Lake Charles City Council Meeting - February 24, 2026

The Lake Charles City Council held a regular meeting on February 24, 2026, covering a range of administrative items, property condemnations, public works projects, and community concerns. The meeting opened with a prayer and pledge of allegiance, followed by the clerk reading a list of agenda items. Council members discussed several ongoing matters, and one member of the public addressed the council regarding a demolished property.

Consent Calendar

• The clerk read a series of routine agenda items, including: review of bids for project LCR 401 (lock park inclusive playground), project CP 3140, and project DR (public works new facility phase two); an ordinance ordering demolition at 521 Kingsley Street; an ordinance authorizing a settlement in the case Ronald C. Richard vs. City of Lake Charles; multiple resolutions setting public hearing dates for condemnation/demolition of structures at various addresses (2217 Broad Street, 902 Camillo Street garage only, 1729 Broadmore Drive, 3704 Brentwood Drive, 2725 Louisiana Avenue, 704 11th Street, 1021 15th Street, 2110 Railroad Avenue, 2107 Clorinda Street, 2105 Clorinda Street); a resolution verifying review of municipal water pollution prevention documents for Plants A, B, and D; and introduction of an ordinance to remove a yield sign at Center Street and Sycamore Street and install a stop sign, creating a three-way stop. No vote or further discussion was recorded on these items.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Gary Jackson (2335 Klein Street) spoke about 1103 Fournette Street, a property he owned that was demolished by the city. He stated he had been directed by city officials to complete a double succession to obtain the property in his name before being eligible for a program to rebuild. He paid a law firm to do the succession, but the city demolished the house two days before he received the title. He requested a meeting with Mr. Hester and supervisor Doug Garris, but had not heard back in six weeks. Council advised him to check with Mr. Rubin the following day for a status update. Mr. Jackson also noted he had not previously requested an extension from the council directly.

Discussion Items

• Mr. Young expressed gratitude to several city employees (Wendy Robinson, Nicole Miller, Mike Castille, and Sergeant Amund from the police department) for attending a town hall meeting the previous night.
• Mr. Bisna raised several items:
  • Requested documentation on the approval of the sports complex site; the city confirmed it had been submitted.
  • Asked about paperwork showing contributions to the Sayer Street Fund and Enterprise Extension Funds, discussed at the previous meeting; staff indicated allocations for enterprise had been pulled but those for Sayer were still pending.
  • Inquired about a final copy of the Lake Charles Rebound projects; the mayor stated it would be forthcoming.
  • Confirmed the status of a speed bump on 22nd Street that had been moved; a resident complained the two bumps were too close together. The mayor agreed to recheck and send pictures.
  • Mentioned a complaint about a property on Miss Paula (blue van, cars in yard) possibly having new vehicles; the mayor noted the property was already scheduled for a hearing and would be handled regardless of compliance.
  • Asked about progress on a hotel project with the group “Renewed Lake Charles”; the mayor explained the group requested an updated hotel study (CBRE documents) to reflect the sports complex, and the city is evaluating costs and whether a new RFP is needed.
  • Brought up the need to reinstate a citizens review board to improve communication between the police department and the community; the mayor agreed to research the former board’s parameters.
  • Raised the approaching deadline for slab removal from demolished properties, suggesting a media blitz or notices to property owners; the mayor agreed to send notices.
• The council also noted that the previous week’s ordinance had been amended to use a parcel number instead of an address for the property across from Gospel.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes or final decisions were recorded during the meeting.
• Directives given:
  • Staff to check the speed bump placement on 22nd Street and provide pictures.
  • Mayor to look into re-establishing a citizens review board and report back.
  • Notices to be sent to property owners about the upcoming slab removal deadline.
  • Mr. Jackson was advised to follow up with Mr. Rubin for a meeting regarding his demolished property.
• The status of the hotel study update remains pending further discussion on cost and potential RFP.