The relationship between the New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell and the city council has been strained in recent months. They’ve clashed over public safety; the mayor’s travel expenses and a proposed charter change amendment giving the council confirmation power over the mayor’s top appointees. Tuesday, as the city budget process officially began, the mayor made a rare appearance before the council, striking a conciliatory tone. “You have stood tall as a council, Cantrell said. “I’ve seen that. You have made sure they you are one, not only strong but also, you’re independent. I respect that.” The administration’s nearly $5 billion spending plan for next year includes a 5-percent pay raise for all city employees, additional raises for first responders and more money to fund the city’s new sanitation contracts. The budget also calls for a $21 million cut to the NOPD. MORE: https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/local/orleans/mayor-cantrell-presents-spending-plan-that-includes-cut-nopd-budget/289-10f69f30-37a3-4b51-a38d-89bb0bc60e22