Calcasieu Parish Police Jury OKs rezoning for nursery, bridge expropriation and coastal phase-one support; approves multiple contracts and grants

The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury on March 26 approved a package of routine and project-specific actions, including a rezoning to permit nursery use, property actions tied to a bridge replacement, coastal restoration funding support and several procurement and grant submittals.

The jury voted to rezone 5507 Big Lake Road in Ward 3 from mixed residential to light commercial to allow nurseries; the motion, made by Ms. Eason with conditions and seconded by Mr. Stelly, carried. The panel also declared 201 Edgar Street in Sulphur surplus and authorized the parish purchasing agent to advertise the property for bids (motion by Mr. Andrepont; second by Mr. Bowers).

On infrastructure, the jury adopted a resolution amending the professional engineering contract for the McGuire Road Drainage Repair Project and approved an act of sale and a separate expropriation in full fee ownership to acquire property for the Gary Road cutoff bridge replacement; motions on those items were recorded and each motion carried. The jury accepted multiple vendor bids for water-level monitoring station parts (Bluewater Design Technologies, Hydrolink Systems and OTT Hydromet) and recommended Associated Design Group for engineering and technical services related to emergency generator projects following staff recommendation.

The panel also voted to support the Pecan Bayou marsh creation and the Holly Beach East shoreline protection projects for phase-one funding from the CWPRA task force, adopting a resolution backing the coastal efforts.

On housing matters, the jury certified that the Calcasieu Parish Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program is categorically excluded from activities as a tenant-based rental assistance program and adopted a proclamation naming April 2026 as Fair Housing Month in Calcasieu Parish.

The jury approved submittal of a grant application to Keep Louisiana Beautiful to purchase litter-removal devices intended to capture debris from waterways and storm systems. During discussion Mr. Burley expressed concern that such devices could restrict flow during floods; staff said the devices are a low-impact pilot and that technical details (including skirt length and specifications) would be provided later.

Personal remarks included a point of privilege by Mr. Anjapar praising parish staff for responsiveness and professionalism, and condolences from Mr. Quinn to the family of Glenn Franklin for his decades of local service. The meeting moved into an executive session and adjourned after it concluded.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting): - 1A: Approve one new and three renewal liquor/beer permits — Motion by Mr. Barras, second by Mr. Lewis; outcome: approved. - 1B: Rezoning — 5507 Big Lake Road (Ward 3) from mixed residential to light commercial (to allow nurseries) — Motion by Ms. Eason (with conditions), second by Mr. Stelly; outcome: approved. - 2A: Approve minutes of Feb. 19, 2026 meeting — Motion by Mr. Barras, second by Mr. Bartie; outcome: approved. - 2B: Declare 201 Edgar Street, Sulphur, surplus; authorize advertising for bids — Motion by Mr. Andrepont, second by Mr. Bowers; outcome: approved. - 3A: Amend engineering contract — McGuire Road Drainage Repair Project — Motion recorded; outcome: approved. - 3B: MPO supplemental overlay program agreement (wards 1, 3, 4) — Motion by Mr. Smith, second by Mr. Quinn; outcome: approved. - 3C/3D: Approve acts of donation of permanent utility servitude for Big Lake Road and Nelson Road water expansion projects — Motions by Ms. Eason and Mr. Bartie (seconds recorded); outcomes: approved. - 3E: Act of sale for property for Gary Road cutoff bridge replacement — Motion by Mr. Stelly, second by Mr. Bowers; outcome: approved. - 3F: Adopt resolution approving expropriation for Gary cutoff bridge replacement — Motion by Mr. Andrepont, second by Mr. Quinn; outcome: approved. - 3G: Support Pecan Bayou marsh creation and Holly Beach East shoreline protection (phase one funding from CWPRA task force) — Motion by Mr. Stelly, second by Mr. Hayes; outcome: approved. - 4A: Louisiana compliance questionnaire for 2025 audit — Motion by Mr. Bowers, second by Mr. Andrepont; outcome: approved. - 4B: Federally funded public assistance MOU (severe winter storm Fern event) — Motion by Mr. Smith, second by Mr. Lewis; outcome: approved. - 5A: Submit grant to Keep Louisiana Beautiful for litter-capture devices (pilot) — Motion by Mr. Bartie, second by Mr. Bowers; outcome: approved. - 6A: Certify Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program categorical exclusion — Motion by Mr. Guillory, second by Mr. Quinn; outcome: approved. - 6B: Proclaim April 2026 Fair Housing Month — Motion by Mr. Guillory, second by Mr. Smith; outcome: approved. - 7A: Approve payment of current invoices and budget-to-actual comparisons — Motion by Mr. Andrepont, second by Mr. Barras; outcome: approved. - 7B: Qualification for engineering/technical services for emergency generator projects; staff recommended Associated Design Group — Motion by Mr. Stelly, second by Ms. Eason; outcome: approved. - 7C: Accept Dunham Price bid for ready-mix concrete; recusal noted — Motion carried. - 7D: Accept bids for water-level monitoring station parts (Bluewater Design Technologies; Hydrolink Systems; OTT Hydromet) — Motion carried.

What to expect next: staff follow-ups and technical specifications requested during discussion (for example, device skirt length and flood-impact details for the Keep Louisiana Beautiful pilot) were not provided at the meeting and will be supplied by staff in a later report or communication.

Sources: Calcasieu Parish Police Jury meeting, March 26, 2026 (meeting transcript).