City Council - Regular Meeting

Fifty-two, fifty-three thousand dollars of the Community Foundation, that they've been trying to get us to spend for the past eight or ten years, and they've donated it to the SWCCO for kids' programs or something like that. I mean, if I could shift some of that, a little, that.

But if we can work out the details, if you can't work it out, hang on the living room curtain, I don't know.

You know any other Eagle Scouts? I know Carl Stewart is. Gary Brooks.

Really?

But, you know, with your permission, if we do this partnership, we'd love to.

have some Eagle Stops come in and join in with us.

I would have never guessed that one.

Well, I wouldn't do either, but that's why I'm letting you know.

Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Okay, well, we'll move forward with seeing how to make it work.

Thank you.

Good afternoon, everyone in the chamber. Council meeting starts at 3 o'clock. Give us about five minutes after 3, and we're going to get started, okay? Y'all can go back to talking.

Thank you. What am I going to do?

Why are you sitting back there? Father Paul.

You know where your seat is. You ready, Madam Clerk? No, because they're working on the restroom. That's too bad. Better hold it.

That sure is. That's why I ran out the chamber.

That's why I ran out the chamber.

Yes.

Okay.

You ready? Good afternoon, everyone. The Shreveport City Council meeting has now been called to order. I'm going to ask Father Paul to give us the invocation. I'm going to ask Councilman Butcher to lead us in the pledge. And before we do that, there are a couple of things that I want for us to... Give them a moment of silence for remembering your prayer. For the Barksdale Air Force Base Airmen, those that lost their lives, I want you to remember those families along with, as Mr. Dark talked about, our neighbors in the boys' parish and down south. that are faced with this weather, that we're facing with this flooding, individuals that are losing their homes. It's very traumatic. And just pray for our city in its entirety. Thank you. Yes. Yes. Ms. Natalie? Hamilton. Hamilton, yes. Thank you.

Pleasure. Let's pray. Almighty God, Heavenly Father, send upon those who uphold the authority in this city, Tabitha Taylor, Gary Brooks, Jim Taliaferro, Grayson Butcher, Alan Jackson, James Green, Ursula Bowman, Thomas Arsenault. Lord, we pray that you would give them wisdom, charity, and justice. And with steadfast purpose, they may faithfully serve you in the offices in which they hold. And as we gather this day, we uphold those who have sacrificed their life for the good of this country. We pray your blessing upon them. We would pray for those who are been ravaged by natural incidences. We pray for their safety. We also pray that restoration would indeed take place. We pray for those who are passing through illness, that your loving arm would be upon them, that your healing grace would abound. All these things we pray through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? Councilwoman Taylor? Present. Councilman Brooks? Here. Councilman Talaferro? 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, June 8, 2026, in the City Council meeting Tuesday, June 9, 2026?

So moved. Second.

So moved by Councilman Green, seconded by Councilman Butcher. Any discussion? Let's vote.

And this passed with seven.

Does any council member have any awards, recognition, or distinguished guests not to exceed 15 minutes? Yes, Councilman Green. Councilman Brooks.

Mr. Lewis Johnson, I think I saw him. Where is he? Mr. Lewis Johnson. Oh, okay. How you doing, Lewis? Welcome back to Shreveport. I know you're over across the bridge. I just wanted to welcome you back.

Welcome to the right side of the river there.

I'd like to call up Diane Clark from Southport for a brief presentation.

Members, thank you for having me today. I'm Diane Clark. I'm the executive director at Cyport Discovery Center, and I was asked to come before you today to report on the $15,000 grant that was provided so that we could offer a natural histories exhibition and a one-day bug bazaar. So you should have some handouts in front of you. Do you have those? Okay. This is just a really quick bird's eye view, and then I'll be available for questions should you have any. But I did want to thank you all. This is by far the most successful event that we have had in the eight years since we reopened, and it's in large part due to the support that we received through that grant. We asked for $15,000. We spent almost $14,000, so gave you a little bit of your money back. We offered something called Natural Histories. And you'll see in your literature, that was a temporary exhibit that was offered in part by the Museum of Natural History. It highlighted the science behind wildlife illustration Because this is what was used prior to the invention of photography. So if you came to see the exhibit, you saw a drawing of a rhinoceros that doesn't look anything like a rhinoceros. But they had found the skeletal remains, and they had composed a drawing based on what they thought that rhinoceros would have looked like. So the grant allowed us to purchase signage, exhibit displays, live collections. We now have a Goliath birdeater tarantula. We have an emperor scorpion, a bearded dragon, several spiders, and several isopods, better known as roly-polies. The four-week exhibition, including the Bug Bazaar, resulted in admissions of almost 12,000 guests, including 2,600 Caddo Parish residents, and 3,800 field trip visitors, which, by the way, is still our bread and butter. Our field trips are what keep us afloat, and we're so thankful to the support we receive from the Caddo Parish school system because we simply would not exist without that support. The event impact calculator provides a total return on investment of approximately $42,000, side work collected in excess of $207,000 in that time period in general admissions. In addition to the four-week exhibition, I think the most successful part of this was our one-day extravaganza that we called the Bug Bazaar. We held that on April 11th, and it was a way to bring the science of bugs to life and make things fun for our youth and our adults. We all, the staff, we did an amazing job of researching the materials, bringing in guest presenters and vendors while providing an impactful and educational experience. Activities included animal-themed scavenger hunt, animal encounters. If you don't like bugs or snakes, this probably wasn't the event for you. We did release about 12,000 ladybugs. That was a lot of fun. And then I think what the majority of the people came for was because they followed Coyote Peterson, who was a YouTube sensationalist. He's very well known. And he is the animal planet's host of brave wilderness. He lets things sting him. live on camera to see what kind of result he gets. And we were pretty overwhelmed at the number of followers that he had. So we wanted this day to be open to everyone and affordable. So we reduced our general admission from $15 to $10. And we did a $5 ticket into the IMAX for a one-on-one meet and greet with him and sold that out. So it was a very successful day. We had zip code attendance from primarily Louisiana, but Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi, and we even had one register from Illinois. So who knows? We had a great day, and it's all in great part to you for trusting us with your money. We thank you so much. I'm here to answer questions. No questions? Okay. Thank you so much.

Any other council members? Unfortunately, I requested SWEPCO to be here to discuss power outages in numerous communities, and they could not be here today, so I'm going to ask Councilman Green, if he would call an infrastructure meeting. Thereby, we can have them and Councilman Butcher, we can have Delta Utilities here to address those particular concerns. Madam Clerk, I ask you to send that to SWEPCO as well as Delta Utilities to ask that Mr. Green, when he calls his infrastructure meeting, that they would have a representative in attendance. That way, all on the Infrastructure Committee as well as other council members will be able to ask the questions that are needed due to the recent storms. There have been several outages that have occurred in various neighborhoods. Specifically, I know in mine in North Highlands in the North Market area, West Shreveport and Councilwoman Bowman's area. Anybody else on the council? Yours, Councilman Green? Yes, in those areas, and sometimes it happens even when they are not storms that are occurring.

Madam Chair, as your request, the infrastructure meeting, I'd like to call it for the first council meeting in July at 1.30 Tuesday.

We will do that. Thank you.

Okay.

Mayor Arsenault, do you have any awards, recognitions, or distinguished guests not to exceed 15 minutes?

I have some very distinguished guests here today.

Bring them on.

I am pleased to introduce the college students participating in the 2026 Mayor's Summer Internship Program. They're here. Would y'all please stand?

Yeah.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have 26 students representing many of Louisiana's universities, including Louisiana Tech, LSUS, Southern University, Grambling State University. And we also have students from out-of-state schools, Gonzaga University School of Law, Harding University, Tufts University, and Wiley University. So we're very proud to have these talented young people. I have two in my office, and we've already put them to work. And I know that the other departments, they're in most every department of the city, and we thank the department heads for taking them on, and we thank them for taking us on.

Awesome. Who attends Southern University? Yes, yes, yes. Yes, we had to point that out. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

That's all I have.

Do you have any communications of the mayor relative to city business? No, ma'am. Does any member have any questions or concerns relative to property standards for Mr. Green?

He kind of reminded me of Johnny Carson coming out from behind the curtain there.

That was the police chief that had me held up. That's what they do.

Terrence, as I was driving here today, Highland at, I believe, Jordan, y'all were demolishing a house. I want to say thank you. I think I believe it had burned. Yes. Okay, thanks.

Anybody else?

I got you.

Okay. Sashay. All right. Okay. Teach Denise how to sashay when you're not here. Okay. Mr. Jean, do you have a master plan? Okay. Everyone should have received the budget to actual finance report. Public hearing there is none. Madam Clerk, will there be any legislation added today? Okay.

No, ma'am.

Today, we will hear public comments on agenda items only. Madam Vice Chair will handle this part of the agenda. Please state your name and address for the record. And you have three minutes to speak. Thank you.

Semmy Mears.

Sammy Mears, 1133 South Point Parkway, Apartment 111, Shreveport, Louisiana, 71105. Today I'm speaking on resolutions 9A56 and 9A57. Please vote yes to select the times as the official journal for the period starting July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027. If you'll also vote yes for the mayor to contract with the Downtown Development Authority of the City of Shreveport For the parking system management, that would be appreciated too.

Thank you so much. Chappelle Welch.

Good afternoon. I'm just here asking for your support of agenda item 68, coming up for discussion, and to answer any questions you may have of me concerning Providence House and our proposed project.

Okay, Ms. Welch, can you, can we have your address for the record?

814 Cotton Street, Shreveport, Louisiana, 7-11-04. Thank you.

Any questions?

We don't have any questions today.

Thank you, Ms. Welch. Christopher Cole. Thank you so much. That concludes public comments.

We have no executive appointments to consider today. There are no items under consent agenda for introduction or to be adopted, Madam Clerk. Please proceed to regular agenda legislation.

Resolution 56, selecting the times as the official journal of the City of Shreveport for the period commenced on July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027.

So moved.

Second. So moved by Councilman Green. Second by Madam Vice Chair. Any discussion?

Madam Chair. Yes. I'll be abstaining. My daughter works for the Shreveport Times.

Okay. Let's vote. He does a very good job, may I add.

I don't know what's wrong with my deal here. It's not working. Thank you, Chairman.

Okay, and this passed with six.

And one abstaining.

And one abstaining.

Resolution 57 authorizing the mayor to contract with the Downtown Development Authority of the City of Shreveport for parking system management.

So moved.

Second. So moved by Councilman Green. Second by Madam Vice Chair. Any discussion? Let's vote.

Aye.

In this passage 7.

Resolution 58, authorizing the mayor to execute an intergovernmental cooperative endeavor agreement between the city of Shreveport and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.

So moved.

So moved by Councilman Green, seconded by Councilman Brooks. Any discussion?

Aye.

Let's vote.

I didn't say let's vote. I'm getting ahead of you. In this passage 7.

Resolution 59, authorizing the mayor of the city of Shreveport to sign an approval letter for the assignment by Cypress Energy Partners, LLC, of three oil and gas leases to Apex Natural Gas.

So moved.

So moved by Councilman Green, seconded by Councilman Brooks. Any discussion? Let's vote.

And this passes with seven.

Resolution 60, authorizing the mayor to execute an acceptance of active donation between the City of Shreveport and WIVI 2nd and Land Development LLC herein after called owner and acting herein through Justin M. Seaver, manager for the Water and Sewer Main Extension and related facilities to serve Lucent Field's Estates Phase 3, Unit C and Unit D. So moved.

Second.

So moved by Councilman Butcher, second by Councilman Green in the discussion. Let's vote.

Councilman Telefero, I'm sorry. I did it before you voted.

Yay. This passed with 7.

Resolution 61, authorizing the City of Shreveport, Louisiana Purchasing Agent to reject all bids received for AC Steartina's court upgrade, bid IFB 26-023. So moved.

So moved by Councilman Talaferro. Second. Second by Councilman Green. Any discussion?

Let's vote.

And this passed with seven.

Resolution 62, authorizing the city of Shreveport, Louisiana, purchase an agent to reject all bids received for site fencing at Oak Farms Building, bid RAFQ 26-507. So moved. Second.

So moved by Councilman Green, seconded by Councilman Brooks. Any discussion? Let's vote. And this passed with 7. Madam Clerk, would you proceed with the introduction of resolutions not to be adopted prior to July 14, 2026?

Resolution 66, to adopt a cattle pairers hazard mitigation plan update. 63. Thank you. Resolution 64, authorizing the mayor to execute a contract with BFA of LA to purchase ambulances for the Shreveport Fire Department. Resolution 65, authorizing the mayor to execute an amendment to the management agreement between the city of Shreveport and Metro Management Association. Resolution 66, authorizing a request to be made to the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Louisiana State Mineral and Energy Board to seek public bids for an oil, gas, and mineral lease involving a property located in District A, described herein, and to execute the lease for certain mineral interests owned by the City of Shreveport, and to authorize the Mayor to execute any and all documents related to the intent of this resolution.

So move for introduction. Second.

So move on introduction by Councilman Green, second by Councilman Butcher. These items have been introduced. Madam Clerk, would you proceed with the introduction of ordinances not to be adopted prior to July 14, 2026?

Ordinance 65, repealing Section 26-66 of the Code of Ordinances. Ordinance 66, declaring certain city property to be surplus property. Ordinance 67, zoning case number 26-51-C, an ordinance to approve the amendment of the zoning map of the UDC by rezoning property located on the south side of Free State Boulevard, approximately 180 feet south of Haun Avenue from C3 General Commercial Zoning District to IMU Industrial Mixed Use Zoning District. Ordinance 68, zoning case number 26-57C, an ordinance to approve the amendment of the zoning map of the UDC by rezoning property located on the south side of Parker Street, approximately 100 feet east of Texas Avenue, from D1AC Downtown Arts and Cultural Sub-District to D1AC Downtown Arts and Cultural Conditional Zoning District. And Ordinance 69, zoning case number 26-53C, an ordinance to approve the amendment of the zoning map of the UDC by rezoning property located on the north side of Ellery Road, approximately 475 feet southeast of Gulf Ridge Drive, from RE Residential Estate Zoning District to C1 Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District.

So moved for introduction. Second.

So moved for introduction by Councilman Green. Second by Councilman Butcher. These items have been introduced. Madam Clerk, please proceed with ordinances on second reading and final passage.

Ordinance 63, amending the 2026 capital improvement budget appropriating the funds authorized herein.

So moved.

So moved by Councilman Green. Second by Councilman Brooks. Any discussion? Let's vote.

This passed with seven. Ordinance 64, amending the 2026 Airport Enterprise Fund Budget.

So moved.

So moved by Councilman Butcher. Second. Second by Councilman Talaferro. Any discussion? Let's vote. This passed with seven. Madam Clerk, is there any other table legislation to be removed from the table today?

No, ma'am.

We have no property standards or ABO. appeals to consider today. We have no MPC ZBA appeals to consider today. Are there any other appeals, Madam Clark? No, ma'am. Are there any reports from officers, boards, and committees?

Madam Chair, today we held a public safety committee meeting. In that committee meeting, the committee voted unanimously 6-0 to encourage the mayor and the administration to purchase 12 ballistic shields, two training shields, and all of the training that comes for our officers to be able to be trained to use those, as well as, Councilman Telefer, what is the?

Shield, I mean plate.

Ballistic plates for all officers for their bulletproof vest. Back in front. Back in front.

We will also have a property standards meeting at 1 o'clock on the first Monday for the next council meeting. And then Councilman Green will have an infrastructure meeting on a Tuesday at 1.30. Madam Clerk, is there a clerk's report?

No, ma'am.

Mayor Arsenault, do you have any additional communications? No, ma'am. Does any council member have any additional communications? Yes. Yes. HE HAS NOTHING. DOES ANY COUNCIL MEMBER HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMUNICATIONS WITH COUNCILMAN BROOKS OR COUNCILMAN GREEN?

I JUST WANT TO TELL THEM EVERYBODY HAD A JOG IN SHORTS AND EVERYTHING FOR THE POOL.

EXECUTIVE SESSION, THERE IS NONE. WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT.

OUR FATHER'S DAY GIFTS. WE'RE WAITING FOR YOU.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY EXECUTIVE SESSION THERE.