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Authorization to Negotiate and Execute a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) Between the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and the City of New Orleans for the provision of transit services for Mardi Gras 2026-2027 seasons
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DESCRIPTION: Authorization for the RTA CEO to Negotiate and Execute a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement Between the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority and the City of New Orleans for Provision of Transit Services for Mardi Gras 2026-2027 Seasons. |
AGENDA NO: Click or tap here to enter text. |
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ACTION REQUEST: ☒ Approval ☐ Review Comment ☐ Information Only ☐ Other |
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Authorize the Chief Executive Officer to negotiate and enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) between the City of New Orleans (Sanitation Department and Police Department) and the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority to provide transit services during the 2026-2027 Mardi Gras Seasons.
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ISSUE/BACKGROUND:
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The Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the City of New Orleans (Sanitation Department and Police Department) authorizes the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority, also known as the “contractor” to provide contractual services to the City of New Orleans. The CEA involves providing transit services to New Orleans Police Department “employees” and the New Orleans Sanitation department “employees”, limited to the 2026-2027 Mardi Gras Parades.
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DISCUSSION:
To support the City of New Orleans initiative to maintain a safe and clean environment, the CEA will give RTA authorization to provide transportation (passenger buses) as well as experienced equipment operators to render resource transportation during 2026-2027 Mardi Gras Parade seasons.
In addition to providing transit services to the New Orleans Sanitation Department during the 2026-2027 Mardi Gras Seasons, the RTA shall provide transit services to the New Orleans Police Department, which is another key business unit (KBU) within the City of New Orleans. The services provided by RTA to the New Orleans Police Department will aid in providing security and safety resources and measures for employees, citizens, and the traveling public.
The City must provide the following for both NOPD and NOSD (in advance):
• Daily Schedules
• Equipment needs
• Work-site locations, including both pick-up and drop-offs
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Total expenses for this initiative are not to exceed $225,000.00, consistent with the previous year’s agreement. For context on historical utilization, in 2025 the RTA provided 93 buses and operators across 10 non-consecutive days within a two-week timeframe. The cost for these services was $169,509.70, which remained well under the established financial cap. Current projections indicate that the 2026 operational requirements and associated costs will align with these 2025 figures.
NEXT STEPS:
None.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
Prepared By: Craig Toomey
Title: Senior Director, RTA Emergency Management
Reviewed By: Mike Smith
Title: Chief Safety, Security, and Emergency Management Officer
Reviewed By: Tracy Tyler
Title: Chief Legal Officer
1/20/2026
Lona Edwards Hankins Date
Chief Executive Officer