Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Council Actions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hammond council introduces tax-election ordinance, renews Esri contract and awards drainage bids
Summary
At its regular session, the Hammond City Council introduced an ordinance to call a renewal ad valorem tax election, introduced a UDC cleanup ordinance for public hearing, approved a three-year Esri enterprise agreement totaling $92,420, and awarded FY25 drainage work to Arbor Construction after competitive bids.
The Hammond City Council on [date not specified in record] introduced an ordinance to order an election to renew an ad valorem millage for public works and set a public hearing for Aug. 12, 2025, with the election expected to occur at the November election. City staff said the action begins the statutorily required public-notice process for sending the question to voters.
Council also introduced an ordinance to remove unused and outdated definitions from the city's unified development code, a housekeeping measure staff said is part of a broader update led by city planner Frankie Legault. Staff noted the ordinance references an 18-page attachment identifying definitions recommended for removal; if introduced tonight, the item will receive a public hearing at the council's next meeting.
On resolutions and contracts, the council approved a three-year renewal with Esri (the company providing the city's GIS software). Staff said the first-year cost is $32,020 (reflecting a prorated July'August start), with years two and three at $30,200 each for a total three-year cost of $92,420. "Esri'is the company that provides our software for our GIS," a staff member said, adding the renewal keeps ArcGIS operational and shifts billing to an Aug. 1 cycle to better align renewals with the city budget.
The council also ratified and awarded bids received July 3, 2025, for FY25 miscellaneous drainage improvements. Public works staff reported eight responsive bidders and said Arbor Construction was the low bidder and came in under budget. The project scope includes work on rear lots on Lado Lane, drainage between Timberlane and Lado Lane, and subsurface drainage along the east side of Rose Memorial Park Cemetery north of Western Avenue; staff estimated construction could begin in July or August and said crews will stage work, likely starting at the cemetery and moving to other locations.
Council unanimously approved a resolution backing the city's application to the Apache Corporation tree grant for 125 trees to support the annual Louisiana Arbor Day tree giveaway scheduled for Jan. 16, 2026. During roll calls and motions on the items recorded in the transcript, members present voted "Aye" on the motions as noted by the clerk.
Actions recorded in the meeting record included: approval of the minutes from June 24, 2025; introduction (first reading/public-notice) of Ordinance No. 1 (UDC definitions cleanup) and Ordinance No. 2 (ad valorem tax renewal election); approval of the Esri enterprise agreement renewal; award of drainage improvement bids to Arbor Construction; approval of the Apache tree-grant application; tabling of the annual municipal water pollution prevention report pending staff attendance; and adjournment.
The council did not finalize the municipal water pollution prevention report because the responsible staff member was absent and the item was tabled for reintroduction when staff can attend. Several items introduced will return for public hearing or final adoption at future meetings.
