Utility officials didn’t notify Cogsdale Corp. for more than a year after citywide billing complaints began, executives from the company told city council members.
Author Archives: Michael Isaac Stein
Michael Isaac Stein covers New Orleans' cultural economy and local government for The Lens. Before joining the staff, he freelanced for The Lens as well as The Intercept, CityLab, The New Republic, and Pacific Standard. He was recently awarded a fellowship from the Heinrich Boll Foundation, which he used to report on water scarcity, division, and colonialism in Cyprus.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Economists say there are reasons to doubt UNO short-term rental study
Economists who spoke to The Lens say a UNO economic impact study on short-term rentals appears to have been prepared to benefit the industry. When it comes to impact reports, that is not uncommon. UNO refused to provide the data behind the report or a larger report on tourism in New Orleans.
Posted inLand Use
Planning Commission votes for tighter restrictions on short-term rentals
Commissioners voted in favor of recommendations requiring residency for licenses in residential neighborhoods, limit licenses in commercial zones. The proposal now goes to the City Council.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Company at center of Entergy paid actor scandal is implicated in alleged extortion scheme in new federal lawsuit
The case involves a dispute between two European billionaires. According to the suit, Crowds on Demand repeatedly defamed Zdenek Bakala as part of a conspiracy to extort millions of dollars from him.
Posted inLand Use
Planning Commission study recommends “effectively prohibiting” many whole-home Airbnbs
Proposal would limit whole-home residential licenses to property owners who live on the same lot as the rental unit and require them to stay on-site. Spare room licenses would be available to others. Plan would also allow more rentals in the French Quarter.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Cantrell’s CleanUp NOLA plan will expand city’s surveillance network
Trash clean-up plan includes at least 10 new cameras linked to the city’s Real Time Crime Monitoring Center. The monitoring center collects footage from more than 300 cameras around the city, the Mayor’s Office said.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
City Council wants its own experts to help oversee the Sewerage and Water Board
The move comes three months before Orleans Parish residents will vote on whether to change the city’s charter to add a council member to the utility’s governing board.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Group introduces short-term rental ordinance that would limit licenses to hosts’ residences
The Residents for Ethical and Sustainable Tourism ordinance has been presented to the council. STR critic says she is optimistic that a council member will introduce it for consideration.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Emails: Cantrell held private phone meetings with majority of water board directors, appearing to violate law
The conference calls were held days before a major staff shakeup. Cantrell administration previously denied “secret meetings.”
Posted inGovernment & Politics
City Council again approves short-term rental freeze
Council also approves new crime cameras in Gentilly. Results of investigation into astroturfing at public meetings will be delayed until next month.