Cedric Handy

The Council meeting included an agency update from the Arc of St. Mary/Center of Hope. The council is working with the Louisiana Office of Community Development to finalize a grant for blighted property demolitions. The City of Franklin will forward its Capital Outlay Request for projects including the Water Treatment Facility, Booster Pump Station, and Distribution System Improvements, Water Distribution System Improvements, and Various Street Repairs. The Franklin Fire Department's Property Insurance Rating improved. An ordinance amending Chapter 18, Section 18-7, of the Franklin City Code, authorizing the sale of cemetery graves was introduced. The council adopted a policy and procedure for public participation in meetings, authorized the filing of an application with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for a grant under 49 CFR 5311, and adopted resolutions for Capital Outlay request for certification for non-state funding. The council also authorized the Mayor to sign Cooperative Endeavor Agreements with the State Department of the Treasury and granted establishments permission to renew their city liquor licenses for 2026.

The council meeting included discussions and actions on several key areas. The Franklin Merchant's Association promoted the Bayou Teche Black Bear Festival, and Marcus Johnson discussed Crohn's and IBD Awareness. Older Adults Technology Services were also promoted, offering free digital literacy classes for older adults. The council introduced an ordinance fixing the rates of tax for the year 2025 and adopted resolutions including lifting the open alcohol container law for the Bayou Teche Black Bear Festival and the St. Mary Parish Soul Food Festival, adjusting overnight dockside parking limits, and authorizing the mayor to negotiate amendments to a lease-purchase agreement with Huntington National Bank. Additionally, they approved a lease purchase agreement for procuring a mower and committed funds to the Franklin Sidewalk Improvement Project. They also discussed the purchase of trailer-mounted vacuum assist pumps to address issues caused by flushable wipes in sewer lift stations and addressed park safety, including potential measures like metal detectors.

The meeting included an announcement from the Franklin Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi regarding their adoption of Broussard-Harris and McKerall-O'Niell Community Centers and Parks. The Main Street Merchants Association promoted the Harvest Moon Festival, and the St. Mary Council on Aging promoted Senior Center Month. Chez Hope discussed Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Mayor reported on the Summer Dance Program and ongoing improvements at the Water Plant, including a grant application for distribution lines. An ordinance was introduced regarding the issuance and sale of Revenue Anticipation Notes. Resolutions were adopted concerning the issuance of Revenue Anticipation Notes, authorization for the Mayor to execute documents for the Fiscal Year 2025 federal award program cycle, and an application to the Louisiana Infrastructure Technical Assistance Corporation Matching Funds Grants Program. Proclamations were adopted for the Kappa Alpha Psi adoption of community centers and parks, Harvest Moon Festival Day, Senior Center Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Hanson Memorial High School 100th Anniversary Day. Announcements were made for upcoming events, including the City-Wide Clean Up and Bayou to Main Marketplace.

The public hearing includes discussions and public comments on amending the Operating Budget of Revenues and Expenditures for the Fiscal Year beginning May First (1st), 2024 and ending April Thirtieth (30th), 2025; amending the Capital Outlay Budget of Revenues and Expenditures for the Fiscal Year beginning May First (1st), 2024 and ending April Thirtieth (30th), 2025; adopting the Operating Budget of Revenues and Expenditures for the Fiscal Year beginning May First (1st), 2025 and ending April Thirtieth (30th), 2026; and adopting the Capital Outlay Budget for the Fiscal Years beginning May First (1st), 2025 and ending April Thirtieth (30th), 2030.

The public hearing was convened to gather public comments on several ordinances, including amendments to the Operating Budget of Revenues and Expenditures for the Fiscal Year beginning May First (1st), 2024 and ending April Thirtieth (30th), 2025, amendments to the Capital Outlay Budget of Revenues and Expenditures for the Fiscal Year beginning May First (1st), 2024 and ending April Thirtieth (30th), 2025, the adoption of the Operating Budget of Revenues and Expenditures for the Fiscal Year beginning May First (1st), 2025 and ending April Thirtieth (30th), 2026 and the adoption of the Capital Outlay Budget for the Fiscal Years beginning May First (1st), 2025 and ending April Thirtieth (30th), 2030. No public comments were made.