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Iberia Parish Council unanimously authorizes negotiations to transfer Sugarcane Festival Building to New Iberia, asks for AG opinion
Summary
After extended debate, the council passed a resolution authorizing the parish president to continue negotiations with the city of New Iberia over the Sugarcane Festival Building and requested the district attorney seek an opinion from the Louisiana Attorney General about the transaction.
The Iberia Parish Council on Jan. 8 unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the parish president to continue negotiations with the city of New Iberia over the possible transfer of the Sugarcane Festival Building and asking the district attorney to request an opinion from the Louisiana Attorney General on the proposed transaction.
Councilman Dustin Sweare, who introduced the item, said he wanted the support on the record to advance negotiations and make clear the council was committed to moving the project forward. "I would like it on record that we've all set it up here. We support you. You continue making this happen," Sweare said. The language was amended during debate to clarify the action "authorizes the parish president to continue negotiations to accomplish the transfer" rather than effecting an immediate transfer.
Parish legal counsel Ian told the council he had drafted a letter for the city attorney’s review and recommended requesting an Attorney General opinion because the proposed transaction would involve the parish transferring ownership while promising certain ongoing public uses and investments. "When you have that type of transaction ... you need to ensure that both of the governing bodies authorize that we're receiving roughly equivalent value," Ian said, describing concerns about title issues and how to document reciprocal commitments.
Council members who spoke supported moving the negotiations forward while insisting the parish follow legal process. The amended resolution passed by unanimous consent; the council recorded no conditions that would block further negotiation, and the parish president and city attorney are expected to continue discussions and then pursue any required legal opinions.
Next steps recorded in the discussion include refining the transfer language, sending the legal questions to the district attorney for an AG request and returning to the council with the results and any proposed transfer terms.
