Baton Rouge Metropolitan Council Meeting – July 22, 2026: Recognitions, Ryan White Contracts, Grass Cutting Debate, and Emergency Items
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Baton Rouge Metropolitan Council Meeting – July 22, 2026
The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at City Hall. The meeting began with two recognition presentations, followed by the regular council agenda which included consent items, public comments, discussion on multiple contracts and ordinances, and several emergency items. Key debates centered on federal Ryan White HIV/AIDS funding, a professional services agreement for interstate mowing, and an emergency resolution authorizing an antitrust lawsuit on contingency.
Presentations & Recognitions
- Councilwoman Laurie Adams recognized Eagle Scout Jacob Smith for his project installing solar lighting and beautifying a median in the Old Goodwood neighborhood. Smith and GPOA President Ronnie Harris spoke, highlighting community involvement and small-dollar fundraising.
- Councilman Aaron Moak recognized Kathy Kelly, retiring after 31 years as legislative assistant for District 4. Former Councilman Scott Wilson joined the recognition. Kelly was praised for her institutional knowledge and dedication.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes of the June 24, 2026 council meeting and July 7, 2026 Airport Commission meeting were approved.
- Introductions of resolutions and ordinances included: revenue anticipation notes for St. George Fire District No. 2; special elections for tax renewals in Pride Fire District No. 8 (15 mills) and Cheneyville Fire District No. 7 (10 mills); a .87 mil police three-platoon tax renewal for the City of Baton Rouge; a 10-year $31.17 million lease agreement with Axon Enterprises for police technology; professional services for the public safety complex; a .6 mil fire tax for St. George Fire District No. 2; canvassing returns for recent special elections; a police support specialist program; and creation of the Delmont Economic Development District. All were introduced and referred to the August 12 public hearing.
- Condemnations: Council adopted recommendations from DPW and council members with modifications (30-, 60-, and 90-day deferrals) for 25 adjudicated property items. One public speaker requested and received 30 days on item 85. Item 86 was reconsidered and granted 90 days after a constituent meeting with Councilman Hearst.
- Routine approvals were granted for items including: emergency medical services cooperative agreements for Lucas CPR devices with multiple fire districts (items 117–124); Motorola radio lease ($9.2M for 10 years, item 116); library janitorial contract renewal (item 115, deleted as already emergency-approved); Ryan White subrecipient contracts (items 99–113, see discussion); and various change orders and bid acceptances.
Public Comments & Testimony
- LaShawn DeLapan (item 85) requested more time on a condemnation; granted 30 days.
- Penny Landry spoke multiple times: against the volume of Ryan White HIV/AIDS contracts (items 99–113), questioning the need and asking about local matches; opposed expanding board service limits from 2 to 4 (item 114), urging better public notice of vacancies; criticized a supplemental engineering contract for Groom Road (item 128), warning against low-ball bidding; opposed a $137,000 supplemental for airport governance review (item 162); asked for clarity on the antitrust suit (item 167), including that parish attorney review be done before voting; and requested a deferral on the school property acknowledgment (item 168) to identify the leasing entity.
- Jennifer Richardson (Keep Tigertown Beautiful) spoke in support of item 166 (United BR), highlighting work by sober-living individuals cleaning streets and drainage, funded by opioid settlement dollars. She emphasized the program provides job skills and reduces homelessness.
- Drew Walker (item 149) expressed interest in serving on the Complete Streets Citizens Advisory Committee, citing his experience with Bike Baton Rouge and disability advocacy.
- Dr. Jack Londonville (public comment on Ryan White contracts) emphasized that Baton Rouge has high HIV/AIDS rates and that federal funding is needed for life-saving medications and services.
Discussion Items
- Ryan White HIV/AIDS Contracts (items 99–113): Councilman Moak defended the contracts, explaining they are 100% federally funded with no local match, and that the City-Parish acts as a facilitator. He noted that without these medications, HIV/AIDS rates would spike. Councilwoman Harris questioned the six-month delay in executing contracts; Dr. Zanders and Lisa from the Parish Attorney’s office cited language issues required by state funders. Councilman Kenny added that rejecting federal dollars would hurt local service providers and the economy. Councilman Moak made a motion to approve, seconded by Councilman Hudson. The motion carried. (Councilman Kenny recused from items 104, 111, and 112.)
- Board Service Limit Expansion (item 114): Councilwoman Coleman proposed amending Resolution 48064 to allow a person to serve on up to four boards instead of two. Councilman Moak raised concern about broadening for all citizens vs. only council members. After discussion, Councilman Hudson supported the item as written, noting council members may need to serve on multiple boards for district assets. Councilman Dunn Jr. favored a consistent standard. The item passed as introduced.
- Interstate Mowing Contract (item A, administrative emergency): The administration sought approval for a $615,752 contract with HO Investments for mowing and litter pickup on interstates, citing the need for timely maintenance. Councilman Dunn Jr. questioned the process, noting the item was not publicly bid but solicited quotes from 140 vendors (only 2 responded). After debate, he moved to approve with an amendment that no work commence until a cooperative endeavor agreement (CEA) with DOTD is executed. Councilwoman Rocka expressed concern about spending city dollars on state property without a CEA. Parish Attorney McClendon initially stated funding exists, but later clarified that work on non-city land requires a CEA. The amendment passed; the item then carried.
- United BR/Pivot Workforce Contract (item 166): Councilwoman Coleman and others praised the program using opioid settlement funds to employ sober-living individuals for beautification. Speakers noted the work improves drainage and gives participants job skills. The item passed unanimously (Councilwoman Rocka abstained due to a distant family relation).
- Antitrust Lawsuit Authorization (item 167): The council considered an emergency resolution authorizing a contingency-fee contract with Fishman Haygood LLP (removing another firm) to explore an antitrust suit. Former Governor John Bel Edwards, a partner at the firm, explained that the suit is not a class action and involves a prescription deadline. Councilwoman Adams clarified that no taxpayer funds would be used. The item passed as amended.
- Historical School Property (item 168): The council acknowledged historic use of a property at 802 Mayflower Street as a school, clearing title issues to allow the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board to lease it to Harvest Commons School, a type one charter. Councilman Dunn Jr. and others supported the clean-up of a nearly century-old conveyance. The item passed.
Key Outcomes
- Approved: Minutes, consent calendar, condemnations as amended, all routine items (116, 117–124, 125–128, 129, etc.).
- Passed: Ryan White contracts (items 99–113); board service limit expansion (item 114); interstate mowing contract with CEA amendment (item A); United BR contract (item 166); antitrust lawsuit authorization with amendments (item 167); historical school acknowledgment (item 168).
- Reconsideration: Item 86 (condemnation) was reconsidered and granted 90-day deferral.
- Appointments: Jeff Pollard to Board of Appeal; Beverly Clayburn to Housing Authority; Drew Walker and Jamie Blink to Complete Streets Citizens Advisory Committee.
- Next Scheduled Meeting: August 12, 2026, with public hearings on introduced items.
Note: The meeting included two separate segments—a presentation session followed by the regular council meeting. All votes were recorded as unanimous unless otherwise noted.
Meeting Transcript
That's it. Councilman and five. July two. Welcome to the Wednesday, July 22nd, 2026 Council presentation meeting. We'll open our presentations this evening with a presentation from Metropolitan Councilwoman Laurie Adams recognizing Jacob Smith for his outstanding Eagle project in the old Goodwood neighborhood. Councilwoman. Thank you, Councilman Hudson. If I can ask um Jacob and his family and um GPOA president Ronnie Harris to join us, we'll do this presentation. So as um as all of y'all know, um placemaking, um nuisance and litter abatement and beautification are all really, really important things to me as a councilwoman, and they are um their um principles and their ideals and their goals that are also shared throughout the district. And so I was um absolutely thrilled to see um Eagle Scout Jacob Smith um decide to make his Eagle Scout project um one that would improve a neighborhood and improve Baton Rouge for the better for everyone, and also so thrilled to see um the Civic Association for Old Goodwood neighborhood embrace Jacob, embrace his project, and um and work alongside him. So um I'm so pleased to have Jacob um and his parents here today, and his sister is here as well, and of course, Mr. Harris. So I we're I'm gonna start by reading this certificate of recognition so y'all hear a little bit about what took place, and then give Mr. Harris an opportunity to speak, and of course, um Jacob as well. So, Jacob, in recognition of your outstanding achievement in earning the rank of Eagle Scout and for your exceptional commitment to serving the Baton Rouge community through your Eagle Scout service project, your dedication to refurbishing the Jefferson Highway and Lobdale Avenue Median in the old Goodwood neighborhood by installing solar powered lighting at the neighborhood sign, beautifying the landscape, and completing additional cleanup efforts has created a lasting improvement for residents and visitors alike. Your initiative, leadership, and spirit of volunteerism exemplify the highest ideals of scouting and demonstrate the positive impact that one individual can have on an entire community. The Baton Ridge Metropolitan Council proudly commends you for your selfless service, leadership, and commitment to making our city a better place. May your accomplishments continue to inspire others to lead with integrity, compassion, and a dedication to community service. Thank you, Jacob, and congratulations. Let's go ahead and let Mr. Harris, if he doesn't mind, say a few words, and I'd love for you to say a few words, and then we'll take some pictures in a minute. Uh members of the council, thank you very much for being here. And I'm so proud that uh my our councilwoman, Laurie Adams, is taking time to recognize Mr. Smith. Uh our city, first of all, we met Jacob when he volunteered for a litter pickup. We sponsor one every fourth Saturday of the month to clean up around the neighborhood. He and his sister show up because they wanted to help. We get to talking to him to find out he's a uh a Boy Scout, and he's going for an Eagle Scout Award uh medal. And hey, do you have any projects? So we thought of one, and his mentor, Dennis Vedrine, could not be here today. And I'm really sad because Dennis worked with uh Jacob so closely. But one of the aspects of Eagle Scout is you have to provide leadership skills. You have to come up with a project, uh basically manage your troop to get the project done, but also fundraising. And let me tell you what this gentleman did at our meeting. We had about 125 of our residents sitting there, and he said, ladies and gentlemen, I don't want big donations. I want small donations because I want everyone to share in this success of this project. And he was successful. We raised 750 dollars that night passing the hat. So he has done an outstanding job. And I'll close with a comment that I made at that meeting. What were you doing when you were 16 years old? Jacob, congratulations. Thank you. Thank you very much. Appreciate the neighborhood appreciation. Yes, um, I just want to say when I was listening to her read um this award, there was one word that stuck. It said individual achievement, and I um think that couldn't be farther from the truth. When I came into this, I had the whole GPUA board behind me, Mr. Harris, Mr. Vidrine, um, the whole board, and especially like the members of the community.
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