Lake Charles City Council Meeting – September 16, 2026

The Lake Charles City Council met on September 16, 2026, at approximately 6:30 PM local time. All six council members were present (Young, Harvey, Weatherford, Vieseno, Fine, Marks). The meeting included announcements of deferrals, public hearings on demolition orders, approval of contracts, a zoning amendment, a settlement, and a resolution to issue an RFP for interstate lighting maintenance.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of the previous meeting were approved unanimously.
• Deferrals announced at the start: Items 3 and 18 deferred to October 7, 2026; items 10 through 17 deferred to October 21, 2026; item 9 removed for administrative hearing; item 28 deferred to October 7, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 5 (711 Fall Street): Annette Walker, representing the owners, requested a 30-day deferral to address the demolition order. Council granted deferral to October 21, 2026. This was noted as her only notice.
• Item 7 (312 Maple Street): Crystal Craven, real estate agent for the owner, requested an additional 30 days due to title and insurance issues. Council deferred to October 21, 2026. This was her only notice.
• Item 6 (738 Iberville Street swimming pool): Owner Nakia Gillary arrived after the item had been deferred in her absence. Council voted to reconsider, and Ms. Gillary stated progress was being made and requested 30 days. Council deferred to October 21, 2026. This was her only notice.

Discussion Items

• Item 19 (Water main improvements – CP 3134): Council accepted the lowest responsive bid of $237,225 from Clow Construction for the North Louisiana Avenue/Jackson Street interchange water main improvements. Vote: 6-0.
• Item 20 (Pray An Lake Road pedestrian bridge): Council authorized a cooperative endeavor agreement with the Louisiana Department of Treasury. The project is fully funded by state funds. Vote: 6-0.
• Item 21 (Electrical street lights on Say Street): Council authorized a cooperative endeavor agreement with the Louisiana Department of Treasury. Vote: 6-0.
• Item 22 (Zoning variance limitations amendment): The planning department presented changes to Section 24-4-205 to allow variances greater than 10% for height, floor area ratio, and lot coverage, and to align rear setback variance limits with side setback limits (minimum 3 feet). Council approved. Vote: 6-0.
• Item 23 (Settlement of claim – Gallier vs. City): Council considered a settlement for suit number 2025-1812. An executive session was offered but not requested. Council voted to approve the settlement. Vote: 6-0.
• Item 25 (RFP for maintenance of city lights): Council discussed the transfer of interstate and overpass lighting maintenance responsibility from Entergy to the city. Concerns were raised about the condition of lights that have been out since 2020 and potential costs. The resolution to issue an RFP passed 6-0. Mr. Morris was appointed chairman of the committee.
• Items 24, 26, 27 (Various resolutions): Council voted on items that had been pulled separately. Item 24 (West McNeet Street drainage improvements) – Mr. Vieseno appointed chairman. Item 26 (City sidewalk and median enhancements) – Mr. Harvey appointed chairman. Item 27 (Recreation District No. 1 appointment) – set appointment for October 7, 2026. All passed 6-0.

Key Outcomes

• All votes were unanimous (6-0) unless otherwise noted.
• Deferrals granted as detailed above with specific return dates.
• Committee chair appointments made for items 4 (Mr. Bilbo), 25 (Mr. Morris), 24 (Mr. Vieseno), and 26 (Mr. Harvey).
• Items 29 through 35 were read into the record at the next day's meeting.