City Council - Regular Meeting

We get a roll call. Miss Angel, District A here. Mr. Henry Dodie, District B. Here, Mr. James Green, District C. Mr. Derek Green, District D. Mr. Howard Knock, District E. Four present. We have four.

We have four. I just want to indicate to the council we uh had planned to uh have equipment for council green to participate virtually but we didn't get all the equipment in in time um for him to participate at least come in because he wouldn't have any right to vote but he participate um we didn't get everything in. I just want to make that known to the council uh that we were trying to do that but we didn't get everything in make that happen. So that's why I'm scared this way virtually. Okay. Thank you Mr. Smith. Please stand for the invocation and go ahead.

Lord God we thank you again for another thing you've given us. I pray that you will guard our minds and our hearts to conduct the city conduct this business of the city of Bast for the people of Bas. Lord God, I just ask you that you would you you would take care of our minds, our hearts, our souls that even though even our disagreements that we may come to an agreement and what's best and be about the city's business. Lord God, I pray for everyone that's here. Thank you for traveling grace here and thank you for traveling nurse already uh for the ones that when we get ready to depart this place. Lord God again I just thank you for everything that you've done in my life and in our lives collectively Jesus name. Amen.

Amen. All right. Move on to announcement and recognition. Have any announcements? application before I I know that uh Miss uh is she submitted um a speaker's agenda request. I'm not sure if she's here. Um so that was the only intent modification of that, but I don't think she's here.

Yeah. Did she She's not here though. Okay. Okay. So, I guess we'll reach out to her and and see if she want to be placed on agenda for next month. That's fine. Yes. Because you have to fill out an agenda to you have to be on fill that fill it out to get on the agenda. So, that's all potential. I appreciate that, M.

All right, we're gonna go to announcement and recognition by Okay, I just want to give you your appreciation on behalf of Dallas Cartees family for the Easter hunt for Texas J and C James Green. Thank you God for God. Oh yeah. Also, um I just want to say appreciate to Mr. doing being patient. He been asking me about maybe a month so about getting five houses in my district and I was able to do so I think I did maybe seven or eight probably like you and so just say district we did we was able to give Mr. more than five houses. We look at my district.

Appreciate that. District also had five houses. Thank you. District A had um 15. No, I got 10.

Uh Mr. Mayor, District B has about 80. Yeah, I saw you got let me say this as well too and this is more of a ask um I made a post on Facebook about um people uh dumping uh and you know there were some comments most of the comments uh were you know going along with what the post is asking is that each individual person citizenry as a whole. Um when the city has come and cleaned up an area, doesn't matter whose district it is in, but definitely district B. If we will, if we can ask for all of us, that includes all of this body, people in the audience, and people just all over the back. But again, we're asking that if you have to dump and you need to dump, please call if you do not know where, please call up to the city or they have a parish landfield number. uh they they charge a fee but still as opposed to going and dumping it on an unmanned street or somewhere where you don't think there is going to be a lot of patrol or in a dead end area that is not appropriate. So again, all I'm asking for is that we would please stop using public property or private property to dump couch sets, living room sets, and uh things of those nature uh out in the public midst. Uh there is effort going on to clean up the city and I can appreciate those efforts, but again, we want to make sure when we get those areas cleaned up that they stay cleaned up.

Thank you, ma'am. I have something later. What's that?

Um, I asked the chief, but I see he's not in today. Um, chief of police. We have cameras that have been installed throughout the city of Ashro. I wanted a list and maybe we could do this on the city Facebook page. Do it officially. Let people know we do have cameras out. We are in the process of preparing um a budget next year. And I am really interested in adding funds to put more cameras out, especially in the high dumped areas. Um, I think it'd be very beneficial. That would be my wish. And like I said, I'd like to publicize where our cameras are. We want to deter crime and dumping as much as we can.

Yeah, I have one more. I'm sorry. Um May the 22nd will be we will be we will be celebrating 50 years of service council agent 10 a.m. for our seniors all you elected official senior stop by our senior hello again May the 22nd at 10 a.m. We have a uh MML 95th annual conference hotel. It's a mun Mississippi municipal league. Uh the Mississippi is just like the LMA association. Uh if y'all want to attend this, we going to have it. Look at it. Book your rooms. Mr. something. It's uh June the 29th through July the 1st. Uh one hotel already sold out. So this is big. So in Mississippi and also we will we will um host our June 10th day on June 13th in Dot Park also. So June 13th will be our uh June 13th will be our June team day. It's not important. We will hold basketball tournaments getting together softballs team to play just trying to bring action back to some park like the good old days.

I want to play too. Any more? All right, move on. Clever comments as it relates to any matter on the agenda.

Good evening, Councilman Mayor. My name is Charles Bradford. I live at 13 South Washington Street. I'm a native of Patricot, Louisiana. I'm a businessman in this community. I am a trustee of the national association of church of God and apostle also the chairman of the democratic party. I'm here to address you tonight. I have support on a couple things on the agenda tonight on agenda as well. The first one is sports that'll be 11 B. Anybody kind of tell that lease agreement on the back

bishop? Um I really can't answer all those questions because that was something that the mayor wanted introduced and he stepped out. So hope come back tonight. Uh number number 12 planning and zoning committee. The last time we spoke on the planning and zoning committee. Did y'all ever establish a new committee or do you ever amend that committee? What's the stat?

I know it was amended. Um special use permits come before us now. Am I correct Mr. Smith? He's asking about the amendments that we did to the zoning committee. I know we do approve the use permit. That's correct. Plan zone change to a committee that recommends advisory board. So when you when you speak about changes, what are you where are you where are you ex? Well, I'm just saying this been changed to advisory board. We don't have a committee anymore. You do have a committee. They do meet.

They do meet. It's the same as the advisor. Very same same. Their functions has changed. The function have changed. Yes. We get all special use now. Okay. Everything come before the council. You saying they can't approve without coming before the council. No special. They can approve some things. I would nothing. They have no they have no authority to prove anything. They are charged with making recommendation uh to approve a and I think that um hold actually to be inside those meetings kind

representative. Thank you M. I have one other be 15 don't go 15A stabbing soda far from administrate what it administrative requirements standard tell what what what they mean it's pretty detailed our attorney is not here that drafted it so he would need to answer those questions we don't we don't talk about it today so we will be speaking about it today y'all spoke about it today we would Are we not not speaking about today? Well, I don't know. You would not speak to me in concern.

Can Can I get the order, please? Bishop, we cannot answer some of those questions because our attorney is not present. He drafted that ordinance. So, I think he would be the one to answer the ordinance. I've read over it, but comfortable with trying to answer question.

All right. Any more public comments as related to the agenda? Yes. Uh madam pro may Iard these public comments again uh under Robert's rules of order we need to remember this is not so whoever is coming uh there there may be something that might need some clarification but as far as a question and answer uh period then and this is just not for Just one person. This is for This is for everybody. That's not the time for a question answer. Thank you, Mr. Dunn. Mayor Board.

Okay. Approve a previous minute regular meeting for 8:26 2026 and special need April 15, 2026. Members, if y'all have no objection to any of those amendments, uh, it'll be approved by members. There's no objection. Seeing there's no objection.

Okay. Go to number seven, consideration of on report committee appointed of the governor by a finance committee report in the absence of Mr. um, J. Green. I think we're all okay with um the bills and claims for last month. Thank you. Uh be planning and zoning committee report.

Good afternoon everyone. Uh my name is Debbie Rogers uh president of the planning commission. I'm so sorry. I'm sure you had this out at the time and it worked.

There were two items that we looked at that were uh approved by Wright. One was pediatric daycare health uh uh day healthc care 16007 part blue that was uh approved by right. Second item we looked at was Bayou Championship Black Rodeo 955 Marle Street which is the max center and that was approved by Wright. There was two special use permits. one uh Gail's G A L E S Youth Home 509 Vesta Street. Um there's one of those on Pleasant Drive. There's another one off of Cypress Street. Um, we didn't have any information on either one of these and didn't have enough information at the time to make a special informed um recommendation to the city council. So, we just voted that to send that directly to the city council.

Miss De, have you received information since the original meeting? No, ma'am. Nothing. Uh Mr. Thornton was not available that night

and so uh Miss Holmes who led the meeting for us that night. She didn't have any information. Now it may be that you want to get information from Mr. Thorn tonight and make a decision or if you'd rather we could just table it, excuse me, and it go back to planning and zoning for a recommendation for for our next meeting. Um, it just depends on what y'all would like to do. Can I can you ask

you have come up? You have any information on anything. Um, it's a youth group home just like therapeutic group homes that we already have here. We have Carter House, therapeutic group home, uh, 406 Tisdale and we also have one on Reese Street off Pleasant and it's also one out of the city of um, off. We already have three here on So, it's the same caliber, same kind of business, right?

Dealing with juveniles. Mr. Thorn, Mr. Rogers, whichever one. Now, this is this is pertaining to the Gail's Youth Home, right? Correct. Okay. That would be over in my district familiar with the area. Uh just to be clear, the special use committee is that because it's residential area. Yes. Right. Right. And what kind of uh what kind of business would this be? Is there a technical concern or just you just use profile?

Okay. And what is what is the recommendation from? We didn't have a recommendation. Questions that we normally ask are questions like, are they going to be all girls? They going to be just all boys, is it going to be mixed company? Um, are they going to stay overnight? Will they be nurses there? You know, different questions like that is what we normally ask before we make the decision. Miss Coun, I know that your district, Mr. The storm said re street. What I did was when they when re street came I just went and asked them how do they feel about it.

Well um just to follow up there there is uh there are not a lot of on that street. Uh it's a it's a dead end and there may be three or four residents if that in that area but talking to talking to a couple of people and I just I just happened to it was a happen and I had my packet out so I decided to go over there um the actual home uh that they're talking looking at doing it's it's it's in the dead end. So, uh, I talked to a couple of the residents and what they were making mention of is that what happens if somebody escapes because basically what they were asking was going to be pitched in or anything like that because if there's an escape or anything like that or you have to call law enforcement or something like that then the worry is would you know would they get out into the community and of course if they get out into the community it's going to cause a big search or something like that.

No, it's not. It's not a uh secure facility. Um our technical word I use is it's one step out. Um you normally get kids uh that's about to get out or don't have much time. They will escape escape from a secure facility, you know. Um but I mean it's a 24-hour 365 day business. It's always going to be safe. It's always kids never you know. So it's just like a typical business. It's just a group home. Pretty much like your home city versus being in like a facility. It kind of like you're back at home, but you're not home. You're in a house. They go to school.

They go to public school and they don't they don't like you don't have no private teachers. They go to B or Mes. They get them young like they actually get out in the public and there's and there's a huge need for it as well. I mean I have uh I actually you know I'm employed but we have wind you know that's that's just maybe can you get like the basic questions like

she don't really know what she want to do like with the girls and boys like say uh she it's kind of like am I going to get approved to do this or not because before she do anything in that line of business she she need to know if she gonna be approved by this Because if not it do it does no justice for you go do anything else in in that that field and it's expensive too. Yeah. Yes. It's I mean it's not it's not nothing that's going to happen like this. It's going to take time.

Sprinkler systems take time. She got a lot of codes a lot of fire wash stuff u stuff you know she got to get bids. She got to get contracts. I mean it's a lot to it but it's just first step is winning. you know any res but one house I think it's like one house yeah but have you talked to them about the idea of that being next door to them

have I talked to the people that live in that community let me let me ask this Um, have they did they have any plans to be here for this meeting or maybe No, I mean I I didn't I didn't speak to him about coming. It's kind of Yeah, I would much prefer reason I said because this not a new it's nothing new. We out here free, you know, here. So, it's kind of like a trick. My

my only thing with that is because we were we would ask anybody else that was presenting something to the city that they would come and questions need to be then they would ask that those specific questions to the person that's asking for asking for the business. And again this is none of this none of this questioning is about uh denying or anything like that. It's just all information. What information you need? I got pretty much

Well, yeah. But address is there a reason why they don't before you go there. uh it's on the uh the actual item is on the agenda. So if you all want to table it and and give word to uh the person who's declined for this to come uh we you can take that up at that time like move the table to the next meeting will go out and say if she can come

unless you want them specifically to come to the city council meeting and you They do that certain um sometimes they go to planning and zoning. We ask those questions specifically. Uh I take notes and then I present that to the city council and anyone is welcome to come to the planning and zoning meetings if they want to. Now you may want them to come to the city. That's just another option. Council agree. Well, what I what I did when it when it first came about, it was it was a big idea where some of the people didn't know.

So, I reached out to Mr. Roach, I think his name, and him and I him and I got together. What he did was he went to each store and asked them

what can he do to have his business here. After a while, that was the best thing to have over there because I'm not mistaken, they was going down re street picking up paper, you know. So if I would tell you anything that I would, you know, keep with I think it's Mr. Gail. If you don't want to, you don't have to what I y'all can walk the neighborhood. He answering the concerns, but it's very it's need I tal to Mr. Adrian about this need I think is over maybe over 10,000 kids that need placement in Louisiana. So is it pleasure of the council when we get to that item to table it for person that's his

only reason I'm interjecting is that it is on the agenda so any further discussion to clarify something just going forward uh we was talking about public comments proper rules of order at that moment. If somebody come up there and ask questions, we can if we want to. We don't we not required to ask council questions but we chose to. We can't. Okay. I don't want to think that we was out of order by answering those questions ask because we do that often to some people. So we you know it's on it's your preference. You want to answer the questions we don't have. Right.

That's why I answer the questions to the best of my ability. I'll move on to the quality assurance panel. Excuse me.

Oh, you still uh we had one more item. Uh another item on the agenda was GB Tenant Memorial Funeral Home, 464 West Cyprus. They're only moving. Now, this was a special request in a u a residential neighborhood, but they're wanting to move to 464 West Cyprus location now on East Madison. And our vote was to uh of course we have to send it to the city council, but our recommendation was to approve this. They're only moving locations. They're not doing anything different except just a different location.

And I see it's the old True Blind Church. Yes, ma'am. Okay. Yes, ma'am. Oh, I believe I don't see that my No. Is it on the package? That's my uh the uh group on agenda.

Oh, I see. Item 12, approve or deny special use permit request. Uh, and then it says approval recommended by planning and zoning board and I assumed that was the one that we did approve uh recommend. Yeah, I think it was in

there. That's all I have. Thank you so much. We going to move to city quality assurance panel. Yes, we we met uh maybe last week and we was able to get some of the members sworn in. I think the only one that we didn't get sworn in was the hospital representative. Well, she's not she's a community retired Alex.

Okay, Miss R. Um we haven't scheduled our next meeting, but we will do so in the future, but we have nothing to report. Glad y'all got a chance to meet. Move forward with that. I'll move to B historic district uh board. Don't have none. So move on to request uh speaker items items submitted by members of the public for the agenda. A Pat Pepper. Good evening at Peppers. I live at 459. I'm the president of Ke House. My reason for being here is to ask that Mcright be I see I'm get the correct wording identified as a main court. Once I arrived here, I was told it already is. So, um, my reason for it being a main corridor is through keep more house beautiful. We go to the individuals that have derelic property in need of remote houses or whatever. We get in touch with the owner. We set up a contract where we will pay a portion towards the demolition of the property in cooperation with the owner. And through this, you can see the changes we've made on 165 coming in.

We've just completed one just on the edge of the city limits. We were all the main court recognize and do what we can and at the time we did not realize that is one of them but going by being a main corridor that's our next focus will probably be McRott. So keep beautiful is is uh partnering with people tearing down houses on West Madison and all around the city. Did they have something to do with Miss Vicky Carpenter also? That isn't

that uh Vicky Carpenter is our apparat organization

and uh yes this is something we have been doing for many years. It's not obvious to people, new people coming in, but those of you that have been here for many, many years can recognize the difference in an improvement. And with the removal of the derelict prop uh buildings, it makes the land more valuable and, you know, potentially a sale or the construction is something newer. So, this was my reasoning for coming here tonight. I have a question. Is if there's any questions I can answer concerning what we're doing.

Do you do Thank you for everything y'all do. But I I guess my question would be um in order for you guys to get involved, it had to be a main corridor again about main corridor. In order for you guys to be involved and partner with people, you have to be identified.

Okay. Um, we do have a new function. Jean might be more aware of it. Are we stepping away from corridors now to some extent? We we've noticed and made note of some not hold somebody from the city council. I'm probably I I'll talk.

Okay. Uh we have identified some had concerns about uh a few that are off the main corridors. I don't know I don't understand exactly how we're going to do it but we targeted as an example one is the old Blackwell Golden Funeral Home on Vine I believe u and the flower shop and all that. It is concerning. A lot of people have had expressed concerns about that. And um there's a building across from the water company that actually faces Liberty. I think the old

boarding house or something. Everybody we've mentioned that a number of times. That's not a main quarter. So I cannot give you the status but our priorities will be main quarters. Yeah. That's one of the houses that I actually sent over to Mr. storing the house in front of by the water company. Could you state your name and address as well? Could you state your name and address? Jean Kilpatrick, 6821 Airport Road.

District, I want to thank you all helping us to tear down those tiles and then we got some more coming down pretty soon. Yeah. Again, he's pointing out the fact that we've worked with council members and helped them in their districts down. Thank you. We appreciate

move to be M Jeffrey Jones. Neighborhood Problems. It's not here. Okay, next we'll have um item C, Charles Bradford.

Again, I'm coming before you. Thank you again from Mayor with due respect. We notice there talk about in court opening order dealing with first landing. Was that in your package? Yes, it was.

Are we attorney here? I'm going try to do the best I can. My question goes to the city council. Was the city council aware that the attorney would enter into agreement with perfect landing? according to these minutes they reach agreement to let them go ahead uh maybe do a data center or sol what requirement they met what the council I don't think any attorney should go in sell a case without referring to the client which would be city

I'm not aware of any agreement that's why we are board

at this moment because Mr. Jones went around the capital and moved the requirements to get a occupation committed. I think was this telephone message what it were to Mrs. home to just remove code enforcement and I think it was his own but he did that you all wouldn't aware of that I think it's time that we again understand that you are represent citizens just attorney for the city ambassador I don't think he being upfront with be cancelled without going for in detail tonight. And this order that the judge had ordered Mr. Mitchell to prepare and have ready in 10 days need to possibility coming before the council before Mr. Jones enter into it. This agreement, this order that Mr. Mitchell are preparing to take to Judge Johnson Monday of this week.

Talking Monday of next week.

Yes. Yeah. Next week. Yeah. Monday of next week. Come coming Monday. Other word. He totally disresp. We don't want them. That's that simple. People in the community don't want them. and and and before they even bring them and he can enter into any type of grieving we should have a community meeting about that's only any community treat the unfortunate where you keep treat your fortune you know then another thing they talk about in what you going to get the water supply from going use a lot of consumption you a lot of water where other words that Nothing gets perfect land. Nothing gets sold. I keep saying every time just the location just remember this is our economic area. We have no we have not sol I just don't think it's right to the community and the people that cannot speak. I'm not trying to make it more than what it is or not even less than truth about but I think Mr. Jones should be more upfront with the council. He should be he should make a move like the mayor Mr. Jones he's not here but I'm say this tonight I hope given Mr. Jones not running this. You can't run. You can run, but you can't. Thank you. Oh, I'm sorry. That's one of my things. I got a couple more. I'm going move to the contract with Miss Mary Haw

next seven $50,000. Well, you aware of that. You said, hold up. You said that a contract with who?

I think it just may hau hop in and associate. Y'all don't have a contract. Um, but she's working under the under the senior ambassador. $50,000 come from her mouth. I'm going repeat it because I got it out of her mouth. Oh, I'm sorry. She said, Miss uh Bradford's time is up. I don't know what the pleasure council is in regards to

Bishop Bradford. I can say we we're not aware of any contract. So we we probably need to talk to God. We don't know. Let me my time for a minute. Attorney I'm just break if if it's the pleasure of the council that's being unanimous. Wait, excuse me. Mer, I don't mean to cut you off. called me to be groomed but again matter pro Tim has addressed the council for action until they act you need to not interrupt

sure okay thank you thank you Mr. What's my face?

They're agreed. Okay, moment did you get the request for the agenda on my request? I ask for five minutes on East Island. There I just talked the first one was on the purple landing. This is on second if you look at the bottom is on the third is on economic development. Did you lose my seat right here?

Oh, no. Mr.

Re, Mr. But my father explain what's on the agenda. What I request here black and white as opportunity to do it right here. I'm not asking it's right here black and white. Again members I'm not attorney to advise you in regards to protocol and procedure. But again the practice is five minutes. But again the council you can do extend time if you want to but again you set precedent of this because if you do this now you can't seem to be arbitrary when you don't do it for other people. Not saying that you don't have to. I'm just reminding you of the practice that the council has adopted in the past is so four five minutes for a speaker's agenda. Just because Mr. requested. It doesn't mean Mr. Bradford has any additional privileges than any other member of the community.

So again, y'all can do what again Q&A doing public comment. If you choose to do it, you can. This is your meeting where you want. I'm sorry. I have to give to the will of the council and it's time for the rest of the year.

Yes, sir. Our next item on the agenda is report of city officials. Um, bash of city chief chief re he's in the building. Fire chief chief Williams, he's not in the building. Code enforcement, Mr. Thornton. We we would like to know one thing. Mr. Thornton, can you come up to the mic? I know Miss Rogers um said some properties that were approved outright. Um so I know one was the pediatric daycare and any others that were approved outright.

I know was the pediatric dayare. Champ to do any approvals. Okay. Thank you. Pro membersh that meeting and it has

all right. Public works. Um Miss Mayo, I don't think Mr. Thompson is here. You have any reports? Good evening madam prom council members I uh there's a couple things in public works is it okay madam prom if I you mind report too yes

uh let me first of all start with debris removal from the ice storm that we had back in the start of January and I want to give a lot of credit to public works department. Um, Mr. Kairen Thompson, well as Mr. Mike Winfield, Mr. Jesse Deval, they have done a magnificent job in terms of the debris removal. You had about 30 days to get everything done. I think about the middle of June is when the time is cut off and they'll come in. We'll have to have the paperwork done and so forth. And uh, so they have really done a good job. mayor's been part of the meeting also. City clerk has been part of a meeting too talking to the feds and it's gone very very well. So hopefully we'll get everything in. The paperwork is going to be in order such that we'll be able to um get reimbursement. That's what it's all about.

So are we done? Are we done picking up um debris in the ditch? We have um I think Mr. Thompson indicated that we had about he had about almost 80 on the list. These were callins and he told me yesterday we were together yesterday went out. There's about 10 left to do. Now there may be some these are the ones that have been called in. Called in.

Yeah. That's been called in. Now usually what I do I usually drive through the area. Most of the areas that I've driven through, I don't see a lot of stone related. Now, quite frankly, I do see some that's not in the right. We cannot go into personal property, you know, to get that. It has to be in the right unless it is a u safety issue. We've had some uh we were over on uh Jacob Alley. I think Mayor Mo was over there. Yesterday I was over there day before yesterday. Oh, was that today? Today. And so there was a tree that's kind of in the rightway. It's close, but it had fallen into the street and so uh you know, we were able to move that. I know Mr. Councilman Dodie, we had one at least one in your district which it was in the street and we have to move it back. So if there's a security issue or safety issue, then then we take care. So, what what's the plus what's the status of Jac Lane? I'm sorry.

They moved it. You removed it. Yeah, we took pictures of it and they got it got moved today. It's not moved off. It's moved off, but it's still in the right way. Lights there. It's right there in the right way. So, we gonna get it. Okay. Now, now Hannes Street. Whose district is that? Hannes or Haney? H. Is it Hes mine? That's yours. Now, there's um some debris there. And Mr. Thompson and I had a chance to go by there. That was one of the ones that I wanted to make sure that we get that removed. But there is a power line that's down

and so uh we need contact energy. Uh we we don't want to go close to that. Probably a lot of water. So any other questions concerning the debris? Okay. Okay.

The one in my district over on division.

Okay. uh did move it out of the street, but again as you said is still kind of in the right way. It's a pretty big pretty big only concern biggest concern with that is is there's a lot of activity over there. I don't want somebody to trip over it because again that's a regular riding line and I see I see what's going on issue uh you know going going forward because again you know uh there's a lot of activity on just leave it at that continue to get to get uh sidracked by right at the beginning of the house is right behind spirit store.

Was that on the list that you gave me? Okay. Yeah. We have those list that you give me, right? Captain Dota and Katie has about 80 on that list. I mean 80 together with so and so as soon as we get it, I give it to them and I usually go out and look at it myself. So, uh, just feel free to whatever you have. I don't know a number of you said how many in the chat. Let me know. We'll go out. We follow up on it as well. Any other questions on that?

Absolutely. Um, I caught uh I caught the the uh tree service company that was working for entry and they were cutting some lamb down on division as well too. But they also had missed an area that where they had cut some lambs down and they had left it for about two or three two or three four months and so I just happened out of the neighborhood one day and they were on the street. So I stopped and ask told him who I was. I have to bring you down and pick those up. So again, you know, energy and a lot of the people are they're working with us uh to try to help do whatever we're asking to do. So that is uh we were over that railroad across the river.

Yes. There was illegal dumping over there. Do appreciate you bringing that to our attention as well. I drove through there before yesterday and they have removed it as you indicated to me. Somebody maybe we removed or somebody did but it's clear now. Okay. There's quite a bit. Let me leave you talking about

I want to appreciate everything you're doing uh for the city stepping in because we don't have a club works director. I appreciate you and Mr. Karen Thompson. We just moved him up to assist assistant uh blood work director. Uh he was that's what I hired bring in to do. He had proven himself. So I went on and gave him that. But I really appreciate everything you've been doing and everything that you thank you may part of the team. I appreciate that part of the team. And I want to say this too when we were talking to the FEMA representative and initially I was on the call and quite frankly I couldn't answer the question and so when they rescheduled we brought them in as well they took care of business. I'm going to come in Mr. Thompson

in particular because they can answer all of the questions. I may have could have asked maybe three 15 but he didn't answer all of He went he went over. I was I was amazed. I was like I was stunned. Well, no doubt about it. I do have a question pertaining to um kind of want to address like kind of in the room. I just want Mr. W about uh because this this particular um item is in my district about this building by settlements. We was paying $50,000 to tear down. Just want just just clarity. Is this this a matter of truth? Yes, it's 50.

It's two buildings. Two properties. So So with that being said, I thought that anything over $5,000 come back for

I'm not aware of anything in statute or ordinance regards to that. The only thing that governs um public works projects are the amount of uh the project itself. um that dictates whether or not again you have bids uh with this particular amount I think what requires the quotes and again this is something that Mr. Jones can advise you in more detail this just a general thing that if it doesn't fall under public works or have to go out public bid it generally falls into uh general operation everyday operation

I think what what Mr. Green is referring to we were having problems not with this administration administration and we we did we put something in place saying that it was above 5,000 because we were having issues and again I had I haven't seen that clified in the ordinance uh whether or not we yeah we we definitely passed it because it was it was a big ordeal last administration so and that was the and that was for contract of council. Anything over $5,000 have to come back for the council contract contract is any type of work

so and so that's why so to hear the comment it's just a comparative again that's my district I know we all down we haven't they haven't came before us so it's like and I think touches this you know we get to hear it then without no knowledge but here again I haven't seen the ordinance but I can tell you just the two practical things to that problem. One is that if that was the case, everything that the city does, we have to bring to the city council to do. We just spent money repairing five trucks. One of the items $18,000. Now, if that was if that was specifically for contract,

I could see them. But Deon Deon prop Jones probably needs to issue a written opinion. But there's some AG opinions out there that I think would probably run conflict with that if it's that broad because that interferes with data. That's just me just generalizing things. Yeah, because we all want to go down. We just it was just to hear

and again the law triggers an amount for public works private. anything uh that I don't know the mount top my head uh requires bid requires process approve city council same thing with things that have to go out on public bid uh and if it doesn't fall under the threshold it's defaulted to the uh day-to-day operations now again a broad a broad application of an ordinance that broad I think probably runs a file of the uh the budget, but that's something that Deon and I will have to probably do a deep dive in whether or not should be linked to the contract. That's a whole different issue. But have just a general broad

I'm tell I'm not saying it was make it clear it was but applicability of for this administration I think problematic uh because I don't think now again if it's limited to contract maybe a different issue because we have expenditures that exceed $5,000 that if we had come to the council to get approved, we would have meet every day. You essentially turn into governor, you know, you turn it into the take branch, which I think you got separation powers issues and all that kind of thing. Yeah, I know the separation of powers. And again, if it was linked to the contract, maybe

it would. And u but if it was broad as that, I would think that would be problematic. But again, Mr. Jones, well, he was here. Yeah, he should know. Remember, but he should know. I can just remember it was a resolution order that we Is the work still going on or is she still working?

Uh something went on. So, she had to pause for a minute and two of them right now. It's two. Yeah. Two side and then train back there. All that property is going to get cleaned up. All the bricks coming down. All the stuff coming down. We had to act on it because of safety issue. Bricks fall in the rock in the road uh like the one large building did. fell in the road and somebody had just walked by could have killed them. This right here, somebody was walking up under it would have killed them. Uh, so we had to take care.

Yeah. I don't I'm pretty sure all of us want it down. It was just you just hear it not knowing about looking. That's what I was about to say and mayor just hit on. I don't know what the order says. I'm not an attorney obviously I'm an advisor but normally when there is a safety issue right and that you have to act in an appropriate manner to address that because public is in danger if you will um I don't know what it says about it but normally you can't just have a meeting right there to vote on you do what you can

when I go on record and it's also the building it they parked on side there In my opinion, I I think it's a big hazard. One day that thing going to cave in. It's going to kill the street. So, we got to address that one. That one I think we had already kind of addressed that because we had to end up getting um an inspector to look at that. Yeah, I'll go inspect. When I was with the last demonstration, so uh it's already ready to come down, but that building is going it's going to cave in on the side where they park for the post office. And so we got to address that as a counselor now.

So also Rick, can you can you look into what did we actually what it was that we passed? Yeah, I could still anything I do, I get a legal opinion from our legal attorney. And I know you do, man. That's and that's and that's the that's what is the the icky thing because I know it's have no sight this administration but last administration this what he put in order for us. So it's like you put this in order for us but this administration it don't supposed to go blind we put it in place for a reason. Don't disrespect no nobody knew that. You know,

I know you told me about your business, but I know I like I didn't know was working on I know you told me you want to get it down.

Can they can uh coun a uh since it came in like any building come in like this, it got pressure on the outside. This pressure on the inside is holding with the other building. The pressure on the outside is where they parked at the post office. And I'm afraid that's gonna kick out like it did in the front.

That I do not I think it's judicated to the parish though. I That's going to be a chance we gonna have to look at. Uh is that judicated to the parish? Which which one are you asking? The reason I asked if we down is any way that we can kind of recoup some of the money that we send forward to put it back on back end of the taxes. Yeah. Okay. I mean, yeah. So if not

if not it belongs to the city parking or spot out of it downtown. It's in the city still. Thank you.

Okay. Two quick things. one of which uh just passed out the director for the state legislators and so we were able to receive those when Mary Mo and I went to Northern Exposure. I don't know if you've ever been to Northern Exposure when the Northeast region go down there to network with legislators uh those of whom represent us here in Bask Mo House Parish and all and some throughout the state as well. Then you have administrative folks. Normally the governor comes in to speak. He did not come in on this particular time uh to speak. But um Mayor Moore was able to network with a lot of folks. They all recognized him and he was a rock star. They wanted to meet him. So that's what it's all about. uh we had a couple at least one individual meeting uh with a person who's very much familiar with the process there and she was explaining to us you know how you go about doing certain things. So that's what that network thing is all about. So that's it. Thank you. Okay, next we have our city clerk Clark.

Good evening everyone. Um, the only thing I have is for our taxes we have collected a little over $3 million. Um, we had a company, Silver Source, that was sending out um certified letters, but that company went out of business, so we had to contact another company. They went out of business. And they didn't notify us.

Um, I contact other parishes and um, that's how I found out. They went out of the sh department. They went along with a different company. um I contact our city attorney to see if we're able to go with a different company and make sure we're not breaking our contract. So right now we did um contact another company set out supervisor for the city of to collect the remaining property

and it took a while for Miss Mar to be in contact. She she been on it for months got me Madame clerk, um just just kind of I guess a question or observation. Um are you the one that's keeping up like with all of our upcoming grants?

Yes, ma'am. Actually, we submitted the one for the LA. Um, we received two. One amount was um $542,433. Um, these had been submitted back in 2024 and they was rejected. So, we was able to go in the port and submit resubmit the funding and we were able to receive that one and the one for the taxi way for $118,49. And we're currently working on Hurricane Laura, which is 620, $63420 with uh online security.

All right. if you could just report on that every month for us and just all right thank you. What would those funds be used for within the year? Well, actually the FAA for the tax runway, but it's all general fund. Those are reimbursement because those projects were funded with general fund money. money. pricing money. So has no restriction other than you know compelling.

We got the airport went into that 89 289,000 as soon as I submit a we'll come right off with that man. Yeah, that was probably our question. Yeah, it's we are on it, but soon as it gets submitted, it's some stuff in house going on and we gota this your last year. So, the next year be on my my administration. So, we got to make sure everything's on.

So, while we on the lines, do where are we about receiving it? We still receive a fine. Oh, yeah. Okay. So there came after we was on the compound we submitted like52,000 we submitted one day and we received that in four days. Maybe you say we can receive it but we can't.

When I was when I was in um Senator Jackson Andrews and Representative Fisher, they've been we've been on the phone and uh they're helping us out a whole lot. And Senator Jackson, she's a big help. She's feet on the ground. Also they was down there in Baton Rouge. So she was they they but the non-compliance it's soon as he submitted we come and I think it's odd you know invited to us I think like some of even with the solo thing about they can't go into the parish parish like one out. So we'll be happy to get back

and moving forward. I' I've had conversation with auditor not saying it won't happen again but we going to make sure release from we're going to start submitting things to the auditor July 1

and he assured me that we can probably start the audit process 1 September. So um that's going to be the the trajectory moving forward as every beginning every fiscal year we start submitting the necessary documents that he needs to do his job starts out I'm not sure what the delays were this time around and happened trying that sure that

one more question and this probably for madame clerk each year um senator Jackson hands out a lot of money. I think in October, November TV, I can't remember. Hands out bunch of money. Sheriff department got a whole bunch of money last year. You have to submit proposals for actual needs in the city and they hand out money. Well, they typically what they do is they they you contact them while they session. Then when they come out of session, it's what they vote on for their budget. And then if you're able to get in so many different city of Paris, you know.

Yeah, I already I already been in talk with Representative Fisher and it's I think it wasund$100,000 or something we don't give or get to do the municipal floor because it's in need. So I did talk to some of that money that's probably where appropriation And we beginning to build projects um for that very reason because again every year um the window opportunity to uh get funding or to request fundings do the markup process during the beginning of each you know session on that first two three months critical get down there and uh lobby it for fun but we got to have these projects more than just you aspirational things.

Yeah. A little bit more than aspiration. Let's come. May I just I have one question and this just about our audit because I we I just have a question like I know you said it's because something the last administration did we about the audit? No. Uh we didn't um I don't we had a extension automatic to March 31st but we did not put a extension in till he finish it. I think the auditor came down around March 28th and the extension from the state is March 31st and we did not get an extension to finish it because of some more stuff.

So the findings are on since July 1. thought it was before then the the period is from last it's definitely not it's kind of it's kind of like this administration have last administration close all those you know would be fine that last year one he did say that she said this year might not be him but next you know we could We gonna get it done.

Anything else? You going to move on to attend finish business? Well, ma'am, I have one quick thing. Um, regards to I'm requesting a special finance meeting next week. If y'all available Wednesday 5:30, be great. Um that's where we get into the next fiscal year budgets. Um so let's say

the May 204 Well, I mean I send the package after I want collaborate with y'all. So, uh we'll post it if if we have form still, you know, entertain. So, I I set it for um May 25. Is this the time of year like?

Yeah. This is where I want you to come because I have the general framework. I have a general framework done based on mayor's priorities. So just want to get some input from you all. I think the marijuin business acting on a resolution produced at previous meeting 11 new business action on proposed new resolution. We got a approve resolution 26-2130. Madam Pro 10 and members, this again this is just a quick uh amendment to P3 that we passed last uh month. Uh this mainly um updates the captive revenue because again I know chairman and I went back and forth with regards to um the standing money that we hadn't received and again we received about 85% of that money. Um so I wanted to update that because I'm going to use that as my base for building uh next year's budget. So I want to get that amended. I didn't want to just add that uh capture that amount without having council approved. Uh so it's just a simple update uh on the revenue side u capture that to show that we receive those monies. So be uh accurate with the So do they have anything to do with the item that you are like expenses or anything? We just you just cash them.

Yeah, just cash that money. Then there were some changes like Del language I changed uh regards to your district um which I mean I can get into but again um the language that was used um is not indicative of what those funds were just changing the language to reflect what it really is those districts those are your special projects money so this so this This is quarter three began.

I just revised quarter three, update that information because I wanted to put it in the uh budget for next year before that because I didn't want to and y'all not approve it even because I got to zero. We have to Yeah, that's going to be closing. Yeah. Yeah. This is just I didn't want to just add those numbers even though the money's there without y'all approval. U so it's just uh housekeeping.

We vote on this. Yes, you have to vote for this change. Can I get a motion? Second. Uh may call for a roll call. No problem. Miss Angela Tap, District A. Yes. Mr. Henry Dod, District B. Yes. Mr. James Green, District C. Mr. Derek Green, District D. Yes. And Mr. District E.

Yes. Appreciate all that. B. Yeah. I'm out.

We got to get back to business. All right. We we got be approved resolution 26- 2131 m pro 10 members. This is a resolution authorizing the city to enter the lease agreement with Madison Plaza Realy LLC and to approve dedicated funds and special uh project district fund esports facility for the city of B. I have a question.

Yes. So, um, is there any way that we can utilize to do this? Uh, that way we can cut off on the, uh, the can. Uh, well, I got more plans for for a lot of basketball played. I don't want to put all that over what we got going over there to stop falling off or going through. But just something else to bring to the city uh in wide open very secure place. Uh and I think that's the perfect

It sounds like it sounds like a wonderful idea. But have we done feasibility studies? But how much is this going to I know it's $4,500 a month, but we know we know how much it's going to cost per year. Lights, gas. We already know all those prices because I mean it sounds one like a one body for kids. I want to put in a very protected. I think I know that's particular. I'm just

And one thing you got to realize that this this facility is going to eventually be self-sufficient because again we're going to uh you know run these leagues. We're going to charge nominal fees and when we get the number of kids that we thinking we're going to get it's going to more than cover the cost. And then we talked about we're probably going to reach out and do some public private partnerships. You know, if you go to basketball, football games, you see those uh ads that they sell, they put on there, we're going to do those type of things. Like the floor.

I mean, there's a lot of opportunities to to build partnerships with private entities to raise monies to be able to offset this cost. uh initially we can go past the mayor's term. Um you know I don't see doing anything longer than that. a lease.

You can do we can do at least um a year a year to year you like I would like to do a year to year um and I can move eventually depends on how we build it. We wouldn't make a a threeear commit. No, I said it's for the kids, but you want to make sure that it's profitable to Yes. Yeah. We're not going to miss profit, but make sure well I mean I can assure you without even I mean just doing basic numbers if we run leads

and we charge a nominal fee in between 15 to $25 per lead. Uh and we service at least five to 600 kids a quarter. That's going to almost pay for the lease itself. And look, let me say this. I'm not against this. Don't worry about dots. But this the mayor has phases to this that this building will accommodate the things that we ultimately want to do in regards to providing these recreational services. Just that facility checks all the boxes. Just unfortunately we don't own

Yeah. And you know me, I'm an advocate for when it comes to TVs and PlayStation being that Dyson perception of D. I don't understand why to be but it's dark out and I thought about it when he said it and we talking about TVs and we talking about PlayStation. I'm telling you I'll be a do I just play ball like that. I know I'll be I drive at night. I ride around in probably everybody in the bed around Dr. Council Green got too. So I mean we gota be realistic. No, I was I was for

put that kind of money into it. So how much renovation will we have to do to the building to get all these leagues in? I saw the TV cost, right? That's why I said feasibility study is important. Well, here here's the thing. That's why we're going to do public private partnerships because a lot of the build out hope because again I mean so the city is going to enter into private partnerships with

with local business that want to help support this uh rec center. Uh I'm sure there's a lot I've talked to a couple people um they're excited about it because it's different. It's new. Um and here again um I think the community will get behind especially our business uh leaders and you know that's something we can try. I mean just I don't think that the barrier uh of entry for cost is something that I think

can't be overcome with just again the nominal fee that we are charged kids for each one of these leagues and going do start out with football probably uh I don't know how many kids play hockey sports leagues um and it gives something different to do. Um the cost again is not something astronomical here again that we're going to try to reach out um you know to to the local business is hoping we can work with Miss King who can help kind of bridge those partnerships uh different booths like different booths that we have set up. Somebody have their name on that sponsor that uh in different sections one of the biggest things that we going to have that you going to have is secure.

Yes, we got that's part of the build out process. Again, we're going to put cameras. We anticipate having uh some part-time staff. We're not going to run this H5. So, uh, initially, uh, we pro, we probably going to have to limit the number of kids that we service initially just to work the kinks out to see how, you know, things work to do a dry run. But here again, I think that again, that space um, what building is this? It's in between Hibbits and, uh, affordable furniture. Oh, okay.

Yeah. It's a it's a 10,000 square foot piece of stuff like the big concession they do at Walmart. And I'm not even factoring that

cost this facility will be selfish in the sense that I believe that just doing sponsorship and the fee that we charge for each league cover the the lease and the et that that what do they pay in property? That's a good question because then we can offset we can offset what we can pay them monthly work that out.

Great idea. And also the idea of me doing this is to get the kids to reach the kids that's in the house playing games and stuff and we can mentor bring different people in preacher pastors or different people in to talk to the kids. That's that's a must. If you enter into that you will get mentor before you leave out because again the mayor has this phase that the the league sports esports league is just the initial thing to get them in. Again, we want to be provide things other than just entertainment. Um, and that's where the membership uh membership comes in. And again, these partnerships that we build with local community uh you know um stakeholders, you know. Um so again, this is just something that u one of the ideas that the mayor had for somebody else.

You know what else do you also bring out for like parties? Well, actually the what's called that's that's the cup. We just we take steps at a time. But I love all different rooms over there. So I definitely and I know we're about to do our budget next week. So I know we're going to have to account for this because we're going to staff employees. I'm just in my head I'm looking at $18,000 a month. So we going to have to budget for that. So my contemplation

and like I said I'm bored. It sounds like a great idea, but I I would like our budget, see what we budget and then we'll include it. If we do, but once we do, can we get like six months? Reason why great idea, but we don't want to go into a great kudos. Great way. You know, I hear often hear people saying that, you know, that's exactly why I came over. How long would it take to get this?

And and another thing is it depends on how that uh building does it does. We can keep it there or we can move when they build it there. So we can our plans are to move it over here or something else over here. the IB building. You got three rooms in there. You have birthday parties and all those stuff out there. And so it's it's it's some more to it. So, do you still need money? Yes. Yes, sir. Yes, please. Yes. Want to get a kid something different to do in Northeast Louisiana. I don't think no other city in northern Louisiana have it. So what we have first?

No, I made sure I reached. Yeah, he's got you got him with the kids. Mr. uh Mr. uh Mr. Mr. Mayor Mr. Mayor uh have we uh you're talking about partnerships with businesses and other people in the community, right?

We have we located now any funding anybody that's willing to do that? Do we have any funding from any of those outside sources?

We we didn't want to put the car before, you know, um we just didn't get it secure. Y'all like, nah, we're not going to do it. Then we go back to now we don't need so we have again I don't want to be presumptuous y'all go ahead and just do it without presenting to you all answer your question and see what you want to do. And since I've been in I have had a lot of company and business reach out and say whatever we can do for the community we'll do it just like Viola just me whatever is for the community just absolutely by being the city you know you can just reach out to like people like Walmart they will donate to no I'm calling along the lines but I didn't want to be presumptuous. I didn't want to get ahead of it. I just wanted this the first box and now we again we can like the idea about see if we can do that because I'm sure they give it away. You have a second motion. Did you I don't know if she did she call who who

who made the motion. Mr. Green miss I really appreciate this. Okay. Mr. Angela Tap, District A. Yes. Mr. Henry Dod, District B. Mr. Henry,

you just wait till you see it. District B. Yes. Mr. Derek Green, District D. Yes. Mr. District E.

Yes. Mr. Ben comment, please. Yes, sir. Go ahead. Says this is uh this is in play. Uh, I'm sure you you appreciate that, but I want to be on the appreciate end when I get ready to come sitting. Yes, sir.

I mean, y'all made that. That's right.

Okay, move on. C approve resolution 26-2133 proent members. This is a resolution approvement of uh CAg agreement with Nova May. Um, no is why neo and help with jobs and bring people's like kids and any kind of job. I think male he can explain it more if you would come up and she'll be getting a like conference room. I let her one day out week they she was up in the office but we don't have office space. So she would love to do just a room like one day a week. to bring stuff to

Yeah. Uh when I was mayor of Monroe, we helped them to get started uh Nova and they have uh I think we contributed like couple hundred,000 to them as mayor said a job training mechanism. They don't actually train folks for what they do. they get them them being citizens into a particular training mechanism but they do help them to secure jobs and also Miss Woods and Nova actually were meeting with their students here prior to u I don't know if I knew that or not but uh the mayor wanted to make sure that it was legal in it that's why uh he requested a CA from Noville So uh on the acceptance of you all see we need some space and so as mayor indicated they'll be able to meet

that program. Yeah, I think we we know you know we do have a program here that help people I think they use schooling as well they pay tuition for kids and then there's some folks here that's involved in know she's involved and there's other student that's involved Okay.

I roll call, please. Miss Angela T, District 8. Yes. Mr. Henry in district B. Mr. James, District C. Mr. Jerry Green, District D. Yes, ma'am. Mr. Howard, District E. Yes.

Appreciate you all again. We're going to go to D. Select special meeting date for military meeting and action on milit rates as required by law proposal to be May the 28, 2026 5:30 p.m. Pro 10 members just need a vote on uh taking that that uh proposed meeting to take that. I'll make that motion.

Discussion. All in favor?

Motion carried. Okay. I'll go to B. Approve resolution 26-2134. Miners. This is a resolution confirming the appointment of uh two members to the civil service uh board. These uh two members came uh via recommendation of president of Louisiana Janice Harper and a helic. We haven't had a civil service meeting since I been here and before I came and they have a whole lot of stuff uh to a whole lot of business to take care of uh and it's hard. It was hard.

No, no need to discuss anymore. I make that motion.

I'd like to at least know who they are. Okay. I have a I have a motion on the floor.

Question. Uh all I'm asking for is you know the call Miss uh Helen Smith was special assistant president and Miss Hor I've been knowing her. She's staying lo and she's a vice lady too. Smith is first lady

and they are happy to they would have to be chosen by the college also. go through the screen.

All I'm trying to do get a good understanding is anytime we bring something to the council uh or a a specific action, we need more than a name. It It's always good. the name is fine but if we don't have any there people that may not know who Miss Smith is or Miss Harper or anybody but again as a council we're representation for the city and then when when it comes to the council we need to at least know because what if somebody comes to us and ask us well who is Miss Smith then if we all we heard is the name then we can't give them that name we're going to have to go do some searching on our own that should be brought to the council All I'm saying please question.

Yes.

Yeah. We have they need civil service. Yeah. And we and it was hard for me. Mr. James Green, District C. Mr. Derek Green, District D. Yes. Mr. Howard, District E.

Yes. It's a moment. Planning zoning business any new or unfinished uh planning and zoning matters a approve or deny special use per that's one

that's the that's the funeral home we said we needed to change we need to add the address on this one that's No. No. No. I'm talking about the next item. It says approval recommended by the planning zoning board. We got it. But I think what Mr. saying y'all want table? Oh, yes. Entertain a motion to expand this. Hold up. Not us. We just want to make sure Mr. District.

Yeah. M. Did you want them to come back for us or send it back to the zoning board? Again, this is this this would be a gun as I've seen all the other things that we that we've done and approved and even some that uh that the owner and planning have done. They've always the people have always come to the city. Again, that's how you get familiar with people. You can send a representative or whatever, but if you own a business, then I take the sh.

Would you like for Would you like for them to come on the 28th? I know the reason I asked because I know it's time, right? It's time with everything they got from the state. So I'm pretty sure I want to wait till lunch. Yes. I'd like to make a motion table. Second discussion. All in favor?

Now members, uh you need to make a motion with required unanimous consent to expand the agenda adding agenda item 14A. has to approve of non special use permit for this 464 West Cycle Street which they explain just a change person I like before the vote is there any public comment regards to uh expanding the agenda to add that item seeing none take the vote it needs to be unanimous so may I ask please Miss Captain, District A. Yes. Mr. Henry Dodie, District B.

Yes. Mr. James Green, District C. Yes. Mr. Derek Green, District D. District E. Item 14 A special use permit for 464 West Cypes. Okay. I I'll make the motion. Any public comment in regards to 148 is just added to the agenda. Stand down. It's my issue. Any public comment? It's my issue. See, ma'am, go ahead. I was told to stand down.

Second. I second discussion.

All right. uh item number 15 there are several ordinances and then during the finance committee uh discussion I think the majority of council I don't speak for the council uh review these and requested or would like to take no action and table item 15 A B C D and E so is there a motion at the table all sub items and 15 discussion. Is any second?

All right, discussion. Um, I know we have been selling a lot of properties since I've been on the council. I've never seen a list how much money we we are getting. Where is it going in the budget? So I mean I would like to know all this. This is a lot of potential revenue and I I have a preliminary list of that information and how much the city has made. Correct. and the number of sales and I don't have it in front of me but from 2022 till April of this year I think about 19 we've been doing a lot of business

and that's something on this administration when we came in that we think you also know uh what properties we have because when you got a third party doing it we not saying we don't trust them but we need to have our hands on our own stuff also and mayor let me let make this comment in the beginning when when the administration started or I don't know if you had started yet I asked Mr. Jones, we talked about a public meeting. I was like, I would like this to come back in house. It's a lot. We'd like to come back in house. We have the attorneys for it. Yes. Why not get all the rest?

And that's the conversation. I don't know if you remember early on, Mr. Jones and I think your question said that's possib agreed to it. They did. Because because we I want to make it I want to make the property affordable for people that stand near it. If you give them the opportunity to clean it to clean it and pay some the minimum of tax. Yeah. Somebody on them got abandoned house here, abandoned house here, they buy property first option, right?

They will clean it and keep it clean. Yeah. Yeah. But they'll keep it clean. So we got to that's that's the only way we going get them to stay right beside the first off and therefore

we just needed a couple address addresses

that go along with the par number. But again And again, there was some uh some changes to the title 42 uh regards to uh that and I want to make sure Mr. Jones has an opportunity to make sure that our ordinance is up up to date in regards to those changes. And then there's some possible policy change in regards to uh the process and setting the minimum fee for this because again anytime anything that the city can do to put these back on tax is in the best interest of the city. Somebody buy they pay taxes on also too. What they do is they they keep you liable from any type of a lawsuit or or purchasing a property that they have a a lean

because if you don't do your homework and you purchase a property that which give you mind of once you purchase a property you don't have to worry about purch they they made some changes to title 47 that I think addresses that I just did a cursory review of it but there are some changes that makes the process easier and and more secure in regards to liability because if you purchase a property that y'all don't know and then I'm about to tell you that they have a lean against you person that lean is on you.

So I know I know what they do because I had a deal with some people that I know that they go through the whole legal uh perspective to make sure once you purchase that property you're not liable for any type of uh lawsuit or any type of lean you have to take. You buy everything. Yeah. People don't know that. We got three attorneys. I think they could research it. I mean, which it's it's a job. I understand. We got three attorneys. You got you got to walk it down just

uh is not any of that information already be provided to the buyer. There's a lady on the property. I'm be honest with you. I don't know the process and council. So, so if you how we got it set up, we have so they prevent you from being liable for your lean, right?

So, if we take them away, someone would have to do that that that legal ease because you have to send out paperwork. You have to reach out to the to the to the lean holders to make give them opportunity to redeem. So they have a x amount of time. That's why it's redemption period. You have six months or three months redemption period. During that redemption period, they come take all necessary points. It's not just for hey this you haven't paid taxes on it, right? Because I think one point of time was working on the house. They had it cleared out and the person thought it was their house even though it was judicated trying to come back and sue the city. So it ain't just like, oh, you ain't paid your taxes in eight to nine years that you can just go buy this property. Oh, no. Somebody can be out of state and have a leave to get that property and you could purchase that with me. I have purchased the house before that I didn't do my homework and I had to pay back all the the property tax and and that's the reason why I want uh Mr. Jones to go through changes to title 42 part 47 to make sure that we're in compliance because those issues, you know, can be alleviated just by following statute. And I think they made it a lot easier um to to purchase these tax property. I think it it changed up the process as far as obtaining, you know, um the steps for that go effect in what 2020 January January of this year.

January of this year. I was car and I talked about it briefly. So I know what you're talking about. But it's still it don't it don't it don't stop the process of you you being liable for any type of leans against that property. I would research. Yeah. I mean that's that's purpose of I do like the fact that you know the mayor said uh giving somebody the opportunity who next door to purchase affordable property because sometimes we have people that keep a property beside them because they don't want it to be outgrown and make that house look bad. So we give them the opportunity I think used to be like a lot next door or something like that. It used to be a program like that to help people.

That's an ordinance that y'all made something again there other similar to that. We just have to find find something similar to what somebody else is doing and modified or even adopted whole uh you know that can be done but it has to be done by or getting back on the tax because I look at it getting back on the tax ro is longevity money. Right now we we receive nothing by you know but if somebody obtain that's that's money every year

uh are we talking about uh right now consult as correct. Okay. So, are we talking about taking this job from them and bring it to bring it to the city or is there a specified turn frame we're looking at? It's the will of the council. Y'all want to bring that contract? I I spoke to them and they they going to submit the memorandum of understanding uh the original one. I'm sure it had a term in it. I had seen it. I spoke to Madam Cler and I spoke to uh one of the what was her name? Miss M.

Miss Min uh and she was supposed she forwarded it the No, she said she was going to email. Yes. The breakdown was sold to the sheriff's department. What portion we receive? Even if they fail, we still receive a portion.

And that's important too, Rick, because it adjudicates to the parish. coming to the to the city, you still have some some some um payments need to go to the um then what do you do about that? See, they known that the EMP what they do is they they control both parties the parish and the city. So if you only dealing with the city, then what about the parish board? We sell the city liable of adjudicated property, but you still have the sheriff hold to it. What do we do about that? They they I guess whoever I guess if the parish still have them to do it, they still gonna do it and remit our money. We just take the portion that's totally

I got I got a motion. No, no. Going to move the second to table uh 15 A 15 B 15 C 15 D motion there. We are second all in favor. So can I get a motion to join all in favorose? Please.