[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_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",6061654,"mediaKeyId","3281160-efd7fca11c54696f36b02ac693ed9242","parentId",3281160,"title","Airport Airfield Lighting Project Nears Finish; Council Approves Change Order and Substantial Completion","audioSeconds",192,"startMs",4472000,"endMs",4664000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3281160-efd7fca11c54696f36b02ac693ed9242&start=4472&end=4664","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3281160-efd7fca11c54696f36b02ac693ed9242/thumbnail_4472000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6061654/Louisiana/Airport-Airfield-Lighting-Project-Nears-Finish-Council-Approves-Change-Order-and-Substantial-Completion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6061654-8ec9043f319bae53a5f890395f03b6a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153039&Signature=dL6Nh7UaNDDVnXLfFUV9L2Py75NpnKaIJHa2nG40WxWuPNu7LnZHH2CKoWSmDSsoOBf1-g2qBQKSZjamNb7jRrv6j7~fcuVv2RsR8-whxGKjitddWmIv4Qz-mIsF167ak-CanH3jr7yZXrMzW~KT5u9taSgOp7sI6ToeSrPNR6LDrOen-bE7BsY2LIE3r2LsSKx1q5OA2qWKkSbsxaUzfXFwLEMtezNZmW0d3m5WtAanqDF2rH8qQIsdPvTGH1VslSlRdlqjC41cGSso2bkfwS6uQSS-GCG56bNpsRhSxgIG2CPA-PvQkFXxq4LMt1QtpcoPLF2t6jLD~GQbYsbskQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-13T12:03:43Z","article","The Natchitoches City Council on May 12 approved change order No. 2 on the Natchitoches Regional Airport airfield signage and lighting contract and adopted a certificate of substantial completion, marking the project’s practical completion.

The council adopted Resolution No. 037 of 02/2025 to authorize change order No. 2 to the agreement with F & W Electric Contractors. The change order increases the contract by $30,199.54, bringing the revised contract total to $456,788.29. The city engineer on the project, Jonathan Farmer of KSA Engineers, recommended the change order, which staff said was required to reconcile final quantities.

Council members then adopted Resolution No. 038 of 2025, a certificate of substantial completion for the same contract. City staff said this work is part of a Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) grant program and that all costs are covered by the DOTD grant. The council received staff confirmation that the project had been inspected and that the engineer and city representatives consider the project complete.

The resolutions passed on roll call votes; staff said the city will complete remaining administrative closeout steps with the contractor and the grantor.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Natchitoches City Council Meeting May 12th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved change order No. 2 to an airfield signage and lighting contract, increasing the contract by $30,199.54, and adopted a certificate of substantial completion for the project; staff said the work is covered by a LA DOTD grant.","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":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":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6061659,"City Seeks Bids for Large Transformer; Water‑treatment Clearwell Project Underway",0,4726000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3281160-efd7fca11c54696f36b02ac693ed9242&start=4726&end=4726","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3281160-efd7fca11c54696f36b02ac693ed9242/thumbnail_4726000.jpg","/articles/6061659/Louisiana/City-Seeks-Bids-for-Large-Transformer-Watertreatment-Clearwell-Project-Underway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6061659-5adeb0b9f801f2b946758fde996cace1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153039&Signature=RGtqZWUBEQLm~s39cysfVw5cxDOUjO2fLBvLkHJOH8QWySlgNkAvdqzA-xW9PnJig1MACzR9l~oafoz7091nw2JeOmpSLPHD~t1yfwcTodMqBvxhv8SrM~ZQTUj8kWndDiQd5cpX3DJ9HE2H6Ji34tOb3g15Y4N7KRFw4LDkOfvqLf1wikgArcDvobhBnWurSzwGhrDh2A6V~sDZ8G~GskOU7r4ShyUAIQytdjynrcQ~Ch6TvSZpZomrnWOIRURP5Nv35WRrXZYe3PZtguPl4EPmeOEYOso5eJaWgDfKWYdh5MrXG8prrs4vcWiiXLmlVCaGj3bPeATPm4t~8rcmtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Natchitoches City Council on May 12 authorized staff to advertise for bids for a 12,500 kVA three‑phase pad‑mount transformer and received an update on the city’s Clearwell 3 water‑treatment work that staff said began March 2.

Councilmember David Nielsen moved and the council adopted Resolution No. 039 of 2025 to advertise and accept bids for a 12,500 kVA three‑phase transformer (bid number 0677). City staff explained the spare transformer will serve as a backup to support major electricity customers and critical city facilities; utility staff described the unit as reserved to maintain service to large customers in the event of an outage.

Utility staff member Bukar (as spoken at the meeting) gave a brief status update on the city’s water‑treatment project: contractors began work on Clearwell 3 in March and are completing the underground components before above‑ground construction proceeds. Council members described the Clearwell 3 effort as nearly a million‑dollar project and said much of the early work is the underground infrastructure that is less visible but essential.

City purchasing staff said the transformer procurement timeline will be set after bids are received and evaluated; the item will remain on the purchasing department’s order list as a backup so the city can respond if a large transformer at a water or wastewater facility or a major customer fails. The council approved the transformer advertisement by roll call.","City staff asked the council to advertise for a 12,500 kVA three‑phase transformer as a backup for major customers, and the council heard an update that Clearwell 3 water‑treatment work began in March on a near‑$1 million ground‑works phase.",{"_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":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6061664,"Council Awards LCDBG Street‑Improvement Contract; Advertises Additional 2025 Road Work Amid Drainage Concerns",1974,2358000,4332000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3281160-efd7fca11c54696f36b02ac693ed9242&start=2358&end=4332","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3281160-efd7fca11c54696f36b02ac693ed9242/thumbnail_2358000.jpg","/articles/6061664/Louisiana/Council-Awards-LCDBG-StreetImprovement-Contract-Advertises-Additional-2025-Road-Work-Amid-Drainage-Concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6061664-8aa517c44a77e80c40b805460fcb5489/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153039&Signature=XHU-K6H2ZBn8ckFcfiJPnOECWQQ88HYcXHI0i3J7nJf3t4O7mBexIVOpIMqqFc85WItG-mSgEwc7EA7CjhgLvWtKYRq~QKYAueYnr14ENXIKwFSwrI~2Y6C~UK-O~6sXlet73DRLCzzu51EdHJmM9G-tOSUjSZlwiyFrLSkeep1rsNAmCcJgu7-oGTmOALYqUtcdoQk5o4x9gNsZasmYULDmv247EhzwOW7QvKr~~glsfBbGFgfJ-fxJ8O4J1n-6p-BfVZFFSytA1OKyN7OZsieo88Z8oj8cfR-tOE6CPrVxUEvcigMU5I08v6Ade2Qf1HQhskJdNVUpb1cHzVa1EA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Natchitoches City Council on May 12 awarded a federally funded LCDBG street‑improvements contract to Regional Construction for $1,020,511.40 and authorized advertising for additional 2025 street rehabilitation work while highlighting drainage problems that accelerate pavement failure.

City staff reported that two bids were opened April 15 for the LCDBG (Local Community Development Block Grant) street improvements, with Regional Construction the low bidder at $1,020,511.40 and Apex Construction at $1,030,287.72. A council member moved to adopt the ordinance awarding the bid (bid number 0671) and the motion carried on roll call; staff indicated construction should begin in June if the council approved the contract.

Council members and staff said the LCDBG award will cover pavement work on roughly six streets in low‑to‑moderate income neighborhoods; the exact street list includes named segments such as Brahma, JCW and Highland among others. Nick Ferrett, identified in the meeting as the lead grant writer on the project, was cited as coordinating the grant. Committee members who reviewed the bids were listed in the record as Clarissa Smith, Ed Lee, Donald Forrest, February and Betty Smith.

Separately the council adopted Resolution No. 036 of 02/2025 to advertise bids for the city’s 2025 street rehabilitation program (bid number 0676). That resolution identifies multiple project locations in the city — East Fifth Street (from Wall northward), Woodyard Drive and a short Highland Park segment at Virginia Avenue — and directs the mayor to advertise for construction bids.

During discussion, council members and public‑works staff said standing water and poor drainage are central causes of the pavement deterioration on East Fifth and other segments. A public‑works representative noted some drainage channels are controlled by a levee board outside the city and that the levee board reported insufficient funds to dredge silted ditches, complicating the city’s ability to fix roads without concurrent drainage work.

City staff said the available budget limits the number of streets the city can fully rebuild this year; they also noted coordination with water‑line or other underground work to avoid repaving streets that will be dug up later. Roll call votes adopted both the LCDBG award ordinance and the resolution to advertise for 2025 street rehabilitation bids.","The council awarded an LCDBG-funded street improvements contract to Regional Construction and authorized advertising for the city’s 2025 street rehabilitation program; staff and councilors emphasized drainage issues and coordination with levee authorities where ditches affect roadway condition.",{"_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":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6061669,"Natchitoches Council Adopts Current Millage; Vote on Roll-Forward Produces Confusion, Will Be Revisited",475,2716000,3191000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3281160-efd7fca11c54696f36b02ac693ed9242&start=2716&end=3191","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3281160-efd7fca11c54696f36b02ac693ed9242/thumbnail_2716000.jpg","/articles/6061669/Louisiana/Natchitoches-Council-Adopts-Current-Millage-Vote-on-Roll-Forward-Produces-Confusion-Will-Be-Revisited","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6061669-b4586c82796faf8b01517b8f366b5c61/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153039&Signature=auodvQ7ij~BHlLGzJc83En1j252Y-4Cq0w30Sk4NbbPkZoSgZV53gyt2QfbwKtaBwtdGfX6FrUWfy3GHc2wovGmBHXA1NHI1wf-M9~TGo8XQOIrfF0GreIbOVpeRZKw30dGBOlSCvFmAvDB8K17YmNlvwpxzug2O3sP4iSg62uVCgHHoBXXNjNBmE3gzFZrH4IYQSt-zXzJBAPOUmnvG6AjGGiFWfBt7tpAhfD2SR5PsD0QHzGjueBW7y~70TfurhG6VyqJIRXVOIu-P9BoplimtynmrQEoCGYQt7wELoRmwAqBxFabWQ3O-qurIca8zwnRldxc~9XT2KoMJZrh6rg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Natchitoches City Council on May 12 adopted an ordinance to levy the city’s current millage rates for 2025 but produced a contested and confusing vote over a separate ordinance that would apply the assessor’s higher roll‑forward rates.

Councilman David Nielsen read Ordinance No. 17 of 02/2025, the measure to levy the city’s current millage rates. Clarissa Brown Smith, the city’s finance director, explained that a separate ordinance (No. 18 of 02/2025) would apply the assessor’s updated rates and, if approved, “it will generate additional revenue for the city, at about a hundred and 82,000 more dollars that we will get in, property taxes.”

Council members debated whether to accept the roll‑forward given recent utility and cost increases that have affected residents and businesses. Mayor Ronnie Williams Jr. and Chief Wynne of the Fire Department spoke about the operational importance of the millage proceeds; Chief Wynne said the millage revenues are used for major capital purchases and training and described the funds as an important source for fire and police capital needs: “it generates, over a million dollars per entity, fire and police. And that is how we purchase major, capital items.”

Councilman Nielsen moved a motion “not to adopt ordinance number 18 of 02/2025” (i.e., not to roll forward the assessor’s increased millage). The motion was seconded and a roll‑call was taken. The roll call as recorded in the meeting transcript shows votes of “No” from several council members (Eli, Nelson, Smith, Peachy) on that roll call, which led to immediate confusion on the floor about whether the council had effectively voted to adopt the roll‑forward. Meeting participants debated whether a “No” vote on the motion to not adopt effectively resulted in adopting the roll‑forward ordinance.

Mayor Williams said the vote had taken place and described the result as \"set\" while council members and staff asked to revisit the matter. City staff advised that rescission or clarification would require a subsequent meeting and additional procedural steps, including public‑hearing notices and statutory publication. Clerk and staff said the process requires notices to the tax assessor’s office and other formal steps before a roll‑forward becomes final.

The council directed staff to analyze the procedural record and return with a recommendation at the next meeting. No final rescission or new adoption occurred on May 12; the council left the item subject to further review and possible action at an upcoming meeting.","The council adopted an ordinance levying the current 2025 millage rates but produced a confused vote on a companion ordinance to roll forward higher assessed millage rates; council members and staff said they will review and may revisit the matter at the next meeting.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6061674,"Spay-Neuter Program asks Natchitoches City Council for $10,000 to Replenish Vouchers",469,1323000,1792000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3281160-efd7fca11c54696f36b02ac693ed9242&start=1323&end=1792","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3281160-efd7fca11c54696f36b02ac693ed9242/thumbnail_1323000.jpg","/articles/6061674/Louisiana/Spay-Neuter-Program-asks-Natchitoches-City-Council-for-10000-to-Replenish-Vouchers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6061674-ffa160402b0af5853111bd45283df304/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153039&Signature=W4I8cvxCKMxbAPeX95nsraGY18GdMx8WX2TK8~2gHRRHTzMphT3rcma9r94u9kUcTjaIHufu3KYVb-gxAeGXR7LQP4wE6bF8t7TwpJ2HAa6Bk3ghUVjSzC6qG7-Q2vYTvGFnfkZa0lZ8a1-RJbMV8c3YA5PYiZUANvt48A-KlUjypiipU3LSd4VY9HW8qF5uwRCP8OZZaa~xNh7i6idL-SZlQksOyyH46mYkJl9A~w2pQPjPw~3MfV7QPqQd1S9Lju0PTtPfQXZZ6TT5LONOGplkf4aja4bW0~zA5YNeRjM9VQ5pdnGUwD57mAM~fWA3-CXZvFGFt5pj17nTj5e8sQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Spay Natchitoches, a program run by Fauna, asked the Natchitoches City Council on May 12 for a $10,000 city allocation for fiscal 2025–26 after the program ran out of locally available voucher funds.

The request came during the meeting’s public comment period from Debbie Tebbetts, who introduced herself as representing Spay Natchitoches, a division of Fauna. Tebbetts said the parish had already allocated $10,000 in its 2025 budget but that the city fund is exhausted and that, “we request $10,000 allocation for the city of Natchitoches for the 20 25 26 fiscal year.”

The ask is tied to Spay Natchitoches’ voucher-driven program to help residents who cannot afford sterilization for companion animals. Tebbetts said Spain Natchitoches funds are kept separate from other Fauna accounts and are used solely to provide vouchers to community members. She provided program statistics to the council: since Oct. 1, 2024, Fauna’s trap-neuter-return (TNR) program had paid to spay or neuter more than 162 community cats at a cost of $10,469, and Spay Natchitoches covered 165 spay/neuter procedures in the first quarter of 2025 totaling $13,590, of which $10,000 came from the parish allocation and the balance from private fundraising.

Tebbetts told the council vouchers have been unavailable since April 1 because the Spay Natchitoches account is depleted. She framed the request as a public-cost question: unspayed animals contribute to higher intake at the city shelter, and spay/neuter is the program’s favored preventive approach. Tebbetts also noted Fauna currently cares for more than 100 animals in its shelter and foster system and that Fauna’s operating funds — separate from Spay Natchitoches — cover spay/neuter costs for animals in Fauna’s care.

Mayor Ronnie Williams Jr. and council members thanked Tebbetts for the presentation and asked staff to place the request on a future agenda for formal consideration. No formal motion or vote on a city allocation occurred at the May 12 meeting.

Spay Natchitoches said it typically operates four low-cost clinics each year and runs multiple parish-wide pet health fairs; Tebbetts said 80–90% of fair attendees request spay/neuter vouchers. The council was provided a packet of program materials during the meeting.","Spay Natchitoches, a division of Fauna, told the Natchitoches City Council it has exhausted local voucher funds and requested a $10,000 city allocation for fiscal 2025–26 to continue low-cost spay/neuter services for residents.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Airport Airfield Lighting Project Nears Finish; Council Approves Change Order and Substantial Completion

City Seeks Bids for Large Transformer; Water‑treatment Clearwell Project Underway

Council Awards LCDBG Street‑Improvement Contract; Advertises Additional 2025 Road Work Amid Drainage Concerns

Natchitoches Council Adopts Current Millage; Vote on Roll-Forward Produces Confusion, Will Be Revisited

Spay-Neuter Program asks Natchitoches City Council for $10,000 to Replenish Vouchers