The Intergovernmental Relations Division coordinated relations with city Commissions, the City Council, state and federal government, and with international, national, and local organizations and individuals. Specifically, the Division was responsible for the Human Relations Commission and the Advisory Committee on Human Relations, Legislative Coordination, State Relations, Office of Communications (transferred to the Division of Federal and State Programs and Mayor’s Office Administration in 2000), Downtown Development District, Office of Special Events, and the Office of Public Advocacy. In addition, the Division managed several grant-funded projects dealing, for example, with homeless veterans and Lake Pontchartrain education. In 1995 it took a lead role in negotiating the land-based casino lease on the Rivergate property. In subsequent years the Division assumed responsibility for Environmental Affairs (1996), Boards and Commissions (1997), Criminal Justice Coordination, International Trade and Relations, Coastal Zone Management (2000), Policy Planning (2001), and the Urban Bird Treaty (2002).

In its legislative coordination function the Division served as the City's liaison to local, state, and federal agencies, the state legislature, and Congress. In addition, the office staff drafted legislation and monitored issues relating to governmental affairs. It also provided technical and staff support for state and federal legislative programs, served as the point of contact for elected officials and governmental agencies, and served as liaison to organizations such as the United States Conference of Mayors, National Conference of Black Mayors, National Conference of State Legislatures, National Association of Counties, Police Jury Association, Louisiana Municipal Association, and Louisiana Conference of Mayors.

In the area of International Trade and Relations the Division sought to increase trade activity in order to increase employment opportunities, to expand international trade, infrastructure, and business attraction, and to boost New Orleans' position as one of the leading U.S. cities for international trade. Among specific ITR projects were the planning, implementation, and execution of the 2000 annual meeting (in New Orleans) of the Inter-American Development Bank; organizing trade missions; arranging/signing trade agreements and Sister City agreements; and organizing Encuentro Las Americas, the City's foremost trade and investment conference.

The Office of Public Advocacy served as an information and referral agency that kept information on local, state, and federal departments in order to refer citizens to the proper service. It also handled requests and complaints about city government and monitored agency responses. Public Advocacy also functioned as an information office for citizens at the time of emergencies and disasters. VIGOR, the city's office for the recruitment and placement of volunteers also operated under the Public Advocacy Umbrella.

During its years within the Intergovernmental Relations Division the Office of Criminal Justice participated in the city's efforts ncy, and drug abuse. It also administered grants to provide for the reimbursement of expenditures for law enforcement training programs and for juvenile justice planning activities.

The functions (and records) of the Office of Environmental Affairs,the Human Relations Commission, the Office of Special Events, the Office of Public Advocacy, and the administration of Boards and Commissions are described separately.