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Harahan residents press council on senior-center repairs and fire-station plans as FEMA communications stall
Summary
At the Harahan council meeting, Harahan Senior Center volunteers described a contractor quote higher than available state funds and requested donations for 120 chairs; a resident asked about a planned fire station, and council said FEMA is not communicating and a relocation may save about $1.4 million.
Speakers during public comment pressed the council for updates on two community priorities: repairs and equipment at the Harahan Senior Center and the status of a planned fire station.
Spike Kiddok, speaking for the Harahan Senior Center, said bathroom repairs remain pending and that the center has been working with contractors and available funds. Kiddok told the council a contractor provided a quote of about $52,000 for the work while the center has roughly $50,000 allocated from the state; Kiddok said the contractor indicated they could "work with it." He also said the senior center is replacing about 120 chairs and that donors can contribute; the chairs were described in the meeting as under $80 apiece. Council members and staff said they would follow up to reconcile bids and available grant funds.
Resident Eileen Hagador asked whether the new fire station will be built at the previously discussed site. Council members replied that FEMA has stopped communicating amid a partial federal-government shutdown, delaying confirmation. Council members said they are pursuing approval to relocate the station across the street, which was described as likely to save roughly $1.4 million compared with building with a temporary facility, but they gave no timetable for final approval.
Police Chief Lee also provided operational updates during the meeting, noting that the department's Flock cameras helped recover a stolen vehicle with about $3,000 in stolen merchandise and that the department remains short several officers. Lee said the department is exploring technology and vendor options that might reduce communications and body-camera costs and asked residents to report travel plans so officers can check homes.
Council acknowledged the public comments and directed staff to follow up on bids, funding, and the senior-center needs; no formal council action was recorded on the senior-center repairs during the meeting.
