Council approves agreement to allow app-based kayak rentals at Bayou Teche dock

The City of New Iberia moved forward with an agreement to allow Wanderlust Rentals LLC to operate an app-based kayak rental kiosk at the city's Bayou Teche dock after a presentation and council discussion.

Wanderlust Rentals owner Reid Rudisill told the council the company would install a self-service kiosk and supply kayaks and smart locks at no upfront cost to the city. "We currently have 3 locations in Lafayette," Rudisill said, and said the company's plan is to expand along Bayou Teche with self-service kiosks at existing kayak docks.

The city's resolution, No. 2501, authorizes the mayor to negotiate and execute an agreement with Wanderlust Rentals LLC for operation of Bayou Teche watercraft rentals. According to the discussion, the proposal would start with eight kayaks and include insurance provided by the contractor and a revenue share the presenter described as "10%."

Council members asked several operational questions. Councilman Ron Davis raised safety and lighting concerns, noting that posted hours that included 8 p.m. could extend past sundown in winter: "See my 8 o'clock is past sundown. The kayaks, I know, don't have any lights." Rudisill said the company would operate only during daylight and could make contract language specifying operating hours: "we wouldn't be running the kayaks past, you know, 5 o'clock, during the winter time whenever it gets dark out."

The council discussed contractor presence and customer support. Rudisill said the kiosks are app-driven and there would be no permanent on-site staff, but customers could call or text the company for help: "we won't have anybody on-site, but they can definitely give us a call or text us." He said the company handles upfront costs, recurring maintenance and routine cleaning.

Council members and staff also discussed contract length and renewal options. The draft contract discussed in the meeting was described as a 20-month initial term with options to renew; council members expressed a preference to authorize a 20-month initial term with a single 20-month renewal option rather than multiple automatic renewals.

After discussion the council moved, seconded and voted on Resolution 2501 to authorize the mayor to negotiate and execute the agreement. The transcript records a vote was taken; no roll-call tally appears in the meeting record.

The contract, as discussed at the meeting, would require the contractor to provide insurance and a customer contact, allow the city to log complaints, and include termination/ cure language giving the city remedies if performance problems arise. Rudisill said installations and signage could be completed "2 to 3 weeks upon signing of a document," and that the company could add other rentable items in future if warranted by demand.

The council chair instructed members to record their votes and moved on to the next agenda item.

Questions and next steps identified during the meeting included finalizing operating hours (recommended: daylight/dusk), clarifying renewal language to limit automatic long-term extensions, confirming insurance and liability terms in the agreement, and ensuring contractor contact information and complaint procedures are clear in the contract.