Lake Charles City Council Special and Agenda Meeting - May 12, 2026

The Lake Charles City Council held a special meeting to discuss and vote on the bid award for Project CP 3242 Golf Highway Lift Station Force Main, followed by an agenda meeting covering multiple items including infrastructure projects, demolition ordinances, zoning changes, and public concerns.

Special Meeting Discussion Items

• Council members questioned the bid process, including the roles of consultants and city engineers in determining responsible and responsive bids, as well as the 'good faith' portion regarding minority participation.
• Discussion on the lack of bid information provided to the council prior to voting. Council member Marks requested that bids be sent to council members beforehand for due diligence. Mayor expressed logistical concerns about proprietary information.
• A recommendation was made to provide council with the initial bid opening sheet to keep them informed without disclosing confidential data.

Agenda Meeting Discussion Items

• Council reviewed numerous items including lift station projects, demolition of multiple structures, zoning appeals, and various agreements.
• Discussion on the wording of agenda item 25 (architectural/engineering agreement for indoor recreation facility) clarifying that the selected firm would return to council for final approval.
• Concern raised about item 31 (purchase of land for resilience hub at Immaculate Heart of Mary) being tied together with the project, potentially forcing council to vote on the entire package or nothing. Council suggested possibly separating land purchase from project approval.
• Council member Fundale raised concerns about lack of detailed information on items introduced and then brought for final action without adequate briefing.
• Council member Bilbo introduced an ordinance amendment to change the maintenance zone around businesses from 'two blocks' to '300 feet' for clarity. Placed on next agenda.
• Council member Weatherford noted a request for a public hearing regarding a minor conditional use permit (short-term rental) on Park Road.
• Council member Marks requested a meeting with the wastewater division director to address complaints, and asked the city to look into an EPA grant for water/wastewater infrastructure.
• Discussion about speeding in neighborhoods, with council member Marks suggesting higher fines in certain areas. Also complaints about 18-wheeler idling in Morgan Field.
• Council member Fundale requested a GIS map of current and planned resilience hubs to ensure equitable geographic distribution.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Paul Moore (808 Alco Street) complained about an unregistered halfway house at 809 Alco, owned by Princess Taylor, housing up to 15 people in a two-bedroom home, including a sex offender. He asked the city to enforce registration. Council noted they would follow up.
• Fitzgerald Darbone (2523 Hagen Street) questioned the north-south divide of Lake Charles, asked about the sports complex location (moving from original site?), the status of the Seed Center (business incubation center), and supported the proposed resilience hub at Immaculate Heart of Mary (SWLA Center for Health Services). Also argued that the LC Rebound tax was not supported by North Lake Charles but is being spent elsewhere. Mayor responded that the vote was citywide and projects are underway.
• Mac Dela Falls (1917 19th Street) requested that the draft agenda for the meeting be posted online for transparency. City stated they are in compliance with state law (post 24 hours before the meeting). He also asked about resilience hubs: how many exist (none yet), how many planned, and locations. Mayor explained two primary hubs: sports complex downtown and the Immaculate Heart of Mary property, plus secondary hubs. Funding from disaster recovery funds.
• Miles Brown (1020 Fourth Avenue) requested a new traffic study on Fourth Avenue due to speeding and recent hit-and-run fatality. He showed videos of speeding. Council asked engineer Herman Stevens about traffic studies. Deputy Chief Kirkham suggested speed enforcement. Council agreed to request another traffic study and immediate enforcement.

Key Outcomes

• The special meeting item (CP 3242) was voted on (vote tally not specified in transcript, but presumably passed as no opposition recorded).
• Several agenda items were noted for future action, including the Bilbo ordinance amendment.
• Council directed staff to work on providing bid sheets to council, scheduling meetings with council members before votes, and investigating the halfway house complaint.
• A new traffic study on Fourth Avenue was requested; immediate enforcement by traffic division was promised.