City Hall, Monroe, Louisiana
March 24, 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: Mrs. Ezernack, Ms. Woods, Mr. McFarland & Mr. Muhammad
There was absent: Mr. Harvey.
Chairman McFarland announced that a quorum was present, and that the Invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance would lead by Mrs. Ezernack or her designee.
Mrs. Ezernack asked Chairman McFarland to lead 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. Muhammad, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack, the minutes of the Legal and Regular Session of March 10, 2026 and the Legal and Special Session Budget Meetings of March 2nd and 3rd 2026, were unanimously approved. (No comments from the public.)
V: PUBLIC HEARINGS:
- 2026 Proposed Reapportionment Plan – The Chairman opened the Public Hearing and seeing no one come forward the Hearing was closed.
VI: INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS & ORDINANCES:
(a) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to introduce an Ordinance adopting the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Operating Budget as amended and further providing with respect thereto.
Mr. Muhammad motioned to amend the budget to include the following:
Amendments proposed by Mr. Rodney McFarland, I, Chairman
General Fund Budget Amendments-
Amendment No. 1: On page 11 of 63, line 328, increase the 2027 Budget for Travel from $20,000 to $30,000.
Amendment No. 2: On page 15 of 63, line 431, increase the 2027 Budget for Salaries & Wages from $1,034,680 to $1,060,530.
Amendment No. 3: On page 16 of 63, line 442, increase the 2027 Budget for Payroll Taxes from $28,934 to $29,309.
Amendment No. 4: On page 16 of 63, line 444, increase the 2027 Budget for Pension from $257,078 to $264,058.
Amendment No. 5: On page 20 of 63, insert a line between lines 597 and 598 as follows:
Line Acct# Acct.Discript Actual25 Amended Bdgt.26 Proposed Bdgt.27 $Chg. Comments
598 6930.007 CEA-SEDD 100,000 100,000 Bdgt. Special Revenue Fund Budget Amendments-
Amendment No. 6: On page 23 of 32, insert a line between lines 783 and 784 as follows:
Line Acct# Acct.Discript Actual25 Amended Bdgt.26 Proposed Bdgt.27 $Chg. Comments
784 5337.001 Local Grants 100,000 100,000 Bdgt.
General Amendment-
Amendment No. 7: Subject to final adoption, mayoral veto, and any veto overrides, all budget summaries and totals affected by these amendments shall be adjusted to reflect the finally enacted budget.
The motion was seconded by Ms. Woods.
Mr. Creekbaum added clarification for the minutes that amendments No. 1-5 are General Fund Budget amendments and No. 6 is a Special Revenue Fund Budget amendment for SEDD and No. 7 is a general amendment that was not contained herein.
(b) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to introduce an Ordinance amending Section 25-64 (General Fees and Charges) of the City of Monroe Code to adjust fees and charges for community center and park facilities.
Mr. McFarland made some clarifications so bad information won’t continue to spread, saying that the council was going up on fees for the line dance classes from $3 to $15 and this came about 3 years ago before this council came on board. This is for any instructional training at the recreation centers that an instructor can charge up to, it doesn’t mean they are going to charge $15. There are those going out into the community saying that the council is changing the line dance instructional fees and that is not true. Secondly, he said it’s being said that the Council is the one putting these fees together and that is not true. The different departments are putting their fees together and submitting them to council for the agenda, and it’s voted up or down. He noted the Council is not sitting down writing charge this or that it’s not the council’s job, so the ones spreading that information he asked that they please stop because that is not factual.
Ms. Woods noted since they are talking about the centers and the instructor rate classes, she wanted to know about the parks and the facilities.
Mr. McFarland noted again that it was not put together by the Council, it was put together by the directors and that information is in the packet how much and that some of the things in this was already in place 3 years ago from the previous council. Mr. McFarland explained that he and Mr. Muhammad were not here when this was put in place.
Ms. Woods asked for those who are here and might not have the information, what is that rate going to.
Mr. Creekbaum explained that this is a shift in how they have handled fees traditionally with parks and recreation and community centers and simplifies the fee structure process to allow for upgrades. Small shelters and picnic areas will be $25 an hour or $150 for the day. Standard park pavilions and outdoor gathering facilities $50 an hour or $250 for the day. Community and event facilities $75 an hour or $450 for the day. Large scale facilities will be $150 an hour or $900 for the day.
Mr. McFarland explained that this information is online on the city’s site and that the council only votes up or down what’s brought to them.
(c) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to introduce an Ordinance amending Section 25-62 (Chennault Golf Course and Selman Field Golf Course) of the City of Monroe Code to adjust the rates for Chennault Golf Course, remove provisions relating to Selman Field, and provide for related matters.
(d) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to introduce an Ordinance amending Section 25-63 (Municipal Golf Course) of the City of Monroe Code to adjust the rates for the Johnny Myers Memorial Golf Course and providing for related matters.
(e) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to introduce an Ordinance amending Section 37-92 (Use Standards) of the Monroe City Code to adjust the occupancy limits for Sober Living Homes.
(f) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to introduce an Ordinance adopting the Five-Year Capital Improvement Program for the City of Monroe from May 1, 2025, to April 30, 2030, and further providing with respect thereto.
(g) Upon motion of Mr. Ezernack, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to introduce an Ordinance authorizing the City of Monroe to acquire certain real property located at 603 and 605 Atkinson Street, Monroe, Louisiana and providing for related matters.
(h) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to introduce an Ordinance revoking a 15’ wide by 130’ long alley located north of Peach Street, south of Apple Street, west of Railroad Avenue, and east of Jackson Street.
Facebook live went down and council was informed of the issue about 6:28pm and the Chairman called for a break. At 6:36pm the meeting resumed, the live streaming was back up. The attorney noted to the Chairman that although the system is down and by state statute, we are required to stream live but this is a technical issue, and the city is not responsible for what it cannot control as noted in state law. He also noted that this meeting is also being recorded as well and there is no issue with the recording.
VII: RESOLUTIONS AND MINUTE ENTRIES:
1. Council:
(a) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved Resolution No. 9099 authorizing a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with HAMPCO, Inc. to support community inclusion activities.
(b) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Mr. Muhammad and unanimously approved Resolution No. 9100 granting an exception to the Open Container Ordinance to the Damon Williams dba Doc Chilly (First Sunday at the Zoo-Music Festival) pursuant to Monroe City Code Sec. 12-231 D (Open Container Ordinance) and further providing with respect thereto.
(c) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Mr. Muhammad and unanimously approved Resolution No. 9101 granting an exception to the Open Container Ordinance to the Twin City Art Foundation (Off The Wall Annual Fundraiser at the Masur Museum) pursuant to Monroe City Code Sec. 12-231 D (Open Container Ordinance) and further providing with respect thereto.
(d) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Mr. Muhammad and unanimously approved Resolution No. 9102 appointing Larry Bratton to the board of commissioners for the Downtown Economic Development District.
2. Department of Administration:(a) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved a request from the Purchasing Division for authorization to advertise for bids for the G.B. Cooley House Rehabilitation Project. The estimated cost for the G.B. Cooley House Rehabilitation Project is $825,000.00.
(b) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved a request from the Purchasing Division for permission to advertise for bids for the Transit Bus Purchase ITB Project. The cost estimate for the Transit Bus Purchase ITB Project is $778,000.00 – $876,000.00 (Diesel), $1,400,000.00 – $1,500,000.00 (Electric).
- Planning & Urban Dev.
(a) Upon motion of Ms. Woods, seconded by Mr. Muhammad and unanimously approved Resolution No. 9103 authorizing a contract with Bright Construction LLC for Lead Remediation at 4315 Pippen Street and further providing with respect thereto.
(b) Upon motion of Ms. Woods, seconded by Mr. Muhammad and unanimously approved Resolution No. 9104 authorizing a Home Investment Partnerships Program and Healthy Housing Production Agreement between the City of Monroe and AHAYAH Community Development Corporation, Inc. (CHDO) for the rehabilitation of a residential property located at 3903 Lionel Street.
- Fire Department:
(a) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Mr. Muhammad and unanimously approved Resolution No. 9105 authorizing a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the State of Louisiana, Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of State Fire Marshal, for funding of Louisiana Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 4 Operations and providing for related matters.
- Police Department:
(a) Upon motion of Ms. Woods, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved Resolution No. 9106 authorizing the City of Monroe to enter into a Service Agreement with Motorola Solutions, Inc. for Police Communications and Recording Systems.
- Engineering Department:
(a) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved Resolution No. 9107 approving the Downtown Economic Development District Master Plan, authorizing the Downtown Economic Development District Board of Commissioners to implement the plan in accordance with La. R.S. 33:2740.49, and providing for related matters.
Mr. Muhammad asked if there was anyone from DEDD present and he wanted to know if there was anything in the plan to fix the downtown streets.
Mr. Lee Denning,1507 Park Avenue, Chairman, DEDD Board came forward and stated that right now that’s not in the talks, but they are going to follow the city’s direction and mirror what they have planned for the downtown.
Mr. Jim Allenburg, Lazenby & Associates, 2001 Seventh Street, stated that he was asked to cost estimate some of the things that’s within the City’s Master Plan as it relates to DEDD. There are some streets similar to DeSiard Street where it got overlayed as part of the DeSiard Street Project as other corridors South Grand is one, Walnut and North 4th. They are explicitly named in the plan and as the street scaping are done, they will be where the pavement will be helped. There is some flexibility in the Master Plan as the City request from DEDD where that can work.
(b) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved Resolution No. 9108 approving Change Order No. 1 for the WPCC GOHSEP Statewide 5% Generators Initiative Project.
(c) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Mr. Muhammad and unanimously approved Resolution No. 9109 authorizing the Mayor to execute a Letter of Intent in support of the City of Monroe Water Meter Modernization Project to facilitate federal funding through the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
Mr. Muhammad noted that the Mayor was in DC and this is something that came out of discussions on some reimbursements.
Mayor Ellis explained that this was the 7million dollars that was appropriated for a lot of work you are seeing from Atakapa and what we realized is that when you video it and find things underneath that need to be fixed there are going to be some breakout projects to go along with it. This is going to allow the City to utilize some of that 7million to apply toward others such as water meters and smart meter upgrades. Some of the systems right now in a few years will be antiquated, it is pricey to replace every meter throughout the city. This gives us some flexibility in some of the authorized expenses, and it gives an opportunity to pivot going along to help pay for things. This just says if the City draws down money all this requires a federal match or local match and this is just saying this is an approved use for some of the funds drawn.
(d) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved a request from the Law Office of Breshatta Davis, 1207 DeSiard Street, Ste.1, for a Major Conditional Use Permit to allow on-premises alcohol sales, in the B-2(Neighborhood Business District) for a new restaurant and bar. The Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance allows this as a Major Conditional Use in the B-2(Neighborhood Business District). Major Conditional Uses are uses that require a second level of approval; therefore, this request comes before City Council for their approval in addition to that of Planning Commission.
VII: RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES FOR SECOND READING AND FINAL ADOPTION AND SUBJECT TO PUBLIC 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 Mr. Muhammad and unanimously approved Ordinance No. 12,287 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.
IX: COMMUNICATIONS & SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Ellis presented a presentation: update as of March 23 on the Winter Storm Cleanup Efforts by SDR and the City of Monroe and the debris removed is 36,271 tons. He then reported on his advocacy on the hill in Washington DC. He also mentioned the Georgia Street Pump Station – groundbreaking and Southern Hospitality Services – groundbreaking-dual property hotel. There was a Letter of Commendation -Raja Abbas – Monroe Police. Also, March is Youth Art Month – NELA Arts Council and also mentioned the South Monroe Industrial Park – Proposed Plans. Lastly, what’s upcoming – Eggstravaganza at the Zoo and Saturdays in April – the Big Haul – a better neighborhood cleanup.
Ms. Woods thanked everyone for coming and she wanted to recognize Mike Downhour who is the new president of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, but he has left. On last Saturday she had a District 3 Community Major Cleanup and all together with Ms. Marie Brown, and her group, and Ms. Woods group, they had more than 30 people that were out and cleaning up. This was an effort done in conjunction with Zeta Phi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated and there was a nice representation of the D9 out and the famous Bookatorians out as well and people worked hard. Kudos to Kim Essex, she was very instrumental in making sure we had everything we needed. It’s springtime and getting ready for the next Chat and Chew, a community meeting, April 8th from 10am until 12 noon at the Powell Street Community Center. There will be a special guest and reinforcing things that have already been said and letting people know that help is on the way. This was the biggest storm to ever come through the area and right now everybody is taking advantage, and she wants to have an opportunity to talk to the residents in district 3. It’s going to take one step at a time because the minute it’s picked up, it’s back out there again, so this will be an opportunity to talk about all of this.
Mr. Muhammad – Vice-Chairman noted that they had a ribbon cutting in district 5 on Orange Street at the Community Wellness and Resource Hub, the old Dr. Patterson office, it was turned into a clinic for the community. There were proclamations given to Mrs. Ruthie Welch who had her 85th birthday celebration and Mr. Frank Taylor had his 76th birthday celebration. The Georgia Street groundbreaking was held, and it was a long time coming for the pump station and now the construction begins. Mr. Muhammad thanked Ms. Riley and Ms. Washington for their help during the preparation of the budget. Homicides – there are a lot of shooting but fortunately there are no death, and Chief is reporting all the injuries, but we have got to cut down on all these shooting. We are going into the summer, and we are holding at 86 days no homicides in 2026, Mr. Muhammad wanted to emphasize that gun violence is an epidemic and we need to curve it because there are other ways to handle our conflicts.
Mr. McFarland – Chairman announced that he will be having a community meeting on Tuesday, March 31st at Emily P. Robinson Center where they will talk about this debris and garbage that’s on the road. Public Works will attend and someone from Code Enforcement will attend , so everybody can understand what needs to be on the side of the road. There are a lot of things out there the city is picking up and there is still some misinformation stating the city passed an ordinance that you can put all trash out and you can’t. Some things will be talked about at the meeting and refreshments will be served and all are invited.
X: CITIZENS PARTICIPATION:
Mr. Robert Johnson, 2600 Cooley St., Union 2388 President came forward to represent the employees and he is looking at the fees going up, raising rates but when it comes down to Local 2388, which they do not have a contract. When he calls for clarity, they call Council 17 and they do not run Local 2388 unless they are called upon. He was trying to reach out for raises and they are the only union that does not have a pay scale in their contract. The employees deserve a substantial raise; he was one of the ones at the community meeting saying give those guys a raise, there were only 10 full time employees in public works. He is asking this council, the mayor, and administration to give these people a substantial raise, not 2%.
Mr. McFarland noted that everybody knows he is pro union.
Mr. Tyrone Dickens (K9), Dick Taylor St., came forward and thanked Ms. Woods for reaching out on the eastside and making sure everybody was okay and he noted that he did see others on social media as well. He has an event in May, and he asked the council to participate, come and meet these people coming into town, he has Ms. Hattie coming and she has not been to Monroe. This will be a Friends and Family day out at Chennault Park, and he asked the mayor and council to come and participate if you don’t have plans. Mr. Dickens wants to see the council and mayor start coming by these events and if they see them everybody will start coming together.
There being no further business to come before the council, the Chairman adjourned the meeting at 7:14 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.
