City Hall, Monroe, Louisiana
July 09, 2024
6:00p.m.
The Honorable Chairman Gretchen Ezernack, called the meeting to order. She then asked the clerk to call roll.
There were present: Mr. Harvey, Mrs. Ezernack, Ms. Woods, Mr. McFarland, & Mr. Muhammad
There was absent: None.
ELECT CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN FOR THE COMING YEAR 2024/25:
Upon a motion by Mr. McFarland, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack to nominate Ms. Juanita Woods for Chairwoman; Voting in favor: Mr. Harvey, Mrs. Ezernack, Ms. Woods, Mr. McFarland, and Mr. Muhammad to elect Ms. Juanita Woods for Chairwoman, 2024-2025. (There were no other nominations on the floor.)
Upon a motion by Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Ms. Woods to nominate Mr. Rodney McFarland for Vice-Chairman; Voting in favor: Mr. Harvey, Mrs. Ezernack, Ms. Woods, Mr. McFarland, and Mr. Muhammad to elect Mr. Rodney McFarland for the Vice-Chairman, 2024-2025. (There were no other nominations on the floor.)
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 Director of Purchasing Mr. Curt Kelly.
COMMUNICATIONS & SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mr. Harvey expressed his condolences to the family of Mr. Steven Hansen.
Mrs. Ezernack thanked everyone for a great year, and she said it was an honor to service as Chairman. She said Ms. Woods and Mr. McFarland will do a great job as Chairman and Vice-Chairman and she is looking forward to working with both this next year.
Mr. McFarland congratulated Ms. Woods as the new Chairman, and he thanked God for allowing him to serve on this Council. He expressed his prayers and thoughts to the Wilhite Family, better known as PPW. He said that he was a faithful member of his congregation, a well-known famous legendary DJ in Northeast Louisiana. His services will be on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at 11:00am at the Greater Free Gift Baptist Church and the visitation is Friday, July 12, 2024, from 5:00pm-8:00pm. He announced his first Chat & Chew Community Meeting where they will be having coffee, juice, and doughnuts where they will discuss what the constituents need in District 4 on Monday, July 15, 2024, at Emily P. Robinson Center from 10:00am-10:30am. He will also have another Community Meeting Downtown in August that will be announced within the next few days.
Mr. Muhammad congratulated Ms. Woods and Mr. McFarland on becoming Chairman and Vice Chairman for this year. He wanted to embrace charity in love, grace, and mercy as he walks humbly with his god. He thanked the residents and constituents of District 5 for electing him and allowing him this opportunity to serve. He will work hard to make sure that their tax dollars work for them in District 5 as well as the Southside of Monroe. He announced the Senior Citizen s Academy will begin on Wednesday, July 10,2024 at the Benoit Recreation Center over the next few weeks. If any seniors 60 and older are interested in being a part of that experience under the leadership of Assistant Chief Tellis, please sign up. He also announces that he will be having a Community Meeting Thursday, July 18, 2024, at Carver Elementary from 5:30pm-7:30pm. They will be discussing projects that are going on and upcoming projects in the City and to hear from you as citizens of District 5. He yielded his time to President Douzart of the NAACP.
Mr. Eddie Douzart, President of NAACP, thanked Mr. Muhammad for yielding his time and he invited the Council, the Mayor, and everyone to 116th Freedom Fund Banquet at the Monroe Civic Center on July 20, 2024, at 6:00pm, for $50.00 dollars per person or a table of 8 for $350.00 dollars. Their guest speaker will be newly elected Sheriff Henry Whitehorn of Caddo Parish. Their theme is Courage and Conviction Shaping a Brighter Future for all.
Mr. Muhammad said that he stands on the shoulders of the architect Mr. Charles Johnson and former Mayor James E. Mayo, who also was a Councilman for District 5 as well as the late John Smith, Judge Robert Johnson, Reuben Oliver, Sr., Attorney Eddie Clark, and Mrs. Kema Dawson. He thanked God for this opportunity to run his portion of this race and he said with the community help we can do.
Mayor Ellis announced the Community pools are open, and he expressed his appreciation to the Monroe Police Department and Monroe Fire Department, being able to provide swim lessons for the community at the Marbles Recreation Center and Henrieta Johnson Recreation Center, he encourages everyone to have their families there and enjoy the new pool furniture that the Council procured for them. He encouraged everyone to take the children out and get swimming lessons or just enjoy the pool. He gave an update on the underground drainage project, a project that is going on for the next few years that will get rid of all the debris that is clogged in the system that causes major blockages for neighborhoods that causes other issues. He said this is a citywide project and with the help of Congressman Letlow s assistance with the water bill we were able to get this done and he gave his appreciation to her for her help. He said that they had a great time at the inauguration and congratulations to everyone that was sworn in. He thanked Mrs. Ezernack as her time a Chairman for her leadership. He congratulated Ms. Woods and Mr. McFarland for Chairman and Vice Chairman, and he looks forward to getting some work done.
Ms. Woods thanked everyone for coming tonight and she thanked Mrs. Ezernack for her leadership over the last year. She said Mrs. Ezernack and herself have served on the Council for the last 8 years and they both are in their final years of service to the Monroe City Council. She thanked everyone for their support, the love, and everything they have shown over the past 8 years. She stated business will be as usual with the City Council. She further stated the Council are a group of people that are all forward thinking and about moving the City forward in a very positive way. She noted the thing the Council is most concerned about is that there is equality and inclusion across all the Districts in the City of Monroe. She said for the ones that are feeling a way, she said put their feelings aside, roll up their sleeves, and let s take care of business in the City. She said she is happy to have this opportunity to serve right now. She said that meetings are going to be decent and in order and she wanted everyone to feel relaxed. She wanted them to know that everything is going to be okay. She announced Chat & Chew With Councilwoman Woods Community Meeting on July 17, 2024, at 10:00am at the Powell Street Recreation Center. She encouraged everyone to come out so she can hear what s on their mind. She said she will not be talking but she is coming to listen to see how the City can do better. She said how to make this a City we all can be proud to live in, raise our families, and invite others to cheer with us. She thanked Mr. McCallister for getting the lights placed on the Renwick Street Bridge and she is excited about it. She said she is going to cross over the bridge and get a feel of it for herself and she will come back and tell everyone else about it.
Upon motion of Mr. Harvey and seconded by Mrs. Ezernack, and the minutes of the Legal and Regular session of June 25, 2024, were unanimously approved. (There were no public comments.)
PROPOSED CONDEMNATIONS:
(1.) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack and seconded by Mr. Harvey to remove from the agenda 104 Jason Dr. (D5) owner Lorthel Pratt, Huey Mathis, & 111 Marketing, LLC. (There were no public comments.)
Mr. Muhammad stated the property is in District 5.
Mrs. Ezernack wanted to know if there was a reason the item was removed from the agenda.
Mr. Tommy James, Code Enforcement Officer, noted there is a new owner and they will have to start the process over.
(2) 2710 & Gordon Ave. (D4) owner (John H. Coleman Jr. & Abigail Land Holdings 8, LLC) Notice to show cause was served. Photographic evidence was presented. There was no one present. Upon motion of Mr. McFarland, seconded by Mr. Muhammad 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. James stated this is an open dilapidated unsafe structure and it was presented in Environmental Court in January. He said it is a very unsafe structure with very high grass. They are asking the property be condemned giving the property owner 30 days.
Mr. McFarland motion to condemn the property giving the property owner 30 days to bring the structure into compliance with the Code.
ACCEPTANCE OR REJECTION OF BIDS:
(a) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mr. McFarland and unanimously approved to Passover a Resolution accepting D&J Construction Company, LLC s agreed upon base bid for the Monroe Regional Airport Taxiway D. Construction Phase 1 Project until the July 23, 2024, City Council Meeting. (There were no public comments.)
Mr. Muhammad wanted to Passover this item until the first Council meeting in August.
Mrs. Ezernack wanted to know if there is a time restraint.
Mayor Ellis wanted clarification if this will affect federal funding.
Mr. Brandon Creekbaum, City Attorney, noted as far as he understands the project has an obligation of August 1st or it is a potential the City loses the funding. He said Mr. Butcher can speak to the specific because he doesn t want to speak out of term.
Mr. Charles Butcher, Airport Director, stated this is a federal funded project for the Taxiway and it is obligated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and State for this project. He stated the funds run in cycles and the City run the risk of losing the grant, but he is not sure of the deadline.
Ms. Woods stated the Council gets an opportunity to meet again prior to August 1st. She wanted to know why Mr. Muhammad asked the Council to Passover this item.
Mr. Muhammad stated he has a meeting with the Mayor and wanted to know a little more about it. He said if it s pressing it should have been on the last meeting and he is just coming into the knowledge of it. He said this is a big project and he wanted to make sure he is making the right decision. He said he hasn t had the opportunity to speak with anyone about it.
Mayor Ellis wanted to know if Mr. Butcher can look into the deadline and his only reservation is the City missing a deadline for a 100% funded project from the State and the federal government. He said this project has been before the previous Council and this is the fourth time now.
Mr. Creekbaum said it was brought back for advertisement last year and the Council approved. He said the bids were rejected because the amount was too high. He said it was brought back May of this year and this is the final adoption because the project is within budget.
Mayor Ellis stated the project has been in the airport improvement plan for five years.
Mr. Muhammad stated he thinks this is important and it s important for him to be informed on what he is voting on.
Mayor Ellis advised Mr. Butcher to get on the horn with somebody and he wanted the Council to be informed if it doesn t pass tonight will the City jeopardize a twelve million dollar project. He said it s not fair to the Council to not know that and he doesn t want to miss this opportunity. He said he doesn t have an issue with passing it up and talking more about the project.
Mrs. Ezernack noted the City finally got the bid within what the budget allowed.
Mr. Creekbaum reiterated this is a fully funded FAA and State project. He said the agreed upon bid number has been approved by the FAA.
Mr. Butcher noted he was waiting on the notice from the FAA stating that they would agree with the bid price, and he received the email that the FAA agreed with the engineer.
Mr. McFarland noted Mr. Creekbaum stated this needs to be done by August first.
Mr. Creekbaum noted in his discussion with the purchasing division or with the airport director the deadline of August 1st was mentioned. He said that is why he deferred to Mr. Butcher or purchasing because he didn t want to be inaccurate on that number.
Mr. McFarland said he doesn t want pressure on Mr. Butcher to give the Council a number out of the air saying the Council has to do this tonight. He said his issue is awarding a bid of 12 million dollars and he doesn t see anything about DBE which is problematic for him. He said he desires as a Councilman that any time projects like this are placed on the agenda that there be some conversation beforehand. He said he will not support it tonight and he said they can talk about it but it s not going nowhere with him. He noted he has a meeting tomorrow with the Mayor at 1:30 and maybe they can try to iron this out and get additional information.
Mr. Curt Kelly, Director of Purchasing, stated when a project comes before the Council for permission to advertise that is when the DBE goal is discussed. He said all projects go before the internal DBE committee but on federal projects the DBE goal are approved by the FAA. He further stated any project that is federally funded for the airport has already been approved though the FAA. He said the FAA sets a goal which the City has an approval letter from FAA for the City DBE goal. He said when the City gets permission to advertise from the City Council
it goes before the Council. He said that is when the DBE goal is discussed, and the Council approves go forward with advertising a project. He said the reason the Council don t see anything in this particular resolution is because it is not time for the DBE goal and the it is discussed prior. He said the reason it didn t come before the last Council at the time of the bid opening it fell between two different Council meetings and they had to wait on approval from FAA. He said the DBE goal was already approved and set back in May.
Mr. McFarland noted the former Council rushed through so many other things in the last three meetings and they could have easily put this item on the agenda too. He said either way he is entertaining the Council Passover this item.
Mr. Kelly stated for clarification that when the City put a project out for bid the City comes before the Council for permission to advertise and advertise within 60 days. He said it is a public bid which range anywhere within the 60 day timeframe, and it has nothing to do with the Council from that point. He said the bid opening was the end of June right before the last Council meeting and by law the City have to give the contractor 3 days when it is an FAA project to get their documents. He said once the City gets the 3 day documents they then have to get approval from the FAA. He said none of this is the City funds and it is all FAA funds. He said that is why it couldn t be rushed the City had to get approval from the funding authority.
Mr. Muhammad noted he is concerned that he doesn t have information and he needed to meet with Administration about what is going on. He said he is not trying to hold up any project and he think the City needs the project.
Ms. Sonya Jacobs, said she is going to digress because the Council will go into further discussion, but she wanted to reiterate there is too much ambiguity around the entire process of inclusion. She said the City is not at all intentional with the approach of inclusion. She said as it relates to the DBE goal which is her area of expertise, and she is an SME. She said she digress at this juncture because there has to be more intentionality as the City approach the future of all these projects and the multiplied millions that will be spent of the taxpayers dollars.
Ms. Woods wanted to know if there is anyone Mr. Butcher could get on the phone with to tell the Council today when the obligation is.
Mr. Butcher stated he would contact the program manager.
Mr. Creekbaum noted even if it is August 1st, but it may be later, and he hope it is. He said there is another meeting between now and then. He further noted for Councilman McFarland the DBE goal on this project approved by the Council in May 2023 was 8.31% and the DBE approved May of this year was also 8.31%. He said that was the amount approved by the FAA through there guidelines and process.
Mr. McFarland stated the Council will definitely need to revisit that with those numbers.
Ms. Woods stated the Council is not trying to jeopardize the money. She wanted to know if the City is certain there will be another meeting.
Mrs. Ezernack noted the next Council meeting is July 23rd.
Ms. Woods wanted Mr. Butcher to check, and she stated if the Council need to table this and come back that is what they will do.
Mr. McFarland said if the Council has to come back before July 23rd the Council can always call a special meeting. He said he believes the Charter states it only takes three Council members to call a special meeting.
Mr. Creekbaum noted, or the Chair can unilaterally call it.
Ms. Carlous Riley, Council Clerk, wanted clarification of the date to Pass over.
Mr. Creekbaum stated the original motion of Mr. Muhammad was the first meeting in August.
Mr. Muhammad noted if he finds out the deadline the Council can change it.
Mr. McFarland stated the Council can t do the first meeting in August if it is due by August 1st.
Mr. Harvey wanted to know if the July 23rd meeting would work.
Mr. Muhammad reiterated he doesn t know the deadline. He motion to postpone until the first meeting in August pending if the deadline falls in July prior to August 1st. He further stated if not the Council can pass it over until the first meeting in August.
Mr. Harvey wanted to know the reason to go two meetings.
Mr. Muhammad noted he has no problem with it being the next meeting and he needed information on what is going on.
Mr. Harvey noted he would support Mr. Muhammad motion for the July meeting.
(b) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved Resolution No. 8736 accepting the RFQ Response of Service Group Unlimited, LLC, to provide environmental review services for the Lead Hazard Control Reduction Grant and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
RESOLUTIONS AND MINUTE ENTRIES:
Council:
(a) Upon motion of Mr. McFarland, seconded by Mr. Muhammad and approved Resolution No. 8737 amending Section 2.3 of the Rules of Procedure of the Monroe City Council to provide additional duties for the Council Chairman and further providing with respect thereto. (Mr. Harvey & Mrs. Ezernack Nay)
Mr. Creekbaum stated in the transcription of the resolution the City provided a revised resolution and the words of the Council were emitted from the last sentence, but it was corrected.
Ms. Brenda Joyce Williams, 502 Carlton Avenue, wanted to know what are the additional duty of the Chairman means.
Mr. Creekbaum stated Rule 2.3 describes the duties of the Council Chair and begins with the Council Chair shall preside over the meetings and provide several additional duties. He said the proposed change is to add a sentence to the duties of the Chairman that says, The Chairman shall review and approve all items to be placed on the Council agenda. He said it will provide the Chairman the authority to review and approve all items before they can be placed on the agenda.
Mrs. Ezernack stated she would like to know the rationale behind this item and what it really means. She said if the Chairman takes something off the agenda that means the rest of the Council doesn t have an opportunity to talk about it. She further stated she has a concern that it is not being done in a public meeting as well as there is no discussion about it. She noted how would the Council know what has been removed as a Council person. She wanted to know how as a Council person it would affect projects she, engineering, or any other person may have. She further noted she really has a problem with supporting this and it s taking away some of the things the Council were elected to do.
Mr. Harvey stated he thought the Attorney General (AG) opinion that came out years ago was a positive for the Council. He said he feels this is something that ultimately benefits the Council because they all have their unique set of issues with constituents. He said thinking beyond today or even four years from now it will all hopefully look different. He said the Council have seen times where a Council person would hold appointments even though another Council members where putting them on there. He further stated he thought the AG opinion got the Council back to the right place and it feels they are going backwards again.
Mr. McFarland noted this is a City Council meeting and he doesn t believe the Chair will object to a Council person putting something on the agenda. He said he is in favor of this, and the Chairperson is the gatekeeper, and it gives that person the opportunity to look over the items and approve them. He said he don t believe if a Council person puts something on the agenda that it will be taken off or remove without the Council s knowledge.
Mr. Harvey stated if the Council felt strongly about that the Council could codify that and ultimately put it in the language. He said then it takes the subjectivity out of it.
Mrs. Ezernack noted if she has a project that comes through Engineering, but it is taken off. She said that is still a project in her District that she should have an opportunity to talk about and support. She further stated that has to happen among the entire body and it doesn t need to be the responsibility of one person to make that decision. She said they re going to be trying to find all the information before the meeting or the agenda comes out to find out all the particulars of it. She said even though they are talking about Council putting something on the agenda she thinks it s a little deeper than that.
Mayor Ellis stated Councilman Harvey brought up a very good point and he wanted to know how that conflicts with the AG opinion.
Mr. Creekbaum said it doesn t and he reviewed the AG s opinion, and the AG opinion was requested he thinks two years ago by Senator Katrina Jackson, joined by Representative Adrian Fisher, and Ms. Pat Moore. He said at the time there was some issues about who had the power to add things to the agenda and the opinion was sort based on the law, the Council rules, and the Charter about who has the authority to add items to the agenda. He said the ultimate opinion of the AG was that any Council member had the authority to add an item to the agenda long as it is requested before the 3pm deadline. He said the reason for that opinion was based on the fact that there is no provision in the law that governs how the agenda must be sent and the Home Rule Charter jurisdiction which the City had no specific item in the Charter that said how the agenda is set and approved. He said tonight the Council is proposing to change those rules to specify how the agenda can be set.
Ms. Marie Brown, 1002 5th Street, noted she is hearing a lot of laws and facts but a while ago the City had a material change in something and it was allowed to go though without bringing it back before the Council again. She said there was a removal from the engineer department with no transparency and statement made that the City have to keep things a secret, so people won t know. She said now the City has a chance to make sure that the citizens are being treated fairly and know what is going on. She noted to quit making things one sided when it comes to the community and if the Council know the rules now they knew the rules in the past. She said if they keep it business as unusual nothing will change, and she said there are a lot of things she wanted an explanation for. She said last time the Council approved $250,000 for a change order and she went down Parkview Drive and she doesn t she anything being done. She said the Council should do an independent audit so the citizens can see where the money has been spent. She said she hear the big numbers but don t see the big work. She said allow the Council to work together and if they know the rules and regulations now it s amazing they didn t know them in the last four years.
Mr. Curtis Garth, 2300 Georgia Street, stated he has requested to get on the agenda over and over again since March 8, 2021. He said it s in writing and he wanted the people to hear for them to make a decision on what they want to do. He said folks have skillfully avoided doing it.
Ms. Paticia Turner, 315 Marshall Drive, stated the good news is that the City currently have a Chairperson that the Council feels will be equitable and agreeable that the Council will engage and work together. She said it s alarming that moving forward what happens when that is not the case and when the Council get to situation with conflict. She said the reasonable thing to do as a Chairperson is question each Council persons on what the agenda would look like and what is necessary and needed at that time. She said moving forward beyond this Council to put that in place is very scary especially if the City have someone who comes in who have their own personal agenda and doesn t have the best interest of the City at large.
(Before moving to the next agenda item with no objection from the Council Mr. Creekbaum stated Mr. Butcher spoke with the FAA and the deadline is July 25th. He said the item would have to be considered at the next meeting and the FAA would be notified of the outcome that evening.)
(b.)
Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved Resolution No. 8738 confirming the appointment of Anna M. Reed to the Board of Commissioners for the Southside Economic Development District and further providing with respect thereto.
Mr. Muhammad stated Ms. Reed will represent District 5 for the Southside Economic Development District (SEDD) Board. He said he is committed to seeing SEDD work and the last four years the City has had problems with SEDD. He said he is committed to putting people who will attend the meeting and he is concerned that the Mayor has two appointments currently with SEDD.
Mr. Creekbaum noted that issue has been addressed and he thanked Mr. Tony Little for pointing that out. He said the City records indicate that Mr. Goodin expired January, but it was actually October. He said the City did inform Ms. Steveson he appointment is invalid, but it will be in October.
Ms. Anna Reed, 1902 Medra Drive, thanked Mr. Muhammad for putting her on the board and she said she has an opinion that men may not like. She said that women work, and men talk, and she is happy for the appointment.
Mr. Tony Little said he think Ms. Reed has been a part of Reverend Roosevelt Wright s safe neighborhood community and he said SEDD did need some women on the board. He said he said he has been an advocate of women coming to the board and may be if she don t believe men work maybe some Council people will weigh in as to how much he bug people about the City issues.
(c.) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved Resolution No. 8739 approving a Professional Services Agreement with Proworks Productions, LLC to provide Videography Services for the Monroe City Council and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
(d.) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved Resolution No. 8740 granting an exception to the Open Container Ordinance to the Twin City Art Foundation for an Exhibition Reception and Talk for Angela Fraleigh: With Ready Eyes, at the Masur Museum of Art) pursuant to Monroe City Code Sec. 12-231 D. (Open Container Ordinance) and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
(e.) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mr. McFarland and unanimously approved Resolution No. 8741 granting an exception to the Open Container Ordinance to the Twin City Art Foundation for an Exhibition Reception and Talk for Julie Crews: I ll Be Right With You, at the Masur Museum of Art) pursuant to Monroe City Code Sec. 12-231 D. (Open Container Ordinance) and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
Department of Administration:
(a) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved to Consider an Application by Marisol Rubio Purata dba Taqueria San Luis, 4331 Sterlington Rd., Monroe LA 71203 for a RENEWAL 2024 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) (There were no public comments.)
Mr. Muhammad wanted to know where this is located.
Mrs. Ezernack said it is where the Old Magic Grill used to be on Highway 165.
Department of Planning & Urban Development:
(a) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved Resolution No. 8742 approving the submission of the city of Monroe s fy 2024 Annual Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) Project No. B-24-MC-22-0005 in the amount of $732,121.00 and the Home Investment Partnership (HOME) Grant Program Project No. M-24-MC-22-0206 in the amount of $303,884.00 and further providing with respect thereto.
Ms. Kenya Roberson, 116 Glenwood Drive, stated she is appreciative of this item. She said a couple years ago when she learned of this project she begin to ask about the procedure and how other nonprofit organizations can be apart. She said this year she was given the information early enough where she could get it to some of their members. She said she was very pleased with the presenter who met with them, and she thinks United Way was a part of this as well. She said Ms. Hill and Ms. Tisa Dhaliwal, Compliance & Research Coordinator answered questions, had virtual meetings, and in person meetings were quite transparent. She said it should not stop with this and she said the presenter was amazing. She said these are the type of things the Northeast Black Chamber can assist, and they just have to be made known of the process and opportunities.
Mrs. Ezernack stated she has heard great things about the facilitator from other people who attended the session.
Ms. Ellen Hill, Director of Planning and Urban Development, stated the training
that was offered for nonprofits started out through the public hearing. She said it is always a challenge to get the community informed, engaged, and educated so that they can come to them with project ideas. She said they are grateful the Council thought this was worth investing. She said they leveraged grant dollars along with the Council dollars in order to make it happen. She said she believes Mrs. Yolanda Washington, Internal Auditor, has been working with the facilitator and talking with the Council in order for them to continue to offer the training. She said the goal is to build the community by building organizations and they have set aside CDBG money again in their proposal to continue working with United Way. She said the coming months they will come before the Council to talk about what that investment looks like because they look at it as an investment in the community.
Ms. Woods thanked Ms. Hill for the good work she does in the community, and she said those dollars will really help people.
Ms. Hill said every year they come before the Council with their action plan to propose different activities. She said she wanted to highlight that funds are always challenging. She said they have lost a total of $59,000 in CDBG funding just from last year until this year and a little bit of HOME dollars. She said there is a tight competition for those dollars that is why they look for other grant funding.
Department of Public Works:
(a) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mr. McFarland and unanimously approved to Passover a resolution approving Work Authorization No. 6 between the City of Monroe and Garver LLC for the Taxiway D Construction Phase 1 Project at the Monroe Regional Airport
until the next City Council Meeting July 23, 2024. (There were no public comments.)
Mr. Creekbaum noted this item is paired with item (a) under Acceptance and Rejection of Bids.
Engineering Services:
(a) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mr. McFarland to Passover a Resolution approving Change Order No. One (1) for the Texas Standifer Trunkline Repairs Project until the next City Council meeting July 23, 2024, and further providing with respect thereto. (Mr. Harvey & Mrs. Ezernack Nay)
Mr. Muhammad stated this project he needed to learn more about because he keeps seeing it on the agenda and it is affecting the whole city. He said particularly a lot of people in South Monroe and lot of yards are messed up. He said it is a major project that has been going on for years, but he doesn t see it progressing as it should.
Mr. Morgan McCallister, City Engineer, noted this project has gone on for a quite a long time and he would love to sit down to explain a lot of the details around this project. He further noted this is Phase 1 of the Texas Standifer Trunkline and the first phase is 92 hundred linear feet, and the City is coming back with cured in place pipe (cipp) lining. He said the entire line is roughly eighteen feet below grade and in order to get to that the City have to do some major excavation that include trench boxes, benching, and things of that nature. He said this project is specifically in the street right way and he said it runs from Southwest to Northeast. He said beyond that 92 linear feet is another 6000 linear feet to the Texas Lift Station at Ouachita Avenue which is Phase 2 that the City is currently cleaning.
Mr. Muhammad wanted to clarify if this is the item the contractor is asking for more time.
Mr. McCallister said yes, they are asking for 86 days, and he said from manhole to manhole the crew that is doing this work have a limited amount of time to get the cipp lining in place. He said it s an inverted component that is placed within that line and that stood on scaffolds.
(Mr. Harvey leaves meeting at 7:16 pm.)
(Mr. Harvey returns to the meeting at (7:18 pm.)
Mr. Muhammad wanted to know what is causing the mains to break.
Mr. McCallister stated fifty years of deterioration and the City is rebuilding the line. He said it serves 2/3 of the City of Monroe. He said if they don t get it in the City can lose two hundred thousand plus dollars. He further stated this not adding any money and it is just days.
Ms. Brown wanted to know where is Texas/Standifer.
Mr. McCallister noted this reference the Texas/Standifer project.
Mr. Muhammad stated it runs from Texas Avenue down to Standifer.
Ms. Brown wanted to know how long the contractor have been working on this project.
Mr. McCallister said about a year and a half.
Ms. Brown said when you live in a community but don t really see this kind of major work going on. She said she rides around her community constantly looking for work she sees on the agenda that suppose to be going on. She said she would like to know exactly what kind of work is going on because she just doesn t see it. She said she need to see the crew out and she noted the overpass on Orange Street was shut down for a long time. She further noted when they finally left she went up there and she saw no improvement. She said she sees all the stuff being blown out, but she never see any trucks in her neighborhood hauling off debris that has been blown out with the six million dollar truck.
Mr. Muhammad wanted to know the rewarding benefit when this is completed in terms of the Trunkline.
Mr. McCallister stated the City is going to achieve reclaiming capacity within that main artery in the City that serves 2/3 of the City of Monroe. He said the City has a host line that was slip lined roughly 50 years ago that is coming off. He further stated there is tar like material and it has been great effort to caught that before it hits the wastewater treatment plant.
Mayor Ellis noted the City have three major sewer trunklines that cut through the City, and it was severely impacted to the point for two miles it stopped up. He said the City could not give a Will Serve letter because the City could not serve the capacity of new homes being built with sewer. He said it was one of the City s biggest challenges from an infrastructure standpoint that restricted growth for the community.
Mr. McFarland noted the City has a contract and there should be a penalty for not completing it at a certain time. He said now the City is coming to the Council for 86 more days but either way they have to complete the job, but they will owe the City. He said if the job is not complete by a certain time unless it slipped through the cracks to not put a penalty in the contract concerning the deadline.
Mr. Creekbaum noted liquidated damages is what are frequently referred in long scale construction contracts. He said the contracts are normally built in that the owner (the City) will make reasonable allowances for things beyond the contractors control. He said Mr. McFarland is absolutely correct, if considering normal and reasonable customary allowances such as weather delays; if the contractor fails to meet the deadline then liquidated damages are the standard penalty.
Mr. McFarland wanted to know who keeps up with the weather days and how can it be verified.
Mr. McCallister stated the City keeps up with the weather days through CNI contract with Arcadis. He said there is a fulltime inspector on site and the City does periodic inspections which is logged. He said there are daily reports that are generated for this project and the City have a monthly report meetings on all projects.
Mr. McFarland wanted to know if the report is in the Council s packet.
Mr. McCallister said no sir it was not, and he said he is referring to daily reports.
Mr. McFarland stated maybe he missed something that gave verification that that actually happened. He said he is not buying the 86 days at this time, and he said maybe after the meeting with the Mayor it can be revisited. He said if Mr. McCallister can get documentation to convince the Council otherwise, he has no issue.
Mr. McCallister noted when the City ask for additional days he will provide the Council with documentation. He further noted if the City move to applying liquidated damages on every project the City could potentially run into issues of getting bids. He said the City will become known for slapping contractors with liquidated damages for consideration.
Mr. McFarland reiterated to have the information in the packet and the Council wouldn t have all these questions. He said tonight is a lesson learned and he is not for the 86 days just to give it.
Mr. Creekbaum stated there s a motion and a second to approve the Change Order as presented. He said the daily reports that are generated are usually field logs and there will be a daily report for everyday this project is entered.
Mr. McCallister addressed the Council to state just like any new question he has got he will be prepared for that the next time it is asked for.
Mrs. Ezernack said on the last pages of the document there are a couple of signatures where they went back and forth on some of the cost, and some was deducted and some added. She said in the very last part talks about the days and the items they came up with to get the 86 days as well. She said this is standard procedure in any kind of project that is weather dependent.
Mayor Ellis said this one presented multiple challenges because the City could not send a camera down the line assess the line. He said moving forward when requesting additional days, the City will have the supporting documentation to help the Council make their decision.
Mr. McFarland stated if the motion fails tonight the prevailing side will have the right to bring it back at the next meeting.
Mr. Muhammad wanted to know if the Council could amend the motion to bring the item back next meeting.
Mr. Creekbaum stated the Council can make a motion to substitute a motion.
Mr. Muhammad motion to Passover this agenda item until the next Council meeting.
Mr. McFarland second the motion.
Mr. Creekbaum stated Mr. Harvey can override with a substitute motion.
Mr. Harvey noted there was already a motion.
Mr. Creekbaum noted during the period of debate Mr. Muhammad motion to substitute and override that motion.
(b) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mr. McFarland and approved to Passover a Resolution approving Change Order No. Two (2) for the WPCC Equalization Basin Dredging Project and further providing with respect thereto. (Mr. Harvey & Mrs. Ezernack Nay)
(Mr. Muhammad motion to adopt and Mr. Harvey seconded the motion)
Mr. Muhammad wanted to know when the City would expand the dredging project and he said Young s Bayou is in severe need of dredging.
Mr. McCallister stated this particular project is related to sewers and this is at the wastewater treatment plant. He said it is twenty-eight acre equalization basin and it absorbs the shock whenever the City have loading of flow coming into the treatment facility. He said this will give the City roughly a foot and half of dredging for extra capacity.
Mr. McFarland stated his concerned of the Council approving a change order and it is supposed to be completed on tomorrow.
Mr. McCallister noted if the days are approved it will be substantially completed. He said the City have to do a walk through inspection and will provide a punch list in the contractor s presents and the design engineer. He said ultimately would come to the Council for approval for substantial completed and following that they will have 45 days to kept those items on the punch list. He said once that is completed the retain will be released to them and the project will be in final completion.
Mr. McFarland noted in the original contract there is a penalty for not completing it at a certain time.
Mr. Creekbaum said that is correct, he said according to the letter from the Lemoine Company the previous substantial completion date was May 23, 2024.
Mr. McFarland noted his issue is the letter was given to the City on June 17th and if there is a penalty for the company to be paying the City but not meeting the deadline. He wanted to know will the Council continue to see patterns of this every time a contractor can t meet a deadline. He further noted this is a red flag for him because it is only one day and that is tomorrow. He said it s already behind schedule and money is already owed to the City.
Mr. Creekbaum said dealing with construction contracts weather is not typical and this is something the City will encounter on every project. He said if the procedure needs to change it s the Council pleasure on this. He said it is typical to amalgamate all weather delays and do it in one change order. He said weather change orders are typically towards the end of the project to say which days. He said liquidated damage provision are a healthy enforcement tool in any construction contract and liquidated damages is something the City doesn t shy away from.
Mrs. Ezernack noted that didn t stop the contractor from meeting the deadline of tomorrow and they are cleaning up the days they missed in the past.
Mr. Creekbaum noted it is because of the weather delays that the project was not completed by May 23rd.
Mr. McFarland noted the contractor said there is no additional cost for this request, and he would put the same thing in the letter if he was the contractor.
Mr. Creekbaum stated this is not the contractor preparing the letter but the City s retained engineer overseeing the project.
Mr. McFarland said that is correct, and the person who is supposed to investigate and bring back the correct information. He said again the City is saying this will be completed on tomorrow but have already factored in the 45 days. He said the tomorrow date is problematic for him and it is problematic for the Council to approve this, and it is already factored in that the contractor will get 45 days.
Mr. Muhammad wanted to know what does substantial completion mean.
Mr. Creekbaum said it is a legal term which would be punch list items or clean up items.
Mr. McFarland said it was already thought through that it would be approved by the Council because of the pass practice.
Mr. Creekbaum said he is making a general observation that an owner is normally contractually obligated to provide allowances for weather. He said generally it is not a matter of the City granting days to allow an extension of completion of a project. He said if work is not allowed because of some circumstances then the City is contractually obligated to provide the contractor those allowances. He said the change orders are the way that is a counted for in the contractual process.
Mr. Muhammad said he is concerned the item is put on for the ninth and the Council have to vote because it s tomorrow. He said if the City need the 48 days shouldn t have come 48 days earlier.
Mr. Creekbaum said he thinks it s incorrect to say that a vote is for tonight because of the substantial completion date. He said this contractual accounting whether it occurs today, or the next meeting does not make a difference from the accounting process.
Mr. McFarland wanted to know if the City put rainy days in the contract.
Mr. Creekbaum said there will be contingencies and he doesn t have the specific.
Mr. McCallister said on each contract the City works with the design team and estimate the time of completion for a project. He said it is kind of a balancing act for a lack of better terms and if the City have a project and really want it to be done in 60 days the City specify in the contract document. He said if the City doesn t allow enough time the City gets a higher bid price or coming to ask for additional days to be approved. He said giving to many days the City can run into the contractor putting the City on the backburner and won t put forth much effort to get the project done. He said it is always a balancing act on determining the days that go into the bid documents. He said the City assume weather days but that is a figure that they come up with based on the time of the year of construction. He noted there is nothing in the contract that says there are fifteen weather days allowed in this construction and he is not saying it s never done.
Ms. Marie Brown, 1002 South 5th, said it looks like over the last four years the City have become the change order city. She noted the City is hiring people who are not professional enough to do these jobs and once they bid on the job they say they can handle the job. She said it seems the City is always doing change orders on money or time. She said at some put the City will have to start holding people accountable for what they sign a contract to do.
Mr. Muhammad said to Passover because he hasn t talk to nobody and he is trying to figure it out.
Mr. Harvey withdrew his motion.
Mr. McFarland second the motion to Passover this item.
(c) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved Resolution No. 8743 approving Supplemental Agreement No. seven (7) between Volkert, Inc. and the City of Monroe for the Kansas Ln Ext. (Bon Aire-Old Sterl.) Phase 3 Project (H.007289) and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
(d.) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved Resolution No. 8744 approving a Master Services Agreement with Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering (ICE) to provide engineering and other related professional services and further providing with respect thereto.
Mr. Muhammad wanted to know if the City have someone in house that can do the consulting.
Mr. McCallister said no sir, he stated they are a local organization, and the City has contracted with Ardaman & Associates, but their closes office is in Shreveport, LA. He said the turnaround time is unacceptable and ICE has a local office and have been good at responding when they are needed in the field for all testing.
Mr. Muhammad wanted to know where they are located.
Mr. McCallister noted 104 Kansas Lane.
Mr. McFarland wanted to know if the company is from South Carolina.
Mr. McCallister said yes sir, which is the Head Quarter office, and they have twenty-six offices in Louisiana, Texas, and up and down the East coast.
Mr. McFarland stated he thinks the Council needs to have a sit down conversation and try to look at some things. He wanted clarification if there was no one in Louisiana.
Mr. McCallister said yes sir there are plenty in Louisiana, but the City has the opportunity to work locally with a proven company and that is the route the City should go in his opinion. He said they have done a phenomenal job on other projects and a lot of work in the State. He said his goal is to utilize them for testing and if needed for CNI. He noted they have helped move along the Kansas Lane Extension project where the City is currently 144 days ahead of schedule because they are local and have experienced personnel. He further noted he has no project he is directing them to at this moment, but it is to get them on the books.
Mr. McFarland wanted to know if there was anyone in the department that could do any of this.
Mr. Creekbaum stated this is physical laboratory testing.
Mr. McCallister noted there s a plethora of testing that are outlined in the packet such as density testing, taking samples back to the lab, required to pour concrete samples to be broken and tested in the lab, and geotechnical reports. He said there are a number of things that they do they allows the engineers to make better decisions on their design for roadways and of course buildings.
Mrs. Ezernack noted is a very specialized type of engineering.
Mayor Ellis stated it would be highly irregular for a municipality to have it s own testing lab.
McCallister noted he would go out on a limb to say that doesn t exist.
Mrs. Ezernack said she thinks they have the liability as well performing the test in the laboratory and presenting that information rather than the City taking on that type of liability.
Mr. McCallister stated they follow stringent criteria in regard to their testing.
Ms. Woods stated for clarification that the City is looking to bring this company into the fold to use them as needed. She said not someone the City will be paying and there is not a dollar amount that has been assigned to them to come in to do work for the City.
Mr. McCallister said that is correct, he said Ardaman has been great, but the City had crews shut down waiting on them to come do the testing. He said if the City have a Master Service Agreement in place with them if he need to have something tested for whatever reason they will be on the job site fairly quickly.
Ms. Woods wanted to know if that will be for any project the City is working on.
McCallister said yes and no, there are some DOTD projects that will have their own testing laboratories.
Mr. Creekbaum noted this is a non-exclusive Master Service Agreement and if another testing company locally provides these exact same services he is sure Mr. McCallister would be happy to meet with them and look at a similar arrangement.
Mr. McCallister noted that is outlined in Article 1.
Ms. Kenya Roberson, 116 Glenwood Drive, wanted to know if they are going to be on the list as needed will the City pay them to be an on call facility.
Mr. McCallister no ma am.
Mr. Creekbaum stated the Council is approving the rates for the testing and that would be the only money the City will pay if the City use them for testing.
INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS & ORDINANCES:
(a) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved to Introduce an Ordinance authorizing the City of Monroe to take Corporeal Possession of and sell to Chandra Melancon all rights, title, and interest that the city may have acquired to Lot 4, H l & J s Rosenheim s Resub. Lots 11,12, 13, & 14, Sq. 6 Alexanders Addition, Ouachita Parish, no situs Jackson St., District 4, Monroe, La, by Adjudication at Tax Sale dated June 11, 2019, and further providing with respect thereto.
Mr. Muhammad encouraged the community to buy property and in South Monroe there are plenty of areas for sell. He wanted to know where the community can get a list of adjudicated property.
Mr. Brandon Creekbaum, City Attorney, noted the adjudicated property program is mostly maintained by his office and a list is available at the Marshal s desk. He said Ms. Mary Lou Harrison, Office Administrator, is the primary coordinator for adjudicated property. He said the City has well over 300 adjudicated properties and it is available to the public.
Ms. Roberson, 116 Glenwood Drive, stated if the City has over 300 adjudicated properties and wanting persons to come bid is there something that can be planned before the year is out to have a community event. She said also educating the community to be aware of those properties and maybe have some put on the screen for people are interested.
Mr. Creekbaum noted that is a fantastic idea and the primary reason the adjudicated property list has grown so long is many years ago the City of Monroe got an adjudicated property authority from the State. He said the City of Monroe got some Statutes passed by the State that govern how the City sell adjudicated property and it allowed the City adjudicated property to move quicker than an ordinary State program. He said the State Statute that was adopted said the City can only sell the property for the full amount of the cost owed, the back taxes, and all of the other fees that are assessed against the property. He said last session Representative Fisher, Moore, and himself went to the State added a section to the Statute that said the City could also utilize the State procedures. He further stated the issues that the City is facing in his office is developing a new process. He said the State process allows various forms of auctions and what they are trying to explore is what other municipalities have been doing. He noted the City want the adjudicated properties back on the tax roll and back in the hands of the citizens.
Ms. Roberson wanted to know if there is any leverage in to where it could be a meeting of the minds to say it s this amount, but the City will take this amount.
Mr. Creekbaum noted under the City old law there was not but with the new law there is more flexibility.
Mayor Ellis noted with the help of Representative Fisher the City started exploring ways to Mow to Own but there were some challenges.
Mr. Creekbaum stated when this was passed the City immediately started working on trying to develop Mow to Own Programs and how to work out adjudicated property issues. He said through his general research he learned there was a case pending before the United States Supreme Court dealing with tax sales and sales with lots with value. He said the City had to spend some time assessing how that would effect what the City ultimately do.
Ms. Woods wanted clarification with the Mow to Own properties that have to be contiguous, and you can t go around town finding property and mowing.
Mr. Creekbaum stated he was looking at the parameters that Baton Rouge had set up and he said ultimately all adjudicated properties come to Council. He said the policies and procedures impacting this would be presented to the Council. He said the general idea would be the property had to be adjudicated for some many years and the City was looking at three to four years. He said he would have to be the property directly abutting your property. He said the law requires proof that the person has been maintaining the property. He wanted to be clear this program is not in existence yet and if you start mowing the City is not authorizing people to do that.
Ms. Marie Brown, 1002 South 5th, stated she hope when the City do implement this plan that the person must live in that community if they are mowing that yard.
Mr. Creekbaum noted State law requires the person to be the owner of the property next door.
Ms. Brown stated it is already on the books that the City can give these properties to nonprofit organizations and give the property to people who want to build homes. She said the City need to start looking at home ownership because if the neighbor owns their house they are more likely to help improve her home. She said instead of setting this up for people to come outside her community to by up all this property in District 3,4, and 5 is not fair. She said the City is not bringing the community to the table so they all have their all eyes on it.
(b) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mr. McFarland and unanimously approved to Introduce an Ordinance authorizing the City of Monroe to take Corporeal Possession of and sell to Chandra Melancon all rights, title, and interest that the city may have acquired to Lot 6, Square 11, Unit 6, Humphries Addition, Ouachita Parish, 3810 Segrest Mercy St., District 3, Monroe, La, by Adjudication at Tax Sale dated June 12, 2019, and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
Citizen s Participation:
(Mr. Muhammad leaves the City Council Meeting 8:22 p.m.)
(1.) Ms. Brenda Joyce Williams, 502 Carlton Avenue, acknowledged the Mayor and Council term of service and with the addition of Councilmen s McFarland and Muhammad. She said that it is a prayer that they all would engage with their constituents, and she would like to see her voice being heard. She said as they work for the benefit of their districts as well as working with the Mayor, which benefits the entire city. She said that we all want safe and attractive neighborhoods and economic development throughout the city, but it takes a meeting of the minds and joint efforts toward a common goal. She said not selfish and personal agendas, not having a made-up mind to be a voting block without looking at the reality of any given issue. She noted the community is looking for the Council to go forward and continue the progress the City is now seeing. She said engaging constituents with truth and in honor, redeeming the time so that you may respond in wisdom and remembering, To God be the Glory.
(Mr. Muhammad returns to City Council Meeting 8:24 p.m.)
(2.) Ms. Kenya Roberson, 116 Glenwood Drive, said she has learned more tonight than she has in so many meetings. She said that everyone was heard, questions were asked and answered, it took a little while, but we got through it. She said all she was asking for was transparency and education. She said if the City have that we can work together and move forward, because now she has information that she can take that she has learned and teach others. She said she appreciated the Council and tonight was excellent and she said she is truly proud of what she saw tonight.
(3.) Mr. Darrian Belton, 3512 Bon Aire Drive, wanted to invite everyone to an event he will be having at the Marion Street Learning Garden, Wednesday, July 17, 2024, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. They will be giving away free seeds, and they will be planting a pumpkin patch, and installing a little library. He said in Northeast Louisiana, we have until early to late November to grow gardens, so he invites everyone to let s get growing, the seed you plant today will be the harvest of tomorrow. He also mentions that community gardening improves your health, beautification, fosters community engagement, and it flights blight. Also, if we all grow something and traded with each other we could all eat for free, so let s get growing Monroe.
(4.) Ms. Keisha Sparks, 607 North 3rd Street, said their EMR classes starting on August 5, 2024, it s a ten-day class and you get paid as you learn. Their purpose is to get more people involved and aware of their field, not just the field of EMS, but they touch Fire, Police, and hospital systems. It s giving a new opportunity of career, to really be able to impact the community that we live in. Acadian also offers an explorer program which is designed for high school seniors to receive scholarships that gives them an opportunity outside of EMS, but to obtain some certifications while in high school. They are looking to give out 20 vouchers for the Explorer s program which includes their uniform and training where they would not have to come out of pocket for any expenses at all, as an incentive to get more teens involved in the program.
Ms. Woods asked after the ten-day class graduate and then they will be able to get on the back of an ambulance.
Ms. Sparks responded that it s an entry level job but eventually after more training in Lafeyette they come back locally to do classes online. She said that their EMR training, Emergency Medical Responders, where they mainly just drive, but their job is important as well.
Mayor Ellis said that he spoke with her team, and they are very interested in coming into the recreation centers doing some CPR certification training to our members and all of our employees. He said that it s not really a long way from going through the high school program to becoming a Paramedic where they can begin making $50 to $70 thousand dollars a year here in our community, he can see the mission where they will be certifying 120 people in our community to become paramedics and he would like to thank them for helping more people have jobs in our city.
(5.) Ms. Marie Brown, 1002 South 4th Street, said that she also enjoyed the meeting tonight and she didn t feel that hostility anymore. She said there was a notice in her water big letter Juneteenth Celebration all month long and she only saw three events in that brochure. She said one of them wasn t hers and she said doing Juneteenth for 19 years if the City is not going mention all don t mention any. She said she was very offended by not seeing something that has been going on in this city. She said she has to pay the City for these events and it s on record and the City what events are going on. She said just because the City may not like that person or organization they all should be treated the same. She said no matter, we have one Mayor, five City Councilmen and we sit under you and the charter, but at the top of the charter, it speaks for the citizens, you guys represent us. She said until they begin supporting and participating in everything in the city, this is the reason why she doesn t feel a part of the city in the last 60 years. She said to get rid of the narrative that Marie Brown is a troublemaker and understand she is concerned about her community.
(6.) Mr. Tyrone Dickens, K-9, 3004 Dick Taylor Street, thanked the Council because he did get his paperwork. He said he can go head with the flyer and all he needs is a permit. He said the spoke with a police officer about a letter for an Open Container.
Ms. Woods said that comes before the Council for the open container letter.
Mr. Brandon Creekbaum, City Attorney, said Mr. K-9 would need to get with the Council Clerk or call his office.
Mayor Ellis said in order to close the loop on this, what is the action item for Mr. K-9 to get this done.
Mr. Creekbaum said he s been facilitating this, but he is not aware of where Mr. Dicken s status is today, but he will get with who he has been working with tomorrow to make sure this gets taken care of.
Mr. K-9 said that he just needed the letter, and he has paid the money for it and discussing what is doing as far as traffic goes. He also stated that he was going to Arcadian Ambulance to ensure that they will be there at the event for safety purposes.
Ms. Woods wanted to know when is the event.
Mr. K-9 said on September 20, 2024.
The being no further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m., upon motion of Mr. Harvey and it was seconded by Mr. McFarland.
Ms. Juanita G. Woods
Chairman
Ms. Carolus S. Riley
Council Clerk
Ms. Ileana Murray
Staff Secretary
Mrs. Rachel Washington
Council Coordinator
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.
