[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6396689,"mediaKeyId","2095806-9557b9459a391ca3b9930fbbc32abe03","parentId",2095806,"title","Votes at a glance: council approves equipment contracts, ARPA projects, testing contracts and project change orders","audioSeconds",3204,"startMs",1743000,"endMs",4947000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2095806-9557b9459a391ca3b9930fbbc32abe03&start=1743&end=4947","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2095806-9557b9459a391ca3b9930fbbc32abe03/thumbnail_1743000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6396689/New-Iberia/Iberia-Parish/Louisiana/Votes-at-a-glance-council-approves-equipment-contracts-ARPA-projects-testing-contracts-and-project-change-orders","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6396689-4e073bff38e8063afc39e301bf04364e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773565028&Signature=G5~Yf-A0CK060SWOVzhj6So3SNeY5DpVg9~88f3c2U~JwA9vPeDPmQGwCvZPVKms4CV81Wx5KOANRKmZfFTqY7uC3jsQn-gbUDfsT55wgHbKBYN0WqCX2FwqIDRrJpytKl~HW9ttXBmBCOssjsM164AaPTnn51gcwvN0rj-yGGi031W78E3rztsaj9nGmIt2H7VAthGobtPGDNFedxfa~RSezFTBpO2yj~KjjTZ1wQvBIBoJ5JLgn107Tk5Od-XuidZkhDKYUdEygbwegKT0GurTX8F6Ta1zU2ZXH~ybnwnB3RPWGiPR-EptxHCDMdUiDJahE79D2T71gtTJ5VFP9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-01-09T20:13:54.563Z","article","The council voted on multiple ordinances, resolutions and contract awards across public safety, public works and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) projects. Below is a concise list of items the council opened for public hearing, debated where noted, and approved. When the transcript did not record numeric roll‑call tallies, the item is marked approved and the transcript note indicates the tally was not specified.

Votes and key details

- Acceptance of minutes: Regular meeting of Dec. 3, 2024 (motion and approval; tally not specified).

- Special ordinance 2024‑2025‑03: Amend budget to replace New Iberia Police Department radios and purchase two additional vehicles (opened for public hearing and approved; tally not specified).

- Special ordinance 2024‑2025‑04: Budget amendment to carry over funds for the Acadiana Crime Lab (described as paying the city’s final contribution; opened for public hearing and approved; tally not specified).

- Contract award: Ultimate Technologies — crime camera infrastructure project phase 2 (contract award and mayor authorized to execute documents; approved; tally not specified).

- Ordinance awarding contract: Motorola Solutions — equipment and communications services for New Iberia Police Department (public hearing held and ordinance approved; tally not specified).

- Resolution 24158: Accept resignation of Warren White from Parks and Recreation Commission (effective Dec. 31, 2024); approved.

- Resolution 24159: Award contract to Robert Lisonbee, Inc. for concrete testing (city concrete repair project); approved.

- Resolution 24160: Award contract to Louisiana Testing and Inspection for asphalt patch and overlay testing; approved.

- Resolution 24161: Award contract to Delcon LLC for ARPA community centers and Bank Avenue Park restroom upgrades; approved (low bidder reported at $384,000 and roughly $94,000 under budget; staff recommended full project, no deduct alternates).

- Resolution 24162: Contract with architect Paul J. Aulet for Phase 2 of the community project development studies (three projects per district plus downtown projects); approved.

- Resolution 24163: Change order No. 2 for Anne Street Park to add a French drain to address mulch runoff (project remains under budget; change order net about $1,600); approved.

- Resolution 24164: Contract with architect Paul Ale for PepperPlex improvement project Phase 2 (state capital outlay funds, combined project total $2.9M when local match included); approved; staff will proceed with design and stakeholder coordination.

- Resolution 24165: Award contract to Iberia Aggregates and Construction LLC for ARPA major drainage clean‑out (Area D); approved.

- Resolution 24166: Authorize completion and execution of Louisiana compliance questionnaire on behalf of the city; approved.

- Resolution 24167: Award to Enviro Air, Inc. for environmental testing related to ARPA‑funded blighted property work; approved.

- Resolution 24168: Award to LNK Demolition LLC for in‑house demolition of structures under the ARPA 1‑block‑at‑a‑time program; motioned and approved; implementation to follow testing and clearance.

- Resolution 24169: Approve change order No. 1 for the Sucrose Drive headworks upgrade and rehabilitation project to replace aging fiberglass grating noted by contractor and department; approved.

Introductions and hearings set

- Introduction: Special order to amend the budget for replacement of an evaporator coil at City Park; public hearing set for Jan. 7, 2025.

- Introduction: Ordinance amending ARPA allocations to move remaining funds into active projects; public hearing scheduled for Dec. 30, 2024 (special meeting requested to allow the city to allocate remaining ARPA funds before closeout). Council staff explained the need to commit funds and noted some projects still require title work or paperwork before funds can be finalized.

How the council handled votes

Most measures were presented with brief staff explanation, opened for public hearing where required, and then moved and seconded for council votes. Several contract awards were low‑bid selections; in some cases staff described why a low bid was significantly lower (for example, Delcon’s in‑house plumbing capability reduced its bid for restroom renovation work). Several council members used the discussion to highlight implementation and to ask staff to coordinate scheduling with user groups where construction might affect community activities.

Items that require follow up

- Multiple ARPA projects require final documentation (title work, contract execution) before work can start; staff flagged a Dec. 30 special meeting to finish allocations.

- Several construction contracts will require coordination with community groups to avoid conflicts with scheduled events; staff said they will phase work where feasible.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","New Iberia City Council Meeting December 17, 2024","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved a slate of ordinances, resolutions and contract awards covering police equipment, camera infrastructure, concrete and asphalt testing, ARPA‑funded park and restroom upgrades, demolition and drainage projects.","taxTitle","New Iberia, Iberia Parish, Louisiana","taxId",50478,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6396693,"DOTD letter: Caroline Street closure, track raise and signals expected to start Q1 2025; council thanks longtime advocate",333,244000,577000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2095806-9557b9459a391ca3b9930fbbc32abe03&start=244&end=577","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2095806-9557b9459a391ca3b9930fbbc32abe03/thumbnail_244000.jpg","/articles/6396693/New-Iberia/Iberia-Parish/Louisiana/DOTD-letter-Caroline-Street-closure-track-raise-and-signals-expected-to-start-Q1-2025-council-thanks-longtime-advocate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6396693-c9110d35ee22ac4056f4fc4c10d9bdf4/orig.mp4?Expires=1773565028&Signature=TUJ-4QVPvF0feOgHzomoSLNHFXy~kQrTHfhzCTYYhDxAgNSYPPzXUSL3VQ8IjAraUBzA~aJkYo-ut1J0j7fJZGjvzq2otzKM4bUQJRFYBcjIX8fQoDtOE-PDKQHRtrxmUkkm4JptG0to376hrHl-pTVlvecN338aLLxzXg4OmPtESxJW2In2DdDtw6Ch3m0GQk7WhmnlEmNLC7MXJOomRs-03oguMNbqjkg0kH~hKHTUcpCOvBjaEi9wifuoAkpyGa3PlhZNRAXSWXAfXRMDy8YZw-6mt0Edv5gAy1eFz-gofnK-Z-BQFB84s4xJtgoaJpsoRb~aFyZBSgCWhGP4nw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","DOTD’s Highway‑Rail Unit sent a written update to the council describing progress on a multi‑crossing safety project that affects downtown crossings, including Caroline Street and Providence Street.

In the letter read at the meeting, DOTD’s project manager said BNSF and the contractor are coordinating with utilities to identify and resolve conflicts. Once utility coordination is complete, the letter said, the contractor will begin raising track and adjusting roadway approaches; DOTD anticipates the Providence Street crossing will be closed when that work begins in Q1 2025. If major issues do not arise, DOTD wrote, the work could be complete by the end of summer (Q3) 2025. The letter also said DOTD is coordinating reimbursement to BNSF for roadway removal and barricade installation.

Local context and long‑running effort

Several council members and community speakers credited long‑time councilman David Broussard for sustained advocacy on railroad crossings and for securing funding across multiple administrations. Broussard told the council he had worked on crossings since 2003 and praised the intergovernmental coordination that led to arms and lights at multiple locations. Other council members offered motions of thanks and suggested local commemorations for Broussard’s years of work on rail‑safety projects.

DOTD timeline and scope from the letter (as read to council)

- Utilities coordination underway; BNSF ordering materials and coordinating conflict resolution.
- Signal material ordered; signal installation anticipated to start in Q1 2025.
- Track raise and roadway approach adjustments to follow utility coordination; Providence Street crossing closure expected during track work.
- Targeted completion by mid to late summer 2025, subject to contingency for utility or supply delays.

Why it matters

Council members framed the project as a safety improvement that had been pursued for two decades. The project will add signalized crossings and roadway adjustments intended to reduce collisions and horn noise adjacent to crossings once arms and lights are installed and crossings reconfigured.

Next steps

DOTD contact information was provided for further questions; council staff and Broussard said they will continue local coordination and update residents as closures and detours are scheduled.

","DOTD’s Highway‑Rail Unit provided a written update that said BNSF and DOTD anticipate utility coordination to finish before a Q1 2025 start on track‑raising and signal installation tied to Providence Street and Caroline Street crossings, with work targeted for completion by summer 2025.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6396697,"Council told New state law (Act 718) lifts protection for 20‑year‑old ‘collector’ cars; city will begin enforcement",316,1033000,1349000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2095806-9557b9459a391ca3b9930fbbc32abe03&start=1033&end=1349","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2095806-9557b9459a391ca3b9930fbbc32abe03/thumbnail_1033000.jpg","/articles/6396697/New-Iberia/Iberia-Parish/Louisiana/Council-told-New-state-law-Act-718-lifts-protection-for-20yearold-collector-cars-city-will-begin-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6396697-4163dce363fb0640e2970f21e951dd96/orig.mp4?Expires=1773565028&Signature=EakX05JkAmMxXUZdYecLM~PVR0tJO09dXf0AexM-vFiGV6uZPaxtHpareLz-7R7E8qDev1J3GfSRTbX4QmkAyEuE38fqj4sDarVzOeY-Lezve~jW4AoB-lTAze62H6mcvx7N1~fyoMDL-3lmZgnI~KF7jC7eSsEU9a3LbB3Dn94Jx0dIKVTNZMbX~tPSNJ6jkDBc9oAS7E4qMmLbQgT4Mvb1ntbfZfo09IO7-a7hTtPkEghWSeu6PqXGr9uEqqva6VYkSIKcyhKxvu9nD7KcEBwH3uXFrdgfM-7AaThg6e87BxY~FQjew3zuliyz5E-bjdwepeC9iLgxTRoudvXL~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilwoman Deedee Johnson Reed briefed the council on Act 718 of the 2024 legislative session, a state law that changes how Louisiana municipalities can treat older vehicles that have been classified as “collectors.”

Under the law, vehicles older than 20 years that are visible from the street and are not stored in accordance with specified conditions may be treated as public nuisances and subject to municipal enforcement. Reed told the council the law gives local governments authority to require collectors to place qualifying vehicles in the backyard, keep them covered, and store them 18 inches off the ground so grass can be maintained under the vehicle.

Why the change matters

Reed said the council and city compliance staff frequently receive complaints about junk vehicles and that previous state rules limited municipal remedies for vehicles more than 20 years old. The Act 718 amendments remove that blanket restriction and let municipalities adopt ordinances that address property blight caused by visible, nonoperational vehicles.

Specific requirements described by council staff

Reed summarized several requirements as described in the statute and by her office: vehicles older than 20 years may be kept by residents who consider them “collectors,” but to avoid a violation they must be stored out of public view; typical compliance examples included placing the car in the backyard, covering it with a tarp and elevating it 18 inches from grade (the law’s intent, Reed said, is to allow grass maintenance beneath stored vehicles). Vehicles may also be stored under a carport but must be positioned closest to the house rather than at the carport’s end.

Enforcement and costs

Reed explained enforcement is at the owner’s expense: if the city tags and removes a vehicle, the owner can expect a bill and, if unpaid, the costs may be placed on the owner’s property taxes. She emphasized that the city will not absorb removal costs; compliance and cleanup are the owner’s responsibility.

Council reaction and next steps

Council members thanked Reed and discussed implementation. One council member asked whether the city would pay any of the removal costs; Reed replied, “Not the city. It's actually gonna cost the person who's just letting it sit there.” Other council members praised Reed’s work with state legislators to achieve the change.

Reed said the city will begin patrolling and tagging noncompliant vehicles and encouraged residents who want to keep older cars to store them according to the law or to contact scrap yards that will remove vehicles for free in many cases. She noted that a full set of statutory disposal procedures and notice requirements is included in the enacted law and that her presentation covered the salient public points for residents.

","Councilmember Deedee Johnson Reed summarized Act 718 changes that allow municipalities and parishes to regulate vehicles over 20 years old as blight unless stored under specific conditions; the law took effect Aug. 1, 2024, and the city will start enforcement actions that place costs on vehicle owners.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6396701,"Council approves police radios, vehicles and camera contracts; chief describes backup recording and vendor upgrades",176,2216000,2392000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2095806-9557b9459a391ca3b9930fbbc32abe03&start=2216&end=2392","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2095806-9557b9459a391ca3b9930fbbc32abe03/thumbnail_2216000.jpg","/articles/6396701/New-Iberia/Iberia-Parish/Louisiana/Council-approves-police-radios-vehicles-and-camera-contracts-chief-describes-backup-recording-and-vendor-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6396701-c5a55d53ce2ddd641b8249c780a20bf7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773565028&Signature=ZXeLVthVArK2We6yEV1w-UTSnBscRS7mc7J5DyaWIRViJGljz4EVRxwEIJG66fsILRiL5BAEzlMoxquvGnKDMhaM73Nulqy6Vj2-UcW~RXZdb-UpmpYl0SG9RRh0i5frziqetX903pjMCzcZSIRQgmoGNXd-GIvcpOpRfJwt0-ttM4~18jm3GfPjHGsuNSmc5XXz~QdgSNWRKxuXxzRHnSvSY~wFOD7fbV7-Ke9EFLIFB7hqu0Wodyg4qzvghwwfM1ebGjjtJ8RR3-Vvhv74AI578qDH72Ysa6jsRTvix2lzmjUcbY3wnPBY~UQNjZ3mi2dDbWideSP-25t8Sr87uQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members approved a budget amendment and two vendor contracts on equipment and infrastructure intended to strengthen public‑safety technology, including replacement radios, two patrol vehicles and the next phase of the city’s camera network.

Police leaders told the council the cameras and radio system include backup recording and vendor support that should preserve footage even during Internet outages, and that a recent equipment swap to new cloud‑based cameras did not cost the city.

The measures were presented as part of a package of items the council moved and voted on after a public hearing. Council materials and the chief’s statements connected three agenda items: a special ordinance to amend the budget to replace New Iberia Police Department radios and purchase two additional vehicles; a contract award for crime‑camera infrastructure phase 2 to Ultimate Technologies; and an ordinance awarding a communications and equipment contract to Motorola Solutions. Each measure was opened for a public hearing, discussed briefly by council, and put to the council for votes.

Police Chief: system design, backup recording and vendor support

The police chief described how the camera system is designed to preserve footage locally on each camera when Internet service is disrupted. “The footage is good for 30 days without Internet connection,” the chief told the council, explaining that each camera has onboard backup storage and that recorded data remains available to investigators even when remote access is interrupted.

The chief said Motorola and its local partner handled a technology upgrade that replaced earlier units with newer cloud‑capable devices that integrate with Motorola’s AVA system, and that the swap “didn’t cost us any money.” He said that change removes the need for a previously planned third‑party video aggregation service (Fusus), saving the city recurring costs the department had anticipated.

On radios, the chief described the city’s choice of a Motorola P25‑based system with “smart connect” capability that can tie into Wi‑Fi when tower coverage is restricted. He said the system includes seven‑year maintenance and support agreements designed to provide prompt service and on‑site repairs rather than lengthy manufacturer returns. Council members had asked repeatedly at prior meetings about post‑sale support; the chief urged councilors to contact him directly with technical questions and offered tours of the real‑time crime center so members can see the system in operation.

Council questions and vendor confidence

Several council members said they wanted assurance that contracts include adequate post‑sale support. One council member said, during the discussion, “it is extremely important that when we sign a contract with a company, that we look at the support after the sale.” The chief and staff pointed to the maintenance terms in the contracts and said Motorola and the selected integrators have performed upgrades and on‑site fixes since system deployment.

Council and staff also discussed camera siting. The chief said about 84% of the planned 125 camera sites are installed and that staff are still coordinating the remaining placements, prioritizing hotspots and requests submitted by residents.

What passed

- Special ordinance to amend the budget to replace New Iberia Police Department radios and purchase two additional vehicles (title presented on the agenda). Motion and public hearing held; council voted to approve the ordinance. Vote tallies were not specified on the record.

- Contract award to Ultimate Technologies for the crime camera infrastructure project, phase 2, with authorization for the mayor to execute associated documents. Motion and public hearing held; council voted to approve the contract award. Vote tallies were not specified on the record.

- Ordinance awarding contract to Motorola Solutions for equipment and communications services for the New Iberia Police Department and authorizing the mayor to execute documentation related to that contract. Motion and public hearing held; council voted to approve the ordinance. Vote tallies were not specified on the record.

Why it matters

Council members framed the investments as part of a multi‑year effort to provide investigative tools that help identify suspects, deter crime and support prosecutions. Police leaders said the combination of cameras, cloud‑recording features and a maintained radio backbone is intended to sustain operations in outages and to give detectives access to evidence quickly.

Next steps

Contracts will be finalized and executed by the mayor’s office; staff said installers and vendors have already been on site and that additional camera placements will continue once purchase orders and site work are completed. The chief invited council members to visit the police department’s real‑time crime center to review how the system operates and how footage is used in investigations.

","The New Iberia City Council approved budget updates and contracts to expand police vehicles, replace radios and continue a multi‑phase citywide camera program. Police officials said camera units have local backup recording and Motorola upgraded equipment at no cost; councilors pressed for contract support after sale.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: council approves equipment contracts, ARPA projects, testing contracts and project change orders

DOTD letter: Caroline Street closure, track raise and signals expected to start Q1 2025; council thanks longtime advocate

Council told New state law (Act 718) lifts protection for 20‑year‑old ‘collector’ cars; city will begin enforcement

Council approves police radios, vehicles and camera contracts; chief describes backup recording and vendor upgrades