Metropolitan Council Meeting - September 9, 2026

The Metropolitan Council of East Baton Rouge Parish met on September 9, 2026, in the council chamber. The meeting opened with a special presentation honoring the Ablaze Youth Choir for their musical achievements and community impact. Following routine business, the council considered numerous consent agenda items, condemnations, contracts, and appointments.

Special Presentation

• Councilmember presented a certificate of celebration to the Ablaze Youth Choir, based at United Christian Faith Ministries, recognizing their exceptional talent and dedication to inspiring youth through gospel music. The choir, under Minister Mark Ellis Jr., has over 80 members aged 12–22 and recently won a Stellar Award. Minister Ellis expressed gratitude and highlighted the choir's mission to change the narrative for young people in Baton Rouge.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from August 26, 2026, August 31, 2026 (special meeting), and September 1, 2026 (Airport Commission) – motion carried.
• Introductions of ordinances (items 2–15) including a cooperative endeavor agreement for the Capitol House, a franchise with Conterra Networks, a library millage rate of 9.5 mills for ten years, and several condemnations – all introduced without opposition.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No separate public comment period was held. Members of the public spoke on specific items via email: one email opposed item 82, another opposed item 83, and three emails supported Nick Lenata's appointment to the Downtown Development District. No oral testimony was heard from the floor.

Discussion Items

• Condemnations: The council initially struggled with numbering discrepancies between the printed agenda and the electronic agenda. After corrections, the council approved a schedule for 14 condemnation properties: proceed with items 54, 59, 66; two-week delay on item 65; 30-day delays on items 52 and 53; 60-day delay on item 61; and 90-day delays on items 55, 56, 57, 58, 60, 62, 63, 64. Motion carried.
• Contracts and Resolutions: Numerous items were approved unanimously, including:
  • Item 69: Refund of $291,398 to Walgreen for erroneously remitted sales tax on non-taxable prescription drugs.
  • Item 70: Refund of $275,672.77 to Cardinal Health 108 LLC for sales tax on a resale exemption.
  • Item 71: Settlement of $25,450 for Monica Hollands claim.
  • Item 72: Settlement of $35,000 for Justin Thornton auto accident claim.
  • Item 73: Settlement of $21,200.65 for sewer backup claim.
  • Item 74: Rescinding a notice to attend and decision from 2025-2026.
  • Items 75–77: Airport-related approvals for taxiway F reconstruction, TSA agreement, and FAA grant application.
  • Item 78: Professional engineering services for Mickins Road capacity project ($1,189,458 addition).
  • Item 79: Professional services for Westridge Drive subsurface improvements ($236,087).
  • Item 80: Amendment to asphalt restoration contract ($50,000 addition).
  • Item 81: Amendment to building maintenance contract ($22,096.80 addition).
  • Item 82: Additional design services for fire department SARs building ($9,500).
  • Item 83: Supplemental agreement for Perkins Overpass project ($7,750).
  • Items 85–91: Community development contract amendments and extensions, including item 87 deleted.
  • Item 92: Contract with Urban Restoration Enhancement Corporation to build single-family homes on Hollywood Street for $550,000.
  • Item 93: Waiver of land use regulations to allow temporary housing after a state of emergency.
• Appointments:
  • Item 94: Reappointed Justin Riddle to Brownsfield Fire Civil Service Board.
  • Item 95: Appointed Nick Lenata to Downtown Development District.
  • Items 96–100: Reappointed five members to Fire Protection District No. 1 advisory board.
  • Items 101–105: Deferred DDD appointments to September 23, 2026, pending mayor's recommendations.
  • Item 106: Deferred Capitol Area Human Services District appointment to October 14, 2026.
• Change Orders and Final Acceptances: Approved for BRPD roof, library chiller, and Plank Road corridor projects.
• Low Bid Acceptances: Approved for fire alarm replacement ($400,000), Floor Nell Drive sidewalk ($526,540), and Glasgow Avenue sidewalks ($950,089).
• Emergency Items: Declared emergency and approved:
  • Item 115: Corrected Montesano Bayou drainage project amount to $2,399,760.80.
  • Item 116: Rescinded old resolution for blood products contract.
  • Item 117: New contract with The Blood Center for EMS blood products not to exceed $235,000.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items, introductions, and resolutions were approved unanimously.
• Condemnation schedule was set with various delays as requested by district council members.
• All appointments and reappointments were approved, except for DDD (deferred) and Capitol Area Human Services District (deferred).
• Emergency items were passed to correct funding amounts and secure a blood products contract for EMS.
• The meeting adjourned after the condemnation item was resolved.