Lake Charles City Council Meeting 6/21/2023

On By swlajournalcarlIn Meeting Notes

Location: Lake Charles City Hall, City Council Chambers

Date: June 21, 2023, 5:30 PM

Documenter: Carl M. Ambrose, Jr.

Lake Charles city council reviewed bids and condemnation of structures, adopted Cooperative Endeavor Agreements and resolutions, and took final action on several city project proposals 

The Scene

People slowly filled the chambers, and conversations were ongoing as everyone prepped for the city council meeting. Mayor Nic Hunter and City Administrator JohnCardone arrived as the meeting began. Council President John Ieyoub called the meeting to order, with council members Mark Eckard and Ronnie Harvey leading the prayer and pledge. 

Council Secretary Lynn Thibodeaux called the roll, and all but Councilmember Stuart Weatherford were present; he arrived after the approval of the minutes, which passed 6-0. Ieyoub read a few deletions with no objections, then moved on to the point of personal privilege to have Republican gubernatorial candidate Xavier Ellis speak to the council, the administration, and those in attendance. 

Xavier Ellis, a Ferriday High School and Louisiana Christian University graduate, has taught in Opelousas, La., for six years. He said the reason a “29-year-old black Republican” is running is “young evacuees, young people who are leaving the state.” 

Ellis said Louisiana had become more of a retirement home than a place where they could raise their kids. He talked about teacher pay, education, and diversity, hoping his run for governor would inspire kids. He said: “We have enough athletes and entertainers,” referring to his faith and why he isn’t running for a lesser position. You can find out more about Xavier Ellis and his campaign HERE.

Appointments

Ieyoub made a couple of chair appointments to review bids received for city contracts.

Eckard was appointed to review all submissions for the annual supply of road base limestone aggregate for the Streets Division and janitorial supplies for various divisions and departments. Geyen will review the proposals for the Public Works Department’s portable sewer camera system.

Before the beginning of the public hearings, Ieyoub moved up an item with no objections. This ordinance permits the mayor to enter into a CEA to grant incentives for constructing and developing a retail store with Northgate Plaza, LLC. After a brief discussion, the motion passed 7-0.

Public Hearings

Ieyoub began reviewing the ordinances authorizing the city to bid out contracts to demolish several structures.

  • 3828 Ernest Street: Deferred until September 20, 2023
  • 414 Ford Street: Harvey recommended deferring it until July 5, 2023. The motion passed 7-0.
  • 2404 Fitzenreiter Road: Harvey recommended it deferral until July 19, 2023; the motion passed 7-0.
  • 1411 Pine Street: August requested a deferral until August 2, 2023; the motion passed 7-0.
  • 501 7th Street: Ieyoub recommended 30/60 days; motion passed 7-0.
  • 810 East Prien Lake Road: Weatherford recommended 30/60 days; the motion passed 7-0. 
  • 215 Shattuck St.: Harvey recommended 15/15 days; the motion passed 7-0.
  • 502 North Prater Street: After a brief discussion, Harvey recommended 15/15 days; after a brief discussion, the motion passed 7-0.
  • 1701 7th Avenue: After a brief discussion, Geyen recommended 30/60 days. The motion passed 7-0.
  • 2216 Poplar Street: After a brief discussion with the homeowner, Harvey recommended 15/15 days. The motion passed 7-0.
  • 2507 Woodard Street: Harvey recommended 15/15 days. The motion passed 7-0.
  • 1900 See Street: Harvey recommended deferral until July 19, 2023. The motion passed 7-0.
  • 1903 North Prater Street: After Mr. Rubin notified the council that a curator would need to be appointed, Harvey recommended deferral until July 19, 2023. The motion passed 7-0.
  • 503 Jackson Street: After a brief discussion with the homeowners, Harvey recommended 15/15 days. The motion passed 7-0.
  • 2113 5th Street: After a brief discussion with the property owners, August recommended 30-60 days. The motion passed 7-0.
  • 2105 5th Street: Rubin said the address was wrong and should be 1st Street. The motion to amend the address passed 7-0. August recommended 15/15 days. The motion passed 7-0.
  • 2004 2nd Street: August recommended 15/15 days. The motion passed 7-0.
  • 1612 Brick Street: After a brief discussion with the homeowner, August recommended 15/15 days. The motion passed 7-0.
  •  The city attorney Rubin asked that the prior item, 2004 Brick Street’s vote, be rescinded due to lack of service. The motion was made to resend the vote and passed 7-0. A motion to delete was made by Rubin and passed 7-0.
  • 2225 Colletta Street: After a brief discussion with the homeowner, August recommended 15/15 days. The motion passed 7-0.
  • 256 Boston Street: After a brief discussion with the owner, August recommended 15/15 days. The motion passed 7-0.
  • 2400 6th Street: Geyen recommended 15/15 days. The motion passed 7-0.
  • 2708 Abel Circle: After a brief discussion with the owner, Ieyoub recommended 15/15 days. The motion passed 7-0.
  • 182 Engleside: Ieyoub recommended 15/15 days. The motion passed 7-0.

Ordinances for final action

The chairs that reviewed the proposals recommended that the council accept bids for city contracts for the Center East Water Treatment Plant filter and Civic Center chiller replacement. After a brief discussion, both motions passed 7-0.

All of the following ordinances passed 7-0:

  • Levying of the annual property tax for the City of Lake Charles for the year 2023
  • Amendment of the Code of Ordinances for the Uniform Fire Code
  • Amendment of the Code of Ordinances to include “Dangerous Dogs” and provided penalties for any violations
  • Authorization to apply the Calcasieu Parish Road and Drainage Trust
  • Accepting ownership and maintenance of Public sewer installed on Nelson Rd. from EVT Lake Charles, LLC
  • 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
  • Amendment of the Code of Ordinances concerning backflow preventer installation and inspection
  • Ordinance to amend the Codes of Ordinances, making Eleanor Street a parking zone from Legion Street to Progressive Street

Resolutions adopted by consent

Projects acknowledged as substantially complete were:

  • 1st Avenue Trail north of Broad Street to I-10, the resolution passed 7-0.
  • Oak Park lateral drainage improvements, the resolution passed 7-0.

An ordinance accepting the city’s lowest bid on cyber security services passed 7-0.

Introduction by consent

An ordinance authorizing the City to accept proposals for cybersecurity services

An ordinance authorizing Yield signs to be removed and replaced with stop signs at the intersection of North Goos Boulevard and Katherine Street

An ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into a multifamily loan agreement with the Banyan Foundation to directly allocate Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds for Calcasieu Heights

An ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into a multifamily loan agreement with Banyan to directly allocate Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds for Capstone at the Oaks

An ordinance authorizing 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

An ordinance authorizing the city to agree with an outside firm to provide network services for water and waste divisions

Authorizing a CEA with Zypien’s Music Foundation to develop a Walk of Fame in Lake Charles 

Watch the video of the meeting HERE
The agenda for the meeting can be found HERE