Metropolitan Council Recognition Ceremony and Regular Meeting - January 14, 2026
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Metropolitan Council Recognition Ceremony and Regular Meeting - January 14, 2026
The Metropolitan Council held a recognition ceremony and regular meeting on January 14, 2026. The ceremony honored several sororities and fraternities for their Founders' Days, community organizations, and individuals. The regular session addressed routine approvals, tax measures, property condemnations, contracts, appointments, and a crime statistics report.
Recognition Ceremony
- Councilwoman Tawana P. Harris recognized the Baton Rouge Sigma Alumni Chapter and Baton Rouge Delta Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, highlighting their decades of service. Representatives Jacqueline Watts and Erica Williams accepted awards on behalf of their chapters.
- Councilman Kenny also recognized the Baker Zachary Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta.
- Ms. Chaselin Grant recognized Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (founders day Jan 15), Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity (founders day Jan 5), Delta Sigma Theta (founders day Jan 13), Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity (founders day Jan 9), and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority (founders day Jan 16). Chapter presidents or representatives spoke about their community work, including programs for youth, scholarships, and service initiatives.
- Councilman Kenny recognized Renita Thomas, founder of In Loving Arms Healthcare for Kids, as a Baton Rouge Business Report 2026 Business Executive of the Year. Thomas described caring for medically fragile children.
- Boy Scout Troop 12 was recognized for clearing an overgrown cemetery in District 2, allowing access to graves.
Consent Calendar
- Approval and adoption of minutes from the Special Metropolitan Council meeting of December 9, 2025, the Metropolitan Council meeting of December 10, 2025, the Special Metropolitan Council meeting of January 5, 2026, and the Greater Baton Rouge Airport Commission meeting of January 6, 2026. Motion carried.
Introductions
- Items 2–6 were introduced: a resolution for a special election on June 27, 2026 to continue a 9.5-mill library tax for 10 years (2026–2035); a resolution for a special election to continue a 2-mill tax for the Council on Aging for 10 years (2027–2036); adoption of 2026 ad valorem tax millage rates for multiple districts; an amendment to the 2026 budget appropriating $163,700 for two deputy constable positions; and an ordinance amending Title 10, Chapter 25 regarding dockage fees.
- Item 60 was deleted as a duplicate. Item 81 was withdrawn to be re-introduced with proper naming for a street dedication to former Mayor Kip Holden. Motion to introduce all other items carried.
Condemnations and Property Matters (Items 82–103)
- After recommendations from the Department of Public Works and council amendments, the following actions were approved by motion:
- Proceed: Items 82, 84, 85, 87, 89, 92, 98, 100
- 30-day deferral: Items 86, 88, 90, 97, 101, 103
- 60-day deferral: Item 91
- 90-day deferral: Items 83, 99
- Delete: Items 93, 94, 95, 96, 102
- Later, item 85 was reconsidered and received a 30-day deferral.
Resolutions and Contracts (Items 104–115)
- Item 104: Resolution canvassing returns and declaring the result of the October 11, 2025 special election for Downtown Development District tax renewal (10 mills for 5 years) – passed.
- Item 105: Amendment to voting precincts and polling places – passed.
- Item 106: Professional services contract with Legacy Title LLC for airport exhibit A creation, not to exceed $158,750 – passed.
- Item 107: Contract with Tyler Technologies for airport ERP Pro software, not to exceed $150,000 – passed.
- Item 108: Contract with ADP Inc. for airport workforce software, not to exceed $100,000 – passed.
- Item 109: Agreement with NearMap U.S. Inc. for aerial imagery, not to exceed $85,000 – passed.
- Item 110: Acceptance and execution of amended grant agreement through Louisiana Office of State Parks for Recreational Trails Program, $52,019.11 – passed.
- Item 111: Declaration of two lots as surplus and sale to Mark Augustus for $31,000 – passed.
- Item 112: Declaration of a lot as surplus and sale to Kenny George for $28,000 – passed.
- Item 113: Engineering services contract for Move BR capacity project (Audubon Avenue sidewalks), not to exceed $247,211.62 – passed despite an email comment in opposition.
- Item 114: Cooperative endeavor agreement with City of Zachary for Move BR enhancement project (Mount Pleasant crosswalk), not to exceed $400,000 – passed despite an email comment in opposition.
- Item 115: Amendment to professional services agreement with Sports Excellence LLC for police sports training, increasing contract by $39,280.50 to a total not to exceed $89,280.50 – passed.
Adjudicated Properties (Items 116–117)
- Deferred for 30 days per council motion.
Administrative Matters and Emergency Items
- Item A (transfer of Blue Bonnet Boulevard portion to St. George): Motion to waive rules failed due to objection; item not introduced.
- Items B and C (change order and final acceptance for Foster Drive project): Motion to waive rules failed due to objection; items not heard.
Appointments (Items 118–123)
- Item 118: Hospital Service District No. 1 (Lane Regional Medical Center) – deferred to second meeting in February due to residency issue.
- Item 119: Complete Streets Citizen Advisory Committee – Jake Polanski reappointed for a four-year term.
- Item 120: Complete Streets Citizen Advisory Committee – Dexter Alexander appointed to replace Deeja Robert.
- Item 121: Downtown Development District – Gary Jupiter reappointed.
- Item 122: St. George Fire Protection District Board (District 3) – Johnny Suchi appointed.
- Item 123: St. George Fire Protection District Board (District 9) – David Corns appointed.
Change Orders (Items 124–135)
- Omnibus motion carried: included changes for elevator maintenance, temporary labor, energy management, wastewater treatment demolition, sewer collection, roof recover, United Way renovation, sidewalks, bike lanes, pedestrian beacon, Sherwood Forest improvements, and police training academy renovations.
Final Acceptances (Items 136–139)
- Omnibus motion carried for sewer collection, roof recover, bike lanes, and Sherwood Forest improvements.
Low Bids (Items 140–141)
- Item 140: Airport taxiway widening – M&J Civil Construction LLC, $318,532 – accepted.
- Item 141: Sales tax street and road rehabilitation project – Barrier Construction Company LLC, $1,579,877 – accepted.
Emergency Declarations and Approvals
- Item 143 (ITEP): Declared an emergency by two-thirds vote. Public comment: Jennifer Carwell urged council to consider budget issues when approving ITEP. Motion to approve carried.
- Item 144 (Consent to mortgage leasehold for Williams Jet Center LLC at airport): Declared emergency and approved. Councilman Dunn asked for explanation; airport legal counsel explained the standard consent for financing protection.
Report: Crime Statistics (Item 142)
- Chief of Police presented a report on 2025 crime statistics. Citywide: Homicides decreased 15%, shooting incidents down 20%, overall gun violence down 18.5%, vehicle thefts down 30%, robberies down 22%, overall crime down 15.5%. Stabbings increased (mostly domestic-related). In District 7: homicides up 31% (from 16 to 21), but shootings down 20%; overall crime down 18%. Stabbings in District 7 increased 84%.
- Discussion included domestic violence homicides (13 in 2025), the new drone program (first police department in the U.S. with a long-duration drone; total cost ~$1 million funded by mayor's office), and efforts to improve domestic violence response (new division, officer-initiated warrants). Councilwoman Harris asked about strategies for 2026.
Key Outcomes
- All routine consent items, resolutions, contracts, appointments, and condemnations were approved as outlined.
- Two items requiring rules waiver (Blue Bonnet transfer and Foster Drive change order) were not heard due to objections.
- Public comment on ITEP raised concerns about fiscal responsibility.
- The crime report was received; the council discussed domestic violence and drone technology.
Meeting Transcript
Yes, I do. You ready to go? Yes. Okay. Good evening. Good evening, everyone. Oh. All right, good evening. Welcome to today's Metropolitan Council recognition ceremony of today, January 14, 2026. Uh, first, we'll have Metro Councilwoman Tawana P. Harris uh recognize the Baton Rouge Sigma Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theater Sorority Incorporated and the Baton Route Delta Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theater Sororata Incorporated. Councilwoman. Good evening. Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much, Councilman Um Kenny. Uh it's an honor and a privilege to present to my sorority, Baton Ridge Sigma Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theater Sorority Incorporated. Founded in night in January 13, 1913 by 22 Collegian Women of Howard University to promote academic excellence and provide assistance to those in need. The founders of Delta Sigma Theater envision an organization committed to sisterhood scholarship service and addressing the social issue of the time. Delta Sigma Theater Sorority Incorporated is a private nonprofit organization and has clearly distinguished itself as a public service organization that boldly confronts the challenges of African American and hence all Americans. The Baton Ridge Sigma Alumni chapter of Delta Sigma Theater Sorority Incorporated was charted on October 10th, 1956 by 31 Visionary Women to serve the Scotlandville and Greater Baton Rouge community. Founded originally as Upsilon Upsilon Zigma, the chapter later adopted its city-based name and has grown into one of the area's most impactful service organizations for nearly seven decades. Baton Ridge Sigma has advanced and upheld Delta's five-point problematic thrust and greater Baton Ridge by providing scholarships, hosting community health and wellness events, economic development workshops, international awareness events, cultural programming and social action and advocacy programming. Notable initiatives included the Delta Smart Community Refrigerator in North Baton Rouge, Ladies on the Bluff, Football and Basketball Editions, Family Literacy, Extravaganza, Crimson Market, Crimson River, Run 5K, 10K on the campus of Southern University, and 22 acts of service and this new year. Today the chapter continues to provide literacy, uh provide a legacy of sisterhood, excuse me, scholarship, service, and social action while meeting the evolving needs of the Baton Rouge community. Baton Ruiz Sigma Alumni chapter, please come forward. Okay. Can you say a few words, please? Thank you. I'm I'm Jacqueline Watts, Social Action Co-Chair. On behalf of our President Ernie Singleton, I accept this award and good faith that we will keep the social work going. Thank you so much. Oh everybody look this way from me. All right, once again, congratulations to the lovely ladies of Delta Sigma Theater Sororda Incorporated for your leadership. Next up, we will have a recognition from Mayor President Sid Emerald. No, no, no, no, no. Oh, Councilman, I have yes, yes. Gotcha, I got a lot of things. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. It's an honor and a privilege to recognize Baton Ridge Delta alumni chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is celebrating a hundred and thirteen years. And Founders Day was on yesterday, so we're going to recognize Delta Sigma Theater Sorority Incorporated. Delta Sigma Theater Sorority Incorporated was founded on January 13, 1913 by 22 collegiate women of Howard University to promote academic excellence and provide assistance to those in need. The founders of Delta Sigma Theater envision an organization committed to sisterhood scholarship service and addressing the social issues of the time. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is a private nonprofit organization and is clearly distinguish itself as a public service organization that boldly confronts the challenges of African American and HIS All Americans. In realizing this mission and cure clearly distinguishing itself as an international public service organization, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated provides an array of public service initiatives through its five-point romantic thrusts, economic development, education development, physical and mental health, political awareness and involvement, and international awareness and involvement. Baden Ridge Delta Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated was established as the Upshalon Singh Sigma chapter on November 28, 1931 by seven charter members. Upshalon Sigma was the first chapter of the sorority to be organized in the state of Louisiana.
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