Date of meeting: Monday, June 13, 2023, at 5:30 PM

Summary

Sulphur Fire Department faces staffing crisis as firefighters seek significant changes

The Scene

The council chamber in Sulphur was teeming with people on Monday night, with a notable presence of a group of firefighters standing together.

The council meeting had all its members in attendance: Dru Ellender, Nicholas Nezat, Melinda Hardy, Joy Abshire, and Mandy Thomas. They approved the minutes of the last meeting and the current agenda. The council collectively decided to put off item 10 until July and eliminate item 12.

Policies 

Comments by Mayor Danahay

After 25 years of service, Chief Dan Selph of the Sulphur Fire Department is retiring. Mayor Mike Danahay honored him with a plaque of appreciation.

Fire Department Presentation

According to District Chief Trigg White, the Local Fire Union 3765 has requested significant changes due to the Sulphur Fire Department losing firefighters at an increasing rate. Only four people applied for 11 available positions during the last hiring event. Additionally, multiple senior employees in the fire department are retiring early. As a result of these changes, the department has gone from three fire stations to two, leaving North Sulphur without a functional fire station.

Firefighters are facing financial challenges. The starting pay has not kept up with inflation, and there is a loss of overtime pay. EMTs are paid an additional $75 per month. Presently, the annual take-home salary is around $21,900. In addition, firefighters must work for 106 hours before receiving overtime pay (time and a half).

Mayor Danahay stated that it has always been the priority of his administration to provide fair compensation to city employees and that the administration has a fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers of Sulphur. 

Condemnations

• 1110 Mildred – The city sent regular and certified mail notices, but the property owner returned the unopened letter. The council condemned the property.

Extensions for temporary housing in recreational vehicles during Hurricane Laura

• 906 Taylor Street – Mr. Welch, the property owner, said they were given insurance money and went forward with the demolition of their home. The construction company abandoned the project after deciding it was too difficult to fight the insurance company. The contractor allegedly stole $30,000 and is being charged with contractor fraud. The Welch family uses the RV to shower and cook. The council granted a six-month extension in light of Welch still fighting with his insurance company.

• 706 Live Oak – The council granted a six-month extension.

Public Hearings

The first public hearing was regarding a rezoning request for ALK Properties (Kim Kool). There was no motion at the last meeting, so it was back on this month’s agenda. 

The property owner, Travis Marburger, said the community’s primary concern is commercial zoning encroaching into a residential area. He countered that if zoning around the neighborhood were re-assessed, most of the older businesses there would be assigned to commercial zoning.

Concerned neighbor Rhonda Duhon, 2602 Allen Street, said she and her husband had lived there since August 1999. She said they deal with rats that are allegedly coming from the property. 

“On our city sign, it says ‘Faith Family Community.’ Stop squeezing families out,” Mrs. Duhon said. 

Sulphur resident Mark Duhon told the council a technicality had kept this issue from being voted on and that many residents attended previous meetings in opposition to the rezoning. 

Chris Higginbotham, a resident of 2510 Allen Street, also lives near Kim Kool and said that families must come first over a business, particularly families who may be forced into more expensive housing. 

“I’d hate to see the courts have to get involved,” Higginbotham said.

Ms. Abshire said she remembers the passion for the neighborhood, but it needs to be a win/win. 

Mark Duhon replied, “First, setting precedence for letting commercial businesses enter a residential neighborhood. We’re trying to stop encroachment. It’s wrong.”

Nezat and Thomas voted against the rezoning, and the rest of the council voted in favor, so the rezoning was authorized.

Next, the council amended Resolution 2102, which authorized the Mayor to enter into an Inter-Governmental Agreement with the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury for Wastewater Treatment Services for the Mossville area.

They then amended the code of ordinances to make an exception for signs not exceeding 50 feet. Interstate corridors will remain at 60 feet. Resident Sheila Broussard asked why, and Bill Leblanc commented that changing it was a good idea.

The following introduction of an ordinance authorized Mayor Danahay to sign the LA DOTD maintenance agreement for mowing and litter pickup.

The council declared particular surplus movable property of the City of Sulphur and provided for the disposal thereof.

Then, they introduced an ordinance to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the City of Westlake for salaries for the Marshal’s office.

The city removed this item from the agenda: an ordinance to amend Ordinance 1844 to increase the fee for plan review for residential and commercial.

Resolutions

Trey Case was appointed a West Calcasieu Port, Harbor, and Terminal District member.

The council passed a resolution in support of the new Downtown Sulphur Cultural District, then confirmed that the official journal for the city of Sulphur will continue to be the American Press.

They granted a variance to James Braden, 2111 Trailer Street, allowing a tenant to live in an RV due to damages caused by Hurricane Laura. Mr. Braden was unavailable for comment, but the tenant was present and said he lost his home during Hurricane Laura. 

Finally, the council issued a resolution reappointing Theodore Thompson to the West Calcasieu Airport Managing Board. 

Community Perspective

Amy Felice told the city that the firefighters respond to more than just fires. They respond to medical and traumatic issues. They deal with a lot. 

Felice also asked the council if there would be any consideration for filming the meetings. The council declined to respond to her question. 

Outcome

The next Sulphur city council meeting will be Monday, July 10, 2023, at 5:30 PM.

Video