Lake Charles City Council Meeting: May 6, 2026

The Lake Charles City Council met on May 6, 2026, to address a lengthy agenda that included multiple zoning and demolition items, but was dominated by an hours-long, often contentious debate over the fire chief's proposal to create two new administrative positions—Deputy Chief of Administration and Deputy Chief of Operations—within the fire department. The council heard extensive testimony from the chief, union representatives, and firefighters, and ultimately voted to create the positions but delay any filling until at least December 31, 2026, pending civil service approval.

Consent Calendar

• Meeting minutes approved 7-4.
• Items 3, 13, and 16 deferred to May 20, 2026.
• Item 23 deleted.
• Appointments: Councilman Weatherford to chair bid review for CP 3520 (wastewater treatment plant); Councilman Bilbo to chair bid review for CP 3503-2025 (asphalt overlays).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Fire Chief Carter (opening): Celebrated the department's achievement of a Class 1 fire rating (first in city history) and a water system score of 108 out of 100. He stated this success was due to the entire city working together and noted it could result in lower homeowners' insurance premiums.

Discussion Items

• Recognition: The mayor recognized the fire department and water department for achieving top ratings. Former State Senator Willie Mount was also recognized.
• Item 4 – Variance for Townhomes (West Clark & Ernest Streets): Planning & Zoning had approved a variance to allow 45% lot coverage (above the 40% max) for nine single-story detached townhomes. Neighborhood residents appealed. Developer Bo Flavin explained he reduced the project from 32 units to nine, made them single-family and one-story, but needs 45% lot coverage to avoid two-story buildings. Several residents spoke: Dominique Darbone expressed frustration about a beloved legacy oak tree on the property, stating she had collected over 1,000 signatures to save it previously, but felt the council did not act. Amy Herbert spoke about the city's history of studies recommending tree-canopy preservation and said the tree must be saved. Dennis Ayers argued the extra 5% coverage would worsen drainage and flooding. Councilman Young supported the variance, citing the developer's compromise. The council voted 7-4 to approve (overturning the appeal and affirming the variance).
• Items 5-11 – Demolition Hearings (Multiple properties): Most were storm-damaged structures. Each item involved owner testimony, legal representatives, and council discussion. Item 6 (1610 Graham St.) was deferred 30 days for a pending sale. Item 7 (1400 North Shadow St.) was deferred to May 20 after a hearing date mix-up. Item 8 (317 South Louisiana Ave.) was deferred to June 3 because an heir lives in California. Item 10 (1900 Praison Dr.) was continued after the lender's representative explained a court-appointed keeper had been put in place for the foreclosed property. Other items (5, 9, 11) were voted on; the council voted 7-4 on each to proceed with demolition.
• Item 12 – South Sewer Lift Station Bid: The bid award was deferred, with a special meeting called for Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. (prior to the regular agenda meeting) to resolve questions. Councilman Marks requested that all future bids be provided to council 14 days in advance per ordinance 11372. Councilman Harvey asked that the engineering consultant Wagner be present at the special meeting.
• Item 14 – Fire Department Chief of Administration and Chief of Operations Positions: This item sparked a marathon debate spanning over two hours. Fire Chief Carter argued the positions (over administrative and operations divisions) would improve span of control and allow him to focus on strategic issues rather than day-to-day operations. He said they were already budgeted via an open administrative position, were common in other departments, and had been vetted by HR, finance, legal, and two administrations. The union and over a dozen firefighters (Sean Ferguson, David May, District Chief Dantley, Jared Chandler, Terrence Thomas, and others) spoke in opposition, arguing the department is critically understaffed (30-40 personnel short), relying on forced overtime, canceled vacations, and brownouts (5 of 15 trucks affected that day). They said the $200,000+ annual cost would be better spent on competitive wages and recruiting to address retention. Firefighters cited starting pay of $12.08/hr ($35,198/yr) and noted neighboring departments pay significantly more, resulting in a loss of trained personnel. They emphasized that creating two more chief positions would trigger a cascade of promotions, pulling even more personnel from the already-strained suppression ranks, further reducing safety (NFPA standards call for 4-person crews, but 2-person crews are common, reducing effectiveness to an estimated 38%). Union rep Terrence Thomas stated that 102 of 106 members voted against the positions. Councilman Weatherford described the department as “top-heavy” and said new positions should wait until staffing is adequate. Councilman Bilbo argued the department already achieved a Class 1 rating without the positions. Councilman Harvey attempted to amend the ordinance to delay implementation until December 31, 2026. The civil service board representative confirmed the position titles must still be approved by their board, which could take months. After a long and emotional exchange, the council voted 5-2 (with Councilman Harvey, Weatherford, Bilbo, Marks, and one other in favor; Councilman Young and another opposed) to pass the amendment; the main ordinance as amended then passed 5-2. Chief Carter expressed frustration, arguing the positions were needed now and that the opposition was about distrust rather than the positions themselves.
• Item 17 – West Sallier Street Project: Council acknowledged a $3 million federal TIP grant for the project, a portion of the $8 million project.
• Items 21 & 22 – Funding for Sowela Flight School and School Board STEM Center: Councilman Marks voted no on both, stating the city should prioritize public safety and public works over these expenditures. Both items passed (Item 21: 6-1 against; Item 22: 6-1 with 1 abstention).
• Items 24 & 25 – Personnel Board and Historic Preservation Commission Appointments: Council approved the reappointment of Jason Bell to the Personnel Board and appointed Willie Mount to the Historic Preservation Commission, along with reappointments of Charla Blake and Jeff Cutler. Both appointments were amended and passed 7-0.
• Items 26-28 – Bid Authorizations and Appointments: Council authorized advertising for bids on sewer lift station upgrades (Oaklawn Drive/Ory Road), 18th Street reconstruction, and annual fire department uniforms, appointing respective chairmen.
• Item 29 – United Way Variances Hearing Date: Initially proposed for June 3 at the request of downtown businesses, but city staff noted the 30-day appeal window would expire before that date. Council set the hearing for May 20, 2026, and the sponsor agreed to contact the applicant about a possible deferment.
• Item 30 – Film & Entertainment Industry Resolution: The council voted to support a resolution of support for local filmmaker Michael McGowan’s efforts to bring film/media production and education to Lake Charles. The resolution incurs no financial obligation.

Key Outcomes

• Approved 7-4: Item 4 (variance for 45% lot coverage for nine townhomes, overruling neighborhood appeal).
• Approved 7-4: Items 5, 9, 11 (demolition orders for storm-damaged structures).
• Deferred: Items 6, 7, 8 (demolition hearings) to June 3, May 20, and June 3 respectively.
• Deferred with special meeting: Item 12 (bid award for sewer lift station) – special council meeting called for May 12, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. to resolve questions.
• Approved 5-2 (as amended): Item 14 (creation of Chief of Administration and Chief of Operations positions) – positions created but not to be filled before December 31, 2026, and pending civil service board approval.
• Approved 7-0: Items 24 and 25 (appointments).
• Approved 6-1: Item 21 (Sowela flight school funding).
• Approved 6-1 with 1 abstention: Item 22 (School Board STEM center funding).
• Set to May 20, 2026: Item 29 (public hearing for United Way variances).
• Approved (unanimous): Item 30 (resolution supporting film industry expansion).
• Direction given: Councilman Marks requested that all future bid documents be provided to council 14 days in advance per ordinance 11372.