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Calcasieu Parish Police Jury approves rezoning, schedules condemnations and awards multimillion-dollar renovation contracts
Summary
At its April 23 meeting the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury approved a rezoning to allow a contractor shop, authorized six show-cause hearings on potentially condemned structures, and accepted multiple bids and engineering awards including $5.41 million for Magnolia building renovations and $1.117 million for library paving.
The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury on April 23 approved a slate of routine and capital actions, including a rezoning to permit a contractor shop, authorization of six show-cause hearings for potentially condemned properties, and multiple bid awards for library paving and building renovations.
The meeting opened with an invocation led by Mr. Hayes and a roll call conducted by Ms. Wallace, who confirmed a quorum. President Absher then read the agenda and guided the Jury through motions and votes on each item; most motions carried without extended discussion.
The Jury approved Item 1A, accepting one new liquor/beer application and ratifying three special-event permits after a motion by Mr. Lewis, seconded by Mr. Andrew Pont. It adopted an ordinance (Item 1B) rezoning 2012 61 Highway 397 in Ward 8 from general commercial to light industrial to allow a contractor shop and storage yard; the motion to approve with conditions was made by Mr. Bartie and seconded by Mr. Marcantel and carried.
On Item 1C the Jury authorized the Division of Planning and Development to notify six property owners to show cause at a public hearing on June 4, 2026, why structures on their properties should not be condemned. The addresses listed in the action include properties in DeQuincy, Sulphur, Vinton and Westlake; the motion to authorize was moved by Mr. Marcantel and seconded by Mr. Hayes and carried.
The Jury approved the minutes from its March 26 meeting and accepted the Budget Committee report presented by Mr. Bartie. The committee recommended several gaming-fund grants and moved an amendment to the fiscal year 2026 budget for items that deviate from estimated revenues and expenditures; the Jury approved the committee’s recommendations. Notable allocations recommended by the Budget Committee and approved by the Jury included $12,800 for Ward 4 community center/park tree preservation at Frasch Park; $20,900 and $30,000 for Waterworks District No. 11 (Wards 4 and 7) for a West Parish Road Bridge waterline relocation and the purchase of three work trucks; $14,530 for abatement improvements at a Ward 6 community center in DeQuincy; and economic-development support of $15,000 to the Louisiana High School Athletic Association, $25,000 to the Louisiana High School Rodeo Association, and $35,000 to Visit Lake Charles for the Chennault Air Show.
The Jury adopted resolutions approving acts of donation of permanent utility servitude for the Nelson Road and Big Lake Road waterline expansion projects (Items 3A and 3B), after motions by Ms. Easton and seconds by Mr. Marcantel and Mr. Bowers, respectively.
On capital and procurement items, the Jury authorized advertisement for a request for proposals for a risk management information system and for bids on road striping. The Jury moved to reject the bid for the 901 Lakeshore first-floor and exterior improvements project on staff recommendation. The Jury also rejected the low bid(s) for the siren replacement project and authorized re-advertisement.
Staff recommended Wagner Engineering for qualification-based engineering and technical services for an emergency generator/sewage treatment pond project, and the Jury approved that recommendation. The Jury accepted the low bid of K&J Development of Southwest Louisiana LLC in the amount of $1,117,000 for paving and exterior improvements at various Calcasieu Parish libraries, and accepted Pat Williams Construction's low bid of $5,410,000 for Magnolia building renovations and improvements. For a Lakeshore Drive signalized crosswalk project, the Jury accepted the low bid of Preferred Electric in the amount of $289,187.87.
Most motions were moved and seconded by named jurors and carried without recorded roll-call tallies in the transcript other than the chair’s announcement that the motions carried. The meeting adjourned after routine business.
Details of next procedural steps: a public hearing on potential condemnations is scheduled for June 4, 2026; award procedures and contract finalizations will proceed according to staff recommendations and standard procurement timelines.
