Lake Charles City Council Meeting Summary - January 7, 2026

The Lake Charles City Council convened on January 7, 2026, to honor the community's historic preservation efforts, review major infrastructure bids, approve digital evidence storage solutions, and schedule hearings for multiple property condemnations. The meeting featured a special presentation by the Mayor and the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation recognizing the work of Rick and Donna Reshaw, followed by deliberations on a $12.5 million wastewater treatment plant improvement contract.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the previous meeting were approved with a 4-0 vote regarding the initial count (context suggests 6-4 later, but minutes specifically noted 4-0 before agenda items).
• Appointments were made: Councilman Matt Young appointed to review CP 3019 (Sail Road Bridge repairs); Councilman Tommy Billboat appointed to review bids for a new three-wheel sweeper; Councilman Weatherford appointed to review CP 3224 (Mirrorfield Drive Drainage) and accept public hearings.
• Resolutions were passed to accept project completion for CP 3512 (Gospert Park Pool) with a 45-day lien period notice.
• Resolutions were adopted to schedule public hearings for public works project DR002 (Public Works New Facility Phase 2) on Broad Street.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public: No formal public commentary or testimony was recorded during the public comment section of this transcript.
• Property Owner Representation: Alan Hester (representing owner Alan J. Mitchell) appeared regarding the 1610 Graham Street demolition, subsequently reporting that a representative from "Project Build the Future" and the actual owner requested a 30-day deferral to finalize a deal.
• Project Sponsor: No external project sponsors were invited to testify; internal staff and officials presented on behalf of city departments.

Discussion Items

• Honoring Rick and Donna Reshaw: Mayor Marsha J. Simeon Jr. proclaimed January 7, 2026, as "Donna and Rick Reshaw Day," recognizing their work on the "Winnie Burry Preservation Extraordinary Award." A proclamation was read detailing their restoration of landmarks including the Cash and Carrier building, Calcasud Union National Bank Building, Noble Building, and the Phoenix Building. Brian Davis, Executive Director of the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation, presented the award and highlighted their leadership in expanding the Lake Charles Historic Inventory.

  • Rick Reshaw expressed gratitude, stating he was proud of the community's resources and hoped their work would be "proud for another hundred years," though he noted they are "running out of time" for the projects.
  • Mayor Simeon stated that the Reshaws often seek "no accolades or applause" and emphasized that "Lake Charles is better because of the Reshaws."
  • Councilman Matt Young noted Rick Reshaw's background (Reagan administration, major company CEO) and his role in downtown revitalization post-Hurricane Rita (referred to as Hurricane Reed in transcript), viewing the Phoenix Building as a symbol of the city rising from the ashes.
  • Brian Davis noted that historic tax credits can cover "35 to 55 percent of the rehab of an income producing building" for structures 50 years or older (1976 or before).

• Wastewater Treatment Plant BC Improvements (CP 3427): The Council deliberated on accepting bids from Tillier Services LLC totaling $11,988,000 (base) with a total award of $12,539,000.

  • Councilman Marks expressed concern regarding the cost, noting the previous 40% plant rebuild in 2016 and questioning why old digesters were left in place.
  • Project Staff (Mr. Heizy) clarified that the 2016 project did not include the solids handling and blowers which were "old" at that time due to fund limitations. He stated that approximately 90% of the new project ($5M state grant, $6M FEMA funds, $1.5M city capital funds) is paid for by outside entities because the storm damaged the legacy equipment.
  • Councilman Marks continued to express skepticism that the team "is going to push it even further" with old digesters, but was assured that the concrete structures remain, and only ancillary equipment is being replaced.
  • Councilman Marks suggested the pattern of using alternates is standard for prioritization when funds are tight.
  • The Council accepted the bid with rejections of alternates two and three, noting alternate one was for an additional press.

• Digital Evidence Storage (Nice System): The Council discussed a contract with NISI (Nice) Systems for cloud-based digital evidence storage.

  • Deputy Chief Godet explained the exponential increase in digital evidence (body cams, car cams, surveillance) and a recent "actual incident" where a server failure created a "cascade effect" risk.
  • Deputy Chief Godet stated that hard drives corrupt after "five and 10 years," prompting an emergency to move data to a secure, three-tiered cloud system.
  • Council Member inquired about cost ($500,000) and transfer rights; staff confirmed data transfer is included at no extra cost and the PD retains all rights to the data.
  • Councilman noted the need for the system to store evidence from the last 5 years and up to a terabyte per cell phone.

• Fire Hydrant Maintenance: Council discussed authorizing an agreement with UtiliSur for hydrant flow testing.

  • Chief Ain explained this is essential for maintaining the city's PIA (Property Insurance Association of Louisiana) rating, which dictates insurance costs for homeowners and businesses (60% fire rating, 40% water rating). All work will be done by UtiliSur with Fire Department assistance.

• Parking Ordinance: An ordinance to place no parking signs on both sides of West Javon Lane was introduced.

• Property Condemnation Hearings: A series of resolutions were adopted setting public hearing dates for 10 structures (including 1105 North Wendell Street, 1902 North Prator Street, 2432 12th Street, and others) located at various addresses. Councilman Cordon requested clarification on the phrase "subject to a tax sale to the state of Louisiana," which Mrs. Stutz explained indicates the state holds nominal title due to unpaid taxes until the redemption period passes.

• Deferrals:

  • Resolution CP 3427 (severely damaged structure at 1610 Graham Street) was deferred for 30 days at the request of the owner to finalize a deal with Project Build the Future.
  • Item Seven was deferred to January 21, 2026.
  • Item Eleven (condemnation hearing) was rescheduled to February 18, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Proclamation: January 7, 2026, declared "Donna and Rick Reshaw Day"; recipients honored with the Winnie Burry Preservation Extraordinary Award.
• Voting Results:
  • Deferral of 1610 Graham Street demolition: 6-4.
  • Acceptance of CP 3427 Wastewater Treatment Plant bid ($12,539,000 award to Tillier Services LLC): 6-4.
  • Adoption of Digital Evidence Storage contract with NISI: 6-4.
  • Adoption of Fire Hydrant Maintenance agreement with UtiliSur: 6-4.
  • Adoption of No Parking sign ordinance on West Javon Lane: 6-0 (implied "Six" in transcript).
  • Approval of Consented Ordinances and Resolutions (including condemnations and CP 3512 completion).
• Scheduling: Public hearings for 10 condemnation items (711 Falls St, 1105 N Wendell St, 1902 N Prator St, 2432 12th St, 2201 Hwy 171, 1400 N Shadow St, 2116 18th St, 1505 McNabb St, 411 Gilpin Dr, 317 S Louisiana Ave) were set for subsequent dates.
• Bids Accepted:
  • CP 3019 (Sail Road Bridge): Assigned to Councilman Young.
  • CP 3224 (Mirrorfield Drainage): Assigned to Councilman Weatherford.
  • CP 3427 (Wastewater): Tillier Services LLC, Base Bid $11,988,000; Total Award $12,539,000.
• Next Steps: Councilman Matt Young to chair review of CP 3019; Councilman Tommy Billboat to chair sweeper bid review; Councilman Weatherford to chair CP 3224 review; 30-day deferral granted for Graham Street demolition; Public hearing for condemnation items scheduled for February 18, 2026.