City Council - Regular Meeting

Yes, ma'am, yes, ma'am.

Well, that was a nice one. Oh, yeah. Thank you. Thank you.

When are they due to arrive? Ernie?

What's that?

I'm bringing you Toria. She was going to. That's fine. Well. Couldn't do it.

I know, she's, that's who you, yeah. I mean, and it's not, it is not.

All right, so here we go.

So, I guess I should go to settings, right? Sure. Yeah, go to settings.

Yeah, I'll wait for you back there.

It automatically joins.

That's what's picking up here. I like your name. Wanna try this one?

Maybe that's it. Maybe that's the problem.

Cool. Okay, so it's picked it up, right? All right, good deal.

Maybe that was that...

But the Wi-Fi, that other Wi-Fi, I don't recognize that other Wi-Fi network. I'm not sure what it's on.

It's a charisma. It calls your text.

It's just a signal.

Yeah, you only have like one bar or something. Yeah, so we can't do anything about that. But the Wi-Fi seems pretty fast.

Yeah, it's like down in the sally port or down in the garage.

You're not getting a signal.

Which is understandable.

I'm okay with that. My part in that is, I'm told, hey, we're doing this.

Set up a new laptop for him. That's where I come in. So recently, I didn't want my phone. So I got an iPad.

I borrowed his swag.

No.

You're good. Maybe. How are you? Good. It doesn't have a G on it. Okay.

I can go. Okay.

Yes, ma'am. We'll go with that. Yeah, we'll roll with that one.

That's it. Okay. Okay. Where is it, downtown?

Okay.

Yeah, actually, it's ironic you bring that up because Michael Corbin was talking about signs.

Okay, Ms. Rose? And they're so old.

Oh, yes, ma'am.

Okay.

Good afternoon. The Shreveport City Council meeting is now called to order. I'm going to ask Councilman Talaferro to lead us in prayer and Councilman Jackson to lead us in the prayer.

All stand as we go before our Lord in prayer. Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, we ask that that you be in our hearts and be in our minds and be in our souls. And always remind us that you are God and that you will never forsake us or leave us in times of trouble. Lord, we ask you many blessings upon this council meeting and our great city. Amen.

We can all recite the pledge with me.

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.

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? And Councilwoman Bowman? Present.

Councilman Butcher will be out today. Councilman Green should be en route. Tomorrow, I entertain a motion to approve the minutes of the administrative conference meeting Monday, June 22nd, 2026, in the city council meeting Tuesday, June 23rd. Does any council members have any awards, recognition, or distinguished guests not to exceed 15 minutes? Madam Chair. Councilman Brooks.

I'd like to call up Rachel Jackson.

Okay. Ms. Jackson. So if you have cell phones, then I'm going to ask you to place them on silent, please. Good afternoon, Ms. Jackson.

Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Rachel Jackson. My address is 314 East Boulevard. I am the president of the Stonehill Neighborhood Association and a resident of District B. I stand before you today seeking clarity and assistance of concerns in the Stonehill neighborhood. First, I would like to start off by thanking our Councilman Brooks, Gary Brooks, our Commissioner Victor Thomas, State Representative Steven Jackson, and Senator Sam Jenkins. They are our fantastic four when it comes to our neighborhood. We don't make much noise as a neighborhood when it comes to getting things done for our residents because we usually do it ourselves. But now it's where we have to come to the city before you to seek in help. Flooding, the first issue I want to address, I'm aware that you know of the flooding in the Stonehill neighborhood, but what I don't think you are aware of the seriousness of the flooding in the Stonehill along Ury Drive. And yes, we know that it's an issue everywhere in the neighborhood, but it's going into our residents' yards and also into their homes. So we were trying to get help. And this has actually been going over 60 years. It's not just starting. This has been a 60-year problem. And I've lived that long to know that it has been. The flooding has become more widespread in the neighborhoods over the years. I've experienced many floods and stone here throughout my lifetime, but now it's scary. One flooding incident that I can truly attest to you because this is a personal testimony is because I was in the middle of the water and it's actually a lake. It actually covers three properties and you can get a boat to get out. But when we called 911, they came out and they told us that there was nothing that they could do. We just have to stay there until the water recedes, which became scary for myself and my grandchildren. The next incident was same thing, but they just didn't come out. They just said that they couldn't come out. We just have to wait until the water recedes. I just find that really appalling because you're saying that we're going to have to stay in the middle of a lake and there's nothing that we can do. If the water stops, if it stops raining, that's what it is. then we'll be okay, but if it doesn't, then I guess the water just rise. We are constantly told about the drainage systems. They are questionable at this point. We have more flooding, not only on your drive, but it's the residents' yards and streets, and these are our outlets out of the neighborhood, so that means that we can't get out. The streets is another thing that I wanted to address. There are streets located over tunnels of ditches, and I actually have pictures that I wanted to... That's in there? Okay. Is that the right way? Okay. This is actually one of the yards where the water is. As you can see at the top right there, that's the top step to the person's house, and it still was raining. So that actually covers three properties. That's not just only one, it's three. So I'm going to show you another one.

Ma'am, if I may interrupt, what is the address there?

314 East Boulevard, 326 East Boulevard, and 318 East Boulevard. I'm going to actually show you another one. Then there's one more. I just want y'all to get the picture of what we're feeling right now.

Is this the one I saw? No. It's all on the same street?

Mm-hmm. This is the same street.

When were these pictures taken?

These were actually taken the last, when was the last flooding? About a few weeks ago? Mm-hmm. This was the afternoon. And this is actually quite often. Every time it hits a heavy rain for about 10 minutes, steady hard rain, this is what happens.

Approximately how long does it take the water to recede?

It may, depending on if the rain stops, it may take 15 minutes, 20 minutes to rescind. But at that point, if it keeps continuing, it just, it just floods even more. Okay, and then when I was talking about the streets, I'm going to show you this picture.

This is actually...

a picture of the streets that's located over the ditch. So there are actually holes that are going down where you can see in the ditch from the tunnel, the tunnel of the ditch. So I've called in about these repairs, but it hadn't been done yet. And so I'm just hoping after today that it will get done because You have a question for me?

This is the ditch?

The ditch sits below these holes. So you're actually seeing the ditch from the streets. You're standing on the street, on the road. You're standing up on the road and you look down in that hole and you see the ditch, the tunnel of the ditch. And those are things that we're going through over in Stony Hill. And there's also... Streets where...

Please silence your phone. Whoever's phone is ringing, please silence it. Thank you.

We have streets that are located in different areas like Holly and Boulevard, Dazzle, Roosevelt, that have holes in the street. Now, I remind you when I called... Councilman Brooks helps me out with this one as well. They come out and they put the asphalt in the streets. But if we have a hard rain like this, the asphalt washes away and the holes get deeper and they accumulate more. So those are streets that's outlets to the neighborhood. So we are either tearing our cars up or we can't go that way. And we have to find another route. So those are things that I wanted to kind of address today to see if we can get some help. With those, we are seeking assistance from the city to resolve these issues and improve the livability of our neighborhood. We are requesting that the city council take action to correct our concerns, possibly by paving the streets. I know at one time they did tell me that it cost too much money, but at one point, it's just been over like 15, 20 years, and there's still the same streets with the asphalt that's washing away and making holes, more holes. And then also when it comes to the flooding, if they would just take another analysis as far as that drainage system, maybe to widen the ditch or do something, because I know it was posed to some of the residents about selling their homes. Some did, some didn't, but we have a community of senior citizens. They're not trying to move. I mean, honestly, we're just trying to move, but so we're trying to see if we can get some help as far as the flooding in the streets in our neighborhood. Thank you.

Don't leave the podium.

I've been aware of these. And is Jarvis still here? Morgan? Here he comes. I believe most of these issues I have already, I know the pictures of the holes. Ms. Jackson and I talk on a regular basis, and most of this has been forwarded. I don't know, this last flood was a little alarming. I guess you just saw the pictures. Yes, I just saw them. She asked if she'd come speak, and I said, of course. I don't really have the answers. I'm not an engineer, and I'm not in public work, so I was hoping that maybe you could help her.

Yeah, we've been helping Ms. Jackson for a while, so we'll look downstream, but we have been dealing with her issue for a while. This is something we have been dealing with. I don't have any more information on it, but the only thing we can do is look downstream. There's normally some time that'll help, but this issue has been ongoing, and we passed it along to engineering, so we'll continue looking to see what we can do, but like she said, It's a flood area, and they have been offered, but they don't want to move. And I understand that. We can't force them to move. So we'll continue to see what we can do on the engineering side to figure out what we can. I don't know, because it is a bad area. And the ditches, I mean, this is the widest we can go for it standards-wise. But we'll continue to look into it.

Is water coming from the red?

That I don't.

Is it backup when you say that it's coming?

I don't believe so.

Mr. Dart. Yes, ma'am. Since this is, according to Ms. Jackson, 20 years plus that this has been occurring, and they are in a floodplain, and if individuals don't want to move from that area, then is there... an area with higher ground of where they can be because somewhat, you know, that it could be impossible to have some of the same situation to Ms. Jackson in my area. What is the next remedy? Do we know? Since this has been an ongoing that somewhat predates us coming onto the council. So now it's just reached a max point because I can't imagine seeing that body of water with the rapid speed that they have coming down the street. You know, because you can't say what won't happen as it relates to that when you're trapped inside of your house.

Ms. Jackson and I had a really good conversation between meetings. What happens there is when that little paved ditch gets full, All the water that's trying to come down kind of from almost Centenary Boulevard down doesn't have anywhere to go. And those yards are where it goes. What I'd really like to do is get City Engineer to figure out, is it just these three houses, or do we have a handful, or do we have more than a handful? Because you're talking, trying to do a project to make it where they'll never flood again is money you couldn't possibly print. Because you'd have to go all the way, from upstream of them probably all the way to Corby's Golf Course to widen and deepen and do all that. The simpler solution is to see if there is a way in the neighborhood perhaps to do something. I mean, there's plenty of adjudicated lots, I suspect, in that area. it might be possible to get them to higher ground where they wouldn't have to leave their neighborhood. You know, there's no easy solution to this one. And she and I had that conversation, but I think there might be a compassionate way to try to find a way to, because nobody, nobody needs to live with that threat because it's going to happen every year in some form. And, and, you know, when you've got buildings on top of the ditch downstream and, you know, crossing at Kings Highway, you've got a whole series of things that would make it very difficult to do a project without going into eight figures pretty quickly. If we could find a way to do something less, but I think the first step is to probably ask David Smith, who's here, to try to see how many houses we're talking about. Correct. And how bad does a house, I mean, how bad does the rain have to be before it's just something other than them?

I think with the photographs, the documentation that she already has and the community already has, that at that time, Mr. Smith, that it would be expedient for you to come, especially since we have rains coming up this week, to do that particular assessment now and looking at it and do a walkthrough through that area. Because we don't want a tragedy to happen in the night. You can come to the mic.

While he's coming up, we tried to get state funding at some point for a project to try to address that area and essentially the East Washington-Urey intersection where it floods so badly, and we've never been able to get any state money from that.

So I was just looking at, again, what other tributary of water would be coming through there because the area is not protected.

This is only really just that area. I mean, it's essentially the high point in that area is generally around Centenary Boulevard. And it starts coming down toward Urey Drive, essentially. And they're right at the very low end of that. So that's what happens to them. I've played all the engineer I need, so we got one at the mic now. Okay. Okay.

Hello there, David Smith, City Engineer. I believe Mr. Jarvis is aware. We've been looking at this for quite some time. We do currently have a statewide flood control application in. That first preliminary application was accepted, and we're continuing to build on that in the hopes of getting some money. Nothing's guaranteed, but we do have a... an application in for grant money to do something here because it's quite a big area that flows from northwest of Erie and over through East Washington and east out of that neighborhood. So it's quite a big problem, and you see it on Erie Drive. Yeah, any good rainstorm, you see the cars getting water in them, and Ms. Jackson is right. up the street from there. So we're aware and trying to do something, but it's something that's out of our range right now, funding wise.

So the application that is on file that you all have submitted, Mr. Dark, you can correct me. With some of these areas that are just like this in Stoner Hill, would it be an added benefit to add the additional neighborhoods that you see too, to give that more validity in moving to see the urgent need of having this. Because I'm concerned, which I think that Councilman Brooks is concerned with, is what will occur that we get a heavy rain and they, God forbid, and they trapped. Because then it's no way for you to be able to really rescue.

Yeah, so we'll revisit this and contact Ms. Jackson and see what happens. documentation she has, anything to further build our case and show a cost benefit. Unfortunately, the more properties you have damaged, the better that is for a better chance of getting funding for it. So we'll do what we can to collect that information and try to build that case.

How soon are we looking at the assessment?

Oh, well, it'll be ongoing, but we could do that in the following weeks. Anytime there's a rain event, we try to document things. Getting some pictures from the June 15th rain event would be very helpful. Because it was the worst most recent.

So you can meet with her tomorrow?

Yes, ma'am.

Okay.

Thank you.

Ms. Jackson, I know that insurance is probably going to be probably non-existent for that area as well. But that's another concern. If something happens, these homes may not even be properly insured. Yeah.

Because it becomes a problem. And then And not only is it, it's Boulevard, we have Viking Drive, we have Dazzle, and it's just several areas. The East Dazzle, Boulevard, Viking Drive, is that Easy Street, not Easy, Easy Street. They flood just as much. And it's just that if we can, whenever they, whenever he comes out to talk to me, I definitely let him know where the different areas are. But, you know, but it's just, it's bad. It's bad.

Mr. Smith, just briefly, so you say that we're going to revisit this. When's the last time that we visited this?

Well, excuse me, Councilman, it's been a known issue, I suppose. There have been several properties that were purchased in the way of hazard mitigation, but we have just not acquired any funding, outside funding for it.

And who do we apply for outside funding?

Well, for this case we can apply the usual places state capital outlay statewide flood control is a more focused grant so that's that's why we put in an application there we have almost a dozen or so into state capital outlay right now so that's a A lottery.

So when you talk about going out and getting funding, I presume that in order for me to get funding, I already have a plan and a strategy for correcting this.

Yes, sir. The starting of one. We have a preliminary idea of what we need to do, and it's basically just capacity improvement from that area south downstream.

Would this be something that... I'm out of my league. That we could... gain some experience or gain some information from the Corps of Engineers, because it's a big flooding. We know it's a flood zone, you know, and they deal with that all the time. I don't like to say I may be talking out of school, but, you know.

So we collaborate a bit with DOTD, but this is outside most everyone else's jurisdiction, being just that it's in town and local tributaries.

Mm-hmm.

And so we have been developing some kind of a strategy for a number of years, or we just, I don't know.

I'm not sure what my predecessors have done, but we currently have a citywide drainage plan, and part of that is, this is part of it. It's one of the several projects that we have that we call unfunded needs, and one that we continue to look for opportunities for outside funding.

If I'm not mistaken, this one started about two years ago. We had had an event similar to this where, as I remember, the school bus ended up in the middle of the median area in East Washington. And we got invited, I believe, to put together some statewide flood control application. And that became the project that we focused on. We may have had another one in there, but that was the one that I think was the bigger number one.

That was it.

Again, the simpler response is to find a way to minimize, if you can figure out that there's a manageable number of homes that are at the very lowest end, if you can get those folks out in a way that's acceptable to them, it's a lot less money than no matter what happens with the statewide grant. But you have to work with the residents who are there, and if they don't want to move, We got to deal with what we can. But they are, unfortunately, at the worst place in there because of the low-lying nature of where they live. The ideal solution would be that those houses wouldn't be there, that they'd be on higher ground. And the place where they are now could be a lake in the woods, and it wouldn't make any difference. But we've got bigger, and we've got other issues in that watershed that really also prompted that statewide app because, you know, ideally you don't, continue to flood, you know, Erie and Kings, I mean, Erie and East Washington to the extent it floods every time it rains like it's rained lately. But those are the, there's no, you can drive around that. You can't not live there. So that's what we're trying to do is find a way to help them and perhaps help the wider area as well.

Ms. Jackson. Don't leave, Mr. Smith.

I get everything that Everybody's seeing. But my concern and my thing is if we, okay, see if the residents move from where you're moving them and you move them, so what are you going to do? Tear the houses down, right? So that means the water's going to spread to the other residents that's on that street. And so if you keep tearing the houses down, so that means it goes to your driveway, right? Because it has nowhere to go.

The water's going to go on the land where those houses were. We've done this a number of times. Yeah. In effect, you make it where there's nothing in the way of that water. It's still going to be trying to get to Urey Drive. Okay. But if you don't have a bigger ditch on Urey Drive, it just ponds on the land it's ponding on now. There's just no house in the way. I mean, that's what you're trying to achieve. It doesn't get to a bigger area just because, in fact, it doesn't have to have the dam of the house there.

I mean...

There's no easy solution. And I think David can.

Yeah, because I guess I'm trying to understand, see what you're saying, because I see this myself. The water is everywhere. You have the houses that are sitting there. They're stopping the water, maybe stopping some of the flow of the water. But then you have the water that comes around. It comes around when it stops and it flows on down to the next set of properties.

Well, I think part of what David's got to do is to basically take a map of that part of Stoner Hill and the part on the other side of Urie and say, okay, who's got the biggest problems? I mean, it's obviously the 300 block of East Boulevard and some of the other streets right next to that that are trying to also come down to that ditch. So he can do that, and when we know what that is, we can have a better idea of what's the best way to try to attack this.

Okay, so plan A is what now?

Plan A is for Mr. Smith to meet with you as soon as you and he can get together. And y'all basically, he brings a map. You know what you know about your neighborhood. And he can basically say, OK, here, here, here, here. What's the worst of those? That's the first thing he would need in order to try to figure out whether there's a good outcome we can make.

Okay, so when we get to plan A.

Come back and see us. Yes, I'm going to come back.

All right, thank you.

Mr. Jackson is going to see if there are some other entities that they will be working with after you do plan A, because when he does his assessment of the area, Mr. Darkin, correct me if I'm wrong, there's going to have to be a flood mitigation plan of that particular area.

Okay.

To order to see how you can combat that, because water is going to go where water is going to go. Yes, sir. No stopping. That's the unfortunate part of that. And so then additionally, there's going to have to be some work with the state of Louisiana in order to be able to do that because the city does not have all of the funds to be able to repair what is there. And I'm just using the word repair in that sense. So he should meet with you tomorrow that you all will be able to arrange a time to go there and assess in that time frame, too, to make that application more expedient that's already down there. We can look at the other areas in our city that are facing the same thing. Okay. And then we can reach out, you know, we can reach out to the Corps and see and let them see what we have and see whatever emergency implications that we can place there in order for that because it's just Mass rains are going to happen. You know, we're in the middle of hurricane season, so I think as quickly as we do this, then we can move. Unfortunately, it's not a ready answer there, but, you know, we got to at least initiate the movement.

Okay. Okay. So as far as the streets?

As far as those streets? The streets, the asphalt, I think.

Yeah, the asphalt and the holes, that's where we're seeing the ditches. Yes. Okay. You got that? Okay. Okay. All right.

Thank you. Madam Chair, one more thing. Could I ask any of the residents that are here to represent Stoner Hill, would you mind standing?

Thank you. Okay.

Okay.

Is there any other council member? I want to say, go ahead.

I just want to let you know that I was here. Oh, we see you. I had no idea y'all was going to start the meeting without me.

We were hoping to finish it without you. Talk about vain. There's a song about that. We talked about you in a property standards meeting, so you late.

You allowed us to do that?

Yes, it was all good.

We sent Chief out to look for you because you normally not here late.

Mr. Dark, what we wanted to do, many of us on the council is actually Speak to Ms. Coleman by telling her congratulations for providing us information for the fair share program that we had not ever seen before. I thought that the, she's not in the chambers. I thought that the information that she provided to each council district was excellent, giving us a breakdown of the businesses that we have there and the growth that we see in every district. So we just really want to say kudos to her for a job well done. Hope to see some continued reports as it relates to that, because that helps us to be able to share with our constituents. And then also looking at the point of how we can increase business, and our activity. I think the number one area was District G. Yes, it was. And going in, she let us know that District A was number three. I don't know who two was, so I'm not going to call a district, but I'm just saying.

I'm just saying. She's a very shy individual.

That's okay.

She's petrified getting in front of her.

So I'm going to work on that. No, tell her don't be petrified. But I do want y'all to, for the council to at least know who she is and the remarkable work that she has done. So if y'all just ask her to come down just so we can give her her flowers. I'll go get her. And we want to be able to do that.

And you'll be getting reports on numbers after that too.

But I'll go get her. Go get her.

Yes, so we can see the little genius. All right. Mr. Mayor, do you have any awards, recognition, or distinguished guests not to exceed 15 minutes?

I have a couple. Okay. First of all, there are some appointments that are not on your, that you have received that will be on for confirmation next time. I know that Eric Monroe, who is an appointment to the Metropolitan Planning Commission, is here. Mr. Monroe, would you stand? I don't know. Rose McCullough is a reappointment. I did not see Ms. McCullough. And then April Dom is an appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission. I do not see her in the audience either. But the next thing I have is very exciting. We have had for not quite six weeks the most outstanding group of interns in the city of Shreveport, and they are all here, and I'd like to ask them to stand, please. They have been doing outstanding work in just about every department of the city. We've had two in the mayor's office, and they just have done an outstanding job. There are two that are working in engineering, and I had a wonderful presentation by them speaking of what we've been talking about, streets and drainage and long-term projects. long-term issues in the city and they have prepared a a video of their experiences and they would like to present it to the council at this time come on down so who's who's going to introduce it or who's are we just going to do it okay we're just going to go tarry all right

Every summer, the Mayer Summer Internship Program gives students the opportunity to go beyond the classroom and into public service. Through hands-on experience, professional mentorship, and community engagement, we were able to see how the local government works and how it impacts the lives of Shreveport residents every day. As interns, we have served alongside city leaders, supported departments across the city, and worked on projects designed to have a meaningful and lasting impact on our community. In this video, you'll hear directly from us about the experiences that shaped us both professionally and personally within this program.

The most rewarding part about my internship is communicating with the citizens as I talk, communicate with them through the telephone. As I get the information on what they cite, I write it on the tickets and just make their day better.

I think the most rewarding part of the internship is learning more about the judicial system and how it works from top to bottom, from the clerks to the prosecutors to the public defenders. Everybody has a role to play in the judicial system. It's a very complex system. I think it's a great system for our community.

One of the most rewarding things a part of my internship was gaining connections as well as learning more into the internal audit field, learning in performance auditing and learning different things about different departments.

To be installing the Sierra wireless modems within each station that needed troubleshooting, that was the most rewarding thing I did during the internship so far because it helped the firefighters use the equipment properly and make sure everything is working efficiently.

Being able to work hands-on experience in the water department and seeing how science plays a big role in keeping Shreveport water safe.

I would say the most rewarding part of my internship has been being able to rotate in all the different sectors of HR. So for the first two weeks, I was able to sit and shadow the HR analysts. So they're the ones that go out and when conflict arises in the different departments of the city, they go to PDCs and they're able to kind of sit in and mediate conversations between an employer and an employee.

Next, we asked them about the projects that made the biggest impact. I think the most exciting thing that I've been able to be a part of during this internship is getting to document all of these wonderful plants at Asian Gardens. We are trying to get this garden to be how it used to be prior to COVID. And that starts with getting the information out of what plants are currently here so that volunteers can revitalize and upkeep this garden for the next 10 years.

We had this conference meeting about a pile repair system. And so the piles are underneath bridges, so bridges that are failing, stuff underneath them is breaking. It's a really innovative way for them to fix those and put bridges back into service faster than pulling them all the way out. They just replace it in-house, essentially, and it gets bridges up and working way faster than any other option.

Something I'm especially proud of is all the work we've been doing here at SPAR for America's big 250th anniversary. We've been doing all these little events. I've been doing everything from making graphics, taking pictures, and even video to both document and promote all the great events we've been doing for this historic occasion.

I was proud to be a part of the safety day camp that we had for fourth and fifth graders. And it made me proud because seeing all those kids happy and bringing excitement to their eyes really made my heart warm.

There's two projects that I'm especially proud of. One of them being the community paramedicine project. I've been researching other programs that have this, other EMS stations that have been doing this, and I've been working on the blood transfusion project, working with Dr. Denise, doing statistics and all these things, trying to figure out which stations need blood more, and basically overall trying to help patients.

Last week we were able to watch a jury trial at the district court And it was much different from what we typically see over here. We saw a man, he got convicted of certain charges. They brought up the evidence against him. You know, they had the jury in there and they showed the evidence. We just saw the whole process of the prosecutors and his attorneys. It was just like such a great experience to see what I would be getting myself into once I become an attorney.

We also wanted to know what they learned about local government. Something I learned is how the finance department is connected to so many different departments in Shreveport, and there's so many different umbrella terms for the finance department, but for example, I feel like I was working on a lot of stuff for water and sewage, and I feel like that would have nothing to do with the finance department, but truly the finance department is connected in so many different ways.

I would say that people fail to realize how much the local government is actually doing, whether it comes to maintaining the city's infrastructure or addressing the city's concerns. They pretty much got their hands full. Going into the internship, I really didn't understand how much time and consideration it took to get these type of jobs done. But what I can say is that the rules and every problem that the city may have, we're actively working on it.

I learned that the department I'm in exists because specifically with policing, you see a lot of traffic you see a lot of everything but what i'm in because with community-oriented policing it's a lot more focused on what we can do for the community and that's not really showcased a lot they don't get a lot of media attention so seeing everything they do and how well they do it has been a really fun experience and i've really enjoyed my time there

We help elderly people or disabled people that can't bring their trash can out to the curb, so they give us permission to go inside their yard to get their trash can and put it in a dumpster.

One thing I learned about Sport Train, it's like Sport Train offers Uber, but it's called Sport Train On Demand. It's like they can come to any certain spot, you scan the QR code, they just gonna pick you up.

This experience often changes how interns view the city they call home.

This internship has really changed the way that I see Shreveport by looking at Shreveport in a more positive light. I can truly say that Shreveport is a diamond in the rough. A lot of people don't understand and know what Shreveport has or brings to the table, and so being a part of this internship has really opened my eyes to what Shreveport could be and what it's made of.

As a film major in college, I've got to use a lot of the different skills I learned in class to put together this internship video with some of my colleagues at SPAR. We've traveled across the city, met all the other interns, met a lot of municipal officials, and worked together to kind of see how Shreveport is operated on a day-to-day basis.

Before, I never thought about the governance of Sharifport from the perspective of somebody working on the inside of it. I think most of the times you see things like parks, the government buildings, and never really see the inside of it or think about what goes on inside. But now that I've been able to experience and see a lot of that, it's a lot more interesting than I thought it was.

Finally, we asked them what advice they would give to future interns.

I would definitely say to just take a chance and do it because for me personally, I was a little scared and nervous about doing it. But I stepped outside of my comfort zone and I really like it. I'm learning a lot of different things and I'm meeting so many different people. And I think that it's a really great learning experience for like life skills and the workforce after you graduate. I would say apply.

You can get real hands-on experience if you want to come to the water department, the different departments throughout Shreveport.

As someone who has been a part of this program for two years now in different departments, I would say just do it. You never know what you're going to get out of it. For me, whenever I was going into it as a sophomore, I had no idea what to expect from it and truly you make such great connections and you get so much better prepared for the real world.

I would tell that student that they are going to love whatever department that they are placed in and that they should not be afraid or have any type of hesitation or nervousness that comes with it because you're going to be surrounded with a lot of other interns that are going through the same emotions that you're going through.

Put yourself out there because you never know what may come from it. While I'm a Grandma Tiger, I've been able to meet students from all over the U.S. coming from different colleges, and it has been an enlightening experience. And being a part of an opportunity to rebuild the reputation of Shreveport has been nothing short of amazing.

While we gained valuable experience working alongside the City of Shreveport, we also left a lasting impact on the departments and communities that we worked with. To close off this year's reflection, we hear from the person who made this opportunity possible for us.

Well, I hope that they first take away a positive experience with the city of Shreveport. Secondly, I hope that it's something that they will learn, that they'll leave here with some skills that they didn't have or some perspective that they didn't have. and that they come back and they say, hey, look, this is a great place to live and work, and I would really like to come back to Shreveport. We want to make those opportunities available as much as we can. We need the young energy and the young ideas to move our city forward.

Shreveport is community. Shreveport is home. Shreveport is family. Shreveport is unique. Shreveport is thriving.

Shreveport is a learning experience.

Shreveport is home.

Shreveport is changing. Shreveport is full of history.

Shreveport is love.

Shreveport is legendary.

Amazing.

Shreveport is changing.

Shreveport is family.

Filled with opportunities.

Shreveport is up and coming. Powerful.

Shreveport is community. Shreveport is growing.

Home. Shreveport is a wonderful place. Shreveport is right where I want to be. Shreveport is an awesome place.

Shreveport is home. Shreveport is the next Hollywood of the South.

Madam Chair and members of the council, I thank you. And this was 100% produced by them. You can see that we had a very talented group of people. When you look out there, you see the future of our city, and I'm very proud and hopeful for that future.

As you should be. This is the best. marketing video for Shreveport, Louisiana, is what you guys have created, talking about selling the city. This is selling the city. Ms. Dawson, what you doing putting your hand over your eyes? Featured in there. And who was that that went to GSU? We gonna have problems. We gonna have problems. We gonna have problems, because I'm a Southern grade. We gonna have problems. This is absolutely amazing. Councilman Green.

I want to put together a band, Austin Smalls plays drums. Yeah, he has a lot of, I mean, he has a lot of talent. He's unbelievable.

Any other council members?

No, Ms. May, I just ask that you put in the format where we can make it shareable. User connection, let's try to get it on Netflix.

Anybody else? Kudos, Ms. Bradford. Come on down. You a Southern grad, tell it.

Madam Chair, members of the council, Mr. Mayor, administration and friends, it has been an honor to work with these young adults. Just to give you a little history, to my knowledge, this program started up under Mayor Glover. When I came to work for Mayor Tyler, I kind of mimicked what I did for Senator Landrieu to bring it to a different level for college students. Mr. Mayor, Mayor Tom Arsenault allowed me to continue it. And the four years thus far, we have continued to grow the program. It is geared for college students. Why? Because they are our future. Why? Because we want to invest in them But in our investment, we want them to return back to Shreveport. So we are looking for our investment on all of you all sitting here. And they will tell you every Friday at 3 o'clock, that is what I tell them, that the mayor has stepped out, the council will support you, but you must return to Shreveport and pay back on the investment that we have placed in you. Amen. Amen. These are some of the best and brightest young people I've worked with. Each year, I can tell you, Madam Chair and Council Members, this program has grown. And with the support of Mayor Arsenault and the administration and every department head, They have groomed some of the best. Now, we have laid the foundation, and we have some road to travel, but with our department heads and their supervisors, we will meet that goal, and I thank you all for your support. Mr. Mayor, I thank you and the administration for your support, and all the department heads, thank you, because without you, this would not be.

Ms. Bradford, Mr. Mayor, Tom Dart can appreciate this because probably he and James Green as well. Initially, when you had the JTBA program under community development, and so we had the opportunity to come and work. So I would tell the students this is that's where I had my first job. is under the program sort of like what you're under. I was making a whole $3.35 an hour. You couldn't tell me nothing because I was rolling. But that's just a significant investment of what it has when you actually can get a full scope of the city of Shreveport because you are the best marketing team for the city of Shreveport, our young people. telling them what actually happens at the city. Some of us older heads, they don't want to listen to us, but they will listen to you all. So thank you so much for the contributions that you all have made. Mr. Mayor, this is phenomenal. Ms. Bradford, excellent. Any Southern Jaguars out there?

Ms. Bradford puts this together every year. It is really a huge undertaking by her, and she does a beautiful job. Most definitely. Thank you.

Yes.

They will have their service project in Councilman James Green District. Oh. And we all love Ms. Ruby Smalls and that garden. And so Ms. Ruby Smalls has been working with community development in Shreveport Green. So these younger adults will spend Wednesday and Thursday morning out making sure that she's able to plant They will build boxes that she needs to put different vegetables and or fruits in. We've gone out there and looked at the garden several times, Caitlin and Austin and myself and Jackson. And so we're ready to hit the dirt and make sure that Ms. Small's garden is what she wanted to be, which is a neighborhood garden supporting the residents of District L. And tell them to go by the swimming pool as well.

One step at a time, sir.

We're focused. But thank you so much.

Congratulations.

I believe Ms. Coleman is here now.

Ms. Coleman, come on down. Ms. Fairshare Lady. Let me first say you didn't have to be afraid to approach the council for real. We wanted to extend our thank yous to you for the breakdown that you have given us for each of our districts. It allows us to take this information back to our district, but it also provides us the opportunity to build from that. So from our hearts to yours, we want to say thank you for a job well done and look forward to more work being done in order to build our fair share program, which is vital to our city.

If I could, I want to say good afternoon, Councilwoman, Madam Chair, Council, Mayor, Mr. Dark, and friends. I wasn't scared. I was actually helping some of our clients in the office. But... FairShare is an excellent program. Underneath the leadership of Director Leon Willer, he's allowed me to have a lot of different opportunities, just like the mayor sending me to go to Bloomberg Harvard or whether it's going to Atlanta for AI for Business. I have a passion for helping our citizens and I get a rush from seeing everyone win. So if there's ever any questions that you guys want to know specific to your districts, definitely hit me up. And did they tell you who had the most people?

Yes. There we go.

Okay, I missed that.

So congratulations, Councilwoman Bowman. Anything you need, just hit me up. It's a two-person office. My duties are, like, expensive. It's broad. But just about anything you need, I got you.

Oh, good job, Mr. Wheeler. Thank you so much. Job well done. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Wheeler. Thank you. Mayor, you have any additional communications?

I don't, Madam Chair. Okay.

Does any member have any questions or concerns relative to property standards for Mr. Green? Everyone should have received the Revenue Collection Plan and Implementation Report. Public hearing there is none. Mr. Dark, would there be any legislation added today?

No, Madam Chair.

Today we will hear public comments on non-agenda and agenda items. And Madam Vice Chair will handle this portion of the meeting. You have three minutes to speak. Please state your name and address for the record.

Thank you, ma'am. The first one is Mr. Christopher Hogue. Mr. Christopher Coe.

Hi, Mr. Coe.

Christopher Coe, 940 College Street in Historic Island. Good afternoon. I'm here representing Providence House. They're on the agenda for today and tomorrow. I think Ms. Welch, the executive director, couldn't be here today, so I'm just here in case there's any questions. Thank you for your consideration.

Beautiful state building.

Thank you.

Thank you so much, Mr. Coe. Arthur Williams. Thank you, sir. Ms. Ruby Small.

Good afternoon again. Good afternoon. Everybody. Y'all know why I smile so much? Because I'm a happy woman.

Great.

I have some great news to tell you. Those 26 young people is coming to Motown.

That's right.

They're going to take care of us.

That's awesome.

We don't see young people as much in Motown. Right. Because only grandchildren come sometimes. But these young people and their films, I wanted to say it in front of them. The help of her and the help of the city and the help of A, B, C, D, E, F, G. That's right. And I just want to tell y'all, I am so proud.

Amen.

I am a proud woman. Congratulations, Ms. Smalls. And being 80 and feeling good and know that. My neighborhood is important to me as it is to everybody else.

That's right.

I thank you.

Because I got young people back there that come that I forgot.

Their mother and father, they're coming saying, we have a newsletter coming out. More town. Bees. We would be putting a newsletter out and let people know about what we're doing and what the city is doing and how to get right information. If you can't come to these meetings, we need to have the exact word everybody tells us.

I want to tell y'all, I'm very proud.

I love every one of y'all. A, B, C, D, E, F, G. Thank you, Ms. Small.

Thank you, Ms. Small.

Felicia Struggins.

Felicia Scroggins, 9314 Thunderwood Drive, Shreveport, Louisiana, 71118. So I don't go off track. I'm just going to read what I've written. Good afternoon, Mayor Arsenault, members of the city council, and members of the public. My name is Felicia Scroggins. I have served as a street port firefighter for more than 25 years. During my tenure, many people have been led to believe I am abusing sick leave, stealing time, and wasting taxpayers' dollars. I want the public to hear directly from me that this is not... This has not been my choice. Over my career, yes, I have missed some significant amount of time from work due to misdiagnosis or lack thereof, which came from work-related injuries and the lengthy process trying to receive proper medical treatment. not because I wanted to be away from my job. In my view, communication between fire department personnel, workers' compensation representatives, and medical providers cause questions to be raised about the legitimacy of my condition, resulting in delays in my care. This current time, which I'm currently off now, I've waited more than one year for surgery while my condition remained unresolved. During that time, I had to go off work because my medical issues were not being timely and properly addressed. When the condition that I had been reporting was finally confirmed, nothing was done to restore my reputation or correct the public perception that I had been dishonest. It only got worse. The damage to my name has already been done. For years, I have tried to resolve these issues the right way. I have emailed the mayor, all city council members, reported that I have believed that I was under extreme hostile work environment conditions, requested meetings, and asked for good faith decisions. I've even requested a meeting to resolve these matters outside of continued litigation, yet I still have not been given that opportunity. I am not here asking for sympathy. I am asking to be heard. I'm asking for accountability, fairness, and transparency. I believe every employee deserves to have their concerns taken seriously and to receive timely medical care without integrity being questioned and not be put on mute. Mayor Arsenault and members of the council, I respectfully ask that you meet with me in good faith within the next two weeks so that we can discuss a path toward resolving these long-standing issues. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Ruggins. Attorney Edwards, is there anything? No, ma'am. Thank you so much, Ms. Ruggins. Ms. John Glover?

Good evening, members of the council, Mr. Mayor, Mr. Dark, John Glover, 9100 Walker Road, apartment 217, Shreveport, Louisiana, zip code 71118. I'd like for whomever deals with your, to pull this sign.

Now, I need some information with regards to that sign.

Who is that sign designated for? At the corner of Travis and McNeil, on the corner right here by the building, there used to be two handicapped parking spaces. Now those spaces have been turned to this signage. So who is it for? I mean, is it not? anymore for handicap parking? Or is it for personnel of the city? Because it's sorta like misleading when you don't know who that reserved represents. Again, you take two handicap parking spaces and you turn them into reserve permit parking only. So who are they or who is these signs to be facilitated by? I don't understand what has transpired. Because I've been riding around trying to find a park for a handicap.

Right. Attorney Edwards is going to answer that for you.

Thank you.

Afternoon, Ms. Glover.

Hey, sir, how are you?

Doing well. There's a section, a division of the Code of Ordinances that talks about permit parking. The DDA has the authority. To permit parking, they've got five different zones of permitted parking. Applications are made for permit parking to the director of the Downtown Development Authority. Each of those sections, each of those zones, I'm sorry, has either a standard fee or a special circumstances fee. And when you pay either the standard fee or the special circumstances fee, you can get a permit for either Zones 1 through 4 or a permit for Zone 5. And I am not entirely sure if that is in Zone 3 or 4, but the permit for Zones 1 through 4 should cover it.

And what constituted changing them from handicapped? to this?

I don't know off the top of my head about that specific corner. What I would assume is that a need was identified for either particular...

Beyond handicap.

Well... It matters not. I don't know the answer to that question. I'd have to look into it to figure out the answer to that specific question at that specific spot. But probably what happened is some sort of a need was identified possibly for an employee who needed a reasonable accommodation.

And I can appreciate the employee or whatever the circumstances may have been, but if they were given me the information, then I would not have to stand here today and say, well, who is this really for? Because it can be misleading. Well, it was for me when I'm looking for a park and was used to those two parks right there. Now, I do recognize right across the street in front of that Y building, they've only put one handicapped park. So why not put two over there if you took these two? So I think it's worth us looking into to figure out what we're really doing. And then again, if there are those provisions that affords one to say, I want a reserve park, then the public should know that we have that right also to at least do an application.

Right. So that's in section 90-371. 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76. So that's a part of the code of ordinances. That is something that you can do. You can get permitted parking. My understanding is that particular zone is for an employee whose name obviously, or some employees whose names I'm obviously not going to give you. I do understand that. I believe that to be a reasonable accommodation that was provided to some city employees who are both handicapped and needy. frequently in this building.

So their vehicles would have something to signify that mirrors what that sign says.

I'm sure there's a permit.

Yeah, that's what I'm saying.

I don't know if it's on their license plate or if it's on their vehicle, but they had a permit. Something to signify.

Okay. All right. Thank you all.

I would like to know that when they do that and then if they are replacing that handicap sign, then to show an additional space or whatever for those individuals that are disabled that need that. And so if we can ask the DDA about that, I'd like to know the answer to that, too, because in accommodating an individual, which I don't think that there is an issue, but we also, too, we should inconvenience the general public in going in and doing that as well.

Thank you. Okay, you're welcome. Thank you, Ms. Clever. Mm-hmm. Don Taylor.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

My name is Don Taylor. I reside at 9077 New Castle Drive, Shreveport, Louisiana, 71129. I actually had two concerns today. The first concern has already been addressed by Ms. Jackson. She did a wonderful job to bring about the flooding in the Stony Hill area. I pastor the Stony Hill Baptist Church, 1201 Cornwell Avenue, Shreveport, Louisiana, 71101. The other concern, my concern is this. We have a squatter. We've done everything that we can to help him. We try to find him housing. We try to get him food. But now he's become a problem to the neighbors. The neighbors came to me. He's not on our property. He's on city property. He's right in front of Greenwood Cemetery. But now he's broken ordinance. He's defecating and he's urinating. And at that point, it's beginning to smell because we're hitting the summer months. I need to, I don't know what to do. I've called the police department. They came out. They directed me to the liaison officer for that community, but the liaison officer has been off. I need help. We've tried to do everything we can, but he is a problem. And we have helped. We have a ministry. We help people all the time. But we can't help someone that don't want help. What must I do? I need help.

Thank you, Mr. Taylor, for coming down. Chief, can you assist Mr. Taylor?

Thank you very much. Thank you so much.

Danny Cochran.

Hello members, how y'all doing?

Hi, how are you?

I know everybody like music. So what I did, I wrote my complaint in a song that I wrote. So I'd like y'all to take a moment to hear.

Okay, can I get your address for the record, please, first?

I'm sorry?

Can I get your address for the record?

Address. Address. It's on the music. It's on the music.

Okay, got you. Is it less than three minutes? Okay.

One hit wonder. Honorable mayor and honorable city council members, My name is Danny Cochran, Newcastle Pines 71129. As a Vietnam veteran, member of the Neighbors of Caddo Heights, and a resident of Newcastle Pines, I'm here to represent these neighborhoods that are currently facing several concerns that need to be addressed and handled, especially in District D. which include overgrown grass in too many areas of the community, damaged streets which are deteriorating and cracking apart, and require proper repairs rather than temporary patches. These issues pose significant risks to pedestrians because of the deep ditches that are hidden and covered with high grass that might have snakes. And who knows what is hidden in it? And handicap ramps are needed in areas that have been overlooked.

Two cars can't pass unless one stops to let the other one pass without falling in the ditch. Particularly on the 1700, 1800, and 1900 blocks of Clanton Street. Additionally, Trees are encroaching on power lines and debris from properties near the corner of Wallace Street and Hollywood Avenue.

Been there for months.

Diesel fumes from truck park on lots in the neighborhood. Airbnb settings up in the neighborhood. Noise ordinance needed. But after 9 p.m., furthermore, there is a pressing need for speed bumps on Wall Street from Hollywood to Corbett Street due to the high volume of speeding vehicles. Concerns have also been raised regarding an abandoned trailer and appliances left in driveways on Earl Street. As well as trash accumulation on the streets.

I-49.

And Hollywood Avenue exits. Panhandlers are leaving mattresses and trash. The neighborhood is also troubled by the presence of family. First funeral home established within the area. required trimming and sign removal to improve visibility when exiting onto Flournoy Lucas Road from Newcastle. Thank you for your attention to these matters.

That was my concern. I represent the neighbors on the neighborhood of Hollywood and Newcastle. So that was our concern with them on the committee. So I figured I'd come down here and share some of those. And I've been walking through the neighborhood, and it really needs some serious attention. You know, let me say Hollywood, Motown, Cedar Grove, all these neighborhoods, they are part of Shreveport. And they definitely need your attention. Seriously, attention. Thank you.

Can I have a copy of this? Don't move, Mr. Crockett. Don't move.

I want to hear the flip side. Oh, that's record, sorry.

Councilman Green.

Thank you, Mr. Crockett. Had I known you... presentation was like that, I would let you play to that church yesterday while you was there, and I wouldn't even preach yesterday. I would just let you play. But you said on yesterday that you had something to bring. I didn't know that it was going to be that outstanding, but you've done a great job, and your message is very clear. Thank you so much. Thank you.

It's probably the first complaint that I actually enjoyed. Exactly. I agree. Right. But to echo Councilman Green, we didn't get lost in the beat and the melody. We did hear the complaints. If you can kind of forward that to us and we'll go bar by bar, line by line, and try to address as many as we can. Thank you. Thank you. Madam Chair.

Councilman Brooks.

Sir, was that you singing? I wrote the song. Oh, okay.

Somebody has a really good voice. He writes music.

Mr. Cochran, thank you. I think you're about to go viral. Right. Thank you. With this particular complaint, but with a lot of what you had in your music, we addressed, talked a lot about it in Property Standards Committee meeting earlier today. You have some of the same concerns as we do, and so we intend to address those properly.

All right. Thank you.

Thank you so much, sir.

Thank you, Mr. Cochran.

Thank you.

Make sure you leave that music.

They can close public comments, Madam Chair.

Okay. We will have no executive appointments to consider tomorrow. There are no items under consent. Agenda for introduction are to be adopted. Mr. Dorr, please proceed to regular agenda legislation.

There is nothing like being the second act, and you know you can't follow the first one. I'm sorry. Exactly. The good news is I'm not singing, so we're safe there. We'll take humming a few bars. Okay. No, we won't either. The chair would not.

See you hum through this.

Resolution 63 adopts the Cattle Parish Hazard Mitigation Plan, something we have to do to stay in good standing with GOSEP and FEMA every year. Helps us get money when we have time of need. Parish has already done it. This is actually run through them and the other municipalities in the parish have already approved it. 64 approves us buying four medic units with a company called BFA of Louisiana. The only reason you're seeing this is the four is over a million dollars. Chief actually got a pretty good deal on them and we're looking forward to getting those starting to be built. 65 is the amendment to the contract we have with Metro Management, otherwise known as DeNiro Washington and Company. This would extend it for another five years. It expires toward the end of this year, and we definitely want to keep them. We would encourage that one. 66 is a gas lease request to the state. This is not a Haynesville well, so it's a little bit smaller. It's some property, essentially between, adjudicated property between Ford and Passman Streets. They're going to rework a well. We'll get about $11,000 out of it.

Did we already have this lease in place?

Apparently we did not, because otherwise they wouldn't be asking.

I'll ask Malcolm to see if I can get you a different answer. Would you please? It may be that they needed us to say we wanted it to go to the state mineral board. That's probably what this is, but I'll find out and let you know.

Thank you. Any questions? Mr. Darg, will you proceed with introduction of resolutions not to be adopted prior to July 28, 2026?

67 is also a request to the mineral leasing group. This is for 73 acres in District G, essentially kind of surrounding the old Shreveport Country Club, because they're going to be doing some more drilling out there. That's one, if we get a bidder, it'll be at least $219,000. 68 is the CEA with the State Department of the Treasury. This is a project that actually, I think, started maybe last fiscal year with the parish and ended up being transferred last legislative session to us. It's for some work in Caddo Parish District 3 for beautification, youth programs, and infrastructure. 69 is a cooperative purchasing agreement between us and the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Department. They're gonna get to use our bid for some camera trail. And 70 is a legal services agreement with Petit Armand in Shreveport and Fishman Haywood in South Louisiana. This is for legal services in condition with a possible lawsuit against the folks who make fire trucks. There is some reason that we have been presented that says this needs to be looked into, that there may have been some issues involving things that cost us more money, and the city attorney believes we should proceed with trying to see what we can find out.

Okay. Mr. Mayor, I sent you an email regarding the well on Lake Shore that is in the parish. I believe that you probably saw the follow-up when I was talking about the noise there. The parish did reply and stated that they were, you know, in the correct parameter of the Norris ordinance. I wanted them to double-check that at night, but somewhere or the other, I believe, somebody had said something to somebody because it's toned down quite a bit. So I didn't know if you saw that email regarding that. Mr. Dark, will you proceed with introduction of ordinances not to be adopted prior to July 28th?

70 and 71 are companions to each other. 70 actually declares the piece of property that is currently the location of Water and Sewer Field Ops to be surplus, and 71 has some adjacent vacant properties on Marion, Woodward, and Kings Highway. This is part of a project we've been working with BRF for some time. They would like to consolidate their holdings in the areas that we own In this location where Streets and Drainage is, where Public Works' main admin is, those will occur over some different period of time, but the first place that's likely to be vacated is, in fact, Water and Sewer Field Ops. The funds that will be generated from this will be used to help build the Public Works building on the 70th Street location, as we described when we were putting the bond issue together.

Okay.

72 amends the authorization to sell 401 Texas. We originally came to you with an appraised value of $850,000. We have one fairly serious bidder or party of interest who said there are a number of things that need to be done to that building in order to make it suitable for commerce. The appraiser went back and essentially appraised it as is at $507,000, so we're going to see if we can get a bid from that. So if you approve that, that's what we'll do.

Mr. Dorff, please proceed with ordinances on second reading and final passage.

65, repeal section 2666 of the code. This is a really old provision that would actually allow me to distribute up to $10,000 without council approval for industrial development projects, and I don't think that's a good idea. I don't think it's power you should have given the CAO, or they should have given the CAO then. We're trying to get it out of the code. 66 declares property to be surplus. This is, in fact, the Deanna building at 90 Market Street. It's part of the process of tearing down that structure and making it available either as green space or perhaps suitable for development down the road. But in order to do that, we needed to get you to approve this. 67 is zoning case 2651C. This is on Free State Boulevard near Hahn from C3 to IMU. This is for a tractor storage warehouse for the levee district office, cattle levee district office. It was approved unanimously without opposition. 68 is zoning case 2657C. This is the one that Christopher Coe was here for earlier on Crockett near Texas Avenue, a conditional zoning use within the Downtown Culture and Arts District. Mr. Jean was here earlier. I don't know if he still is. My understanding is the parties have worked together to resolve some of the issues that were there before. Steven, do you have anything you need to add there? Sorry, I don't have my glasses on. I couldn't see.

I'll be glad to answer any questions about this if you have any.

Okay. Mr. Dark, on 67, I'm sorry, Mr. Jean, on 67, no opposition or anything like that, correct? That's correct. Okay.

And the last one, while you're here, Stephen, is? 69 is zoning case 2653C. This is Ellerbee Road near Golf Ridge. This is the site of the former Unitarian Universalist Church, and someone wants to use that as an office, and in order to do so, the site needs to be zoned C1. There's also no opposition unanimous. Correct. Correct.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Madam Clerk, is there any other table legislation to remove from the table today?

No, ma'am.

We have no property standards to consider today. We will hear ABO appeals of JaVentress Hill, Angel Waters, Crystal Chateau, and Catherine Dunn to hear today. For Corporal Glass Bradley, our SPD representative, and JaVentress Hill, Angel Waters, Crystal Chateau, and Catherine Dunn come forward. We will proceed in that order of the names called. Attorney Edwards, do you need to swear any of me in?

Yes, ma'am. Javentress Hill, please raise your right hand. Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

You can get started.

Good afternoon. Mr. Hill applied for a ABO, Class A ABO card, and he was denied the letter submitted to explain the basis of the denial of Mr. Hill's application for a Class A ABO card. During the required background check, it was determined that Mr. Hill was arrested. for attempted second-degree murder. He was convicted of aggravated battery on November 15th of 2022. Aggravated battery is classified as a felony crime of violence. So he did serve a three-year sentence at hard labor and was paroled, concluded June 6th of 2023. But with the state law, any crime of violence, it disqualifies you from obtaining the class A AVR.

Madam Chairman, so Mr. Attorney, my question is, if we're not allowed to supersede state law, why is he allowed to be given an appeal to be brought to this body if there's nothing we can do?

It's a property right. So permits, once given, become a property right. And in order to, anytime you infringe upon a property right, the individual has to be given notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard. So that gives them an opportunity. This gives them an opportunity to be heard as a court of first impression. And then flash flood warning. So this is a court of first impression that he would be able to appeal from. And so that's the reason for this appeals process, so that when he's given, once you're given a permit in order to take it away, it has to be appealable.

Corporal Bradley, Mr. Hill, to work at Brookshire's, would only need a Class B ABO. Was that correct?

I think he's applying. He said he's a manager.

So, I mean,

Man, I went to jail on self-defense. Speak to the mic.

I went to jail. The dude didn't come to court. He hid from coming to court. My back was turned when he attacked me around. And my store director, he been knew of this. I never deviated since I came home. I even told my lawyer this. That's how I descended that 200 years. They weren't going to let me take self-defense because I could sue the state. So I'm asking for a fair chance to move up. I'm already a grocery manager. I've been being positive. I ain't came home with no drama. I'm doing good. I swear it was self-defense. That's why he never came to court.

Let me say this. It's not... Is that raining? Inside the building?

My back was turned.

Okay. I don't know if we need to cease this meeting. at this time and take this up at another time.

Can we do it tomorrow?

Because, tell me what we can do. Can we do it tomorrow? We got an emergency.

Yes, you can push it to tomorrow.

Okay. I think in order to push it to tomorrow, you'd have to do it with the agreement of the council. and of the applicants, because they have less than 24 hours notice now, so you'd have to do it with their agreement.

Are you available for tomorrow?

I'm supposed to go to work tomorrow, because I'm a manager.

I'm on a schedule, I mean, but I mean, I got no choice but to come. If that's what y'all...

This is the issue that I see here for us is that the state has already said what we can't do. And you're here and it's like we can't overrule what the state says. So I'm thinking, Councilman Brooks, and you correct me, I think it's a matter of Brooks' policy at this particular point in time and not us at this time. Sometimes we're put in a situation when you guys are promoted... And then y'all have to go through this particular process. And so it's so much so of that corporate organization asking you all what the background is to determine, you know, if you can get this class. It's not our policy. It's their policy of what they're wanting and what they say managers are. You understand what I'm saying? Yeah, they both did that.

The corporate office both did that.

When you're coming down here, we can't supersede the state statute, so we have to deny you. that because this is what the state says that we cannot have. And so it makes us seem like we the bad guys in that instance when we really not. So I just think it's something on that particular end because we can't override it. Yeah, do you have a class B already?

Yes, ma'am. But I don't have it personally. I took the test and passed. I don't have it in hand. Corporal Bradley.

Can he have a Class B? Yeah, I don't know what's going on with this.

Not understanding with the ordinance, also along with the state. So the state said if the main commodity is alcohol, but if he is the manager and there's no one else on duty, he's responsible for all the sales that's going to take place in that place. So just so that I'm clear,

First of all, it's not the main commodity at Brookshire's. Secondly, 10-8 pertains to the general manager and the manager on duty. Sounds like you said you're the grocery manager, not the general manager.

It's a lot of kids and stuff who can't serve and then they want me to learn to close. I'm going to be basically on the manager's house sometimes. If I ever want to move up, And then I worked my tail off until I came. Like, I ain't been doing nothing but going to work and going home.

So, right, you said if you move up, but right now you're not moving up.

Yeah, I'm a grocery manager. Now I've been a grocery manager since November. You're a grocery manager now. Since November.

So, lawyer, what can we do to help him right now?

Yeah, he's definitely eligible. I believe he's eligible for a Class B permit. It's certainly not, his status as a grocery manager does not prevent him from having a Class B permit. I imagine Brookshire's is a Class B permitted facility.

Yes, that's why I was making sure. Yes. It's not a liquor store. Correct.

Yes. So then he's, yeah.

I was a manager.

I had to apply for the Class A. I think that's more so of their policy. of the stores policy. So for me, at that point, then we can move for him to have a Class B, and then Ruches can take that up.

So moved.

Second. So moved by the chair, second by Councilman Green for a Class B license. Any discussion?

Yeah, I just want to make sure you understand we're voting on a Class B because we can't give you a Class A per the state. I just want to make sure you understand that's clear. Right. Okay. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.

Aye. Aye.

Aye. Aye.

Aye.

Aye. Aye. Aye.

Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.

Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.

Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.

Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.

Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.

Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.

Thank you, sir.

Next case.

Angel Waters. Corporal Bradley, having previously been sworn, Ms. Waters, please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Yes, I do. Ms. Waters is kind of in the same boat, but she is saying she's trying to work at Kroger's in their liquor store.

Yes, I've already been the manager over there for two months. I've been at that Kroger for five and a half years. Felt like I was ready for a challenge, put in department transfer, and I got the lead. And I didn't think nothing about the old probation thing. It's like 10 years old in Arkansas. It's a theft charge for taking some stuff out of the dumpster. And basically, I gave them the stuff back. I was tired of sitting in jail, so I said I did it. It's just been following me around. Like, I don't even have traffic tickets or anything, and this thing is following me around.

It's theft, not a crime of violence, I'm sorry.

So, yes, she completed her probation March 13, 2024. So, that would be 10 years from that date, would be March 13, 2034.

So, is the state going to deny her Class A? What is it?

Yes, that would put the, I guess, Kroger in jeopardy if she was to work in a place where the main commodity is alcohol.

Because she's in a liquor store. So, we wouldn't be able to grant her an A.

And I'm confused here. On what grounds can we not grant her an A? Hadn't been 10 years. Hadn't been 10 years since completion of the sentence.

It's a felony.

Can I say something? Sure. I have letters of recommendation just from the manager of the store, the HR lady that approved my background check. I don't know the stipulations between criminal or whatever, but I got those letters saying that they do want me to stay there. I'm an asset.

Trust me, we're not arguing that if you have those particular recommendations. It's not us, it's the state requirement. And so we can't supersede the state requirement of you having that particular because of what is in your, in the background. in the department that you're going in because their major sale is alcohol. So can we do the class B on this?

She wouldn't be able to work in that.

Because it's the Kroger Liquor Store. It's the Kroger Liquor Store. They sell hard liquor, and it is the primary commodity.

So she wouldn't be able to qualify for a license at all?

I think that's... She'd get a B, but she can't work at a liquor store. A B wouldn't help her.

Got you. I'm sorry. Madam Chair, I'm sorry.

Mr. Edwards, so it would be... It would be incumbent upon the store actually to apply to the state to plead her case. Correct. If anything is going to get overturned, it is the store's responsibility to go to the state and plead your case on why you should be allowed to have the class A. Correct. Can you appeal to the state? I mean, I don't know. Can you?

Yes, there's certainly an appeals process. I've never been through it, but there's certainly an appeals process And she would I'm sure I'm sure she and Kroger would be able to work together To get to get that appeal. I don't know if you can hear me. I can't hear me I'm sorry

So, we'll uphold the...

So, we can recommend a Class B for another department in the store. Okay.

May I say one more thing? Yes.

Step up the mic. Okay.

Right here.

Thank you.

So at the Ellerbee Road Kroger, there is, like, liquor, liquor that is outside the store. You walk out the grocery store, and that's the liquor part. Inside is beer and wine. They did recommend that if worse comes to worse, that I get a Class B and just stay on this side of the store and be able to keep my lead position with pay and stuff.

Okay.

That would be the worst thing. They said I wasn't going to lose my job or anything. They would, you know, help me out.

So we'll recommend a Class B. We'll recommend a Class B for you so you can go and work on that side. Yes, ma'am.

Thank you so much.

So moved.

Second. So moved by Councilman Green. Second by Madam Vice Chair in the discussion. Let's vote.

Yay.

Yay. Yay.

That passes with six.

That passes with six.

Next. Thank you.

Thank you.

Crystal .

Is that right? Yes.

Corporal Glass-Briley, having already been sworn, please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear that the testimony that you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

Can you move the mic from the trash can? It's just loud.

Can we finish up the meeting at your place? We have.

How many more we got?

All right, Ms. Shoptal applied for AVO Class A card to work at Frosty's Express as a bartender, but she is currently on felony probation. Oh. Well, she was on felony probation for possession of methamphetamine, June 15th, 2023. And then the last record that I have from her rap sheet, it says court records indicate Ms. Chaptal is presently serving felony probation, which is scheduled to expire August 26th, 2027. So with it being a drug offense slash felony, it would be 10 years from completion of sentence.

So, that's not the case here. And where does she work?

Frosty's.

It's a bar?

Yes, ma'am.

So, we're not going to be able to do a Class A for that?

Class B.

Not a Class B, either?

You wouldn't be able to work at Frosty's with a Class B. What was that? She would not be able to. Y'all can approve her to get a Class B, but she can't work at Frosty's with a Class B.

So move for a class B.

Would you care for a class B? Ma'am?

We can give you a class B. So move for a class B.

Second. Do you?

I have a question.

Do you not want the Class B? Because we don't want to recommend it for you if you don't want it.

Well, I mean, I'll take the Class B because, I mean, as of now, I can't work at a gas station or a grocery store or, you know, without it.

But I am off of probation. I know it's not 10 years, but I have been released from satisfactory probation in February.

You had something to say? No. Okay.

All right.

So moved.

By me.

Second by me.

So moved by Councilman Green for class B, second by Madam Vice Chair. Any discussion? Let's vote.

And this passed with six. Next case.

Catherine Dunn, Corporal Glass Bradley, having already been sworn, please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you're about to provide is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Yes, sir. This one will be able to be overturned by the council. Okay. For in class A. I'm going to read just to go through the whole entire... The letter is submitted to provide that the denial of Katherine's Dunn application for a Class A ABO card. Pursuant to Section 1066 of the City Shreveport Code of Ordinances, an applicant for a Class A beverage handling employee card must be a good person of character and reputation. In determining whether the applicant meets this standard, the ABO conducts a criminal history review to evaluate the applicant's suitability to work in an establishment where alcohol is the principal commodity that's handled or sold. A review of Ms. Dunn's criminal history revealed a lengthy, continuous pattern of criminal arrests spanning from approximately 25 years. Records indicate the following criminal history. 2001, arrested for simple battery. 2003, arrested for improper telephone communications and harassment. 2004, arrested for possession of Schedule 1. 2006, arrested for possession of Schedule 1, Schedule 3, and Schedule 4. 2007, arrested for possession of Schedule III, possession of Schedule IV, and convicted of felony Schedule IV and completed probation in 2009. She was arrested in 2012 for felony possession of marijuana, which was later dismissed. 2013, domestic abuse battery. 2013, possession of Schedule I and illegal use of controlled dangerous substance in presence of a minor. 2014, she was denied an ABO card due to her felony probation. And she was arrested for simple battery in 2014. So it was a big gap, but her current she was just arrested 2026 for simple battery home invasion, criminal felony criminal property damage and cruelty to juveniles. Although there were more than a 10 year gap, she completed her probation in 2009, but with the conviction from 2007, no longer serves as an automatic disqualification. Based on her extensive criminal history and repeated arrests, it's really the most recent arrest for the home invasion Yeah, so I can tell you the date. March 18th. March 18th of this year. So with those last charges, those were the basis of the denial.

Simple battery, child endangerment, and what else?

Home invasion.

Recently.

March. March. March.

Can I speak on this matter?

Please. The home invasion has already been dismissed by the Bossier DA. My ex-husband, who is the person who called and pressed the charges has already went to the courthouse to file to have the charges dropped, all of them. I'd stayed out of trouble for all these years. This unfortunate incident was something between me and his current girlfriend, and my daughter was in the middle. I did not initiate the physical altercation, but I felt threatened and my child threatened when she put, when she grabbed me by the hair. That is where we are with this.

Do you see any dismissal charges by the husband?

That is still currently.

I don't go back to court until August 12th. But he filed on June 16th to have the charges dropped.

Was everybody arrested in this incident or just you?

Just me.

So, Corporal Bradley, this 2026 arrest, you haven't been convicted of it yet?

No, sir.

Or found in it? You haven't gone to trial yet?

No, sir, I went to court once, and that's when the home invasion was dismissed.

That's in the record? The home invasion dismissal is in the record?

I don't have the, I can tell you the last minutes I have from that.

It was when my ex-husband went to file, because we went to custody court on June 16th to work out some custody with our children. We both walked out of court still with joint custody of our children with no domicile parent. He went that day to the district attorney's office after our court date to drop the charges, and that's when my attorney was with me. That's when we found out the home invasion had already been dismissed because the lady told him there was nothing, that he couldn't file for that one because it had already been dismissed.

I'm not going to recommend a Class A until this time.

I want sufficient documentation as it relates to this case. I can get my attorney to get it. Corporal, where are you working? The Naughty Donkey on Remitt Drive.

So, Madam Chair, when can you get the documents?

I will do my best to get it tomorrow. I'm supposed to work, but...

If she bring it tomorrow?

I prefer for that documents to be in the hands of Detective Bradley for you to be able to review them. So you will be able to provide this counsel with sufficient information. And then at that time, then we will reconvene.

What are we recommending? Can we recommend that you postpone? Madam Chair, may I? Can we recommend that you postpone for two weeks to the next council meeting, the next council administrative hearing, administrative conference date to give time for her to get the documents, for Corporal Bradley to review the documents.

Do you still have your job by then?

I don't know. That's what I was going to ask, if my temporary could be extended until then.

Temporary what?

My temporary ABO.

So they're issued a temporary license while their fingerprints and their background check comes back. And once their background check comes back, that's when I either issue their permanent license or they get a denial letter.

It's going to be contingent upon what the background check says.

Yes. Yes, ma'am.

It's going to be contingent upon what the background check says.

So the temporary, all right, so the temporary in theory has expired now because the background check is already back. And the background check that's already back revealed the information that Corporal Glass Bradley has stated.

It expired on July 5th, and once we appeal, we get an extension, and the extension ends today. Okay.

So, okay, so if you postpone for two weeks, the appeal is still pending. So if the extension is based upon the appeal, the appeal is still open, so it's still extended.

Okay.

So she could work the next two weeks until we hear it again. I said all the words except that, yes.

Okay. So she could work for two more weeks. Then let's do that.

Okay. All right. Motion to postpone.

Do we need a motion to postpone? What do we need a motion to do?

That's correct. Motion to postpone until July 27th.

Motion to postpone until July 27th.

Second. Discussion is done. So you have not had any trouble for 10 years. Correct. Okay. All right. Let's vote. Councilman Green, and then second by Madam Vice Chair.

Madam Vice Chair.

We'll see you in two weeks. Yes, ma'am. Pass it with six. Yeah, I know.

Madam Chair.

So we have no NBC or ZBA appeals to consider tomorrow.

Are there any other appeals, Madam Clerk?

Okay.

Are there any reports from offices, boards, and committees?

Yes, ma'am. Madam Chair, tomorrow we'll have a infrastructure meeting at 1.30. Okay.

Madam Clerk, is there a clerk's report? No, ma'am. Okay. Executive session, there is none. If there is nothing else, this meeting is adjourned. Please be careful driving home.

Don't y'all start this meeting tomorrow until I get this done?

Anyway, you better be on time. I've got time to be sitting up. Because you late, we in the flash flood.