Louis Tolliver

The City of Monroe's economic development efforts are focused on fostering growth through cultural identity, supporting existing businesses, and improving regional quality of life. The Economic Development Office (EDO) implements a prioritized strategy (RSDA) to Retain, Sustain, Develop, and Attract businesses. This involves linking businesses with resources, facilitating access to federal, state, and local incentives, encouraging expansion, and recruiting new businesses that align with the community's core industries.

The City Council meeting included discussions on adding alcohol license applications to the agenda for consideration, a vetoed ordinance regarding mayoral appointments, and communications from council members and the Mayor. The council addressed a proposed condemnation of a property on South 12th Street, and the removal of a condemnation for a property on Jackson Street. Resolutions were approved concerning the Louisiana Supreme Court's ruling in Monroe Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board v. Reginald Brown, renewal of a Professional Services Agreement with Picard Group, L.L.C., an exception to the Open Container Ordinance for the Lotus Club, and Cooperative Endeavor Agreements with Northeast Louisiana Chamber of Commerce, the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, Inc., and the Cooley House Foundation. A resolution regarding trash and garbage services was not adopted. The meeting also included a public hearing for rezoning a property, and citizen's participation where concerns were raised about various issues including the Reginald Brown case, city shop conditions, and property damage.

The City Council meeting included discussions on amending a condemnation order for Beale Street, which involved granting the owner additional time to complete the work while requiring reimbursement for demolition costs. The council also considered resolutions regarding the appointment of a Fire Chief, re-examining City Council district appointments, and establishing policies for mayoral appointments. Exceptions to the Open Container Ordinance were granted for the Tyron Dickens K9 Outreach event and the Isaac King Justa Cowboy Rodeo Association event. The council addressed proposed condemnations for properties on South 1st Street and Grayling Lane, and approved an application for a new alcoholic beverage permit for Garden's Kitchen & Bar. Additionally, they discussed a cooperative endeavor agreement with Red, White, and Blue Airshow Inc. and adopted a Title VI Program for the Monroe Transit System. The meeting also involved introducing ordinances related to time limits for mayoral appointments, amending regulations on smoking, and adopting adjusted millage rates.

The council meeting included discussions and presentations on various topics, such as the Pennington Biomedical Research Center's initiative to combat childhood obesity, community meetings on trash and garbage services, and infrastructure projects. The council addressed proposed condemnations of properties, appointed members to the Monroe Board of Adjustment and the Interstate 20 Economic Development Corporation, and granted exceptions to the Open Container Ordinance for events at the Masur Museum of Art. They also considered requests for bids for infrastructure projects like the Georgia Street Pump Station Project and the Texas Ave. LS Sewer Force Main Repairs Project, and settled Opioid Epidemic Claims with certain manufacturer defendants and Purdue Pharma. Additionally, they approved amendments and task orders for various engineering projects, including the Young's Bayou Channel Enhancement Project and the Civic Center Parking Lot Improvements Project. Finally, they introduced an ordinance regarding property rezoning and discussed and approved ordinances related to mayoral appointments, smoking regulations, and millage rates.

The City Council meeting included discussions on a range of topics, including a proposal to sell city-owned land, cooperative endeavor agreements, exceptions to open container ordinances for various events, and a seafood festival proposal. The council also addressed water system improvements, drainage repair projects, and applications for alcoholic beverage permits. Additionally, they discussed HUD/Emergency Solutions Grants Program Funding, land expropriation for the Kansas Lane project, and amendments to agreements for airport projects and wastewater treatment operations. The council also heard concerns from citizens about issues such as funding for youth programs, damages from a flooded underpass, park rentals, neighborhood neglect, and union representation.