Livingston Parish council introduces surplus-equipment ordinance, approves emergency food vendors, CDBG contract and other measures

The Livingston Parish Council moved a series of routine and grant-related measures at its April 10, 2025 meeting, approving vendor contracts for emergency feeding, advancing a disaster-recovery drainage project, adopting community proclamations and sending a speed‑limit request to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD).

Votes at a glance

- Introduction of proposed ordinance 25-05 to declare certain public works equipment surplus and authorize sale by internet or public auction; public hearing set for 6 p.m. on April 24, 2025. Motion to introduce by Councilman Waskom, second by Councilman Mangus; motion carried.

- Resolution authorizing the parish president to enter into contracts with three vendors — Sombrero's (primary), Rockin' Kitchen (secondary) and Village Market (tertiary) — to provide meals for parish employees during declared emergencies. Motion by Councilwoman Sandifer, second by Councilman Wascom; approved unanimously.

- Resolution authorizing the parish president to enter into a contract with GEC Incorporated for Louisiana Community Development Block Grant disaster recovery and mitigation resilience (CDBG-DR) drainage improvements (Highway 63 project, Part B). Grant manager Heather Crane told the council the project was selected because it serves a low- to moderate-income area near the town of Livingston. Motion by Councilman Munoz, second by Councilman Coats; approved unanimously.

- Proclamation declaring April 2025 as "Love the Boot Week" in partnership with Keep Louisiana Beautiful; proclamation read by the clerk and approved by the council.

- Resolution proclaiming April 2025 as Fair Housing Month for Livingston Parish; approved unanimously.

- Resolution requesting DOTD reduce the posted speed limit on LA Highway 447 north of Walker from 55 mph to 45 mph between the Walker city limits and Courtney Road, citing a history of accidents and multiple curves. The measure was put forward by Councilman Goff and approved for submittal to DOTD.

- Additions to the parish capital outlay priority list for consideration, including Grand Turk (Grays Creek subdivision) and Will Allen Road; council also accepted a list of additional local streets for consideration.

Several items were procedural and passed with no recorded opposition. Council members and staff noted the Love the Boot litter-cleanup effort had already mobilized volunteers and parish resources earlier in April.

Council commentary and next steps

Council members praised local volunteer and agency cooperation and discussed logistics for the approved vendor contracts during emergencies. Grant manager Heather Crane said the Highway 63 drainage work is targeted to an LMI area and that the parish hopes to broaden the scope because additional funds are available under the grant. Councilman Goff said the speed-limit request was prompted by multiple accidents and nearby neighborhood streets and a daycare; “There’s been a few accidents in this little stretch,” he said while explaining the DOTD request.

The council adopted the March 27, 2025 meeting minutes and pulled one agenda item for a future meeting. The meeting ended with council members offering local updates, including planned canal cleanup work and a recent cultural event that drew a foreign ambassador to the parish.

No items requiring executive session were listed on the record at the April 10 meeting.