City Hall, Monroe, Louisiana
March 10, 2026
6:00 p.m.
There was a legal and regular session of the City Council of the City of Monroe, Louisiana held on this date at the Council’s regular meeting place, the Council Chamber, City Hall Building, Monroe, Louisiana.
The Honorable Rodney McFarland I, Chairman called the meeting to order. He then asked the clerk to call roll.
There were present: Mr. Harvey, Mrs. Ezernack, Ms. Woods, Mr. McFarland & Mr. Muhammad
There was absent: None.
Chairman McFarland announced that a quorum was present, and that the Invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance would lead by Mr. Harvey or his designee.
Mr. Morgan McCallister, City Engineer, led the Invocation and Pledge.
Rules of the Day: The Chairman welcomed everyone to the City Council meeting and outlined the rules: speakers on action items must use the podium to the right, have three minutes, and cannot return once finished. Citizens on the participation list may speak on any topic respectfully and orderly. Comments on agenda items must be germane to that item. The Chairman asked that order is kept in this chamber if not he will be asking the Marshal to escort you out. He will keep order in this Chamber, he asked that you follow the rules when someone is up speaking, do not interrupt and respect those as they come up to give their remarks.
Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack, the minutes of the Legal and Regular Session of February 24, 2026, were unanimously approved. (No comments from the public.)
V: PRESENTATION: Walk Around the Block for Autism Awareness – Hosted by: HAMPCO Inc. and Wanda’s Abounding Grace – Brenda Johnson, Shontae Johnson and Tristin Johnson
Ms. Brenda Johson came forward and flyers were passed to council about the their 6th annual Walk Around The Block for Autism April 4, 2026. She said her purpose was to share this information and she was doing this because of her grandson Tristin and she is asking the Mayor and Council for their support by coming out and seeing them there.
VI: PUBLIC HEARINGS:
- 2026 Proposed Reapportionment Plan – The Chairman opened the Public Hearing and seeing no one come forward the Hearing was closed.
- City’s Operating Budget for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 – The Chairman opened the Public Hearing and seeing no one come forward the Hearing was closed.
VII: INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS & ORDINANCES:
(a) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and approved to introduce an Ordinance adopting a Reapportionment Plan for Monroe City Council Districts and providing for related matters. (Mr. Muhammad abstained)
Mr. Muhammad noted that he was looking forward to looking at the complete City Reapportionment Plan and maybe he still has time to do that because there are some other areas we want to look at to possibly reapportion. He knows that back in August they decided to take a look at the reapportionment, so he wants to make sure, and he saw a partial plan on it, and he would like to see if they are going to do reapportion, we need to look at the entire city.
Mr. Creekbaum explained that if the Ordinance is introduced there can’t be any substantial change after the Ordinance is introduced, if anything you are discussing will result in a substantial change of precincts or lines that may vary etc.
Mr. Muhammad noted that he guess he will have to come back with another reapportionment and Mr. Creekbaum said yes it will have to be a different Ordinance.
Mr. Muhammad said he has just gotten the agenda, and he can’t see the lines, it’s all in black and white and Mr. Creekbaum noted that he provided a color copy to the clerk, and he didn’t realize that it was not simulated.
Mr. McFarland explained that this reapportionment is only going to affect District 1 and District 4.
(b) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to introduce an Ordinance revoking a 14’ wide by 150’ long portion of an alley located north of Pear Street, south of Peach Street, west of Railroad Avenue, and east of Jackson Street.
Mr. Joey Riggins, Lazenby & Assoc., 2000 North Seventh, West Monroe, their office provided the Civil Engineering and Land Surveying Service for this project. The project is to be located at the corner of Jackson Street and Peach Street and the portion of the alley being revoked is necessary for the construction of the new clinic that St. Francis is building. The plans and light consolidation plate for this has been submitted to the Engineering Department and approved this is the only formality left for construction to start.
Mr. Kevin Sale, COO at St. Francis, just wanted to thank you for the time as they are trying to build this wonderful building. He provided pictures of the location and rendering of what will be added there and the reason is they have outgrown the space in the clinic. This building is going to be about 8,000 sq.ft. to the tune of about 5.5 million and will be a long term impact for our community and for the health of our community that we serve.
Ms. Woods just wanted to say thank you for bringing these services to south Monroe and for the purpose of those at home and herself she wanted to know what services are provided at this clinic.
Mr. Sale explained that this is an internal medicine clinic, more of your family practice person, so everyday type needs for your healthcare.
Ms. Woods wanted to know currently how many patients a day and this is going to increase your compacity to what.
Mr. Sale explained that it will be over 40 patients a day at this point and we could essentially double because we double in size of the facility. What will happen is unknown, they plan for it to double, and they built it bigger so they can grow into it and see more patients.
Ms. Woods asked if this means new jobs for the area.
Mr. Sale explained that there could be additional jobs that are brought to the community as well as our residency, there is a residency program for new doctors finishing medical school and they come to this clinic to learn more about caring for their specialty.
Mr. Harvey thanked them for their investment and Mayor Ellis also thanked them for what they did for and with our community.
VIII: RESOLUTIONS AND MINUTE ENTRIES:
1. Council:(a) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved Resolution No. 9093 granting an exception to the Open Container Ordinance to the NELA Children’s Coalition for an event (The Dragon Boat Festival) on ULM Campus pursuant to Monroe City Code Sec. 12-231 D (Open Container Ordinance) and further providing with respect thereto.
2. Department of Administration:(a) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved to consider (1) renewal application for a new 2026 Class B Alcoholic Beverage Permit. The Monroe Police Department has no disqualifying records and sales tax has been approved.
(b) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to consider a request from the Purchasing Division for authorization to advertise for bids for the Civic Center Space Planning Improvements Project. The cost estimate for the Civic Center Space Planning Improvements Project is contingent on the value engineer achieving cost estimate of $2.7million.
Mr. McCallister noted that this project came in at 3.5 million, but if they value engineered this, he estimated the cost of this project to be between 2.5 to 2.7 million for the proposed improvements to the Civic Center.
Mr. Creekbaum noted that the motion should be to approve to advertise contingent upon value engineering achieving cost estimate of less than 2.7 million and Mr. Harvey motioned and it was seconded.
Ms. Woods wanted to know if there will be any additional cost once this is done or is there another phase.
Mr. McCallister explained that they could potentially get bids back over the 2.7 and it would be up to us to look at it and up to council to approve, but we are trying to be fiscally responsible.
Mayor Ellis explained that we all felt that was a high estimate, so we set a budget of 2.5 to 2.7 million and value engineer some things. This budgeted amount is within our cashflow means and gets us the much needed renovations to the conference center and civic center also positions us as a destination spot.
Ms. Woods wanted to know for the record where the money is coming from for this project.
Mr. McCallister said that it is 100% Capital Infrastructure Funds.
Mr. Muhammad thanked Mr. McCallister for the report but he would have liked to have gotten it sooner. He noted also that he would be interested in seeing what specific line items would be scaled back. Mr. Muhammad said he heard 2.5 then he heard 2.75 and he wanted to know which one.
Mr. McCallister said it would be a range of 2.75, they weren’t posing anything within that quarter of a million variance, he understands that they are moving quickly on this, he spoke with Intermountain on this before he got here and assuming an approval he told them that they needed to meet asap, needed to begin the value engineering and those thing will be brought before you.
Mr. Muhammad wanted to know if they are prepared in case of a scale back because he doesn’t want to cut down on quality in trying to rush to get to a deadline.
Mr. McCallister noted that Intermountain is very good at what they do and we will make sure we have top quality, but everything they deal with is commercial grade.
Mr. Muhammad wanted to know about the procurement fee and what it intel.
Mr. McCallister noted if you are referring to their services for other professional services, you are looking at a 3.5 million dollar estimate and their total professional fee is $95,000 which is well below typical professional fee standards, so we are good there. But when you get into the product total and right now, we are looking at 1.6 million for a total of FF&E package and that is everything.
Further discussion followed on this matter.
(c) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved to consider a request from the Purchasing Division for authorization to advertise for bids for the BJ Washington Community Center (Roadway, Drainage, & Lighting) Project. The cost estimate for the BJ Washington Community Center (Roadway, Drainage, & Lighting) Project estimate $935,000.00.
Mr. Muhammad wanted to know what’s going on here.
Mr. McCallister noted that this is a roadway project that includes a milling and overlay of that entire street coming from Richwood Road #1 going south, southwest to the dead-end and there is a cannel there where there is a traffic barrier to include drainage, parking and lighting.
Mr. Muhammad noted that the cost estimate was as of March 2024 and has the amount changed and Mr. McCallister said no. Mr. Muhammad wanted to know if this included fencing and the answer was no.
Mr. McFarland stated that this is the road, it deals with the big potholes that are on that particular street, so they are trying to fix the street. They have other monies anticipated later this year in order to fix the park. This is just the beginning, but that street has been in disarray for too long and he has been talking about it ever since he has been on this council and this is all this is about.
Mr. Muhammad asked if they could include the fence in this project.
Mr. Creekbaum stated that he believes that the fencing is actually schoolboard property and without looking on the map and seeing how much is on city property obviously we focus on city property.
Mr. Muhammad noted that we need to research that because contingent on approval he wants to see in writing sidewalks, potholes he got that but the fencing, let’s just include that.
Mr. McFarland noted that we are going to get more than that if we just wait.
Mr. McCallister noted that the property ownership is split however the roadway is the City of Monroes property and what’s presented to you right now does not include fencing.
Mr. Creekbaum explained there is no cost estimate in this to include fencing, and you can’t certify the availability of funds if you don’t know what the cost is. It may be appropriate for a change order at some point.
Mr. McCallister stated as Mr. McFarland said there is another potential funding component to this and that would add to this project and it does fall in line with our Oneroe.Monroe.City Plans so it would be a portion of the approved plan.
Further discussion followed on this matter.
- Public Works Dept.
(a) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved Resolution No. 9094 approving work authorization (104856) between the City of Monroe and KSA Engineers, Inc. for the Monroe Regional Airport Fy 2026 Airfield Markings Project.
- Engineering Department:
(a) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved Resolution No. 9095 authorizing a Professional Services Agreement with Intermountain Renovations for the Monroe City Hall Space Planning Improvements Project.
(b) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved Resolution No. 9096 authorizing the City of Monroe to enter into an agreement with the Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development for the Local Road Striping & Signing Project (H.016258) and further providing with respect thereto.
5. Mayor’s Office:(a) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved Resolution No. 9097 approving a Letter of Intent with Prairie Cloud Growth, LLC relating to the proposed sale and development of the former Ouachita Candy Company Property and further providing with respect thereto.
(b) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved Resolution No. 9098 authorizing an increase in the not-to-exceed amount under the Debris Removal Contract with Southern Disaster Recovery, LLC and the monitoring contract between the City of Monroe and Tetra Tech, Inc., and providing for related matters.
Mr. Creekbaum explained that the blanks in the contract should be zero for SDR and $75,000 for Tetra Tech to complete.
Mr. Harvey motioned to adopt, and it was seconded.
Mr. McCallister explained the SDR contract, there were multiple crews working throughout the city and council ratified the initial amount and came back two weeks ago for increase and caping that at 3 million. The numbers we received were roughly 5million for debris removal as stated then we could have asked for 5 million, but council trusted us with their vote in order to be deliberate about the work throughout the city and keeping costs down. You approved a 3 million cap on debris removal alone, that took the debris out of the right of ways to RDMS and mulched and ultimately go to White Oats Landfill. We were successful and he is happy to inform the Council that we are not asking for additional money on that. They will work until the end of the day tomorrow and they have communicated directly and constantly with Public Works.
Mr. Creekbaum explained that Public Works will continue debris removal and transition away from SDR for remaining debris pickup. On the Tetra Tech amount, their cap is $500,000 as of yesterday they are at $400,000 so there is about $100,000 left in there. While debris removal operations have stopped from SDR they still have to mulch all the items and bring it to the landfill and someone has to watch them do that, so we have to continue to pay Tetra Tech to monitor the actual break down of the debris and verify the quality that goes to the landfill. SDR says it will take them 15 to 30 days to complete, and Tetra Tech said 30 days to be conservative and that will take them another 50 to 60 thousand to do that then the reconciliation process to make sure everything matches up and that would be another 15 thousand worth of work based on the rates agreed to get that portion of it complete. That is going to get them a little over the $500,000 cap agreed to.
Mr. Muhammad was concerned about once SDR leaves they are still going to run into some big stuff, so will Public Works be able to handle it.
Mr. McCallister noted that they have been in communication with Public Works in conjunction with Wolf and R2 who have been involved from day one. There is still debris out there and our folks in conjunction with Wolf and R2 can handle the rest.
Mayor Ellis explained with the increase of garbage and trash fees which will be allowed and the new vehicles the discussion with Public Works is to have one claw truck in our fleet that handles the larger debris, but currently we don’t have one so that way long after this storm is gone if they run into another situation where a dead tree falls in our right of way or anything like that we will have the equipment and operators to handle the larger stuff without taring our smaller trucks up.
Ms. Woods noted that they talked about whether or not local companies were going to have an opportunity to work with SDR and she wanted to know if that happened or not.
Mr. McCallister said we did and he is looking for the email he sent council with the full list of all companies locally that were a part of this project.
Ms. Ezernack wanted to know what percentage of debris have they removed so far.
Mr. Creekbaum said he estimates 75 to 80 percent.
Mrs. Ezernack wanted to know for Wolf, R2 and the rest are they being added to the total of reimbursement.
Mr. Creekbaum explained that will be submitted for reimbursement as well.
Mr. McFarland asked if there were any comments from the public and then any further from the Council there being none the vote was called.
VII: COMMUNICATIONS & SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Ellis presented a presentation update as of March 5th on the winter storm cleanup efforts by SDR and the City of Monroe and debris removed so far 30,284 tons. If your home or property was impacted by the recent ice storm, please fill out the damage form at (damage.la.gov). Your report plays an important role in assessing needs and resources. The Mayor also reported happening around the city: the 105th Annual Meeting & Banquet of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, the 42nd Annual Black Heritage Parade, March-Youth Art Month of the NELA Arts Council, The South Monroe Industrial Park proposed plans, Letter of Commendation-Wossman High SchoolChoir-47th Annual MLK Birthday Salute, Congratulations-Wossman Lady Wildcats Basketball 5x State Champs, and upcoming event- Groundbreaking Georgia Street Pump Station-March 11th at 9am.(2203 Georgia St.)
Ms. Woods wanted to thank Mr. Rob Cleveland with his group GrowNELA, they have done some amazing work on the I20 Corridor. Ms. Wood announced her upcoming District 3 Cleanup-Keeping District 3 Beautiful, Saturday, March 21st at 9am.
Mr. Muhammad – Vice-Chairman- Congratulates Wossman Lady Wildcats, the boys are going for 3 straight tonight and championship is Friday night. Mr. Muhammad had a successful community meeting with Chief Zordan at Henrietta Johnson last week and he wanted to report some numbers on Homicides in Monroe which were presented on the screen and that we are on a 72 day streak since December 2025.
The was a celebration for Frank Taylor and he presented a proclamation to him for his community work especially with our youth.
Mr. McFarland – Chairman- wanted to explained that this was the first agenda that was delayed and there are certain circumstances that will delay agendas. He noted that not one agenda goes out without him consulting with his vice chair. Thank the attorney for his work because we were working on the Reapportionment Plan for District 1 and 4 and that was the delay one time out of 17 agendas. Whoever gets this gavel will have some circumstances and situations where agendas will not be out on time.
No one signed up for citizens participation.
There being no further business to come before the council, the Chairman adjourned the meeting at 7:21 p.m.
Rodney McFarland, I
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.
