Council authorizes application for carbon‑reduction funds for regional transit hub after adding notification language

The City Council on July 22 authorized the mayor to submit a grant application to the Capital Region Planning Commission for federal Carbon Reduction Program funds to build a regional transit hub near Plank Road, a proposal that the council amended to require that the mayor inform the council before executing any final agreements.

The resolution says the project could provide a regional transportation hub — described in the resolution as the “Baker Regional Park And Bridal Transport transit Center” — with vehicle charging stations, bus pickup areas and parking intended to connect Baker, Baton Rouge and Zachary. Daryl Blacher, who said he has worked with the city on grants, told the council the site is a cleared lot near Plank Road adjacent to local businesses and a church; he said the program’s project structure is an 80% federal share under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding available through the Capital Region Planning Commission.

The matter drew extended discussion from council members concerned about oversight. Council member Charles Vincent asked that the record reflect council awareness when applications are filed; he proposed that the resolution include language that the mayor will proceed “with council awareness” or notify council members before signing agreements. Administration said the grant application language is standard from the grantor and cannot be altered in the grant package; city staff and the mayor said they would provide notification to the council before submission and would circulate contract documents if the grant is awarded.

After discussion the council passed a motion authorizing the mayor to pursue the application and to execute documents with a correction and the added condition that the mayor inform Councilman Vincent (and by extension the council) prior to execution. The motion was taken by district roll call; District 1 voted no and the remaining districts voted yes with corrections, so the resolution carried.

Why it matters — The Carbon Reduction Program is a federal competitive funding stream created under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; if Baker’s application is awarded the city could receive a large federal portion to develop a regional transit node with electric vehicle charging and transit amenities intended to reduce on‑road transportation emissions.

Ending — City staff said the application would be submitted within the grant window and that award notifications could take several months; staff also agreed to provide the council with notice before final signature and to circulate any resulting contract for council information.