Morgan City Council adopts amended general plan map, approves pay schedule and several code changes

Morgan City Council on April 14 adopted an updated general plan that includes an amended “Option B” future‑land‑use map for the Red Rock neighborhood and approved a package of administrative and code changes intended to support city projects and operations.

The council’s unanimous vote approved Ordinance 2603, which adopts the two‑year general plan update and explicitly includes a revised map that converts a small area along Red Rock Street from medium‑density residential (MDR) to low‑density residential (LDR). Jake, a city planning presenter, said the change was offered after staff met with nearby residents and described the amended map as “a good compromise” that addresses neighbors’ worry about multi‑family development while not immediately changing zoning. “We would bring it up as an option to the council,” he said during the meeting.

Why it matters: The adopted map is a future‑land‑use designation, not a zoning reclassification. Staff noted the LDR designation increases the minimum lot expectation (LDR approximately 12,000 sq. ft. vs. MDR roughly 10,000 sq. ft.), which residents said clarifies what to expect for development and can reduce pressure from developers seeking higher densities.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance 2603 (Morgan City General Plan update, amended map): motion moved by Councilmember Tony, seconded by Councilmember Dave; outcome: approved unanimously. (Topic intro SEG 2216; vote SEG 2460) - Ordinance 2604 (allow recording of municipal liens for delinquent utilities): motion moved by Councilmember Steve; outcome: approved unanimously. Staff said the change follows a recent state law amendment that allows municipalities to record liens after required notices and waiting periods. (Topic intro SEG 2524; vote SEG 2692) - Ordinance 2605 (amend Title 12 floodway provisions to permit fisheries/park project): motion made and seconded on the floor; outcome: approved unanimously. Staff said the change permits specified park or trail improvements in limited floodway areas to facilitate a proposed fishery park. (Topic intro SEG 2696; vote SEG 2756) - Resolution 26‑15 (compensation schedule): motion moved and seconded on the floor; outcome: approved unanimously. The market study that informed the schedule is folded into the tentative budget with a modest near‑term fiscal impact. (Topic intro SEG 2806; vote SEG 2868) - Resolution 26‑16 (delay agreement with Lucerne Management Co. LLC for frontage improvements at ~584 N 700 E): motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved unanimously. The agreement records a future obligation on the property and allows the city to require improvements, bonding, or liens later when corridor design is finalized. (Topic intro SEG 2872; vote SEG 3460)

Staff also explained the fiscal and implementation context for these votes. Ty, presenting a market salary study, described the pay‑range adjustments as an effort to keep city classifications within 10% of the market median and to reduce salary compression; he estimated the immediate payroll increase at about $49,000 on a roughly $1.5 million payroll and said insurance‑buyout savings and conservative budgeting should cover near‑term costs.

On the utility‑lien measure, Gary (city counsel/staff) said state law recently changed to permit municipal liens for delinquent utility charges after notice and the expiration of statutory cure periods; the lien would be a final‑remedy tool used alongside existing remedies such as service shutoff.

What’s next: The general plan ordinance provides an immediate effective date in its text, making the updated future‑land‑use map official policy for plan and permitting guidance. For the delay agreement approved for 700 East, council discussion left detailed financial assurances (bonding or an assessed share of future improvements) to be set when the city finalizes corridor plans and cost estimates.

Council members praised staff outreach during the public comment period and thanked residents who attended. The council then entered an executive session to discuss real‑property strategy.

Sources: City staff presentations and council discussion during the Morgan City work meeting (April 14, 2026).