Lake Charles City Council Meeting – July 7, 2026
Lake Charles City Council Meeting – July 7, 2026
The Lake Charles City Council convened on July 7, 2026, to address a range of issues including public safety, property standards, tax renewals, and community nuisances. The meeting featured extensive discussion of recent violence at the lakefront, security at city hall, and resident complaints about basketball and loitering.
Consent Calendar
- Eleven demolition ordinances were introduced for properties at 1509 Pearl St, 621 Bank St, 212 3rd St, 1716 22nd St, 1302 11th St, 1400 McNabb St, 1300 Wendell St, 738 Iberville St (swimming pool only), 304 Calcasieu St, 312 Maple St, and 1400 North Shaddock St.
- Resolutions accepting Project CP 3242 (Southern Sewer Loop Sunset Lift Station) and CP 3339 (Lakefront Parking Garage Phase 2) as substantially complete, authorizing the 45-day lien period.
- An ordinance designating the American Press as the official journal for 2026-2027.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Paul Vizena (436 Scarlet St): Reported repeated late-night basketball games in the street, stating police responded approximately 30 times in the past year with little change. He cited a city ordinance prohibiting sports in the street and described an incident where an 81-year-old neighbor was threatened with handcuffing by officers. He pleaded for enforcement.
- Mr. Geary (2205 Highway 14): Criticized the upcoming December 12 special election for a tax renewal, calling it "slick" and urging the city to better educate the public on how tax dollars are used. He argued previous administrations failed to involve citizens in the process.
- Shade Jacob (420 Mill St): Opposed the proposed no-loitering ordinance for the Lakefront Promenade, arguing it would punish legitimate users like runners and families. Councilman Marks and police clarified that officers have discretion and the ordinance targets disruptive gatherings and fights.
- Miles Brown (1020 Fourth Ave): Advocated for replacing Allied security with uniformed police at council meetings, citing a recent security breach and noting the current contract's cost (reported as $5,000 or $50,000). He also recommended installing metal detectors at entrances.
Discussion Items
- Public Safety and Lakefront Violence: Councilwoman Bilbo raised concerns about videos showing large fights at the Civic Center, particularly after July 4. A police deputy reported that an incident occurred at 5:11 a.m. with eight officers responding; no arrests were made as participants had fled. He stated an officer would be stationed at the Civic Center from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly. The no-loitering ordinance (Item 21) is seen as a key tool to enable proactive enforcement.
- Council Chamber Security: Councilman Marks pressed for a permanent police presence at meetings after an altercation two weeks prior. The administration confirmed officers will now remain in the building until all attendees depart, and they will coordinate with the police department going forward.
- Drainage, Homelessness, and Property Standards: Councilman Marks requested urgent attention to ditches behind "The Village" area (rodent issues), suggested adding a second contractor for adjudicated property grass cutting, and proposed a mini retention pond near Roosevelt Street to alleviate flooding. He also noted an increase in homeless encampments and people breaking into secured houses.
- Oxford House and Unlicensed Mechanic: Councilman Reason reported a sober living home resident operating an unlicensed mechanic shop in a residential area. City attorney Stutz confirmed existing ordinances allow enforcement for such business operations, and property standards have been notified.
- Limiting Tire Shops: Councilman Bilbo asked staff to explore spacing requirements for tire shops similar to those for gas stations, citing excessive concentration in his district and code violations.
- Rule Amendment (Item 27): Councilman Stutz proposed amending rules to reduce maximum public comment time from 12 to 9 minutes and clarifying how time can be donated. The council agreed to distribute a fact sheet before the next meeting.
Key Outcomes
- The no-loitering ordinance for the Lakefront Promenade is expected to pass on the next agenda, giving police authority to cite and remove loiterers after warnings.
- Police will maintain a nightly patrol presence at the Civic Center from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- A uniformed LCPD officer will be present at all future council meetings until everyone leaves.
- Staff will investigate options to regulate the number of tire shops in commercial zones.
- The public comment rule change (Item 27) will be brought up for a vote after council members review the fact sheet.
- Several demolitions, project acceptances, and budget-related ordinances were advanced without opposition.
Meeting Transcript
Through your grace and mercy, we're here today, Lord. We pray and act that you bless every family representative here, that you bless my colleagues, the administration, and everybody here that's trying to make Lake Charles a better city. In Jesus Christ's name we pray. Amen. Legislature is the flag. And to the report. One nation under God. Indivisible liberty injustice for all. CP 3544, Hodges Street Waterline Extension. Appointed chairman to review bids for project number CP 2894, wastewater treatment plant A, McNabb, and Klein Street, Emergency Sewer System Rehabilitation. Ordinances for on public hearings. An ordinance ordering demolition and authorizing the City of Lake Charles Center into an agreement for demolition of a structure located at 1509 Pearl Street, Edward Gallian Jr. and Jules J. Gallian owners, subject to a tax sale to the state of Louisiana. Another demolition at 621 Bank Street, Earl Melvin, Anthony Welts, Danielle Malow Wilts, and Monique Michelle Wilts, owners. Another demolition at 2123rd Street, Cecilia Petrie owner. Another demolition at 1716 22nd Street, Ryan Keith Gillary Owner. Another demolition at 1302 11th Street, Stephen Daniel Peters, and Betty Louise Allen Peters owners. Another demolition at 1400 McNabb Street, Isaac Jackson Estate, and Beulah Antoine Jackson owners. Another demolition at 1300 Wendell Street, Austin Rogers, Fontno Estate Owner. Another demolition at 738 Iberville Street, swimming pool only, Nakia Yvette, Gillary owner. Another demolition at 304 Calcashu Street, Betty Jane Jefferson, Lisa S. Jefferson, Leslie M. Jefferson, and Jessica L. Jefferson owners. Another demolition at 312 Maple Street, Marlene Johnson Marks owner. Another demolition at 1400 North Shaddock Street, Cleveland Nash, and Oviara Nash owners. Ordinances for final action. An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Lake Charles, amending resolution number 313-23 to authorize the City of Lake Charles to modify the location and scope of RCIP LDI, City of Lake Charles, LC, Second Harvest 0084, and further authorizing the purchase of a vacant lot, parcel number 00751405 from Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church to construct and own a primary community resilience hub in accordance with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development National Objectives for the US of funds from the CDBGDR program. An ordinance authorizing the City of Lake Charles to allow more than 10% cumulative increase for a change order for project number CP 3426, wastewater treatment plant A, operational reliability improvements, collection system hardening. An ordinance amending Section 24 of the City of Lake Charles' Code of Ordinances by adding Section 24-5-203.1 relative to outdoor lighting. An ordinance adopting and levying the annual property tax millages for the city of Lake Charles for the tax year 2026. An ordinance authorizing the city of Lake Charles to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement with the Calcushue Parish Sheriff's Office to fund two sheriff office, Sheriff's Office Employee positions to the real-time crime center, an ordinance amending the City of Lake Charles Code of Ordinances to an Act Section 13-37.5 to provide for a prohibition against laundering on Border Lack Drive, the Lakefront Promenade, and all other city-owned property not specifically addressed by ordinance during designated hours. Resolutions, a resolution accepting project number CP 3242, Southern Sewer Loop Sunset Lift Station Rehabilitation as substantially complete and authorizing the advertising of the 45-day lien period. A resolution accepting project number CP 3339, Lakefront Parking Garage Phase 2 as substantially complete and authorizing the advertising of the 45-day lien period. A resolution setting date for public hearing on condemnation of a structure located at 740 Cleveland Street Cleveland Street, Russell Foster owner with a companion ordinance. A resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in the city of Lake Charles, Louisiana, the city on December 12th, 2026, or such other election date prescribed by the legislator of the state of Louisiana as an alternative for such date in accordance with law for the purpose of submitting to the electors residing in the city qualified under the constitution and laws of the state of Louisiana propositions for authorizing the renewal of the levy and collection of certain special Avalon taxes for the purposes described here in making application to the State Bond Commission in connection therewith and providing for other matters in connection therewith. A resolution authorizing the amendment of the City of Lake Charles' CDBGDR action plan with HUD to move the proposed Lake Charles Fire Department campus from the previously identified Sixth Avenue site to a site on Broad Street. The next item, the title was changed after it was sent out as a carryover. A resolution amending resolution numbers 81-14, section 13, and 150-97, section 10, regarding the rules and regulations covering the city council of the City of Lake Charles for procedures relative to comments by the public during city council and agenda meetings. Ordinances for final action, an ordinance authorizing the City of Lake Charles, Louisiana to designate the American Press as the official journal of the City of Lake Cost, Louisiana, for the period of July 1st, 2026 through June 30, 2027. An ordinance authorizing the City of Lake Charles to implement the 2026 pay matrix for the Lake Charles Police Department. An ordinance amending ordinance number 20542 adopted May 6, 2026, creating the positions of Chief of Administration and Chief of Operations within Administration Strative Division of the Lake Charles Fire Department relative to certain applicant eligibility requirements. An ordinance authorizing the City of Lake Charles to accept the best proposal received from the crest for proposals issued for a developer to design, build, finance, own, operate, and maintain a food and beverage and recreational establishment on one acre more or less to be leased in track three of the lakefront of the City of Lake Charles, all in accordance with and as authorized by Title 41, Section 1214 of the Louisiana revised statutes of 1950 as amended. An ordinance approving the City of Lake Charles' 2026 Action Plan. This ordinance will authorize the City of Lake Charles to make application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development HUD for its 2026 Community Development Block Grant, CDBG, and Home Investment Partnership Program funding allocation. An ordinance amending the city, amending the code of ordinances for the City of Lake Charles by adding Chapter 25 to establish the local health care provider participation program in the City of Lake Charles in accordance with the Louisiana revised statute 40 colon 1248.1 to 1248.10. The next item is the companion ordinance, and then there's an ordinance authorizing the mayor of the City of Lake Charles Center 2 of cooperative endeavor agreement with the merchants of Walnut Grove Incorporated to permit the construction of public parking on City Rideway and an ordinance to reconsider ordinance number 20563 passed and adopted on May 20, 2026 regarding amending resolution number 313-23 to authorize the City of Lake Charles to modify the location and scope of RCIP LDI City of Lake Charles LCR Avenue Revital 0088 in order to transfer funding to the Gossport Community Center to construct a recreation facility in accordance with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's national objectives for the use of funds from the CDBGDR program. And that's all that I have.
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