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Council roundup: hotel alcohol permit, NEDA MOU, construction change orders and project closeout
Summary
Council approved Ordinance No. 22 to allow on‑premise alcohol at a Hampton Inn, a one‑year MOU with the Natchitoches Economic Development Alliance, change orders for Fire Station No. 3 and the South Williams waterline (including a net decrease), and certified substantial completion of the waterline project; police‑pay and NSU CEA items were introduced for later consideration.
At its July 13 meeting the Natchitoches City Council took several items in a single session: it approved a hotel alcohol permit, ratified contracting changes on two infrastructure projects, adopted a one‑year MOU with the local economic‑development group and took up introductions on police pay and a university fundraising CEA.
Ordinance No. 22 (2026) — read by Councilwoman Washington Eli — amends zoning to allow the Hampton Inn at 4300 University Parkway to sell alcohol on the premises, a typical hotel bar permit. The council voted to adopt the ordinance.
Ordinance No. 23 (2026) authorizes a one‑year memorandum of understanding with the Natchitoches Economic Development Alliance (NEDA). Laura Liles of NEDA said, "I don't have anything to add. If there are any questions, we'd be happy to answer them," and asked board members in attendance to stand and be recognized. Board chair Tom Matusch (transcription variably spelled Matushka) said the alliance sees economic development as a "team sport" requiring multi‑partner effort. Several councilmembers praised the board; one councilmember voted no over a separate concern, but the ordinance passed.
On capital projects, Council approved Change Order No. 2 for Pat Williams Construction on Fire Station No. 3 (an increase of $29,551.50; revised contract $3,333,695.36). Staff explained the items (driveway tie‑in, parking‑lot grade adjustments and related concrete work) and said weather had delayed some work. The council also approved Change Order No. 3 on the South Williams Waterline, which decreased the contract by $28,739 to a revised total of $871,840.51; staff reported the project came in roughly $100,000 under budget. Council then certified substantial completion and started the one‑year warranty period.
Separately, Council heard introductions: Ordinance No. 25 would raise the base hourly pay for sworn police officers from $16 to $18, funded from a 1995 sales tax that supports law enforcement; the item was introduced for later consideration. Councilwoman Smith Kuykendahl introduced a cooperative endeavor agreement with Northwestern State University and Demons Unlimited Foundation related to a "dream home" raffle (tickets $100, drawing 11/06/2026); some members requested additional legal review about using public fee waivers for the project.
The meeting closed after routine announcements and community event updates.
