Documenter: Carl M. Ambrose, Jr.

Location: Lake Charles City Hall, City Council Chambers

Date: June 13, 2023, 5:30 PM

The city council meeting covered chair appointments, project bids, demolition dates, corporate agreements, and resolutions. Congrats to SOWELA Tech students for their state SkillsUSA Leadership competition achievements. No video recording of agenda meetings for public access. 

The Scene

The crowd for the meeting was larger than usual for an agenda meeting, with students from SOWELA Technical Community College in attendance. The mood was pleasant, with several conversations taking place as people filed into the session.

City Council president John Ieyoub called the meeting to order. Mrs. Thibodeaux called the roll; six council members were present. Councilmember Rodney Geyen was unable to attend. Mayor Nic Hunter, attorney Corey Rubin, and assistant city administrator Kim Delafosse were seated at the administration table. City Administrator John Cardone and City Attorney David Morgan were absent.

Ieyoub opened up with a point of personal privilege to recognize the SOWELA Students 

who competed in the state SkillsUSA leadership and skills competition held in April in Alexandria. SkillsUSA is a simple partnership between students, teachers, and industry, all working together to ensure that America has skilled workers and a thriving workforce now and in the future. 

The nonprofit national education association serves middle-school, high-school, and college/postsecondary students preparing for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations, giving them the tools necessary for success. The competition comprises over 100 disciplines, with SOWELA students competing in thirteen and finishing in the top three in eleven. 

The team brought home eighteen medals, with eight of those being gold, and students qualified for the nationals to be held at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference later in June. The students were presented with certificates from the city council and recognized for qualifying for nationals.

Delafosse recognized the participants in the city’s summer intern program who were present and spoke about how the intern program has brought new energy to city hall. 

Hunter also talked about the program’s size and scope, saying, “Great kudos and thanks to Kimberly. This is a great number, and kudos to the team. It’s important that kids of that college-age start to get interested in city hall. I think this is a really awesome program. Good job!”

Thibodeaux started reading the agenda items, including new and carry-over items, to be recorded. She began with appointments.

Appointments

Councilmember Mark Eckard was appointed chair to review purchase bids for an annual supply of road base limestone aggregate and a yearly supply of janitorial supplies for various city divisions and departments.

Councilmember Geyen was appointed to review bids to purchase one new portable sewer

camera system for use by the Public Works Department for use by the Streets/Drainage Division.

Public Hearings

• 3828 Ernest Street
• 414 Ford Street
• 2404 Fitzenreiter Road
• 1411 Pine Street
• 501 7th Street
• 810 East Prien Lake Road
• 502 North Prater Street
• 2216 Poplar Street
• 2507 Woodard Street
• 1900 See Street
• 1903 North Prater Street
• 503 Jackson Street
• 2113 5th Street
• 2004 2nd Street
• 1612 Brick Street
• 1306 Summit Street
• 2225 Colletta Street
• 356 Boston Street
• 2400 6th Street
• 2708 Abel Circle
• 1802 Engleside
•  919-933 North Shattuck Street

Ordinances for final action

Two ordinances accepted the lowest bid, one for the Center East Water Treatment Plant Filter Replacement, and the Civic Center Chiller Replacement was the other.

These are the remaining items for final action:

• Adopting and levying the annual property tax for Lake Charles for 2023.
• Adoption and amending the Code of Ordinances for the Uniform Fire Code
• Adoption and amending the 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 Road, transferred (?) 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 with Northgate Plaza, LLC, which will grant incentives for the construction and enhancement of a retail space
• Amending the Code of Ordinances concerning backflow preventer installation and inspection
• Amending the Code of Ordinances making Eleanor Street from Legion to Progressive a no parking zone on both sides of the street

Resolutions

The council issued resolutions of acceptance for the following projects:

• First Avenue trail north of Board St. to 1-10
• Oak Park lateral drainage improvements
• Riverridge drainage improvements

The council approved the appointment of members to the Historic Preservation Commission.

The council also approved a resolution for the request for proposals for cybersecurity services for the city.

Introduction of ordinances

The council approved a resolution to accept proposals for cybersecurity services for the city.

The council also authorized an ordinance to remove the yield signs and install stop signs on Katherine Street at its intersection with North Goos Boulevard. 

The council further authorized the mayor to enter into a multifamily loan agreement with MGM Development Group to use direct allocation Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds for Woodring II.

They also approved an ordinance authorizing the city to enter an agreement with a firm to provide network services for the city’s Water Division and Wastewater Division.

An ordinance authorizing a cooperative endeavor agreement with Zypien’s Music Foundation to develop a Walk of Fame in Lake Charles