City of Monroe, LA

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Monroe, Louisiana will meet in Legal and Regular Session at its regular meeting place, the Council Chamber, City Hall Building, Monroe, Louisiana, Tuesday, October 10, 2023 beginning at 6:00 p.m., for the following purpose:

          1.  To consider and act on all items listed on the attached agenda.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Council reserves the right to change, add to or delete, any item listed on the attached agenda.

All interested persons are urged to attend these meetings.

  Carolus S. Riley, CMC/MMC

Council Clerk

Please be advised that the City Council will embrace public participation to the maximum extent while still adhering to the occupancy limitation, social distancing guidance and the Open Meetings Law.

        In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance,       please contact City Council Office at (318) 329-2252 describing the assistance that is necessary.

AGENDA

City of Monroe

            LEGAL & REGULAR SESSION – OCTOBER 10, 2023, 6:00PM

                        CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CITY HALL

                 I:  ROLL CALL AND DECLARE QUORUM:

               II:   INVOCATION & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – MR. HARVEY:

             III:    COMMUNICATIONS & SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

                1. Mr. Harvey

                2. Mrs. Ezernack

                3. Ms. Woods

                4. Mr. Marshall

                5. Mrs. Dawson

                6. Mayor Ellis

IV: APPROVE MINUTES OF THE LEGAL AND REGULAR SESSION OF SEPTEMBER 26, 2023:

  (PUBLIC COMMENTS)    

V: PRESENTATION:

            NONE.

        VI: PUBLIC HEARINGS:

                      NONE.           

      PROPOSED CONDEMNATIONS:

            (Public Comment)

1. 312 Marx St. (D5) (Owners – Alvin Jackson and Michelle Freeman)

1. 1409 Griffin St. (D3) (Owners – William Dunnaway & Caslean Lankford)

1. 1012 Columbia Ave. (D3) (Owners – Antonio Moore and Roberta Moore)

1. 1205 St. John St. (D4) (Owners – Jome Paul & Nancy A. Mauldin)

VII: ACCEPTANCE OR REJECTION OF BIDS:

        (Public Comment)

         None.

VIII: RESOLUTIONS AND MINUTE ENTRIES:

 1. Council:

               Public Comment:

     None.     

          2. Department of Administration:

    Public Comment:

(a) Consider an Application by Gaffer Mafhahi dba Cloud Busters/Cloud Busters Vape Shop LLC, 2404 Old Sterlington Rd., Monroe LA 71203 for a New 2023 Class A Alcoholic Beverage Permit.  The Monroe Police Department has no disqualifying records and Sales Tax has been approved. (Distance Report Cleared, Cert. of Occupy Cleared)

3. Department of Planning & Urban Development:

              Public Comment:

(a) Adopt a Resolution authorizing a designated city representative to enter into a Fellowship Agreement with ULM and further providing with respect thereto.

4. Legal Department:

    Public Comment:

    None.

          5. Mayor’s Office:  

              Public Comment:

    None.

6. Department of Public Works:

    Public Comment:

(a)  Adopt a Resolution authorizing Mayor Friday Ellis to submit an application for state financial assistance to the State of Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Division of Aviation (La Dotd) for the Monroe Regional Airport and further providing with respect thereto.

7. Department of Community Affairs:

    Public Comment:

    None.  

8.  Police Department:

               Public Comment:

     None.  

          9.  Fire Department:

     Public Comment:

     None.

      10. Engineering Services:

           Public Comment:

(a) Adopt a Resolution authorizing Mayor Friday Ellis to execute a Superseding Agreement between the Department of Transportation and Development and the City of Monroe for the La 15 (Winnsboro Road) Streetscaping Project (H.007531) and further providing with respect thereto.

(b) Adopt a Resolution authorizing Mayor Friday Ellis to enter into a Utility Relocation Agreement between the City of Monroe and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for the Kansas Lane and Garrett Road Connector and I-20 Interchange Improvements Project and further providing with respect thereto.

(c) Adopt a Resolution accepting as substantially complete work done by Kepper Trucking & Dirt Contracting, LLC for the Chennault Golf Cart Paths Improvements Project and further providing with respect thereto.

(d) Adopt a Resolution authorizing a designated city representative to execute Amendment No. Six (6) to the Professional Services Agreement between the City of Monroe and Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc., related to the Monroe Water Treatment Plant Expansion and Improvements Project and further providing with respect thereto.

(e) Consider request from the Engineering Department for authorization for an authorized City representative to advertise for bids for the Parkview Drive Street Improvements (Winnsboro Road to Plum St.) Project. The engineer’s estimate is $1,582,400.00.  The DBE goal is 7.38% and the source of funds is the Capital Infrastructure Street Funds.

(f) Consider request from Tower Storage of Monroe/J. Gregory Hull for a Major Conditional Use Permit authorizing the use of this location (605 & 609 North 31st Street) to operate mini warehouses in the B-3 (General Business/Commercial District). The Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance allows this as a Major Conditional Use in the B-3 (General Business/Commercial District). Major Conditional Uses are those uses that require another level of approval; therefore, this request comes before the City Council for their approval in addition to that of the Planning Commission. (This item was passed over at the last meeting.)

BREAK IF NEEDED:

  IX: INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS & ORDINANCES:

          Public Comment:

(a) Introduce an Ordinance to amend the Zoning Map for the City of Monroe, Louisiana and providing further with respect thereto – Applicant - Carmen LLC – (Eng/P&Z)

(b) Introduce an Ordinance authorizing the City of Monroe to take corporeal possession of the property described below and sell to Parks Pallets, LLC, all rights, title, and interest that the City may have acquired to the Lot 1, Square 3, Arent’s resub, Jack Thompson Tract Addition, Ouachita Parish, 2633 DeSiard St., District 3, Monroe, La, by adjudication at Tax Saledated July 1, 2011, and further with respect thereto. (Legal)

X: RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES FOR SECOND READING AND FINAL     ADOPTION AND SUBJECT TO PUBLIC HEARING:

Open Public Hearing/Public Comment/Close Hearing:

(a) Finally adopt an Ordinance revoking a 60’ wide by 1,195’ long portion of Adams Street from North 14^th Street to North 18^th Street and further providing with respect thereto - Applicant – James Machine Works – (PUD/P&Z) (This item was passed over at the last meeting.)

Open Public Hearing/Public Comment/Close Hearing:

(b) Finally adopt an Ordinance authorizing the City of Monroe to take corporeal possession of the property described below and sell to Katie Lee Banks, all rights, title, and interest that the City may have acquired to the Lot 21, Square 53, Ouachita Cotton Mills 2^nd Addition, Ouachita Parish, 1301 Georgia St., District 4, Monroe, La, by adjudication at Tax Saledated July 13, 1999, and further with respect thereto. (legal)

Open Public Hearing/Public Comment/Close Hearing:

(c) Finally adopt an Ordinance amending the Schedule of General Fees and Charges for certain Monroe Recreational Facilities, redesignating Aerobics as Instructor Led Programs, increasing the maximum allowable fee, and further providing with respect thereto. (Comm.Aff.)

 XI: CITIZENS PARTICIPATION:

XII: ADJOURN.