Calcasieu Parish Police Jury - Regular Meeting

A meeting to order. I'd ask you to silence your cell phones and any other electronic devices you have. And if anyone would like to speak on a topic, there's blue cords in the back of the room. I'd ask you to fill it out and put the topic number that you want to speak on and bring them here to the front. We'll have the pledge and invocation. Dear Heavenly Father, we just thank you for allowing us to gather here tonight. We ask that you guide us in our decision processes and that all our decisions would be pleasing to you. And Father, we have special blessing of comfort upon Ms. Pearl Cole and Ms. Beverly Gilchrist's families. We ask that you would welcome their souls into your most holy kingdom. and we ask that you would protect all our servicemen and women, especially those that are serving abroad. We ask all this in your most precious name. Amen. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, and indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Roll call.

Mr. Andropon?

Here.

Mr. Barris?

Here.

Mr. Bartee?

Here.

Mr. Bowers?

Here.

Ms. Eason? Here. Mr. Guillory? Here. Mr. Hayes is unable to attend. Mr. Lewis?

Here.

Mr. Marcantel? Here. Mr. Quinn? Here. Mr. Smith is unable to attend. Mr. Stanford? Here. Mr. Stelly is unable to attend. Vice President, oh, I'm sorry, President Abshire is also unable to attend. Vice President Burley?

Here.

You have a quorum.

Thank you.

1A, approve application for liquor and beer permits.

I have a motion by Mr. Lewis, a second by Mr. Barris. Any comments? Any objections? Motion passes. 1B, adopt an ordinance approving the following rezoning application for 2,000 block of Puget Road and Ward 8. No rezone to rezone from light commercial C1 to light industrial I1 to allow a contractor to shop in storage. I have a motion by Mr. Morkenthal and a second by Mr. Barris. Any comments? Any objection? Motion carries.

DAVID BURRAGE. Move on 1C with conditions. DAVID BURRAGE. Second.

DAVID BURRAGE. Adopt an ordinance approving the following rezoning application at 2540 Miller Avenue in Ward 4. to rezone from single-family residential to light commercial to allow convenience store and professional offices. I have a motion by Mr. Onderpont, a second by Mr. Bowers. Any comments? Any objection? Motion carries.

Move on 1D with conditions. Second.

Adopt an ordinance approving the following rezone application at 7896 Nelson Road in Ward 3. to rezone from Manufactured Home Park to Recreational Vehicle Park to Rowell Recreational Vehicle Park. I have a motion by Mr. Underpont, a second by Mr. Morkenthal. Any comments? Any objection? Motion carries. 1E, adopt an ordinance approving the following rezone application at 7874 Nelson Road in Ward 3 to allow a revised site plan to rezone from general commercial to allow a recreational vehicle park. I have a motion by Mr. Morkenthal, a second by Mr. . Any comments? Any objection? Motion carries. 1F.

Move on 1F with conditions.

Adopt an ordinance approving the following rezoning application at 5300 Block of Highway 27 South and Ward 4 to allow a revised site plan to remove stipulation number 5, which states that permitting is subject to approval from Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, and to remove stipulation number 6, which states that the hours of operation be from daylight to dusk. I have a motion by Mr. Bowers, a second by Mr. Beres. Any comments? Any objections? Motion carries. 2E, approve the minutes of regular meeting of the police jury dated August 20, 2026. I have a motion by Mr. Bartee, a second by Ms. Hayes. Mr. Guillory, I'm sorry. Any comments? Any objection? Motion carries.

No, no, that was 2A. He said E, but it was 2A. 2A.

OK. 2B, adopt the resolution ratifying Executive Order 2026-04. Move on 2B. Second. Which lifted the prohibition upon outdoor burning activities. I have a motion by Mr. Barrett, a second by Mr. Bowers. Any comments? Any objection? Motion carries. 2C, adopt a resolution approving items relative to Act III funding from the 2026 regular legislative session with the community center and playground district number one of Ward 6. I have a motion by Mr. Marcantel, a second by Mr. Stanford. Any comments? Any objections? Motion carries. 2D. DAVID BURRAGE. Move on 2D. DAVID BURRAGE.

Second.

DAVID BURRAGE. Adopt the resolution to support of an application to the US Department of Transportation for grant funding for the replacement of the existing Black Bayou Bridge. I have a motion by Mr. Stanford and a second by Mr. Guillory. Any comments? Go ahead.

I know that's not our bag, but what are we hearing about that as far as timelines?

I don't know, Mr. Barris, if I can give you a timeline. We hopefully approve this letter of support for this fixed span bridge, which, as you know and as all of you know, is really needed in that area. That takes a long way around, and hopefully this will assist with that project. I'd ask Mr. Johnson. Nick can come up. He might have a little bit more detail than me.

Yeah, so we had a meeting with DOTD a couple weeks ago, and they mentioned they were pulling the barge out of the water to do a visual inspection of it, and their early timelines was 18 months from that date. So that's what we're looking at right now.

Okay. Yeah. Any other comments? Any objections? Motion carries. 2E, adopt a resolution approving the demolition of the structure located at 721B East Pre and Lake Road in Lake Charles. I have a motion by Mr. Lewis, a second by Mr. Gilbert. Any comments? Go ahead, Mr. Gilbert.

I know we're doing that. When are we doing the other building where the barbershop was? I'm just asking. I had roughly idea.

I'd have to have Mr. Kelly come up and comment on that.

Those structures are part of a larger project that will come out early next year.

Okay.

Thanks, Mr. Dean. Yes, sir.

Any other comments? Any objections? Motion carries. 3A, adopt a resolution to approve a professional engineering contractor's design and construction monitoring service for the Owls Road bridge replacement project. I have a motion by Mr. Stanford and a second by Mr. Beres. Any comments? Any objection? Motion carries.

Move on 3B. OK.

3B, adopt the resolution approving a permanent drainage servitude with temporary construction servitude agreement for the intersection improvements at Johnstown Road with Sampson Street, Westwood Road, and 378 Project. I have a motion by Mr. Underpont and a second by Mr. Morkenthal. Any comments? Any objections? Motion carries. 3C. Adopt a resolution proving the submittal of applications to Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program for the Iowa Community and Senior Center and the Second Harvest Kitchen Project. I have a motion by Mr. Bowers, a second by Mr. Guillory. Any comments? Any objections? Motion carries. 3D. Adopt ordinances authorizing the lease of the following properties, which must remain open space property. Number one is 386 Cobb Circle in Lake Charles. And number two is 1934 Daly Road in Sulphur. Motion on all bullets? I have a motion by Mr. Quinn and a second by Mr. Beres. Any comments? Any objections? Motion carries. 4A, adopt the resolution approving the submittal of the Human Services Housing Program Annual Public Housing Agency Plan for fiscal year 2027. I have a motion by Mr. Guillory, a second by Mr. Lewis. Any comments? Any objections? Motion carries. So moved. Board B, adopt the submittal of minutes from the Calgary Parish Human Service Advisory Board for the meeting held August 18, 2026. I have a motion by Mr. Gilroy, a second by Mr. Lewis. Any comments? Any objections? Motion carries.

Move on 5A. Second.

5A, approve payment of all current invoices and advise regarding budget to actual comparisons. I have a motion by Mr. Onderpont and a second by Mr. Bartee. Any comments? Any objections? Motion carries. 5B.

Move to accept the bids.

Action on bids for ready mixed concrete. Second. I have a motion by Mr. Morkenthal, a second by Mr. Stanford, Any comments, Mr. Barras?

Mr. President, please let the record reflect my recusal on this item.

Thank you, sir. Any other comments? Any objection? Motion carries. 5C, action on bids for hot mix. Staff recommends the bids of Prairie Contractors and RE Hyatt Construction be accepted. I have a motion by Mr. Bartee, a second by Mr. Bowers. Any comments? Any objections? Motion carries. 5D, adopt the resolution on bids, thoroughfare roads, and drainage rehabilitation. Staff recommends a low bid of RE high construction in the amount of $11,597,990 be accepted. I have a motion by Mr. Bartee, a second by Mr. Lewis. Yes, sir.

Please let the record reflect my recusal for this item as well. Thank you.

Any other comments? Any objection? Motion carries. 5E, adopt the resolution accepting Belfield Ditch Multicrossing Replacement Project is substantially complete. I have a motion by Mr. Quinn, a second by Mr. Morkenthal. Any comments? Yes, sir.

Mr. President, I just want to say this is a project that I personally have been involved with about 14 years. So I'm very proud to say we've completed this project. And I'd like to thank the staff, Nick and his team, for staying on the contractor and fighting through some things to make this happen. It has turned out to be, I think we dropped two foot of water level by doing this, which is substantial for flood zones in the Belfield area. So it's something we really needed. An excellent job. It looks great. I mean, I know y'all drive through Moss Park a lot, so next time you do there, pick one of these roads and go down there, and you'll find out it's a beautiful improvement, and it's a testament to what that staff can do whenever we give them the right opportunity. So that's it. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you.

I have one comment, and I'm not sure if it's for Nick or Dane. I've asked this question in the past about some of that growth that's come up in that ditch. And I think some of it, by regulations, we have to leave it. But it concerns me as much as what's coming in there, the way it's going to restrict it.

Well, Mr. Burley, on that question, I can definitely turn it over to Mr. Johnson on that, our engineer.

Yes, sir. As part of the initial documents, that is a requirement to maintain the growth of the certain type of trees. But I do agree that there are some non-native species that are sort of invasive and growing in that area that we could work with our gravity range district to try and get some of that cleaned up.

Yeah, as much as possible because it's going to restrict it. It definitely is a very valuable project for that area. I know quite a few residents in that area They're happy they're not getting the water in the house anymore.

Yes, sir.

Appreciate it. Condolences.

6A, adopt a resolution. Condolences of following a family of the late Mr. Burley.

Motion carries.

OK. Oh, I didn't get it. I thought I did. OK, I'm sorry. I need the motion is who we got? Mr. Quinn. Mr. Quinn and Mr. Markentell. We've got a motion by Mr. Quinn and a second by Mr. Markentell. Any comments? Other comments? Any objections? I think that's what I need. I think I had to think. Okay. Motion carries. I told you I was going to make a mistake.

That's okay.

6A, resolution of condolence forwarded to the family of the late Ms. Pearl Cole. Mr. Guillory.

I was going to tell you that. As many whereases that we have on her proclamation, it is never enough for Ms. Pearl. Ms. Pearl could have used 10 pages for all the things her heart really cared for. And one of the things that Ted, the gentleman that is running the place now, I've been 20 years, every Thanksgiving day and every Christmas day is where I go to help Ms. Pearl. And I help cook, myself, Ted, and myself. And she would always tell Ted, Ted, I want my rice dressed in the color of my skin. She said, so make sure you put enough coloring in there, Ted. But let me tell you what, her heart was so big. It's not a time I didn't go where we didn't pray. Every morning when we'd get there, she would pray and make everybody hold hands. And I tell you what, she's going to be missed. Her heart was really into helping the homeless and everybody. She really was. And during my campaign, that's where I would go and eat, because the food was good, too.

All right. Thank you, Ms. Pearl. Thank you, Ms. Skewer. Ms. Shonjabong. Just to follow up on Ms. Pearl, I mean, everyone that knows her, it was her smile. You hear that saying that the eyes leads to a person's soul. Her eyes lit up in just genuine kindness from her. She definitely did the Lord's work while on this earth, and there's no doubt in my mind, I truly believe she's in heaven smiling down. There's certainly a crown for her. Mr. Bartek.

Yes, and I just want to echo those sentiments as well. Ms. Pearl was one of those jewels that we can think of that was an angel that lived right among us. So just like you say, she will definitely be missed. And she did great work. And I was just fortunate just to be able to know her. Thank you. Thank you.

I would just say that I've had the pleasure of going and visiting Miss Pearl with my grandchildren when their classes go. And she not only served the hungry and the people in need, but she taught those children how to do the same. She shared those values. And she let them ask her questions, and those kids could come up with some questions. And she answered every one of them like it was the most important question she'd ever answered. So she'll definitely be missed. I don't know if we'll ever have another Ms. Pearl. Thank you.

We had, on that subject, we had a motion by Mr. Gilroy, a second by Mr. Abshire. Any other comments?

No, not Mr. Abshire.

I mean, Ms. Sondre Pond. I'm sorry. Two mistakes.

Nobody's keeping them. You're keeping them. We're not keeping them. I've been keeping them. Any other comments?

Any objection? Motion carried. OK. 6B, I need a motion to adopt a resolution of condolences forward to the family of late Beverly Bruce Stewart Gilchrist. I have a motion by Mr. Morgenthal, a second by Mr. Stanford. Comments, Mr. Barris?

Thank you, sir. Anybody, and I know we've got folks in this room that they never call and say, hey, man, you're doing a good job today. I guarantee you Beverly didn't get that call hardly at all. And it didn't matter. I'm on it. positive, smile. Every time you spoke with her, we're on it. We're on it. I mean, she was such a can-do person and such a positive light. Waste management, very lucky to have had her. And if you could have bottled that work ethic and just that personality that was Just like I said, just a can-do, will-do, a caretaker type of disposition. It's like she never had a bad day. And unfortunately, she's going to be missed, I know. You know, I was thumbing through my phone the other day looking for somebody's number, and there was her number. And I bet you, I guarantee you, if I went into that call log, you know, all the times, you know, just, and not necessarily when things were bad, but just when you'd call for information, she was always there. And if she didn't know it, she'd get it, and she'd call you back. And they just don't make them like that.

No, they don't. Any other comments?

No, no. Along the same lines as Mr. Barris, but I know we all around this table called her. And the same thing, always can do. I will follow up. I'm on it. Text message, phone calls that we get. My garbage wasn't picked up today. I got a bad can. Whatever the case may be, she's always doing it. And you're right, she will be missed. And what was it, 47 years of service? Phenomenal. And oftentimes when you Later in years of service, like you get tired, she never did, even when she was feeling bad. And while I have the floor, I want to extend my condolences once again to Mr. Boland and his family and the passing of your mother. We certainly are keeping you in our prayers.

And I also want to speak on Ms. Beverly. The last time I called her was about three weeks ago. And she was at MD Anderson hooked up to an IV, and she took that call. That's the kind of person she was. When you talk about service and a caring heart, she had that. We go back over 40 years. She definitely will be missed. And I second Mr. Andre Ponder on your mom. Appreciate you. Any objections? Motion carries. Any other comments? Need a motion to adjourn? Motion to adjourn.