Council backs TAP grant for Kearney Road, approves servitude with Parish Water Company; members discuss waterline, right-of-way and Sullivan Road funding

The City Council approved a resolution supporting a Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant application for connectivity improvements on Kearney Road and separately approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign a servitude agreement with Parish Water Company.

Council member Lazaro moved to approve the TAP grant support resolution; Council member Freilich seconded. The council then voted in favor during roll call.

Later, council members considered a servitude agreement to allow Parish Water Company to place a waterline in city servitude. The council approved the servitude authorization in a motion from Council member Freilich, seconded by Council member Lazaro.

During discussion, a council member raised concerns about the servitude or agreement increasing the eventual cost of converting Wax Road or Whites Road to four lanes. City staff and other council members described the planned alignment: according to the discussion, Baton Rouge Water intends to run the waterline within the existing servitude on the south side of Wax Road from the water tower to Brookside Drive, then cross and run west toward Sullivan; speakers noted the water main is intended to be installed at a deep alignment near the canal crossing and that parts of the new alignment extend beyond existing utility servitudes, which is why additional right-of-way agreements are being sought.

A speaker said the city is "working with the legislature to move the $15,000,000 of remaining P5 funding for Sullivan Road or Highway 3034 widening to that project," but added the city still needs a project number and a preliminary design before that funding can be applied.

Both resolutions passed on roll call; no public hearing comments were recorded during the item.