City Hall, Monroe, Louisiana
February 22, 2022
6:00p.m.
There was a legal and regular session of the City Council of the City of Monroe, Louisiana held this date at the Council’s regular meeting place, the Council Chamber, City Hall Building, Monroe, Louisiana.
The Honorable Carday Marshall, Sr., Chairman, called the meeting to order. He then asked the clerk to call the roll.
There were present: Council members Ezernack, Woods & Marshall.
There was absent: Harvey & Dawson.
Chairman Marshall announced that a quorum was present, and that the Invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance would be led by Councilman Marshall or her designee.
Mr. Justin Allen, Pastor of Faith Chapel Pentecostal Church, led the Invocation.
COMMUNICATIONS & SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mrs. Ezernack just welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Ms. Woods welcome everyone for coming out and hope that everyone is doing well and to those that tuned in she is happy that you did.
Mr. Jimmie Bryant who is setting in for Mayor Ellis note that the Mayor is traveling on city business. He will be back sometime late Tomorrow, but he gives his regards.
Chairman Marshall welcomed everyone once again for coming out and noted that on Saturday at Emily P. Robinson at 11am they will be dedicating a room in honor of the late Linda Camanche, she was an educator, mentor, and community activist in the District 4 area. They are grateful for everything that she did, so the community saw fit to honor her. Also, the Chairman wanted to thank everyone for their prayers and concerns of the home going of his uncle Russel Marshall who passed away this past week. He was a retired employee of the City of Monroe in Public Works. He was an awesome and caring person. Chairman Marshall also wanted to thank everyone for coming out to the Children’s Parade on last Saturday in south Monroe put on by the Krewe of De Rivere that started at the old Holsum Building and down Lee Avenue. They had a lot of participants, face painting, beads, and pets in the parade, so we are looking forward to continuing that and growing it as well.
Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Ms. Woods the minutes of the Legal and Regular Session of February 8, 2022 were approved. Mrs. Ezernack abstained she was not present at the last meeting. (There were no public comments.)
The following Condemnations were considered:
1. 1616 South 5th Street (D4) (Owners George & Laura Louise Butler, Sr and OPPJ) “Notice to Show Cause” was served to the owner. There was no one present. Photographic evidence was presented. Upon motion of Mr. Marshall, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved, the building was condemned, and the property owner given 30 days or until March 24, 2022, in which to bring the structures into compliance with the code or to demolish the structure and clean the lot. (There were no public comments.)
Mr. Tommy James, Code Enforcement Officer, stated that this is an open dilapidated structure, and it has been that way for a while, and they are asking that this property be condemned.
Mr. Marshall asked if they have been in contact with any one.
Mr. James said that this is property that had been adjudicated.
Mr. Marshall noted that he went by and he think a tree may have fallen on it a while back, but it is an open structure, an eye sore and unsafe. It looks like a solid structure from the outside, like there could be something done with it, but he will give 30 days and condenm the structure.
2. 701 Reed Street (D5) (Owners – Leon & Catherine Robinson c/o Robert Robinson) There was no one present. Photographic evidence was presented. Upon motion of Ms. Woods, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved, this item was removed from the agenda due to the owner has met compliance with the Code. The structure was demolished and the lot was cleaned. (There were no public comments.)
Council:
(a) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to Adopt a Resolution No. 8187 granting an exception to the Open Container Ordinance to the Twin City Art Foundation (Exhibition Reception and Talk: 59th Annual Juried Competition at the Masur Museum of Art) pursuant to Monroe City Code Sec. 12-231 D. (Open Container Ordinance), and further providing with respect thereto.
(b) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to Adopt a Resolution No. 8188 granting an exception to the Open Container Ordinance to the Monroe Masur Museum (Twin City Art Foundation Fundraiser-Off The Wall) pursuant to Monroe City Code Sec. 12-231 D. (Open Container Ordinance), and further providing with respect thereto.
Department of Administration:
(a) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to consider an Application by Patrick Adam Jones dba Butter A Louisiana Bakery, 2001 Tower Dr., Monroe, LA 71201 for a Renewal 2022 Class A Alcoholic Beverage Permit. The Monroe Police Department has no disqualifying records and Sales Tax has been approved. (Distance Report Cleared) Cert. of Occupy Cleared.
(b) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to consider an Application by Thurman B. Dickey dba Thurman’s Food Factory, Inc., 1608 Stubbs Ave., Monroe, LA 71201 for a Renewal 2022 Class A Alcoholic Beverage Permit. The Monroe Police Department has no disqualifying records and Sales Tax has been approved. (Distance Report Cleared) Cert. of Occupy Cleared.
(c) Upon motion of Ms. Woods, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to consider an Application by Otis N. Jones dba Washington St. Jazz Key Club, 800 Washington St., Ste B-3, Monroe, LA 71201 for a New 2022 Class A Alcoholic Beverage Permit. The Monroe Police Department has no disqualifying records and Sales Tax has been approved. (Distance Report Cleared) Cert. of Occupy Cleared.
(d) Upon motion of Ms. Woods, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to consider an Application by Bill J. Nicholson & Jonathan M. Nicholson dba The Roe-Harlaad LLC, 209 Louisville Ave., Monroe, LA 71201 for a New 2022 Class A Alcoholic Beverage Permit. The Monroe Police Department has no disqualifying records and Sales Tax has been approved. (Distance Report Cleared) Cert. of Occupy Cleared.
(e) Upon motion of Ms. Woods, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to consider an Application by MM CS Services LLC dba Kangaroo#570, 307 Louisville Ave., Monroe, LA 71201 for a New 2022 Class A Alcoholic Beverage Permit. The Monroe Police Department has no disqualifying records and Sales Tax has been approved. (Distance Report Cleared) Cert. of Occupy Cleared.
(f) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to consider a request from the Purchasing Division for authorization for an authorized City representative to advertise for bids for a one (1) year contract with the option to renew two (2) times for Concrete, Cement, Sand and Gravel. Funds for these purchases will derive from the Inventories Account.
(g) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to consider a request from the Purchasing Division for authorization for an authorized City representative to advertise for bids for a one (1) year contract with the option to renew two (2) times for Petroleum Products. Funds for these purchases will derive from the Inventories Account.
(h) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to consider a request from the Purchasing Division for authorization for an authorized City representative to advertise for bids for a one (1) year contract with the option to renew two (2) times for Animal Foods. Funds for these purchases will derive from the Animal Food Account.
Mrs. Woods asked who they advertised with and is it out there for everybody to know that we are looking for this.
Mr. Curt Kelly, Purchasing Director, said that they used the NewsStar and the Monroe Dispatch.
Ms. Woods wanted to know how long this is out there advertising.
Mr. Kelly said that these are supplies/materials, and they are out there for 15 days then they have the bid opening.
Department of Planning & Urban Development:
(a) Upon motion of Ms. Woods, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to Adopt a Resolution No. 8189 accepting the bid of AHAYAH Community Development Corporation as amended, for 1606 Fairview Avenue Home Improvements, and further authorizing an authorized city representative, to enter into and execute a contract for said services.
Mrs. Ezernack noted that this is one that they had to re-advertise several times to be able to get a low bid or the lowest bid.
Mr. Kelly noted that is the case.
Mrs. Ezernack wanted to know if they had to change the scope.
Mr. Kelly noted that they did not and that the first time it was a non-responsive bid and this time they actually have a bid.
Mayor’s Office:
(a) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to Adopt a Resolution No. 8190 authorizing Mayor Friday Ellis to enter into an agreement with Technology for Rural America and further providing with respect thereto.
(b) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to Adopt a Resolution No. 8191 authorizing Mayor Friday Ellis to apply for a grant from the National Park Service.
(c) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to Adopt a Resolution No. 8192 authorizing Mayor Friday Ellis to apply for a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture and further providing with respect thereto.
Ms. Woods wanted to know if we knew what this grant is for.
Ms. Meghan Risinger, Grant Writer, explained that this will be an economic development plan for the City and what they heard from the cite selectors where we needed to focus, so this will help focus our efforts. It will help plan the work force development plans for small businesses development, essentially that for the whole City.
Police Department:
(a) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Mr. Marshall and unanimously approved to Adopt a Resolution No. 8193 accepting the bid of Gerry Lane Chevrolet, for police vehicles and further authorizing an authorized city representative, to enter into and execute a contract for said services.
Mrs. Ezernack wanted to know how many vehicles they are actually talking about.
Mrs. Angie Sturdivant, City Attorney, noted that about two meeting ago there was a request to advertise for 10 Police Tahoes to be outfitted with the police equipment and this is now awarding the contract.
Ms. Woods wanted to know where the funds are coming from.
Mr. Kelly, Purchasing Department said that it will come from their Capital Account.
Mrs. Ezernack note so they are putting some of them out to paster and once they get new ones, they get rid of some of the old ones.
Chief Zordan noted that is the idea behind it, but they are still not to that point yet, they are getting rid of a few of them. They still have six people in the academy right now and when they graduate this will put them at compacity of having the right amount of cars. But they are still in that process.
Mrs. Ezernack noted that someone mentioned to her they have small children that are used to seeing the blue and white Tahoe with Police on it, so if a child needs to look for a police car, they may not recognize the newer vehicles with the logo and design that’s on them now. She doesn’t know if there is a solution for that or maybe introduce them at the schools. That is the concerns from parents in making that substantial change.
Chief Zordan noted that they will make a point in doing that and they are halfway through the units with the old style. They are in some budget constraint in doing the rest of them, but he will make a point with the school resource officers and get with the principles of the different schools and drive one by and introduce them. He didn’t know that was a problem and they can do something with Michelli through communication to help. Chief noted that he is glad Mrs. Ezernack brought that up.
Chairman Marshall asked about the meet and greet that they were doing in the parks and if they were going to continue doing that.
Chief Zordan said absolutely, especially, after it starts to warm up and they will be doing more things. The Heat Team and other Detectives, like they did down at Bernstein Park, they intend on continuing to do those.
Fire Department:
(a) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to Adopt a Resolution No. 8194 authorizing a designated city representative of the City of Monroe to accept the bid of Ferrara Fire Apparatus for Firefighter Protective Clothing.
Engineering Services:
Overview: Rachel Drain, Burns/McDonnell came forward and gave the council an update on the project at the Water Treatment Plant. The Council were given handouts to follow along.
Mr. Sean Benton, Public Works/Water Treatment Dept., came froward and noted that it is a great project, and he thanked the Mayor and City Council for this opportunity to get this plant built. The citizens of Monroe are going to be happy when the finished product is here. They are proud about it because if you look at the beginning of it the first plant was built in 1927 that provided water to the electric plant. The next plant was built in the 60’s etc., and now they all are part of a group of this new plant being built in the 20’s. They are now in the history faze that our kids and grandkids and great grandkids further down the line will be proud of something we put together that will stay from years to come. We are happy, we have a great group, good contractors, good engineers and everything has been fine.
(a) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to Adopt a Resolution No. 8195 authorizing an authorized city representative, to execute Change Order #1 to the Monroe WTP Renovation and Expansion Contract, between the City of Monroe and Max Foote Construction Company, LLC, for an increase in the contract amount of $543,363.00 and further providing with respect thereto.
Ms. Woods wanted to know for the sake of those at home with these change orders and what’s going on.
Mr. Arthur Holland, Engineering Dept., This generator was part of the original contract as an alternate bid at 46million. It was later realized that the generator was going to be needed to operate a component of the plan itself, so they added it back into the contract and the price was different, and this is the latest quote for this generator. The Contractors give a tight window to accept and as time goes by the price goes up.
Ms. Woods noted so now the generator is before us for $543,000.00 and if we don’t move on it quickly the price is going to go up.
Mr. Holland said yes, and this is something that is needed, and the sooner prices are agreed upon the better off we are in all cases.
Mrs. Ezernack noted on the following items dealing with this if Mr. Holland wanted to go ahead and explain them.
Mr. Holland explained that he was trying to make sure he got everything on the agenda that he needed so that each item had a breakdown to see exactly what it was for. He asked the Engineers to give you all a breakdown of what we were spending all this money on, and some people don’t look at the size of the project they look at the dollar value. It is a lot of money, and it takes a lot of money to complete a project, so once you get started you just can’t quit. If a problem is encountered, we try to work it out and at a feasible price.
The item pertaining to Change Order #2, when you’re tearing out something and putting in new materials the doors have to be extra wide to get in the components. Everything in it is huge, and everything we are putting back is the same way and to get the material through the door was the adjustment.
The Change Order #3 pertaining to the filters there was a change to make the filters better, the ones we have now are working, but there will be a slight upgrade and that brought about an additional cost as well. These are things that as we encounter, we discuss to see the best way to make the changes at the best price.
The Change Order #4 as Sean mentioned are old and was built back in the 60’s. The old windows you can’t get parts for are taken out and they are putting in new sets of windows and new components in the whole building, so you have to retrofit a lot of things.
Ms. Woods noted that these were things while you were going through it wasn’t things that you could foresee.
Mr. Holland said in some cases but in some cases not because if something doesn’t work, we try to come up with an alternate and this happens a lot. Again, when you are trying to fit things into an existing building you have to make things fit.
(b) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to Adopt a Resolution No. 8196 authorizing an authorized city representative, to execute Change Order #2 to the Monroe WTP Renovation and Expansion Contract, between the City of Monroe and Max Foote Construction Company, LLC, for an increase in the contract amount of $879.00 and further providing with respect thereto.
(c) Upon motion of Ms. Woods, seconded by Mrs. Ezeranck and unanimously approved to Adopt a Resolution No. 8197 authorizing an authorized city representative, to execute Change Order #3 to the Monroe WTP Renovation and Expansion Contract, between the City of Monroe and Max Foote Construction Company, LLC, for an increase in the contract amount of $20,323.00 for modifications to filter structure and further providing with respect thereto.
(d) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to Adopt a Resolution No. 8198 authorizing an authorized city representative, to execute Change Order #4 to the Monroe WTP Renovation and Expansion Contract, between the City of Monroe and Max Foote Construction Company, LLC, for an increase in the contract amount of $7,138.00 for louver changes and further providing with respect thereto.
(e) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to Adopt a Resolution No. 8199 authorizing an authorized city representative, to execute Change Order No. One (1) to the Texas Standifer Trunk Sewer Emergency Repair Contract, between the City of Monroe and Dixie Overland Construction, for an increase in the contract amount of $223,043.76 and further providing with respect thereto.
Chairman Marshall wanted to know what they got going on here.
Mr. Holland explained while replacing collapsed sewer lines on the south end of town in the process they had to get a permit from the CORE. They encountered things not shown on the plans, there were mechanical joint piping that was buried, and no one knew it was there. They pulled their old drawings out and it didn’t show any of the materials they found, so everything they found was in their way and it had to be moved. It was not apart of the original quote, so the contractor charged T&M(time and material) and labor is off the chart. They had to remove everything out of the way in order to put this new line in, so each line shows some of the things they encountered, and these things added up. They are still not done.
Chairman Marshall asked if they had a time frame on the completion of this project.
Mr. Holland noted that the project was scheduled to be completed February 19th the original date, and after all the encounters they ended up adding seven weeks to the project. Again, all these prices were negotiated with the contractor, talked about, and they meet regularly to stay ahead of the game. If there’s a problem let’s work, it out and keep moving and this is where we are with this project as well. This project started out at 3.1 million.
Ms. Woods asked do you have a time frame now .
Mr. Holland said they are on schedule to complete land need. The piping is March 15th, but they have an additional 45 days because they have to go back and re-due the streets.
Ms. Woods noted that people have been asking her about what’s going on and she told them that the City had this emergency going on. She then wanted to know how it was communicated and how we can do a better job at communicating those.
Mr. Holland said they put out flyers on two different occasions, the first time they put flyers out letting putting know that they were smoke testing sewer lines in the whole area. This is the way they find breaks in the sewer system. They put door hangers on doors in the general area of this project. He put out flyers himself to let the people know what they are doing. The problem is the people may see it, then forget about it. They are working and not paying attention about what the information is telling them. All these projects take months to do and there is no quick process. A lot of complaints are roadblocks, and this is done for the safety of the contractors etc., and it disrupts school services, the general public as well, but it can’t be helped. Mr. Holland says he put flyers out at the beginning of the projects and at the end, but again people quickly overlook that.
Chairman Marshall noted that he has seen some press releases going out and some mail outs etc.
Mr. Holland says he tries to put it in their hands, use colored paper and he even leave a business card so if there is an issue to give him a call.
(f) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to Adopt a Resolution No. 8200 authorizing an authorized city representative, to enter into and execute an Environmental Assessment Agreement with Wetlands Unlimited, LLC to complete an environmental assessment on a fixed fee basis of $9,500.00 and further providing with respect thereto.
(g) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to Adopt a Resolution No. 8201 authorizing an authorized city representative, to enter into and execute a Professional Services Agreement with Neel Schaffer, Inc., to provide services not to exceed 180 days and $60,000.00 and further providing with respect thereto.
Ms. Woods asked Mr. Hollands to explain.
Mr. Holland explained that this is the company that they use to do their Traffic Study when they have a problem with the intersection or a request for a light or signage. They are working on traffic improvements right now on North 6th and 5th. This is just some of the tasks that they do for the City, they work with Traffic Engineering on various projects around town. This is on an as needed bases.
(h) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to Adopt a Resolution No. 8202 authorizing an authorized city representative, to enter into and execute a Professional Services Agreement with Arcadis U.S., Inc., to provide an extension of the Standifer Emergency Project for the estimated fee of $163,540.00 and further providing with respect thereto.
Ms. Woods and Mrs. Ezernack asked Mr. Hollands to explain.
Mr. Hollands explained that this change is about extending time for the project, and it also cover the CEI (Construction Engineering and Inspections) so each time there is a problem he has to get with the Project Engineer (Arcadis) to get this resolved. By the contract time running out for the money that was agreed upon at the beginning this will allow him to extend this contract with them and pay them any necessary fees that come up between now and the end of the project. Everything has a fee involved, the design, inspection etc., and you have to fix what you find, so when there is an issue, we have to come up with a way to resolve it.
(i) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to Adopt a Resolution No. 8203 accepting as substantially complete work done by and between the City of Monroe and Amethyst Construction, Inc. for the Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo Parking Lot Improvements, and further providing with respect thereto.
BREAK IF NEEDED:
INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS & ORDINANCES:
(a) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to introduce an Ordinance extending and enlarging the boundaries of the City of Monroe, Louisiana, providing for the recordation of the entire boundary as amended: establishing the effective date thereof, and providing further with respect thereto – Applicant: Love’s Travel Stop – (P&Z)
Ms. Woods asked if we were enlarging the City’s boundaries to Love’s Truck Stop into the City Limits of Monroe.
Mrs. Sturdivant said yes.
Mrs. Ellen Hill, PUD Director, stated for the record that the City of Monroe intends to annex the property that includes Love’s Truck Stop out on Milhaven so it should give the City quit some activity into the City.
(b) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to introduce an Ordinance adopting and amending the Zoning Map for the City of Monroe, Louisiana and authorize the Clerk to publish notice of a Public Hearing to rezone a ±12-acre tract of land, from being located in Ouachita Parish to the I-1, (Industrial Business Park) District, in order for the applicant to have a commercial truck stop, retail sales and restaurant facilities, at 355 HWY 594 – 355 HWY 594 (12-acres more or less)) – APPLICANT: Love’s Travel Stop – (P&Z)
(c) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to introduce an Ordinance adopting and amending the Zoning Map for the City of Monroe, Louisiana and authorize the Clerk to publish notice of a Public Hearing to rezone a ±5.70-acre tract of land, from the B-4 (Heavy Commercial) District to R-4, (High Density Multi-Family Residence) District, in order for the applicant to be able to convert office buildings into (20) multi-tenant condominium units, at 3418 & 3420 Medical Park Drive – (Lots 3, 4, 5, 9 & 10 and the eastern 97’ of Lot 2, North Monroe Medical Park, Unit 2 (5.70-more or less)) – APPLICANT: Seth Copeland – (P&Z)
(d) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to introduce an Ordinance adopting and amending the Zoning Map for the City of Monroe, Louisiana and authorize the Clerk to publish notice of a Public Hearing to rezone a ±0.66-acre tract of land, from the R-4, (High Density Multi-Family Residence) District to the B-2 (Neighborhood Business) District, in order for the applicant to utilize an existing commercial building for a commercial business (formerly Johnny’s Pizza), at 1707 McKeen Place – (Lots 3, McKeen Place Addition) (0.66-more or less)) – APPLICANT: NKM Rentals LLC – (P&Z)
Ms. Woods wanted to know what they are proposing here.
Mrs. Hill explained that this is right behind Brookshire’s and the applicant wants to do a small manufacturing pharmaceutical. It is where the old Johnny’s Pizza was, and they are planning on renovating that and using that building. It is between the grocery store and the apartment complex, so this simply takes the zoning from the grocery store and extend it to that piece of property. When they updated the Zoning Ordinance that piece of property went into multi-family, so it was grandfathered in. When they closed that location and moved to their new location, and it has been vacant for a while they now want to use it for something else. Mrs. Hill noted that they thought it would be reasonable to look at the zoning from Brookshire’s and simply extend it to that property behind there.
Ms. Woods asked so on item (c) this was already commercialized and changing it to residential.
Mrs. Hill noted that this is where the applicant is repurposing the medial buildings out near old north Monroe. They would like to convert those into high-end apartments and certainly serve the community out that way and there is a need for housing.
Ms. Woods noted that as it stands right now it is just a vacant building.
Mrs. Hill noted that it is just vacant office space that they don’t anticipate leasing again. It was one that they thought would be a reasonable change.
RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES FOR SECOND READING AND FINAL ADOPTION AND SUBJECT TO PUBLIC HEARING:
Open Public Hearing/Public Comment/Close Hearing:
The Chairman opened the Public Hearing and seeing no one come forward the Hearing was closed.
(a) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to finally adopt an Ordinance No. 12,102 declaring certain immovable property in Monroe located on Washington St. between North 11th St. and Pendleton Street as no longer being needed for public use and authorizing the same to be sold to Michael Echols Enterprises, LLC pursuant to Louisiana Revised Statute 33:4712, and further providing with respect thereto. (Legal)
CITIZENS PARTICIPATION:
Ms. Detrick Massey, 1900 Hickey St., she is a coach for the (USATF) Track & Field. Four years ago, she hosted a track meet at Carroll High School, and she brought over 1500 athletes to the Monroe/West Monroe area. This year she won a bid two weeks ago and this year it expands, and she was able to get ULM for this year. At the time ULM was being renovated now she has won the bid at ULM, and this will bring over 3500 athletes to Monroe so they will have approximately 6 to 7 thousand people to come to Monroe and she will be hosting this from June 23 through 26. She is asking everyone to come in on this because they are bringing over 1 million dollars to Monroe. She will like for the City of Monroe/West Monroe or however they need to do this because the town is going to be shut down. There will be people coming from New Orleans, Mississippi, Baton Rouge and Shreveport. We will need the police department’s help. She has spoken with ULM Police Department, and they will be helping but she will need Monroe’s Police Department’s help and support.
Chief Bryant introduced DJ Fortenberry to Ms. Massey and noted that he has a counterpart Kelsea they are specifically assigned to economic development and based on what he heard Ms. Messey say this would be an economic development driver and they can point and navigate some of this that might get you some assistance that you may not be familiar with.
Chairman Marshall noted that he didn’t know if anyone attended the one at Carroll, but this is going to be 3 or 4 times greater than that and the participation then was awesome.
Ms. Massey noted and that’s why she won the bid because they did such an excellent job for the City, and they were so excited and this year since ULM is up and running, she was able to get it there. It was district at that time and now it is regional. The next level they will be going to the Olympics, and she said she has one of her Olympian going to Jamaica for the Olympics. They are also trying to do something for him, but right now this is a big project, and she thinks by working together they can make this happen, so it can continue to come here. She is actually looking a couple of years down the line to try to have the real Olympics here, so if you all can help support this and come together as a family, she thinks they can make this happen.
Chairman Marshall asked Ms. Massey and DJ to exchange information before you leave, and they will do what they can to support this her.
Mr. Wyatt X. Wilson came forward to request the 10th Street name changed to Troy X Street and he wanted to know how to go about doing that.
Mrs. Sturdivant noted that you fill out an application and go to Planning and Zoning, then to the Planning Commission and to City Council for final approval. Mrs. Hill can give you the contact information to get started.
ADJOURN.
There being no further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:03p.m., upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack and it was seconded by Ms. Woods.
Carday Marshall, Sr.
Chairman
Carolus S. Riley
Council Clerk
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.
