A New Orleans restaurant owner and resident have filed another lawsuit against the mayor over the ongoing dispute regarding French Quarter trash collection.
Daniel Conwill, the owner of Felix’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar, and Marina Costopoulos, a French Quarter resident, filed their second lawsuit against Mayor LaToya Cantrell in civil court on Monday.
They first filed a civil suit in June, claiming the mayor’s intent to award Henry Consulting the trash contract for the French Quarter would result in worse service for the neighborhood.
In the latest lawsuit, Conwill and Costopoulos accuse Cantrell of creating an emergency so she could award Henry Consulting the trash contract. Their suit is seeking a restraining order against the emergency contract.
Troy Henry, owner of Henry Consulting, says despite the recent controversy, his team is still ready to take over cleaning the French Quarter this month.
In the original lawsuit, Conwill and Costopoulos argue that Henry’s team is not capable of doing the job and does not have the required cleaning equipment.
“We have a legally bound and valid contract that we’re going to be executing from. We’re fully prepared. I wish they would stop saying those things were fully prepared to start July 31,” Henry said.
IV Waste currently holds an emergency contract for trash services, and residents and businesses alike have shown support for them to continue trash collection.
Sidney Torres, the owner of IV Waste, says he hopes his company’s contract is not cut early.
“I hope that they’re able to finish out their work and continue doing what they’re doing, which is what the emergency contract was intended for when we won the process to be able to work until Dec. 23, 2025,” said Torres.
This is not the only lawsuit tied to the trash controversy.
The city is currently in litigation with IV Waste, Richards Disposal and Henry Consulting regarding the trash contract.
It is still unclear what company will provide trash services on Aug. 1 when the emergency contract with IV Waste expires.
A judge is reviewing the appeal in civil court and could make a decision by Tuesday, July 15.
READ MORE:French Quarter business owner, resident sue mayor again over trash
