Douglas Neal Watkins

The Mayor and Town Council discussed various projects including property cleanup and infrastructure upgrades, such as the oxidation pond and park fencing. Key actions included the approval of an upgrade project for the Sewer Main Lift Station and the appointment of engineering management for that project. The Council adopted a new resolution establishing procedures for meeting participation and conduct. Additionally, a Mayor's Youth Council was created to advise on youth-related matters. The Council approved new contracts for internet and VoIP services, tabled a resolution regarding a Recreation Advisory Committee, handled several police department promotions and hirings, and introduced an ordinance for property annexation.

The combined proceedings included a Public Hearing addressing introduced ordinances regarding a ninety-day moratorium on mobile home permits and fixing meeting times. The subsequent regular meeting agenda included a presentation by a candidate for State Representative, a report from Finance, and a motion to accept and award a bid of $550,000.00 to Dezigner Construction and Consulting, LLC for the CDBG-DR 2020-2021 Wastewater Lagoon and City Park PS Upgrades project. Further discussions involved a private road damage concern, a Town Ordinance violation, a motion for demolition of a condemned property, and a motion to notify an owner of a condemnation hearing. The Council also addressed a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury for distributing food boxes, motions to adopt the previously introduced ordinances, an announcement regarding a rate study, a presentation of the 2024-2025 Financial Audit, introduction of a budget amending ordinance, a motion to create a Recreation Advisory Committee, and promotion recommendations for the Police Department.

The public hearing addressed questions and comments regarding the introduced Ordinance 2026-03, which concerns the amendment of the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget for the Town of Iowa, Louisiana. The subsequent regular meeting agenda included several items: a motion to adopt Ordinance No 2026-03, a motion to transfer a Part-Time Dispatcher to Full-Time Dispatcher status upon the Chief's recommendation, a motion to hire a new Part-Time Patrol officer upon the Chief's recommendation, a condemnation hearing for Parcel #00724823B, and a motion to approve Resolution 2026-01 to create a Recreation Advisory Committee (which was tabled from the previous month).

The proceedings included a public hearing concerning Ordinance 2026-03, An Ordinance Amending the FY 2025/2026 Budget for the Town of Iowa. Following the public hearing, the Regular Meeting convened where the agenda was adopted. Key actions included the unanimous adoption of Ordinance No 2026-03, which amends the FY 2025-2026 Budget across various funds, including General Fund, Sales Tax I Water Improvement, Parks and Streets, Sales Tax IT Street Dept., Sales Tax III, and Fire Protection. Additionally, the Council approved the transfer of a part-time Dispatcher to Full-Time Dispatcher and the hiring of a new Part-Time Patrolman. The condemnation hearing for parcel #00724823B, 408 A Welty Ave, S, Iowa, LA, was passed without date. Finally, a motion to table the resolution creating a Recreation Advisory Committee (Resolution 2026-01) was carried unanimously.

The Special Meeting addressed a specific property issue brought forward by Mr. Schexnayder concerning cleanup progress and related costs. Following a discussion regarding the history of complaints and cleanup status, the Council granted Mr. Schexnayder a deadline to resolve the cleanup. The Council resolved that if the property is not cleaned up within 15 days, the town will proceed with securing a contractor for the cleanup operations.