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Iberia Parish Council defers ordinance transferring Sugar Cane Festival Building to city amid legal questions
Summary
Council deferred an ordinance to declare the Sugar Cane Festival Building and surrounding land surplus and transfer it to the City of New Iberia after city and parish attorneys raised concerns about historic restrictions and access to a small parcel in front of the Veterans Memorial Building.
The Iberia Parish Council voted Jan. 28 to defer action on an ordinance that would declare the Sugar Cane Festival Building and surrounding property surplus and transfer it to the City of New Iberia for renovation.
Jeff Simon, identified in public comment as the city attorney and an Iberia Parish resident, told the council the parties were “right at the end of the process” on a draft agreement but asked for extra time to resolve an issue about approximately 0.6 acres in front of the Veterans Memorial Building. Simon said the parcel’s transfer is constrained by restrictions tied to a 1927 property transfer and urged the council to give the city time to “land this plane.”
During the council discussion, members raised practical and legal concerns about access and liability. Councilwoman Natalie Broussard said the agreement presented to council committee did not include transfer of ownership of the parking area in front of the building and asked whether the council wanted actual ownership or only permanent use and access rights. Parish President (speaking during the discussion) said the city had proposed that the parish have permanent rights of access and parking but that inclusion of ownership language required legal review.
Council members and counsel also discussed funding assumptions in the draft cooperative endeavor agreement. Participants noted the city reported over $1 million in cash available for the project and additional funds that might be accessed, but council members sought clarity about whether pledged funds or appropriations might change the parish’s obligations. A parish attorney described a reversionary clause in the draft intended to protect the parish if an expected appropriation or performance did not occur, and said the clause defines an endpoint after which the transfer is final if the city completes the project per the agreement.
After discussion, Councilman Brock Pellerin moved — and the council seconded — to defer the ordinance to the next meeting so the city attorney could research the property transfer language and clarify legal implications. The motion carried.
What’s next: The ordinance will return for further review at a future council meeting after city legal counsel and the parish examine transfer language and the effect of historic deed restrictions. No transfer of title or change in control occurred as a result of the Jan. 28 vote.
