City Hall, Monroe, Louisiana
February 11, 2025
6:00p.m.
The Honorable Vice Chairman Rodney McFarland I, called the meeting to order. He then asked the clerk to call roll.
There were present: Mr. Harvey, Mr. McFarland, & Mr. Muhammad
There was absent: Mrs. Ezernack & Ms. Woods.
Vice Chairman McFarland announced that a quorum was present, and that the Invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance would be led by Ms. Woods designee.
The Invocation was led by Vice Chairman Rodney McFarland I.
COMMUNICATIONS & SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
(1) Mr. Harvey had no announcements.
(2) Mr. Muhammad had no announcements.
(3) Mayor Friday Ellis introduced the City’s friends from Grow Nela Mr. Rob Cleveland, CEO, Mr. Chap Breard, and Mr. Brandon Welch, Business Development Manager.
Mr. Rob Cleveland, CEO Grow Nela, said Grow Nela is the regional economic development organization representing all ten parishes in Northeast Louisiana including the City of Monroe. He said they are working closely with the Mayor and his staff on many economic development projects. He said Grow Nela main function is to attach new business, job, and investment to Northeast Louisiana. He said typically an organization like Grow Nela will receive three to four new business leads every month. He noted at the end of last year they saw 20 new leads and they were able to respond to 17. He said of those 17 leads 12 needed a site and 5 needed a building. He said the top sites they responded with were Charleston IP (6), Millhaven North (5), and Holly Ridge East (4). He said a lot of the leads they have are looking for big parcel of lead and they have that in the Charleston IP and Millhaven North centered in Ouachita Parish and the City of Monroe. He said there are never enough vacate buildings and the buildings they have are primary in West Monroe and Sterlington, but they are responding with multitenant buildings in the City of Monroe.
Mr. Chap Breard said they appreciated the City’s support, and this is a revamp of an old organization. He said they are excited, and they appreciate the funding and there is a lot of activity. He said he is excited all three entities West Monroe, City of Monroe, and the Ouachita Parish Police Jury are working together to move the Parish forward. He said at the end of the day they all need jobs and investments.
Mr. Harvey wanted to know if Mr. Cleveland could describe what Charleston IP and Millhaven North mean for those that may not be familiar with it.
Mr. Cleveland said Charleston IP is on the South end of Monroe approximately 600 acres in Richwood and it is a certified site meaning that a lot of the work has been done. He said environmental work, survey work, and understanding utilities at that site. He said it is a very attractive site because they can immediately respond to companies that they can turn shovel tomorrow. He said the Millhaven site is out by LDCC and the graphic package facility another 640 acres that they are looking to certify the site next to it.
Mayor Ellis said it is not only attracting new investments but it also if the City have companies here that want to expand they can help them through that process. He said they can help them get connected with State entities and answer questions of what incentives come along with this. He said there is a lot of work to be done and historically there have been two organizations that represented the City in one way or another. He said ultimately all entities City of Monroe, West Monroe, Ouachita Parish and surrounding parishes decided to put all eggs in one basket for one company to give all their time, talent, and effort here through a big search process. He said they are a great organization doing great work and the meta site is taking a lot of their time. He said they have been really great partners, and he thanked them for the work that they do, and he said he looks forward to what is in store for the region.
Mr. Cleveland said there has never been a better time to connect with social media. He said if you have an idea they would love to hear about it.
(4) Mr. McFarland announced Chairlady Woods Chat & Chew will be on February 19th 10am until 12pm at the Powell Community Center. He said she is inviting everyone to come and be with her at her Chat & Chew. He noted his Chat and Chew is quarterly, and it will be on 17th of March at the Emily P. Recreation Center from 5pm until 7pm. He further noted special guest at his Chat and Chew Chief of Police Victor Zordan, Mrs. Ellen Hill, and Mr. Louis Tolliver.
Upon motion of Mr. Harvey and seconded by Mr. Muhammad, and the minutes of the Legal and Regular session of January 28, 2025, were unanimously approved. (There were no public comments.)
PROPOSED CONDEMNATIONS:
The following condemnation was removed:
(1) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Muhammad and unanimously approved to remove 3208 Polk St. (D4) – Owner Brown and Sons Realty & Louis Williams c/o Vanessa W. Ballard. (There were no public comments.)
Mr. McFarland stated he was informed this issue has already been taken care of.
The following condemnations were considered:
(1) 3904 Lee Ave. (D4) – Owner: Earl J. Nelson. Notice to show cause was served. Photographic evidence was presented. There was no one present. Upon motion of Mr. McFarland, seconded by Mr. Muhammad and unanimously approved, the building was condemned, and the property owner given 30 days in which to bring the structure into compliance with the Code or demolish the Structure and clean the lot. (There were no public comments.)
Mr. Tommy James, Code Enforcement Officer, stated this is an open dilapidated structure with a hole in the roof. They are asking that the property be condemn giving the owner 30 days to come into compliance.
Mr. McFarland condemn the property giving the owner 30 days to come into compliance and if to proceed on.
(2) 1806 Hansford St. (D4) – Owner: Brown and Sons Realty & Louis Williams c/o Vanessa W. Ballard. Notice to show cause was served. Photographic evidence was presented. There was no one present. Upon motion of Mr. McFarland, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved, the building was condemned, and the property owner given 30 days in which to bring the structure into compliance with the Code or demolish the Structure and clean the lot. (There were no public comments.)
Mr. James noted this is also an unsafe open dilapidated structure. They are asking that the property be condemn giving the owner 30 days to come into compliance.
Mr. McFarland said it looks like all the property tonight is in District 4 and he thanked Mr. James for helping him clean up District 4. He said he would love to see some District 1,2, 3, and 5 on the agenda. He condemn the property giving the owner 30 days to make improvements if not move forward.
(3) 704 South 2nd St. (D4) – Owner: Sandra and Jay Jaggers. Notice to show cause was served. Photographic evidence was presented. There was no one present. Upon motion of Mr. McFarland, seconded by Mr. Muhammad and unanimously approved, the building was condemned, and the property owner given 30 days in which to bring the structure into compliance with the Code or demolish the Structure and clean the lot. (There were no public comments.)
Mr. James said this is also a dilapidated structure and he spoke with the tenant who was hoping to be able to do something with the property, but she is not going to be able to. They are asking that the property be condemn giving the owner 30 days to come into compliance.
Mr. McFarland condemn the property giving the owner 30 days to bring it up to code and if not move forward.
RESOLUTIONS AND MINUTE ENTRIES:
Council:
(a) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Muhammad and unanimously approved Resolution No. 8881 granting an exception to the Open Container Ordinance to the Louisiana Cancer Foundation for an event (Mad Dash 5k) at ULM in the Grove pursuant to Monroe City Code Sec. 12-231 D. (Open Container Ordinance) and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
(b) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Muhammad and unanimously approved Resolution No. 8882 granting an exception to the Open Container Ordinance to the Children’s Coalition for an event (The Dragon Boat Festival) on ULM Campus pursuant to Monroe City Code Sec. 12-231 D. (Open Container Ordinance) and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
Department of Administration:
(a) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved to Consider request from the Purchasing Division for an authorized City representative to advertise competitive bids for a five-year contract for rolling stock and replacement parts, including bus procurements, in accordance with Transit Division specifications. The costs of the procurements will be determined in accordance with contractual obligations, and the costs of the purchases will be funded by the Federal Transit Administration and City of Monroe. (There were no public comments.)
Department of Planning & Urban Development:
(a) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Muhammad and unanimously approved Resolution No. 8883 authorizing a contract with Bright Construction LLC for lead remediation at 102 Masonic Street and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
(b) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Muhammad and unanimously approved Resolution No. 8884 authorizing a contract with Perspective Building Solutions LLC for lead remediation at 207 Moore Avenue and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
Department of Public Works:
(a) Upon motion Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Muhammad and unanimously approved Resolution No. 8885 authorizing a contract with Dixie Overland Construction for the WTP – Grammont Fill Line Repair Project and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
Engineering Services:
(a) Upon motion Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Muhammad and unanimously approved Resolution No. 8886 approving Change Order No. One (1) for the Bayou Bartholomew Pump Station Improvements Project and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
(b) Upon motion Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved Resolution No. 8887 approving Change Order No. One (1) for the HVAC & Electrical Improvements (various city locations) Project and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS & ORDINANCES:
(a) Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Muhammad and unanimously approved to introduce an Ordinance authorizing the City of Monroe to take corporeal possession of and sell to Robert Rucks, all rights, title, and interest that the City may have acquired to the Lots 1 & n 5ft of Lot 2, Square 49, Lee Avenue Addition, Ouachita Parish, 3601 Lee Ave, District 4, Monroe, La, by Adjudication at Tax Sale dated June 25th 2003, and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
Citizen’s Participation:
(1) Ms. Thelma J. Steveson, Mayor of Adams Street, said she left home early to get to the meeting on time and to her dismay Adam Street is sinking 19th and Adams Street. She said it’s a big hole there and if the City don’t repair it she won’t be able to come to any more meetings.
Mr. McFarland said the City can have Public Works check on it.
There being no further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned at 6:23 p.m., upon motion of Mr. Harvey and it was seconded by Mr. Muhammad.
Mr. Rodney McFarland I
Vice Chairman
Ms. Carolus S. Riley
Council Clerk
Ms. Ileana Murray
Staff Secretary
For extended details on the council meeting please call the Council Clerk Monday-Friday at 318-329-2252 to schedule an appointment to listen to the minute recording.
