Lake Charles City Council Meeting Summary - November 5, 2025

The Lake Charles City Council convened on November 5, 2025, to address a wide range of administrative, legislative, and public hearing items. The meeting featured significant deliberation regarding the removal of a board member, extensive discussions on storm-damaged structures requiring demolition or deferral, zoning appeals, and several bid awards.

Consent Calendar

• Routine approvals included the acceptance of bids for the Sally May Madora Drive Phase Two project, office supplies, and polymer flocculants.
• Final action was taken on several resolutions to accept project completions (demolition contracts, sidewalk repairs, wastewater treatment, and fire station renovations).
• Dates for upcoming public hearings regarding the condemnation of numerous vacant/dilapidated structures were set for December 17, 2025.
• A resolution setting the date for a special election for the renewal of special ad valorem taxes was passed for April 18, 2026.
• Appointments to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Lakefront Development Subdistrict were approved for three members: Jacob Raftery, Tamika Bilbo, and Mike Livings.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tom Gale (Representing the applicant): Argued that the proposed development is consistent with the neighborhood and requested variances for driveway placement, emphasizing that the structures would be at least 15 feet from the property line. He noted that the sidewalk impact would be minimal as the development is on the south side.
• Anjelle Burton (Opponent): Expressed opposition to the variances for the duplex project. She argued the development is not consistent with the older single-family homes in the area and raised concerns about sidewalk damage from construction and failure of developers to repair sidewalks, stating that taxpayer money was previously used for repairs.
• Ms. Peggy LaFleur (District Councilman Hart's constituent): Expressed support for upholding the Planning and Zoning Commission's denial, specifically citing the needs of current homeless residents in the area and the importance of maintaining public trust in the zoning process.
• Myrna Duhan (Owner of 2502 Root Street property): Expressed a desire to have her mother's rear house demolished and offered to coordinate with the city to complete the process, noting she had never attended a meeting before.
• Luisa (Representing owner of 2915 Creole Street): Expressed a strong desire to rehabilitate the property to live in as her home. She requested a deferral to allow time for pulling permits and reported that the property is currently being secured.
• Mark Dela Foss (New tax title owner of 1023 14th Street): Expressed an intent to pull a permit to repair the property rather than demolish it, noting that the permit is currently under review for code compliance.

Discussion Items

• Deferment of Resolution 45 (Removal of Mark Dela Foss from the Louisiana Community Development Authority): The Mayor requested a deferral to allow Mr. Dela Foss to finish his term as chairman in December and to ensure the City Finance Director is appointed, given upcoming bond issuance for the "Lake Charles Rebound" project in spring 2026. Council Member Bilbo strongly opposed the deferral, citing personal knowledge of Mr. Dela Foss's integrity, coaching history with his children, and past assistance with campaign door-knocking, stating he did not believe Mr. Dela Foss deserved removal. Other members noted legal counsel was reviewing the conflict between the board's internal bylaws (requiring cause for removal) and state legislation (allowing appointing authorities to remove without cause). Council members debated the length of the deferral, with suggestions ranging from two weeks to two months. Ultimately, the Council voted to delete the item from the agenda, effectively pausing the removal action until a later date.
• Variance Request for East/Bilbo Street Duplexes: The Council deliberated an appeal of the Planning and Zoning Commission's 2-2 tie vote denial. The project involves four duplexes (8 units) requesting variances for driveway buffer yards and intersection setbacks. While the units are allowed by right, the driveway variances are essential for access. The Mayor and Councilman Hart supported the Planning and Zoning denial.
• Demolition of Storm-Damaged Structures: Multiple items were deferred for 30, 60, or 90 days to allow property owners to secure sites, apply for rebuilding programs (FEMA/Community Development), or pull repair permits. Specific delays were granted to owners at 1814 Easton Street (90 days for succession issues), 1610 Graham Street (60 days to secure), and 2915 Creole Street (60 days to renovate). Item 14 (1023 14th Street) was deferred to allow a new owner to pull a repair permit.

Key Outcomes

• Voted to Delete: Item 45 (Removal of Mark Dela Foss from the LCDA board) was deleted from the agenda by a vote of 4-3 (Young, Vieseno, Fondel, Weatherford in favor of deletion). The item remains on hold pending the Mayor's decision to reintroduce it later.
• Voted to Uphold Denial: The appeal for the East/Bilbo Street duplex variances was denied (Voted 1-5, with one abstention), upholding the Planning and Zoning Commission's decision to deny the variances.
• Demolition Voted in Favor: Items 2, 4, 6 (First New Life Mission church), 7, and 9 were approved for demolition.
• Demolition Voted in Favor (Reconsidered): Item 11 (2713 General Vanderburg) was voted to be demolished after a representative for the estate failed to appear during the previous deferral; the item was brought back to the end of the meeting and passed 7-0.
• Deferrals Granted: Items 13, 14 (1023 14th St), 5, 10, and 12 were deferred for periods ranging from 30 to 90 days to allow for property securing, succession filings, or permit applications.
• Bids Awarded: Contracts awarded to Hicks Enterprise Inc. for Sally May Madora Drive ($398,130), Office Guy for office supplies, and Poladine for polymer flocculants ($37,400).
• Zoning Amendments: Zoning map amended for a warehouse use on North Coletta/Armstrong Streets (Item 20).
• Employee Benefit: Approved an extra paid day off for career and non-career employees on Friday, November 28, 2025.
• Appointments: Confirmed appointments of Jacob Raftery, Tamika Bilbo, and Mike Livings to the Downtown Development Authority.
• Meeting Schedule Change: Regular meeting for the following week rescheduled from Tuesday, November 11, to Wednesday, November 12, to observe Veterans Day." }