Council Meeting - Regular Meeting

And then when I get back in Houston, when I get back in Houston, I'm just going to walk over to my business, and I'm going to get some food, and I'm going to take the phone out, and I'm going to say, I'm going to go to this party, and I'm going to say, I'm going to go to this party, and I'm going to say, How many people are here?

Nothing. Get a parking seat.

Yeah, I wrote down. She wrote down something. I wrote down everything.

I got there. I got there. I got there.

He can't cut somebody. I'm gonna start doing a bow. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Oh, yeah. Yeah, we've been crazy about it. Yeah, we've been crazy about it. How much time do we have?

Today is August 10th, 2026. I'm about to call this meeting to order. The invocation will be by Mr. James LeDoux.

I'm going to have to follow this. Father, you are the foundation stone on which we build this city. You are our God. the wonderful creator of everything that we are and all that we see. I ask for a blessing on the work of our hands. May the reign of your kingdom be extended into this city. We desire for you to be involved in every area of it. Blow upon this meeting and fill it with your mighty presence. Come direct, shape, mold, and take it so that it can be excellent for you. May it be a source of great blessing and goodness to those whom it serves. We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Amen.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Roll call. Mr. Rendon.

Before we begin the proceedings tonight, I'd like to go over a few things. It's become apparent that we have a number of people that are outside the meeting room today. I've been advised that any person seeking to attend this meeting exceeds the lawful occupancy and capacity of the council chambers. The council has an obligation to comply with the applicable fire life safety requirements, and we will not permit lawful occupancy limit to be exceeded. At the same time, this is a public meeting, and the council has an obligation under city charter and Louisiana state law to provide public access to its proceedings. Accordingly, I'm calling for a temporary recess so that the city can assess the situation, consulting appropriate city officials, determine what lawful means are available to accommodate the members of the public who are unable to enter the council chambers. The council will not conduct substantial, substantive business during this recess. We will reconvene as we have determined of the appropriate course of action. Do I entertain, I would like to entertain a motion to recess.

So made.

Second. Second. Motion by Mr. Darby, second by Mr. Baden. Are you all ready to vote? Motion passes unanimously. We will take a 20 minute recess in order to assess the situation.

If I could have y'all's attention real quick, this is kind of what we're doing.

We're just trying to accommodate all the people. We are letting y'all know that we are taking one and three off the agenda tonight. So if that was your purpose for being here and somebody outside wants to come in on the other agenda items, we're just trying to accommodate that. So anybody that's here for one and three, you don't have to leave. We're just trying to accommodate. But one and three will be pulled off the agenda for tonight's meeting.

I'm just interested. What's that? I'm just interested in what.

You can stay there.

But what I'm saying is if there's somebody that is wanting to speak, I'm willing to leave.

Because I'm not going to say anything. They're going to be allowed to speak one at a time. So everybody will have a chance to talk outside.

so we can either play trade out or if you want to leave you can but we're not asking you to No, Mr. Charlie, I'll tell you what we're trying to do is make sure that we have a building big enough for concerned citizens to make sure we have the venue. Because if we do a venue with locking people out, it does nobody good. It's not good for the citizens. It's not good for anybody. So we're just trying to get a game plan together in the future. This is a temporary building that we've been forced to use, and it's not accommodable for our city at this time. So we're trying to work in any way we can, the administration and the council, to accommodate everybody for the meetings.

Thank you, Charles. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you. Just seven people out there. Thank you. I have a question. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah, yeah.

make sure good job

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Did you get a reset?

Out of 9, out of 12, out of 13, out of 14, 15, 15. And that's another one. That's another one. That's another one.

Thank you.

Can I entertain a motion to reconvene?

So moved.

Motion by Mr. Darby, second. I'll give you a second to reconvene.

I got it.

Okay.

Let's vote.

The meeting is reconvened. Do I have a motion for approval of the minutes? Second by Mr. Baden. Can I take a vote? Thank you. The vote is 5-0. We're gonna vote on, excuse me, take a motion for the agenda. Mr. Bain second. Okay, we have some changes to the agenda. I'm gonna go over each one of these before we vote on them. I need a motion and a second to remove item number one. Motion. Number one is resolution authorizing an investigation pursuant to Section 2.08, Home Rule Charter, City of Sulphur, and the city's hiring appointments, suspension, and termination practices to determine compliance with the Home Rule Charter, city ordinances, adopted personnel policies, and applicable Louisiana law. Do we have any questions on the council? Motion by Mr. Darby. We have a second on this, on number one. Second by Mr. LeDoux. Do we have any questions from the audience on the removal of number one? No questions. Go ahead and vote. Motion passes 5-0. Motion to remove. We'll entertain a motion to remove number three.

Mr. Chairman, at this time, I'd like to recuse myself from that item due to the fact that I was on the land use board when this property became rezoned. And there's a question about the rezone. I choose to rescind my vote on this item.

Thank you very much.

The keys.

He's going to refuse. Okay. Do we have a motion? Excuse me, is there any discussion on number three between the council? No? Do I have a motion to remove number three?

I got some discussion. Is there a way we can leave item three on the agenda for tonight and discuss it so we can get one of these things off the table and move forward? and do the resolution, being that there's nobody. We have plenty of people in here within capacity limits, and that way we only have one item left to discuss.

I'd like to answer that question. This was an item that I told hundreds of people that I was going to take off, along with number one, and I feel that my word is what I have. And if I didn't go through the process like I said I would, then people would definitely have a problem with the process that we're doing right now.

I'll honor that. I'll give you a motion to move forward.

Motion by Mr. Baden. Do I have a second? Second by Mr. LeDoux. Do we have anyone who would like to speak on this in the audience on number three being removed?

Yes, ma'am.

Do you want me to come up there?

Yes, ma'am.

Okay.

We'll get a card for you later, Miss Cindy.

Cindy Robertson. I think everybody knows my address by now. Danny, as much as I love you, I don't think that the council should decide something based on what you've told people that would happen because that is not... your responsibility, it's the responsibility of the council. Thank you.

can i can i answer your sure although there's shouldn't be any back and forth we wanted to make sure that when this did come up that we would have a larger venue that could handle more people that would be safe and secure for them and those people agreed that this would be a good thing for the city of sulfur Whenever there's a situation where there's an overload in this in this building, obviously we wish we had a bigger building. We we are working right now to have access to a bigger building, which will give us the audio and visual we need that can accommodate more people to three 600 people.

Oh, I understand the reason. I'm just saying that not taking it, you know, taking it off of the agenda because you told people it was going to come off is I don't think is appropriate.

I would. Thank you. Any other comments? Have you filled out a card?

I did that on my part because you said you were taken off the agenda before we went out. But I just have a question. I know it's not that important, but to Josh, So Josh's point of getting this off the agenda and moving forward, do we know when we will have a bigger building so that we can bring more people in? Like how long is this going to take? Are we going to just keep pushing it further?

I neglected to say that item one and number three will be brought up September 14th. Okay. Next regularly scheduled meeting.

Okay. I'll save my comments for then. Thank you.

Thank you. Bring your friends.

Thank you.

Do you have a vote, please? Okay, it's 4-0 in favor, thank you. I'd like to entertain a motion to remove number seven. Number seven is introduction of ordinance accepting donation of property from Bell Savant Partners LLC for a lot where the pump station is located with Mimosa Park phase two and authorizing the mayor to execute donation. Do I have a motion? By Mr. Darby, seconded by Mr. LeDoux.

Are we taking this off? You said we're taking it off? Taking it off, yes. Can I ask what this is even in regards to?

Mayor Stuckey, would you like to comment on this?

I'll take this one. So we're actually going to be putting on the next agenda. There are some issues with the legal description. And it's just clarifying that legal description before we put it back on the agenda. I got you.

So this would be... This will be on the next council agenda. Yes. Okay, thank you. Any other questions from the council? Any questions from any audience? If there's no questions, please vote. Motion passes 5-0. We need to entertain a motion to add item 14A. These items are being added since the agenda was already published at this time, and these items were received. So moved. Can I get a second?

You got to read it. I don't think it's on their copies.

Resolution authorizing the advertisement of bids for sodium hydroxide. 50% solution, 90,000 pounds. Any questions? We have a motion and a second. Motion by Mr. Darby, second by Mr. Baden. Any more questions on the councils? Any questions from the audience?

Oh, I'm sorry.

I can't see.

Is this for the water? What we're buying it for?

Sodium hydroxide. I just needed to check if this was awesome. Yes, that's correct. Thank you, Cindy. Everyone vote, please. Motion passes unanimously. Can I entertain a motion and a second to add item 14B. These items are being added since the agenda was already published at the time and these items were received. Resolution is authorizing the advertisement bids for dyed diesel, 5,000 gallons. Can I get a motion? Motion by Mr. LeDoux, second by Mr. Baden. Do we have any discussion with the city council? No? Any discussion, any audience? The dyed diesel is for off-road?

Yes, for generators and this one.

Okay. Ready to vote? Motion passes unanimously. I'd like a motion to approve the amended amendment. Motion by Mr. Baden, second by Mr. Darby. Any questions? Can we vote please to accept it? Okay, motion passes unanimously. And then I have to ask for the approval of the regular agenda, correct?

As amended. All right, thank you.

All right, thank you. Going on to number two, update from Mayor Jacob J. Stoots regarding the administrative transitions to the operations. financial review, ongoing projects, and other matters of public interest. Mayor Stoops.

Yesterday marked one month since I took office, and I want to give the Council and the public a brief update on what we've learned and where our focus is going. One of the clearest issues is workforce growth. knowledge approaching retirement. Our IT director recently retired after nearly 30 years of service while the city is in the middle of a major technology transition. I appointed Reed Ellinger as interim IT director to maintain continuity while we evaluate the department's long-term needs. Other departments raised similar concerns during transition. including recruitment retention succession planning and labor shortages at the same time the city is spending approximately 150 000 on a staffing agency while still carrying the basic vacancies in the double digits we're reviewing whether that is the best long-term staffing model at this time we're also going through a leadership transition in finance and have selected an interim finance director, so financial operations and reporting continue without interruption. Operationally, we currently had approximately 390 open work orders, including 93 reported work orders. Our crews are actively working through that backlog and we're also looking at whether some work can be contracted out where it makes financial and operational sense. Beyond the immediate backlog, Public Works identified aging water and wastewater infrastructure, street maintenance, and other long-term infrastructure needs that will require planning and prioritization. We also have several major projects underway. I have reviewed the plans for the new municipal complex, and when it is issued, we identify it. is that the proposed council chambers were designed to hold fewer people than the chambers we currently use at Willow Street. We're reviewing that portion of the design while adjustments can still be made. The overall project remains on track. Some existing facilities also need attention. The prosecutor's office, for example, is dealing with serious building conditions involving animals in the city. We are currently moving that to another location and it should be completed hopefully within another week and a half. Technology is another major focus. The city is in the middle of software and infrastructure projects that affect finance, We're also closely watching revenues. July sales tax collections were roughly 72.4% higher than prior year. Finally, I want to improve communication across city governments. Several department heads identified that as an And it becomes especially important as we move through hurricanes. After one month, our priorities are becoming clear. Workforce, infrastructure, technology, financial operations, facilities, and emergency readiness. Those are the areas we are focused on and I will continue keeping the council and the public updated as that work moves forward.

Thank you.

Are there any questions? Thank you, Mayor.

I'd like to address a question about the temporary fence that was up that maybe we can look at that was at the project at the corner of Bagless and Highway 90 where we're doing the new development. Whenever they're doing construction, we had a temporary fence around a construction site, and there's no longer a fence over there. have been coming in with dump trucks and heavy equipment through there to impose a safety hazard, especially now that school's starting back. With any city vehicles or contractors coming in and out, I think we need to try to get that temporary fence and foot back up. So, there's traffic in and out sometimes, because I'm driving in and out, they're seeing it.

That walkway's already been done, right? Is there any more work to be done here? Just some soap and soap. The walkthrough has been completed. Right.

So there shouldn't be any other... Well, what struck my question to it was that they were over there working the other day. I talked to you at the office. And they were still heavy equipment going over there, hauling dirt and stuff in and out, and the fence had been taken down. So you're saying they're finished with it? Mm-hmm.

Okay. Any other questions by the council? Any other questions from the audience? I'm sorry, I pulled mine up while the mayor was speaking.

Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions? Thank you.

We'll go on to number four, rule to show cause for condition of the following addresses. 4A, to condemn building or structure located at 319 Landry Street in accordance with Article 9, Section 5286 through 5296, Code of Ordinances. Mr. Darby.

Is there anybody here to speak on that?

they could they could be outside britney and michael well

Come on, yeah, come on in, yeah. You can go up to the podium. Come up to the podium, please.

I just know who you are and we have your address.

Yeah. Brittany and Michael Welch, 906 Taylor Street. I don't know if you are up to date on the last time we were here, but the short and sweet is we're in the middle of selling a piece of property, the 319 Landry Street. Our buyer has been gracious enough to extend contracts over and over again. The titling company Missed information about liens on the property. Unfortunately, it's with HUD. So it's been a long process trying to get them to clear the lane. My buyer won't buy unless it's completely clean, which I'm sure any of y'all could appreciate that buying a piece of property that has liens on it. So that's kind of where we are. I reached out to them again today. It's still the same as it was the last time. They're still trying to get HUD to clear the lanes.

They had originally said it would take every bit of a year to do this. We asked for a year extension. The council said six months and revisit. No, it was three months. Or three months, sorry, three months and revisit. So we're still in the same pattern, you know, time frame.

So, Billy, I guess a legal question. Can they not tear it down because there's liens on the property?

What they're asking is to give them time to clear that so that they can do what they need to do. My suggestion would be to account for the time they need to make sure they secure anything that's allowing access to and from the structure.

The buyer has all intentions to demo it, so. The buyer does intend to do that. That's his intention to begin with.

Yeah, we got a problem with that, I think. Is our inspector here?

Yes, I am.

Compliance. Could you please give us an update real quick, if you don't mind?

Again, I believe I asked y'all last time to maybe secure the floors. There is access under the floors. Other than that, there's been no change to this property. They do keep the grass cut. I believe some windows might have fell out in the front as of last week. But there's been no change since the last time. How many points of access are there? Maybe two under the house. I mean, a small child could crawl through. I doubt a grown person is going to crawl through.

I think we have problems with people going under and getting in inside, though, correct?

Is what? Yeah, there's just there's definitely potential for that.

OK, so could I speak to the owners again? So what kind of time frame are you actually looking at? What are you proposing? It'll be done 90 days, six months or you're just waiting on the lane process.

I mean, that's the reason you're waiting on the lane process, I guess, because I have a buyer that's already intending to demo the house. I'm sorry.

he's already planning to do that and so we're we're waiting we're hoping to get this you know you're wanting him to do it not y'all basically i got you okay correct uh can y'all secure this property yes yeah and put a few boards underneath them we're gonna have to secure i check it every time i go cut i look at all the you know all windows that are open i never see anybody in there uh i expressed last time the one time i have been in there was about a year ago The flea infestation in there, there is nothing living. Cats die out in the yard. I mean, it's bad. They're not going out. Whoever goes in there is coming out quick. But I've never seen anybody at all inside. And I look thoroughly every time I go cut because I'm spraying and everything else.

So how long have we given y'all so far already? Three months. Okay, and what do y'all expect, a year?

They expect a year, yes, sir.

willing to make a motion we give you all six months and then come back and see where we're at just in case there's more damage but i i would hope that y'all would try and secure it especially the windows or any access that that is visible for roamers to get into and like the inspector said he had went in and found something inside so we need to try and put some kind of boards there to secure that property if you would we have a lot of homeless problems and a lot of vagrants right now in our city and these these are part of the problem so if y'all could do that i'll give you six months yes sir no problem if i can get a second motion by mr dowry do we have a second second by mr baden do we have another discussion with the city council members

Any discussions from out in the audience? No? We can vote. Vote is unanimous. Thank you. Thank you. The condemned building or structure located at 461 Starland Street in accordance with Article 9, Section 5, 286 through 5, 296 of the Code of Ordinances, Troy Darby.

Same thing. Is there anybody here that speak on that address? Mr. Brad, are you Brad Picard? No.

No? No.

Brad ain't got nothing to do with this. None of Brad's business.

He has a card to speak, sir, so we have to let him speak.

Oh, he can speak all he wants, though. He's not on any of the secession or anything for the property.

Could you have a seat while Brad speaks, please? Have you filled out a card, sir?

no i'm here to speak on behalf of aaron hilburn the one who's been well she's been pretty much in control of the property since her mom passed away there all right let let mr brad speak and then i'll i'll get you up here let me get you a card all right please

And this is item for B, sir.

Hello. My name is Brad Picard. Address is 2443 13th Street in Lake Charles. The building in question is my grandparents' house. They've been gone since my grandpa died in 01, my grandma died in 15. The last living person that was in that house died eight years ago. No air, no water, nothing has been in that house for eight years. My cousin has authority over that house. Her and her husband hasn't done anything, or her and her boyfriend hasn't done anything to that house to make it any better. It's just sitting there rotten. They have no intention of doing anything. I think she just wanted it just to keep it in the family. I think it needed to be done, demolished, and torn down a long time ago. I'm all for it to be torn down as we speak. If we could tear it down tomorrow, it would be fine with me. But I know you've got to go through the process, but, you know.

Anything else?

No.

Okay. Thank you very much.

Thank you, sir. Kind of filled it out a little wrong, I know.

Mr. Guillory?

Yes.

Okay. Go ahead. Do you have...

Brad, Picard has not made any effort whatsoever on any part of the property and has no business even being here because he's not in the secession. My girlfriend, wife, whatever you want to call her. We're not actually married, but we've been together for a really long time.

Let me just stop you real quick. If you keep it on the item and not him, we'd prefer that. Let's talk about what you're here to talk about instead of demeaning another person.

I'm the only one who hasn't been taking care of the property at all. I cut the grass. I've missed cutting the grass for a while because my truck broke after the last meeting where they gave me an extension. And my wife's been pretty, got one foot in the grave right now. So she's not doing real well. They had to put a trach in her throat and all that kind of stuff. And she had a rare disease called TTP, which your immune system attacks your blood cells and kills. Well, anyway, she almost died, spent a couple months in the hospital. I haven't been able to do it by myself. I'm in rough shape. I had somebody come and help me. I hauled the first load to the landfill and they were closed that day and my truck broke at the landfill. So it took me about a month to get the truck fixed and now I'm trying to get back at it. I have no personal interest in this. This is for my wife who couldn't make it up here today because of her illness. If anything, I'd like to get some more time to be able to clean it up.

What's your intention with this house?

She wants me to fix it for her.

How long do you think that's going to take?

I haven't got the slightest idea. I can't get up there on the roof right now. My son is going to go up there and do it, but he got a whole other job, so it's going to take him a while, probably just on the weekends or something. And he plans on living there while he's fixing the inside of the house. Once we get the roof fixed and tear down that garage and that lean-to, I guess is what you call it, on the outside. We have to get permits for that, and that's something we don't have the money for right now is the $500 deposit on the permits.

Does this home have water or electricity to it at this point?

No, it hasn't had it for a while. I try to keep it cleaned up, but I haven't been able to do that too much lately.

Have y'all done anything to this house since the last time y'all came here?

Yeah, I hauled away some stuff and cleaned up a bunch of stuff and got it kind of organized. Not very good. The motorcycle belongs to her brother. And we're trying to get him to decide what he wants to do with it. Because if he says we can't scrap it and we scrap it and we get in trouble and, you know, more legal issues. Brad's interest in this is his friend wants to buy the property.

Let's keep on track with the house.

He's trying to sabotage everything.

Who's the inspector on this one? Are you done for a minute? Mr. Gilbert, are you done for a minute?

I guess. Okay.

Can you give us an update on where we're at?

Again, there's nothing that I can really see has been done. It's been sitting pretty much the same. Mr. Tom. Yes.

Hey, is the tire still there? Is this the property that they had?

a pile of tires they had some tires some grass clippings things of that sort the tires are still in the same spot i don't think the tires are there somebody else put all that stuff in front of our garage right there yeah yeah again this has been without electricity water for a real long time uh they did shut the door but it's been ransacked uh i'd really like to move on from this project Thank you. Especially if there's no immediate plan to get it taken care of.

If we condemn, we're condemning the whole structure is what we're condemning?

Yeah, we're going to take everything. House, garage, down to grade.

Okay.

I just wanted to make sure that was right.

Any other questions from the council? I understand the connection of a sentimental piece of property, trying to hang on to it for your wife's sake, but it seems like her health is failing and your health is not in too good of shape to move forward and try to get it done. It might be out of time. Y'all consider trying to sell it as an investment to at least recruit something instead of losing the entire thing.

It's in a succession right now. We can't sell it.

Okay.

Between her and her brother. And not Brad.

So is there anybody else that's involved in a succession that might be able to help y'all?

Yeah. Monty Wise, no. And her dad's crippled. He can't go help me. I got 400 discs and blown out shoulders. I can do some, but not a lot. I'm trying. There's nothing else I can really do.

Have you reached out to any church organizations, volunteer groups? I don't know where to begin. You've got a list of those, maybe. I mean, I would probably try calling different church organizations or somebody to help at least to kind of get your foot in the door. Maybe some of these young guys will try to help you at least do some of this stuff to get it up to where it's not condemnable. You know, that's a suggestion. But I mean, it's been sitting here since last for a long time. Last administration, I think that, you know, so it's got a time frame that they've got to to move forward with it.

I personally think it should be condemned myself. I'm not fighting for me. I'm fighting for her. So that's where it goes. I'm doing this. I will rebuild it however or whatever.

Can you Mr. Guillory, can you get the microphone, please? Yeah, go ahead.

Where, where you begin, where you started saying that it looking at the house, it's going to be a long road to fixing it. And there's good parts of it. And there's bad parts of it. The bad part is the add on, on the back of the house. It's not worth anything. It's the floors rotted through where the whole tree fell through the roof. That's going to be a long way. My son said he wants to fix it. That's why we're trying to get everything done. But right now he got another full-time job working at the plants and he can't do anything but on the weekends. And as far as me being able to actually lift anything heavy, that's out of the question right now. We got one load on the back of the truck and brought it to the dump, and that was about it. And couldn't even dump it that day because they were closed. It's sitting in my backyard right now in my trailer. I don't know where to go. I'm just fighting for her. That's why I'm here.

Yes, sir. If these properties like this aren't moving forward and being actively repaired, they're just going to get worse. We don't want to sit on these too long, is my advice.

Or if y'all could give me some time to get her stuff that she wants out of it. That's the next question. She's got a bunch of family heirlooms and stuff that are still in there that nobody's taken. I just need to go and be able to go in there and get them out and figure out how we're going to pay y'all at the end of the year for the property taxes. It was going to be like, what, $30,000 you're going to charge us to demo it or something? We don't have that kind of money to pay the property taxes, so we're going to end up losing it to Brad's friend that keeps buying the property taxes every year that we have to buy them back from.

Thank you.

Tommy, if we condemn it, how long does he have before it actually moves forward?

He'll have months before we actually get on site and do anything. Okay.

Will he be allowed to get on site? What's that? He'll be allowed to get on site.

Yeah, he'll have months before we actually put boots on ground.

I just want to say a couple of things, but, you know, we all got elected to change this city in the right direction. We all got elected to clean this city up. A lot of these properties have been sitting here for years. And if that property has been there that long, man, I feel sorry you're in that predicament. You can't fix that place. I totally get it. I understand. But I want to make a motion rule to show calls. We've got to start cleaning this town up. We can't allow them to stay. So make a motion to rule to show calls.

We have a second second by Mr. Bain.

Any more discussion with the council?

Any more discussion from the audience?

I have to tell you, you're right. I just want to make sure that I have time to be prepared.

Well, I think you said they got to be like two months before that.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. It'd be definitely two months, maybe a little longer.

Just let you make.

Yeah, yeah, for sure. And I'll work with him on that.

Yeah, I totally agree. But the process, they should have enough for sure. I should have enough time.

Everyone vote, please. Thank you. Approved unanimously. Item 4C, to condemn building or structure located on 170 Starland Street in accordance with Article 9, Section 5286 through 5296, Code of Ordinances. Mr. Troy Darby.

Anybody here? Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

My name is Mark Norsworthy. My address is 3922 Lake Street in Lake Charles. I'm a real estate agent. I represent the Lyons family. Some of you may be familiar with the Lyons family, Ken Lyons and Miss Lyons, who has been dead for quite a few years now. I've been selling properties for the Lyons family, and we've kind of held off on this one because some of the family members had things stored in it. They were told a few months ago it was time to get it out, and then I went by there one day and saw the notice on the door. The youngest daughter, who I deal with regularly, lives in Houston, and she asked me to come up here tonight and see if we could get a little bit more time. I am working with three potential buyers, one of them being the New Beginnings Church that owns property directly to the north of this. And I believe they would either move it off or tear it down if they bought the property. And then I've talked to a couple people who would repair it. It is salvageable, in my opinion, but it does need a lot of work. They have been keeping the grass mowed. The main house has been kept secure, although there have been people who've broken windows to get in and taken some things out of it. But for the main part, it's been secured, and the grass has been kept mowed. So we just really need to ask for a little bit more time. And maybe 90 days max.

Thank you. Inspector, please, can you give us an update?

Yeah, these are recent pictures. The windows are out. The garage in the back has an apartment above it. It's wide open. The stairs are unstable. There definitely needs to be some effort to secure it if y'all vote to give him an extension.

If we give you... 60 days, but in 30 days, show an effort to clean this place and secure it and come back in 60 days. We're going to condemn if it's not secure. And at that time, if you need another 30 days because you have a sale on it, I would I would maybe willing to do that. But at the end, we need it condemned. OK, it needs to be torn down. Yes, sir. So if the board wants to consider or have any questions, give them a little time with security. Yes, with secure. It has to be secured for us to allow the time to go past 30 days.

And this gentleman next to you is the one that's going to let us know if it's being secured properly or not.

Does that sound like a plan? We're okay with it? I'm good with that.

All right. Thank you, Bill. You got that? Appreciate it.

So 30 days for securement, 60 days for condemnation. Come back, we can allow 30 days after that. That's my motion. That's your motion. If it's not done, if we're not progressing, we're going to condemn.

Motion by Mr. Darby, seconded by Mr. Madu. Any other questions from the council? Any other questions from the audience? Ready to vote. Passes unanimously. Number 4D, to condemn building or structure located at 1331 Stanford Street in accordance with Article 9, Section 5286 through 5296 of the Code of Ordinances. Troy Darby.

Is there anybody here at 1331 Stanford Street to speak on that one? That's the one you're on, right? Yeah, it's D. Nobody to speak on D. Inspector, can you give us just a quick update?

Yes, sir. I believe the resident to this place is deceased. We've sent out all our legals. Nothing's come back. The pictures don't do it justice. It's been ransacked time and time again. It's time for it to go. Okay, thank you.

Yes, sir.

Any other questions from the council? Any other questions from the audience? Do I get a motion?

Roll to show calls.

Do I get a second? Second by Ms. Monticelli. Okay, we're going to vote. Passes unanimously. 4E, to condemn building or structure located at 312 Begless Parkway in accordance with Article 9, Section 5286 through 5296 of the Court of Ordinances. Danielle Monso.

Is there anyone here for this one?

I have no cards.

This is just basically a secondary structure, a shed. We have torn down the house a couple years back, and we're cleaning up the rest of the property. Yeah, that's basically it, just a shed that shouldn't be there. Can't have a shed on a primary residence, without a primary residence.

Okay.

I got junk cases on this one also, so I'm attempting to clean up the junk. Okay.

We have a motion to show cause. We have a second. Any questions from the city council? Any other questions from the audience? Okay, thank you. Let's vote. Passes unanimously. 4F, to condemn building a structure located at 1018 West Verdine in accordance with Article 9, Section 5-286 through 5-296 of the Code of Ordinances. James LeDoux.

I think what it says here, the resident has established utility.

Yes, this one right here, we put a couple stipulations on it, and she has complied. So we're going to back off of this one. Yes.

So you're just going to go by and look at it every so often?

Yeah, she's got her utilities, though, and she's moving the right direction. Okay, that's good.

Yeah.

Are you talking for Mr. I mean, Tracy Collins?

Yes, right here. Tracy happens to be a family member, so I'm Bucky LaBuff, in case some of you don't know who I am. I live at 1134 East Houston River Road in Sulphur. Anyway, she's moving along with this, and actually she texted me, but I did talk to Denise and Tommy just before the meeting to make sure that she had the water and the power on and it's moving forward. I think everything will be in line probably within the next probably 30 days, I'm sure. If there's anything else that she needs to do, she'll take care of it. Her son's grandmother left it to her grandson, and so he's been out of state for, I don't know, probably about 15 months now, 16 months, whatever it's been. So she's been handling it, and she lives right up the street from there. So thank you all.

Thank you, Buck. Thanks, Buck. So, I wonder if you have any questions. No, I don't. Do you have to make a motion? I'll make a motion.

I'll take that on.

I'll make a motion to deny the condemnation since she's already got the utilities turned on.

Okay.

Motion by Mr. Ledoux, second by Mr. Darby. Any more questions from the city council? Any more questions from the audience?

Did we do it right?

A vote in favor would be to deny it. Huh? A vote in favor would be to deny it as he said.

Take this way.

Come on. Okay, passes unanimously. Number five, public hearing on ordinance authorizing mayor to sign an intergovernmental joint cooperative endeavor agreement with SWLA Regional Planning Commission for the study, design, development, and implementation of Sulphur Safe Streets for all safety action plans. That's 43-26, Mayor Stoops.

Austin, I have taken a meeting with these people that, you know, forfeited your grants. Austin, would you like to shed some light on that?

Sure. So as part of the Safe Streets for All comprehensive safety action plan, we have a couple streets that will be focused on and will be based on crash data and fatal occurrences. Those streets are Huntington, Ruth, East Burton, Maplewood Drive, and Cypress. The focus is on those due to the crash data. However, it will be a a full citywide safety plan. The action plan will include crash mapping and analysis, roadway demand, traffic stress assessment, pedestrian accessibility reviews, citywide street lighting assessment, stakeholder engagement meetings, and public outreach. The total grant will be $500,000. We do have a $100,000 match.

Will that include any striping or marking? Because me and you've talked in the last couple of days, weeks that our streets right now, man, there's none of them marked. It's very dangerous.

That'll be a separate project, but yes. So that's not part of that. That's not part of this, but we'll work on that as well.

Okay, thank you. Austin, does that list fluid or is it?

So, like I said, the first I listed were strictly based on crash data and fatal occurrences there. But we'll be looking at city.

All right. Thank you.

And if I might add, the entity that's providing this information can go after other fans in this position to make sure that they know as things come available. So they're definitely paying for us in that situation.

Good. Thank you, Mayor. Do we have a motion? Mr. Baden, seconded by Mr. LeDoux, any more questions from the city council? No? Ms. Sidney? We have you down there. I think we need to get two podiums, right, Ms. Sidney?

That would be good. cindy robertson i just wanted to say i'm really glad to see the city government and the mayor accept this i've been looking at this grant and wondering if we were ever going to get into it or not and i've talked with jamie on the swa regional commission because i work with her on other things and i'm thinking that this is going to be a very positive step for our city thank you thank you cindy any other discussion

We have a second. We had a motion in the second. Yeah. Okay. Read the vote. Motion passed 50. Number six, public hearing on ordinance setting forth septage hollow rates for the city of Sulphur. Mayor Stoots.

As we brought up last month, we are ready to accept that. So we're in the process of that offsite

Yes, that's currently in design. Okay. This will be accepting at our at our facility and our facility. This will be in the meantime until we get the new offsite location set.

Correct.

What what's going to be the volume, do you think? I mean, how do we Is someone approaching the haulers right now? Should someone?

We've been reaching out to past companies that have used our services and we're going to continue to reach out to them and get some new clients set up.

You all know how I feel about this, how I think it's a great thing. It started a while ago, and I think it's great. And after we get that off-site dumping facility, it's even going to be better.

Absolutely.

Thank you. We have a motion. Excuse me. Any more questions from the city council? Any more comments from the audience?

Do I have a motion?

Motion by Mr. Darby, seconded by Ms. Monso. Have a vote, please. Passes unanimously. Item number seven. Introduction of an ordinance accepting... No.

Move. Move. Eight. What? Eight. We will move seven.

Seven is off. Excuse me. We're not going to do number seven. Number eight. Introduction of ordinance declaring certain surplus movable property of the City of Sulphur and providing the disposal thereof scrap metal and vehicles. Mayor Stoops.

So this is in regards to vehicles and things of that nature. And if I'm correct, if I'm wrong, it goes to the government side when those things are bid on the purchase out.

Gov deals, is that correct?

Gov deals. Should it be surplus of police units and things like that if it's no longer in use? And accepting that would be okay?

And I was curious about that with all the police units we have. Yeah. Cool. Good deal.

So these go into another municipality for donation or auctions?

Auctions.

Do I have a motion? Motion by Mr. Bates, seconded by Mr. Darby. Any questions from the council? Any questions from the audience? Thank you. Ready to vote? Motion passes unanimously. Number nine, resolution awarding low bid received for 2026 fire hydrant replacement project. Resolution 2526, Mayor Stutes.

So the low bid is being awarded today. I think you all have a copy of it.

Yeah. I just want on the record what I'd asked you earlier. You know, we looked at these bids and you got a bid from 462,000 to 863,000 for the same apple. Can you kind of elaborate for the audiences where the lock in is at a 10% on that 462 is the most we can pay is my question, I guess, or is there a lock in on that or.

Yes, there's deviations in the statute, but in order to be compliant, we have to take that. It's obvious that there's either some people that really didn't want to bid or somebody that really wanted to bid. There's four that are pretty close there. Sometimes that means you're gonna have a problem, sometimes that means nothing. Now, they have unit prices in there for raffle and things like that that may ultimately

So is there a certain number they can't go over once they bid is my question then? 10%, 15%, 12%, 30%? What about the gravel increase?

So that's different from the product. They estimate in the bin how much they may need, but if they need 10 tons more... I got you.

I just want to understand it and for the public to understand it.

That's not exceeding the bin amount because it is what they need. Okay.

Right. Okay. Thank you.

Have we talked to or has anyone done any investigation on C1 services? Is this something new to them or is this something that they've done before?

This would be something that Myers & Associates would have evaluated and they all have to be qualified bidders.

Mr. Rocco, would you maybe come to the podium for us?

Good evening. Byron Rocca, 600 North city service highway. Um, to answer your question, as, uh, Mr. Lofton was saying, it is a unit based bid. So it is per the quantity that's estimated at the beginning of the job. And at the end of the job, some quantities may under run may overrun, but throughout the process, the public works city administration are involved in that.

So I just want to understand it.

Correct. And as far as what I would classify as one bid being of a certain value versus another bidder being at a certain value, they have every right within their means and methods to provide the price that they can do it for other contractors may be more suitable for that scope of work than others. So they may have, you know, a crew ready to go. And whereas another company may have an overload of work, but per their bonding agency, they have to submit more bids on stuff. So they may bid it at a higher price, but yet, you know, don't expect to get the award. No.

Okay. Well that, that explains it more. Okay. Thank you. I appreciate it. No problem. Yeah.

We have a motion. Motion to accept. Mr. Baden, second. Mr. LeDoux, any more questions from the city council? Any questions from the audience? Vote, please. Wait, I had a card. Oh, I'm sorry. It's OK.

Oh, oh, Wendy, I'm sorry.

It's okay.

I forgot we were on nine with you already.

You know, I'll say something.

I apologize.

Go ahead. Wendy Wingate, 256 Madison Crossing. I, I. complained a lot, I won't use any other word, about this same project last year. And so it's only fair if I continue to complain about the same things because we did not attach any information to this agenda item. So there was no bids for us to even look at to know how many bids that were received or what you guys are even seeing. We also don't have the project with the completion date. So I was hoping we can maybe discuss, because this was a project that was actually supposed to be complete last year. So I was hoping we can talk about when we're gonna get this done once it's approved tonight. I'm not against it by any means, I think it's great, but I was also with it the last time we talked about it and we're still just harping on details. So I would love it if we would start attaching this information to the agenda items as part of the resolution so the city can be aware of what's going on. But I am all for getting some new fire hydrants because they are much needed.

Austin, can we give her an estimated time date as far as the projects?

I'm not sure what the contract time was set for this project, but I think the other project that she's talking about was exactly a different project that was completed. We did that through just a purchase order rather than a formally bid process due to it being under the public bid on threshold.

And I would love to go ahead and address that now. Is it a different project or is it not?

It's different.

And how do we present the council bids if we don't have a plan on when we're even going to like no plan at all? Because once you have a bid, don't you have to start a process?

Wendy, did you address the question? I'll pass it on. Sure.

When we go out for bid, it's not our responsibility to tell the contractor how they're going to go about doing the work. It's means and methods. It's on the contractor. So when we have our pre-bid meeting, they'll provide us a schedule on what their schedule is. And that's going to be within the dates. I'm sorry, within the... Oh, what's the word I'm looking for? The number of days that was given to be able to complete the project.

The completion dates.

And so I'm not asking specifically to tell the contractors what to do, but I do think it's reasonable to let the public, because that's what this is going to benefit, know a timeline on when you can expect this to be done. Sure. Sorry, I've got to follow the rules, but I think he has something to say.

Mr. Rock, I would make a check in my office. Can you speak on the timeline? Sure.

Okay, the typical process when we go into public bid law is we've gotta receive, well, we gotta develop the bid set, advertise it for a minimum of 26 days, then we have to go out for, get the bid opening, we make a recommendation to y'all as we did tonight, y'all make a decision whether we're awarding it or not awarding it, depending on if it's within budget, other factors that are played into that. Once y'all award it, we send the bid award over to the mayor's office to sign and execute. Then upon that, the contracts are released to the contractor and they have to get their bonds, sign the contracts, send it back, it comes back, we send it to the city, their legal counsel reviews it, then it gets executed fully, then we call for a notice to proceed, which is all filed in the clerk of court. We called for a pre-construction meeting, excuse me. And at that pre-construction meeting, as Mr. Abrahams was saying, the contractor is requested for a notice to proceed date. when we get that date from him, which is normally within about 30 days, because they have to order materials sometimes, depending on the scope of work, or finish up work that they had to crew on to move to another job. And then it's contingent upon whatever the contract time was in the specifications that they bid on. I don't remember the exact amount of calendar days that was in this contract, but that's what they're, from the notice to proceed date, that data sit based on the contract time that was allocated.

So in other words, if we set it for 300 days, that's their scope of work. They got to get it between the time they, they signed that and they got to be done by then. So there is an open window for that. It's not a, Set window.

And that goes back to what Mr. Abrahams was describing as means and methods. So it may be, let's say, 300 days, but that particular contractor figures it's only going to take him 200 days. So he may hold off on starting right away in some area, but as long as he finishes it within that contract time, then he is within his rights to do so, or she. Correct.

We did.

It's open and read aloud, and then we live in the age of technology now where they have online bidding that we have to open as well. Okay.

Thank you. Thank you.

You're welcome.

And all of that is why we should have the contract attached to the resolution so the public can see. Because if this is state funding, then there are typically deadlines. And so it doesn't matter what the contractor says. We do have state funding criteria that we have to meet in order to get this reimbursed. And correct me if I'm wrong. But I do appreciate the conversation. I appreciate you allowing me the conversation. I appreciate us coming somewhat prepared. But there is concerns about not having any information for the public to see what you guys are speaking on in order to call it truth or not. Thank you.

So, Billy, a question for you real quick. Can we not do that or why we're not doing that or can we make that happen?

What's when we advertise for this and the contract? I mean, it's out there.

We get public notice, but it's not only.

I guess we could have some of those documents. You know, there's a lot to that bidding document. And so in that contract. So I'm not saying that we can't facilitate the gate, but I don't know that. it would be appropriate to attach it to this particular item.

Right. But it's almost like you guys don't remember me up here in November fussing about completion dates that we clearly couldn't meet. And so that was less than a year ago that we discussed this same exact situation. And so I do feel like we should be able to provide some information because we literally last in November, we had blank state contracts that really didn't have any information on them. So you have to provide the public information if you want us to believe what you're saying is true. And I'm sorry to say it that way, but at this point, it doesn't matter how many pages it is, post it. Make a different file if you don't want it as part of the agenda. But to just sit here and say that we're just going to choose to not do it, it just leaves a lot of questions And we still don't have a timeline on when the fire hydrants are going to get done. So it's just I just want us to like I say, I appreciate the conversation. I only feel like I gave the last administration hell about this topic. And so it's only fair to just make sure we do that equally. And so that way we can come a little bit more prepared to discuss these agenda items, because I think the public would have more questions if they knew what you guys were seeing. That's it. Thank you.

Thank you.

I think we should address it right now. Why not? Mr. Rock is here. We've got a specific item to work on. Let's talk about when that could have been posted and where.

Why don't we just deal with it? Is there a way to put a link to the open bid like on our City of Southport Facebook page?

Mr. Rock, when could we have posted this contract? I guess the earliest.

So prior to advertisement, it is provided to public works and administration. Once it's advertised, the city advertises on central bidding as well as distributed from our office. Whoever is interested in bidding the project contacts our office. We have a digital link that we have to provide it to them in. because of the size of documents. So, um, and just to answer that question, if it's a plan sheet or a plan set, you're going to have, it may range from five sheets to 40, 50 sheets, you know, uh, uh, specification manual with the contract in it, it's gone average about 500 sheets.

So there's a link that we can get that we can put on our website.

Yes, sir.

I would like us to look into that and see what we can do to make that accountable. That's just going to make us a little more transparent.

Yeah, that's a lot of papers in them books. No, yeah, not a printout. Yeah, just a link.

there is other municipalities who utilize their city website to provide updates links for you know general public to access so that's one avenue that can be explored i mean i'd kind of like to add to that a little bit like we as a council we get a little bit more information on all of these agenda items and i do think we should have links to all of those

maybe not printed when they walk in, but on the city website for everyone to see the little bit of extra information that we get.

Also, I just want to accommodate the swing gates that she gets what she wants. This is not about that.

Wait, wait, wait, wait.

Come on. That's not fair. appreciate that but we're talking about saving a PDF versus just a rolling file of 150 forms where we can pick and choose what we open so this is about the public and they're here because they have questions and so that's all I'm saying so I don't appreciate

No, I agree. And Wendy, I think we're going to move that up.

And I don't need a decision tonight. I really I came in to play nice tonight. I promise. Like, so I don't need a decision. I just I can't I have to be true to my word. And I fussed about the same exact thing.

That's your time. And we are going to be moving forward on this. And everyone will be able to have their insight into what's going on even deeper. Transparency. Thank you.

Does everybody get a copy of this when they walk in? Is there any way we can make sure that whenever we have stuff like this with these type of bids on it that we have that the public that comes in has a copy of this also to look at? I mean that would kind of help follow through with it.

That's the timing matter of today.

Well, I'll tell you what would make it easier. Is there any way, instead of doing sheets, that we could do a PowerPoint and just scan it to where, as we're going through these items and look at it, you can just put it up here to where the people can actually see what we're looking at? I mean, that would make it easier as we're going through. It would just be a kind of a.

But but I do think we need to move forward, give them more information if that's that's available. Yeah, I agree with both of them.

Yeah, I'm just trying to think to get on there. But like if people that hadn't got on it while we're going through here and going through these items, they can at least see they can at least see it on the board.

Right.

I'm in favor of a motion.

Mr. LeDoux, Mr. Monso, the motion is to accept the vote here. Vote. Passes unanimously. Number 10, resolution appointing a member to the Fire and Police Civil Service Board. Resolution 2626, Mayor Steeves.

We need one more month to make sure we're not in compliance with the R.S. statute of as many people as it calls for to vet. We're still working with McNeese.

Yes, members of the council, the statute requires that they give us four qualified candidates It's the same item we had last month, basically. And why are there two items tonight? Because it's two different appointments.

Two different appointments, okay.

And I don't feel like we're meeting, we're not meeting the statute requirements. No, I want to make sure that we have that in process so we're not in a combination.

That's fine, yeah. Is it because they don't have people with the certification that meets the quality?

We don't know exactly why they're not being submitted like that, but we're going to, we're working on trying to find out why we're not getting the four names. Gotcha.

I can't make them do it, but I think it's because of the transition issue. And some of the names that they give us, when we start to vet them, they are not qualified for various reasons. Whether that be, I don't know, think about it. There's criteria.

Different criteria.

So we vet them. Well, they pick them and we vet them.

And they normally send names over in a batch. And then only two of the same punks qualify in the batch. And we're trying to determine why does this keep reoccurring.

So, Billy, the motion would be to defer until September 14th? Yes, sir. Do I have a motion?

Motion to defer for 30 days.

This is for item 10. Motion by Mr. Baden, second by Mr. Darby. Vote. Okay, motion 10 passes unanimously. I have a motion to... Item 11, resolution appointing a medical fire and police civil service board. Resolution 2726, Mayor Stutes.

Same thing.

Do we have a resolution to defer for the next meeting? So moved. Motion by Mr. Dower be second by Mr. LeDoux. Vote on that please. Voters unanimous on number 11. Number 12, resolution requesting Mayor Stoots to review and investigate any and all complaints against Vexis and the subcontractors for the use of public utilities between December 2024 until their permits expire. Resolution 2926.

Well, I would like you want me to give up my issue for asking for this is because we had an excessive amount of water that was actually used by Vexus and our municipality while they were here working. Excessive amount of damage that was caused due to our sewer lines and water lines. But I've done some public records requests and discovered that there was no recorded amounts of use of water using our utilities from December 2024 to 2025 by these contractors and their subcontractors. That's a large amount of water and resources from our city that has not been recorded and and paid back, and I just want to ask that we look into it and see what we can do to get our taxpayers reimbursed for the excessive use of our utilities.

Okay. Anyone want to make the motion, please? Mr. Beatty, second.

It may take a couple of months before we get time to start to look into that. If you don't mind, it could be two or three months before we start deep diving into that. We're still in transition, so I don't want to over-promise anything right now.

Sure, I've actually got some documents I can help speed up the process for you. I'd be glad to sit down with you on it.

Okay.

Any questions from the city council?

Any more questions from the city council? Wendy Wingate, number 12.

Wendy Wingate, 256 Madison Crossing. I definitely am on board with investigating this whole VEXIS contract. Unfortunately, this was a contract that I do not believe the City Council ever saw, and it was the previous City Council before they agreed to us moving forward. This was all really started at the state level, and we're talking year of destruction. I think they're actually still working in the city, but we aren't having near as many problems, so I'm not here to complain about that. But looking forward to the future, I do feel like when the public utility budget, especially in the water division, is a million dollars at a deficit, I do think we have to just make sure that the money that was lost due to these companies, specifically since the crews were actually fired multiple times, there were several issues. That's all public record and documented from the administration side. So I do think it's worth questioning that just to see that we were reimbursed appropriately. I have zero issue with pushing this back, but I do think that we need to make sure we know when the warranty is. I think I read somewhere in the contract that it's a year, and I'm not sure if that's from completion date, you know, start of the last section date. I have no idea about that information. But I do think in order to push it back, we just have to know when that deadline is and just to make sure we don't miss out. The biggest reason I feel like this is worth looking into is because there are still several districts in Sulphur that have dirty water. And so anything that we do at this stage to put that at risk or not at any benefit needs to be looked at because I don't think this is something that's just gonna end tonight or end after even an investigation. I think an investigation would only open more doors to more problems that we have to fix, unfortunately. I don't think it's any one person's fault, but I think that there were lots of mistakes throughout that process that we can all learn from signing contracts moving forward, including myself. So I am definitely on board with asking questions as long as we do it before the warranty is up. Thank you.

Thank you. We have any concern on that bill as far as what she's asking on the time.

I'm going to ask you to provide me a contract. but uh we still have damage requirements a warranty version of the damage suit is two different things but uh just wouldn't get brings up a good point i'd ask austin to give me that but also in line with mayor's future request i would ask that you know the resolution itself had a report by september 14 2026. dates and that's rather quickly and I think that y'all should be able to do more time so maybe add 60 days to that October to November and I'll in the meantime I'll double check on that contract with that warranty issue

Mr. Biden, you go with that?

Yeah, I just want to make sure we cover our basis on all of it and go over everything that the damages that they've caused us to be able to try to recoup as much as we possibly can back from them. So I think you and I are on the same page on that deal.

So also, also, we did go back. I think we went back to 24. During this time when John knocked in 550 Canal Street, the fire department did send some billing in for all the gas leaks and stuff that we had with the companies while they're doing all the boring. So we went back, I think, to 2024 until present. So we did do that. So hopefully that will help us reimburse some of that money.

I want to ask you something while you're there. So the issue that happened while they hit the gas main over off of By the park? Yeah. The sunlighting holes, did you know that they had done any potholes during the time of directional boring for the gas? During the time of directional boring, did you notice that the utility companies had done any potholing to try to avoid hitting any gas lines that had been marked or located?

I have no idea. I don't do that. They called us out for the gas leak and the explosion in the lift station. As far as the potholes and stuff like that, you'll have to ask somebody else.

Make a motion.

Have a motion, please. Mr. Baden, seconded by?

Is that to amend it to December? From September 14th to December?

November? Yeah, November. Yeah, November.

Second by Mr. Darby. Vote please. Passes unanimously. Number 13, resolution accepting substantial completion for the municipal complex abatement and demolition, southwest corner of East Napoleon and Begless Parkway. Resolution 3026, Mayor Stoops. Everybody wants to vote on it as amended.

Motion.

Motion. Hold on a second. I'm trying. There we go. Motion. Mr. Baden second. Mr. Darby second. Vote on the original, please.

As amended. As amended.

Passes unanimously. Number 13, resolution accepting substantial completion for the municipal complex abatement and demolition southwest corner of East Napoleon and Begless Parkway. Resolution 30-26, Mayor Stoots.

So on this project, the walkthrough is complete and we're waiting on completion of the punch list. Austin can give you an update on that.

Yes, so the walkthrough went well. We do have a list of four items on the punch list. They're rather small, but the major one is installing stormwater controls to prevent any of the sediment from discharging into our stormwater system. So I'm being told that will be completed on Thursday. Until all this is completed, we will not issue final payment.

So what is the final payment, if you don't mind me asking?

I'm not sure what that is.

Because it was like a bid of like a million dollars. I see an $8,000 bid out for July 31st for completion.

That's the total of the punch list. Okay. So the... The final payment will be the retainage that we've been holding. Right. We're talking about 5%.

Of the million, right.

5% of the total cost of the project.

Do we have a motion? We have a second. Second by Mr. Darby. Motion by Mr. David.

Before we vote, I want to add something real quick, or discuss something, please. I'm kind of in agreement with what Josh is saying, and the completion of the work is done, okay? But now we have all these millions of dollars of dirt work done, and I have a friend that owns the clothing store next door. And I'm going to tell you, we're going to have ruts through that dirt quicker than you take a stick at. We need to at least cut off the driveways, in my opinion. I sit there three or four days a week at Corey's Clothing, visit with my friends, and the traffic that goes through there trying to beat that light is incredible. It has been for years, okay? I don't think we really need to spend the money on putting the fence back up because that's probably not a cheap deal. Well, we need to at least make an effort, I believe, to shut those driveways off. Because what happened after they took the initial gates down, they still weren't through with the project, and they put up the water barriers at all the entrances and exits along there due to a phone call that we made. I think there was a little miscommunication on taking the gates down before they actually finished. But I'm going to tell you, we're going to have a lawsuit on our hands, I believe. Going in there and wrecking a car, going through the dirt. I mean, look, we live in a lawsuit happy. I mean, we don't have to. I'm making a suggestion that we look into that and see if that's a feasible thing to at least block those driveways off somehow.

Our plan was to leave those water barricades and all all the entrances except one and then put a gated fence along the last one so we can still access it if we need to.

I would like to see that if that is at all possible.

Yeah, it's just one entrance.

So the only one entrance is still open then. OK. Thank you. I appreciate that.

We have a motion to accept. Motion by Mr. Bain. We have a second. Second by Mr. Darby. Any more discussion from the city council? Any more discussion from the audience? Vote, please.

Oh, did Wendy know? No.

Oh, Ms. Wendy did. I'm sorry. Did you have a comment on this? Yeah, that actually answered a lot of my questions.

Yeah, that conversation answered a lot of my questions. I just want to make sure, like for the punch list, so what this page is saying that y'all attached, so thank you for attaching it, is that y'all did the walkthrough July 31st, and the list that's on this punch list is all the items that are just that are leftover items. That's all that has to be done. Of the $1 million bid, there's only $8,000 worth of the project left. That's how the public should read it. Okay, perfect. Thanks. Thank you.

Number 14, discussion concerning an amendment resolution number 3674 for public comments by the mayor, council, and public on agenda items. Danielle Monso.

Yeah, I just feel like, I mean, I'm open to hear any ideas from anyone else, but I feel like we have, there's probably more efficient ways that we can... do like the comment cards that we have people fill out i have some ideas and i'm totally willing to listen to any other ideas that someone else has but i i think that we should for each agenda item each person come and just sign their name we have one sheet of paper for agenda item number one and then we can call them up in the order that they signed up in and i personally think that they need more time to speak i have maybe like five to seven minutes but It's just something that I think could be ran a little bit more efficiently.

Well, I totally agree with you on that. And I think as a board separately, we've been discussing some of that. And I think the first meeting went pretty well. If you guys remember, we stayed with the three minute rule, but we allowed people to speak. If you all remember, I think Charlie had almost 12 to 16 minutes.

Well, I guess I guess that's my point is if we're filling out if we're giving them three minutes and every single time we have to interrupt them to say so we can all vote again. I mean, they most of the time they probably would have been done by the time we were done doing that.

Right.

So we can give them a few more minutes. And obviously we all agree to let people speak. People speak. That's the main purpose. But I do think that there does need to be a limit somewhere. Right. But if instead of us wasting two minutes to interrupt them, stop them to vote so we can give them three more minutes, let's just give them three more minutes.

Can we all kind of get together separately over the next two weeks and then maybe you write a resolution for the next meeting to present that? Would that be sufficient? Yeah. Okay, I'm in favor of that. Is Billy that?

Yeah, that's fine. I actually, I think there are, helps help the chair. Right. And just make sure we don't talk about it too much.

No, exactly. No. So we'll have a set a sign up sheet at the gates. Good. I think we want to simplify it for sure.

Each item each item gets its own.

You kind of have to lay everything out and get a longer table for each item and have a clipboard and you sign up for the one you want and then just pick a number. It's going to be three five instead of three. whatever it is, and put that in the next resolution.

So they would put their name, address, and phone number on that sheet, and they could just state their name here to keep from disclosing it to the public on record?

They can. They just go to item 1 through 20, and they just sign up for the one they want to talk to. And then when the chairman got to item 1, he had everybody that wants to talk on that sheet. I like that idea. I followed, by the way, when I did this, the state legislature, and this is something that I did for city council and Mr. Charles, 20-something years ago. So that's where the green, red, and white originated. That was a legislative copycat.

But I think we're all in agreement, Danielle, that we want people to speak. We want to give them ample time. We've just got to put a platform to where they're not reiterating the same thing, and we have to have some kind of control. Correct.

There does need to be a limit somewhere, but... Totally agree.

We'll get something together. Danielle, if I could get with you, we could set something set up. We'll get going with it. I'd be glad to help and go with it and be a part of that.

So I want to delete that part, delete it and throw a new item with the proposed rule attached for y'all.

Let's defer it to 30 days and then we'll put an attachment if that's OK with Danielle.

Ms. Cindy.

Yeah, this is just a discussion.

So we don't need, okay. All right.

Ms. Cindy, do you still want to talk on number 14?

I think it was 14A I had questions about. And I think that I put in for public comments.

Yeah, you want to change it to 14A? 14A is the sodium hydroxide.

Yes, I think because I didn't know what resolution 3674 was, but I Googled it in the interim. Okay.

All right.

Thanks, Daniel. That's a good discussion.

Does anyone have any more discussion on this item from the audience or from the city council? Okay. 14A, resolution authorizing the advertisement of bids for sodium hydroxide, 50% solution, 90,000 pounds. Resolution 3126.

Yes. So sodium hydroxide, a lot of you might be more familiar with the term caustic. So caustic will be injected into the raw water prior to the new clarifiers that we're currently installing. This will increase the pH and make our chemicals much more effective, help remove the net iron and manganese through the process.

Thank you.

mayor anything else on that it's needed for the completion of that project okay thank you It's in phase three. That's right. Phase three. So it's one of the last things that we need to have. Phase four, the next phase we're discussing today will be office space that is much needed, but no time, no place for it. It's definitely needed.

Do we have a motion? Mr. Darby, seconded by Mr. Baden. Any discussion with the city council members? Ms. Cindy, 14-A.

It's getting worse as the night goes on.

We should get a portable mic for you. I wish we had a mic that we could pass around.

Cindy Robertson, I have a question that I hope can be answered. Is this going to end up in our water because it is a suspected carcinogen, it causes infertility, it has effects on fetuses, so I would like to know if this is going to end up being part of our drinking water. No? Okay, thank you.

Any other conversation on this? Okay, let's have a vote on it, please. Motion passes unanimously. 14B, resolution authorizing the advertisement of bids for dyed diesel, 5,000 gallons, resolution 3226, major stoops.

So it's my understanding that we're getting close due to the volume of bids that we have bought for other projects. And so we're getting close to that bid amount. Commissioner. So go ahead Austin and explain that in further detail.

Well, actually, it's her fault. We're trying to purchase the fuel for the new generators at the wastewater plant, and the cost was going to be about $45,000. Our bid threshold before we actually have to go off the bid is $60,000, which is too close for comfort, so we're going off of it.

Okay.

Ms. Wendy? I just want to make sure we took a look at what we were adding to the agenda same day. Um, there are definitely rules to what you can add. And is this part of the budget? We're just putting the bid on the agenda. So like when you're I mean, I would think that that's probably quite a bit of money. Um, and so there's there's certain items that you can add to an agenda the same day. I just want to make just want to make sure we're following the rules before we approve it.

And I believe this has been considered administrative. Routine administration.

And so it isn't like the budget already?

The expenditure has to be, the budget money has to be available.

Okay. Okay, item 15, public comment. Did we vote? Yeah, how about we vote on that? Do we have a vote, please? Okay.

I need a motion. Yeah, we didn't have a motion.

Motion by Mr. Darby, second by Ms. Monso. Any other questions? Questions from the audience? Can I have a vote, please? Okay, passes unanimously. Item 15, public comment. Oh, okay.

Dr. Oshetta Ozan, 295 Haygood Drive, Sulphur, Louisiana. I wanted to make a public comment on the accessibility issues that have been addressed sporadically throughout the meeting. I was here last time. I was on crutches. Thank you to the NICE officers for helping me. Ms. Cindy is on a walking stick. I don't know if we need to label like some seats in the front, like closer to the podium, um, for, you know, folks that might have accessibility issues, but also, um, like you said, having a mic that could pass to her because accessibility is not like an extra service. It's, it's to help with democracy so people feel included and involved in this process. Also, um, on that, um, I know some people have soft voices. Danielle, the mayor, um, Chris, they can't project as loud as some of us. So maybe, you know, fixing the speakers and then we have folks who are outside who can't see the monitors, but they're trying to participate because the room is too small. So just making sure that everybody feels like they're a part of and have the same access to participate as others. And like I said, it's been addressed even with the allowing more time. The five to seven minutes, one of the people who spoke last week had a speech problem, so they were trying to get their words out. So that takes you know, some of that time away. So allowing that extra five to seven minutes for people to speak. So I just wanted to speak on that because I think it's been brought up several times in these last two meetings. So I think it's time that, you know, it get addressed so folks feel comfortable. Thank you.

Thank you. Sandy? I stayed standing.

Cindy Robertson. Two different issues. One, I wanted to bring to y'all's attention that you will probably be needing a having something come to before you about the Prater Road, about the drainage and the whatever you call it. Austin, what is it when you dig and do stuff like that on a Grading, yes, thank you. And anything we can do to stop this project would be wonderful. The second thing is I wanted to invite everybody to our fourth annual Health and Environment Summit at the West Cal Event Center, September 26th. And the topic is when pollution becomes personal. And I think all of us have people in our families or ourselves who have experienced that. Seating capacity is 60, so please let us know as soon as possible if you want to attend.

Thank you.

What time is that, Cindy? Did I miss that?

It's from 10 to 5. We've got six, maybe eight speakers who are going to be talking. It's going to be about infertility and its effect on the babies, about cancer. heart health, just a whole array of different topics. PFAS, what's in our drinking water, it's something that all of us deal with and we're going to, we have two, three by four maps of Calcasieu Parish and we're gonna have little pins So you can stick pins in places. We're trying to do a mapping of the health problems that we have in our area. So even if you're not wanting to stay the whole time, please come. Oh, and it's a free lunch. But please come and stick little pins in the map to track so we can help us track where our medical issues are more prevalent.

Thank you, Cindy.

She says she evidences medical issues.

Any other comments from the audience? Any other comments from city council members?

All right. I'd like to make one thing. Look, we're trying to accommodate this crowd deal. You talk to Jacob or any of the council members, It's kept us up all week, okay? We are trying to accommodate. Y'all please be patient with us. We are trying to get the voice of the people here heard. We realize that maybe previous council, I don't think they did anything out wrong or nothing, but they did it their way and we're gonna do it our way. And we're moving forward to let everybody speak and be heard. We are in a temporary building. that we've been forced by the grace of God to work out of. Please, please, everybody that's been elected from the council to the mayor wants transparency, I believe. Give us time to do it. Give us time to work through it. Please, is all I ask. Thank y'all.

And thank you. He says please, and I said thank you. You know, we're moving in the special meeting to get a bigger facility when needed on an ongoing basis. And we foresee that many more people that may be wanting to come to talk and to see what's going on and be a part of the process, the governmental process. We're moving in that direction right now. And we, like Troy said, Be patient with us, but we are moving in that direction, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this meeting tonight that went very, very smoothly. Thank you very much.

I wanted to pay a compliment to Austin and the public works guys. I've called Austin probably 20 times on certain things regarding the water main bust on Post Oak Road and those guys that executed that and got it taken care of today. That's been an ongoing thing probably for the past four years. I think that you all have absolutely got wrapped up, I believe, today and went and checked on it. I just want to tell you, I appreciate getting on top of it and executing it. Thanks.

Any other comments? Do you intend a motion to adjourn?

So moved.

So moved. Motion.

Second.

You done unplugged it, man.

Vote, please.

I'm going to have a slight recess, and we're going to head into our special meeting.

Okay.

Thank you. I don't have copies. We'll fix that in special.

This one's good. This one's good. I'm going to get Ethan. I'm going to get Ethan. We're going to have a special one. All right. Huh?

No. No. We've got one more on here.

You earned it. Yeah. All right. Did Josh leave?

Oh, that's what I was wondering.

Toss this down. Who gave you this one?

All right. What did you see at my house?

He can go through it.

I already need somebody to come in. Please rise.

Gerard, we just ask you to watch over this meeting tonight and just ask you to lead us in our direction, Lord. We ask these things in your name. Amen.

I pledge allegiance. 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. Roll call.

Mr. Levin.

Here.

Mr. Darby? Here. Ms. Monceau?

Here. Mr. Payton? Here. Mr. Capet?

Here. The first item of this special city council meeting is introduction of an ordinance amending chapter two, article two, section 216 of the code of ordinances of the city of Sulphur, Louisiana to repeal any conflicting ordinances to establish council meeting dates, times, and locations of meetings. I'm going to read the ordinance. Ordinance amending Chapter 2, Article 2, Section 216 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Sulphur, Louisiana, and repeal any conflicting ordinances. Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Sulphur, Louisiana, the governing authority thereof, that they do hereby amend Chapter 2, Article 2, Section 216 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Sulphur, Louisiana, be it and is hereby amended to read as follows. To wit, section 216, council meeting date, time, and location agenda. A, the city council shall hold all meetings on the second Monday of each month. at 5.30 p.m. or if Monday falls on a legal holiday, then the following business day at 5.30 p.m. If the meeting does not finish, the council may recess or continue to a specific date and time. B, all meetings shall be held in the council chambers at 501 Willow Avenue. If the chairman determines at any time that the council chambers will be inadequate to handle expected attendance, the chairman may relocate the meeting to West Calcasieu Community Center at 401 Arena Road, Sulphur, Louisiana, if available. This location will be applicable with state law. Do we have a motion? Motion by Mr. Bain, second by Mr. Darby. Any discussion?

Billy, the only, I have one question. We had mentioned that if West Cal was not available, that we'd have maybe another place or some wording to allow us possibly to go to another.

I think that you can, but you have to specify, what is it, 216 specifically says that, I'm sorry.

You'd have to have that address.

You'd have to have that one.

So is there anything we can do at this point if West Cal is not available? No? By this ordinance? Okay. No, postpone.

I'd like to make, I want to suggest one change. I think you should say this notice shall be applicable in state law. Not this location, correct? Or the notice shall be applicable in state law.

Where are you at, Billy?

Last sentence of B. The location. But I think what we meant to say there was the notice shall be out of the state law.

So not the location.

The notice. When you change that location, you still have to follow the notice provisions of state law. So I would... Let's add that already. Let's amend that. I would have had me all... Section B for introduction on the last sentence to say the notice shall be applicable with space.

Motion for amendment.

Oh, it sounds like other motion.

We can just back out. So motion to amend.

Mr. Darby second by Mr. LeDoux. This is the motion to amend saying the motion shall be applicable.

The notice.

The notice.

shall be applicable my mouth isn't working anymore tonight sorry applicable with state law so in order to add a second location we need to have that to put it in here we don't have that no right we would that's the only reason it would be nice to have a second one yeah we need to amend it later is what i'd say josh because we are possibly going to need that if that happens look we're five years maybe from getting the city hall home here Three years?

Ten years?

Two and a half. So we're two and a half years, you know, and West Cal won't be available all the time. Yeah, that's depending on weather permits and stuff, if everything...

But for now, we're good for next year.

Yes, correct. Correct. We can add that anytime. Correct. But that is a good thought to reach out to other. And my suggestion is W.W. Lewis at the auditorium if it's available and if the school board allows. So we got one location in check and we can work on the other just for backup.

That's something we could be doing at any time. We're voting on the amended. I'm sorry, you have a question?

Yes. Is this going to be done so that there's not the confusion that we had this time? It's going to be done seven days in advance so it can be put out. You'll get a notice. So that we won't have the, let's all figure out what Facebook page we need to look at.

Well, we couldn't do it due to laws and ordinance, so that's why it sent us back here. So we played teeter-tot, but we were learning as we all went down the road this one.

We all apologized for this, and there was a legal opinion that we said we had to do it this way, so we did it in order to...

But you're not going to change it after you publish the agenda? No.

Once we publish it, that's what it's going to be unless there's an emergency come up.

I'm going to read that one more time. The notice shall comply with applicable state law. I made a little tweak on that.

The notice shall comply with applicable state law.

The notice shall comply with applicable state law.

so we need to re-amend it or re-vote a motion on that? Yeah, let's do a motion on that. Let's clear that out and as amended as what Billy just said, I'll make a motion.

The due and Mr. Darby. Any more discussion on the amended? Anyone from the audience? Let's vote on the amended, please.

My bad. Okay.

Passed unanimously. And now we need to vote on the original. Is that it? As amended.

As amended.

Yeah. Okay. We have to make a motion? Yes. Yes. Okay. Motion by Mr. Baden, seconded by Mr. Darby. Any questions? Any comments? Passes unanimously.

Thank you.

I entertain a motion to adjourn.

Thank you.