Lake Charles City Council Meeting - December 30, 2025

The Lake Charles City Council convened on December 30, 2025, to review a consent calendar containing numerous ordinances and resolutions regarding infrastructure improvements, professional services agreements, and condemnations. Following the prayer and pledge, Council members raised various concerns regarding public safety, property standards, drainage, and the city's handling of the unhoused population. The meeting featured an extensive discussion on the nature of professional services agreements, clarifying that they serve as contractual frameworks rather than sole-source awards.

Consent Calendar

• Wastewater Improvements: Ordinance accepting the lowest responsible bid for Project CP 3427 (Wastewater Treatment Plant BC Sludge Processing Improvements).
• Digital Evidence System: Ordinance authorizing a professional services agreement with Nice System Incorporated for a cloud-based digital evidence storage system.
• Funds Reprogramming: Ordinance approving an amendment to the 2019 Action Plan to reprogram unspent CDBG-CV funds to Gossport Park Improvement No. 1.
• Fire Hydrant Services: Ordinance authorizing an agreement with Utiliser for fire hydrant flow testing, maintenance, and GIS mapping.
• Parking Regulations: Ordinance amending the code to place no parking signs on West Javon Lane.
• Project Completion: Resolution accepting Project CP 3512 (Gosford Park New Pool and Improvements) as substantially complete.
• Condemnation Hearings: A series of resolutions setting dates for public hearings on the condemnation of structures at the following addresses (all with companion ordinances): 711 Fall Street, 1105 North Wendell Street, 1902 North Prater Street, 2432 12th Street, 2201 Highway 171, 1400 North Shaddock Street, 2116 18th Street, 1505 McNabb Street, 411 Delphi Drive, and 317 South Louisiana Avenue.
• Public Works Facility: Resolution authorizing advertising for bids for Project DR002 (Public Works New Facility Phase 2) and amending the budget.
• Economic Development: Introduction of an ordinance to amend ordinance 18189, creating and expanding the Enterprise Boulevard Economic Development District.
• Professional Services Agreements: A large batch of introductions authorizing agreements with various firms including ADG Engineering, Alliance Transportation Group, Angel and Donnahue All and Gas, Tacopa Services, Brose Architect, CARBO Landscape, Cohesion Architecture, COP Associates, CSRS, DW Jesson, Frugro Consultants, Randy M. Goodlow, Grace A. Bear Curtis, Hunt Gilead, Color Architecture, Meyer and Associates, Moss Reed, Peridian Engineering, and Southland Environmental.
• Equipment and Maintenance: Agreements for rescue tools with Delta Fire and Safety, and well repairs with DNW Drilling at GH West Water Plant.
• Annexation and Zoning: Ordinance to annex 2.21 acres (east side of 1200 block Highway 397, south of 1295), assign industrial zoning, and assign District B to the newly annexed property.
• Debt Authorization: Introduction of an ordinance to borrow up to $145 million from the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority for public improvements.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Councilman Billboat:

  • Expressed concern that the Gersh Memorial repair project has halted, leaving barricades and litter on properties.
  • Expressed disappointment regarding the overgrown grass in the old Kroger parking lot, suggesting more aggressive enforcement against property owners rather than repeated warnings.
  • Proposed a position that the city should offer discounted service rates to residents living in currently unincorporated areas (specifically referencing Highway 397) who pay taxes but receive no services, arguing this would encourage annexation while protecting residents from high taxes.
  • Highlighted concerns about flooding on Shaw Street caused by a large dirt pile at the Sixth Avenue/Fifth Street fire station site and requested a drain plan review.
  • Requested a traffic study for the intersection of 12th and First Avenue following a recent wreck and noted issues with homeless individuals camping on benches near the bus station and Broad Street, causing discomfort for pedestrians.

• Councilman Fondale:

  • Commended the City's Cultural Affairs Division for the city-coordinated New Year's celebration, the first in 25 years (since 2000).
  • Requested permission to have City Council present a "Preservationist of the Year" award to residents Rick and Donna Richard on January 7, citing their contributions to local preservation.

• Councilman Young:

  • Noted concern regarding the lack of crosswalk markings on the newly opened northern section of Broad Street and requested verification.

• Councilman Harvey:

  • Expressed urgency regarding the intersection of Highway 171 and Molino, calling for a turn signal installation to prevent accidents caused by confusion between eastbound and westbound traffic, especially during school hours.
  • Requested immediate action on street lights in the Bayou Bluff area and under overpasses, noting they are out despite recent replacements in some spots.
  • Highlighted safety risks in areas like Paloosa, Molin, and Cemetery streets due to darkness and overgrown ditches, specifically mentioning elderly residents on Wingate Street who require physical ditch cleaning rather than spraying.
  • Expressed frustration regarding the condition of 708 North Prater Street, describing it as an uncontrolled chop shop causing noise and safety issues, noting residents are afraid to speak to authorities.
  • Demanded a SWOT analysis of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), stating a lack of transparency and that the DDA has failed to report to the council for three years.
  • Requested updates on the Hope Center project, Enterprise Right-of-Way negotiations (which some residents feel are in limbo), and the North Lake Charles Economic Development initiative (CEA).
  • Inquired about the status of road repairs on Conoco Street and the need for a comprehensive road analysis by Frog Grove Engineering.
  • Suggested traffic engineering adjustments for Lake Street and Sale and requested DOTD review of turn signals at the Bayou Bluff/171 intersection.

• Councilman Morgan/Speaker (Unidentified):

  • Reported smoke complaints from a resident burning trash near 324 East Oak Lane and requested an inspection.
  • Noted a rodent infestation risk due to overgrown grass on a specific lot west of 4212 Louisiana Avenue.
  • Requested to see all bid responses for the sports complex Request for Qualifications (RFQ).
  • Clarified the process for Professional Services Agreements, stating they are contractual frameworks for rates and terms rather than sole-source awards, and that any qualified firm can apply to be added to the list at any time.

• Council President (Mayor/Administrator):

  • Addressed the unhoused population, acknowledging the complexity of their needs and the necessity of a holistic solution involving shelter and services, noting that simple housing may not suffice due to mental health and resource needs.
  • Discussed legal constraints regarding private property enforcement for unhoused individuals.
  • Committed to investigating Walmart's parking lot maintenance standards (specifically bug cleanup and debris) and potentially issuing letters of concern similar to pastactions taken against grocery stores.
  • Addressed flood concerns in the Village area due to new concrete construction, suggesting the feasibility of holding ponds or lift stations due to low topographical slope.
  • Supported the proposal to consider hiring a city planner or consultants to manage rapid development, zoning inconsistencies, and infrastructure strain on areas like Derek Drive and the Mid-City area.

Discussion Items

• Roads and Drainage: Extensive dialogue on the need for a city-wide road condition analysis by Frog Grove Engineering, the urgent need for street light repairs (LED retrofits discussed), and the flooding issues in the Village and Shaw Street areas requiring potential lift stations or holding ponds.
• Professional Services Agreements (PSAs): A detailed debate clarified that PSAs establish terms, rates, and caps for consultants (architects, engineers, appraisers) to prevent "blank checks." It was established that these agreements do not guarantee work, other firms can join the list at any time, and competitive bidding is still used for major projects like the sports complex.
• Downtown Development Authority (DDA): Councilman Harvey pressed the administration for a SWOT analysis of the DDA, expressing a position that the entity lacks transparency and accountability to the council, prompting the Mayor to commit to a robust Q&A session.
• Unhoused Population: The council discussed the challenges of homelessness, the illegality of panhandling, the limitations on private property enforcement, and the need for a comprehensive strategy involving shelter, mental health services, and perhaps designated legal camping areas, while also holding businesses accountable for public safety around their properties.

Key Outcomes

• Procedural Clarification: The administration clarified the mechanism of Professional Services Agreements, ensuring the council understands they are contract vehicles for rates/terms rather than sole-source awards, with the process open to new qualified applicants year-round.
• Commitment to Transparency: The Mayor committed to arranging a meeting for Councilman Harvey to demand a full SWOT analysis of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and to receive a briefing on the CEA project status.
• Action on Lights and Roads: The administration agreed to catalog all outages street lights (specifically in Bayou Bluff and under overpasses) and coordinate with Entergy for repairs, with a potential view toward an LED retrofit strategy.
• Community Outreach: Councilman Harvey secured a commitment that the City will provide updates on the Enterprise Right-of-Way negotiations and the Hope Center project to address resident concerns.
• Public Records Review: The City Manager acknowledged a review of public records procedures is underway to ensure proper acknowledgment of requests and prevent documentation loss.
• Safety Inspections: The Council directed administration to inspect the burn pile at East Oak Lane, the overgrown lot at Louisiana Avenue, and the drainage issues at the fire station site on Sixth Avenue.