Meeting: Lake Charles City Council Regular Meeting

Location: Lake Charles City Hall, City Council Chambers

Date: June 7, 2023, 5:30 PM

Documenter: Carl M. Ambrose, Jr.

Summary

The council approved bids for various city projects, held hearings on property condemnation, and adopted several resolutions as well as a CEA. This regular meeting will be the first to be shown on local government television.

The Scene

The chambers were about one-third full for the meeting.  The chambers had a pleasant mood as conversations continued as Soup Kitchen Media set up the cameras to record the session.

President Ieyoub called the meeting to order, asking Mr. Geyen and Mr. Eckard to lead the Invocation and Pledge, respectively.  Mrs. Thibodeaux called the roll; all the council persons were present.  Mayor Nic Hunter was not in attendance.  Mr. Ieyoub motioned to accept the minutes of the May 17, 2023, City Council Meeting, which passed 7-0.

Appointments

Mr. Harvey was appointed chairman to review bids for Civic Center Chiller Replacement.

President Ieyoub pulled a later resolution to be heard first, with no objection from the council.  The resolution was an amendment to a resolution passed by the City Council in August of 2018, which allowed Citadel Completions, LLC. to receive an ITEP (Industrial Tax Exemption Program).  Ms. Margaret Babcock of Citadel spoke to the council, saying, “The new headcount should go to 130 new jobs and a $10 million payroll.” 

The resolution passed 7-0.

Public Hearings

619 Enterprise Boulevard: Mrs. August motioned 60-90 days after briefly discussing with the property owner. The motion passed 7-0.

1528 Commercial Street: Mr. Harvey recommended 30-90 days after a brief discussion with the property owners. The motion passed 7-0.

927 ½ Mill Street: Mr. Harvey recommended 15-30 days after a brief discussion with the  City Attorney, Mr. Morgan. The motion passed 7-0.

315 N. Goos St.: Mr. Harvey recommended 15-15 days.  Mr. Rubin advised the council upon speaking with the owner. Mr. Harvey changed his recommendation and motioned for a deferral until July 5, 2023, which passed 7-0.

612 Louisiana Avenue (Sacred Heart Gym only): After a brief discussion about FEMA  involvement, the item was deferred for 120 days, October 4, 2023.

2411 Mill Street: Mrs. August 60-90 days after a discussion with Mr. Minor Rogers, the representative of the church who explained FEMA involvement, Mr. August recommended 60-  90 days.

201 Reid Street: Mr. Hester advised the council that the structure had been demolished and a new structure was already going up. The item was deleted.

740 Azalea Street: Mr. Weatherford recommended 60-90 days after discussing with the property owner. The motion passed 7-0.

2016 Knapp St.: After a discussion with the property owner, Mr. Harvey recommended 60-90 days; the motion passed 7-0.

626 Enterprise Boulevard: Mrs. August recommended 30-60 days, and the motion passed 7-0.

3208 N. General Wainwright: Mr. Morgan recommended a deferral for appointing a curator on July 5, 2023. The motion passed 7-0.

728 Pujo Street: After a brief discussion with the owner, Mr. Ieyoub recommended the item be deferred for 30 days. The motion passed 7-0.

Ordinances for Final Action

There were several ordinances accepting the lowest bid.  Mr. Geyen recommended rejecting and rebidding the Power Center Parkway Sidewalk Project.  The motion passed 7-0.  Mr. Eckard recommended the proposal of Hicks Enterprises of $232,550 be accepted for Various Citywide Drainage And Ancillary Infrastructure Improvements, Phase 1.  The motion passed 7-0. 

The City was authorized to enter a CEA with the Louisiana Office of Community Development- Disaster Recovery Unit to receive Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funds.  The motion passed 7-0.  The other CEA involved the Nelson Market Economic Development District, which involved a change of Bank.  The motion passed 7-0.

The council passed ordinances for the City to enter into Professional Services Agreements with the following:

 Borel Architecture- passed 6-0, Mr. Ieyoub Abstained.

 Freese and Nichols- passed 7-0.

 K&M Project Services- passed 7-0.

The City was authorized to acquire a parcel of adjudicated property.  The motion passed 7-0.

A motion to amend the 904 Country Club Rd zoning district from residential to mixed-use passed 7-0. 

Mr. Eckard recommended amending and adding Veterans Day to the resolution adding Juneteen to the City Holidays.  The motion and amendment passed 7-0.

Resolutions to be adopted by consent

President Ieyoub asked if any items needed to be pulled from the list of resolutions.  There were none, and he read the resolutions into the record.

The resolution setting a date for the public hearing for the condemnation of the following structures

 1719 Channel Street

 2208 East Church Street

 521 Enterprise Boulevard

 2812 3rd Street

 3610 Greinwich Boulevard

 626 Orange Street

 2521 Hazel Street

 2217 Barbe Street

A resolution authorized the City to adopt and accept the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan as required by the Federal Transportation Agency for use by the Transit Division of Public Works.

There are several resolutions authorizing receiving bids for the following projects:

• Lakefront Boardwalk, Phase II
• WWTP Communication Tower Rehabilitation
• Loch Park Restroom Demolition and Replacement
• Ball Field Lighting Repairs

Ordinances

• Adopting and levying the annual property tax for the City of Lake Charles for the year 2023.
• Adoption and amending Code of Ordinances for the Uniform Fire Code.
• Adoption and amending Code of Ordinances to include “Dangerous Dogs” and providing penalties for any violations.
• Authorization to apply the Calcasieu Parish Road and Drainage Trust.
• Acceptance of ownership and maintenance of Public sewer installed on Nelson Rd. from EVT Lake Charles, LLC.
• An ordinance to enter into any agreements about Water Treatment Plant Basin A-02 and A-06 sewer evaluation and emergency maintenance.
• Authorization for the City to acquire Nine parcels of Adjudicated Property.
• A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a CEA to construct and enhance a retail store.
• Amending the Code of Ordinances concerning “Backflow preventer installation and inspection.

Demolitions

• 1719 Channel Street
•  2208 East Church Street
•  521 Enterprise Boulevard
•  2812 3rd Street
•  3610 Greinwich Boulevard
•  626 Orange Street
•  2521 Hazel Street
•  2217 Barbe Street

Several ordinances are accepting the lowest bid on the following projects.

• Lakefront Boardwalk, Phase II
• WWTP Communication Tower Rehab
• Lock Park Restroom Demolition and Replacement
• Ball Field Lighting Repairs.

The final item is an ordinance amending the Codes of Ordinances, making Eleanor St. no parking from Legion St. to Progressive St.

Adjournment