Documenter name: Natalie McLendon

Agency holding meeting: Westlake City Council

Date: Monday, July 17, 2023, at 5:30 PM

Summary:  Westlake City Council approved a 2% sales tax on the Horseshoe Casino and other properties for riverfront improvement, hired a new police officer, and authorized electric car charging stations.

Notes:

The Scene | 

There were approximately 20-25 people present for this evening’s meeting. Mayor Hal McMillion called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM.

Policies | 

Before the meeting began, the council held a short session of the Westlake Opportunity Zone District (EDD).

The sales tax is currently 10.25%. A 2% sales tax is on the Horseshoe Casino and other properties. This money will go into a fund to improve the riverfront property near the casino. Finance Director Jerry Milner said the goal is to get people to invest in their capital to develop along the river. The resolution passed, and the city council meeting immediately followed.

Consent calendar

The council approved minutes from the previous meeting.

Bid Items

The council awarded a chemical bid to Hawkins, Inc, for approximately $95,000. The city will use the chemicals in the proposal in the water and wastewater departments.

Next, they approved an award of a gasoline bid to RelaDyne/Pumpelly Oil Acquisitions.

Discussion and action items

The city council approved hiring Linsey Francis as a full-time police officer. Harrison made a motion to support, and Cryer seconded the motion. 

The council then approved Resolution 3665 authorizing Mayor Hal Mcmillin to enter into a lease and joint service agreement with Horseshoe Casino for approximately 70 feet by 20 feet for electric car charging stations. 

Clerk Mahfouz says they applied for a grant in 2018 in a settlement from VW. There will be three electric car charging stations placed in this footage. Profits will be split 50/50 with the Horseshoe Casino.

City projects

Engineering: Vernon Myers says the city will purchase 60-inch pipe. The next project is Garfield Street drainage, which is currently being designed. The sanitary sewer equalization system project is being revised to meet Health Department approval. Jones Street water plant is funded by a grant from the state of $575,000. 

City Clerk Mahfouz expects to have the results of a rate study at the end of July so that the council will address it in the August meeting. The Planning Commission is reviewing the Ponderosa Parkway project. Westlake 2023 street pavement marking system–parish is advertising bids, so they will have a report soon amounting to $180,000 in Westlake. 

Architectural: Barry King says they are still preparing the presentation for the economic development of the riverfront. They’ve been going back and forth with Horseshoe, and another company is interested in investment. 

Reports

1. Fire Department: This weekend, they hosted 50 Louisiana fire chiefs for a symposium. The department is working on a project with Sasol that they will announce next month. The department will install fire detectors for free.

2. Public Works Director: Damon Hardesty said 222 work orders were submitted. Safety meetings are held once a week. The street dept took delivery of a new street sweeper last week. They will stir dust the first few times the sweepers run. Hal McMillan says they are edging the sides of the street again.

3. Code Enforcement: Curtis Lyons checked 169 locations for grass, trash, and junk vehicles and removed signage from telephone poles. Mayor McMillan says the Code Enforcement Officer tagged some blighted houses. McMillan said the city is taking a proactive position on this issue. “We’re going to take our pride back in the city of Westlake and get our city clean,” McMillan said.

4. Finance: There was no monthly meeting this month. 

Mayors comments

Today, Jermaine McFadden, the district manager for Waste Management, has an agreement to ensure employees know trash cans in the street are unacceptable. Waste Management will offer next-day delivery for trash cans at new residences. Please pay your utility bills. 

McMillan adjourned the meeting at 6:05 PM.

Outcomes | 

The next city council meeting will be Monday, August 21, 2023, at 5:30 PM.

Video :