Louisiana Board of Ethics

Louisiana Ethics Administration Program
PO. Box 4368

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821

June 17m, 2018
Dear Members of the Louisiana Board of Ethics,

We formally request an inquiry by the Louisiana Board of Ethics into New Orleans Councilrnember Kristin Palmer ?5
(District involvement in the short-term rental policy debate. This request stems from a June 13?1 article in the
New Orleans Times?Picayune outlining Councilmember Palmer?s clear and long-standing con?ict of interest when it
comes to the issue of short-term rentals. Our elected officials should serve the interested of their constituency and be
free from any connections to crafting policy that bene?ts their own pocketbooks?or the pocketbooks of their family
and friends.

Councilmember Palmer has a strong appearance of a con?ict of interest and ethical concerns by leading discussions
around short-term rental policy when she herself and members of her family had short-term rental interests. As the
article points out:

?She quietly applied for and received a short-term rental license. Palmer would later withdraw it, realizing
that it was extremely likely she would have to vote on short-term rental regulations. That came true last
month when it was Palmer's own legislation -- a sweeping ban on whole-house rentals in residential areas 
that is threatening to permanently change the short-term rental game in New Orleans, yet said legislation
signi?cantly increased the value of her own commercial property in question.

?Palmer first acknowledged she had applied for the license during the City Council meeting when the ban
was enacted. In the weeks after the vote, Palmer revealed to NOLAcorn The Times-Picayune that her
brother has an active short-term rental property in Algiers that will be affected by the ban.?

The Louisiana Board of Ethics should send a clear message to Councilmernber Palmer and other elected officials
that believe short-term rentals are good enough for them and theirs but not for the average New Orleaniarr that use
the activity to make ends meet, save for retirement, maintain rental and investment property and Welcome travelers
to our great city.

Campaign ?nance reporting clearly showing major Hotel lobby contributions throughout each reporting cycle. Their
agenda should not be re?ected in political decisions, at the expense of full time registered voters in each District.

Furthermore, we call for Councilmember Palmer to recuse herself from voting, deliberating, discussing, or
representing District on any short-term rental business from here on out and we encourage others to stand up
and make their concerns known as well.

Respect?tlly,

Chris Cochran, Marigny- New Orleans, LA

Tony Goutierrez, Bywater? New Orleans, LA

Tobi Moriarity, French Quarter New Orleans, LA

Mary Margaret Kean, Treme- New Orleans, LA