City Council - Regular Meeting

Malcolm Larvadan, Miss and Chuck Fowler. Time 4:30 p.m. First item to hear from the administration on efforts to address affordable housing, including but not limited to efforts to relax and are revised building codes to encourage affordable housing. The Alexander City Council meetings and council meeting committees are broadcast live and may be viewed by the public on Optimum Channel 4. Every broadcast may be viewed on Optimum Channel 4 and at the City of Alexandria website www.c city of Alexandria.com. Mr. Little hand.

Yes, you are. Yes, Mr. Green. Mayor, I guess you are. Yeah, it's a old habit. Um, I present this uh item because um I feel that we may need to make some adjustments to en encourage affordable housing. I think our current building codes do not encourage um I guess innovative housing. And I want to hear from the mayor. I know mayor, a couple of months ago, you talked about revising the code so that we could uh build more affordable and more innovative housing. So, I would just like to hear from you on that issue.

Okay. Uh, a couple items first since y'all have some other related items coming up later. Um, in in the guide that we sent, it looks like this, Mr. Chair. Uh it was pursuant to the executive order that I crafted in discussions with you JMR 20253 which is the uh alignment of community development programs and and compliance with uh exactly the idea that you're talking about now in general terms. I would just commend to your review pages 68 and 69 which are attachments H and I among a lot of other material in it and it's well organized and well done over at community development. Attachment H is an overview process for qualifying a homeowner for the purchase of a home. Uh and it is part of a program that is really uh an innovative program. And if you look down at the bottom, it'll have a graph uh or a chart rather of how to do that with the down payment grant part and all of those other things. So, it's right in line with some of the things we're talking about. And then uh attachment I is the $1 home ownership program via Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America. So that's attachment I and it too will give a lot of options including how the city participates for the dollar sale and financing of a home. So these are

now now are these policies currently in effect or will they be put in effect? These are the recommendations of the group and we are looking at how this model has worked in other cities but we're I'm will these are things that are real have worked and we don't have a problem looking into realigning how we use our home funds etc to get people to home ownership. So when do we plan putting that that stuff in

well that's it's the executive order was given to me back November 7th. So, we've had a little over 30 days and so we'll be reviewing that uh over the holiday period to really get a jump start for next year. All right. And then the next one is attachment. So, attachment I has a couple a few pages and I think after that, yeah, we we'll leave it at I. So, H and I. And now let's go to your direct question. Uh the direct question is with regard to relaxing building codes. Building codes are not the city. The city is required by state law to adopt the state uniform building code. And the state uniform building code has become stricter over the years, not less strict. And design that the state and the legislators who are behind it and all the policy makers behind it would say that that's to keep people safe and from being taken advantage of. We are required to adopt it. uh one of the enforcement mechanisms of a city that fails to adopt and adhere to the adoption. So we adopted it but we don't really let's say the city says but we're not going to enforce it is it affects homeowners's insurance in that city. So there's no way for us to change the building codes except for the non-mandatory sections which are really more of this administrative stuff where we have already opted to give ourselves maximum freedoms where we can. Trey I I you know we've been at it for years. I won't say that there's not more we can try to do but it doesn't necessarily relax the building codes itself. So the plumbing code, the electrical code, any of that. Well, well, the reason why I use that phrase is because there was some discussion about doing modular homes, not mobile homes, but modular homes. And a lot of times those homes come premanufactured and they're assembled together. And that

could be a problem when it comes to inspections. That's right. So, that was the reason why I use that phrase. I got it. Uh, and and I wasn't picking at you for using it. I'm coming to your answer which I think you'll like which is

the way we would probably opt to address it. They talk about it in their report and Miss Mcigills has talked about with me is you would want to address this through zoning. So we would come up with some zoning. So think about mobile home overlays which you've heard me say I don't want anymore and most people don't because they they're not helpful. But we could have a modular home overlay and some other things. So, we need to think about uh planned urban developments that have these grouped together and how we might do it and we need to talk about overlays. where we would run into the problem that I think you like is if you're in an existing neighborhood and you have all standard houses and you wanted to take some vacant lots and put these there, you would run into a problem because of the building code and all of that and zoning where I would also tell you your citizens are going to be a problem more than anybody else's. While the homeowner who's getting the modular home may be happy, the citizens around them whose home values could be rightly or wrongly affected by that, uh, they're going to screen Bloody Motor. So, I think we have to be careful. But one of the ways to address our joint goal of at least allowing people modularity as a choice, allowing that choice to exist is going to be through some zoning. And we will have that also at the start of the year. some ideas on how to do that. And also, it's in this report.

And and and what's and what's peculiar is peculiar is uh a couple weeks ago, our president floated the idea of a 50-year mortgage. And they gave some statistics where now the average homeowner is 50 years old versus in the late 90s, the average homeowner was 29. And just the just the cost of homes just being so expensive. I mean, I I know we can't control what's happening in Washington, but I would just like for us to be as very innovative as we can to give people options.

Uh, personally, I like the container homes, the shipment container homes. Um, I just think we need to come up with a way to do some things differently because certain areas of one, two, and three, and some of four are in decline and a lot of people just don't think home ownership is attainable. Yeah. So, but we had that talk uh as we've been developing it. I I agree with you.

I would say that uh this stuff is fraught. Meaning for every time you see it as a good argument to give people that option, the same folks and we'll let's be clear people who are in need of the help because they are impoverished etc can also be taken advantage of by longerterm mortgage and things in which they can never build equity. So there's another side to this that we all have to be careful how we tread through. I know that that's on your mind and I'm not suggesting you didn't you're not thinking of that too. You're thinking like you said of ways to be innovative. That's our commitment too and uh I agree with you in principle on all the things you've outlined with this and we're going to we're going to have more ideas after the first of the year. So okay. So

and they're in here now. I would encourage you there's a lot in this right now. I'm just trying to get a time a time table. I mean

first first of the year we'll be willing to present some I think at least more concretized or concrete ideas on this attachment I uh on the idea of how to relax I want to stay away from relaxing building codes on how to better take advantage of opportunities that unyielding building codes disallow things that we want to be innovative about whether it's through zoning or even a legislative cure even going to the legis legislature and trying to get them to allow for certain overlays where there is some code stuff. I we're willing to go down and do that. I just think it took them forever, Trey, to pass all this. And that code council, I would think they would not be easier because it's about safety to them. Stopping houses from having fire, stopping people who uh have someone come work on a house who are impoverished, take advantage of them with substandard work. All of those are going to be competing valid interests against what we're saying even though I know your intent chair is to do innovative work to help people.

Yeah. Insurance industry is going to be adverse to it too completely. You going to be fighting insurance on property insurance etc. Look those are the negatives. What you're tasking us with isn't to just tell you all the nos. You want to know the hows and the yeses. I got it. Yeah. Yes. All right. So, you'll think we'll be voting on this sometime in the new year.

Uh, we would like to present y'all with some things that that we think and I think we'd start with overlays. Uh, that's what Miss McIll wants me to talk to you about, but we need some more time to flesh out how that would work. And and I just would remind everybody that it may sound good for the person who wants it and it may even sound good to half of a neighborhood, but if half of a neighborhood says, "I don't want that overlay in my neighborhood," we're going to run into to some some community issues that will take some education to get to. But but mayor, I mean, let's just be let's be practical here. District five is not going to have this issue.

Oh, no. I'm not talking about district five, Mr. Lang. talking about districts one and three will have the same home ownership. You're downgrading the value of my home by do we're not talking about five. Five's not in my head. One and three are in my head when I answer that. Yeah. But I mean I know that there are a lot of areas in one and three that are just desolate.

Right. But there's areas of course there are challenged areas in one. There are also areas that are on margins, on lines where someone says, "I'm holding on and if I go to the bank to get a loan to do this work at my house and you allow an overlay that's not thoughtful next to me and the bank starts to see that as a slide the wrong way, they could run into problems. I'm not talking about district five. I'm talking about one and three." I mean, I I I hear what you're saying, but I hear what you're saying, but there's already a challenge to get in certain areas already. Mr. Chair, I understand the challenge is to find yeses, not nos. Okay. All right. Certain areas in that designated area for

Look, Jim's on. So, let me say this, Mr. Chair. He's y'all are saying it, but maybe I'm saying it in in not the right way. We need to be careful if we're doing it through zoning to look at areas where it makes sense, where maybe it's bad. I hate to say it, but it's bad enough where this can only help. maybe not look for margin areas where we could make a change the wrong way. That's all. We just need to be careful where you can't just say an overlay is allowed anywhere. It we have to be careful in how you would do it. Target targeted. I I agree with you in that regard, but I mean just we need to kind of get something approved so we can You're looking for yeses, not sir. Yes. Okay.

Yeah, we would look at it through land develop those kind of things. Land use and development. Okay. in the that's our report.

In the city of Shreport, they have done larger home overlays and they have not depreciated the values of the properties that they're in. And as he asked about relaxing codes, we don't want to relax a code to incorporate a problem for a community. But I know District 3 has an abundance of trailers. That was the Olay before I took three over 12 years ago. And uh but modular homes now are substantially really fine homes and uh as compared to a Jim Walter home just I just threw Jim Bal out there that modular type home. So anyway, if I noticed that I in checking in Streetport, that's why I said Streetport because I've checked there. Uh, and we look for your forward to your report and your staff report in January to see where we can go forward to move the city progressively to attain affordable housing and I thank you for that time.

Thank you. And just as a final comment, we are in substantial agreement with both council persons uh assessment and rendition of what they want and we understand the task and we accept. Any other comment? No further comment. I'm not looking forward to the new year.

Economic development economic uh works workplace uh ends this end next committee coming up please fire will do the great Gary Johnson. I'm

sorry. Hey, Gary. Shush. Shake a bush. Bush. All righty. All right. Like to open up the economic workforce. No. Wrong.

Personal insurance. Personnel Insurance Committee uh on the committee is myself, Mr. Fowler, and Mr. Johnson. We have one thing to to discuss to consider final dos of ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement with Pat Ford emergency medical services support emergency medical training programs with the city with Alexander Fire Department. Uh what this is basically F if you like to explain it. I know what he

So what this agreement does Councilman Johnson is it allows us to have a partnership with Hafford Ambulance Company and Alexander Fire Department to train cross trainin. So we're doing an advanced life support right now with the fire department. We need to do clinical ride times in an ambulance. So this agreement allows us to do that. In return, we can also train some of their basics to advanced levels. Okay. So, when you say cross train, I understand you train. Do you guys get training from those guys? I mean, is it back do you guys learn from those guys too or just it? It's the same training,

but we need to swap resources. Sometimes we've got to get in the back of an ambulance and work clinical hours in an ambulance. Okay. And by these guys just coming on board, you guys pretty much I mean they are pretty much on on top of the game from what I see from out here. I'm getting good reports from the guys and that's important because you know you know being on being there as fast as you can and and getting the proper medical support is all is all we can ask for. So but that's what this agreement would.

Yeah. Basically what this does is uh our firemen right now have one set of uh EMS credentials to get to the next level. They need to ride on the back of the the ambulances to get that certification so they go up the next level and that's what we're trying to do. So they can do more more things at time of crash because they're usually the first ones there. Correct. Okay. I have a question. Okay. No more question. Sound like a great idea. Yeah. Okay. No more questions. Well, this count this uh meeting is adjourned. Is there no recommendation? Yeah. Recommendation.

Second. We recommend to the full council. Okay. 5:00 start meeting.

We're here today to better the city of Alexandria and its residents. Yes. Crown our heads with wisdom. Yes. Lead us in your vision. Yes. Amen. We're here today to do what's right for the people. Yes. And please guide us as we do that. Please Jesus, I know in these type of sittings, we don't always agree upon the same things. Yes. But give us the wisdom and understanding to be wise and cautious and understanding as we disagree upon difficult issues. Yes. In your name we pray. Amen.

Amen. Amen. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

We have the approval of the minutes taken from our regular meeting. Roll call. Roll call. I'm sorry, Mr. Johnson here. Miss Fel Mr. Green present. Mr. Fowler I'm here. Mr. Here. Mr. Lay here. Mr. Perry M president. Okay. Approval of the minutes taken from our regular meeting. Um need a motion and a second. Move. Second. Second.

Moved by um Councilman Fowler. Second by Councilman Johnson. Um public comments. What section of the written minutes would you like to make a comment on? If it's not in the written minutes, there will not be any discussion or comments only on the minutes. If you have any questions pertaining to any items on the agenda, please contact administration before or after the me meeting. Shall we have a discussion? All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carry. F to receive and consider the mayor's veto message regarding ordinance number 129 2025. Madame President and the members of the council, I received the veto ordinance number 129 2025 and the mayor's attached veto message on Wednesday, December the 10th, 2025 at 300 p.m. and forwarded a copy to each council members on December the 10th, 2025 at 3:19 p.m. Per the charter in section 2-15C, I am submitting the veto ordinance and the veto message from the mayor to the city council at this time. A copy of the ordinance and the message is in your council book. And at this time, I'm going to turn it over to attorney Tra, which will explain the procedures and the protocol. On behalf of President, ladies and gentlemen, council, under your charter provision section two-15C, it is now the appropriate time to consider any motion in response to the veto. Should the council vote to readopt the ordinance 129 2025 by an affirmative vote of twothirds of all of its members the ordinance will become law irrespective of veto. Uh if no if nothing is moved then the veto will continue.

We have a motion. Madame President, Attorney Giz, Attorney Gwens, I make a motion to override the vetos with the roll call vote. You need a second motion by councilman Green, second by Councilman Lberane to override the veto. Public comments discussion for public comments. Public comments. Huh? Three minutes.

Okay.

Miss Shakola. Hey. Hi. How y'all doing tonight? Good. We have um three minutes for your comments. Um my name is Shakola Jones. Everybody know me. Um, but I wanted to get up here tonight and say that I believe what's going on with current leadership is very disappointing. I think at the end of the day, you guys have forgot that you work for the people that you are employed by us that you work for us. You guys have made selfish privilege decisions have painted the narrative all type of ways that you wanted to paint the narrative. You have taken advantage of the citizens. The map was there so that the councilman could equally split the citizens down the middle. You guys would have had a a equal amount of citizens. You didn't take that in consideration. You did what you wanted to do for your own benefit. And I think this is some of the most prejudice and racial things I have ever seen go on right here. And I know what's going to happen tonight. you guys are going to vote is going to be four and three. But the bottom line is this. Election time is around the corner. And what you do to the people, you have to answer for it. You have to answer for it with your vote. Some of you guys sit in your seats and you think that you're comfortable and you're not going anywhere. And you ignore the people and what the people want every time. And we're getting tired of it. You may win tonight, Miss Lizzy, but election time is around the corner. I'll see you again. Mr. Jay Scott.

Hello everybody. Um I just want to hope that we try to be fair again when it comes to this map situation. Um last time we spoke on it, it's about the community. It's never about body elected officials being elected to the seats. Today we up against another situation with a veto which that's the mayor decision. We know why he doing it. Um also that I came last time to speak about a issue with the council with them. I can say the making the movie I had two weeks ago with the mail the show Miss Lizzie Felton. You lied on me. You lied to me and asked you not to tell tell the truth and you lied for your seat, but I won't lie on you. We're going to make sure that we put you out this seat. Make sure we get you out because you're not doing what's right. When you allow me, you got to pay for it.

Mr. White.

Thank you, Madam President. My name is Mr. Cornelius Lawson White Jr. I live at 363810th Street in Alexandria, Louisiana 71302. My phone number is area code 318-4466934. I take calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Text me, anything you want to do so you can get a hold of me. Um, Madame President and the council, um, I wish the mayor had vetoed this. I would like to have known. I mean, not vetoed it, but I wish he had let it pass so it wouldn't take a 5 to2 vote. I wish the mayor would have listened to the citizens. I was the only one here to speak, but others wanted to speak, but it was too late. But, um, I don't know if we've ever done this before or anything like that cuz I think when the, uh, area planning commission puts things together, I don't think that they look at the districts and try to make, you know, they try to be fair and honest with the districts. Um, like I said, I I don't know about you lying, Lizzy, or anything like that. The only thing I didn't like you saying was that you said that the map was done by uh Katherine Davidson and um Gerber Baby Porter and uh I just the map was done by the uh planning commission. So you saying that I'm lying or the planning commission's line? The map was done by the planning commission, right? the Rap Parish Planning Commission. They did the map.

I was not on council at that time. Okay. But question. Yes. That's fine. Well, they did the map. It wasn't uh Gerber Baby Porter. It wasn't uh Katherine Davidson. And um you know, that's why people get upset and that's why you know, you'll probably get a challenge. Jim Bard will probably get a challenge. But like I said, I appreciate you, Madame President. You haven't beat me down or anything. And uh I know Jim Lars fing whatever the mayor tells him to do, Mr. White.

But look, I I've got to say this cuz we going to have our 250th anniversary. That's what the Constitution, all of this stuff is is about. Goings, you're wrong to attack that young lady right there. I'm just saying that because we're all citizens and I like you going, Mr. white. I'm just saying that, Miss I still got time, but you have to talk about what's on the redistric. Well, I'm saying on the redistric. Come on now. But but you you don't need to attack the citizens. That that's that's what brings problems when you attack the citizens. You're not attacking me, but I'm just saying that's what brings the problems to these city council and people are too scared to speak out.

See, time has run out. God bless you and God bless America.

How y'all doing today? Fine. Thank you.

Right. Um I just came to ask if um I'm looking at the council and um it came to a 4-3 vote on the decision and we have um two councilman's at large and one council me uh councilman at large voted yes, one council member at large voted no and you know they represent the whole entire city. So I would like to find out um where the divide came from those two particular council members as to um why they saw things differently when they represent the whole city. And so I'm asking for a letter of descent that is something that is normally done. Um, you know, I know Supreme Court and different courts do that whenever there is a um a difference or there is a conflict or some type of questioning as to why one person voted one way and the other person voted another way. So, if we can get that and and possibly get those two council members u to sit down and talk about the uh why they had made the decision that they made so that we can get a better understanding. If we get a letter, we can all get a better understanding as to why there was a difference between two council members that represent the same area. Thank you.

Any discussion? Any more discussion? I I want to make a point. Um I think the issue that's been overlooked is is the fact that we're not growing as a city, right? Okay.

And in 2010, our population was 47,000. In 2020, our population is 45,000. And in 2030, it's estimated it will be 43,000. And we're going to be going through these boundary uh gymnastics in a few more years if we don't find a way to grow the city. And I just have a discussion with my council members for two and three. Have there been any discussions with the administration on how to grow the populations in your districts? Because that's very very important. You know, I'm pushing for affordable housing that affects one, two, and three. And you know, we we tear down homes, but we have no plans to build new things. and we do, you know, victory laps that a house has been demolished, you know, but um, you know, we need to really take some serious steps as a city to see what can we do to get more people to move here because in four more years, you know, we could easily have the same situation where the lines need to go one place and politics are going to play it going another place. So, um, as a council, as a city, we need to make some serious decisions and really come together for the betterment of the citizens. I mean, crime crime crime is an issue and it's just disappointing that we're just not growing. So,

um, I just that's that's all I wanted to say. So, yeah.

Well, ma'am, I want you to go ahead first. I'll do that. Go ahead. Well, I I echo what you said, uh, Matt uh, one thing is this divide. When you could look at channel 4 from anywhere and see how divided the city is, you know, you make a decision where you whether you want to bring your your your people here or not. Uh, I moved 11 times in military and up up in your kids and your wife, your family coming. But if I would look on channel 4 and I see Alexandria, I would not want to come here because I I'll look at the education. I'm going to look at the crime rate and then I'm going to look at the jobs and then I'm going to look at channel 4 and see three four. It's always three four

and the leadership. You got to look at So you you look and you see that right there. You know who's who's going to do that? And like like you said the population when I left here 46 years ago I know Alexander was was booming. You know we called oursel a hub back then. I come back laugh at dog dog on grew into crowley and we are slowly but surely losing people because of the divide along with other stuff I just you you mentioned. So I I don't know. We got to do a better job of this right here. We need a plan. We need we need a plan. Well we need a plan. New Mayor Councilman Councilman Green

and somebody answering your answer as question Mr. Hordon. Ordinance 53-22. The yays were Mr. Fowler, Mr. Washington, Mr. Porter, Mr. Davidson, Mr. Bard, Mr. Rubin. That was from the census done in 2020 by the United States Census. That's required. Ordinance 37-24. The yays was Mr. Rubin, Mr. Bard, Mr. Fel, Miss Feler, excuse me, Mr. Fowler. The nays were Miss Perry, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Washington. The the 153222 was signed by Mayor Roy. The ordinance 37-24 20224 laid on the mayor's desk and was not signed and it went into effect. Ordinance 190 2055. The yays Mr. Laran M. Perry, Mr. Johnson, myself, Jules Green, the naysay was Mr. Fowler, Mr. Mrs. Feler

Feler looking back at the ordinance of 2024 when all seven council per I'm sorry

2022 when all seven council persons agreed to the map that was done by the city people were here for the meeting and it was accepted by the entire citizens. Now we come back to go back to that original map and there seems to be a problem. The mayor vetoed it and simply all we were doing was going back to the original map that was drawn by the director of plan of the uh planning commission. But in the lie of that, I've got receipts that the young man was told to change the map.

So if we wind up in court, everybody who will wind up in court will have to stand on the stand and raise your hand and say, "I do. I'm telling the truth." So that's why I asked for a vote to override the mayor's veto because we're simply going back to what the entire city agreed to. And I must say, ladies and gentlemen, I live in district 4 for 20 plus years. said I was going to run for district four, wind up being put in district three, the one district three, went back to district four. I just went along with what was going on. So, we're here today to ask for a roll call vote for the majority of the citizens to have their say and their approval because we are elected by the citizens of Alexandria. You look at the city of Bald. They're growing. They're getting all the tax revenues for homeowners Woodwork building. They're building houses. That's where that tax revenue is going to for home ownership. So, ladies and gentlemen, they work here, but they're paying home ownership elsewhere. So, Madame President, that's my take on the purpose of asking for a roll call vote to override this veto for the citizens of Alexandria to be satisfied. Thank you for your time and I thank everyone for their listening. I'm going to piggyback off of Councilman Green.

When I asked for this redistricting, it wasn't to say that I did something or I was the one to say, "Hey, Councilwoman Perry, um, asked for the redistricting again." I did it because when it was done, as Councilman Green said, we had seven votes. Seven votes. So that told me that that district was fine. That wasn't nothing wrong. And then we turn around and we find something's wrong now. And it wasn't right. I did it to correct the wrong and to make it right. I didn't do it for division among my colleagues. I didn't do it to please the mayor. I did it because the citizens had spoke at the previous meeting saying what they wanted and so all I did was revisit it to give the citizens what they wanted. The mayor saw different and he vetoed it. And you should see that picture. You should see the seven of us sit up here, try to get what you all ask us to get. Even when you think that we're not asking, this should show you who has the last say no matter what item on the agenda is voted up on. We are doing the best that we can as your representatives.

The mayor has the daily operation of the city of Alexandria. All that I am asking, not a I, but a we, is that we work together to move this city forward. All I have ever asked was for the administration and for my colleagues, all seven of us to work together for the betterment of the citizens. And that is what I'm going to continue to ask. This is not about me. This is not about Councilman Ldane, Councilman Johnson, Councilman Green, Councilman Fowler, Councilman Balo, Councilwoman Felter. This is about the citizens of Alexandria.

And we're going to have to start giving those people what their want. And in order for us to do that, we have to be able to work among each other, right? And we have to be able to work with the administration. That's right.

And when we ask for things, we would like them done in a timely manner. We would like to get a respond when we email or we call or we text. just respond if it's no more than say I'll get back with you. This is not about us. This is about our citizens. This is not about I said, she said, they said. This is not to throw you up under the bus, Councilwoman Felter. This is about us working together, not no division. I have done I have tried to keep us from being divided. I'm going to continue to do that. But in order for me to keep us from being divided, we have to give our citizens something.

We have to show them that we want better streets for them. We want playground equipment for them. We want the crime to stop. None of us sit up here and want people to get killed. None of us. So stop pointing a finger at us and come together and say what we can do as administration, as council members, as community leaders, as citizens. It's about working together. Every city is growing except for the city of Alexandria. Amen.

Except for the city of Alexandria. And it's no reason that the city of Alexandria cannot grow. I'm going to leave this will not grow.

I'm going to leave this Bible verse with you all. Titus three. Be avoid foolish conversations, dissensions curring about laws for unprobable and worthless. As for a person who stir up division after warning him once and then twice have nothing more to do with him. Knowing knowing that such person would call demolish. You better preach.

I'm done. I'm asking for the administration. I'm asking for my colleagues. I'm asking for the community. I'm asking all of us to find a way to work together to grow this city. Yes, LORD.

You ready for the vote? No, I have my comments. Okay. Madam President, our procedures say that there shouldn't be outbursts from the crowd.

I never brought forward any map to cause division. You talk about supporting your district. Everyone talks about supporting their districts. That's exactly what I'm doing here. giving my district the opportunity to for them to decide whether they're going to reelect the incumbent or not. That should be their choice. An incumbent should not be written out of their district. But I wasn't even going to consider redistricting if that were the only reason. When I started looking at it, there was a way to write the maps that were better, that keeps communities together, that re that gives the people a voice, that gives them representation that's consistent. And so that's what I sought to do. There's a lot of chatter. There's a lot of noise. There's a lot of comments that are not true. And it's easy to call someone a liar, but I hope that my the people that truly know me will see that I'm not because all I've received from people that live in my district, that work in my district, that shop in my district, is that they support these maps. They support the mayor vetoing this. They are for it. And so all I'm doing exactly what you're saying you want to be done, doing what the people want me to do. So I have a chance to continue representing the district, but I've spent years learning the streets and the neighborhoods and the people. I'm out in the community all the time at events supporting my district. I have a heart for that, a love for that, and I want to continue doing that if the people decide to allow me to do that.

Now, we've also had an election under these maps. So, I think that further proves that we don't need to change anything back. We don't need to revert back because that is unfair to the citizens to be able to vote and have their voice heard. So, we've laid all this out. I answered a ton of questions in the mayor's briefings to support my side and and explain and try to get through the muddy waters. And I respect each of you up here. And if you believe you're doing what's right with your vote for your district, I respect that. I'm doing what's right for my district and giving the 64% of my district that elected me a chance to decide to reelect me.

Could I? Yes. So, you and I had a conversation, right? And you know where I stand on this, right? You said that you did your homework and you talked to your people, but you didn't talk to my people, which which you took some of my people and and I think if I had the numbers, there was close to 1,800 people. That is not true. The maps No, no, no. I'm sorry. That is not true. I changed one precinct. The numbers one precinct.

No, no, no. You changed more than one precinct because you and I went and we had the numbers there. I don't have numbers in front of me, but you decided to do what you thought for your district, but not for my district. So, you're not talking to the same people that I'm talking to. You're not talking to the people that's thinking that why do I not see you in my community anymore? Because because uh you deserved us or whatever. Those people, a lot of people don't know the map drawn that when when I was running for for for council, I didn't know where the maps I just looked and I say they say go to this street. I went this street with that street. I knocked on a lot of doors. Mhm.

Those doors now belong to her to you and me and some of yours belong. So everybody did not know about redistricting like you did. You took it upon yourself and it's just me saying to to take because your home was moved out of your district, right? Am I right? So let's change the map. That's the way I look at it. That's something I would never have done. So you're saying that you did what you had to do. Congratulations to you. But you didn't do it for all the people. You didn't do it for the people that I know because a lot of them look at me sideways now saying I don't see you in my community because I'm not even representing no more.

So don't think one side don't fit all. Right. But I do I disagree with something that you're saying. Um, when you changed the maps after the the census, we it shuffled no matter what. I wasn't I'm going to talk about when I was here. I can't I cannot talk about No, but but you qualified under the maps that were that we're not even talking about anymore. So things were going to change regardless. And so what the what these maps did

were they put neighborhoods together so it would be easier for the people to understand who their representatives are. I you're right. We all had to shuffle. And the other thing that I do want to say is I put forth my proposal. I sent it to you all said and I voted against it. Right. But before that there could have been a collaboration. I even said we we can meet at RAC. You can meet whatever you want to do to discuss it to to work through it. And that didn't happen then.

Well, I don't think we get anywhere. you and I had our conversation. I I I strongly disagree on how it was done and when it was done. All I'm saying is if according to the lawyers and everybody who spoken uh on this in the last two weeks, according to everybody, you could you could just anytime you want to. So why is good for you to do it and now we just be doing it and now we can push back. That's the only thing I have. And I believe this for two reasons. Because we've already had an election under the maps. Okay. And um well, I guess that's that's the main reason I think. Read the text message that you sent me. But we're not going to

but my my final statement is I respect each of you. Vote for what you think is best for your district. I'm going to do what's best for mine. Okay. And um I am committed to working with all seven of us together no matter what. So Okay. We're ready and call for the vote, Mr. Green. What is it? This is to overturn the veto. Oh, Mr. Green, yes. Mr. Fowler, no. Mr. Vard, no. Mr. Lared? Yes. Barry? Yes. Mr. Johnson? Yes. Miss Felto?

No. Okay, you've got four yays and three nos and the motion fails. Okay, we can move on.

Consent calendar. Number one, introduction of an ordinance authorizing the mayor to accept the loia submit for playground improvement project. Number two, introduction of an ordinance authorizing the mayor to accept the loia submitted for Jackson Street Gas M replacement for the gas department. The administration is requesting that this item be removed and readvertised at a later date. Number three, introduction of an ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute a contract for qualified electroline worker services. Number four, introduction of an ordinance authorizing 2025 2026 major budget amendment. Number five, introduction of an ordinance authorizing the merit to a service approval with Hansen Banner LLC for upgrade of the current utility customer service software. Number six, introduction of an ordinance authorizing the mayor to accept the proposal received from Mar and Hixon for waterware reclamation project professional services. Number seven, introduction of an ordinance to declare surplus and authorize the sale of a certain city-owned 5.204 acre track of land together with the improvements located adjacent adjacent to industrial park port and other matters related there too. Motion, please.

Move. Second. Motion by Council Member Malloy, second by Councilman Fowler. Any items to committee? No items to committee, Madam President. But Madame Clerk, give me the explanation for number two again. Number two, that they they um remove this item because we did not receive any any bids today. No bids received. No bids received and we're going to readvertise at a later date. Thank you, Council. Mhm.

On uh on number three, I don't necessarily want to go to committee, but at some point in time, very soon after the first of the year, uh I would love to have a kind of an update from the administration on our difficulties in putting people into the electric department. We have several issues there. Uh and I I think we and the public are right be brought up to date on several issues. What in the electrical department hiring people hiring? You ready for the resolution?

H resolution number eight. Resolution authorizing advertisement for beers above fuel for vehicles and equipment. Motion please. Second. Motion by Councilman Void. Second by Councilman Fowler. Public comments. Discussion. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carried. Number nine, resolution in favor of the administration drafting a comprehensive affordable housing plan that allows for diversity, affordable, and energy efficient housing ownership options for workingclass individual in the city of Alexandria. Motion, please. Move. Second. Second. Motion by Councilman Councilman Lamreane, second by Councilman Johnson. Public comments, discussion.

Yes. Uh, I want I want to uh just talk about this one. Oh, other public. Yeah, Mr. White. Oh, thank you, Madam President. You're welcome. Appreciate you.

Again, my name is Mr. Cornelius Lawson White Jr. I live at 363810th Street. My area code 71302. My phone number is area code 318-4466934. I really salute Malcolm Lavodane on what he was saying about these containers, using containers ship containers for modular type housing. I've seen it done before and everything. So, I salute you on that, Malcolm. I I've been looking at that and it seems like a good thing to try to get affordable housing here in Alexandria. They've done it in other cities and everything. Uh they hadn't said it lowered property value or anything like that, but um we do need affordable housing, but I think a lot of reason why these people are leaving here, y'all. It's just the way you don't treat us bad, Madam President. But you know, others have and they see all that stuff just like one of the councilmen were me was saying,

Mr. White, I'm just saying that's all. But, um, like I said, I hope the council will get some type of, uh, either containership or these modular homes to try to help people get home ownership in the city. They're doing it all over the country. So, that would be a good thing to try to get people here. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. All right.

Discussion. Yes. Um, this was a resolution I put forth um for the council to consider. Affordable housing is is an issue I campaign on. It's an issue that I'm championing. Um, it's a really important issue because when your house isn't right, your life isn't right. And there just sections of section one, district one that you walk, drive through, walk that you just have just poor housing. and affordability is is an issue that we're seeing on the federal stage, the state stage, and also the local stage. Um, I feel that we can do a whole lot more because as a council, it just seems like we come here and we react to an agenda that's put before us and I want to put forth a resolution for the administration to make some things happen. In many instances, we have the tail wagging the dog, but this is one instance where I feel that affordable housing is needed and would definitely benefit districts 1, 2, 3, and four. So, um I mean I know in the last 20 years, I don't think we've really had really an affordable housing program in place. And uh when I get uh I'm told that we can't get qualified homeowners, I disagree with that because other cities are doing it. So, um I'm hopeful that this affordable housing plan will also include include adjudicated properties. Um you know, just ways to get people in homes that are affordable and energy efficient. So, um I I just pray that my my council members vote in favor of it. I think it's worthy of your vote because it's really needed. So,

you got mine. All right. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carried. Number 10. Resolution in favor of the administration drafting a comprehensive economic development plan that promotes economic development throughout the city of Alexandria. Motion, please. Move. Second. Second. Motion by Councilman Velo, I'm sorry, Councilman Line, second by Councilman Johnson. Public comments,

discussion. All right. This is another resolution that I put forward because districts 1 through five have some sort of economic development. Um, but as a city, we're not growing. We are not growing. And we produce brilliant minds. They just don't stay here. They go east or west. So, um, you know, I've discussed some economic development plans with council lady Perry. Uh, I think we have a, uh, we're centrally located. We got this water bas. We got this airport. We got this port.

Um I think or I feel that we could do a whole lot more than what we're doing. I know the administration is working hard, but it just seems like we don't have a comprehensive plan. We have projects, but I don't see a comprehensive plan. So, um I think everyone up here wants to grow the city, wants to wants the city to move in a in a in a better direction, and I think economic development is needed to do that. So, I encourage all my council members to vote in favor of it. and Councilman Lardine, we do have people um that is willing to bring projects to Alexandria. Okay. So, um maybe we can meet with the administration and see how we can get that moving forward. Okay.

All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carried. Number 11. Resolution cancelling the regular council meeting schedule for Tuesday, December 30th, 2025. Motion, please. Move. Second. Second. Motion by Councilman Johnson, second by Councilman Lreane. Public comments, discussion. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Motion carried. Number 12. Resolution confirming the appointment of Xandria Whitehead to serve as commission on the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority representing District 3. Motion, please. Move. Second. Second.

Motion by Councilman Johnson. second by Councilman Lord. Um, public comments. I'm going to call Miss Whitehead to come up and introduce herself. Who is this?

Good afternoon everyone. My name is Zendria Whitehead and I just want to say thank you Councilwoman um Perry for appointing me to the GA and to Angela Lloyd our executive director and to my fellow commissioners. I look forward to serving on the authority and truly honored to work with you and to serve our city. I look forward to working together in advancing GA's mission and making a positive impact of our communities. Thank you all. Thank you.

Uh I'll make it real quickly. when uh madame president told me that that she had elected you well nominated you serve anyway every time I see you I mean you you are what I call a real servant you know no title no whatever every time I'm out I pretty much see you and you're going to be a addition to this board thank you thank you okay all in favor any opposed motion carried number 13 resolution to establish, fund, and implement the Restore Alexandria neighborhood program. Okay. Motion, please. Move.

Second. Second. We get a second. I'm I move a second. Okay. Motion by Councilman Lardine, second by Councilman Johnson. All right, man. Leave me hanging, man. We have a public comment by Mr. White. Thank you, Madam President. You're welcome.

Again, Mr. Cornelius Lawson White Jr. I live at 363810th Street, 71302, Alexandria, Louisiana. My phone number is area code 318-4466934. I don't know if I trust anything with Restore, but uh you know, you come up with these names and stuff and then it doesn't work right. And um restore didn't work right for the people. So I hope and pray that this restore will work right. All right. Cuz I know you regretted the last time you voted for restore. I did. Yes, sir. I did. I know. But like I said, I hope and pray that this works right. And uh Malcolm, you know what you forgotten, Malcolm?

What? Railroads. The railroad was here too. So we do have railroad. All right. To Okay. I understand everyone's apprehension about the word restore. I get it. But this was a program um a former council member put together that would help with affordable housing. Okay. The last time it was presented was voted down by the council. I understand that it may need to be revised and updated,

but I'm doing everything in my power to encourage affordable housing in the city of Alexandria. If there's any plan out there, let's dust it off. Let's implement it. has put something together cuz the people need it. So, uh, I encourage my council members to to vote in favor of it. It may need to be updated, so be it. We'll we'll we'll do it as it needs to as it needs to be done, but way too often we are just re reacting to an agenda the administration puts in front of us. We need to start putting some things in their court to act on, and this is one of those items. So, I encourage everyone to support for it. All in favor? Oh, I'm sorry, Madame President.

Yes, sir. Uh, reiterating on what Mr. Laran said, when this was presented before I wasn't here, the concept was that the council person that presented it, they thought it was only for district two, but it was for the entire city. That's districts one,

two, three, four, and five. So it is for the entire city, not solely district two, Mr. Johnson's district. It's for the entire city. So I just wanted to clarify that. That was the mishap. I wasn't here when they voted down last time, but it is for the entire city. Thank you for that, Miss Madam President.

Okay. Uh I have one problem. Well, a couple problems with also. Number one is a resolution. And you can't put funds can't delegate funds to a resolution. Has to be through an ordinance. Uh that's one thing. And number two, the city doesn't need to be the homeowners be a a mortgage company. I think that's against the law. That's a violation there. The city uh giving giving mortgages to people and collecting mortgages from people. Uh this a rent to own program basically because it it's it's on completion of 15 years. The owner will receive clear title. if they break it in 15 years. I think the concept what Mr. Lardine is doing is fantastic, but I think this the wrong program.

So I think Mr. Arber summed it up probably needs to be re but as is what you just put the idea out there. I'm just I'm just going to put the idea out there because it needs to be it's a resolution we I mean it needs to be done. I know it's a great res it's a great idea and everything but this right here program because the city cannot city legally cannot collect mortgages from people do we can't do it the way it was originally the way this is that's why he said let's dust it off and rework it let's rework it okay I I I understand but let's but we can't vote on it to to uh establish it and then and establish the fund resolution

to work hold up it's just it's okay I'm I'm asking to what what do we need to do to make it work to rework it is like what's the process rewrite it completely rewrite it we can't adopt it then need to rewrite it just just okay but you know my thing we can't adopt something then rewrite it we have to we Mr. Trey, you own it. What is it that we need to do? You can't put funds through a resolution. The city attorney sitting there ask him we got Jonathan. No, we got this.

Um, the comments made are correct and I think Mr. Lord does he understands resolutions don't fund projects. It's the expression of the intentional council. It's a policy matter. It's not a patches ordinance doesn't it won't be a situation where people can contract with the city because that takes an ordinance. Um those things will take more study. I haven't looked at the proposal although I recall the previous council members proposal that was made. I think it's similar to was made in 2020. Um but I the enactment of a resolution does not fund the program.

So what what do we do? Do we So we can vote on it and pass it. Well, you can vote. I mean it could even be saved. Just establish it. Yeah. Just to establish it, not to say that this is what we're going to do. One word establish to establish an implement. Yes. Okay. Okay. I'll make a motion. Establish. You could even say study and then y'all do the study. Okay. Establish study and implement. So, uh, study to implement. Study to implement. Okay. So, a ro resolution to study to implement the restore Alexandria enablement program. So, I'll make that I'll make that motion. Okay. Okay.

Right. Because just one other thing that I saw and I can't find it right at the second, but um that when we do start looking at it um is does the city can we actually build and mortgage on adjudicated properties too? That's that's something that I I kind of remember. So that would just I'm just putting that out there for I think number nine covers pretty much. I just wanted to put that question out there. Well, so when we start looking at it, number nine already counts this res to implement. Well, once once it's worked on with demonstration, it may we could blend them, but

Malcolm's trying to throw a lot of stuff against the wall. Yeah, see what stinks. Yeah. Okay, we need a we need to There's a motion on the floor by Mr. L. Who's going to second? Motion by um Councilman Lauder. It was a motion and second by Mr. Fowler. And second by Mr. F. Right. And the amendment is a resolution to study to implement the restore Alexandria neighborhood program. All right. Study two. Study two. Okay. Study two. So public comments, discussion. We already did that. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carried.

We got a now as a as amended. We need a motion and second as amended. Okay. Move. Okay. Motion by Councilman Fowl, second by um Councilman Lay. I second. Okay. Public comments, discussion. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion K. Okay. I don't know if we read. Okay. I ordinance of final adoption subject to public hearing number 14 to consider final adoption ordinance authorizing the mayor to accept the low be submitted patrol products for the various department motion please move

motion by councilman Fowler second by councilman public comments discussion all in favor any opposed motion carried 15 to consider foundation of an ordinance authorizing the mayor to accept the low be submitted for electric utility rightway emergency services The administration is requesting that this item be removed because they are rejecting all bids and they're going to go out for revertisement of the labor date. Move to reject. We're moved to we're asking for rejection and rebided at the end of February in an effort to obtain more qualified bids in preparation uh for the next hurricane season. You don't want to be out here.

No, cuz then you substitute to the motion to to to reject all bids. Substitute. Motion to reject all bids. Motion by who? Me. Motion by councilman. Second by councilman Johnson. Discussion. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carried. Number 16 to consider foundational ordinance authorizing the mayor to accept the go submitted for service utility. Motion please. Move. A second. Sure. Motion by Councilman Valoid, second by Councilman Fowler. Um, public comments. Mr. White.

Thank you, Madam President. You're welcome. Make sure you stay on task. Oh, yeah. Mr. Cornelius Lawson White Jr., 363810th Street, Alexandria, Louisiana 71302. My phone number is area code 318-4466934. Great to see you back in here, mayor. Now on this utility uh body, what is that exact? Can anybody tell us that? Because I don't know what it is. Sorry, Madam President. Get you some water. Get us some water. So what what exactly is this? It's a truck.

It's a trailer. Yeah. Promotable tent. Glass tent. got the low bid. So, so it's a utility electric utility. It's electric utility truck. Hello. Well, who put it on here? Yes. And we can't get an answer. Yes. It's in your It's in your book in the order. Do you tell the council of city of Alexandria legal uh session hereby authorized mayor to accept the low bid the low the bids are attached in the back submitted from glass tent etc for service utility box. Okay.

So what is it local company that does tinting and other services for our tent? Okay. Tent Mr. white 10 for the u the the city cars. Thank you. You're welcome. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carried number 17 to consider national orders authorizing mayor to provide funding for the local match for the lo Louisiana watershed initiative project and other matters respect there too. Motion please. Move. Second. Second. Motion by council Lloyd. Second by councilwoman Felter. Public comments. Mr. White. Thank you, Madam President. You're welcome. We appreciate you.

Again, Mr. Cornelius Lawson White Jr. I live at 363810th Street in Alexandria, Louisiana, 71302. My phone number is area code 318-4466934 with this waterhed. And I hope y'all look at this uh uh carbon capture business cuz if it hits that water, we won't have to worry about no drinking water and stuff. I'm just saying I wish it's not about carbon capture. Well, I know but we need I hope and pray we talk about that because like we said all these other parishes and we not carbon capture. Yeah, but I'm just saying if it hits our if it hits our water we won't be able to drink it. We'll be like Michigan and everything. Thank you, Mr. White.

Thank you, Madam President. You're welcome. You need to discuss here. Yes. U mayor um do we have a comprehensive uh flooding program? We have a comprehensive plan for yeah the diversion of water in the city. Okay. Now um how let me ask this carefully. You got this comprehensive plan. How far along are we to complete it? I can give you a I mean you're on an ordinance that is to adopt a local batch for a watershed initiative.

I I guess I guess what I'm saying is you know every year we throw a bunch of money at flooding and I think what's missing is people would like to know and I would like to know the overall flooding program. How far along are we in completing it or

So, this was one that I understand the engineers worked directly with all the council members. We asked them to uh we talked about it for a few years that we were going for what I would have called the Cadillac version. We were trying to divert water into the Red River and we didn't want to just break it up into other projects. uh this is part of that watershed initiative and as you can see we're recommended another 440,000 uh toward the local max. So it uses the word comprehensive for uh uh when we look at all of this we're trying to divert water out of the city and there are several ways that it leaves and we've kind of gone over that. Um, one would be out uh toward the above system if you want to think about off of Windemir that the diversion body that goes out that way. Much of it is through the Chatland gets to the Chatland system. Most of it I don't know Trey, we I usually know this stat. 67 to 75% probably all goes through and hits it that way. And then there's a small amount that could go out by you rapids and divert over. That's rare because it has to be at a level where it would make sense to do that which is a rarity but it happens. Sometimes water from up north fills by your rapids and you would do it. Uh and there's one more small way it goes out. So all of those ultimately meet uh outside of it all ultimately meets in the Chatland flood plane system. It all then keeps flowing and hits the bayou cartabla area uh cortabla you know we're uh in point

port berry so that area then it hits the chaffallayia and on uh to the gulf from there so that's how our water moves out all of it is comprehensively trying to do that we run into some battles in the chat system because farmers and evolves will put we dams and block and do all kind of things that holds the water in the city and so we're constantly having to deal with that. But but I guess my question is I mean you know in the grants in the overall picture are we 50% completed 60%

never end water diversion is not a static thing where you would say on this date we no longer have the problem as mankind builds and does different things and adds concrete in places and takes down an area where it once flowed to that area blocks things dams things we're always going to have the problem.

Uh there are certain areas in the city that are just in low areas always were because they weren't approved or designed in the city in the first place. They're outside of the city. The city in its efforts will go and take in and annex parts of the city that are in lowlying areas and then spend a lot of time and money and effort and we should trying to mitigate that damage. But there are low-lying areas. Uh again, I'll use the windmir example. If you're driving on the side of Manard High School, when you hit that bowl at McAdams ditch, when you hit the lowest point of that bridge at McAdams, that is one of the lowest. It's about 67 uh feet. Base flood elevation in Alexandria is 72.6, we'll call it. So that 67 is already that much lower than what we would plan as a a normal event. 66 feet. So a full foot lower than that at in the history of the city has been Spencer Street. So many yards in. I could go show it to you and point it, but there's a spot in Spencer right off where that is about 66 ft. And so you'll see those houses, they've gone in a program and raised the houses, actually built them up off the ground. You'll never change those areas in terms of the height. So the mitigation against that is either not to build to buy people out of building or to raise because you're not going to ever be able to fully you can't push water in a Gustaf level event fast enough into a diversion body then it will flow up then build up.

So in essence what you're saying is we will forever be throwing money and flooding. Absolutely. Yes. I would say that I mean I want to say that the way you're saying it is so much what a lawyer would I would say that you're never going to stop mitigation work in any city on flood diversion and other problems cities have because cities aren't static any more than you could build fire stations in one way and not have to move them because of growth and change. I did I get it though I get Mr. Fowler corrected me cuz I I wasn't sure about how flooding works, but it makes sense as a city grows and changes.

You should have a plan that gets your mitigation at at a level that is as acceptable as we can be as human con pushing. Are we there? No, Mr. Tell you that you're not there. back of our golf course next to B raped which is a 100 yard maybe less from B rapides and England Air Force Base DRA wow ultimately that's where it goes ultimately it moves up by and then on out it's a whole network you can follow it

and I would say we spend a lot on it and need to continue to and all of these efforts have drastically changed things since the only time I can go back to is 2006 and I can see what places were inundated in levels of rain that are no longer inundated by that level. I would also say, Mr. Lawane, God can there's always going to be an event. Yes, that's right. That you're protecting against and someone will say we're at a thousand-year level event. The next person will say we've engineered this to a 1500year event. And if Providence decides that there's a lesson to learn, uh there'll be a two years 15,000.

What year was that in this and that circle south circle? So I didn't walk and all that. So So in Gustaf we had a severe event in the December rain after Gustaf. So remember how much rain hit in Gustaf in the December rain. What I recall was 2 to three ines fell in the city of Alexandria proper in less than 12 minutes. And so that's what you try to explain to people. It's not just rain over 24 hours. The city can move an inch an hour if it's fallen at a even rate. You'd be shocked how much we can move assuming things aren't clogged, assuming things are clean and and ready to run. But 3 in in 12 minutes,

that's a lot, will fill up Ash's parking lot as flat as it is and will put a car. That's an a massive amount of volume. And that happened that December. So I can never tell you there's not an event where it won't matter how clear the diversion body is. The water can't get there fast enough and you're going to have an inundation and that happens. Thank you, mayor. You're welcome. Thank you. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Motion carried. Number 18 to consider file adoption of an ordinance rescending ordinance number 18-2025 for qualified bail exercise program services motion please move

motion by councilman second by councilman Fowler public comments discussion all in favor any opposed motion carried number 19 to consider f adoption of an ordinance authorizing the mayor tend to corporate agreement with pack emergency medical services to support emergency medical training program with the Alexander Fire Department. Motion. Second. Second. Motion by Councilman Lord. Councilman Fowler. Second by Councilman Loid. Um public comment. Mr. White. Yes, ma'am. Thank you, Madam President. You're welcome.

Again, my name is Mr. Cornelius Lawson White Jr. I live at 363810th Street 71302. My phone number is area code 318-4466934. I think this is a great thing and uh I know Mr. Johnson, you had mentioned you had never heard of any problems with Papford, but there's been problems cuz uh uh like I said, the police jury has had some problems with with Pathford. So I hope you look at the police jury and stuff about that. But um this working together, I'm glad that Pathford and uh the Alexandria Fire Department is going to be working together. That should help mitigate problems and stuff like that. So that's a good thing.

Thank you, Mr. White. Okay. Um all in favor? Any opposed? Motion carried. Number 20. to consider foundation in order to renew the current contract for disaster debris removal reduction and disposal services. Motion, please. Second. Motion by Councilman Fowler, a second by Councilman Bard. Public comments, discussion. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carried. Number 21 to consider adoption of an ordinance to renew the contract for emergency debris removal. Motion, please. monitoring services. Motion, please. Second.

Motion by Councilman Balo, second by Councilman Fowler. Public comments, discussion. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carried. Number 22 to consider foundation of an ordinance authorizing the final renewal for mixed debris removal and disposal services. Motion, please. Move. Second. Second. Motion by Councilman Veloid. Second by Councilman Johnson. Public comments. Discussion. All in favor? Any oppose? Motion carried. Number 23 to consider bond adoption sit accept the proposal receives height sweep for gas system compliance services. Motion please. Move.

Motion by councilman. Second by councilman Fowler. Public comments. M. Mr. White. Yes. Thank you, Madam President. You're welcome. Mr. Cornelius Lawson White Jr. I live at 363810th Street in Alexandria, Louisiana. My zip is 71302. My phone number is area code 3184466934 on these uh pipelines. They won't be carrying no carbon capture or nothing or I'm just asking. I don't I don't know what they they just straight gas. Straight gas. No carbon capture.

All right. But like I said, one day we need to talk about it as a city council cuz Yes, sir. I'm against that carbon cap.

Hold on. Let's finish this. Um all in favor. Any oppose? Motion carried. Number 24 to consider foundation number one. Authorizing change order number one for fire station number four, roof le repairs. Move. Second. Motion by Councilman Fowler, second by Councilman Johnson. Um, public comments, discussion, president. Yes, sir.

According to the documentation, that's a 51% increase. The gentleman, the group, $39,400 is now asking for additional $20,000. I read Tom Devid letter, but I'm trying to figure out I went out and looked at their fire station. How that did they miss this in their determination for the cost of this? Uh they did the water hoses and Tom said that they're having problems finding people to repair these uh uh tile roofs who put the roof on. And to me, if that person came back one bid, we accepted it, and now they're coming back asking for an additional $20,000, which is over 51% that has to come back to us. That's a bit much to me.

And I went out and looked at those values. So, I'm trying to figure out when they did the rain test, water test, and power testing, how did they not see that? You talked to Mr. David to explain it to you. I did not talk to myself. I read his letter, sir.

So, if you look at it, it's an additional, it's finding additional problems with it. So, it isn't that they missed the amount to fix the same problem, which would be it's when they further tested, they found new areas of water leak. And so, the way water works is in any house, you can identify where a spot is leaking and you can think you found all the vectors, all the ways that it did that. But water's a funny thing. It finds the path of least resistance. And so while you may think you have it once you cure those things, it may be that it was found another seam or was already leaking in another seam. And so while you cancel that out, water being what water does will let you know that it's also getting there a different way. And so what happened here is they did the work and it didn't cure the problem. And so they were able to find uh other ways it leaks. And that could happen more than once. It happens at our homes. Every time you work on your roof, you think you've got it and yet that same leak is or a new one occurs after you fix one. And so if it's coming at one spot, you can't always know where it is.

Well, I beg the differ. I just had a roof put on my house. Okay. and all areas were checked, rectified, and if the contractor would have came back to me with the 51% increase, he'd have ate that. Yeah. So, I I would just say that I understand you beg to differ because you had a good experience. I've had a terrible experience with a a roof problem that leaks.

And you can't you while you disagree, you can't disagree with physics and how it works. That's what water does. It finds a path of lease resistance and it will do that. Here, what they probably did most wrong is the whole project at 394 while it's moving at that percent is another 20,000. They probably made the project too low in the first place would be my guess. But that's what it costs to fix it. But I would suggest that the council bring in Mr. the engineers and everyone involved and let you know what you think about it. This is a change order to do it. This is this isn't paying for it. Yeah. It's not it's not paying for the same work that they miss the cost, Mr. Green. It's to add work.

I see that cost. I read that and understand that. I looked at the diagram and what I was saying was we only had one bid that came back with additional $20,000 to perform. And reading the information, it said that they did a power surge to do this to me with that fire truck putting that water on that building that should have been found. That's what happens when we accept one bid only. Just like you chose to take one off because you wanted to rebid it.

I just have a problem with it. They can vote for it. I'm not voting for it. It's just too much and I think it needs to be table and something else needs to be done with this. This is just ridiculous. This to me this is this is to me sir, my concern is if we do table it and delay it, how much worse is it going to get? So So God, listen. It it it wouldn't matter if you tabled it. I It doesn't even make sense what you're saying. That won't fix the leak.

So, water hit a building, the pressure of the water hits the building, it showed a leak. They went and worked on that water. They test it again. It's still leaking. So, you could table it until the cows come home. It's still going to be leaking. It has to be fixed. The question is, was there professional malpractice or something else and missing? And I would just tell you in other cases pretty strict about looking at that. When it's water, water finds the least resistant path and you can measure it once and it it's already moving another one, but it's channeled to move more in this one. You close that one off and it will find that channel now to be that's a normal thing. I'm happy you had a great experience with your roof. I do not share that experience with roofing and water. Well, you know, one thing too also, they fixed one part. This water, it might have forced another.

Well, that's what I was poorly saying that you said that. That's what I was trying. It broke another part when it when it we fixed it one part. So, and I think that's what Tom says right here. One, two, three, four. The fifth full paragraph after the repair work was completed, they requested the fire department to do another test and simulate a heavy rain event again. And they revealed the new spots. Correct. So our job on that is we do the same thing and we question did you miss something? Why did it happen? And the the bottom line is it's got to get fixed. It's going to be more damage to

it'll do more damage. That's the other thing about water. If you let it go unabated, it will continue to damage and it will find new paths of lease resistance to find new channels of damage to wood and other stuff. Then we'll have finally coming out with black my old issues and everything else. You know, and no matter what, it still got to be fixed. My concern is that we went with one bidder. Are they the bitter Are they the persons that put the roof on from the original? That was a long No, that's old. Old building. No, it's those that that building was recently refurbished. So, what's old to you all? Two months. No. Well, me on this one. I had that same exper

but you know how much money I spend my RV every time I patch one hole that All in favor. Any opposed? Motion carried. Um happy holidays to everyone from the Alexandria City Council. Hold up.

Hold up. Hold up. Also, Miss B, I'm glad that you're here. I would like to apologize to what happened the last city council meeting. Um we are democracy. People should be allowed to express differing opinions without being shouted at. So this is a place where everyone should be protected and respected and I would just like to apologize to you for what happened. All right. Yes, ma'am.