City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening everybody. Good evening.

Our April 13th, 2026 meeting is now called to order. We will uh proceed with invocation and then the pledge of allegiance. Will we all stand for the prayer and pledge? Let us pray. Oh dear God, we thank you for another day, another opportunity, another chance to be grateful for the many blessings that you have allowed us. And I pray on this day, God, that we would take take a moment to be grateful, to be thankful for things that maybe we've overlooked, some of the smaller blessings, but that we would appreciate those. Again, thank you for looking on us and blessing us as a community. Thank you for growth and opportunity um you know, just to do some great things in our city. bless each and every one of the council members and not only them but department heads and all city employees that we will continue to move the city forward in the way that it should be moved forward. I ask that you will bless the events that we have coming forward from farmers market to jazz um and R&B festival to so many other things that we've got going on in the summer. Uh pray that those events will be handled uh well. We ask these and many other blessings in your son Jesus name. Amen.

Amen. Please join me in reciting the pledge. I pledge algiance 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.

All righty. Um please take a moment and silence your cell phones during the meeting. The city council encourages public participation. Comments are limited to three minutes per speaker. However, this time limit may be reduced if there are numerous speakers on a particular item. To ensure efficient proceedings, all persons addressing the city council shall state uh their name and shall speak in a civil and courteous manner. Speaker shall address the agenda item agenda topic only to which they are speaking on and shall not be repetitive. Members of the audience, please respect the rights of others and do not create noise or other disturbances so as to disrupt or disturb persons who are addressing the city council, council members who are speaking or otherwise impede the orderly conduct of the meeting. Again, thank you as always for hearing to those instructions. Uh, next we're going to move to the reading and approval of our minutes from our March 23rd meeting. May I make a motion that we dispense with the reading of the minutes of March 23rd, 2026 and that they be adopted as recorded if there be no corrections?

Second. Motion made and seconded to dispense with the reading of the minutes and to adopt them as they have been recorded. Any comments or questions about this particular motion? All right, seeing none, Mrs. Stacy, roll call vote. Eli, yes. Nelson, yes. Smith Kirkind Doll. Yes. Harrington, yes. PT, yes. All right. Uh, the motion carries. We've got several um items on the agenda that we're going to address before we really get to uh the business part, if I can say it like that. Uh, but the first recognition is a special recognition. Um, and it's I think Mr. Newton. How do you pronounce the first name?

Kotti. All right. Kotti Newton. Nagages wrestling organization, USA club wrestling state champion. All right. In the 225 weight class 14U division. All right. I think we have Mr. Colada here and maybe some of his relatives. We also have his coach in the back standing. Is that your your daughter? Yeah. Okay. You got your daughter. He brought his daughter with him. Okay. Awesome. So, I don't know if there's anything that uh coach you want to say or somebody wants to say something about what we uh have here recognizing Mr. Kotti. Oh yeah. Yeah. Come on. She might speak too.

Hello. I'm Rudolph Glass. Um I'm Colott's coach. I'm the coach at uh St. Mary's uh wrestling. Um met Kotti about 3 years ago. Um I put a Facebook post out. I was uh starting a USA club team for the community so kids could come in and learn how to uh wrestle and the basic fundamentals. Um, Kotti, he was, I want to say, 11 or 12 when he first started. Um, he had to wrestle with the older guys. Um, and his sparring partner for the past few years was, um, John Paul Tippido. He, um, two time state finalist. So, he's been, um, wrestling some of the best kids that Napish has to offer. and this year was his first year wrestling and um like competing and he did a real great job. He works hard. He uh comes to practice um every day. He works in his off time. Um he has a great personality. Uh very down to earth and respectable and he has a lot more in store with wrestling. He's a great wrestler. He he also plays football but

yeah he's good. Great. He's a VERY GOOD KID. WELL, THANK YOU. UM, MR. Rudolph Glass, also Chief Lieutenant. Is that right? No. What's What's his title with us? Detective Lieutenant uh Bob

Detective Lieutenant Glass. All right. So, outside of that, doing some work in the community. This just brother Colott. This just says Nagas wrestling organization on the city of Nagas recognizes Colotti Newton. Nagas wrestling organization USA club champion for the um for the weight class 14U and uh for your 14U division I should say. So, we just want to honor you and uh just let you know that your city, we recognize what you're doing and uh want to encourage you to continue to do uh what you're doing and develop it because I know Coach Glass, Teach Glass have told you that uh you know, there probably some scholarship opportunities down the road um if you continue to improve and and get better at this craft. So, we want to have you come forward. Y'all give them another hand. Have you come forward? you want to present.

And I think it's great that we have you doing this and we need more young men getting involved and doing some things actively and positive. So very proud of you. Would you like to say something, Mr. Newton? You don't have to. He going to come take a picture with you. Yeah, he'll sit here with you. Get in there, coach.

Yeah, coach. I don't know. Take a picture. One more.

Look good. Alrighty. Now, next we've got a recognition that we do every month and this is to recognize our employee of the month from the community development department, but specifically from the event center and that's going to be Miss Mary Marorrow. And we just want to I think we've already shared it on Facebook. We've already shared it on Facebook. So, um, again, just like to recognize some of the great work that our, um, people who work for the city are doing. And Miss Mary, of course, um, you've seen at the event center if you've had an event, you've gone up there, um, at any time. Okay. All right. We've got a few proclamations uh, that we want to do. April seems to be pretty heavy uh, on proclamations, but it's all great great things. Um, the first proclamation is going to be read by Councilman Harrington. This is proclamation 17 of 2026. This is um a proclamation declaring April 2026 is National Child Abuse Prevention Month in the city of Nacadesh. And whereas National Child Abuse Prevention Month is an annual opportunity to raise awareness about issues surrounding child abuse and neglect and engage community members in the ongoing effect uh I'm sorry, effort to keep children safe. Whereas CASA is one of a group of national child abuse prevention partner organizations selected by the children's bureau to serve as partners in the national child abuse prevention initiative. And whereas the work of CASA and volunteers is crucial to preventing child abuse and ensuring that children live in a safe and permanent environments where they can thrive. And whereas studies have indicated that children with a CASA

volunteer are less likely to languish in long-term foster care, more likely to receive needed services, and less likely to reenter the foster care system. And whereas child abuse prevention requires partnerships among federal, state, and local governments, faith-based, and community- based organizations, schools, law enforcement, social service agencies, parents, and whereas during National Child Abuse Prevention Month and throughout the year, I encourage all citizens of NACA to find ways to cherish our children, strengthen our families, work together to eliminate child abuse and neglect, and strive toward a shared dream in which every child is safe and happy. Now, therefore, I, Ronnie Williams Jr., mayor and the Nacades City Council, to hereby proclaim April 26 as child abuse prevention month in Nacades, and call upon all citizens to increase their participation in our efforts to prevent child abuse, which in turn will strengthen our community in which we live. I move to adopt Proclamation 17 of 2026.

Second. Motion made and seconded to adopt this proclamation. I think we have a couple representatives here from CASA. Would you like to share with us um some of the details about the work y'all do? Great work y'all do in our community.

Thank you. Um I'm Emily Dah. I am the director for CASO of Central Louisiana and I want to thank the mayor and the city council for recognizing April as child abuse prevention month. Your support helps bring awareness to an issue that affects communities everywhere, including our own. Child abuse is not something that only happens somewhere else. It happens here and it takes all of us working together to recognize it, speak up, and be part of the solution. At CASA Central Louisiana, we advocate every day for children who need a voice. We also invite our community to get involved. For a $25 donation, you can receive a pinwill garden to display at your home, a visible symbol of hope, and a reminder that every child deserves a safe and happy childhood. Each garden also includes a sign to help spread that message throughout the community. Together, we can raise awareness, inspire action, and help create a safer future for our children. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you, Miss D, for being here tonight. Um, we this is one that we do every year and again, happy to partner with CASA. Um, not only in the ways we do, but any other ways that we could partner to help to um, you know, prevent keep children safe, pre prevent child abuse, and also to keep children safe in not only the city, but the parish. So, again, thank you all for the work that y'all do. Um, council, I don't know if yall have anything to say about it, but we'll Did you mention a phone number to contact? I think I can mention that.

So, uh, we have an office here in Nacades. It's at 1200 Kaiser Avenue and our phone number is 318-2382446 or you can go on our website at kasanat.org. Thank you. And uh, I would like to mention Mr. Collins. He got his pinwheel order today for the police department and we appreciate him. Every year he does this. So, thank you for the support. Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. I usually get mine. Just haven't gotten them yet. So, I said I usually get mine. I just haven't gotten them yet. But I know. Yeah, I love them.

All right. Any um comments or questions about the proclamation? Okay. Seeing now, Mr. Stacy, roll call vote. Eli, yes. Nelson, yes. Smith, Kirkindall, yes. Harington, yes. PT, yes. All right, that motion carries. Mr. All both of y'all if y'all want to come quick picture.

Okay. I didn't know we had that in here. Those pin wheels are nice. I didn't know we had that. Maybe too.

All righty. Um, our next proclamation is to honor this month as fair housing month. Really the next two I don't think we have anybody necessarily to receive them, but uh these are things that we do recognize for the month of April. And Councilwoman Washington Eli is going to read um the one with the fair housing.

Thank you, Mayor. Resolution number 018 to 2026 applamation declaring April 2026 as the fair housing month of the city of Nagish whereas the 58th anniversary of the nas fair housing law title 8 of the civil right of 1968 during the month of April's occasion for Americans individually collectively to redirect themselves to principles freedom from housing discrimination whereas existence whereas the law guarantee that each citizen or that c cruelty critical cru I'm talking about cruelty eliminate the freedom of choice selecting in the home whereas the fair housing law has been passed by the state of Louisiana implement of law required for positive commitment involvement and support of each citiz consistent and whereas the department of agriculture agency and the state of Louisiana are provide a leadership to enforce making fair housing not just by idea but this idol of the citizen and honor that the mayor ran junions of natives we negative city council hereby proclamation month of April 2026 affair housing month in the city of n and I move to adopt resolution number 18.

Second. Motion made and seconded. This is one of those proclamations as the next one that comes from us uh to us. I think it's this uh office of community development from the state. And this proclamation does what it says that you know our city will um you know not only acknowledge but you know we recognize that the need for fair housing um and things like that to not discriminate um against people for housing. So um any comments or questions about this particular proclamation?

Like I said we don't have anybody necessarily here to receive it but one of those things that we acknowledge All right, seeing no comments or questions, Mrs. Stacy, roll call vote. Eli, yes. Nelson, yes. Smith Kirkindall, yes. Harington, yes. PT, yes. All right, that motion carries. All right. Next, we've got the next proclamation being read by Councilman PT.

Thank you, Mayor. Resolution number 019 of 2026, a proclamation declaring the month of April 2026 as National Community Development Week in the city of Nagades. Whereas the community development block grant program has operated since 1974 to provide local governments with the resources required to primarily meet the needs of low and moderate income persons. Whereas the community development block grant program is among the few remaining federal programs available to address the needs of low and moderate income persons and small cities. Whereas the community development block grant program has provided the state of Louisiana with important and flexible assistance to meet the needs of low and moderate income residents of small cities by funding sewer, water and street project projects, economic development projects, clearance and demolition and make a difference projects. Whereas Congress and the the nation acknowledge the critical value of the community development block grant program and the significant projects that rely on its funds for support. May also move to adopt resolution number 019.

Second. All right. Motion made and seconded to adopt this resolution community really recognizing the community development block grant program as we've been calling CDBG. Um and you know throughout the years the city has received CDBG funding. Um I don't know which one we have going on. Do we have a current CDBG project going on now? Project But um that demolition the demolition

the demolition one yeah it's it's one of them we've done I want to say the most recent street project we did was a CDBG. So

the city has been blessed to um you know receive these funds. We're not an entitlement city which means you know we don't have a population over I want to say 50,000. That means we have to apply for these fund this type of funding. So we don't just get it, we we apply for it and we've had some people who help us to, you know, write those grants and win those grants, but they allow us to do some infrastructure related projects and some other things like that. So really really a good program, one that we hope sticks sticks around for some time. And you see there sewer, water, and it says street improvements as well. Um economic development projects make a difference. And we probably applied for all of these. Not saying that we got all of them before, but I know we probably apply for all of these. So, but uh really good. Any other comments or questions here?

All right, seeing Mrs. Stacy, roll call vote. Eli, yes. Nelson, yes. Smith Kirkindall, yes. Harington, yes. PT, yes. All right, that motion carries. All right, the next proclamation is read by Councilman Nielsen. Thank you, Mayor. Dale, before you get started, correction, that's Wednesday, April the 22nd, not Monday, just for the record. And the title and a time see it. Okay.

Yeah. Gotcha. Resolution number 20 of 2026, proclamation declaring Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026 as Earth Day in the city of Nacadesh. Whereas the city of Nacadesh is committed to protecting and preserving its natural resources and recognizes the important role its citizens play in this endeavor. And whereas this year's theme for Earth Day 2026 is our power, our plan emphasizes the collective ability of individuals, communities, and organizations to drive environmental progress, highlighting that meaningful change comes from persistent public action rather than relying solely on policy or government initiatives. It serves as a rallying call to defend environmental safeguards, promote clean energy, and strengthen community resilience. And whereas Earth Day is a time to come together with the rest of the world's citizens to celebrate the efforts of young and old alike who strive to improve the environment not only for the benefits of today, but also for generations to come. And whereas Earth Day reminds all of us to be good stewards of Nacadesh's precious natural resources. And whereas by using our natural resources wisely, we help build a stronger economy and a healthier future for all. And whereas on Earth Day and every day, native citizens are encouraged to preserve our natural resources by participating in efforts to reduce consumption and waste. to encourage recycling, utilize renewable resources, eliminate pollution, and conserve water, land, and energy. And furthermore, let it be known

that the city of Nacades, Louisiana hereby encourages its residents, businesses, and institutions to use Earth Day to celebrate the earth and commit to being good stewards of Nacadesh air, land, and water resources to create sustainable, healthy communities. Now therefore, be it without the city of Nacadus, Louisiana, hereby pledges Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026 to support global initiatives in the city of Nacadus and to encourage others to undertake similar actions. Therefore, I, Ronnie Williams, Jr., mayor of the city of Anacadus, do hereby proclaim Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026 as Earth Day in the city of Nacus, and strongly encourage all citizens to join the global initiative by participating in events, signing petitions, volunteering, and spreading awareness. Let's protect our planet and reinforce that environmental progress is achievable when people unite for a common cause. And I move to adopt resolution number 20 of 2026.

I second.

Okay. Motion made and seconded just to say that right in the m Earth Day is right in the middle of love the boot week. I'm sure there'll be some type of flyer at the end when we do announcements, but um Love the Boot Week starts this Saturday, April 18th, and it goes through, uh the 26th. And um this year, what they're doing, and I say they, the Lieutenant Governor Nungesser, it's under his uh under his office. And um Love the Boot Week celebrates America's 250th birthday, which is of course going to be this year on July 4th. So they're already kind of, you know, doing it um to to celebrate that. So, and they're just saying things like pick up 250 pieces of litter in celebration of America's birthday. So trying to encourage people to do that which I think is really important um that we you want people to not litter but that's something that is very hard to enforce. Um so I think these statewide efforts and initiatives are important but um so they didn't just pick love the boot week coincidentally happens to fall where Earth Day is which is great to make sure we have these initiatives going in a community type fashion. Any other comments or questions about this proclamation?

All right. And we'll talk specifically later on about what cleanups are happening in the city of Nacatish. Earth Day. Love the boot week type of thing. Mr. Stacy, roll call vote. Eli, yes. Nelson, yes. Smith Kirkindall, yes. Harrington, yes. PT, yes. All right, that motion carries. one last proclamation that we added and uh to deal with it, I'm going to ask that um we'll have a motion to amend the agenda to add resolution number 24.

Mayor, it sounds I make a motion to amend the agenda to add resolution number 024. Second. Motion made and seconded. Any comments or questions about this? All right. Seeing now, Mrs. Stacy, roll call vote. Eli, yes. Nelson, yes. Smith Kirkindall, yes. Harington, yes. PT, yes. All right. And this Thank you, council, for that. This particular um proclamation is going to be handled by our councilwoman at Laura Smith Kirkall.

Thank you, mayor. This is this is proclamation resolution number 024 2026 which is a proclamation declaring April 12th through the 18th 2026 as national public safety comm community telecommunication communicators week. Whereas emergencies can occur at any time that require police, fire or emergency medical services. And whereas when an emergency occurs, the prompt response of police officers, firefighters, and paramedics is critical to the protection of life and preservation of property. Whereas the safety of our officers and firefighters is dependent upon the quality and accuracy of information obtained from citizens who telephone the NACA emergency communication centers. And whereas public safety telecommunicators are the single vital link for our police officers and firefighters by monitoring their activities by radio providing them information and ensuring their their safety. And whereas public safety telecommunicators of the Nacadesh Police Department have contributed substantially to the apprehension of criminals, suppression of fires and treatment of patients. And whereas each dispatcher has exhibited compassion, understanding, and professional professionalism during the performance of their job in the past year. Now therefore, be it be it resolved that the city of Nacades declares the week of April 12th through the 18th, 2026 to be National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Nacades in honor of the men and women whose d who

diligence and professionalism keep our city and citizens safe. Therefore, be it resolved, I Ron Williams Jr. Mayor and the Nashville City Council hereby proclaim the week of April 12th through through 18th, 2026 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in the city of Nage. And I move for adoption of resolution number 024 2026. I second.

Motion made and seconded. Those telecommunicators, we have two here today with us. They are the the unseen heroes um of you know both fire and our police department. There are the folks who get those disturbing calls, those calls about people in danger, hurt seriously, not breathing, all kind of things. So, it's um I mean, you can only imagine the trauma they hear and have to deal with and have to be professionals to then relate that to the folks that that um have to respond should respond. So, they do great work. I think that this is fitting, but certainly so much more than even this proclamation that we're doing. But I want to allow Chief Collins and really Chief Win too. Either one of them can say something um about what telecommunicators really mean. Well, first I'd like to recognize uh the telecommunicators that are in the crowd. We have our communications supervisor, Dacoin Johnson. She's been with our department for 17 years. She took on the role as the supervisor in 2023 and done a phenomenal job. We have also Miss Brenda Henderson. She's been with our department since 1980. She's got 46 years experience. She's held the role of supervisor as well. And behind them there's the divisional c uh commander, Captain Billy Misier. I I I would be remiss to not point out the fact that most of the calls we handle are initiated by our telecommunicators. They are our lifeline. When our officers go out on a call, they're the ones who we're reaching back to provide information to them so that they can check the records, make sure the people we're dealing with are either safe. They're required to have certifications

to help people walk them through medical uh complaints or medical issues. And and you know, a lot of time people are calling law enforcement and for a fire reason in the most traumatic times and they're wanting to hear a voice that's welcoming, um, supportive and empathetic. But we take for granted that our communicators also don't have the luxury of knowing when to bring that that temperature back down when it's a situation if they hear shots fired call or someone's not breathing. They know officers get out and they're not answering the radio. That's a lot of tremendous um I guess you could say anxiety that they have that they have to deal with and we get the advantage of seeing it and going okay it's okay now. So we are very dependent upon our telecommunicators. We appreciate everything they do and the fact that they are often discounted. They're that unseen hero that you say um because they make things happen in the Acadish and how they respond to those calls uh benefit how we can actually handle the call as law enforcement.

And I'll just say I said two, but we have three cuz captain me like you said. So I said too there. Okay. All right. Go ahead, Chief Wayne.

They're that they're that uh voice in the night that you don't see. That voice that you don't see. They're comforting. They're the first people that everybody in the parish talks to when we have an emergency. U they're the ones that they can set the tone for the instant and uh they're just a great asset that everybody forgets that that they're they're the first they're the actual first first responder in the instant. So they're the ones that hear the initial call, the initial everything. So we appreciate all that they do for us. They handle not only do they handle the they don't only just handle the citizen or the complaint coming in, they also handle the first responders and we get on the radio and we're yelling back at them too. So they're handling both side. They're handling both sides. So they make calls for us. They call when we ask for the gas company, when we ask for ambulance, when we ask for any type of outside assistance, they're they're they're listening and monitoring that radio, make sure that we're taken care of. So they're taking care of us. They're taking care of everybody. So they're we appreciate everything that they do and kudos and we can't thank you enough for what you do.

Thank you.

Right. Any other comments or questions about this uh proclamation? I would just add that the 911 center is a blessing for us to have. It's a facility that is state-of-the-art and in an emergency situation, that building continues on. It has backup. It can resist wind, the rain, whatever you throw at it, it's going to be there and they just kind of sort of hunker down and uh take care of everybody in the city and the parish.

I would like to add yes. often because like if there's a storm, ice storm, hurricane, the the men and women at the NACCOM, they actually have stayed at the facility so that they could continue to provide those services because often they are that island in that storm. Yes. I think we got a motion in a second, right? All right, Mrs. Stacy, roll call vote. Eli, yes. Nelson, yes. Smith Kirkindall, yes. Harington. Yes. PT. Yes. I'm going to ask them to come up and receive this since they're here. Come get y'all. Miss Johnson,

Miss Brendon, Miss Miss Henderson, and Chief Chief Collins, Chief W. Good job. It's impressive.

Sound problem with sound. Again, thanks to all of our telecommunicators and certainly they're representing they're just

couple to three individuals, but there are others who um answer those calls in in the middle of distress. All right, we've got a planning and zoning matter next and uh Councilman Nielsson is is handling the voice.

Thank you, Mayor. Ordinance number 12 of 2026 and ordinance amending ordinance number 64 of 2001 by changing zoning classification of property described as follows. To reszone the following lot containing 1.560 acres having a front on College Avenue of 567.87 87 ft and a front of 44.77 ft along University Parkway as shown on plat by Reggie Lewis. Date November 7, 2000 and physical address is 3600 University Parkway. You can see on the screen it's going to the site of the new fire station. Whereas the planning commission of the city of Nacadus, state of Louisiana has recommended at their meeting of March 7, 2026 that the application of the city of Nacadus to reszone the property described above from R2 to R1 residential for the development of a new fire station be approved. And this is for introduction.

All right. Yeah. when this project started, I know Shantrell brought up that we needed to reszone it. So, Shantrell is anything you'd like to say about um this particular No, sir. Um just to say that this is more or less a formality making sure that we stay in line with our zoning ordinances. Uh fire station is not a use by right in R2. So, that's why we're reszoning to R1. That's the current zoning for a fire station. So, we decided to downzone it to R1. What's that? R2. You say R2 by what?

It's not a use by right in R2. Meaning that it's not a a permitted right to be used or developed in R2 zone property or piece of land. But when the in R1 which is the least or the most restrictive type of zoning that's where a fire station will be allowed by a permitted use by right. Okay. R1 is your residential. R1 and R2 are both residential. It's just that each one has a different set of classifications and use by right. Okay. Any any questions council about this?

No. I'm sorry. Well, we said this is going to be our what now? Two. One. R1. Okay. Okie dokie. Um, and it it it's going to be presented to you for a vote in a couple weeks. So, if there's a question that you have, please reach out to us and do it. But, as she said, it's really just a formality. All right. We've got our next ordinance that's for introduction and it's read by councilwoman at large Smith Kirkindall.

Thank you, mayor. This is ordinance numbers 011 of 2026 an ordinance adopting the budget for the city of Nacades for the fiscal year June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027. Whereas the fiscal year of the city of Nage is from June 1 through May 31 of each year. And whereas a budget has been has been prepared by the finance director Clarissa Brown Smith and has been submitted by the mayor Ronnie Williams Jr. to the city council for review and consideration. Now therefore be it ordained that the Nacha City Council does hereby adopt the budget for the fiscal year June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027. The city of Nag 2026 to 27 fiscal year budget general fund 23 millions 8,192 23,8192 proprietary fund which is a utility 44,433 uh uh 98 special capital project funds 44,980 588 bid further in accordance with LS LRS Louisiana revised statute 391305. The following specifies the mayor's authority to make budgetary amendments without approval of the governing authority as well as those powers reserved solely to the governing authority. The home rule charter of the city of Nachu states in part at any time during the fiscal year the mayor may transfer part or all of any unencumbered

appropriation balance among programs within a department office or agency. Upon written request by the mayor, the council may be the council may by ordinance transfer part or all of any encumbered unencumbered appropriation balance from one from one department officer or agency to another. This is section 5.05D. Supplemental emergency and reductions of appropriations must be submitted to the council for approval by ordinance section 5.05A and uh this is for introduction.

Yeah. Uh council Clarissa just gave you some binders. She could speak about that also. She went ahead and plugged in the numbers for the citizens budget. We typically present this at the budget hearing, but um and you already you're going to have it tonight. So, it just gives you the numbers, the percentages. You can imagine that these may shift from year to year. Just kind of let you know where we are on some things, revenue versus expenses and all of that. Um yes, ma'am. Miss Clarissa.

Yes. So, um thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, as Councilwoman Large stated, the figures for each um, classification or each fund, um, our total budget uh, for fiscal year 27 is going to be 122,421,878. Uh, you can see the breakdown of that when it comes to general fund, the proprietary fund, and the special funds. Um, one a couple of things that I could uh point out is if you're looking at the um citizens budget uh pamphlet, we have some in the for you if you didn't grab one. Um we just kind of break down some of our capital outlay initiatives for the year. Uh with public safety, we have 3.3 million um worth of capital outlay. Uh I think Steve is going to try to put up the pamphlet on the big screen for me. Uh for recreation we have $1.4 million. Uh for utilities we have $10.3 million and for physical environment we have 4.7 million. Um this uh upcoming year we'll have a lot of uh grant related projects that'll be going on within the city. Uh I think that was one of the biggest uh things that we looked at this year was identifying match dollars for those particular projects and making sure that we had sufficient funding for that. Um our match dollars are about $1.2 million, but of course uh the investment in our infrastructure is well beyond that. It may be uh well beyond $20 million is what we'll see come in with the grant dollars. So, uh I think that was like one of our biggest things this year is balancing the budget as we identified those um grant match uh dollars. Um another thing that we looked at, of course, we're going into our second phase of our uh water treatment

plant. So, that was one of the larger items that was included. Um and then also just uh with the fire station identifying the additional funding needed there. So that that's what that was another um item that took a lot of our attention. Um you can see the uh operating costs for the general fund. Uh there you can see the breakdown the percentage to total for each of our departments. Um of course fire and police takes the bulk of it when we're looking at the general fund and then indirect expenses uh comes in uh in that uh group as well. We did take a look at uh fire and police and their tax funds. So, we tried to um um address some of their needs with those additional dollars that we see from their tax funds. So, that was another conversation that was had um during our processes. We meet with each department head and they kind of give us their list of items that they're needing for the upcoming year and we try our best um to um address those needs. Um on the other side on the left side of that um you'll see where the general fund revenue uh will be coming from uh this year. Of course uh the uh one of the leaders in that is going to be our sales tax. Um 34% of our revenue comes or will be coming from our sales tax and then uh 49% is uh other funding and transfers. So uh again the general fund is budgeted at $23,8,192 for our uh utility fund. Um the total budget is $44,433,98. Um on that you can go to the other slide. Um

yeah, so this gives us uh that first and second panel will give you some information about the utility fund um budget. You can see that of course electric um you revenue will be the top revenue driver at $32 million. Uh water $6.4 million, sewer 3.5, all other revenues is 2.3 million. And that's uh our uh actual revenue budgeted numbers. Uh utility department's uh expenses, electric 23.3 million, water 5.4 million, sewer 2.6 million and all others range at about $12 million and that includes uh it utility service center uh and utility administration. So, the total budget again for our utility department is $44.4 million. Uh special funds, that's going to be all of our grant um projects that'll be coming through this year. And that's also uh any of our capital uh projects that'll be coming through in the upcoming year. And that's at $44.9 million. Uh again, one of the big the biggest of that is going to be your uh fire station as well as your grant mesh dollars and the phase two of your water treatment plant. So those were the big ticket items there. Of course, we budget uh for some other infrastructure needs. Um, as I stated uh before about 10.3 million in total for utilities is what uh the capital investment for the upcoming year. So that that'll take up a a good chunk of that. But um again the pamphlet is there just to kind of consolidate the

information. Uh council you have a digital copy as well as a paper copy. We will be setting up meetings to uh answer any questions that you may have prior to our public hearing. Public hearing will be at the next council meeting starting at 4:30. Thank you, Miss Stacy. Starting at 4:30 um at our next council meeting and that'll allow the public to come and ask any questions that you may have regarding the budget. Um it's a large document. So if you have some very specific questions, uh don't mind I don't mind you reaching out um you know asking any questions that you may have.

So I think you send what you sent electronically. They have the physical copy of the binder today and then the the little citizens budget as well. Yes. um that we just like to provide to give you like she said the the over it kind of breaks a lot of things down so you can see the numbers um but then also council will work establish some face toface meetings if that's what what we need and have any questions so there may not be any questions tonight per se but if there are some that develop through that throughout that time and like I said you should see an email or so from Clarissa about a meeting time or just maybe you just give them some time that they can come or however we decide to do that, but just want to make sure y'all have the time y'all need and the questions that you you want to ask. Okay. All righty. And again, that's just for introduction. So, like Alissa said, excuse me, at the next meeting, um, citizens and others will be able to ask those questions, make those comments. All right. Okay. So, we're going to end the meeting with three resolutions. This first resolution is um centered on the Nagades regional airport and is read by Councilman Harrington.

This is resolution 21 of 2026, a resolution of the city of Nacades authorizing Mayor Ronnie Williams Jr. to execute any and all agreements and documents with the Louisiana Department of Transportation Development, Office of Multimodal Commerce on pertaining to the Naculus Regional Airport. I move to adopt resolution 21 of 2026. Second, second. All right. Motion made and seconded to adopt resolution number 21 um in agreement with the Louisiana Department of Transportation. Ed, are there some other details you you can share?

Yeah, this is something the LA DOTD Aviation Division is doing uh to simplify paperwork, minimize paperwork on their end. and they've asked every airport in the state of Louisiana to do this. And so it's one resolution to authorize the mayor to sign resolutions of paperwork for them for a full year. But what it it doesn't avoid us coming to, you know, to city council for a bid for a project or anything like that. That still has to come to city council meeting. But this is all done at the request of the DOT so that they're not repeatedly sending out resolutions to different airports all over the state. It's just a a simplification thing for them.

Any questions, y'all? All right. Comments or questions? Anybody? All right. See, Mr. Stacy, roll call vote. Eli, yes. Nelson, yes. Smith Kirkindall. Yes. Harrington, yes. PG, yes. All right, that motion carries. All right, next resolution read by Councilwoman Washington, Eli.

Thank you, Mayor. Resolution number 022 of 2026, a resolution authorizing mayors to execute change order number one, the contract between the city of Neg and David Lauder cont construction LLC for the South Williams waterline project. Whereas the city of Nagnes city ward the bid to David Lauder Construction LLC contracted June the 23rd 2026 by ordinance number 19 of 2021 in the amount of $800 37860 for the South Williams waterline project bid number 067. And whereas March the 24th of 2026, the contract is a change order number one fully described as a touch A. Whereas the contracts was some would decrease by change order number one in amount of $2,10 and the revised contract will be835,851. And whereas the city is opinion for change order number one is the best interest of the city. I move to adopt resolution number 0022 or 2026. May I say before we adopt that uh that contract is on June 23rd 2025. It should be it's got June 23rd 2026 and we're not into

Yeah. Just okay. So yeah, let the record reflect 2025 instead of 2026. Yes. When the bid was awarded, let the record reflect that the date would be June 2023, 2025 by the ordinance number 019 of 2021 in those amounts. Mhm. And I move to adopt resolution number 0226. Second. All right. Motion made and seconded to adopt. As you see, it says a decrease there. Um Tim, is there a particular reason?

Yeah, it's a decrease of 2010 because of we went from a DR7 to a DR11 pipe, which is a thinner pipe in uh it's used more in municipal settings. DR7 is used in like factories and uh high pressure gas situations. You don't need it. Uh DR11 is a municipal standard. Uh it's more common pipe. DR7 is a U special order item and uh the DR 11 is a cheaper pipe. Okay. Any comments or questions? All righty. See, Mrs. Stacy, roll call vote.

Eli, yes. Nelson, yes. Smith Kirkindall, yes. Harington, yes. Yes. All right, that motion carries. All right, next we've got resolution number 23 of 20 26 and is read by Councilman PT.

Thank you, mayor. Resolution number 023 of 2026, a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute change order number two to the contract between the city of Nagish and David Lawler construction for the South Williams waterline project. Whereas the city of Nagis awarded the bid to David Lawler Construction on June 23rd of 2025 by ordinance number 019 of 2021 in the amount of 837,860 for the South Williams waterline project. Whereas on April 7th of 2026, the contractor issued change order number two fully described in attachment A. Whereas the contract sum will increase by the change order number two in the amount of $64,728 and the revised contract total will be $900,579. May also move to adopt resolution number 023.

Second.

Motion made and seconded. Uh, council, I think I shared with you um some information from the engineer last week after the agenda went out that um and I'm going just read a portion of it. Well, it's a small email, short email, I should say. Change order number two proposes to install new PV 6inch PVC water man down Royal Street. Um so basically to add Royal Street uh from South Williams to Highway 1 and remove the existing galvanized. I think we got some images up there. Um galvanized 2-in waterbang. So it's going to be different type of material, different type of pipe and also going to be thicker or I should say wider. Um, this was not originally part of the scope of the project, but due to good pricing from the contract of the city's desire to have a new line installed and the project being under budget, it is recommended to move forward with the addition to the scope of work. So, um, that's what that was. Tim, anything to add to that?

No, like you said, it is the project was already under budgets. The original budget was around 980,000. We're well below that. This is adding 64,000 to it. It also incre u adds in a 8 in DR11 HD HDP pipe underneath uh Williams Avenue and a uh fire hydrant down toward the Highway One South that we provided to keep the cost down on this project. We've we've we've we have provided a lot of parts to this project to keep cost down. So, we're well below budget.

And I mentioned council, although this is not on the agenda, there may be something separately with some grass that's native to this area that we have to kind of think about. Um, but I don't think that's going to be as large as 64,000. We're not thinking that, Tim. No, it's we're thinking somewhere around 24. Okay. Yeah. And just to as you're digging up and you see digging up into people's yards, you got to put it back, you know. So that's kind of what that want to be for. And

the reasoning behind that is this area has a lot of St. Augustine and St. Augustine grass is not does not produce viable seed. So you can't just seed and broadcast. It has to be sought. There's no other choice but to s. But that's that's one you'll see. But I I think I referenced it in the email. But this one is dealing with that PVC pipe to add this 64,000. Any comments or questions? I have a question. You know, we got a decrease. This is the same project, right? And the two $2,000 and then the increase of the 64,000. It's the same project. Correct, Tim? Correct me if I'm wrong. Same project.

Same project. Okay. So, I understand. Okay. Any other comments or questions? All right. Seeing none, Mr. Stacy, roll call vote. Eli, yes. Nelson, yes. Smith, yes. Harington. Yes. PT.

Yes. All right. That motion carries. Our next schedule meeting, excuse me, is going to be on the 27th of of this month in just a couple weeks. Um, we have to go naggage. We have regroup that people can sign up for. We'll kind of try to do some initiatives beyond announcing those here, announce them um in other ways that people may look at social media and things like that. But I think those are two good apps to download. Uh this work nagged uh summit is back. It was here last year. They like to call it not your mama's job fair. And this is taking place on next Wednesday. It's going to be at the NSU uh Freeman Student Union Ballroom. All right. So just an opportunity for uh people who are seeking employment or will soon seek employment. they may be in high school or trade school or college um to kind of you know make contact with uh some local employers. So I think it's a it's a good um good program, good event for us to have here in the city and put on by the chamber of course. All right, we've got the mayor's health and fitness council also with um uh the wonderful ladies of Zeta Fib Beta and that they had this scheduled previously, but I think weather got in the way. So, it's been rescheduled to the 18th, which is going to be this Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. So, join us there. Again, it's free put on by the mayor's health and fitness council. And I see Miss Sharon back there. Um she does a a really good job with certain events and things like that. So I know that was coordination through Miss Sharon. All right. Um you've got the 56th annual I'm sorry 52nd annual Meros Arts and Crafts Festival April 18th 19th. So that's this weekend on the cane shop and zip for calls and they have the times there from

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. So um again if you're into the crafts and other kind of things that you can get that'll be worth your time. Summer splash. This is what we do to try to let parents know, let youth know what's going on in the city during uh the summer. Our parks and rec uh folks, they they're a big part of that. but some others as well. Um, you know what's happening in the city. Uh, looking for fun activities to keep your child active, entertained during the upcoming summer months. So, again, that's going to be Tuesday the 28th, 400 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. All right. All right. Love the boot week. We referenced this earlier during the Earth Day proclamation. Um, it's going to be community cleanup is April the 24th. So, that's a Friday. Yeah, that's a Friday. Um, next Friday, um, meet us at the Nagodus Riverbank stage at noon and, um, again, in celebration of America's 250th, they're having a theme, pick up 250 pieces of litter, so forth, so on. So again, we've been participating with Love the Boot Week, and there'll be pictures and things like that. So really important to do. Kane River National Heritage Area which is one of the great community partners in the city and we certainly want to um you know be grateful that we have them here. Um, but Timber Ridge used to be Dark Woods, uh, Timber Ridge Adventure Park, um, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. there is a, um, what what you would say, I guess, a fundraiser, right, for their there, I mean, the Cane River National Heritage Area wants to build um, a discovery center here in the city.

So, um I think it's a great concept and uh I think this is it's it's a this is an event to help to go toward that goal. So, um we would certainly encourage people to uh sponsor to go and participate. Even if you don't sponsor per se, go and participate and have some fun and raise some money for a really good cause. All right, that's the end of those announcements. Farmers market, when is that getting started? That was the 25th. April 25th. All right. April 25th. So, all right. So, we will All right. So, that's a Saturday before we meet again.

So, April 25th from 8 to 12. Any theme you got? No. Oh, for the 25th. Okay. It's all good. But we know it's going to be great. April 25th, y'all. So, we'll get some some social media and things like that out about Farmers Market. Okay. We're coming back again with it. All right. Anything else, Council? Okie dokie. Uh, seeing nothing else at this time, we will hear a motion to adjourn. Make a motion we journ. Second. All right. Motion is made in second. All in favor? I. Meeting is adjourned. Have a great night, folks.