All four council members at the meeting said they were in favor of the idea, and a spokesperson for Mayor LaToya Cantrell said she was working with the council to create a draft ordinance.
If the City Council ratifies the changes, the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation will change from a marketing agency for the city’s tourism industry to a fund that supports New Orleans’ “cultural economy and culture-bearers.”
The council decided the new factory was worth it, despite aspects of both applications that violate local rules.
Port employees told The Lens that the debate over the mural evolved into a wider conversation over how the Port leadership handles issues of race, the treatment of non-white employees and the lack of people of color in senior staff positions.
The council's decision goes against the wishes of Mayor LaToya Cantrell, who argued the council has "no role" in investigating the collapse.
Employees will receive back pay from the date of their suspensions in September.
A statement from Councilwoman Helena Moreno said that "those responsible must be held to account.”
Proposal seeks to settle disagreement on transit agency’s hotel taxes, which it split with tourism agencies for years. Details on the proposed deal were not immediately available.
