An appeals court has ruled that the New Orleans City Council does not have to sign a contract with Henry Consulting to provide sanitation services for French Quarter and other portions of downtown New Orleans.
A three-judge panel of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal unanimously sided with the city council in its opinion, which was issued on Friday. In that opinion, the court held that the city council has not obligation to move on any contracts that the mayor submits to it. The court also found that under city ordinance, the council president may only sign contracts at the direction of the city council, which did not happen in this instance.
According to IV Waste owner Sidney Torres, IV, his company will continue providing sanitation services for the French Quarter, the Warehouse District, and the Central Business District for the time being.
"I think it's a great day for New Orleans and a great day for the French Quarter to finally have a decision made on this matter. I think they've been fighting hard to keep it status quo and that they're satisfied with the service and the job IV Waste is doing, and I'm glad to see the three-judge panel agreed," Torres said. "It's a good step in the right direction to allow for the city to take the right steps and either put it out for rebid or allow us to continue to work and do the job that we're doing at a very affordable costs for the taxpayers."
When asked for comment, Henry Consulting owner Troy Henry told us that he had not yet been notified of the ruling.
The city council is celebrating the decision.
"The City Council applauds the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals for affirming the Council’s right to protect the interests of the City through contract review and approval," councilmembers said in a statement sent from officials in City Hall. "This Council will continue to ask questions and demand answers, especially when it comes to how public money is spent.
As for trash services in Area V, we look forward to a new competitive selection process to determine who will provide long-term services to residents and businesses.