Baker officials outline Levy Lane road transfer, sewer work and hurricane alerts; mayor urges residents to text (888) 401-5972

Mayor Desiree Collins and city council members used the meeting to urge residents to sign up for the city's emergency messaging and to describe planned road and utility work affecting Levy Lane and other neighborhoods.

"Text LA Baker updates to (888) 401-5972," Mayor Desiree Collins said, asking residents to share the number with family members so the city can push urgent storm and public-safety notices directly to phones.

Council and staff briefed the meeting on a road transfer project for Levy Lane. The transfer means external agencies are completing road and utility work before handing the roadway to the city; the speaker said the work includes replacement of sewer lines that have not been changed in about 40 years and that the completed road is expected to last another 10 to 15 years once turned over. The speaker said outside funding will pay for the current work and that the city will accept responsibility for the road after construction is finished.

Council members also reported an ongoing street‑rehab program the city has run for several years; the council said street rehab work has been done for roughly seven years and that the recently rebuilt streets are expected to last about five to seven years. Officials encouraged residents to watch active construction and report concerns.

The mayor and council discussed blight enforcement and the process the city follows for private-property complaints: code enforcement sends two notices before a property may proceed to blight court, and staff reported that the city sends roughly 100 letters a month to owners of properties that show code violations. Council members asked residents to knock on doors and check on neighbors when they see possible problems.

Officials explained how to report streetlights: provide the location to City Hall so staff can file permits; Angela Walls (city staff) was named as the staff member who submits permits, and officials said the city may send requests to both utilities (named in the discussion as Demco and Energy) where responsibility is unclear.

Councilmember announcements included community events and preparedness sessions: a hurricane‑preparedness seminar on July 14 at 6 p.m. at the Jewel Newman Center and a 3‑1‑1 information session on July 21 at 6 p.m. at which residents can learn how to use the service. A fishing event for families on Aug. 9 was also announced.

Officials closed by asking residents to call their council member with problems rather than waiting for the next meeting; staff said many issues can be resolved between meetings.