New Iberia council approves multiple ARPA projects, awards contracts and defers excavation ordinance

NEW IBERIA, La. — The New Iberia City Council on Dec. 3 approved several contract awards and budget adjustments tied to American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, moved forward a state-funded sidewalk project, extended the Steamboat Pavilion construction schedule and voted to defer an ordinance tightening rules for utility excavations on public property.

Why it matters: The actions allocate federal ARPA dollars to visible public projects — restrooms and park facilities, gateway signage, canal cleanup and public-safety infrastructure — and advance long‑running agreements with state transportation officials for downtown sidewalks. Council members said the projects respond to repeated public requests and to deadlines for spending ARPA funds.

Ordinances and resolutions approved

- Annexation ordinance (Ordinance No. 202431): The council approved an ordinance enlarging New Iberia’s municipal boundaries to add about 13 acres for residential development. The motion to open and move the ordinance was made and seconded on the floor; the council then voted on the main motion and returned the item approved (mover and second recorded during debate).

- ARPA budget amendment for restroom renovations (Ordinance No. 202432): Council approved a budget amendment reallocating ARPA funds for restroom renovations at multiple community centers and Bank Street Park. City staff said the total project budget is about $478,000; roughly $80,000 of that is allocated to Bank Street Park, with the remainder split among the gyms and community centers. The work will be bid; staff estimated contractors could begin in roughly six to eight weeks and said the work will be staged so facilities can remain partly open.

- Hopkins Street Gateway project contract (Resolution No. 24155): The council awarded a contract to E and L Construction Group LLC for an ARPA-funded Hopkins Street gateway project. City staff reported a contract amount of $293,333.33 after selecting a base bid and accepting a first alternate with value engineering. The scope includes 15 small vertical district signs and larger gateway signage at two prominent entrances to the cultural district; the signs are fabricated aluminum with automotive paint and were described as having roughly a 10-year color retention.

- Major drainage cleanout,…