Freddie DeCourt

The meeting included a presentation by the American Red Cross regarding the designation of March as Red Cross Month. The Council conducted public hearings and adopted ordinances concerning amendments to the budget for animal control services contracts and appropriations reflecting carryovers from the previous fiscal year. Several resolutions were adopted, including approving Change Order No. 4 and amending the architecture contract for the American Rescue Plan Act Community Center Restrooms Upgrades Project. Contracts were also awarded for the Improvements to Buildings in City Parks, the 2026 Street Improvements Engineering Project, and the Highland & Plantation Drainage Project. Further resolutions authorized agreements related to the Dale Street Intersection Improvements Project, the Hopkins Street Economic Development District funds, the Louisiana Main Street Technical Support Grant, and the division of revenues from school zone automated speed enforcement devices with the Iberia Parish School District. New ordinances were introduced regarding the issuance of Taxable Sewer Revenue Bonds, budget amendments for the Pepperplex and drainage projects, levying 2026 property tax millages, and amending definitions related to rabies and animal control in the City Code of Ordinances. The Planning and Zoning section approved a preliminary and final subdivision of property located at 2915 LA Highway 14. A finance report detailing budget-to-actual figures through January 31, 2026, was presented.

The meeting included public comments, which were noted as none. Key actions involved the adoption of an ordinance authorizing the mayor to negotiate and execute a service agreement with iWorQ Systems, Inc. for the Permit Management module following a public hearing. Several resolutions were adopted, all approving Certificates of Substantial Completion for various capital projects: the American Rescue Plan Act Community Centers Restroom Upgrades Project, the City Park Splashpad Upgrades Project, the Lil Brooklyn Park Project, and the Pepperplex Access Road Project. Additionally, a resolution was adopted authorizing the mayor to negotiate and execute a service agreement with Atchafalaya Trapping, LLC for animal control services, contingent upon an agreement with Iberia Parish Government. New ordinances were introduced regarding declaring certain New Iberia Police Department vehicles as surplus for sale, amending the budget for the animal control services contract, authorizing an agreement with Iberia Parish Government for small animal shelter operation, and amending the budget to reflect carryovers from FY 2024-2025. Announcements included a reminder about the next scheduled meeting and information regarding adjudicated properties available for sale.

The proceedings of the meeting included the acceptance of the minutes from the prior regular meeting held on January 6, 2026. Several resolutions were approved, including Resolution No. 26-08 approving Administrative Change Order No. 2 for the City of New Iberia Concrete Repair Project, and Resolution No. 26-09 approving the Certificate of Substantial Completion for the American Rescue Plan Act Hopkins Street Gateway Project. Furthermore, demolition contracts for the FY 2023 LCDBG Clearance Program were awarded to Pellerin & Sons, Inc. (Resolution No. 26-10) and SDPro, LLC (Resolution No. 26-11). The Council also adopted resolutions authorizing the City to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Iberia Parish School District regarding revenues from school zone automated speed enforcement devices (Resolution No. 26-12), and authorizing the Mayor to request an Attorney General opinion if the agreement is not reached (Resolution No. 26-13). An ordinance was introduced authorizing negotiation and execution of a service agreement with iWorQ Systems, Inc. for the Permit Management module, setting a public hearing for February 3, 2026. The monthly budget-to-actual report for November 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025, was presented.

The meeting included updates from representatives of the LA 675 & LA 87 Improvements Project. Several resolutions were adopted, including the approval of Change Order No. 2 for the City of New Iberia Asphalt Overlay Project and Change Order No. 1 for the American Rescue Plan Act One Block at a Time: Blighted Property Project. The council also awarded a contract for city drainage system maintenance and authorized the mayor to execute a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs. Furthermore, a resolution was passed requesting the Iberia Parish Government assume oversight of school zone speed cameras on Daspit Road due to safety concerns. Another resolution approved Change Order No. 1 related to asbestos abatement for the blighted property project. Regarding property standards, the council adopted a resolution declaring that the building at 840 Weeks Street must be demolished by the property owner.

The meeting included public comments on agenda items. Key legislative actions involved public hearings and subsequent adoptions for several ordinances. These included authorizing the mayor to execute documentation for the conveyance of the Sugarcane Festival Building to the City, amending code of ordinances regarding penalties for gross littering of tires, and amending the budget to account for increased group health insurance costs and to allocate funds for the FY 2023-2024 Local Government Assistance Program. Several resolutions were passed, authorizing the intention to issue Sewer Revenue Bonds (DEQ) up to $4,500,000, approving various Change Orders for construction projects (FY 2023 LCDBG Clearance Program, Concrete Repair Project), awarding contracts for asbestos abatement and drainage improvements, approving the Certificate of Substantial Completion for the Jean Street Pump Station Upgrade Project, and authorizing negotiations for the shutdown of Daspit Elementary School speed enforcement cameras. The Planning and Zoning section involved denying preliminary/final approval for a property subdivision. The council also reviewed the monthly budget to actual report for November 2025.