City Council - Regular Meeting

I would ask that everybody would stand for prayer and pledge at this time. Let us pray.

Gracious God, our father, we thank you for this wonderful day that you've given us, Lord God, we thank you for the life that we do have. We pray, Lord God, that we would execute um that our minds will be clear. we execute in a way that brings you glory, that pleases your name, that if we happen to disagree, Lord God, we pray that we will do it in a way that we keep things decently and in order as scripture tells us in first Corinthians. Lord God, there is a citizen among us who um is literally, we could say, fighting for a life, and that's Lydia Rashel. And so God, we pray as this community has come together with other communities who are have this same challenge and issue, I pray that we would help her um get through the mark and raise that money so that um this experiment can start. I just thank you that you would keep her mother and her father and even her sibling um and everybody who's been a part of this process. Thank you for those who are here tonight, the young people who are represent our city uh for this 99th Christmas uh celebration, Christmas festival. I thank you that you will give these young ladies the courage that they need as they go out to different places of the state uh to represent our city, Lord God. And we thank you for keeping us safe. It's in your son Jesus name we ask. Amen.

Amen. Please join me in the pledge of allegiance. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman and Large. Um, we're now uh to the reading and approval of the minutes from our most recent meeting which was on the 10th of November.

Yeah. Thank you, mayor. I would like to make a motion that we dispense with the reading of the minutes of November the 10th and that they be adopted as recorded. If no corrections second. Okay. Motion has been made and seconded to dispense with the reading of the minutes and to adopt them as they have been recorded. Uh any comment about this particular motion? All right, seeing none, Mrs. Hamilton stepping in for Mrs. Stacy and Councilman PT is out as well today. Roll call vote. Eli, yes. Nielsen, yes. Smith Kirkindo, yes. Harington, yes.

All right, that motion carries. Right. Uh now we're up to the point of the agenda where we have a presentation of our Christmas angels and then we're going to also present our Miss Merry Christmas and the Christmas bell. So this is I know council I this is one of our favorite meetings uh to have and we just have a little plaque that we like to give um to uh everybody. Okay. All right. It's the angels.

Okay. We're going to start with our Christmas angels. We have first and it just say I'll read it one more time. Congratulations on behalf of on behalf of the city of district. Riley Curry is a 2025. All right, Raleigh.

All right, next we've got Harley Brown. All right, he wants to look here. Oh, yeah. Two pictures, y'all. All right. All right. Next, we've got Ramsy Glass.

Good job. Right. That's our very own detective glasses daughter. Yes. All right. We've got Lexi Reagan Seawwood. Awesome. And Michael W.

Congratulations. Got it. All right. Aubrey, Monet, RASHELLE.

All right. Congratulations. Dylan Rose Pero.

All right. Congrats to you. You got it. So, Landry and Strian. All right, Corbin's voice candy.

All right. Back. Yep. How we just do five. Get in front of the Yeah, we're about to line up like this. Oh, yeah. To the back. Oh, the back. Okay. To the back wall. Back wall. Uh, yes. Let's get just how we are. So, and Michael front then Lexi then Ramsey. Come see sister.

Um, yep. Come see Ramsey. Okay. Right here. Come see right here. Right there. All right. So cute. So cute. Everybody look at Miss Kate. Ready? One, two, three. Look at me, Riley. Congratulations, please. One second. One more. Please go ahead and smile. 2.

Thank you. Look, and they were absolutely great on Saturday. Absolutely great. All right. pretty much says the same thing but except for um congratulations American city presented to the person and then 2025 this year first is Madison Goro together. All right. Madison is our merry Christmas. Julian Jillian.

All right, Sienna Henderson. CONGRATULATIONS.

All right. Anna Weaver. Awesome. And lastly, we got Ella Hardy. looking forward to that.

Can we get a picture?

Okay. You centered over city seal there. If you go to me, please. One, two, three. Smile. There you go. Thank you.

All right. This Christmas so bright shining white Christmas bell swirling full of delight with Jill and Sienna tonight. Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell, cheer. It's Christmas and best time of year. Down by river, the lights take flight in the city of lights. Green dresses glowing, moons sparkling white. The bells are dancing, hearts shining bright. 99 years of Christmas delight. We're celebrating big tonight. Jingle bell, jingle bell, look at the lights. The fireworks show is starting tonight. The bells ring. It's magic. Our Christmas tree.

All right. Congratulations again and great job tonight, ladies. Come on, give it up one more time for our 2025 This Merry Christmas in the Christmas bells. All right, that's that's the fun part right there, huh? Yep. Yep. Yep. They did great. The best marketing tool for the Christmas restaurant.

Mhm. All right. Absolutely awesome. Awesome. All right. Now, back to the business, right? Um we've we've got something on for final through planning and zoning. All right. And that's uh Councilman Nielsen. We discussed this on last week. Obviously, it's for final. Councilman Nielsson. Thank you, Mayor. This was a fun ordinance, but it's not near as fun as the last two. Right. Right. read it in title only as it you said it was introduced at the last meeting. Ordinance number 40 of 2025 an ordinance upon the recommendation. Is that right?

38 38 I'm on 40 here. Daniel ordinance amending ordinance number 64 of 2001 by changing zoning classification of property described as follows. It's uh 1041 Washington Street uh described for moving R1 to R1 special exception to operate short-term rental. I move to adopt ordinance number 38 of 2025.

Second. Hey, motion uh is made and seconded um to basically have this property um become a short-term rental. Is that correct, Shantrell? Yes, sir. Okay. All right. Um I don't know. I We've got you here, Mrs. Richmond. Is there anything you wanted to say or not necessarily or? No, I'm just here. Oh, you're just here. Okay. All right. Any comments or questions, council? All right. Any comments or questions from anybody? All right, seeing Mrs. Hamilton, uh, roll call vote. Eli, yes. Neielson, yes. Smith, Kirkindo, yes. Harrington,

yes.

All right, that motion carries. Okay, look, we've got these next three ordinances that are up. Thank you, Miss Mr. and Mrs. Richmond for being here tonight. um these three ordinances that are up for introduction and the first one is read by councilwoman at large Smith Kirkindo. Thank you, Mayor. This is ordinance number 040 of 2025 for introduction. An ordinance upon the recommendations of the finance department and the airport commission that the city council of the city of Nakage authorize a lease of that area under fence at the Nakish regional airport for hay operations for hay operations with James Russell Stacy and authorizing the mayor Ronnie Williams Jr. to execute set lease on behalf of the city of Nacage and to further provide for advertising. Whereas further the finance department and purchasing department has reviewed the current lease and is of the opinion that Mrs. Stacy has satisfactorily fulfilled his obligations under leases in the past and is of the opinion that the lease should be renewed for a three-year term with Mr. Stacy. Whereas the finance department and the purchasing department has recommended to the city council that the lease be renewed with James Stacy for an additional three-year term. Whereas under the provisions of the Louisiana Revised Statutes 334 4712, any property owned by the city can be leased to any person person after due advertisement and compliance with the law. Whereas further the city council is of the opinion that they that the hayfield rights are not needed by the city for any public per purpose but are a potential source of revenue if leased and bid further dame that notice of this proposed ordinance be published three

times in 15 days one week apart and monacish times the legal journal for the city and that ordinance be posted in the city hall and this is for introduction. you know. All right. Um I mean, we've seen this before. Ed, is there something you just want to kind of remind us of or

Yeah, I'd like just make a few comments. And these this one and the next two I'm lumping all three together, my comments, because they're all the same except just different pieces of property. But, uh these are hay leases on property the city owns. doing this. It saves public works, uh, labor, equipment, fuel charges. It saves us a lot of time because you're talking about 260 acres total for these three properties, which would be a lot of lot of labor, a lot of time for our public works department. So, it saves us all those things. Plus, instead of it just being bush hoged and the the higher the grass go to waste, it's rolled up and can be put to use and help help farmers around here. We have good years, we have bad years as far as weather's concerned. So, uh like this past summer, we had a fairly wet summer, so hay wasn't very much in need, but they still lived up to their end of the uh the deal and they cut the hay and rolled the hay. you know, when the grass when you get a lot of rain, a wet summer, cows have plenty to eat while they're in the fields, but when it's dry, the the demand's a lot larger. So, it's you, like I say, good years and bad years with the weather. And these are all renewals. The same people that have been doing it. We haven't seen any other interest in the um hay cutting for the city. And it all this works good for the city. It's just a good deal for all of us. Helps the farmers, too.

Okay. Any questions y'all for Ed about this? All right. Again, it's on for um for introduction. So, okay. Um similar piece but different property with the next res with the next ordinance. Excuse me. That's right. By Councilman Harrington. This is ordinance 41 of 2025, an ordinance upon the recommendations of the finance department that the city of Naggetas enter into a lease of 25 acre track in the industrial park for hay operations with James R. Stacy and authorizing the mayor Ry Williams Jr. to execute said lease on behalf of the city nagis and provide for advertising. This for introduction only. Okay. It kind of did all them at the same time. Yes.

Yep. All right. if there happen to be any questions. So, this is not your standard two week layover, right? It's going to come back in um back in January January. Okay. So, there's a little bit more time just because how it has to advertise. But if there happen to be any questions that come up, you could you know it can handle those questions. Um we don't have Councilman PT. Did we get somebody uh Mrs. Hamilton? Yeah. No, sorry. Someone will volunteer. Councilman Nielson. Okay. So with this final ordinance that's being introduced, uh, Councilman Nielson is going to read. Thank you, sir.

Thank you, Mayor. Ordinance number 42 of 2025, an ordinance upon the recommendations of the finance department that the city of Nacades enter into a lease of 29.7 acre track in the industrial park for hay operations with Eminem Farms of Cane River LLC and authorizing the mayor Ronnie Williams Jr. to execute said lease on behalf of the city of Nacades and to provide for advertising and this is for introduction.

Okay. All right. Um again, if anything happens to arise, please give us those questions whether it's a phone call or an email. All right. So, um we're leasing it out to the farmer, right, Ed? That's what we said we're doing. That's correct. We're leasing out to the farmer. Okay. All right. So, next we've got a few those will come back in January. We've got a few resolutions to put uh to vote tonight. Um and that first one is read by Councilwoman Washington Eli.

Thank you, mayor. Resolution number 089 of 2025, a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute the change order number one to the contract between the city of Nagish and the region construction LC for the FY2023 LCDBG street improvement whereas the city natives has awarded 1 million142,566 for the FY202 23 Louisiana Community Development Block Grant improvement and whereas the grant funding was approved for the improvement for Breida A, JC Duplex Drive, My Murder Drive, Quita Drive, Virginia A. And whereas the city of NASA executed a contract with the region construction LAC for the construction of the project with the contract of 1 million20,51140 and whereas the regional construction request a contract to extension 60 calendar days and 90 calendar days due to circumstantial beyond contract. And where is the city engineering draft change order number one dated August the 22nd 2025 to authorize the contract to extension. And whereas the state of Louisiana office community development ps change order number one on August the 28th of 2025. Now therefore be resolved that the city of Nage County hereby authorize Mayor Ronnie Re Jr. to execute change order number one for FY2023 LGBDC street improvement project and I move to adopt resolution number 089 to 2025.

Second. Uh motion made and seconded. We have our engineer Nick Veret here. You just want to start out by kind of um explaining these. They are going to be related to we we have kind of two different street projects going on right now. So I put it give it to you.

This this one um this this first change order uh basically just extended the contract time uh due to the fact that the previous projects that uh regional construction were was involved in were delayed due to rainfall that occurred you know more into the spring than what we normally have. and and and also in the work on JCW Drive, the concrete pavement replacement, uh took a lot of coordination in order to avoid, you know, to avoid problems with access to residences. So, um they would have to pour, you know, maybe once a week and then form up and then maybe wait to for the curing time to to reopen to traffic and things like that. So, the combination of those things, um, you know, we felt like they were deserve, you know, deserved a 30-day contract time extension that was approved by the state, uh, office of community development back in on August the 28th. And, uh, it just been an oversight on my part not to bring that to y'all as a council prior to now. So,

but not costing us any money. Just It's not costing any money. Like you said, it's a time. That's correct. Um, all right. I mean, I we could have you come back and forth, but um Well, either way is either way is fine. Okay. Anybody got any comments or questions about it? Uh, no. We already had uh spoke on some areas that was in the neighborhood, but he already addressed it already. I don't have any um questions. Okay. I think behind those words, y'all, that's actually what was is that Brahma? I think that's Brahma. Uh, looks like Brahma draw. Yeah, that was Brahma. It doesn't look like that now, but at one point this was a part of the process of rebuilding it. Yes. So, it's all smooth now. It's all uh we have everything paved now. Everything paved. Okay. Yes, sir.

Yeah. I got to get over there and take a look at it. But All right. Good. Any questions from the audience about this particular one? Again, it's a change order based on extending the amount of time. Yes, sir. Needed for the project. Yes, sir. All right. Seeing no additional comments, Mrs. Hamilton, roll call. Eli, yes. Nielson, yes. Smith Kirkall, yes. Harrington. Yes. All right, that motion carries. All right, next resolution um related to the same street project is read by Councilman Nielson.

Thank you, mayor. Resolution number 90 of 2025, resolution authorizing the mayor to execute change order number two to the contract between the city of Nacadesh and Regional Construction LLC for the fiscal year 2023 LCDBG street improvements. Whereas the city of Nacades was awarded 1,142,566 for fiscal year 2023. Louisiana Community Development Block Grant Street improvements and whereas grant funding was approved for improvements to Brahma Drive, JCW Drive, Myrtle Drive, Weeder Drive, and Virginia Avenue. And whereas the city of Anacish executed a contract with Regional Construction LLC for construction of this project with a contract amount of 1,20,51140. And whereas regional construction completed the plan work on this project on November 5, 2025. Whereas due to underruns in the plan quantity for several items at work, the work as completed resulted in a revised contract amount of $937,51240. And whereas the revised contract amount represents an underrun of $82,999 from the original contract amount and an underrun of $253,5360 from the grant award amount. And whereas the city engineer drafted change order number two dated November 7, 2025 to increase the amount of concrete pavement patching work on JCW Drive in order to

fully utilize the remaining available grant funds. And whereas the state of Louisiana office of community development approved change order number two on November 13, 2025. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Nagis City Council hereby authorizes Mayor Ronnie Williams Jr. to execute change order numbers one and two for the fiscal year 2023 LCDBG Street improvements project. And I move to adopt resolution number 90 of 2025. Second. Motion made and seconded. Nick, we got you on this one, too.

Uh yes, sir. Uh just a couple of points. Um you'll notice the procedure here is a little different for change orders. The change orders on the CDBG projects uh go to the state for approval before approval by the local government. So just wanted to make y'all aware of that that we didn't bypass you in the process. That is the process for CDBG. But uh when the bids came in, the low bidder uh was regional construction. They were about $122,000 less than the grant amount. So, we knew we felt like we had some monies that could be available to you, you know, to maybe do some extra work, although we didn't we didn't plan that work until we finished all the other work to make sure that we didn't have overruns that we needed some of that money for. And then we actually had about $83,000 of uh underruns in just the plan work items. So, when you put it together, it's a it's an additional $25,000. Rather than let that go back to the state, we actually, you know, we drafted the change order and the state approved for us to utilize it to to do additional concrete pavement patching on JCW Drive, which is really the only place we could use it on the project because uh it could not be used for streets other than what was part of the original application uh and all that. So, um this this will be quite an advantage to the citizens there because there are still a lot of uh failed and cracked concrete uh pavement panels that we were not able to replace at first. So, um it's a it's a win-win situation for us.

So, now you've been able to do it is what you just said that I understand you to say you have been able to do it with that additional funding. Well, no, we haven't started that work yet pending your your approval, but u regional construction is poised to begin that work tomorrow as I understand. Okay. Right. Right. Considering your approval, of course. Great. Great. And like Nick said, it's the only place we only place being a part of the streets we submitted at first. So, it's not like we could take it and use it on other street somewhere. So, that's correct. Any any comments or questions for Nick? That worked out well. It did. Doesn't always happen that way where you have additional money. Definitely does not.

Right. The streets look good though. I know I rolled through there. It look good. All righty. Very good. All right. Any other any comments or questions? All right. Seeing none, Mrs. Hamilton, roll call vote. Eli, yes. Nielson, yes. Smith Kirkindor, yes. Harrington, yes. All right, that motion carries. Our f our final resolution is also street related. It's a substantial completion and it is read by Councilwoman Lord Smith Kirkindall.

Thank you, mayor. Resolution number 091 of 2025, excuse me, a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a certificate of substantial completion to the contract between the city of Nacades and Ape Construction LLC for the 2025 street rehabilitation program bid number 0676. Whereas the city of Nacage has contracted with APEC construction for the 2025 street rehabilitation program. And whereas this work has been completed and whereas a substantial completion inspection has been performed by the engineer and representative of the city of Nacades and they find the project to be complete. Now therefore, be it resolved by the council of the city of Nacage in legal session convened that the honorable Ronnie Williams Jr., mayor, be and is hereby authorized, empowered, and directed to execute the the reference certificate of substantial completion for APEC Construction LLC. And I move for adoption of resolution number 091 of 2025.

Second. Motion made and seconded. This is a standard uh uh process that we go through whenever we're uh near the end of a project. All right. So, uh Nick's got some comments. Well, I just to echo what you said. I mean, this is the the way that we close out projects and finish and all and just kind of remind us what what this one was. So, this is out of

this project. Yeah. This was part of the city's regular uh budget for uh street rehabilitation projects. And um so we did East Fifth Street. We we uh replaced the existing intersection at uh East 5th at Benville Street with a new concrete intersection which I think is working really well including some drainage improvements there. And I think that's that's a been a real plus there. Also from on East 5th from Benville Street to Royal Street, we were able to reconstruct the base and put a new surface there. and also uh we uh reconstructed base and put a new surface on a portion of Woodyard Drive um with the monies that were available to us. So those those were the improvements that were done.

It's looking good. So you see Regional has the one with the grant. APE has this one. Yes, sir. That's coming from city treasury type of type of funds. So, um, so our plan is to, well, I think we got some savings and our plan is to take what the state has given us to then do a portion of St. Maurice.

Yes, sir. That's correct. U, we should have and and you may have noticed that we did close off one of the lanes of East Fifth the last few days. Uh, the contractor did finish uh the repairs uh today on that. Uh there were sections where the existing storm drain system was out into the roadway, which is an unexpected location for it, and it was shallow, and when they uh did their soil cement work, uh the the machinery actually cut into the pipes. So, we had to go in and do some repairs. But, uh so we we won't have the accounting of all that probably for a few days and then we'll know how much money is available to put on the uh with the state money as you said for St. Mary's Lane.

Good. And again, this is a different project, but I'm seeing some emails about it. Two Line Street is what we're going to focus on the council. Y'all see that uh pretty soon as not to confuse it, but since I have Nick here, um two two line and and a portion of Second Street from and I hope Fourth and Fifth Street, too. Uh those will be done as part of the raise grant project. Yeah. Yeah. So, this is this is we got this 2 million from uh is it Capital? Really? Uh it's Capital. Yeah. Capital coming. Correct. And we first got design money and then they came back and graciously we're excited about it gave us money to actually reconstruct a portion of two line. Yes sir. So So how long is it going to be for the raise grant to get done?

Uh it's a good question. Uh right now the final just while we got you man. So this is a way from the substantial completion but I think a question about streets. Well the design work is finally underway. So, um, there's going to be a deadline of next September to have final plans complete. So, by the end of next year, we should be able to go out for bids and probably have a contractor to begin construction the first part of 2027. And we've had to raise grant a while. So, we have used most of that and some of it. Not at all. No. No. No. So, we need to use I say none at all. That may not be true. Is that Is that Is that not true? We use some design portion. We have paid part of it into the design. Yes. Yeah.

Yes. So we have to wait till the design gets finished and then it goes out for contract. And how long we've had this raise grant now? We actually were awarded awarded the money in 2025 but it goes through DOTD and there was a lot of process 2022 right now. I mean 2022 I'm sorry

2022 and there was a long process in just getting us to uh being able to select a consultant. again all those processes are going through DOTD but um so that that was quite a delay and then there's been a lot the last few months the delay has been establishing a revised scope of the project because of cost overruns so um anyway but those those funds the design work is underway those grant funds are being used in the design and then we'll go forward into construction and I know you said two line but I really hope we can maybe look at because it's heavily traveled Fourth Street and Fifth Street and those that road is very nice.

And again, those sections of those streets will be done as part of the race grant project. So when she say fourth street, is that by the daycare center that the list I know we talked about that section of fourth street that's in the race grant. Okay. Cuz I know they floods out cuz today they went through their wave, they would flood out on that area. So thank you. Yes, Nick. Can we expect any improvement on drainage from East Fifth project over to Royal into the ditch? Uh again, Donald fights it. Yeah, we on a ongoing basis.

Yeah, we we were not able to do any storm draining upgrades in that area other than the intersection itself. We feel like the intersection uh at Benville will drain much better. Uh the other situation I think and Donald and I have had some discussions and actually meeting with the uh levy board. I think a lot of the drainage uh further on uh towards Royal Street is all it kind of backs up because there's improvements that are needed in the Royal Street ditch. The one that runs behind the We've overlaid Royal three times. Yeah. It won't hold. Well, and that's Yeah. heavy rain.

I I have seen that and that's I'm definitely very concerned about getting that done, redone before we have a real serious situation with the pavement condition. Yeah, I agree. And also another one that's uh has a heavy issue with drainage is on um North Melrose right there by Burger King. When it rains, it floods. So maybe that's something you can look at too. And again, that's all part of that East Nacadish ditch. Everything everything drainage project terrible sir is that the east negative drainage project you're talking about would that be help drainage project uh and I know we get we're way off from substantial completion kind of when we got you Nick hey

Nick does a great job for the city I will say that um he's very thorough and um technical so but I know that drainage project has kind of been it's been going for some There was a project that the parish received some uh Louisiana water watershed initiative funds that the project has kind of stopped right now because of a of a obstacle in in being able to get right away to complete the project. Uh don't know I don't have the intimate details of all that. Uh yeah because it's really a parish project. It's a parish project

and then I'm going to let them go after this one one more question. One more one more. I know everybody trying to leave over there in breed town. Is that part of the raise grant also too or that's part of something else? Uh where we have the the street closed Raphael Street that is part of the raise grant project. Yes. So I know we said that Miss Blake in that area right there too. We going to try to you know make Okay. Okay. Well, we have done some improvements and I think Donald was waiting to receive some pipe so that the contractor can finish the work right there. And we do feel like that's going to really help that drainage right there.

All right. Okay. Well, look, thanks a lot, Nick. We appreciate you being gracious and taking some things that we really shouldn't have. But again, this is going back to substantial completion. Those two streets, Woodyard, East Fifth. Um, and we're pretty much uh finished with them. I think it looks great to me. Uh, what I can see. All right, Mrs. Hamilton, roll call. Eli, yes. Nielson, yes. Smith Kirkindor, yes. Harington, yes. All right, Mayor, before we close, I just want to ask Mr. Don, if he can follow up with those pipes for that area where Miss Black is, please. I'm I'm working on it. I checked with James Wilson today. Uh we supposed to check on it. Uh we getting it out for

and the young lady is waiting uh who he was contacted with is waiting for the pipe to come in. Right. Okay. Look, uh Clarissa Brown Smith. All right. Thank you, Miss on your financial report.

Yes, sir. So, uh these uh stats are based on uh October's productivity. Um so on the first page you'll see the pie chart and that it shows uh how the sales taxes have been devied up for this uh fiscal year. Um as of today or as of October 31st uh we have collected $12.3 million in sales tax. So that just kind of gives you a a picture there. Uh the next slide is a uh bar graph and it it uh compares the last three years I'm sorry last two years to the current year and uh as of October we have uh increased sales tax collections by 4.8% which has been an overall increase of $570,000. So um over a half a million dollars additional collected um when you compare uh this year to the last two years. The next um slide will show you a detail bar graph. Go back one time for me, Mr. Steve. It has two slides on one.

There we go. So, um you'll see that it compares each month of the year to the same time uh the last two years to this current year. For October, we are slightly down for the month of October. Um we're down by 6%. It equated to about $82,000, but again, we are still um up uh overall for the year. So, not too concerning there, but we'll definitely keep an eye on it. But we are slightly down for the month of October when you compare this year to last year. The next one just shows you the sales tax distribution uh stats. Again, you can see uh this is and this is for our fiscal year. This is not the calendar year but our fiscal year which starts in June. Uh we are slightly down uh for October. Uh we are down um it equates to 3% 3.7% here. um about $49,000 slightly down for the month of October um but again up for the year um for the calendar year and then the next slide just shows you the sales tax collections per month for our fiscal year and again just slightly down there. So that just shows you that representation in a different way. Uh the accumulated stats for our fiscal year which starts in June um we are up 4.2% we are up 250,000 uh over last year. So definitely trending in a positive direction there. So um again for uh our cumulative numbers we're looking at 250,000 uh from last year to this year. Again, it just shows you um the collections versus distribution still up um

substantially. This we're up 4% here um up $241,000. The next charts will show you some stats on our uh economic development districts and uh you can see uh EDDDA we are up 1% uh over last year so trending in a positive direction not a huge variance there but still a positive trend. Um for EDDD's was asking a question. I'm sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Um for uh EDDDC, we are up uh 15%. So um up substantially in our economic development district C. Uh for economic development district D, uh we are up 10%. For economic development district E, we're up 13%. And for economic development district F, we are up 20%. So all districts are doing really really well and that is definitely encouraging to see as we go into our holiday months. Um the next slide will show you um some of our hotel occupancy uh stats. Uh that is our 2% uh sales tax there. Um for uh tip district A, we're slightly down. um it's it's 8% but it's uh a little bit less than $4,000 when you compare last year to the current year. So slightly down there. So we'll keep an eye on that. But for uh TIFF District C, we were up 22%. So um definitely doing really really well in that area. And this is our hotel occupancy tax. The last thing that we have I wanted to show, do we have one more? Yes. So, I know that's going to be hard to see, but we I wanted to share this um this is one

chart that they give us when we meet um with the uh sales tax commission. And um especially knowing how things are uh evolving these days and most purchases are being done online. Um the sales tax commission is doing a really really good job of collecting taxes for online remote sales. Uh we are up 16% uh this year. Um last year, same time, we collected 1.7 million. Um and then this year we collected two almost 2.1 million um uh already this year. So um exceeding last year's um uh stats um by 16%. So they're doing a really really good job of uh collecting those taxes and uh being able to then have the city benefit from those remote sales. So, just wanted to point that out. I thought that was a great stat to show.

Thank you. That's that's that's that's something else. Yeah, that's it. Okay. All right. You know what? I always forget that I want Oh, there we go. That is they hit it. The maps. Yeah. You just hit a map, didn't you? Go back to Uh-huh. We do have city of the map. That's A. Mhm. Yes, sir. A was up 1%, I think. Is that is that what we're saying? Yes, sir. I think so, but let me go back. Just kind of always like to give you a vision. I never remember exactly which one. Just so we know which ones are doing what. If you go to the next one, I think you'll be able to see C, which is up the 15%. Yep. Which is up 15% there. Um,

University Okay. That's the That's how interstate. That's what it is. Mhm. That is Yeah. Up University Parkway 49. Yep. Oh, okay. So, that's up 15%. Yep. Up 15%. Strong. That's good. And that kind of correlates to just that um hotel occupancy um tax cuz it's up 22%. So, a lot of activity out there on the interstate for us. What D is uh D is it's on Jefferson. Um that Yep. That is very small. That's okay. Yeah. Very small area. Um must be like a little bed and breakfast there or something. Yeah. Just all those little small if I'm reading that right. I can't see from here. Okay.

D. Yeah. I don't know what it's right there. But it's it's very small area. Well, what did Hobby Lobby do? Should Should one of these maps be Hobby Lobby? That's probably Hobby Lobby. Hobby Lobby is E if I'm not mistaken. Do we have a E? Um it's not listed on here, but Hobby Lobby is E. It's just one uh one thing. And then F is gonna be your Mill Street. Mill Street. Yeah. Now, this one's showing Hobby Lobby as uh River South. No, I think Hobby Lobby is Well, I just maybe we got the wrong picture. Yeah. Okay. So, Hobby Lobby. What's the percentage on Hobby Lobby? They are up 13%.

13. Okay, that's good. And so, F the Mill Street is up 20. Mhm. That's pretty. Two locations now. Two locations. Then we'll have another. So, it's doing really well. Why you say two locations? What you Well, you know, um and then Oh. Oh, yeah. I see what you're saying. Okay. Don't forget for everybody and val over there on there. No, it's not included. It's near it, but it's not included in the in there. Yeah, that's a good report. Yeah, very good. It's a good report. I mean, you got some months where you off a little bit, but when you say 20, 13, 15% for some of these EDS, it's really good.

Holiday time spend money. Be excited to see what that brings. Yes. Yeah. That's October number, right? Exactly. So, not even turn on the holidays, capturing that stuff. Yes. And then Christmas fest. City looked very busy this weekend. Oh, no. It was a great great turn. Better than I thought. Yeah. I mean, just to be honest,

I didn't think it was going to be that many people, but it was really good. Really good that time. Okay. And I didn't see any reports, Chief Collins. So, we didn't see any bad reports. So, that's good. All right. So, look, our next city council meeting is December 8th. All right. And that's our only meeting in December. So, our last meeting of the year. Um, and then of course we regroup. We just put out a regroup on Sunday. Oh, no. That was yesterday. When we did a regroup. Yesterday. That was yesterday. Okay. We just put out a regroup cuz power was out. And I know Eddie's daughter said, "Hey, we got the light. Jesus is the light." Or something like that. We didn't need power. Jesus.

Jesus is the power. That's right. That's right. So, but we did have some that were out because of And I know people call, but we have people in the utility department that I tell you, Renee, she's she's on it, man. She she text me and then I get it to Aziza and u you know it's how we work. So we have to do some things even when we're not on the clock type of thing. So but that's kind of 24/7 37 go nage app that's going to be critical always uh for events. I think we got other some other events we're pulling out. Um that's that Florida lead the 21st annual Oh yeah. This is that big craft show. Um and again it's been growing and growing and growing. It's at the event center. So, we should see some some folks in town. That's going to be this Saturday.

Yeah, it's going to be this Saturday. So, that's that's become a what year? 21st annual. So, again, it's grown and grown every year. She has to um they have to, I should say, deny people, tell them, you know, they got a waiting list. They got a waiting list. That's what it is. All right. So, u Okay. So, want to do that. Uh the Nagish Health Fair is going to be December 2nd at the MLK Rec Center. All right. And it's free for all. And this is put on by the ad center. Okay. Healthy options, free health screeners, community resources, door prizes. So, uh, from 10:00 a.m. to 1 pm, right? Oh, we got Okay. All right. Uh, American Indian Crafts, uh, taking place uh, the same day as, um, Christmas Fest. It's a free event. Look for the signs. It's going to be on NSU's campus. All right. Uh, second floor Kaiser Hall. So, from 9:00 to 3:00 p.m. looking for something else to do on Christmas Fest Day, right?

That is Christmas Fast Day, right? Yeah, I think so. No, it's the sixth. What's that? Christmas day is the sixth. Yeah, that's the sixth. Okay, the nth. All right. Okay.

So, 99th. All right. We're not forgetting about the 99th. Of course, 100 is next year. I know people have grand ideas. Um, as Mrs. Dickens says earlier, uh, some of the new pieces we're seeing, I think Shauna put on Facebook, people really like some of those photo opportunities. So, kudos to our utility department for putting those uh things up. It's kind of attracting people uh there. So, that's just another another good feature for us. All right, but you can get your tickets uh for the 99th annual as they said that we're all cashless now. Okay, the Thrive Gayers. This is a chamber event. It's uh th Thursday, December 11th from 5:30 to 8 uh p.m. and it's going to be at the uh Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Uh they kind of move it around in different spots. It was there before it's coming back. I think this is the fifth year they've done the Thrive Caleb.

All right. So, get your tickets for that. They have a u you know, go to the That's it. All right. We did want to say I know a lot of people been seeing uh the support for Lydia Rashelle. I think there was a walk run on Saturday. So many other events have happened. Uh we actually did a picture today. That's why we're in our purple. Um you know, those from the city who participated in the picture and some did give some donations that we will deliver to uh the family. Uh but there is there have been several events, but there's something going on tomorrow at Chick-fil-A. Um and I think a percentage of the proceeds are going to go to uh this cause. Um and uh so I don't think it's just Lydia. It's about 13 or 14 other children who um have the same condition and they're just trying to give them hope beyond teenage years uh is what they're trying to do. And I think this community has kind of banded together really well

um to get them. Uh does anybody know the amount that they're Well, how much do they have left? Uh around 800,000 I believe. Now that's up like a $3 million goal. Yeah. And the majority of it is 3 what? 3.8. 3.8 for all the families all over the United States. The majority of it was raised right here. Right here. So Lydia's cause is raising the most of it. I know. Yeah. What's that? What happened? She raised over 2 million wa here in our in our community. Isn't that ain't that amazing? That's crazy. It's unbelievable. That's crazy. In a good way. In a really good way. That's what I was like. Where's where's where's Good Morning America? Where's the Today Show? Where's these? Talk about this small community that's done this. That's

Well, we thought she was going to be here today, but they were doing a podcast down south, I think. Right. So, I mean, maybe not not good morning America type stuff. And maybe it'll catch sometime more and more. I know Duck Dynasty, they have a podcast and they were on that a couple weeks ago. So, things are getting, you know, it's getting bigger and bigger. But Chick-fil-A tomorrow from 11 to 8. All right. A percentage of the proceeds going to go to the cause. All right. And since you said something, we have at at my office, the Harrington Law Firm, we're selling raffle tickets. They're $25 a ticket and 100% goes to goes to them. and the um the the foundation that they're raising the money for to try to get to the treatment. But it's a raffle ticket. You win a trip to Orange Beach and the condo on the beach, everything.

Oh, cool. So, they're $25 a ticket. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Beach is nice. And I said we posted a video and I said in the video and I mean there's no one here to say it to, but I'll say I'll say it again. We challenged everyone in the legal community. I do have someone to say it to buy tickets. I said all lawyers and I said and all judges. I said buy tickets by a lot of tickets. Right. Right. Cool deal. It's just great to see different these different efforts happening. You know, all kind of little things they're raising money through to to make it happen. So, really great.

All right. Look, we've held you long enough. This time we uh look, we've got Blake Dodson. I didn't know not notice him until halfway through the meeting, but Blake steps up in there for Kevin. All right. Good to see you, Blake. All right. Okay. At this time, y'all, we have a motion to adjourn. I make a motion we adjourn. May there second. All right. Motion is made and second. All in favor? I. Meeting is adjourned. Y'all have a great night, folks.