City of Lake Charles

The meeting included deferrals of several agenda items concerning purchase agreements for a Three-Wheel Sweeper, Public Works New Facility Phase 2, and the Lock Park Inclusive Playground. Public hearings were held for demolitions at Cline Street, Azalea Drive (carport only), Shaw Street, Alamo Street, Kingsley Street, and North Wendell Street, with various time delays granted. Other demolitions were deferred to later dates. The Council adopted an ordinance for the Sallier Street Reconstruction project after amending the title regarding contract award concurrence, and discussed funding sources related to the 2006 Bond and the Enterprise Boulevard Extension project, including a request for ROW acquisition notices. Several Professional Services Agreements were authorized for various engineering and architectural firms, and an ordinance amending permitted uses related to AirBnB's and VRBO's was adopted. Additionally, the Council authorized funding for renovations and the extension of the Lakefront Boardwalk, and adopted an ordinance prohibiting parking on the East side of Fifth Avenue in a specific segment.

The City Council meeting commenced with prayer and the pledge of allegiance. Key discussion points included granting points of privilege to recognize the police and fire departments for their rapid response to a fire incident on Big Lake Road, and to acknowledge efforts in bringing new businesses to Lake Charles, specifically mentioning work on the Hobby Lobby, K's, and Logan's properties. The Council also addressed several administrative items, including the deferral of agenda item five to March 18, 2026, and the appointment of council members to review bids for a new street sweeper and various public works projects like the Lock Park playground and Millennium Park surface replacement. Public hearings were scheduled for April 15, 2026, concerning the condemnation of numerous structures due to hurricane damage or tax sale issues, including properties on Broad Street, Chamilleia Street, Broadmore Drive, Brentwood Drive, Louisiana Avenue, 15th Street, and Clarinda Street. The Council also considered an ordinance for the demolition of a structure at 521 Kingsley Street and voted on a resolution concerning the review of Municipal Water Pollution Prevention (MWPP) accounts for multiple plants. A public comment was made regarding a proposed settlement of a lawsuit against the city.

The meeting commenced with the presentation of monthly financial reports for January 2026. Key actions included the approval of an ordinance to accept the lowest responsible bid for Project No. LR002 - Sallier Street Reconstruction, with Councilman Young appointed as chairman. Public hearings addressed the demolition of structures at 1814 Easton Street, which was deferred for 90 days, and 1610 Graham Street, deferred for 60 days. A public hearing regarding a variance request for a new restaurant buffer zone at the corner of West Prien Lake Road and Contraband Parkway resulted in the adoption of an ordinance. Final action was taken on an ordinance to purchase two new Side-Loader Refuse Trucks from Martin Truck for $688,526.00. Most subsequent ordinances (Items 7 through 26), which involved Professional Services Agreements with various firms, were deferred for two weeks. Final action was taken to adopt ordinances annexing property at 1600 Siebarth Drive, assigning it Business Zoning Classification, and assigning Councilmanic District "B". An ordinance for incurring debt up to $145,000,000 for public improvements was adopted for housekeeping purposes. An ordinance authorizing the purchase of three new ADA Certified Buses was also adopted. Resolutions accepting several Sewer and Waterline Repair/Extension Projects as substantially complete were adopted via the consent agenda.

The meeting addressed numerous agenda items, including appointments to review bids for two new side loader refuge trucks and for the Salier Street reconstruction project. Several public hearings and ordinances for demolition were discussed concerning properties at various addresses including 712 William Street, 3023 General Twining, 2205 Klein Street, 806 Aelia Drive, 518 Labato Street, 210 North Booker Street, 21103 Aaloosa Street, 1613 Shaw Street, and 1029 Alamo Street. Final action ordinances covered accepting bids for Celie Road Bridge repairs, purchasing a new three-wheel sweeper, entering into agreements for comprehensive security detail coverage for city facilities, amending the budget for the W3 Marshal's office to add a Deputy Marshal position, accepting bids for Murfield Drive drainage phase 2, reprogramming unspent Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus funds to the Gosport Park improvement project, and amending boundaries for the Enterprise Boulevard Economic Development District. Resolutions approved special event permits for parades, including the Southwest District Livestock Show and Rodeo Parade and Mardi Gras parades organized by Knights of St. Peter Claver and Lake Charles Mardi Gras. Resolutions also designated Lock Park and Nelly Lucher Memorial Park as family-friendly zones during Mardi Gras parade activities, prohibiting alcohol and parking. Ordinances introduced for future consideration included the purchase of new low-floor buses for the transit division, and setting dates for public hearings regarding a zoning variance denial for a proposed restaurant at West Prien Lake Road and Contraband Parkway, as well as annexations properties on Seabirth Drive.

Key discussions included committee appointments, with nominations for Chair positions on the Arts & Events Committee and Capital Improvements Committee, while the Business Development Chair position was deferred to the next meeting to include absent commissioners. An informational presentation was given regarding the new Guard Building at Millennium Park, clarifying that the old guard building will become a concession building. The review of two new Downtown Lake Charles Logos was presented, with concerns raised about font consistency with the Interstate Lake Charles Logo, which is slated for further discussion at the next meeting. Inquiry was made regarding the status of the 314 Broad property plan.