Natchitoches City Council approves ARPA purchase of street sweeper, adopts LCDBG procurement policy and reappoints board members

The Natchitoches City Council voted unanimously to use remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to buy a street sweeper, adopt a procurement policy required for participation in the Louisiana Community Development Block Grant (LCDBG) program and reappoint members to two local boards.

Council members voted 3-0 to adopt Ordinance No. 1 of 2025, authorizing the use of remaining ARPA funds to purchase equipment titled to the City of Natchitoches, described at the meeting as a street sweeper. Clarissa Brown Smith, a city staff member who later presented the financial report, told the council this ordinance should be the city’s last ARPA appropriation because “we have expended all funds.” The ordinance was moved, seconded and adopted by roll call (Nelson: yes; Smith: yes; Harrington: yes).

The council also adopted Resolution No. 6 of 2025 adopting the LCDBG procurement policy and procedures required by the State’s LCDBG program and by OMB Circular A-102. Council members said the resolution is tied to public-facilities funding the city received to rehabilitate streets in low- and moderate-income areas; at the meeting staff described that funding as “more than $1,000,000” for street rehab. The resolution passed on a unanimous roll-call vote (Nelson: yes; Smith: yes; Harrington: yes).

By separate resolutions the council reappointed members to the Industrial Development Board and the Natchitoches Parish Port Commission. The council approved: - Resolution No. 7 of 2025, reappointing Francis Conine to the Industrial Development Board for a six-year term beginning April 23, 2024 and expiring April 23, 2030 (vote: Nelson: yes; Smith: yes; Harrington: yes). - Resolution No. 8 of 2025, reappointing Kamal Deep to the Industrial Development Board for a term retroactive to April 23, 2024 and expiring April 23, 2030 (vote: Nelson: yes; Smith: yes; Harrington: yes). - Resolution No. 9 of 2025, reappointing Bill Allen as the city’s commissioner on the Natchitoches Parish Port Commission for a six-year term commencing Oct. 12, 2024 and ending Oct. 12, 2030 (vote: Nelson: yes; Smith: yes; Harrington: yes). - Resolution No. 10 of 2025, reappointing J. W. Scarborough to the Natchitoches Parish Port Commission to fill a full term after serving a partial term (vote: Nelson: yes; Smith: yes; Harrington: yes).

The council also approved a procedural motion to dispense with the reading of minutes from the Jan. 13, 2025 meeting and adopt them as written; that motion carried on the same 3-0 roll call. The meeting concluded with routine announcements and an adjournment motion that carried unanimously.

The actions recorded at the meeting were procedural or administrative: the ARPA ordinance purchases equipment; the LCDBG procurement policy adoption is a required step to participate in state block-grant-funded street work; and the reappointments restore membership on boards that meet on an as-needed basis. No contested votes or recorded dissents were reported in the transcript.