Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Street Renaming topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bogalusa council votes to introduce amendment to allow street renaming where no houses exist
Summary
After public comment and debate, the Bogalusa City Council voted Feb. 17 to introduce an amendment to Ordinance 972 (section 15‑22) that would create an exception to a five‑year naming rule for blocks with no residential structures; the ordinance will return for public discussion and a formal vote in two weeks.
BOGALUSA — The Bogalusa City Council on Feb. 17 voted to introduce, for consideration in two weeks, an amendment to the municipal ordinance that governs place‑naming after deceased persons. The measure, introduced during a public hearing over renaming the 700 block of Mark Street in honor of civil‑rights activist Delia Jackie Hicks, would create an exception to the city’s five‑year rule where no structures exist on a block.
The change was proposed after staff said Washington Parish 911, GIS and AT&T reviewed the request and determined no housing structures are on the 700 block, meaning address changes would not be required if the council proceeds with a full street‑name change rather than only an honorary marker. Council members debated whether to use an honorary plaque — which would leave the official street name unchanged — or to change the street name itself, as the family requested.
President Urban, noting the municipal code, said "there is an outstanding ordinance. It says 5 years," and council members discussed prior exceptions the council had made in similar cases. Because the item touches an existing ordinance (Ord. 972, section 15‑22, adopted Feb. 1980), council members settled on introducing an amendment tonight and laying the ordinance over for two weeks so the proposed language can be drafted, reviewed and posted for public comment.
The council’s action at the meeting was limited to amending the agenda to allow the introduction of an ordinance that would revise section 15‑22; it did not adopt a final renaming. Under the motion approved by roll call, the ordinance will return at a later meeting for public discussion and a formal vote. Council members who raised procedural concerns emphasized they wanted to follow the city attorney’s guidance and the charter’s processes before finalizing any name change.
The family and several public commenters urged the council to honor Mrs. Hicks’ legacy; supporters said she participated in local civil‑rights marches, ran Bible study at Beth Baptist Church for decades and offered her home to workers during the movement. Council staff said the family requested a full name change (not only an honorary sign) and that, because no residences occupy the affected block, 911 and postal systems would not require address updates.
The meeting also included routine business: the council approved minutes from its Feb. 3 meeting, heard a variety of administrative remarks and announced its next regular meeting for March 3, 2026, before adjourning.
Votes at a glance: - Approval of minutes, Feb. 3, 2026 — Passed (roll call; recorded affirmative votes) - Motion to amend the agenda and introduce an ordinance to amend Ord. 972 (section 15‑22) for areas with no structures — Passed by roll call; matter laid over for formal consideration in two weeks.
