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Advisory opinion request regarding whether Press Street, a nonprofit corporation, may submit a grant application to the City of New Orleans City Council Utilities Regulatory Office when the immediate family members of Kristin Gisleson-Palmer, a member of the New Orleans City Council, serve as members of the Press Street Board of Directors. |
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The office of the City Council Utilities Regulatory Office of New Orleans is responsible for the administration of a grants program funded by Cox Cable. The program provides for the allocation of an annual amount of $20,000 by each of the seven members of the New Orleans City Council to qualifying nonprofit organizations.
Kristin Gisleson-Palmer is a member of the New Orleans City Council. Her sisters, Anne Gisleson and Susan Gisleson, and her brother-in-law, Brad Benichek, are members of the board of directors for Press Street, a nonprofit organization. The board members do not receive any compensation.
Press Street has submitted an application to the grant program, which was signed by the Development Coordinator, Gracie Goodrich, who is not related to Ms. Gisleson-Palmer.
If awarded a grant, the grant process requires reporting to the City Council Utilities Regulatoryy Office to assure grant compliance.
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According to the City Council Utilities Regulartory Office, the grant has already been awarded.
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La. R.S. 42:1113A states no public servant, or a member of such a public servant's immediate family, or a legal entity in which he has a controlling interest shall bid on or enter into any contract, subcontract or other transaction that is under the supervision or jurisdiction of the agency of such public servant.
La. R.S. 42:1112B(1) states that no public servant shall participate in a transaction involving the governmental entity in which, to his actual knowledge, any member of his immediate family has a substantial economic interest.
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Adopt proposed advisory opinion.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Tracy Barker |
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