Calcasieu Parish Police Jury approves suite of routine resolutions, rezoning, condemnation orders and authorizes settlement

The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury on Feb. 20 adopted a slate of routine motions and resolutions, approving a rezoning, two ordinances ordering demolition/adjudication, multiple property servitudes and expropriation resolutions for parish water projects, authorizing bid advertisements for road and sewer work, and directing the parish to accept a hurricane-repair project as substantially complete. The jury also authorized a settlement representative in a pending lawsuit.

Highlights and formal actions taken (motions carried unless otherwise noted):

- Approve applications for Move On 1A: staff recommended approval of six renewal applications and ratification of one special-event permit (motion by Abshire; second Bowers). Outcome: approved.

- Rezoning: Approving rezoning of 290 Perris Road in Ward 1 from light commercial to general commercial to allow commercial development (motion by Smith; second Quinn). Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance No. 7409: Ordered demolition and removal of structures located at 5722 Larch Street, Lake Charles (motion by Hayes; second Andrew Ponte). Outcome: adopted.

- Ordinance No. 7876: Approved adjudicated property re-advertisement for 2713 Glen Leah Street, Lake Charles (motion by Hayes; second Eason). Outcome: adopted.

- Show-cause hearings: Authorized the director of planning and development to notify multiple property owners to show cause at a public hearing on April 3, 2025, regarding potential condemnation of listed structures at addresses across Moss Bluff, Lake Charles, DeQuincy, Sulphur and Vinton (motion by Burley; second Barty). Outcome: approved. (List of addresses read into the record.)

- Minutes: Approved minutes of the Jan. 30, 2025 regular meeting (motion Abshire; second Lewis). Outcome: approved.

- Engineering and servitude resolutions: Adopted resolutions approving an amendment to a professional engineering contract for water system improvements in Wards 3 and 8; approvals related to the Balefield Ditch multi-road crossing replacement project; appropriation and temporary/permanent servitudes for the LIV Orlin Orleans Drainage Project and the East Calcasieu Parish Consolidated Water Works projects (motions by Eason, Quinn, Gillard, Smith, Landry; seconds as noted in record). Outcomes: approved.

- Community Development and grants: Adopted an amendment to a consulting services contract for Community Development Block Grant disaster recovery (CDBG-DR) funds and authorized submittal of grant applications for the Community Water Enrichment Fund and the Local Government Assistance Program (motions by Bowers, Quinn). Outcomes: approved.

- Road and speed limit actions: Adopted an order establishing a 25 mph speed limit on Enos Abshire Road, canceling the previous 30 mph blanket limit (motion by Bowers; second Burley). Outcome: adopted. Authorized advertising for bids for East Calcasieu Parish Road and Drainage Rehabilitation and Burton Complex Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project Phase 1 (motions Hayes; second Landry). Outcomes: approved.

- Procurement and contracts: Adopted a resolution authorizing the library director or board-of-control designee to execute improvement-related contracts for the library system that are under $100,000 and are not required to be formally procured (motion Quinn; second Landry). Juror Landry asked whether purchases under $100,000 still must be bid. A staff member clarified that purchases do still go out for bid and that this item authorizes the designated library official to execute documents after procurement is complete. Outcome: adopted.

- Bids and acceptances: Authorized the purchasing agent to advertise for vehicles and equipment (including piggybacking on state contracts) and accepted staff-recommended sign-face bids (Newman Signs, Osborne Associates, Vulcan Signs). Outcome: approved.

- Project completion: Adopted a resolution accepting the Intracoastal Park Hurricane Repair Project as substantially complete (motion Andrew Ponte; second Eason). Outcome: approved.

- Rabies clinics: Announced annual rabies vaccination clinic dates — March 8, 2025, at Burton Coliseum (Lake Charles) and April 5, 2025, in Sulphur at the West Calarena. This advisory was announced to the jury; no vote required.

- Condolences: Adopted a resolution of condolences to the family of the late Reverend Franklin E. Fondell Sr. (motion Gilroy). Outcome: adopted.

- Executive session and settlement authorization: After an executive session, the jury considered case number 2024-1902 (listed on the agenda). A motion was made and seconded to authorize Sam Gabb to execute all necessary settlement documents on behalf of the Police Jury in that matter; the motion carried. Outcome: authorized. (The record lists the case number; settlement terms were not read into the public record at the meeting.)

Most items were presented with staff recommendations and carried with no extended debate; the meeting record indicates questions were asked on some items (for example, procurement procedures for library contracts) and were answered by staff during the meeting.