City of Monroe, LA

There was a legal and regular session of the City Council of the City of Monroe, Louisiana held this date, July 13, 2021, at the Council's regular meeting place, 400 Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway, City Council Chambers/City Hall Building, Monroe, Louisiana.    

The Honorable Carday Marshall, Sr., Chairman, called the meeting to order.

The roll call was done by Ms. Carolus Riley, Council Clerk.

Council members present for roll call: Mrs. Gretchen Ezernack, Ms. Juanita Woods, Mr. Carday Marshall Sr., Mrs. Kema Dawson.

Council member (s) absent: Mr. Douglas Harvey

Chairman Marshall declared a quorum. 

The Invocation was done by Council Chairman Carday Marshall, and the Pledge of Allegiance was also led by Mr. Marshall.    

COMMUNICATIONS & SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:                       

1.  Mrs. Ezernack welcomed and thanked everyone for coming.

2.  Ms. Woods congratulated Mr. Marshall on being elected Chairman; she welcomed and thanked everyone for attending and residents of District 3.  There will be a District 3 town hall meeting on August 5, 2021, at 6pm at the New Antioch Baptist Church. 

3.  Mrs. Dawson welcomed and thanked all for attending; her second Town Hall District 5 meeting will be held on Thursday, July 22, 2021, 6pm at New St. James Baptist Church on Richwood Road #1, Rev. Vance Price is Pastor.  She asked that all District 5 residents attend, and any questions or concerns can be emailed to her at kema.dawson@ci.monroe.la.us ahead of time so they can be answered.  On July 24, 2021, 7pm, the stage play by Donnie’s Production and the City of Monroe will have an encore performance of the stage play, “Why Do You Go to Church” and she will be in the stage play, although she has an injury; ticket information is on Facebook and she asked that the City of Monroe would support the play.

4.  Mr. Jimmie Bryant on behalf of Mayor Ellis had no communications.

5.  Mr. Marshall thanked all for coming out and reminded everyone of the free Colorectal screening on tomorrow at Emily P Robinson community center from 3pm-5pm.

Upon a motion of Ms. Woods and a second by Mrs. Ezernack, the minutes of the Legal and Regular session of  June 22, 2021, were unanimously approved. (There were no public comments)

PRESENTATION: NONE.

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 6PM

Open Public Hearing/Public Comment/Close Hearing: 

(1) A public hearing to hear and consider all comments, protest, and objections relative to the 2021 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) for the Monroe Police Department.

Chairman Marshall opened the public hearing and seeing no one come forward, the public hearing was declared closed. 

(1.a) Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Mrs. Dawson and unanimously approved to Adopt  Resolution No. 8018,  authorizing Friday Ellis, Mayor, to sign and accept the 2021 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments).

PROPOSED CONDEMNATIONS:

Public Comment:

1.  315 South McGuire Street (D3) (Owner - Jakari Dionte Landers and OPPJ) Upon a motion by Ms. Woods, second by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved for property to be condemned and property owner to be given 30 days or August 16, 2021, in which to bring the structure into compliance with the code or demolish the structure and clean the lot.  (There were no public comments)

Comments:  PowerPoint slides of  pictorial evidence for the current state of the property and discussion on the property’s condition was presented by PUD Director, Mrs. Ellen Hill.  There has been no contact with the property owner for anything to be done.

ACCEPTANCE OR REJECTION OF BIDS:        Public Comment   None.

RESOLUTIONS AND MINUTE ENTRIES:

1. Council:            Public Comment:        None.

2. Department of Administration:    Public Comment:    None.

3. Department of Planning & Urban Development:       Public Comment:

(a) Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Mrs. Dawson and unanimously approved to Adopt  Resolution No. 8019, reappointing Timothy Mickel to the Heritage Preservation Commission of the City of Monroe, and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments).

(b) Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to Consider request for a Major Conditional Use Permit from Sheteria Webb, Duke’s Bar and Grill, located at 1207 DeSiard Street, Suite 1, to sell alcohol for consumption on premise.  The Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance allows the sale of alcohol for consumption on premise as a Major Conditional Use in the B-2, 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. 

Comments: Ms. Sheteria Webb, owner of Duke’s explained her business and thanked Council; Council members welcomed her to Monroe and thanked Ms. Webb for investing into the City.  Mrs. Ezernack stated the zoning should be B-2.

4. Legal Department:    Public Comment:    None.

5. Mayor’s Office:          Public Comment:

(a) Upon a motion by Mrs. Dawson, second by Mr. Marshall and unanimously approved to Adopt  Resolution No. 8020, reappointing Alfred Rayford to the Monroe Fire and Police Civil Service Board, and further providing with respect thereto.  (There were no public comments).

(b) Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to Adopt  Resolution No. 8021, authorizing Mayor Friday Ellis to enter into an agreement with Atlas Community Studios for an application for the Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and further providing with respect thereto.

Comments:   An explanation of the grant will be to assist the City of Monroe with developing a place making action plan building local and regional partnerships in implementing catalytic projects so that the City can create a quality, livable community where people will want to live, work, and play. It is a downtown plan for both connectivity via broadband and via sidewalks, roadways in an economic development plan for the downtown area and it will go to every business and building in the area, things that need to be sold and find opportunities for buildings usage for development, a resource for funding opportunities for more development in the downtown area.

Department of Public Works:    Public Comment:

(a) Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to Adopt  Resolution No. 8022, authorizing an invitation for bid for Bus Shelter Procurement and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments).

Comments:  Marc Keenan explained the agenda item to be a total of six covered bus shelters in named areas including Walmart on Louisville Avenue, Eastgate shopping center, Parkview Apartments on Richwood 2, Jackson and Standifer, Mac’s and Parkview, and Wilson and Bernstein Park with plans to install more in the future. 

(b) Upon a motion by Mrs. Dawson, second by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to Adopt  Resolution No. 8023, approving the execution of a Maintenance Agreement by and between the City of Monroe and the State of Louisiana, Department of Transportation and Development, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, relative to mowing and litter pickup within the limits of the City of Monroe, and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments).

The locations are the same as in the past.

7. Department of Community Affairs:    Public Comment:

(a) Upon a motion by Mrs. Dawson, second by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to Adopt  Resolution No. 8024, authorizing a designated city representative to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the City of Monroe and the Academy Fitness and Sports LLC d/b/a Monroe City Academy League (MCAL) and further providing with respect thereto.  (This item was passed over at the last meeting.)

Comments:  Mr. Tyree Hollins thanked the City for their support of MCAL and look forward to a great opportunity and partnership with the City serving the youth.

(b) Upon a motion by Mrs. Dawson, second by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to Adopt  Resolution No. 8025, approving and authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding by and between the City of Monroe and Lafourche Parish Government and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments).

8.  Police Department:        Public Comment:     None.

9.  Fire Department:     Public Comment:     None.

10. Engineering Services:           Public Comment:

(a) Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Mrs. Dawson and unanimously approved to Adopt  Resolution No. 8026, accepting as substantially complete work done by and between the City of Monroe and Smith Machine Works, LLC, for the Hawes Pumping Station Diesel Drive Replacement Project, and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments).

(b) Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Mrs. Dawson and unanimously approved to Adopt  Resolution No. 8027, accepting the base bid of Amethyst Construction, Inc., in the amount $294,648.70, for the Forsythe Boat Ramp & Parking Lot Improvements Project, and further authorizing an authorized city representative, to enter into and execute a contract for said work. (There were no public comments).

Comments:  Mr. Holland explained that the DBE goal had been previously set and if the DBE goals are not achieved, the contractors are penalized.

(c) Upon a motion by Mrs. Dawson, second by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to Adopt  Resolution No. 8028, authorizing an authorized city representative to advertise for bids on the Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo Parking Improvements Project. The estimated cost of this project is $743,076.62.  The DBE Goal is 3.82% and source of funds Capital Infrastructure Sales Tax Revenue Funds.  (There were no public comments).

BREAK IF NEEDED:

INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS & ORDINANCES:           Public Comment:

(a) Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to Introduce an Ordinance authorizing the City of Monroe to take corporeal possession of the property described below and sell to Jamie N. Louis all rights, title, and interest that the City may have acquired to the Lot 6, Square 25, Renwicks Addition, Ouachita Parish, 2711 Wood St., Monroe, La, by adjudication at Tax Saledated June 28, 2013, and further with respect thereto. (Legal)  (There were no public comments).

(b) Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to Introduce an Ordinance authorizing the City of Monroe to take corporeal possession of the property described below and sell to Eddie Jackson all rights, title, and interest that the City may have acquired to the lot in Lot H, Square 19, Layton’s 2^nd Addition, Ouachita Parish, 209 Louise Anne Ave, Monroe, La, by adjudication at Tax Saledated June 13, 2016, and further with respect thereto. (Legal) (There were no public comments).

(c) Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to Introduce an Ordinance authorizing the City of Monroe to take corporeal possession of the property described below and sell to Gwendolyn Elliott all rights, title, and interest that the City may have acquired to the Lot 4, Square 27, Renwick’s Addition, Ouachita Parish, 2707 Calypso St., Monroe, La, by adjudication at Tax Saledated June 28, 2013, and further with respect thereto. (Legal) (There were no public comments).

(d) Upon a motion by Ms. Woods, second by Mrs. Ezernack and unanimously approved to Introduce an Ordinance authorizing the City of Monroe to take corporeal possession of the property described below and sell to Gwendolyn Elliott all rights, title, and interest that the City may have acquired to the Lot 7, Square 27, Renwick’s Addition, Ouachita Parish, 704 s 28^th St., Monroe, La, by adjudication at Tax Saledated June 9, 2009, and further with respect thereto. (Legal) (There were no public comments).

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

Open Public Hearing/Public Comment/Close Hearing:   Chairman Marshall opened the public hearing, and seeing no one come forward, Chairman Marshall closed the hearing.

(a)  Upon a motion by Mrs. Ezernack, second by Ms. Woods and unanimously approved to Finally Adopt  Ordinance No. 12,066, authorizing the City of Monroe to take corporeal possession of the property described below and sell to Nicole Oliver Properties, LLC all rights, title, and interest that the City may have acquired to the Lot 8, Block 17, Unit 4, Booker T. Washington Addition, Ouachita Parish, 3602 Pippin St., District 3, Monroe, La, by adjudication at Tax Saledated July 1, 2010, and further with respect thereto. (Legal)  (There were no public comments).`

Open Public Hearing/Public Comment/Close Hearing:  Chairman Marshall opened the public hearing, and seeing no one come forward, Chairman Marshall closed the hearing.

(b) Upon a motion by Ms. Woods, second by Mrs. Dawson and unanimously approved to Finally Adopt  Ordinance No. 12,067, authorizing the City of Monroe to take corporeal possession of the property described below and sell to Felicia Mosby all rights, title, and interest that the City may have acquired to the Lot 17, Block 27, Unit 5, Booker T. Washington Addition, Ouachita Parish, 1310 S. College Ave., Monroe, La, by adjudication at Tax Saledated July 20, 2007, and further with respect thereto. (Legal) (There were no public comments).

Open Public Hearing/Public Comment/Close Hearing:  Chairman Marshall opened the public hearing, and seeing no one come forward, Chairman Marshall closed the hearing.

(c) Upon a motion by Ms. Woods, second by Mrs. Dawson and unanimously approved to Finally Adopt  Ordinance No. 12,068, accepting the donation of real property into the City of Monroe from HarrellCo Properties, L.L.C., and further providing with respect thereto: (PUD) (There were no public comments).

CITIZENS PARTICIPATION:

1.  Mr. Ocatree Wright, citizen, commented regarding issues in his community related to high grass of the field that has snakes, mosquitoes, and field mice. 

2.  Mr. Richard Fredricks, citizen, commented regarding issues of speeding in his community, trash, high grass, 18 wheelers driving through the residential area knocking down cable lines.

Ms. Woods commented inquired if something could be put down in the curved area to deter speeding.  Mr. Marshall said he has been trying to get some of the strips too in his district to deter speeding.  

3.  Ms. Bernadine Adams, citizen, commented regarding a bullet being shot through her window at home and she is blessed to be alive; She said someone need to be held accountable and responsible for the conditions of the City.  The high grass along the railroad tracks on White Street need to be cut and their need to be a collaboration between the City and the railroad company.

4.  Ms. Charita Davis, citizen, commented regarding Bell Avenue and the debris in that area such as commodes, the high grass needs to be cut.  Mrs. Ezernack asked the location of the field.  Ms. Davis said part of the city and parish are owners of the boundaries of field.

5. Mr. Tobias Collins, citizen, commented regarding collaboration with the youth; his concern of the road at 18^th and Washington Street; sidewalks on Wilson Street.

6.  Ms. Valeria Rowley, citizen, commented regarding concerns in her neighborhood of Lionel Street; the curve in the area is dangerous; the high grass in the fields and this is the area where alligators came into a neighbor’s yard.  Ms. Woods gave the location of the ditch is at the end of White Street and parallel to South College. She stated something need to be done about the field.

There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m., upon a  motion of Ms. Woods and seconded by Mrs. Ezernack.  (There were no public comments)

Mr. Carday Marshall, Sr.

Council Chairman

Ms. Carolus S. Riley

Council Clerk

Ms. Jacqueline Benjamin

Council Secretary

*For extended details on the Council meeting please call the Council Clerk, Monday-Friday at 329-2252; also, a recording of the minutes can be sent via email to you.3.5.3226