. (1) There is hereby created within the city of New Orleans a body politic and corporate which shall be known as the French Quarter Management District. The district shall be a political subdivision of the state, as defined in the Constitution of Louisiana, to exist until June 30, 2028, unless such date is extended by law.
(2) The district is created to provide the following functions:
(a) Enhancing public safety and sanitation within the district by financing supplemental safety and sanitation services as the board deems appropriate.
(b) Providing supplemental resources for the enforcement of laws and regulations that relate to the quality of life for tourists, residents, and businesses within the district as the board deems appropriate.
(c) Engaging in strategic planning, business and commercial development activities, administering capital improvement funds, and administering programs.
(d) Taking such actions as may be advisable to enhance commercial, civic, and cultural activity within the district, to promote and aid in the conservation and preservation of the district's quaint historic nature, character, qualities, and architecture, to foster quality events and quality of life in the district, to restore regional character to the district, to attract locals and tourists to visit the district, to facilitate and promote the development and improvement of public infrastructure within the district, and to encourage new residents to live in the district.
B. Boundaries. The district shall be comprised of the area of the city of New Orleans lying within the following boundaries: the Mississippi River, the center line of Canal Street, the rear property line of the properties fronting on the lake side of North Rampart Street, the rear property line of the properties fronting on the downriver side of Esplanade Avenue to the Mississippi River.
C. Governance. (1) The district shall be governed by a board of commissioners consisting of thirteen members as follows:
(a) The chairman of the Vieux Carre Commission or his designee.
(b) One person who is domiciled and a qualified elector in the district, appointed by the Vieux Carre Property Owners, Residents and Associates, Inc.
(c) One person who either owns one or more restaurants in the district or is a corporate representative of a company owning and operating one or more restaurants in the district, appointed by the Louisiana Restaurant Association, Inc.
(d) One person who is either employed full-time, or owns or operates a hotel, in the district between the center line of Canal Street and the middle of Iberville Street, appointed by the Greater New Orleans Hotel and Lodging Association, Inc.
(e) One person who is either employed full-time, or owns or operates a hotel, in the Vieux Carre or Faubourg Marigny sections of the district, appointed by the Greater New Orleans Hotel and Lodging Association, Inc.
(f) One person who is either employed full-time, or owns or operates a business, in the district, appointed by the French Quarter Business Association of Louisiana.
(g) One person who is either employed full-time, or owns or operates a business in the district, appointed by the French Quarter Business League.
(h) One person who owns a business headquartered in the district, appointed by the mayor of New Orleans.
(i) One person who is domiciled and a qualified elector in either of the parts of the Vieux Carre designated as VCR-1 or VCR-2, appointed by the mayor of New Orleans.
(j) One person who is domiciled and a qualified elector in the district, appointed by the French Quarter Citizens, Inc.
(k) One person who is domiciled and a qualified elector in the district, appointed by North Rampart Main Street, Inc.
(l) One person who is employed full-time or owns or operates a business, in the district, appointed by the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau, Inc.
(m) One person who is domiciled, employed full-time, or owns or operates a business, in the district, appointed by the New Orleans City Council member representing City Council District "C".
(2) Any qualification or condition that is a prerequisite for a member's appointment to, or membership on, the board shall be maintained throughout the member's term of office and membership on the board. Any board member who, during the member's term of office, fails to maintain any such qualification or condition shall be automatically disqualified from membership on the board and the office shall become vacant. Prior to the board taking action to disqualify a member and fill such vacancy, at least two weeks written notice shall be given by the board to the appointing authority of the member. The vacancy may be filled simultaneous with the occurrence of the vacancy.
(3) Except for the member provided for by Subparagraph (1)(a) of this Subsection, the members of the board shall serve four-year staggered terms. The initial appointees shall draw lots to determine their terms of office: three members shall serve a two-year term, three members shall serve a three-year term, three members shall serve a four-year term, and three members shall serve a five-year term.
(4) Any member who misses more than fifty percent of the board's regular meetings in any calendar year shall be disqualified and removed automatically from office and that person's position shall be vacant as of the first day of the next calendar month. Prior to such a vacancy or disqualification occurring, at least two weeks written notice shall be given by the board to the appointing authority. Such vacancy may be filled simultaneously with the occurrence of the vacancy. The former member shall not be eligible for reappointment until expiration of the balance of the vacated term.
(5) Any vacancy in the membership of the board occurring by reason of the expiration of the term of office, death, resignation, disqualification, or otherwise shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
(6) Board members shall serve without pay or per diem. The board may reimburse any member for reasonable and necessary expenses actually incurred with the authorization of the board in the performance of duties on behalf of the district.
(7) The board shall have the power to organize and reorganize the executive, administrative, clerical, and other departments and forces of the district, and to fix the duties, powers, and compensation of all employees, agents, and consultants of the district.
(8) The board shall elect yearly from its numbers, a chairman, vice chairman, secretary, and treasurer and shall establish their duties as may be regulated by rules adopted by the board. The board shall meet in regular session no less than six times a year and may meet in special session as convened by the chairman or upon written notice of six members, upon giving at least seventy-two hours written notice to all members. A majority of the board members, not including vacancies, shall constitute a quorum. Except as provided in Paragraph (9) of this Subsection, actions of the board require approval by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present and voting.
(9) No action of the board shall be authorized on any of the following, unless approved by a majority plus one of the total board membership:
(a) The adoption of bylaws and other rules and regulations for conduct of the district's business.
(b) The hiring and firing of the district's administrator, who may be the administrator of the Downtown Development District.
(c) The adoption or amendment of the annual budget.
(d) The election of officers.
(e) The adoption or amendment of action plans or policy.
(10) The board shall cause minutes and a record to be kept of all its proceedings. The board shall select a newspaper of general circulation within its territorial jurisdiction as its official journal in which it shall publish all official notices as are required by law.
(11) All board meetings shall be in accordance with the Open Meetings Law.
D.(1) In addition to the powers and duties elsewhere granted in this Section, the board is hereby granted and shall have and may exercise all powers necessary or convenient for the carrying out of its objectives and purposes, including but not limited to the following:
(a) To sue and be sued, and as such, to stand in judgment.
(b) To adopt, use, and alter at will a corporate seal.
(c) To acquire by gift, grant, purchase, lease, or otherwise and to hold and use any property, real, personal, mixed, tangible, intangible, movable, or immovable, or any interest therein, necessary or desirable for carrying out the objects and purposes of the district.
(d) To sell, transfer, lease or convey any property acquired by it, or any interest therein, at any time to accomplish the objects and purposes of the district subject to applicable law. Any such sale, transfer, lease or conveyance shall provide for a fair and equitable return of revenue to the district.
(e) To enter into contracts to achieve the district's objectives and purposes.
(f) To appoint officers, agents, and employees, prescribe their duties, and fix their compensation.
(g) To enter into cooperative endeavors or other contractual arrangement with the Downtown Development District for the purposes of providing administration, management, and operation services for the district and to provide for reasonable compensation for such services which the Downtown Development District is hereby authorized to enter into.
(h) To establish such funds or accounts as are necessary to conduct the affairs of the district.
(i) To adopt rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Part. Any rule or regulation promulgated or adopted by the board shall be subject to legislative oversight by the House Commerce Committee and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
(2) Notwithstanding any power or authority granted elsewhere in this Part, the board shall have no power or authority:
(a) To supersede the home rule powers and functions of the city.
(b) Related to creating bond indebtedness, exercising eminent domain, zoning, regulating historic preservation or land use, permitting, or prosecuting or citing violations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the board shall have the power and authority to prosecute an adjudication and to cite violations if the governing authority of the city of New Orleans delegates such power and authority to the board.
(3) The board shall submit a report to the House Commerce Committee and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs, no later than October first of each year, relative to the activities and finances of the district during the immediately preceding fiscal year. The committees may also review the activities or finances of the district at such times as either or both committees deem appropriate.
E.(1) All powers of the board shall be exercised for the best interest of the district to aid in the improvement of public safety, quality of life, and infrastructure in the district, to aid in the preservation of its history, character, charm, and architecture, to beautify its appearance, to address its hospitality needs and its transportation and parking concerns, and to increase its marketability and its tourism and residential appeal.
(2) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, this Part shall apply to the Vieux Carre section of the city. However, prior to any work of the board or the district on, abutting or affecting the exterior of a building or a public sidewalk, street, or space in the Vieux Carre, or the appearance of the Vieux Carre, the proposed work shall be submitted to the Vieux Carre Commission for its recommendation and approval.
(3) The board, the district, or both shall obtain permits as necessary and appropriate.
F. Funding. The board may apply for, contract for, receive, and expend for its purposes any appropriation or grant from the state, its political subdivisions, the federal government, or any other public or private source.
G. Specifically included, though not limited hereby, under the purposes, objects, and powers of the district are the following within the district:
(1) Creating and maintaining public restroom facilities.
(2) Beautifying the district, improving its streetscapes and the quality of its frontage, and making cosmetic improvements within the district.
(3) Enhancing the district's walkability and pedestrian-friendly environment.
(4) Revitalizing and nurturing cultural and historical features, preservation, and cultural tourism.
(5) Providing facade grants and incentives to utilize vacant buildings, upper floors, and land.
(6) Addressing transportation concerns.
(7) Facilitating parking and mobility planning, strategies, and management.
(8) Improving commercial and residential vitality and developing and implementing commercial planning, marketing, and recruiting strategies.
(9) Facilitating lighting and signage upgrades, repairs, and replacements.
(10) Aiding in the repair and upkeep of sidewalks, streets, and related infrastructure.
(11) Aiding in video camera installation and monitoring.
(12) Recruiting public amenities and services.
(13) Fostering visually stimulating and quality pedestrian experiences.
(14) Fostering regional and district character.
(15) Facilitating the removal and prevention of graffiti.
H. Nothing in the Part is intended nor shall be deemed to change or affect the structure or organization or the particular distribution and redistribution of the powers and functions of the home rule charter of the city.
I. Subdistricts. The district shall consist of four subdistricts: the Vieux Carre, the Iberville Corridor, the Treme, and the Faubourg Marigny.
(1) The Vieux Carre subdistrict shall be comprised of the area of the district lying within the following boundaries: the Mississippi River, the center line of Iberville Street, the center line of North Rampart Street, the center line of Esplanade Avenue to the Mississippi River.
(2) The Iberville Corridor subdistrict shall be comprised of the area of the district lying within the following boundaries: the Mississippi River, the center line of Canal Street, the center line of North Rampart Street, the center line of Iberville Street to the Mississippi River.
(3) The Treme subdistrict shall be comprised of the area of the district lying within the following boundaries: the center line of Canal Street, the rear property line of the properties fronting on the lake side of North Rampart Street, the rear property line of the properties fronting on the down river side of Esplanade Avenue, the center line of North Rampart Street to the center line of Canal Street.
(4) The Faubourg Marigny subdistrict shall be comprised of the area of the district lying within the following boundaries: the Mississippi River, the center line of Esplanade Avenue, the center line of North Rampart Street, the rear property line of the properties fronting on the down river side of Esplanade Avenue to the Mississippi River.
J. Budget. (1) The board of commissioners shall adopt an annual budget in accordance with the Local Government Budget Act, R.S. 39:1301
.
(2) The district shall be subject to audit by the legislative auditor pursuant to R.S. 24:513.
(3) Repealed by Acts 2011, No. 304, §2.
K. Miscellaneous. (1) To the extent not prohibited by applicable law, the district may:
(a) Defend and indemnify a board member against claims and liabilities arising out of the performance of his duties for the district as may be provided in the bylaws adopted by the district.
(b) Procure insurance against the claims and liabilities or pay for them as an operating expense of the district out of the funds of the district obtained from any source.
(2) A person who serves as a member of the board or a committee of the district shall not be individually liable for any act or omission as provided in R.S. 9:2792.4 or any other provision of law.
Acts 2007, No. 280, §1, eff. July 6, 2007; Acts 2008, No. 782, §1; Acts 2009, No. 490, §1, eff. July 10, 2009; Acts 2011, No. 304, §§1, 2; Acts 2014, No. 832, §6; Acts 2019, No. 153, §1.