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Council approves amendment increasing Block-at-a-Time home-repair budget; staff to group roof bids
Summary
The Block-at-a-Time residential repair program budget was increased and staff described plans to package roofing and other trades for public bidding; council discussed sequencing (roofs prioritized) and audit considerations for bid packaging.
The New Iberia City Council approved an amendment increasing funding for the Block-at-a-Time owner-occupied home repairs program and heard staff describe procurement plans to expedite roofs and other repairs.
Staff said the program’s third amendment raised the program from $900,000 to $1,093,000 and that surveys of more than 50 houses (reported as 54 properties) informed the scope. Council discussed prioritizing roofing because roofs are the riskiest items and can prevent further interior damage. Staff said they plan to prepare bid packets for categories (shingle roofs vs. metal roofs) and will coordinate with auditors to ensure procurement conforms to audit rules and federal requirements tied to ARPA funding.
Why it matters: the program targets home repairs for seniors, low-income and disabled homeowners; prioritizing roofs reduces the risk of water intrusion and further damage. Council emphasized the need to package bids in a way that preserves competition while meeting insurance and audit constraints.
Council members asked whether the program would return each house individually for approval; staff said they will not bring each house to council and expect to advertise grouped packages for bidding. Staff estimated work could begin in phases by the end of the month for initial packages, starting with roofing.
