The mayor is elected by vote of the qualified electors of New Orleans to a term of four years. The city charter limits individuals to two consecutive terms. In order to run for the mayor's office, individuals must be citizens of the U.S., qualified electors of the city, and residents of New Orleans for at least five years.

The mayor is the chief executive officer of the city government. According to the charter he is responsible for:

-- overseeing boards and commissions;

-- supervising all executive and administrative operations;

-- enforcing the charter and ordinances of the city;

-- appointing the Chief Administrative Officer and the City Attorney;

-- appointing, with City Council approval, members of boards and commissions;

-- submitting annual operating and capital budgets;

-- recommending pay plans for the city work force;

-- signing contracts, bonds, and other legal instruments that the Director of Finance is not authorized to sign); and

-- seeing that contracts are faithfully executed.

With respect to the City Council, the mayor may:

-- convey messages or other information to the Council;

-- attend Council meetings;

-- call special sessions; and

-- veto ordinances.

The Morial mayor's office essentially was organized into four sub-units: the Executive Office, Intergovernmental Relations, Planning and Development, and Human Resources (in addition, the Mayor was advised by an Executive Counsel and was assisted in operating city government by his Chief Administrative Officer--unfortunately though, no records from either of these aides has yet been accessioned by the City Archives). There was, moreover, considerable fluidity within the office during the eight years of the Morial administration. This fluidity is addressed more fully in the detailed descriptions that follow.

The records are arranged to reflect the organization noted above.

The following is a brief outline of the arrangement noted above and of the descriptions that make up the body of this finding aid. Follow the links to detailed descriptions.

Executive Office of the Mayor

Correspondence Series (28 cartons)

Subject Files (51 cartons)

Boards and Commission Records (11 cartons)

Records of Scheduled Appointments (22 cartons)

Fiscal Records (3 cartons)

Mementos (3 cartons)

Intergovernmental Relations Administration

Public Information Office Records (41 cartons)

International Relations Records (24 cartons)

Legislative Coordination Files (2 cartons)

Office of Planning and Development (71 cartons)

General Subject Files

Cultural Series

Economic Development Series

Education Series

Environmental Series

Housing Series

Planning Series

Transportation Series

Impact Analysis Group Series

Human Services Information System Series

Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization Records

New Orleans 2001 Plan Records

Miscellaneous Files (1)

Miscellaneous Files (2)

Division of Human Resources

Records of the Executive Assistant for Human Resources (49 cartons)

Records of the Community Services Office (19 cartons)

Records of the Special Assistant to the Mayor (25 cartons)

Division of Human Resources Political Files (1 carton)

Miscellaneous Files (3 cartons)

Appendix