Documenter name: Natalie McLendon
Agency holding meeting: Westlake City Council
Date: Monday, August 20, 2023, at 5:30 PM
Summary: Discussions centered on water rate adjustments due to system deficits, various ordinances were voted on, and several city projects and departmental reports were discussed.
Notes:
The Scene |
There were approximately 20-25 people present for this evening’s meeting. Mayor Hal McMillin called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Councilmembers Lori Peterson, Jeremy Cryer, Clayton Rougeou, Freddie Harrison II and Kenny Brown were present.
Mark Judson, a candidate for Family Court judge, spoke to the Council. If elected, Judson would take the seat that Judge Bradberry previously occupied.
Policies |
Consent calendar
The council approved minutes from the previous meeting on July 17, 2023.
Bid Items: None
Discussion and action items
Tony Sonnier with Louisiana Rural Water Association (LRWA), a federal and state-funded program, provided the results of a rate study. Sonnier noted that everything done for the city of Westlake is free because of federal and state funds. Sonnier is a Class 4 certified water operator. LRWA is not a regulatory agency.
It costs about $10 to produce 1000 gallons, and the district averages about 5,000 gallons per month per customer. Residential customers currently pay $33.37 for the first 2,000 gallons and approximately $4 per 1,000 gallons after that. The average residential bill is $48.16. The commercial rate is $42.50 per 8,000 gallons and about $5 per 1,000 after 8,000 gallons. The industrial rate is the lowest at approximately $65 per 10,000 gallons and around $6 per 1,000 over 10,000 gallons.
According to Sonnier, it is illegal to give away water; it must be sold at least at cost. The water program is currently not self-sustainable.
Sonnier said there needs to be a drastic change to the water system as it stands. There is a 59% water loss overall; they don’t know why this is occurring. Changing out the meters has changed the water loss significantly, as it was over 80% loss a few years ago.
The new recommended residential rate is $16.69 per 1000 gallons. The commercial rate will be approximately $17 per 1000 gallons. The industrial rate will be approx $18 per 1000 gallons.
McMillin reminds the council and the audience that this is an introduction.
“We hear commercial folks saying this is a big increase. They haven’t been paying anywhere close to what residential customers are paying. We can look at subsidizing and tweaking because this is an introduction. We are not changing any utility rates tonight. We have inherited a water system that is not standing on its own,” McMillin said.
Peterson says they [who?] have significant inflation costs of 11%.
“This has been a can kicked down the road for many years,” Peterson said. “It landed in our laps. We have not done due diligence throughout the years and now this council has to make some difficult decisions.”
Peterson asks: “What are you transferring from to prop up the water system? You’re robbing Peter to pay Paul.”
Wastewater system
The system transfers anywhere from 1.5 to 2 million gallons to Sulphur to be treated. Wastewater costs more to treat than tap water. Both water systems are losing money.
Brown asks how other cities are eligible to get grants. He says Westlake pays twice as much as Jennings and Sulphur for their water and has the highest water rates in the area.
Westlake resident and business owner Ken Rose said the two areas that brought the most concern were commercial accounts and the businesses with wastewater.
“Everybody knows that this economy is in a stupor, but we live in a community where most of us live on fixed income. If you go attacking the commercial rate, my water bill will double. What’s the difference between your business and mine? There’s none. Less than 7 months later, almost all of my food sales are on credit cards. If I can’t make money, I can’t pay taxes. You’ve got to stop the damn bleeding. The worst is yet to come. We all need to get proactive instead of reactive. People this winter will be making the decision whether to buy medicine or pay a gas bill,” Rose said.
McMillin said the city is being proactive by doing the water rate survey.
Peterson reminded Rose, “This is an introduction. This is a worst-case scenario.”
Rose said there are a few areas to be looked at.
McMillin said the city subsidized the water system with roughly one million dollars last year.
- The council discussed Ordinance 1028, an ordinance amending Section 7-1017 of the code of ordinances, amending the water rates for the city.
Peterson made the motion to introduce. Cryer, Rougeau, Harrison and Brown all voted no. The motion failed.
- Next, the council introduced Ordinance 1029, an ordinance amending Section 7-004(E) of the user charge schedule within the code of ordinances to set sewer rates. Peterson voted yes. Cryer, Rougeau, Harrison and Brown all voted no. The motion failed.
- The council upheld the Zoning Board’s approval to change the zoning of 925 Shafer Street from single-family residence to multi-family residence.
- The next item was Resolution 3666, which appointed John Cradeur, Hillary Langley and Rogeau as commissioners of the Lake Charles Harbor & Terminal District.
- Next, the council appointed Rick Murillo to the WREB upon McMillin’s recommendation.
- They approved Resolution 3667, which authorizes McMillin to enter into a lease agreement with Ultra Outdoor for a digital billboard to be placed on the northwest corner of Westwood Road and National Drive.
- They also approved Resolution 3668, which allows McMillin to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement with the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury for the pavement markings on various roads.
- The Council approved the renaming of Mulberry Street to Bob Hardey Street to honor the former mayor.
- Finally, the Council approved Resolution 3669, which authorized McMillin to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement between the city of Westlake and the Calcasieu Parish School Board for financial assistance with hiring school resource officers.
City projects
Engineering: A preconstruction meeting will be scheduled to install drainage pipes. The Jones Street ground storage tank project was approved and awaiting the rate study’s completion.
Peterson asked: “Since the rate study was completed, where is $575,000 for this project? If the rate study is not put forth as they have shown us, how long do we have before we lose that?”
The city has to make a decision as to how they’re going to rectify that, Sonnier said.
Sonnier said he doesn’t know of a set time frame.
The sewer transport system project is a $7-8 million project.
DOTD hosted a meeting on August 31 at the Lake Charles Civic Center to discuss private-public partnerships and the new toll bridge.
Architectural: City Architect Barry King – no updates
Reports
- Police Department: Chief Christopher Wilrye said two officers have been hired as resource officers and he will be hiring a third.
- Fire Department: Chief Jonathan Duff said the state is under a burn ban and red flag conditions. A state of emergency is possible because of multiple fires across the state. Regular training happened this month, he noted. Assistant Chief Jimmy Boyett just entered paramedic school, Duff reported. Acadian Ambulance is partially sponsoring him. Michael Cedar will also be attending the school soon.
- Public Works: Director Damon Hardesty said 257 work orders were submitted and completed.
- Code Enforcement: Code Enforcement Officer Curtis Lyons said 44 letters were sent out, three stop work orders were issued for no permits and grass was cut in four locations by a contractor.
- Westlake Golf Course: Director of Golf Gerry Pockat said the golf revenue program was working well. He expects strong revenues to continue through the fall.
Mayor’s comments
“We are Westlake” festival will be held on October 7 from 2-10 p.m. at Ponderosa Park with live music and food trucks.
McMillin adjourned the meeting at 7:02 p.m.
Outcomes |
The next city council meeting will be Monday, September 18, 2023, at 5:30 p.m.
Video:
The Southwest Louisiana Journal 