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Monroe council approves housing agreements, police purchases and infrastructure contracts; fails reapportionment plan
Summary
At its May 12 meeting the Monroe City Council approved multiple housing rehabilitation agreements and public-safety equipment purchases, accepted infrastructure bids and authorized transit bus procurement; the council failed to adopt a reapportionment plan and postponed a budget supplement for further review.
The Monroe City Council on May 12 approved a slate of measures on housing, public safety and infrastructure while voting down a reapportionment ordinance and postponing a budget amendment.
Housing and community development: The council unanimously approved several housing-related measures including Resolution No. 9123 (a HOME American Rescue Plan agreement with AHAYAH Community Development Corporation to rehabilitate a property at 3805 Spurgeon Street), Resolution No. 9124 (a HOME partnership with Quest 4 Success for rehabilitation at 1807 Ruth Street), Resolution No. 9125 (a professional services agreement with Mid City Redevelopment Alliance for housing counseling and financial coaching) and Resolution No. 9126 (a professional services agreement with United Way of Northeast Louisiana for financial education services). Planning & Urban Development Director Ellen Hill said the items support reinvestment efforts and the upcoming Housing Fair on June 6.
Public safety and equipment: The council accepted a five-year contract for diesel and electric transit buses (Resolution No. 9127) and approved purchases to equip ten leased Ford Explorer police vehicles (Resolution No. 9128) and to buy 24 SWAT vests and related equipment (Resolution No. 9129) under state contracts. Chief Zordan told council the additional leased vehicles were needed because of an increase in officers and equipment requirements.
Infrastructure and engineering: The council accepted a bid from Amethyst Construction, Inc. for Powell Avenue Community Center parking improvements (Resolution No. 9130), accepted substantial completion from Phantom Construction for the WPCC Headworks Screen Improvements (Resolution No. 9131), and approved Work Authorization No. 8 with Garver, LLC for resident project representative services on a MALSR relocation tied to the Kansas Lane and I-20 improvements (Resolution No. 9132). Purchasing was authorized to advertise a bid for a Water Treatment Plant control room HVAC modification project estimated at $200,000.
Ordinances and votes: On second reading the council unanimously failed to adopt an ordinance establishing a reapportionment plan for Monroe City Council districts. The council did approve Ordinance No. 12,296 (a memorandum of agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration for use of certain Monroe Regional Airport property), Ordinance No. 12,297 (granting utility servitude and right-of-way to Entergy Louisiana, LLC) and Ordinance No. 12,298 (revoking a portion of Reese Street).
Budget item passed over: Council passed over an ordinance to amend and supplement the City of Monroe operating budget for fiscal year 2025-2026 until the May 26 meeting after members raised questions about fund balance calculations and prior-year data; staff said adjustments may reflect reconciliations and increased sales tax revenue but agreed to provide clarifying documentation.
Votes at a glance: Resolution Nos. 9123–9126, 9127–9129, 9130–9132 — all approved; Reapportionment ordinance — failed on second reading; budget supplement ordinance — passed over for further review.
The council adjourned at 7:53 p.m.
