Lake Charles City Council Meeting - April 28, 2026
Lake Charles City Council Meeting - April 28, 2026
The Lake Charles City Council convened on April 28, 2026, for a regular business meeting. The council set the agenda for the upcoming May 6 meeting, received the fiscal year 2025 audit and financial statements, discussed infrastructure bids and development projects, and heard extensive public comment on issues ranging from speed bumps and park facilities to tree preservation and construction procurement.
Consent Calendar / Routine Approvals
- Appointed a chairman to review bids for Project CP 3503 (2025 SPAR Overlay).
- Appointed a chairman to review bids for Project CP 3242 (Southern Sewer Loop, Gulf Highway Lift Station).
- Approved a resolution appointing a member to the Personnel Board to fill the expired term of Jason Bell.
- Approved the mayor's appointment of a member to the Historic Preservation Commission.
Public Comments and Testimony
- Anthony Thompson (2132 22nd Street): Requested the city evenly space and reinstall speed bumps in the alley off Fifth Avenue in the Old Park district to control speeding, noting only one speed bump was replaced after Hurricane Laura recovery.
- Dominique Darbone (313 West Oak Lane): Expressed strong support for a future tree preservation ordinance, citing the loss of a 300-year-old oak tree for a development that lasted only 15 years. She announced her intent to return the following week regarding a variance request for the Ernest and West Claude development.
- Amy Herbert (2210 Ernest Street): Discussed the founding of the Southwest Louisiana Save the Tree group, the economic and quality-of-life impacts of the over 10% tree canopy loss from Hurricane Laura, and plans to present a tree preservation ordinance based on best practices from Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
- Paul Gear (2205 Highway 14): Requested the city install a public bathroom at Hillcrest Park and criticized the city's handling of the 7th Avenue community project, stating his community felt disrespected and demanding better communication from city officials.
- Jason Gunter, Chad Stacy, and Billy Kerr (Contracting Representatives): Representing the apparent low bidder for the Southern Sewer Loop project (CP 3242), questioned the delay in the project award and the basis for potential disqualification as a "not responsible" bidder. The council stated the bid award matter was scheduled for action at the May 6 meeting.
Discussion Items
- Agenda Setting for May 6, 2026: The council voted to add an appeal filed by the United Way to the agenda for introduction on May 6 and a hearing on May 20. Two RCIP LDI amendments were also introduced for the May 6 agenda: one transferring funding from the Railroad Avenue Revival Project to the Gospel Community Center for a primary community resiliency hub, and another authorizing the purchase of a vacant lot from the Catholic Church for a similar hub.
- FY2025 Audit and Financial Statements: Director of Finance Emily McDaniel presented the annual report. Auditor Jason Gillary of McElroy, Quirk & Birch reported an unmodified (clean) opinion with no findings on internal control or federal compliance; one minor exception regarding untimely sexual harassment training for an employee was noted in the agreed-upon procedures. Maddie Allen highlighted a net position of $814.4 million, general fund balance of $60 million, sales tax revenue growth of 5.2%, property tax revenue growth of 3.1%, and capital projects fund reserves of $119.7 million.
- Event Center and Golf Course Performance: Councilmember Rutherford raised concerns about the auto-renewal contract with management company ASM given the event center's $5.3 million in expenses against $1.6 million in revenue. Administration noted the venue's improved performances and the availability of the Rosa Hart Theatre. The golf course was highlighted for a number one ranking, new tournaments, and facility upgrades.
- Sober Living Homes Regulation: Councilmembers Bilbo, Fundale, Harvey, and Arby discussed rising constituent complaints about unregulated sober living homes in neighborhoods. The legal department noted limitations on regulation under the Fair Housing Act but confirmed the homes must register. Council requested a full legal review of the city's authority and the creation of a guide for operators and neighboring residents.
- Enterprise Extension Right-of-Way: Councilmember Arby reported that many residents along the project corridor had not received right-of-way purchase letters, causing community anxiety. Administration agreed to provide copies of the letters to the council.
- Capital Improvement Planning (CIP) Timeline: Councilmembers requested more time than the given four days to submit their project priority lists. Engineering Manager Herman Stevens clarified the request was for preliminary priorities and committed to accommodating council schedules.
- Sports Complex Specifications: Councilmember Harvey stressed the sports complex must be built to national specifications (8 basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts) to attract major tournaments and compete with the surrounding region.
- Tree Preservation Ordinance: Councilmember Young expressed support for tree protections and announced he would work with residents Dominique Darbone and Amy Herbert to draft a city ordinance.
Key Outcomes
- May 6 Agenda Approved: The council voted to add the United Way appeal and two RCIP LDI resiliency hub funding items to the May 6 regular meeting agenda.
- FY2025 Audit Received: The independent audit and comprehensive financial statements were presented with a clean opinion.
- Bid Award Scheduled: The bid for Project CP 3242 (Southern Sewer Loop) was deferred for administration recommendation and council action at the May 6 meeting.
- CIP Deadline Flexibility Granted: Engineering staff agreed to work closely with council members needing additional time to submit project priorities.
- Legal Review Ordered: Administration and the legal department were directed to review the city's regulatory authority over sober living homes and explore creating a guide for residents and operators.
- Tree Ordinance Initiated: Councilmember Young committed to collaborating with community advocates to draft a tree preservation ordinance for future consideration.
Meeting Transcript
And I'll get a obvious chance. Oh, agree with us today and we can conduct the business in the city and constructive and produce manner. WWTT A Basin A02 Sewer Rehabilitation. Appointed chairman to review bids for project number CP 3503 2025 SPAR overlay and near the budget as necessary. Appointed chairman to review bids for project number CP 3242, Southern Sewer Loop, Golf Highway List Station. Public hearings, public hearing and consideration of the late Charles Planning and Zone Commission decision to deny request for variance in order to construct nine new detached town homes with lot coverage greater than 40%, actual 45% within a residential zone and district at the northwest corner of West Clark Street at Architch Street. An ordinance auditing demolition authorizing City of Lake Charles entered to an agreement for demolition of a structure located at 1814 Easton Street, Willow the Floor, and Josephine LaCoe One. An ordinance ordering demolition and authorizing City of Lake Charles Infantry Agreement for demolition of the structure located at 1610 Gram Street, Alan J. Mitchell Owner. Another demolition at 1900 Prejon Drive, Barn Department, Classic and Dome Apartment Home, LLC Owner. Another demolition at 1514 Graham Street. An audience creating the positions of Chief of Administration and Chief of Operations within the administrative division of the Lake Charles Fire Department. And to provide for the qualifications, duties and responsibilities for such positions and other related matters. An ordinance accepting the best proposal received for renewal coverage and authorizing City Elect Charles Center to an agreement for property and casualty insurance for the City of Lake Charles. Effective May 22nd, 2026 through May 22nd, 2027. And ordinance authorized the City of Lake Charles Center into a cooperative endeavor agreement with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for Cali Street and Lake Street and Stanton Street Project State and Federal Aid Project No. H016736. An ordinance of the City of Lake Charles authorizing expropriation of property for a permanent utility servitude from on and with respect to property for any and all uses necessary for the Highway 14 Waterloo Project. Said property believed to be owned by Shahot Holding Company, all pursuant to Louisiana revised statute 19, code 134 ed set and providing further there too. In orders of the City of Lake Charles authorizing the expropriation of property for a permanent utility servitude from on and with respect to property for any and all uses necessary for the Highway 14 Waterloo Project, said property believed to be owned by 71 Corporation, all pursuant to Louisiana revised statute 19 cold 134 edset and providing further there too. An ordinance authorizing the city of Lake Charles to declare parcel number 00750382A, no municipal address and surplus property, and further authorizing the city to enter into a ground lease agreement for the use of this surplus removal property for the transmission and receipt of wireless communication signal, including the construction of a structure and tower along with the operation of equipment. An ordinance authorizing the city of Lake Charles Center into a cooperative endeavor agreement with Sowella Technical Community College to attribute funding for a flight school at the Suela Technical Community College slash Chenol International Airport Facility. An ordinance authorizing the City of Lake Charles Center into a cooperative endeavor agreement with the Calperci Parish School Board to contribute funding for the enhancements of the Region 5 STEM Center at the Lake Charles Boston Academy of Learning 1509 Enterprise Boulevard. An ordinance authorizing City Elect Charles Center into a cooperative endeavor agreement with Adafive A Sorority Incorporated a Beta Capitalizator Chapter, nonprofit organization to contribute funding towards the construction of the new facility support their source nets program, which provides prenatal education, health resources, and other support program to young mothers as well as to act as a resiliency hub during events of natural disasters and seminar emergency. A resolution appointing a member to the personnel board to fill the expired term of Jason Bell for a period of six years. A resolution approving the mayor's appointment of a member to the Historic Preservation Commission. A resolution authorizing the City of Lake Charles to advertise to receive Sylvia to project number CP 3070, Oakland Drive and Ory Road, Sewer Lift Station Upgrade with the Companion Ordinance. A resolution authorizing the City of Lake Charles to advertise and receive Sylvia's project number CP 3400, 18th Street Reconstruction, Lake Street to Creole Street, Phase 1 with the Companion Ordinance. A resolution authorizing the City of Lake Charles to advertise to receive Sylvia as the purchase standard supply of public safety uniforms for use by the Lake Charles Fire Department with the companion ordinance. Ordinances for introduction, introduction of an ordinance authorizing the City of Lake Charles to accept Northridge Road, West Mirror Drive, Pinnacle Road, and North Ridge Road in the ridge at Marketfield Phase 3. It may be another street other than North Ridge Road because it's listed in Northridge Road twice. Including public right aways, drainage, water, and sewer lines, sewer and traffic control devices for ownership and maintenance by the City of Lake Charles. The City of Lake Charles will not take ownership of the detention ponds. Introduction of the ordinance authorized the City of Lake Charles Center to an architectural and engineering and any agreement with DW Jesson and Associates, LLC for engineering services relative to project number CP 3070, Oklahoma Drive, and Audrey Road Sewer Lift Station Ugrade. Introduction of an ordinance and ordinance number 20342 of the City of Council of the City of Lake Charles order to clarify certain provisions of the room between the city and the Greater St. Mary Community Foundation. Introduction of skip up to the next three and go down to number 35. Introduction of an ordinance authorizing the city of Lake Charles Center to a cooperative endeavor with the Calcochet Parish Release Jury and a consolidated gravity drainage district number two east Calcushi Parish to share in the cost of the Greenwich Terrace File Initiative Project. I have one more that's not on your agenda. It's an appeal that was filed by the United Way from a meeting that has already passed. I'll get a formal fact sheet by tomorrow. That was already part of this agenda. Yes. We just got made made a part of the agenda. The uh the appeal was filed 10 minutes ago. Uh so we need to put this on the agenda for introduction on May 7th and final May 6th, final action of May 20th for uh to hear that appeal out. So we have to vote to put this on this agenda. So we want to do that first. Okay, by uh council vote. We need four votes in order to add that to the agenda uh going forward for May the 6th.
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