City Hall, Monroe, Louisiana
April 8, 2025
6:00p.m.
There was a legal and regular session of the City Council of the City of Monroe, Louisiana held on this date at the Council’s regular meeting place, the Council Chamber, City Hall Building, Monroe, Louisiana.
The Honorable Chairman Juanita G. Woods, called the meeting to order. She then asked the clerk to call roll.
There were present: Mr. Harvey, Mrs. Ezernack, Ms. Woods, & Mr. Muhammad
There was absent: Mr. McFarland
Chairman Woods announced that a quorum was present, and that the Invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance would be led by Mr. Harvey or his designee.
The Invocation was led by City Engineer Morgan McCallister.
COMMUNICATIONS & SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
(1) Mr. Harvey had no announcements.
(2) Mrs. Ezernack welcomed everyone and congratulated the Wossman Wildcats boys’ basketball team, expressing how proud the City is of them and their accomplishments. She noted that they represented the City in the highest possible way.
(3) Mr. Muhammad said good evening to everyone, and shared that on Saturday, District 5 participated in the “Love the Boot” campaign at Emily P. Robinson. He said they were able to bag about 47 bags in a 2 hour period. He thanked DeeDee Massey, Coach Charles Smith, NAACP President Cliff Thomas, Kim Essex, Shelia Downhour with Ouachita Green, and Louis Tolliver with Public Works. He said there was a lot of flash flooding on Saturday and pockets in Monroe that received a tremendous amount of water. He said the pumps were working but couldn’t pump that much water with the amount of rainfall the City got in a short period of time. He said there are some areas in Monroe that definitely need to be worked on. He said that the Georgia Street and Louis Locke took a big hit, and they really need a pump station. On a lighter note, he recognized his alumnus and good friend Coach Casey Jones. He noted the young men from Wossman are really making South Monroe proud and this is a sign of what a community can do when they come together. He presented Coach Jones with a plaque to congratulate him and the Wildcat boys basketball team for securing their second straight State Championship.
(4) Ms. Woods stated that she participated in the “Love the Boot” campaign in her area, led by Ms. Kim Ross of Price’s Beauty Shop, a historic monument in District 3. She thanked Public Works for answering the call and doing what they could do with the substantial amount rainfall that occurred in a short period of time. She shared that she made some phone calls out of serious concern for certain residents in her district. She further stated that Public Works actually went to those homes and knocked on doors to ensure residents were okay. She emphasized that they didn’t have to do that, and she truly appreciated their efforts as well as her constituents. She also thanked Mr. Morgan McCallister, City Engineer, for checking on her Sunday and wanting to know which areas in her district flooded. She said they are currently gathering that information to work toward future improvements. On another note, she recognized former Councilman of District 4 Mr. Kenneth Wilson. She mentioned she has a Chat & Chew event coming up on April 16 and noted that her Chat & Chews are held on the third Wednesday of each month. She explained that this upcoming event will be combined with several other community meetings. While she hinted at more information to come, she stated she did not want to get ahead of herself or the Administration. She encouraged residents to attend all the meetings if possible but added that it’s okay if they can’t make them all. The goal, she said, is to meet with constituents and keep them informed about what’s happening in the Administration and in the City. Lastly, she recognized Mr. John Anderson, a former employee of the City of Monroe.
Upon motion of Mr. Harvey and seconded by Mr. Muhammad, the minutes of the Legal and Special session of March 18, 2025, and the Legal and Regular Session of March 25, 2025, were unanimously approved. (There were no public comments.)
PROPOSED CONDEMNATIONS:
The following condemnations were considered:
1. 2405 Wood (D3) – Owner: Chad Creel and Estate of Iola Martin c/o R. Kimp or L. Thomas. Notice to show cause was served. Photographic evidence was presented. There was no one present. Upon motion of Ms. Woods, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved, the building was condemned, and the property owner given 30 days in which to bring the structure into compliance with the Code or demolish the Structure and clean the lot. (There were no public comments.)
Mr. Tommy James, Code Enforcement Officer, stated this is an open dilapidated structure and they are asking that the property be condemned giving the owner 30 days. He said he spoke with the owner earlier and he is aware of what would happen today.
Ms. Woods motion to condemn the property giving the owner 30 days to tear the property down or save it.
2. 107 Magnolia (D3) – Owner: Estate of Raymond and Geralyn Pierce, ET AL, c/o Raymond Pierce III Estate of Francis P. Reddix, ET AL, c/o Dr. O. Reddix Sadira and Ibrania Amin, c/o Dr. O. Reddix. Notice to show cause was served. Photographic evidence was presented. There was no one present. Upon motion of Ms. Woods, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved, the building was condemned, and the property owner given 60 days in which to bring the structure into compliance with the Code or demolish the Structure and clean the lot. (There were no public comments.)
Mr. James stated this is a dilapidated unsafe structure with broken windows. They are asking that the property be condemned giving the owner 30 days to bring it into compliance.
Ms. Woods stated she knows this property and she drives by it every day. She said she spoke to the property owner, and she is very sad about this property because it belonged to her grandmother. She said the owner wanted to know if the Council could maybe do 60 days. She said she has a property next door that she has invested a bit of funds to get it brought up to speed and it is occupied at this time.
Mr. James noted just for consistency to stay with 30 days, but it probably would be 60 to 90 before it happens.
Ms. Woods stated for the record she would give the owner 60 days because she asked her too. She motion to give the owner of the property at 107 Magnolia Street 60 days to bring the property up to code or tear it down and remove all debris.
Department of Public Works:
(a) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to remove item (a) from the agenda a Resolution approving Change Order No. One (1) for the Taxiway Delta Construction Phase I Project and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
Mr. Muhammad wanted to know if this item is being removed permanently.
Mr. Charles Butcher, Airport Director, said no sir, with all the rain the geo testing hasn’t come out really well. He said they are going to let the land dry and see how testing goes in a month.
(b) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved to consider a request from the Monroe Airport Division for authorization for an authorized City representative to advertise for competitive bids for the Passenger Boarding Brides Project in accordance with Airport/FAA specifications. The Engineer’s Estimate for the project is $2,500,000 for the base bid, and $500,000 for Alternate No. 1. The DBE Goal for the project is 7.43% (Res. 8858). The cost of the procurement will be determined in accordance with contractual obligations, and the cost of purchase will be funded by state and federal funds. (There were no public comments.)
(c) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved Resolution No. 8904 authorizing a contract with Fencing Unlimited, LLC for the Transit Automatic Gate Project and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
Ms. Woods said when they looked at the background information on this item they saw only one quote and she wanted to know how that works.
Ms. Christina Davis, Director of Purchasing, stated they receive a project request form from the department head or supervisor. She said they do their research on multiple databases to seek out vendors that can meet the qualifications of the project. She further stated they send the quote to those certain vendors, and they are given 15 days to respond. She noted of the three vendors they only received one response. She said then it is sent to the department head or supervisor for approval and then they proceed to bring it before the City Council.
Ms. Woods wanted to know if they don’t receive any response do they go out and look for other bids.
Ms. Davis said on this project they did their due diligence to reach out to the vendors that qualify for this project. She said if the department head or supervisor over the project say that they need to put it back out there or maybe seek out other vendors then they do so.
Ms. Woods wanted to know if the estimated cost is considered as well.
Ms. Davis said yes, they try to make sure that they are spending taxpayers’ dollars officially and effectively on every project.
Mr. Muhammad said he was also concerned when he saw the packet had no other quotes.
Ms. Woods wanted to know if they have a database of people or potential vendors that can do certain work. She wanted to know how do they communicate to the masses that they have these projects up and that it’s open for quotes.
Ms. Davis stated that because of the threshold amount they go out and seek out those vendors. She said they use the City vendor and DOTD list which gives them their disadvantaged businesses. She said they also utilize recommendations from the department heads and supervisors.
Ms. Woods noted one thing she always gets is they need to do a better job on making sure that they are reaching out to get everybody. She acknowledged this being Ms. Davis’s first time out the gate that she had to give an explanation on how the process went but with that being said, she is good.
Department of Community Affairs:
(a) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved Resolution No. 8905 approving a five-year lease and maintenance agreement with DLL Finance LLC for golf cars and further providing with respect thereto. (There were public comments.)
Engineering Services:
(a) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Muhammad and unanimously approved Resolution No. 8906 accepting as substantially complete work done by Amethyst Construction, Inc. for the Barbados & West Deborah Drive Drainage Improvements Project and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
Add-On: Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved to add to the agenda item (b) a Resolution authorizing a contract with Delta Process Equipment for the Forsythe #2 pump station upsizing project and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
Mrs. Ezernack stated this project is on Timberlane not far from St. Joseph’s home that has experienced multiple problems with heavy rain. She said the sewer comes up out the manholes into the street and it is an ongoing issue. She said they have done many things to correct this issue, and they think this is the solution that is very well needed. She further stated she has contributed some of her project dollars to this project to get it done as soon as possible. She said she would appreciate the Council adding it on where they can take care of this for the people in that area.
Mr. Muhammad wanted to know why it didn’t make the agenda.
Ms. Ezernack noted she thinks they got the bid back Thursday.
Ms. Woods noted everything has to be in by three on Wednesday.
(b) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved Resolution No. 8907 authorizing a contract with Delta Process Equipment for the Forsythe #2 pump station upsizing project and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
Mr. Muhammad wanted to know if there are other quotes on this or just one.
Mr. Morgan McCallister, City Engineer, said they obtained three quotes and the quote they are moving forward on is roughly $10,000 less than the $75,000. He said Councilwoman Ezernack is contributing nearly $11,000 and the remaining portion will come from the sewer fund.
Mr. Muhammad stated normally the Council would see the other two quotes in the packet. He said he knows this is an addon, but he doesn’t want to miss anything.
Mr. McCallister said he saw the final quote of $64,000 and he said he didn’t see the other two quotes. He said the submittal originally came from purchasing and Ms. Davis may have that information.
Mr. Muhammad wanted to know if Ms. Davis have the other two quotes.
Ms. Davis stated she would have to get them to him.
Mr. Muhammad said they rushing to add it on.
Mr. McCallister said the rush to add it on is because they received a notice of violation from Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and they have a deadline of July 31st to correct the issue.
Mr. Muhammad said he just wanted to make sure they are getting the quotes.
Mr. McCallister said Ms. Davis has done a great job in that and he hope this is approved tonight. He said he can send those two quotes himself, or Ms. Davis, and they would have come from Ouachita Electric or Copelands.
Ms. Woods noted the next time something comes before the Council, and they are supposed to have three quotes the records need to show it.
Mr. Creekbaum stated that it may have been his oversight because he was the one responsible for emailing the information out for the addon. He said he apparently did not include that additional attachment.
Mr. Muhammad stated the City have deadlines to meet and they need to make sure they are following the procedure because they want the Council’s approval for it.
Ms. Woods noted constituents like to see the information and it shows the City’s transparency. She said for the record she will not allow things to go on the agenda if she can’t see it all.
RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES FOR SECOND READING AND FINAL ADOPTION AND SUBJECT TO PUBLIC HEARING:
The Chairman Open the Hearing.
(a) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved Ordinance No. 12,261 approving an application by Peters Realty & MGMT to rezone certain property (2.53 acres), amending the Zoning Map for the City of Monroe, and further providing with respect thereto.
Mr. Nolan Peters, 2502 River Landing, stated he just wanted to give the Council a quick history of the proposed use of the building, discuss traffic, and the tax benefits that it’ll bring to the City. He said the building was previously used as United Rentals for 15 years and Buckner Tire was there for a short time and now it is vacant. He said the proposed use would be for DPR and OES which is a support for the meta Project. He said he did take into consideration the J turn that was brought up and he met with DOTD yesterday and got them to explain what that was on Louberta intersection.
Mr. Muhammad wanted to know how that would effect the turn.
Mr. Peters said he doesn’t see any issues there and the trucks would make a J turn in the Southbound lane. He said they claim they have used it in South Louisiana, and it’s been effective. He said they said they maybe have some grant money that the City can take if the City decides on it.
Mr. Muhammad wanted to know if DOTD mention anything about resurfacing roads in that area.
Mr. Peters stated he went strictly about the Highway 165 and Louberta intersection.
Mr. Muhammad noted the Council found out it’s a State deal.
Ms. Woods wanted to know if DOTD mentioned taking the signal light from Louberta and making it a pedestrian walkway.
Mr. Peters said they did not, and he said they were more or less showing how the traffic would flow east to west across highway 165.
Mr. Muhammad wanted to know if they are talking heavy equipment and wide loads.
Mr. Justin Maynard, DPR Construction, OES equipment, said their trucks do not have heavy equipment and it’s all light duty, medium duty pickup trucks no tractor trailers. He said tractor trailers that will deliver supplies, consumables, and materials to stock their warehouse with to provide and sell to the job sites.
Ms. Woods wanted to clarify whether tractor trailers would bring their supplies.
Mr. Maynard said normal FedEx trucks and 18 wheelers for deliveries but nothing like excavators or dozers.
Ms. Woods wanted to know the number of jobs for the company.
Mr. Maynard said DPR already have 25 employees, and they are going to have anywhere between eight or nine employees on staff at that location. He said DPR is the general contractor, and they are one of the three that will be on the job at Holly Ridge. He said they are the supply and logistics for DPR, so they buy a lot of hard hats, glassed, consumables, and materials for the warehouse and then take them to the job as needed. c
Mr. Muhammad wanted to know what they need the tract of land for.
Mr. Creekbaum stated for clarification it’s one building located on several different tracts of land.
Mr. Muhammad wanted to know if they are going to leave the City.
Mr. Peters stated he is a resident born and raised in the City of Monroe.
Ms. Woods wanted to know the projected sales.
Mr. Peters noted 2 to 3 million dollars by the end of the year, and they expect anywhere from 12 to 20 million in sales and rentals. He further noted at the meta job potentially up to $30 million and that is a great tax base force.
Mr. Shane Free, Holly Ridge, said he is joining OES, and he was with Scott Equipment almost 12 years. He stated they offered him a position, but he was worried about the longevity of it. He said after research it feels like it will be here for a while. He further stated he invested a lot into and trusted them with his family.
Seeing no one else come forward the Chairman closed the Hearing.
Mrs. Ezernack thanked OES for considering this location in the City. She said the City is very proud to have them as one of the businesses and she know Ms. Woods in District 3 is certainly happy about it.
Ms. Woods said she is always happy to have businesses come into District 3, and she thanked them for their investment into the City of Monroe and District 3 in particular at this time.
Citizen’s Participation:
(1.) Mr. Lester Pastor,108 South Pointe Drive, reiterated his concerns he stated to the Council and the Mayor at the March 11, 2025, City Council meeting about the Court Order of Appeal.
There being no further business to come before the council, the Chairman adjourned the meeting at 6:57 p.m.
Ms. Juanita G. Woods
Chairman
Ms. Carolus S. Riley
Council Clerk
Ms. Ileana Murray
Staff Secretary
For extended details on the council meeting please call the Council Clerk Monday-Friday at 318-329-2252 to schedule an appointment to listen to the minute recording.
