Council approves contracts, budget amendments and appointments; multiple ARPA projects move forward

The New Iberia City Council voted on a series of ordinances and resolutions related to equipment leases, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) neighborhood investments, budget carryovers, public works projects and operating contracts during its meeting.

The measures approved included a lease and contract for an automated fuel marking machine, budget amendments for the Veterans Memorial, carryovers for Jefferson Terrace drainage phase 2 and a sewer-related carryover for a Love’s travel stop, multiple ARPA-funded awards for downtown neighborhood improvements (HVAC and duct cleaning), and operating/service agreements for wastewater-support services. The council also appointed Karen Baixier to the municipal civil service board and accepted a certificate of substantial completion for the Steamboat Pavilion ARPA project.

Votes at a glance (action, identifying number, mover/second when recorded, outcome, notes): - Ordinance (fuel marking machine): "Ordinance number 20 25 0 4" — motion moved by Councilman David Merrill; second by Councilman Ron Davis; outcome: approved. (Public hearing opened/closed with no public comment.) - Special ordinance (Veterans Memorial donations): "Special ordinance number 20 24 20 25 0 9" — motion moved by Councilman Ron Davis; second by Councilwoman Brooke Marcotte; outcome: approved. - Special ordinance (Jefferson Terrace drainage carryover, phase 2): "Special ordinance number 20 24 20 25 10" — motion moved by Councilman Ron Davis; outcome: approved. - Special ordinance (Love’s travel stop sewer carryover): "Special ordinance number 20 24 20 25 11" — motion moved by Councilwoman Brooke Marcotte; outcome: approved. - Resolution 25-19 (appointment of Karen Baixier to municipal civil service board for a five-year term): motion moved by Councilman Troy Como; second by Councilman Ron Davis; outcome: approved. - Resolution 25-20 (award to Gaspar Heating & Cooling LLC — ARPA Neighborhood Investments, Downtown Neighborhood Association): motion moved by Councilman Brooke Marcotte; second by Councilman Warren White; outcome: approved. (Council discussion noted that partnership involves the Olive Branch Masonic Lodge and Downtown Neighborhood Association; potential board-membership/abstention issues were raised during discussion.) - Resolution 25-21 (award to Clean Air Services, Inc. — ARPA duct cleaning): motion moved; outcome: approved (one abstention recorded during vote). - Resolution 25-22 (certificate of substantial completion, Steamboat Pavilion ARPA project): motion moved by Councilman Dan Dahl; outcome: approved. - Resolution 25-23 (substantial completion for drainage cleanup, ARPA area B): motion moved; outcome: approved. - Resolution (agreement with McLean Homes LLC regarding Teshave subdivision access/service drive): motion moved by Councilman Dan Dahl; second by Councilman Ron Davis; outcome: approved. (Council discussed an engineer estimate of $717,000 for the road work and that the cost will be split with the developer.) - Resolution 25-25 (agreement with Statewide Electrical Services LLC for supplemental wastewater operations): motion moved; outcome: approved. (Council discussed the abrupt retirement of the city’s licensed Class 4 operator and the need for temporary contracted license coverage.) - Resolution 25-26 (agreement with Iberia Parish Sewers District No. 1 and related funding increase for the wastewater treatment plant improvements): motion moved; outcome: approved. - Resolution 25-27 (award to Third Coast Maintenance LLC for commercial janitorial services at city facilities): motion moved; outcome: approved. (Council stated funding will be covered by savings in utilities.)

Several additional ordinances and special ordinances were introduced and set for public hearing on March 18, 2025, including preventive maintenance and controls agreements for the City Hall HVAC system and budget amendments tied to subdivision access and wastewater headworks upgrades.

The council used standard voting machines for recorded votes and, where recorded, abstentions were noted in the minutes. The meeting contained no roll-call vote tallies by member recorded in the transcript excerpts supplied; motions that were moved and seconded were carried by the council vote machines.

Ending: The approved measures enable multiple ARPA neighborhood projects to proceed, authorize short-term operational contracts for the wastewater system while the city seeks permanent licensed operators, and advance capital and maintenance work across sewer, park and municipal facilities.