[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6286031,"mediaKeyId","2565558-bd0b8fd29dc7d84350b1df37c02a4ae7","parentId",2565558,"title","Council introduces ordinance to condemn multiple unsafe buildings; 30-day notice period set","audioSeconds",1288,"startMs",1711000,"endMs",2999000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2565558-bd0b8fd29dc7d84350b1df37c02a4ae7&start=1711&end=2999","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2565558-bd0b8fd29dc7d84350b1df37c02a4ae7/thumbnail_1711000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6286031/Louisiana/Council-introduces-ordinance-to-condemn-multiple-unsafe-buildings-30-day-notice-period-set","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286031-bc9193dd19942bdb00b7b826d7b17e1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775147190&Signature=NhDep2LOrC9vK4nVAuoRFt-cQFVmMcisHh9-C6I4E0uTPdOmtVyhCG6jQDP1B5J48bpTF2sxCPadzF3LftRItzJDevSnNI0NCaew3wcVp~wJ1nrGIq77ZgmsQp5JWqFM7pZkGr9TiUy7yCPcEFEDOWmClWZ2R5JQHJ5Qp4bPM6yUdpbtZIYARHrhMeAgJ4vxSuHPgAVoNoaAA4Ut-~fUhzXZk-yWGR39wRfDod7Yqj7waVOoKu9GAf~iFIZNM~DioXZpurgOdJGgKPw~s7pCnJHMqnWsEBNLuwMbJKI3gkRgdHQYpNVPcdBeFqA4DKKk6TBZcrnAzCFvLdoFXy0uxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-11T12:15:28Z","article","The Natchitoches City Council on March 10 introduced Ordinance No. 006 of 2025, which lists multiple properties the city’s planning and building officials have deemed unsafe and recommends the buildings be condemned or demolished.

Councilman Petey read the ordinance in title and listed the properties included in the report, which the planning director said are the subject of written inspections by the director of planning and zoning and the city building inspector. The property list includes addresses identified in the ordinance and cover single-family houses, lots with burned or collapsed trailers and trailer-park parcels on South Bend Drive that city staff said contain multiple burned or fallen trailers.

Planning staff explained the process during the introduction: the item is for introduction only, a 30-day layover applies, and the city has notified individual trailer owners and property owners where applicable. The planning director said the condemnation process does not automatically demolish every structure named on the list; compliant owners who maintain their structures will not necessarily be removed, while structures that are unsafe, burned or vacant may be scheduled for city removal if owners do not act.

Several residents and property owners addressed the council during the public-comment portion related to the ordinance. Dwight Davis, who said he owns multiple South Bend properties, told the council he and a contractor (Ivan McDaniel) have agreed on a price to remove abandoned trailers and that cleanup work had been scheduled but delayed by weather. Cynthia Mandarino, owner of 817 Fourth Street, described long delays and financial challenges after a tree limb collapsed onto her roof; Mandarino said she has a contractor lined up who is addressing permit issues and asked for time to obtain permits and begin structural repairs. Contractor Greg Duggan said from his inspection perspective the 817 Fourth Street house can be restored and “there’s not that much wrong structurally” beyond a damaged roof.

Planning staff urged owners to contact the planning office (planning staff named Shantrell as the point of contact) during the 30-day period and noted the city would proceed with removal of unsafe structures only after the process and timelines in the ordinance are observed.

This introduction begins the formal condemnation process for the listed properties; staff said owners who demonstrated active remediation plans could provide documentation to planning staff during the 30-day notice period.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Natchitoches City Council Meeting March 10th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council introduced Ordinance No. 006 declaring several properties unsafe and recommending demolition; staff and property owners discussed remediation plans and timelines during the introduction and public comment period.","taxTitle","Natchitoches City Council, Natchitoches, Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana","taxId",80342,"location","Louisiana","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6286035,"Public hearing: city begins LCDBG 2026–27 application process for water, sewer, streets and targeted demolition",120,140000,260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2565558-bd0b8fd29dc7d84350b1df37c02a4ae7&start=140&end=260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2565558-bd0b8fd29dc7d84350b1df37c02a4ae7/thumbnail_140000.jpg","/articles/6286035/Louisiana/Public-hearing-city-begins-LCDBG-202627-application-process-for-water-sewer-streets-and-targeted-demolition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286035-9e9ba130d12f195d1b8609ec706f0abe/orig.mp4?Expires=1775147190&Signature=fud7VsjwTodx5YHHdHjMY70mMV-QJqIlftypOM9uOGc8WCetn9kgD1EDuFjhW6xza4g9U~kEbjlUQee-XBvCJtPNE2IKKhou94bt1RFF8hconisL96seqTmgcI7uqMgeLRHDlG87lo-~Ybga34c-~p4YO1eQoWfEa3~Tfose3FyncOFW0hq5u9dM1F4QcumlsVk1KaqOLxMUei6pniWVU-38C2dggGER-EIqkd1yJTHoJptqrUjIMuFLfFp3C8TDvlg32oscmEAF8DQxE6kSLh7NrRZ-~458PK6w9w-M2bZWyRD7xC4u-F-12~4RYYAYx1zVPp8iHLhoz11qwbp0YQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Natchitoches held a public hearing on March 10 to solicit views for a proposed application to the Louisiana Community Development Block Grant (LCDBG) program for the 2026–27 funding cycle.

Thomas McGee of Fry McGee LLC, a consultant working with the city, told the council the state has allocated $12,000,000 for the public-facilities program nationwide and that a city applicant may request up to $2,000,000 for sewer and water projects and up to $1,000,000 for street improvements. He said the public-facilities awards must “principally benefit low and moderate income areas of the city,” defined as census areas with at least 51% low- and moderate-income residents. McGee said the program also funds clearance (demolition) of dilapidated housing without the income requirement; the state set aside $6,000,000 for that activity and cities are eligible to apply for between $150,000 and $750,000 for clearance projects.

McGee described deadlines: public-facilities and clearance applications for the 2026–27 cycle are due in December 2026 and some new “make a difference” grants require a letter of intent in July. He said a city must close any open clearance project by July of the eligibility year to apply for another clearance award; he noted the city currently has an ongoing clearance grant that must be closed out before applying again.

Council members asked clarifying questions about eligible activities. A councilmember identified as Councilman Hamptons asked whether replacement of water lines qualifies; McGee replied that water-line replacement is eligible and that proposals must demonstrate need and are competitive. The consultant said the LCDBG does not fund standalone drainage projects except incidental drainage work tied to street projects (for example, roadside ditches and culverts).

A resident asked whether the clearance program provides funding for home repairs for people living in their homes. McGee said no: “This is not for persons in homes to help rehabilitate people living in homes,” and clarified the demolition (clearance) funding applies only to vacant, dilapidated houses.

McGee briefly described an emerging “make a difference” program that he said had funded one project in the state (West Monroe) and typically requires a letter of intent outlining a vision to fund multiple activities in a targeted neighborhood.

The hearing record will be used to guide whether and which applications the city will submit during the LCDBG 2026–27 cycle.","A state Community Development Block Grant (LCDBG) public hearing outlined available program funds and deadlines for the 2026–27 cycle, including limits by activity and income requirements for beneficiaries.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_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":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6286038,"Council approves bank services, budget amendment and two state-funded street and airport grants",0,3604000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2565558-bd0b8fd29dc7d84350b1df37c02a4ae7&start=3604&end=3604","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2565558-bd0b8fd29dc7d84350b1df37c02a4ae7/thumbnail_3604000.jpg","/articles/6286038/Louisiana/Council-approves-bank-services-budget-amendment-and-two-state-funded-street-and-airport-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286038-746939ffafcb02dc3c4afec657e10e09/orig.mp4?Expires=1775147190&Signature=eAW9SAt6WhbBneiblyU5JKsGgvUL1Kx2dMIXI7~F65NIhuiX8-deiDAn4JMh0CIeWs5NZ-T7o1T4P~8mo0Uj9ABcnDiPpH1metJLt6jUVv08dQGfTgUP30mG5n9vcwLWDzdBrCI7G6DsshVsKYHnvaDQKK7NzYaMN2qVKTPSkaAqBMRVpeYYexc8~698Vp8RY4FM8irDB5MuezD0OaGhOLnXEusg6XfjNtw1EvTOIibTAreqfa4BjtV-~hc8qN~pAuAvNrN-~AbFskIbd7dcIxfiSfp5AuqwPBpKUr~F0q9cOk8iuhg3uBqlBAP~bwvMUorAx9QDI4aulwoxMeKdWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Natchitoches City Council on March 10 adopted a banking services agreement with Bank of Montgomery, approved a budget amendment to cover higher-than-expected health insurance costs, and accepted two state funding agreements for street and airport improvements.

The council voted unanimously on each final item. Council roll-call votes recorded Nelson, Smith, Harrington and P.T. as voting “yes” on the named measures.

The banking agreement (Ordinance No. 4 of 02/2025) moves the city’s fiscal agent role to Bank of Montgomery after the city’s prior fiscal institution was purchased by a credit union, which cannot hold municipal funds. Clarissa Brown Smith, the city’s finance director, told the council the change followed an RFP process and meetings with the selected bank.

On the budget amendment (Ordinance No. 005 of 02/2025), Brown Smith said the city’s self-insured employee health plan has exceeded its budgeted amount because of several large claims. She said the city will transfer funds from the utility fund to cover the shortfall and expects to recoup part of the excess at year end through insurance loss programs. Brown Smith said the utility fund ‘‘sits at about 4 and a half million’’ and the health-insurance overrun is roughly $1.5 million.

The council also authorized the mayor to execute a cooperative endeavor agreement with the state Treasury for resurfacing work on Barclay Drive using an appropriation from Act 776 of the 2024 Louisiana legislative session. Council members said the state provided $100,000 toward the project and that the estimated cost to fully rehabilitate the street may require a local match.

Separately, the council added and adopted Resolution No. 22 of 2025 to accept Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development funding for airfield signage and lights at Natchitoches Regional Airport. City staff said LADOTD will reimburse the city up to $476,000 for that project and that a pre-construction meeting was scheduled for two days after the council meeting.

All final votes passed without recorded opposition.

Looking ahead, the ordinances and resolutions approved at this meeting now move into implementation steps handled by the city’s finance, utilities and airport staff as appropriate.","At its March 10 meeting the Natchitoches City Council adopted a banking services agreement, amended the fiscal year 2024–25 budget to cover higher health insurance costs, and approved two state-funded infrastructure agreements for street resurfacing and airport improvements.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council introduces ordinance to condemn multiple unsafe buildings; 30-day notice period set

Public hearing: city begins LCDBG 2026–27 application process for water, sewer, streets and targeted demolition

Council approves bank services, budget amendment and two state-funded street and airport grants