City Council - Regular Meeting

Got a lot of [clears throat]

Thank more flowers.

Are y'all ready?

Once more. One, two, I got some more. [laughter] You got

uh no you just Marcus. Thank you. I don't It's true. Hey, how are you? mine. Not mine, but for the people who need. But that's it. They can get them. [laughter] He got it today, honey. You need

You need one. [clears throat] No, you did. [clears throat] Councilman Oh my god.

My daughter told me it was [laughter] enough. Hello, J. How you baby? How are you, sir? Uhhuh. I am. Therefore I be. I didn't even wear I didn't even wear my vest today. I even wore a jacket. Jacket. Are you chilling? No, I just thought I' [laughter]

So, so I had a good chat with Bruce just a minute ago in the in the foyer there trying to get some breathing room to figure out get some uh I was ready for you. [laughter] Good afternoon everyone. The Streetport City Council meeting is now called to order. I'm going to ask Pastor Don Yeah. Come on. You looking right on her. Come on down here. Come on with your pink on. Y'all give him a round of applause. He came out here with his pink on [applause] to support all the ladies in the room and in the city of Shreport.

We're going to ask him to lead us in the pledge and then we will ask uh Councilman Telero I'm sorry he will lead us in the invocation and Councilman Talifer will lead us in the pledge. [laughter]

He was ready. Let us pray. Dear God, we come before you with thanksgiving in our hearts, thanking you for this beautiful day, dear Lord, as we come to celebrate the women this month and on this day. Lord God, we pray for your guidance. We know, dear Lord, that with your presence and your guidance, dear Lord, we'll receive the success that we need. Thank you for our leaders of this city, dear Lord, and we pray, dear Lord, that you, heavenly father, will be there with them and continue to protect the city of Shreport. and let this be a wonderful, wonderful meeting on today in Jesus name we pray. Amen. Amen.

All face the flag of the greatest country on earth. And as we say our pledge, let us be mindful and appreciative of the sacrifices of our MIAs and PS. I pledge allegiance 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. Madame clerk, will you please call the role? [clears throat] Councilwoman Taylor, present. Councilman Brooks here. Councilman Tiferrell, here ma'am. Councilman Butcher, here. Councilman Jackson here. Councilman Green, I'm here. And Councilwoman Bowman, present.

Is there a motion to approve the minutes of the administrative conference, Monday, February 23rd, 2026, and the city council meeting Tuesday, February 24th, 2026? So move. So moved by Councilman Green, second by Councilman Jackson. Any discussion. Let's vote. I think we're stuck. We stood. Yes. Councilman Brooks. Yes. Councilman Talero. Councilman Butcher. Yes. Councilman Jackson. Yes. Councilman Green. Yes. And Councilwoman Bowman.

Yes. And that passes with seven. Does any council member have any awards, recognition, or distinguished guests not to exceed 15 minutes? And that would be myself and Councilwoman Bowman. So, y'all just going to have to wait cuz it's all about the ladies today. Ladies, give yourself a round of applause. [applause]

Good afternoon and welcome. On behalf of the Streetport City Council, I would like to thank everyone for joining us today as we celebrate [clears throat] Women's History Month and recognize the remarkable women and young leaders who continue to make a lasting impact [clears throat] in our community. [applause] As you enter the city council chamber today, you were given a pink rose. The rose symbolizes appreciation, respect, and recognition for the strength, resilience, and leadership of women in our community. It serves as a reminder of the many ways women nurture growth, inspire progress, and help our communities flourish. Each year, Women's History Month provides an opportunity to reflect on the achievements, leadership, and contributions of women whose dedication and perseverance have helped shaped our communities and inspire future generations to come. The 2026 Women's History Month theme is leading the change. Women shaping a sustainable future. Selected by the National Women's History Alliance, this theme honors women who are re-imagining and rebuilding systems to ensure long-term environmental, economic, and social sustainability. Across our city and across our nation, women continue to lead the way in education, public safety, business, healthc care, community advocacy, and innovation. And if that's one of you, just go ahead on and give yourself an applause. That's everybody in the room. [applause] I would say our work strengthens our institutions, uplift our neighborhoods, and [clears throat] helps create a better future for the generations that will follow. Today, the Shreport City Council is proud to continue that tradition by honoring distinguished women from each council district who women whose leadership and service and commitment are helping our community

move forward. Give yourself another round of applause, [applause] vice chair. Okay. Thank you, madame vice madam chair. Um today we celebrate and recognize the women that are leaders, advocates, professionals, educators, and just our ordinary mamas, grandmas, all the women. We celebrate them today. At this time, each m each member of the street city council will have their distinguished guests. We will start with madam chair in district A and then we'll go down to district G. Thank you. So, I want you all to all thank the men on the council. You know, they were wearing their pink supporting you all. So, give them a round of applause as well. [applause]

I told the mayor to make sure that he wore his pink shirt, too. So, if they didn't have a pink shirt, then they needed to wash it with a red t-shirt so it can fade to pink [laughter] and then put it on and yes, in very hot water and put it on so you would be able to represent all of the fabulous women of our community. Some of them actually did it because you know all the time it didn't work. Okay. But again um this is all about you for these few moments that we have right now. So I want to take the time to make sure that we recognize the women within our district. Starting with me in district A. I have a letter of commendation uh delivered this 10th day of March 2026. It is with great honor and admiration and all of them will read this way. Uh, it is with great honor and admiration that I recognize Mary Harris. Miss Harris, would you please STAND [applause] in celebration of Women's History Month for her exceptional contributions, leadership, and unwavering dedication to the residents of District A and the city of Shreport. Throughout her work and service, she has exemplified the qualities, dedication, commitment, and compassion that define true community leadership. Her tireless efforts to [clears throat] uplift others, promote positive change, and strength the and strengthen the bonds of our community reflect the enduring impact that women have made in shaping our society and inspiring future [clears throat] generations. Her remarkable achievements extend across a wide spectrum of endeavors from community service and civic engagement to advocacy and mentorship. She has consistently demonstrated an ability to bring people together, foster collaboration, create opportunities that empower others by leading with integrity, purpose, and a genuine concern for the well-being of others. She embodies the ideals that Women History Month seeks to honor. As we celebrate Women's History Month, we take

this moment to honor her vision, her steadfast dedication, and her unwavering commitment to making a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of those she serves. Her efforts have created ripples of positive change throughout the community, leaving a legacy of hope, inspiration, and progress. The Shreport City Council proudly acknowledges her extraordinary contributions and extends sincere appreciation for the positive impact she has made in District A and throughout our city. It is with deep respect, gratitude, and admiration that we celebrate her service, her leadership, and her unwavering devotion to the betterment of our community. With deep, deepest respect, and admiration, your Councilwoman, Tabitha H. Taylor. Bless y'all to all you people that have to read all the time. [applause] [applause]

Y you can just read. [laughter] Okay. District B. Council Brooks. You got one more. Yes. Two. Okay. My next letter of commendation is for Miss Annie Elie. Come on, step. Step up. [applause]

As we celebrate Women's History Month, we take this moment to honor her vision, her steadfast dedication, and her unwavering commitment to making a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of those she serves. Her efforts have created ripples of positive change throughout the community, leaving a legacy of hope, inspiration, and progress. So, we proudly acknowledge Miss Annie Elely. [applause] [applause] So, Mr. Johnson, do you want us to take their picture now? Just wait till the full council has been written.

Okay. Okay. District B. District B would like to honor Rachel Hill Jackson. I'm not sure if she's here. [applause] The Streetport City Council proudly acknowledges her extraordinary contributions and extends sincere appreciation for the positive impact she has made in District B and throughout the city. It is with deep respect, gratitude, and admiration that we celebrate her service, leadership, and unwavering devotion to the betterment of the community. With deepest respect and admiration, Gary Brooks, Councilman B, for you, Rachel, I'll give this to you at another time. [applause]

Is that the only one? That's the only one. Okay. District C. Thank you, Madam Chair. Is Miss Emma Hall in the audience? Come on. [applause] [applause] So, I have to preface this before I speak for Miss Emma and I have really never met except we see each other almost on a day-to-day basis because Miss Emma is a crossing guard on Line Avenue. And if you ever go by Line Avenue in the 8,000 block of Line Avenue, [applause]

Wow. So, Miss Emma, this is for you.

It is with great honor and admiration that I recognize you, Emma Hall. in celebration of Women's History Month for your exceptional contributions, leadership, and unwavering dedication to the residents of District C and to your entire community that you serve. Throughout your service and your work, you have exemplified the qualities of dedication and commitment along with a lot of compassion that define true community leadership. Your tireless efforts to uplift others by your waving promote positive change and strengthen the bonds of our community, reflecting the enduring impact that women like you have made in shaping our society and inspiring future generations, generations of kindness. And I'm so appreciative appreciative of everything that you do, Miss Emma Hall. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[applause] [applause] JIM, REAL QUICK, MISS HALL, I want to thank you, too. Uh, you were always such a joy when my daughter went to Cat Middle Magnet. I would pick her up on a daily basis, and you were out there smiling. It made our day. So, I want to thank you personally, too. [applause]

[applause] And Miss Robin Snider, I know you're in here, SUNSHINE. [applause] SO, if I may preface this, Robin and I pounded the beat together in Allenale, Cooper Road, and anywhere else that that the radio sent us. My district,

the uh that's right, your district as well. Um, and Sunshine uh was her nickname uh by everyone that she served in the community because of her then golden hair. So, this is for you, Robin, in appreciation for everything that you've done for me as one of my former training officers on the police department. It is with a great honor, and I mean honor, and admiration, that I recognize you, Robin Snyder, in celebration of Women's History Month for your exceptional contributions, leadership, and unwavering dedication to the residents and the Shreport Police Department of District C and the city of Shreport. Your work and service has exemplified the qualities of dedication, commitment, [clears throat] and compassion that define true community leadership. Your tireless efforts to uplift others, promote positive change, and strengthen the bonds of our community reflect the enduring impact that women have made in shaping our society and inspiring future generations, especially in law enforcement. Your remarkable achievements extend across a wide spectrum of endeavors from community service to civic engagements through your volunteerism down at the municipal auditorium. And together you foster collaboration and you create opportunities that empower others by your leadership example. By leading with integrity, purpose, and genuine concern for the well-being of others, you embody the ideals ideals that Women History Month seeks to honor and is all about. from my heart to yours. Thank you for saving me out on the streets on numerous occasions and I so appreciate your dedication to our city and I love you. Thank you so much. [applause]

Thank you, Madam Chair. As yall know, I'm a historian. You are a historian. In 1804, Louis became lower flag lowered it and raised the American flag today. AWESOME. [applause]

District D, Miss Wayne Balanche, he'll stand up. [applause] Whenever uh the chairwoman and vice chair proposed this, I thought it was a great idea. We have two wonderful leaders on this council right now. And it's the first time in history that it's happened. It's actually the second time, but there [laughter] but this year is the second time. And when this was proposed, both of the names that I'm going to read to you came up as leaders in my community and throughout the city of Streetport. Awesome.

So, Miss Wayne Balanche, it's my great honor and admiration to recognize your contri your contributions to uh Shreport City Council District D and all of Shreport. Throughout your work and service, you exemplify the qualities of dedication, commitment, and compassion that divine that define true community leadership. Your tireless efforts to uplift others, promote positive change, and I would add, promote our city, strengthens the bonds of our community, and reflect the enduring impact that women have made in shaping our society and making shport the city that it is. With much admiration, the Streetport City Council proudly acknowledges your extraordinary contributions and extends sincere appreciation for the positive impact that you've made on the city of Shreport and District D.

Thank you for all you do. [applause] And secondly, uh, Miss Linda Bernaki. [applause] Again, I have such a wonderful pool of ladies that are leaders in business, community, and it just Linda has just goes over and above on everything that she does. So, it is with great honor and admiration that I recognize you, Linda Bernaki, in celebration of Women's History Month for your extraordinary and exceptional contributions and leadership to the city of Shreport.

Throughout your work and service, you exemplify the qualities and dedication that make Shreport a great place to live. Through your business and your philanthropic and community involvement, you are a true leader in the city of Shreport and in District D. The Shreport City Council proud proudly acknowledges your extraordinary contributions and extends our sincere appreciation for all you do for the city of Shreport. Thank you. [applause]

[applause] E, Mr. D.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh, Streetport City Council, I have two amazing women to honor today. Um, the first I would ask to stand up, Miss Latoya Amos. [applause] As we celebrate Women History Month, we take this moment to honor your vision, your steadfast dedication, your unwaving commitment to making meaningful and lasting differences in District E. The Streetport City Council proudly acknowledge your extraordinary contributions, your impact to District E, uh your leadership, and your unwaving dedication to the community. With deepest respect and admiration, Dr. Alan Jackson would like to bestow this honor. Miss Amos has was the former uh Southern Hills Neighborhood Association president. And in that position, let me say it, it was a voluntary position. In that position, she led countless Southern Hills cleanups. Uh she went doortodoor. She recruited more members to join the neighborhood association simply so everybody can stay informed. um we live in a day and time where we're getting a lot of information from a lot of different places. She wanted to make sure that the correct and accurate information coming directly from city leaders, um our chief of police, um our directors over our many departments um were present and visible to educate the Southern Hills community. I thank you for that. you have made my job really, really easy uh because of your work um that you've done in Southern Hills and I'm honored to honor you today doing women's history month. Thank you. [applause] Miss San Antonio Smalls, please stand. [applause]

Miss Small is the owner and CEO of Something Safe to Do. This is an organization that prides themsself on giving hope and resources to our Cedar Grove community. You have done countless works. Um your organization have saved so many lives. Um these are the statistics that we can't count. Um, we're always able to quantify the bad, but sometimes we're not able to quantify all the lives and all the the the help that is going into our community to make sure people are fed, they're safe, um they're getting educated, and they have hope to go to college. So, I'm honored for you to honor you during this Women's History Month because your work um is is unspeakable, and we appreciate you as well. Thank you.

[applause]

MR. G. Thank you, Miss uh Valerie White. [applause]

Thank you, Miss Valerie. Certainly, I appreciate all the work that you do and you've done. And of course, um, also thankful that you and I have one thing in common that's therapeutic that we can't tell anybody about. Um, as we celebrate Women's History Month, we take this moment to honor you, honor your vision, your steadfast dedication, and your and your unwaving commitment to making a meaningful lasting difference in the lives of those you serve. Your efforts created ripples of a positive change throughout the community, leaving a legacy of hope, inspiration, and progress. from uh city councilman District F, James Green. God bless you and congratulations. [applause] And I have uh last but not least, Miss Mela Brown. [applause] Nella, thank you so much for all you do. And we've been friends since the year it rained a lot. And so I'd just like to say as we celebrate Women's History Month, we take the moment uh to honor your vision, your steadfast dedication, your unwavering commitment to making a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of those you serve. your efforts created ripples down to a positive change throughout the community, leaving a legacy of hope, inspiration, and progress. And I'm sure that all of the ladies that you serve and doing their hair. I don't know if you do any brothers, but I know the ladies, you make them look so wonderful and all that you do in the community. I just like to

say thank you from city council district F James Green. GOD BLESS YOU. [applause] DISTRICT G. HEY, Tammy and Cammy, right? The Empire twins. Are they here today? They're not here. Okay. Well, I'll give them theirs later. Um, but they do so much in the Queensboro area. They just took over the new Queensboro Association. So, I look forward to working with them. I hate they couldn't be here today so we could celebrate them, but happy woman's month. Thank you, [applause]

Mr. Johnson. Do you want us to take pictures with the recipients now? So, please direct us. Okay. So, you want to do them? You want to take the pictures now? Okay. I guess I kind of think so. Congratulations.

Congratulations.

[laughter] How are you? Congratulations.

Thank you. How are you?

Yeah, we can move a little bit to the right. All the short people on the back. [laughter]

Okay. [laughter] But your hair looks good. My hair passing out. Holding it in. Where are we looking? We ready. Is my hair straight? [laughter] That's important. What you need Allan and I to do? Who are we looking at? Yes. Be short and tall.

Always. Just follow up. [applause] So, at this time, we'll continue the program uh with the recognition of Women's History Month essay contest winners. In addition to honoring remarkable women in our community, the Shreport City Council is also proud to recognize the voices of the next generation through the student essay contest. The council invited young women from across the community to reflect on this year's theme, leading the change, women shaping a sustainable future, and share their perspectives through writing. This contest encouraged students to think critically about leadership, problem solving, and the role women play in shaping a stronger and more sustainable future. For our middle school division, grades 6 through 8, students responded to the prompt title, a problem worth solving. Students were asked to identify a problem affecting the future in their school, community, or the world. And imagine a woman leader solving it. Just imagine that.

They described the actions she would take and [clears throat] how she would create lasting change. For our high school division, grades 9 through 12, students responded to the prompt designing the future. These students were asked to choose an issue affecting future generations and analyze how women leaders are creating long-term solution and what makes their leadership effective. We were truly impressed by the thoughtful responses, creativity, and insight demonstrated by these outstanding students. So, at this time, I want you to give them a round of applause. [applause] And I would say I'd like to invite Dr. Johnson to the podium, but he's already here, so he will announce the the essay winners. Dr. Johnson, put it in your hands.

Thank you, Madam Chair. On behalf of the Shreport City Council, it is my honor to recognize the talented young women who participated in this year's Women's History essay contest. These students took the time to thoughtfully reflect on the theme leading the change women shaping a sustainable future and demonstrated creativity, insight, and leadership through their writing. These women were selected out of essays of 45 students across Cattle Parish.

Wow. We'll begin with recognizing our high school essay contest winners. Please stand as I call your names or come forward actually. Our first honore is Mackenzie Woodson, a 12th grade student at Green Oaks Performing [applause] Arts Academy. Our next honore is Tanayi is Kapali, an 11th grade student at Cattle Parish Magnet High School. [applause] Tai is unable to be with us today. Principal Amanda Dah will be accepting on her behalf. Please join us in congratulating these outstanding young scholars. Yay. [applause]

We will also like to recognize our middle school essay contest winners. Both talented students from Walnut Hill Middle School. Our first honore is Hannah Balden, an eighth grade student who is currently on her school trip in New York. We're pleased to have her parents here today to accept on her behalf. [applause] And our second honory, Jayen Lane, also an A grade student at Walnut Hill Middle School. [applause] These young scholars has demonrated demonstrated their creativity, thoughtful leadership, and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing generations. Please congratulate each of our winners. [applause]

[applause] I would also like to take a moment to thank our judging committee who span various departments in the city. And madam chair, if I may, as customary, I would like to recognize those women who work in our city. So, if we can have our city staff please stand. [applause] We want to recognize these amazing women who we have the opportunity to work with every day. Thank you for your leadership. Thank you for your nurturing. Thank you for caring for the city of Streetport. Over to you, Madam Vice Chair.

I'm going to ask board member Trema to please come forward. If there are any other board members in the audience, I will ask them to come. I'm also going to ask Dr. Gant um to please come forward for Southern University um at Shreport. No, I'm just doing [applause] the pictures. No, I'm just doing these right here for education.

Okay. Congratulations. Okay. Hold on.

[laughter]

fixing your hair. [laughter] I'm right here. I'm right here. I'm right here.

[applause]

Get that lizard. Okay, I do want to recognize former representative Barbara Norton. [applause]

YES. OKAY, before we conclude, the Shreport City Council like to extend a special thank you to the fraternities of the Divine Nine and the Divine Works Foundation for their support of today's um pink roses. Thank you. [applause] Also to our young men that work in property standards that help out, we appreciate you as well. Okay, [applause] I'll turn it over to Madam Chair.

To our distinguished women heroes and essay contest winners, thank you for the example that you set in our community today. Your leadership, ideas, and dedication reflect the spirit of this year's theme, leading the change, women shaping a sustainable future. So, I want you to stand if you fall under this category. If you are a mother, stand please. If you're a daughter, if you a granddaughter, if you're an aunt, if you a sister, if you a friend, if you a cousin, if you standing as your individual self,

if you standing as a godmother, a bestie, I want you to stand because you reflect the change of what our lives are. Without you, life would not happen. And because of the contributions that you make not only to your families but to the city of Shreport, we are one amazing place. So on behalf of the Shreport City Council, and I'm sure Mayor Arseno would agree with me, thank you for the countless contributions that you make to our community. That is a legacy building commitment. You didn't have to do it, but you did. [applause] I want to say again, thank you for joining us as we pink out in the city council chamber. Y'all look good, too. Just to let y'all know that. And celebrate the women and young leaders who inspire progress, break barriers, and help build a stronger future for our city. Congratulations to all of the honores. And Mr. Johnson, Dr. Johnson, do you have a photo opportunity again, sir? Okay, then listen. I don't have any food for you. I don't have any punch. [laughter] I don't have uh any appetizers. You know, next time Raph will have the Divine Nine to make sure that he does that and bring us some little snacks so we can have something afterwards. But we have to go into council meeting. Tony, it is so good to see you. I do want to thank our trailblazer sitting on the front row, Mrs. Co Simkins. Thank you so much. [applause]

[applause] Thank you. So, thank you so much for being here. Miss Harris and Miss Elely, those are best friends. 90 and 91 [applause] years old. I want to thank you all. I want to thank you all so much. Miss Norton, keep on doing what you're doing, okay? Cuz we know your name. We don't know anybody else name. We know your name in this city. Okay? Mayor Trema, as you ease out on on retirement, we going we going to put you to work. Just so you'll know that. Just want you to know that. You know, Deborah, it is always good to see you. It is always good to see each and every one of you. And to our young ladies, and I also have my little mini chairwoman in the uh audience, Dallas, you stand up. Remember, she was here last year.

Yeah. [applause] See, her little shirt says mini chairwoman. I wonder where she get that from. [laughter] But I thank you all so much for being here. Thank you for being a part of Shreport. And let's keep building and keep growing. To the gentlemen on the council and to those of you in the audience that wore your pink, I'm so proud of you. Okay? You did it. You did it for the women. So give yourselves an applause. [applause] Thank you all so much. This concludes our program. Council Green. Yeah, Madam Chair. I just wanted to say uh Representative Norton, would you stand up again?

Um certainly [applause] uh I couldn't let this opportunity to pass because you you've done so much work in District F. I know you moved out of my you want to move back in, [laughter] but I just want to say thank you for all the work that you've done in District F and that you do into our city. Thank you so much. Yes. [applause]

Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Miss Jackie. I cannot believe you ain't wear a hat today. That's my hat lady right there. Y'all going to see her on Facebook with those beautiful hats. You missing a treat. That's the hat lady. Just so you all know, I'm talking about you, Miss Miller. I'm look for the hat gang on strong every Sunday. Yes, I'm I'm paying attention for real cuz I'm trying to copy. I'm trying to copy. All right. Thank you all so much for being here. I really appreciate you.

Okay, y'all can leave now. [laughter] Madam Chair, if I may. Madam Chair, before before uh all of you leave, there are a number of members of the Mayor's Women's Commission that are here. I'd like for y'all to raise your hands before you go. Thank you very much for being here. Thank you for your service. [applause]

Say C. Anybody else? I know you have a gift. [laughter] No, I don't. The guys here from Oh, yeah. Yeah, I forgot. Shoot. What's his name? I think it's Joey. Joey. I can't think his last name.

Just full of cotton. We got folks in here real quick. [laughter] Must hug somebody call this person. Okay.

It's beautiful. Yeah, you're saying got sensitive to he just start doing maybe [laughter] what happened was what had happened. What happened was you wore your pink? Yeah. Yeah. I wonder what it is. When we have men's day, we going to have a Y'all ain't going to have nothing like this. They going to have a lot of food. Yes, all they going to have. [laughter]

You're welcome. Now, call back to order. Um, Councilman Butcher, I believe you have a guest from the crime lab.

Yes. If the representative from the crime lab would would come up, I'd appreciate it. Thank Thank you so much for coming. Um, I know that the uh that the council had a few questions. Um, I think Councilman Green during budget season uh when this was proposed to us had asked a few questions about, you know, why we're getting back to this, what the fee is. Um, so can you just kind of give us a quick synopsis of what we're doing here with this piece of legislation?

Uh, correct. So, this is a a lease that actually originates back into 2021 with a previous uh Streetport Police Administration. Uh currently the crime scene investigation unit occupies about 20% of our building uh over on Twain Avenue. And so that uh constitutes primarily laboratory space, fully functioning outfitted facility, evidence receiving bays for them that are completely automated parking spots and parking garage space um for them. And so um this was something that um expired I believe on February 28th and uh it's up for renewal. So, what what was the original lease amount that we were paying and what's the proposed lease amount now?

The nothing has changed. Um, we did not raise a penny on anything that was proposed in 2021. So, what's the amount? Good question. I believe it's around $90,000 a year. Chief Smith, the pink bandit, right? [laughter] YOU YOU [applause] understood this. When I saw your best, [laughter] when I saw you earlier, chief, I thought, does he have CO or something? Does he got a mask around his neck?

That is best dress right there all the way around. Best dress, Chief. Best. [applause] So, so Chief, uh, we've been paying this this $90,000 a year for several years now, correct? Is that is that right? I'm trying to wrap my head around. No, it was initially, I believe, and correct me if I'm wrong, it was a one-time fee aotment upfront, and I don't know if we ever discussed the continuation after that. Correct. Th this was a proposal of a leased space that was then wrapped into a cooperative endeavor um from uh I believe it was 2022 whenever the laboratory received $400,000 from the city.

Madam Chair, if you'd allow me,

I don't remember a corporate endeavor. I don't remember a lease. This is what I remember. Floyd Kersy called me and said, "Councilman cuz they about to go under over at the U lab, crime lab. They need some help. They need some money. The money that they supposed to get from the state is coming, but they don't have it yet. And if they don't get some help, then we're going to go under." That was my conversation with Floyd Kersy. I called the mayor, uh, Adrian Perkins. Hey, Mr. Mayor, we need to help the crime lab out. They need about $400,000. He said, "Okay, we talked to the council, put it on the agenda, we gave y'all the money." What? We didn't say nothing about a lease. We didn't say nothing about none of that. We were helping you all because we're partners and we wanted the community to to grow and we wanted y'all to be safe because we use the lab so that we wouldn't have to go wherever. We asked the question say are we the only ones who use it? No. They use it all over. Well, what are they going to do? Are they going to put in their fair share? Don't know. All I know is we stepped forward and gave $400,000. Do you remember any of that, sir?

I remember this perspective of it. Yes, sir. So, were you the one that Floyd Were you there when Floyd Kirk were you the one had the conversation with Floyd? That is correct. So, when you talked to Floyd uh did you say to him to say to us that if we have the money that we would be leasing or we would have a corporate endeavor or y'all just needed some money to keep from going under? How how do you remember that conversation with Floyd as to why Floyd called me? I

I don't remember having that conversation with Floyd. I remember standing in front of you all and you all discussing the possibility of being able to float us for a month while we awaited our our funding from the state. Um whenever we went to go get that check, the terms changed into a lease, which I have in my from us or y'all turn it into correct. I went to the mayor's office and the terms to receive the check was to execute a lease. So, what's the And I'm I recall what I don't remember the exact dollar amounts like you do.

Yes, Reverend Green. But I do remember we actually there were several of us and I think you may have been in that group with the mayor with Mayor Perkins. Yes. That went and toured the facility. Is is that right? I think the chief was there.

Yes. Um, it was my understanding. And then when did when did CSI move into that building? I I can tell you they occupied the space. Forgive me, guys. On we signed the cooperative endeavor and executed a 24-month lease on April 8th, 2022. The uh Shreport police moved in and executed the lease February 29th, 2024, one year, 10 months, and 21 days after signing the cooperative endeavor. So we we weren't there for almost two years basically after we

you you were in the building your space out during that time. So the the space the spaces that were utilized um that the police utilized in the building was in lie of the payment that was received $400,000. That's why the police were in there. Correct. For a 24-month lease. But as I said, that's not how I understood it. So let me ask you this. If we had not been gracious to give you all $400,000, what would have happened? At that time, we had taken a lean out on my home and we would have had uh to go in and actually just draw a personal line of credit against my house. You took a lean out on your house,

correct? I still have that line of credit open. Okay. So, is that your crime lab? I'm sorry. Is that your lab? Absolutely not. So, how did how did you go about doing the lease on it? I went to the bank and told them that I needed as much money as possible to save the lab. Okay. And so you have you serviced 29 parishes. 29 parishes. So at the time that we did this is COVID was in and so we did that in lie of you all having space. Correct chief? That's correct.

So what you're saying at this point is that the 24 months is up. the signed executed contract ended on February 28th. You've actually been in the space for almost four years. Okay. Okay. And so, um, those other parishes are in in this arena, you serve this parish more than any of the other parishes. Cattle Parish is approximately 25% of the case load on the North Louisiana Crime Lab system. Okay. And so if this crime lab was not here, then the when where would the next crime lab be where you all would have to send information? Chief,

weren't weren't y'all saying Baton Rouge if we lost this? Baton Rouge. Little Rock. Baton Rouge. So what you're asking from the city is what amount? I'm I'm not asking anything for the city. I I presented a lease that if if you all feel is necessary for your crime scene unit, I'm happy to execute. Um we have a $30 million facility. It's it's not hard to market that. And so if if the city doesn't want to move forward, my other ask would be that I could have the space back so that I could lease it.

So what is your what is your say, Chief? Um, as you well know, in probably 28 or some time there, pretty close when our new headquarters will be built, um, CSI will be moving back home. So, until then, uh, we have no no place to go. And without a doubt, uh, partnering with them, occupying their space has really been a godsend because not only are my people there, uh, being in the mix of scientists is going to do the work,

we also, what he probably didn't didn't say, we've been utilizing their equipment. Equipment that we would not have. Okay. Without a doubt, we would not have council G. So the other parishes, do they pay their fair share? I mean, it's a good question. I appreciate it. Um, fair share is an interesting term. The laboratory's financed through court fees that are derived.

Um, all 29 parishes participate. In regards to the timing at which you all provided $400,000, 16 of the parishes paid the appropriated um I believe it's called Pratta share that was assessed to them. Not all 29 did, but 16 of the 29 did because a lot of the court systems were closed due to COVID. Correct. It appears that much of our demise was at the time was related to CO. We still don't receive enough from court cost that that mechanism does not work for this laboratory. So what you all really need is a rewrite of the legislation at the state level. Correct. 100% you're correct.

See [snorts] and that's that's you know 2028 according to the chief we're going to be in our own facility with with everything we need. I don't think we can afford to lose the crime lab here. And I think we've we've gone now for almost what now four years

and if you know I I would like to see whatever we need to do to get you some legislation that can bring in some more money because I don't know if the city of Shreport is going to be in a position after we leave to be able to give you $400 more,000 at that point. You know, I mean it was there was some co money out there I believe that we were able to to give and I mean it's worked out very very well. But I think, you know, I would like, you know, I would like for this to continue because I think it's the right thing to do and I think that's what the chief wants. And we typically like to go with what what Chief Smith suggests. Uh, and I think it's been a great partnership. You've allowed us not to have to spend probably millions of dollars right off the bat uh for a lab. But I do think that like the chairwoman said, it's it's a good idea for us to start looking into how we proceed from here once this agreement is over with because we don't want to lose it.

I was there this morning uh for a meeting and talked with some of my uh CSI crime scene investigators. Without a doubt, uh, their proficiency in their craft have grown from being there in this lab or affiliating with the other scientists that are there.

They're much able to process evidence better and a lot quicker. All of that aids in uh, law enforcement and how we do our business, how we prosecute cases, how quickly cases are solved. So, it has really been a god- center relationship to be there in that facility. And without a doubt, the equipment that was already there, that was his that we are using, the chances are good that we would have probably never owned to be frankly honest. But we'll have it in the new facility, sir. We'll have similar in the new facility.

Not to the degree that they got it there. I'm sure we'll have some of it, but I don't know if we'll have, you know, this very expensive stuff when you talking about a a decontamination chamber or a drying chain and all other kind of other things that the average person would not know about that is absolutely necessary to process evidence. Y'all got it?

So, Mr. Joy, so let me ask you this, Chief. when um the edifice is complete for you all and you know what's in your building and so you won't need to utilize as much space but you will still need um the use of the crime lab will that rate be reduced Mr. Joey, genuinely I can lease this and before this situation happened, a company from Vancouver, British Columbia wanted it for 300,000 a year. This was a gesture and to echo what the chief said, I love having them there. Okay.

So, I don't want to reduce it because this is how we make money. If the courts aren't going to finance us, we need to lease out our building. So, so let me ask you this question. Have you been in contact with your legislators every three months? And so you have here you you have police department and you have the parish as a whole. Correct. Correct.

That utilizes this facility as well as the other remaining 28 parishes that's here. Um I think when we had the discussion the last time that we what we wanted and what we needed to do was to ensure that after we got through COVID that that was a conversation that would take place, you know, with legislators, even if it had to be a joint roundt um change that language um that is in there that prohibits you all from receiving those additional dollars that you would need in order to keep operating. correct. That has not gained traction. What I can tell you is that [clears throat] every year since 2022 and in total of this year, I've been able to raise a total of $7.5 million. Okay?

This year, I already have a commitment of $1.5 million. And so, we're doing things outside of this in light of a reluctancy for anyone to really champion this. Good deal. Well, I can tell you this. I cannot recall a time in my career here when our affiliation with the crime lab have not been absolutely necessary. When the crime lab back in the 70s was there off of Stone Avenue down in the whole we're police officer. We're not scientists, right? We can collect things at the scene but further processing need to be done by the scientists the professionals

which is the crime lab. So that relationship have to exist in some form or another. But I don't think there is any argument there. The crime lab is a totally unique center and and everything that it has to offer. Councilman Green. Yeah. Listen, I know we need the crime lab. I know how important it is. That was never my discussion. My discussion is I was raised and I'm sure you were as well chief that one kindness deserve another. Absolutely.

And when you said about a gesture, kind gesture when we uh when it would brought to me, it was a kind gesture as to the $400,000. I had no idea that it would turn out to be a lease and that we would be leasing. I know how important it is. That's why when I got the phone call from Floyd Kersy as to where you all were and I know how important it. That's why I immediately called the mayor at that particular time to say they need some help. So then my way of thinking is that if I helped you down the road when you was in overalls, then when you put your suit on, then maybe you would show some of that kindness back to us. So I just wanted to say that during this leasing period, how much kindness because we did a kind gesture. There was a man traveling once and he fell among thieves. And in falling among those thieves, then this some people came by and looked. When you all were in trouble, there were people that came by and looked. Somebody else came by and looked. But there was one good Samaritan came by and said, "Hey, let me get you up." Put him on his donkey, carried him into town, got him back to good health. Once he got him back to good health, he said to the hotel owner, "Hey, listen. If he incur any other charges, put them on my tab." And so sometimes in life, even though I know you all in the business of making money, but the people that help you because remember the hand that feeds you in the foot that kicks you and 80% of something is better than 100% or nothing. I just think that somewhere in this agreement because we were there

when you all needed us before they start calling from Las Vegas and wherever else, we were there for you all. And I just think that some kindness should be shown in this agreement. And that's that's basically I I would never argue about whether we need it or not. My statement is that I was never clear about I didn't know that when we gave the 400,000 that it turned into a lease. You've cleared that up, but that's where I was. Thank you, Madam Chair. Couno, [clears throat]

that the only thing I was going to um comment on is what the what the chief said in in in my my uh career in law enforcement. I can never not uh relying on the crime lab and um so the crime lab has always been a integral part of law enforcement as the chief did say and I know that we're we're not debating the fact that that we definitely need it is is the fact that we're good at collecting. We don't go to school for analyzing and that's where the crime lab is has been most helpful. Um and so I think that anything that we could do obviously to support a continuing relationship there [snorts] you know we need to consider. Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I have one question. Yes.

So, the last four years, have we paid rent? No, sir. No. Okay. So, I'm a little confused. Uh, Councilman Green, the 400,000. How much are you How much is this new lease? You're asking for 90,000 a year in rent. 90,000 for two years. Okay. 90,000 per year or for So, 180,000? No, it's it's 90. Yeah, 180 in total. Okay. 90,000 per year. So in effect, we we stayed there four years for no rent. No, you didn't, you executed. I know the 400,000 payment, right? So that would be 360,000 at four years. Mhm. So are all is the confusion just that you you didn't think we would ever pay rent?

I don't have any. No, that was never in the discussion. That's right. The discussion rent was never discuss in the discussion. It was just if we don't get some help, we are going to close, right? Not make it, right? No, not might not. We will have to close. Okay. So, are are we debating whether we should pay rent going forward? No, that's not my to discuss because it was never discussed. It was never brought to us about pay that we were going to have to pay rent or we were going to have to lease. So when I heard about what on the table now then I was confused because that was never in the discussion

that the discussion that was discussed right I think it was for clarification because back when Floyd Kursky did I received a call from him also my husband was serving on the council then and he said the crime lab is getting ready to go under could you ask Jerry to call me we need some help so I think what we're trying to figure out now moving forward The discussion wasn't rent. It was that y'all needed help. So, I think now we just need to clarify that we our roles are what what our rules are.

Right. That that's that's my only uh confusion that I had had nothing to do with what Councilman Brooks is talking about. It had something to do that when it happened. Councilman Bowman, myself, Adrian was the mayor and so forth and we need some help and we just help. It was never brought to us about now after this is over y'all going to have to lease. Now I understand it so we can move forward. Yeah. And I think I think that for for me it was it was very similar. I had a call from I want to say Sheriff Prader at the time about this and that it was dire that we were about to lose it

and and I [clears throat] guess that our confusion just fell in. The ones of us that were here when it happened we knew we didn't know anything about this lease agreement. Correct. And whenever we were trying to get everybody out of 1234 Texas, the chief suggested moving them down there and we moved them down there. But I don't think we ever knew there was a lease. So those are the questions that we had. I I I'm not saying that it's not worth it. No. Or I'm not saying that

or anything like that. We just didn't It was not anticipated. We thought that we would be able to stay there till the new police station was built for the $400,000. So it kind of took us back and but we understand it. I'm cool with it. I'm voting for it and we hope to partner with y'all for many more years to come and you got us for two years if they vote. Yeah, Chief, I'll support what you say you need for your department. Yeah.

If you say you need the crime lab, I will support that. Right. You know, as I said earlier, beside being uh a better quality facility than we have ever had and the chances are that we will ever have, the ongoing dayto-day training of my people working with professional scientists has made our crime scene investigation unit a much better unit than it ever would have been. Um, you know, you know, going back in some history, Mr. Ray Herd was the director of the crime lab back in the 70s. And as a young accident investigator working fatality accidents to tell you how strict it was, we could not turn in a fatality accident report to the state of Louisiana without Mr. Ray Herd approving it. And it used to really really tighten up my nerves when Mr. heard would would call the office and says, "You work this fatality accident. Uh, I want you to come out of crime lab, pick me up, meet me at the scene of the accident, and explain to me in details how you came up with your finding and conclusion, how you demonstrated uh your formulas, how you computed the speed. It was just unbelievable. I'm glad it ain't like that now. [laughter] thing like but it's been great.

See, just know that Yes, sir. I I watch Abby every night and I watch Bernabby Jones, so I understand what you're saying. [laughter] It's great. We we we need we need we need to be there where we are until, you know, something we got it, Chief. I mean, I would I would suggest, Mr. Joy that you do take the opportunity to go before the police jury association so you can get all your money. Okay. Noted. Thank you very much. All right. Thank you, sir. Thank you. And thank you for coming. Appreciate it. Does any other council member have any awards, recognition, or distinguished guest? Mayor Arsenal, do you have any awards, recognition, or distinguished guest not to exceed 15 minutes?

No, ma'am. Do you have any communications of the mayor? I have one brief communication. I have uh provided to each of you state of the city report in writing. Okay. Uh and I have several of these for the for the press and and the audience if they should like them. I'm not going to read it to you. Uh but I am going to uh uh Thursday night at 6:30. Uh it will be uh it's taped and it will be televised by KSLA and then later on it will be televised by also uh KTBS and KTAL. Okay. Thank you. 6:30 Thursday. 6 this Thursday. Yes, ma'am. Okay. Thank you, sir. You have to pay to get

cover charge. Does any member have any questions for property standards?

Mr. Green, thank you for checking on those homes for me. Um, I have another list for you next week. Thank you. Um [snorts] um let us not forget

you have a sweep next week March 18th. Uh we will be meeting at 3100 block of Highland. That is the Old Dawn Seafood Lot right across the street from Brookers. This is somewhat of a property standards but more from the city attorney. There was a very productive meeting I think with the 70th Street Hotel folks last week. Um, I think that we're going to see some stuff starting to move over there. Uh, I was very encouraged by it and, uh, they will be here, I believe, at the next city council meeting. Is that right, Marcus?

Okay. The the goal is to have them here to, uh, to, uh, to go over where they are, but, um, it looks like things are really about to start getting back in line over there. So, thank you and thanks to uh, Jarvis and Marcus for being on top of that. Thank you. So, we're going to have a property standards meeting and the one thing that is going to be on the agenda is an update on these apartments. Okay. Okay. I'm sending that to you to attorney Edwards and Mr. Lart. Thank you, sir. Everyone should have received a revenue collection plan and implementation report public hearing. There is none. Madame Clerk, will there be any legislation uh to be added today?

No, ma'am. Today we're here public comments on agenda items only. U madame vice chair will handle this part of the meeting. Please state your name and address for the record. You have three minutes to speak.

Mr. Craig Lee Craig Lee 1112 Prospect Streetport Louisiana. Um although you guys won't be voting on this today, the legislation that is recognizing Maria Mariah Don Hester um wanted to make sure that we we recognize the fact that we have another outstanding international R&B singer. Um, today at Tuesday Morning Breakfast, we recognized our international fashion icon, Latasha Henderson. And Mariah is an upandcoming star. And again, all of this ties in to our entertainment district and everything that we are trying to promote about the city of Shreport as relates to tourism and the GUnit um, entertainment district project. So although you guys won't be voting on it today, I fully endorse recognizing Mariah and she is one of our shining shining stars. Thank you.

Thank you for wearing your pink. He didn't hear you. Thank you for wearing. [laughter] You can come straight on down the way. All dressed up today. Connie Miles. Good evening. Good evening. Good evening.

My name is Connie Miles. I live at 1194 King Lane, Shreport, Louisiana 7107. I'm here today. Um, I was trying to get a conditional zoning district in district B. Uh, case number 25-35C, lot number 440 through 448 and 400 block of Fuller Street. And I'm here in case you all have any questions for me.

Okay, Council Brooks, was the I think Mr. Jean touched on this yesterday. What was the vote at the MPC? Was it They voted in favor of unanimously. Yes. Was there any opposition? No. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Miles. Thank you, Miss Miles. That's it. Thank you.

Thank you, Sammy Mirs. Sammy Mirs, 1133 Southp Point Parkway, apartment 111, Shriports, Louisiana 71:05. I'm speaking on resolutions 9:15, 920, and 9:21. If you'll recognize Maria Don Hesser, this would be appreciated. Also, it's a really good idea to approve the pay scale for the police, civil service, and personnel service for the city of Shreport effective May 1st, 2026. I also agree with the same thing approving the pay scale for the fire civil services and personnel of the city of Shreport effective on May 1st, 2026. If you'll vote yes on all three of these today, this would really be very much appreciated. And I also want to say that everyone is still welcome to come to the Church of the Holy Cross from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Undercross for the soup lunch. And it's only $8, which goes [snorts] on for the next two or three weeks. And of course, I'm kind of wearing a little pink. Does that count? [laughter] Does that count? [applause]

Thank you, Sammy. Thank you, [cheering] Sammy. Madam Chair, that concludes public comments. [laughter] Sammy, you may have best dress today. Then [laughter] we have the following executive appointments to consider today. Assistant director of community development Theo Scott and division manager of administration community development Kathy Fuller Mitchell. I have a motion. So move. So moved by Councilman Green, second by Madame Vice Chair. Any discussion? Let's vote. You stole Taylor.

Yes. Councilman Brooks. Yay. Councilman Tyler Farerrell. Yes. Councilman Butcher. Yes. Councilman Jackson. Yes. Councilman Green. Yes. And Councilwoman Bowman. Yes. And that passes with seven. Congratulations, [clears throat] ladies. [applause] There are no items under consent agenda for introduction or to be adopted. Madame clerk, please proceed to regular agenda legislation. [clears throat and cough] Thank you.

Resolution four authorizing the mayor to execute a lease agreement between the city of Shreport and North Louisiana Criminalistic Laboratory Commission. So moved. Second. So moved by Councilman Ber, second by Councilman Talifer. Any discussion? Let's vote. [snorts]

Councilwoman Taylor, yes. Councilman Brooks, Councilman Tyler Farerrell, yes. Councilman Butcher, yes. Councilman Jackson, Councilman Green, yes. and Councilwoman Bowman. Yes. And that passes with seven. Want to refresh it again.

I'm sorry you all. We're having a little difficulty with our voting machines. Resolution 15. Recognize Mariah Don Hester. Motion to postpone. Second. Motion to postpone by the chair, second by vice chair. Any discussion? Let's vote. Councilwoman Taylor, yes. Councilman Brooks, Councilman Talifer, yes. Councilman Butcher, yes. Councilman Jackson, yes. Councilman Green, yes. And Councilwoman Bowman. Um, yes. And that passes with seven to postpone. They just can't do it.

Can you read this? Resolution. Resolution 17 granting a variance from certain provisions of chapter 34 of the code of ordinances relative to flood hazard prevention. Was this in your area? Jim. Motion. It's Jim. So move. I'm sorry. So moved. Second. I was waiting for it. So moved by by Councilman Talifer, second by Councilman Green. Discussion.

This is the uh Madam Chair, this is the property at Hamls. Is that at the River Park Church? Mr. Dart, that's correct. Sir, I think I'm going to vote yes for this because I think the um property owner understands and uh the building is the same level as the building next door to it. And we also have a FEMA declaration that says that it's above the flood plane. So, Madam Chair, we I do have Reverend Marcus if you want to just come up and kind of give us an overview of uh the project as you see it since it's on your church property. That's my thing, too. [laughter]

I have uh I have pink on my bracelet and in my lines. It was hard to find pink today. So, [laughter] It was all in the audience. That's right. It was here. Everybody else bought it.

Um I I'm I'm happy to answer any questions. Our property, our mission is to really serve this community well. And Haml Park is a historic landmark, first ever theme park in the state of Louisiana. We've done so many things to try and bring the the the laughter back to the park and the community there. And so one of the things that we have going is we average about 15-600 people per Sunday, but we try to be a more than Sunday's church. And our objective is to get people back into the park, enjoy the laughter with their family, things like that. That's why we've invested a lot of money into playgrounds and things like that at the park. And um currently we're expanding kids building because we're out of kids space because people won't quit having babies. So that means we're not going to get the log ride. Get a log ride. We had to put that down.

I wish we could keep the log ride. You know what we do have though? What's that? The train. We have a carousel park ever had a carousel. It's right inside the gate. Oh, cool. We restored one. bought it from somebody's front yard in Texas. Awesome. Of course, it's in Texas. Absolutely. Huge. Good deal. All right. Thank you, Mark. Any other questions? Thank you, Madam Chair. All right. Let's Any other discussion? Let's vote. Councilwoman Taylor, yes. Councilman Brooks, yay. Councilman Talifer, yes. Councilman Butcher, yes. Councilman Jackson, yes. Councilman Green, yes. And Councilwoman Bowman, yes. And it passes with seven.

That's funny. Oh, it worked up then. Thank God. Resolution 18 declaring the official intent of the city of Shreport to reimburse certain capital expenditures from pro proceeds of the lease purchase agreement. So move. Second. So moved by Councilman Green, second by Councilman Butcher. Any discussion there? Let's vote. I'm going tell you what, our clerk is the hardest working clerk I have ever seen. Thank you. What' you say to that computer? [laughter]

The pink out, not the black. Don't embarrass [laughter] me. You embarrassing me. Bad boy. Resolution 19 authorizing the mayor of the city of Shreport to execute a change order with Ally Finner Jolly Jolly and Mleland for additional design project management and traffic engineering services associated with the improved Kings Highway healthcare and development corridor project. So move second. A move by Councilman Green, second by Councilman Talifero. Any discussion? Let's vote. Councilman

Jackson for seven resolution 20 approving the pay scale for the police civil service personnel of the city of shreport effective May 1st 2026. So move so moved by everybody. Second. It was second by [clears throat] councilman Talifer. I think it was Councilman Green and then Talifero and Bucha that did the the first. Um, any discussion, Madam Chair? Yes, Councilman. For the record, this is not enough. Um, I think we all realize that

and I think we need to really start, we're already three months in from when we said that we were going to or two months in. Um, I think we really need to start looking at ways to fund higher rates for all city employees, including police and fire. Any other discussion? I agree with you. Let's vote. And this passes with seven resolution 21 approving the pay scale for five civil service personnel of the city of Shreport effective May 1st 2026. So move second. [laughter]

I knew I get that. So moved by Councilman Green and Ba second by the only Councilman Talifer. Any discussion? I think the chief was one that was fighting against this. Chief Smith, I was just trying to start some between he and Chief Ree. That's all. [laughter] I'm just playing. Let's vote.

And this passes with seven. I know how you feel about fire, right? Resolution 22 to allocate funds to to specific notfor-profit organizations from the funds budgeted in 2026 general fund and riverfront fund budgets. So move second. So moved by Councilman Green, second by Madam Vice Chair. Any discussion? I'd like to uh council. Is there any way that we can separate these out individually?

Have a discussion. It would have to be an amendment. Why are we trying to separate them? I'm just curious. Can we separate them? If we can't, it's no big deal. I'm just asking questions. Can we separate them? Motion been passed and second will for the vote. In discussion, discussion. In discussion, I guess that's what my question was. Supplemental.

Um, yes. If via amendment, you could you could separate out um different categories or each individual. Um it's already sort of separated by fund which might be the easiest way to split it but [clears throat] um you could um be a an amendment or a motion to uh bifurcate. You could you could separate them out. So there has to be an amendment that has to be added to this and it has to be in writing. It has to be what you in writing. It would have to Yeah. An amendment would have to be in writing. a motion to separate. Um, not necessarily, but probably best to do it in writing. Okay. Thank you. Ready to vote?

Yes. Let's vote.

And this passes with five, two in opposition. Mad clerk, would you proceed with introduction of resolutions not to be adopted prior to March 24th, 2026?

Resolution 22, authorizing an adoption of the city of Sheport's sport for train updated public transportation agency safety plan. Resolution 24, authorizing the mayor to execute an entity state agreement between the city of Shreport and the Department of Transportation and Development. Resolution 25 giving city council approval for the mayor to pay the premium and execute documents in connection with the purchase of the insurance of the city building facilities and activities from the period beginning April 1st, 2026. And resolution 26 authorizing the mayor of the city of Shreport to execute a cooperative endeavor agreement between the city of shreport and the cattle parish sheriff's department to operate a comprehensive domestic violence service center.

So move in second. Second

move an introduction by Councilman Butcher, second by Councilman Taliferoh. These items have been introduced. Madam clerk, would you proceed with introduction of ordinances not to be adopted prior to March 24th, 2026? Ordinance 25, amending the 2026 water and sewer enterprise fund budget. Ordinance 26, amending the city of Shreport, Louisiana 2026 capital projects fund budget. Ordinance 27, amending the city of Shreport 2026 economic development district F district special revenue fund budget. Ordinance 28, amending the city of Shreport 2026 capital fund budget. Ordinance 29 to amend chapter 26 article 6 division 3 concerning construction management at Rick's project contact methods and ordinance 30 to amend streetort code of ordinance section 26-210-21 subsection B to authorize use of monies generated through the city prosecutors pre-trial diver diversion program for the public safety fund in addition to program administration.

So move second. So move on introduction second by council ba. Yes ma'am. These items have been introduced. Madam clerk please proceed with ordinance on second reading and final passage. Ordinance 11 amending the 2026 public safety fund special revenue fund budget. There's one amendment. Amendment one. This amendment changes the recipient of the funds from the shrew police department to the KO parish KO sheriff's office. Move to postpone. Second. So move to postpone by Councilman Ber second by the chair. Any discussion? Let's vote

and this passes with seven ordinance 12 amending the 2026 general fund budget and this will need to be withdrawn. So move to withdraw. Second. So move to withdraw by the chair. Second by Councilman Butcher. Any discussion? Let's vote. [clears throat] Yes.

And this passes with seven. Ordinance 13 amending the 2026 community development special revenue fund budget. So move second. So moved by Councilman Green, second by the chair. Any discussion? Let's vote. Thank you. And this passes with seven. Ordinance 14, closing and abandoning a portion of a 20-inch wide drainage dedication in the North Streetport Business Center District number three subdivision in section 23, Township 18 North, Range 14 West. So move. Second.

So moved by Councilman Green, second by Madame Vice Chair. Any discussion? Let's vote. Councilman Brooks. Okay. And this passes with seven. Ordinance 15 declaring a public emergency in connection with the emergency repairs to the sewer main and drainage infrastructure located on Brown Street near Wayne Gate. So move. Second. So moved by Councilman Green, second by Madame Vice Chair. Any discussion? Let's vote.

Yeah. And this [clears throat] passes with seven ordinance 16 declaring a pro public emergency in connection with the emergency replacement of the transformers at the Lucas wastewater treatment plant for turbo explorers. So moved. Second. So moved by Councilman Ber. Second by council Talifero. Any discussion? Let's vote.

Yay. Mhm. And this passes with seven. Ordinance 17 lev1 and authorizing the collection of various tax totaling 17 meals per dollar on all property subject to Avalor taxation within the city of Shreport, Louisiana for the year 2026 in the amounts and for the purpose described herein. So move.

Second. So moved by Councilman Green, second by Madame Vice Chair. Any discussion? Let's vote. That passes with seven ordinance 18 levying and authorizing the collection of a tax of 11.318 mills per dollar on all property subject to Avalor taxation within the city of Shreport Louisiana for the year 2026 for the purpose of paying principal and interest on outstanding general obligation bond of the city of Streetport. So move second. So moved by Councilman Green, second by Madame Vice Chair. Any discussion? Let's vote.

And this passes with seven. Ordinance 1911 and authorizing the collection of tax of 9.040 040 mills per dollar on all properties subject to Avalon taxation within the bounds of the downtown development district of the city of Shreport, Louisiana as divine defined by Louisiana Revised Statute 332740 38 for the year 2026 and the amounts for the purpose described herein. So move second. So moved by Councilman Green, second by Madam Vice Chair. Any discussion? Let's vote. I'm tired now. Now y'all can have the rest of them.

This pass with seven. Ordinance 20, zoning case number 25-35C. An ordinance to approve the amendment of the zoning map of the UDC by resoning property located on the north side of Fuller Street, approximately 200 ft east of Bernstein Avenue from R15 single family residential to R15 CZD single family residential conditional zoning district. Second. So moved by Councilman Brooks, second by Madame Vice Chair. Any discussion? Let's vote.

This passes with seven. Ordinance 21, zoning case number 25-155C, an ordinance to approve the amendment of the zoning map of the UDC by reszoning property located on the east side of Wolworth Road, approximately 730 ft south of Sagewood Drive from RA Royal Agricultural District to I1 Light Industrial District. Um, so move second. Any discussion, please? So moved by Councilman by Madame Vice Chair, second [clears throat] by Councilman Green. Discussion madam vice chair. Yes, Mr. Steven.

Yes, ma'am. Did you have any opposition? No. Okay, that's what I need and then steps out. One more to ask you the next. Yes, that was uh approved uh unanimously and no one spoke in opposition. Okay, thank you sir. Mr. James, will you stay there for the next one? One second. Okay, you might as well just take residence up here till you get Okay. [laughter] Any other discussion? Let's vote.

And that passes with seven. Ordinance 22, zoning case number 25-157C, an ordinance to approve the amendment of the zoning map of the UDC by resoning property located on the southwest corner of Wilkersonson Street and William Avenue from R3 Multif Family Residential to C4 heavy commercial. So move second. So move by Councilman Green, second by uh Councilman Brooks. Any discussion? Yes. Same question uh Counciloman Bowman asked.

What was the vote on the MPC? Okay, there was uh seven that voted for it and one abstension. Uh there were two people that spoke in favor. There was no opposition and there were 11 people that were at the NPP meeting and uh the only concern that they had all their concerns were answered and they were really wanting to see this building put back into commerce and I think that's what turned the tide to get the the board to approve it. Okay. Thank you. Any more discussion? Let's vote.

And this pass with seven. Ordinance 23, zoning case 25-150 AC, an ordinance to approve the amendment of the zoning map of the UDC by reszoning property located on the east side of Pines Road, approximately 250 ft south of Five Oaks Drive from C2 corridor commercial zoning district to C3 general commercial zoning district. So move second move by Madame Vice Chair, second by Councilman. He's come [clears throat] out of retirement. Any discussion? Let's vote. Mr. Jean, um, was there any opposition? No, there was not. Okay. Uh, one spoke in favor and no opposition. Okay. Can you tell me what's going to be there?

What was that? Can you tell me what's what's going to be there? Uh, yes. Uh, I believe this is a this is one that was um was it the um Pizza Hut that one of the drive? Yeah, let me this was a this was a this was a restoration zoning. Okay. They had some rights that were at their property the pre the UDC. Okay. And [clears throat] then they just wanted to have those rights restored in case they wanted to be able to use them in the future. Thank you so much. So that's what it's all about. Thank you. And that passes with seven.

Ordinance 24 zoning case number 25-159C. An ordinance to approve the amendment of the zoning map of the UDC by resoning property located between Walker Road and Dean Road from R1 I I12 R I 12 single family residential zoning district to RE residential estate zoning district. So move second. So move by Councilman Jackson, second by Councilman Green. Discussion. Any discussion? Councilman Jackson. Um I see everybody was in favor. Um they're just trying to increase the lot size so smaller homes won't be allowed to come.

Yeah, this was a this was an application from the neighborhood themselves. Um they there was a case that came in front of us that uh allowed people to zone their uh to subdivide their property into smaller lots and they really didn't want that to happen but it wasn't any way to stop it because of the way it was zoned. So, they came to us and wanted to uh see if we would help sponsor uh legislation so that they could change their lot sizes. Uh you could argue you that those should have been our A from the beginning, but they came in a much much more dense uh district and so this allows them to have lot sizes they're more comfortable with.

Where is this? It's on Burke Goons or where is it? No, it's it's uh Yeah, this is over there off of um Dean Road. Okay. Yeah, down towards Cedar Creek or back towards the other way. I'm just curious. I didn't look at the map. It doesn't matter. I'll look it up later. It's near Walker Road. Okay. Did you have something, ma'am? It's a onem Okay, green terrace, that's all you had to say. I got you. Thank you. Okay. Any other discussion? Let's vote.

Thank you. In this place with seven. [laughter] You welcome. You even wore your pink today. That might have been the best thing. Okay. Madame clerk, is there any other table legislation to be removed from the table? No, ma'am. We have no property standards or appeals to consider today. We have no MPC ZVA appeals to consider today. Are there any other appeals, Madam Clerk? No, ma'am. Are there any reports from officers, boards, and committees? Madam Chair, yes. Uh we'll be calling the public safety committee meeting uh within the next couple weeks.

Okay. Thank you. Madam clerk, is there a clerk's report? The following letter of appointments were received from the mayor's office on March 4th and 5th, 2026 and are subject for confirmation on March 24th, 2026. Personnel Human Resource Board, William Charles and Renee Carr and Shreport Airport Authority, Linda Bernaki. Mayor Snow, do you have any additional comments? No, ma'am. Okay. Uh, does any council member have any additional comments? Yes, Councilman Brooks. I would like to um today is my oldest granddaughter's birthday. Oh god. She's 12. She didn't want to come. Can't say that I blame her, but uh anyway, I just want to wish Carmen a happy birthday.

Happy birthday. Happy birthday [applause] recognizing birthdays. Today is the first lady's birthday. Happy birthday. Happy birthday. No, she got her pink on. [laughter] Anybody else birthday? We on a roll [clears throat] right now. Come on. Okay. So, executive session, uh, there is none. If there is nothing else, this meeting is adjourned.