Votes at a glance: New Iberia council approves appointments, contracts, ARPA extensions, pay increase and budget introductions

At its meeting the City of New Iberia City Council approved a slate of routine resolutions and introduced budget ordinances. Key actions included an appointment to the Parks and Recreation Commission, contracts for geotechnical testing and wastewater headworks work, approval of ARPA business‑grant next steps, a 2% pay increase for classified municipal employees and several budget ordinances set for public hearing.

What the council approved (outcomes and notes):

- Resolution 24109 — Appointment to Parks and Recreation Commission. The council approved appointing Brook Milazzo to the New Iberia Parks and Recreation Commission to complete a five‑year term. The appointee attended the meeting. (Introduced at 00:02:07.)

- Resolution 24110 — Award contract to Louisiana Testing and Inspection, Inc. The council approved a contract for testing and inspection related to planned asphalt street reconstruction. During discussion staff clarified this contract covers geotechnical and material testing only (core samples, lab testing and reporting); the construction contract will be separate. Councilman Dan Dahl noted the contract contemplates an upfront line item and monthly billing; staff said the initial estimated up‑front amount is $42,100 and the firm will bill monthly as testing is performed. (Introduced at 00:03:12.)

- Resolution 24111 — Award contract to NCMC LLC for wastewater headworks upgrade and rehab. The council approved the low bid and authorized the mayor to execute documents. Staff reported the headworks bid came in within the budget and early ordering of screens should allow the project to be ready for March construction. (Introduced at 00:09:23.)

- Resolution 24112 — Approving rating criteria for the ARPA “One Block at a Time” program. The council approved the program criteria; staff will grade applications and return a ranked list of finalists and alternates for council approval. (Discussed at length; see separate article.)

- Resolution 24113 — Authorize a second ARPA Business Development Grant application period. The council approved reopening the application period for two additional weeks (new deadline to be posted starting October 7), to secure additional qualified business applicants. Staff reported the program requirements include being in city limits, small business size limits, operation date thresholds and proof of loss OR being in a qualified census tract. (Introduced at 00:34:23.)

- Resolution 24114 — Approve a 2% general increase for municipal classified employees, effective Nov. 1, 2024. The council approved the automatic annual 2% increase for classified (civil service) employees. (Introduced at 00:44:41.)

- Ordinances introduced for budget adoption and amendments. The council introduced the FY2024–25 budget adoption ordinance and several budget amendments and transfers (special ordinances setting public hearings for Oct. 1, 2024). Staff noted a handful of minor adjustments and said finalized amendment language will be provided to the council prior to public hearing. (Introduced at 00:45:33 onward.)

- Resolution 24115 — Declare attachments to buildings dilapidated and set hearing. The council approved setting public hearings for a batch of properties identified as dilapidated; staff will send required notices and the city attorney to handle absentee-owner notice work. Council appointed McKinley James (real‑estate attorney) to provide notice to absentee owners for that process. (Introduced at 01:02:06.)

Vote records and procedure: For each item council called for vote-by-machine and moved each resolution forward; the meeting record shows motions, seconding and the items being approved by the council. The minutes and formal roll calls will appear in the official minutes published by the clerk.

Selected clarifying details recorded in the meeting: the geotechnical/testing contract includes an initial estimate of approximately $42,100 to be billed against as testing proceeds; testing work includes physical coring, lab work and a typical three‑month turnaround for reports. The headworks bid arrived within budget and staff is ordering long‑lead items early. The ARPA business‑grant extension was set for two weeks with a proposed new closing date on October 7, 2024. The 2% pay increase is the annual civil‑service adjustment and does not apply to council members.

What comes next: Staff will publish the revised budget documents and amendments before the Oct. 1 public hearings, finalize contract paperwork and proceed with procurement and project scheduling. For demo and dilapidated properties, staff will send certified notices and the attorney assigned will handle absentee‑owner notifications as required by ordinance.