Police Jury rolls through consent agenda: servitudes, condemnations, bids and grants approved

The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury on April 10 approved a broad consent agenda of routine resolutions, condemnations, bid awards and grant applications and deferred a small number of property-condemnation items for additional review.

Most items were taken without extended debate and recorded in the meeting minutes as “item carries.” Jurors did ask for clarification on a small number of items, including how much local subcontracting would be included in the courthouse project (discussed separately) and whether properties slated for condemnation had active sale or cleanup activity.

Key actions at a glance - Adopted several servitude and property-transfer resolutions related to drainage and water projects, including: Bellfield Ditch multi-road crossing property sale and temporary construction servitude (2a); permanent drainage servitude and temporary construction servitude for the LIB Orleans drainage project (2b); permanent utility servitude for the East Calcasieu Parish Consolidated Water Works District (2c); expropriation of permanent public facility servitude for the East Calcasieu Parish Consolidated Water Works District (2d); and permanent utility servitude for the Old Spanish Trail waterline upgrade project (2e). Each item was moved, seconded and recorded as carried. - Acknowledged the annual municipal water pollution prevention audit for Sewage District Number 11 (2f) and approved minutes from the March 6, 2025 regular meeting (3a). - Approved a cooperative endeavor agreement for provision of mental health services at the Calcasieu Correctional Center and related facilities (3b). - Adopted a resolution supporting Phillips 66 Partners LP’s application to renew an industrial tax exemption at 80% for three years (3c); staff and jurors characterized the action as an extension of an existing exemption. - Authorized the Parish to notify an owner of a vessel at Israel Lafleur Park to present a removal plan and to publish notice of intent to remove the vessel (3d). - Approved applications for liquor and beer permits as recommended by staff (4a). - Adopted a proclamation recognizing April 2025 as Fair Housing Month in Calcasieu Parish (6a). - Authorized the submission of a continuation grant application to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement for up to $40,000 for a case manager and counseling services (7a). - Accepted multiple bids and awarded vehicle and equipment purchases, many to Mike Willis Ford, as recommended by staff (see detailed bids below). Several bid advertisements for construction and facilities projects were approved to proceed to solicitation. - Accepted the Health Connection generator and improvements project as substantially complete (motion by Juror Lewis; item carried).

Condemnations and deferals - Motions to condemn and order removal within 30 days were approved for multiple properties (items read under agenda item 1): 190 Calcasieu Avenue, Moss Bluff (1A); 1391 Beechmont Drive, Moss Bluff (1B); 7636 Ling Road, Lake Charles (1C); 1829 Roy Road, Lake Charles (1F); 1206 Allen Street, DeQuincy (1G); 1113 Reverend O B Pete Road, DeQuincy (1H); 844 Rig Maiden Cemetery Road, DeQuincy (1I); 335 Frank Street, DeQuincy (1K); 390 Frank Street, DeQuincy (1L); 4020 Sherry Street, Sulphur (1M); 2250 Hillary Drive, Vinton (1N); 3140 East Burton Street, Sulphur (1O). Each of these items was moved, seconded and recorded in the minutes as carried. - The jury deferred condemnation decisions for 7479 Gulf Highway, Lake Charles (1D) for 60 days and for 9586 Miracle Lane (1E) for 30 days pending sale/cleanup activity; Cassie Lane was deferred for 60 days (1J). Jurors noted ongoing sale or remediation activity as reasons for deferral in some cases.

Bids and procurement (selected items) - East Council/Streets Consolidated Waterworks Phase 4 (Opelousas Street): staff recommended and the jury accepted the low bid of Blake D. Hines in the amount of $777,801.25 (8j). - Multiple vehicle purchases: staff recommended awards to Mike Willis Ford on several vehicle bid items; amounts recorded in the meeting minutes where specified included $37,958 (8k); $77,974 (8m); $26,784 (8n); $58,972 (8p); $36,133 (8q). One large van bid amount recorded in the minutes was unclear in the transcript and is not specified here. - The jury authorized advertising for bids on numerous capital and maintenance projects including a ground storage tank repair, library paving/exterior improvements, Allen August Center parking, Intracoastal Park boat launch parking and pavement improvements, consolidated waterworks tank farm projects and road striping.

Other notable items - The jury approved the cooperative endeavor for mental-health services at the parish jail and related facilities and accepted the resignation of Ricky Watson from the Couch e Cameron Hospital Service District board (item 9), with the minutes noting appreciation for his service.

Speakers and attribution notes Speakers on these items were primarily jurors and staff; the meeting record uses brief attributions (for example, motions often recorded as by “Mister Quinn” or “Miss Eason”) and most items were carried without recorded roll-call vote tallies in the minutes. When the transcript recorded a specific dollar amount or vendor, that figure is reported above; items where the transcript was unclear on a numeric amount are marked as not specified.

Ending The meeting concluded after the remaining consent and bid items were carried; jurors scheduled follow-ups and deferred a small number of condemnation cases for additional review.