City Hall, Monroe, Louisiana
February 25, 2025
6:00p.m.
The Honorable Chairman Juanita G. Woods, called the meeting to order. She then asked the clerk to call roll.
There were present: Mr. Harvey, Mrs. Ezernack, Ms. Woods, Mr. McFarland, & Mr. Muhammad
There was absent: None
Chairman Woods announced that a quorum was present, and that the Invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance would be led by Mr. McFarland or his designee.
The Invocation was led by Associate Minister, Reverend Ramona Williams, Greater Free Gift Baptist Church.
Mr. McFarland thanked Rev. Williams, and he said she has been such an inspiration to their congregation. He said she is always working hard in our community to try to help. He said she has an outreach ministry were she feeds a lot of people.
COMMUNICATIONS & SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
(1) Mr. Harvey had no announcements.
(2) Mrs. Ezernack welcomed everyone and thanked Rev. Williams for the wonderful Invocation.
(3) Mr. McFarland announced his Community Meeting scheduled on March 17th 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Emily P. Recreation Center. He said they are looking for those that will come to please come and he extended his invitation to his colleagues and the Mayor. He noted the special guest speakers at the Chat & Chew will be Chief of Police Victor Zordan, Mrs. Ellen Hill, and Mr. Louis Tolliver Jr. He said they will be there to answer questions from his constituents and others from the City of Monroe. He further noted again if you come he promise you will have a great time, and they always have some great homemade refreshments.
(4) Mr. Muhammad stated he will be holding a Community Meeting on the 13th of March at 6:00 p.m. and this will be the Listening and Town Hall meeting at Benoit Community Center. He said the meeting is mainly for the residents of West Parkview and anyone throughout the City.
(5) Mayor Friday Ellis said good evening to everyone, and he thanked the City of Monroe employees. He said the City had three parades each weekend for the last three weeks. He stated that night the crew got to work and the very next morning if you drove on the streets you would be hard pressed to know a parade rolled through. He said it takes a lot of coordination and hard work. He thanked the first responders who are out there, the Ouachita Parish Sheriff Office, and all other surrounding agencies that came out to keep them safe. He thanked everyone involved such as traffic engineering, public works, and everyone involved.
(6) Ms. Woods dittoed the Mayor s comments; especially about the parades and she said they were amazing parades. She said if you didn t see them you missed a treat. She said she thinks it s wonderful how things can switch so quickly, and people can still be so accommodating. On another note, she noted had a message she would read into the minutes. She stated the Council received the Mayor s proposed operating and capital budgets on January 30, 2025. She is ordering that public hearings be held on the operating and capital budgets on March 11, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. during the Council s regular Council meeting in the Council Chambers. She said she is also ordering the Clerk to publish notice of these hearings, including any information required by law to be published. These public hearings will follow the budget hearings with the administration held on that same date.
Upon motion of Mr. Harvey and seconded by Mr. McFarland, and the minutes of the Legal and Regular session of February 11, 2025, were unanimously approved. (Mrs. Ezernack and Ms. Woods abstain. They were not present at the last meeting.) (There were no public comments.)
RESOLUTIONS AND MINUTE ENTRIES:
Council:
(a) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved Resolution No. 8888 granting an exception to the Open Container Ordinance to the General Claire L. Chennault Foundation (Red, White, & Blue Airshow) 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 Muhammad, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved Resolution No. 8889 closing Chennault Golf Course, Bogey Drive, and adjacent areas to the general public from May 2, 2025, at 2:00 pm through May 4, 2025, for the Red, White, and Blue Airshow. (There were no public comments.)
For clarification, Ms. Woods said the Golf Course at Chennault will be closed on May 2nd at 2:00 p.m. until May 4th because of the Airshow that will be at Chennault Aviation Park.
(c) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved Resolution No. 8890 granting an exception to the Open Container Ordinance to the Lotus Club for an event (Crawfish Boil) pursuant to Monroe City Code Sec. 12-231 D. (Open Container Ordinance) (There were no public comments.)
Department of Administration:
(a) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved to Consider three (3) Renewal Applications for a New 2025 Class A Alcoholic Beverage Permit. The Monroe Police Department has no disqualifying records and Sales Tax has been approved. (There were no public comments.)
(b) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved to Consider five (5) Renewal Applications for a New 2025 Class B Alcoholic Beverage Permit. The Monroe Police Department has no disqualifying records and Sales Tax has been approved. (There were no public comments.)
(c) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved to Consider an Application by Darian Garcia dba El Tio Jose Mexican Grill, 512 DeSiard Street, Ste. A, Monroe LA 71203 for a New 2025 Class A Alcoholic Beverage Permit. The Monroe Police Department has no disqualifying records and Sales Tax has been approved. (Distance Report Cleared, Cert. of Occupy Cleared) (There were no public comments.)
Mr. Muhammad wanted clarification that this is a name change for the business.
Mr. Harvey said that is the new name for it.
Ms. Woods wanted to clarify this would be a new application.
Mr. Tim Lewis, Tax & Revenue Director, said correct.
(d) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mr. McFarland and unanimously approved to Consider an Application by Divinestar Investments LLC dba Smoker s Express #11, 3405 DeSiard Street, Ste. A, Monroe LA 71203 for a New 2025 Class B Alcoholic Beverage Permit. The Monroe Police Department has no disqualifying records and Sales Tax has been approved. (Distance Report Cleared, Cert. of Occupy Cleared) (There were no public comments.)
(e) Upon motion of Mr. Ezernack, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved to Consider request from the Purchasing Division for authorization for an authorized City representative to advertise for bids for the Water Distribution System Improvements Sunset Drive. The engineer s estimate is $333,500.00. The DBE goal is 16.94% and the source of funds is Water Capital Funds. (There were no public comments.)
Mr. Muhammad stated this will help the Sunset Drive area in District 5 with the water capacity and fire hydrants. He said he is in full support of this item, and he said the City is getting a little better with the DBE goals.
Ms. Woods thanked Mr. Morgan McCallister, City Engineer, for his due diligence in getting information to the Council and willingness to answer any questions about it.
(f) Upon motion of Mr. Muhammad, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved Resolution No. 8891 authorizing a contract with J.E. Dupuy Flooring and Acoustical, Inc. to furnish and install carpet at 1404 Stubbs Avenue and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
Mayor s Office:
(a) Upon motion of Mr. McFarland, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved Resolution No. 8892 authorizing a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Miss Louisiana Organization and further providing with respect thereto.
Mr. McFarland noted a representative is present from the organization, but he isn t sure if they would like to speak.
Mr. Darris Waren, 608 D Arboone View Drive, thanked the Monroe City Council for the work and partnership with the Miss Louisiana Organization. He said they have been apart of the City Council and the City of Monroe for over 60 years. He mentioned that the pageant moved from Lake Providence many years ago, and they are glad to call Monroe home. He noted that many cities in Louisiana would love to host it, but they are grateful to be in Monroe.
(b) Upon motion of Mr. McFarland, seconded by Mr. Muhammad and unanimously approved Resolution No. 8893 authorizing a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Ouachita Green and further providing with respect thereto.
Mr. McFarland stated there is someone present from Ouachita Green also.
Mr. Stewart Hodnett, 17 Southern Oaks Drive, West Monroe, LA, spoke on behalf of Ms. Sheila K. Downhour and thanked Mayor Friday Ellis and the City Council for their help and support of Ouachita Green. He stated that they work closely with Keep Monroe Beautiful and have several events planned for the spring
Ms. Woods thanked Ouachita Green for reaching out to each Council members setting up and arranging clean ups. She said they really appreciated it.
Engineering Services:
(a) Upon motion Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mr. McFarland and unanimously approved to Consider request from Abdulrahman Kassim dba Stop & Save Mini Mart for a Major Conditional Use Permit authorizing the use of this location (910 Louisville Avenue) to allow the sale of alcohol for consumption off-premises in the B-3(General Business/Commercial) District. The applicant proposes to operate a convenience store at this location. The Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance allows this as a Major conditional Use in the B-3 (General Business Commercial) District. Major Conditional Uses are uses that second level of approval; therefore, this request come before the City Council for their approval in addition to the of the Planning Commission. (There were no public comments.)
RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES FOR SECOND READING AND FINAL ADOPTION AND SUBJECT TO PUBLIC HEARING:
(a) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Mr. McFarland and unanimously approved Ordinance No. 12,225 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 5 ft 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.)
(b) Upon motion of Mrs. Ezernack, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved Ordinance No. 12,226 adopt an Ordinance declaring a 0.146 acre tract of immovable property (north of a revoked portion of Grammont Street) no longer necessary for public use and authorizing said property to be sold at private sale to Choice Brands, Inc. and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
Mr. McFarland asked the City Attorney to put on record how much this property will be sold for.
Mr. Brandon Creekbaum, City Attorney, stated the City did a formal appraisal of the property and the appraisal value came back a little over $11,000. He noted plus the cost of the survey to get the legal description and the cost of the appraisal that was tacked on to the sale price as well. He said so the City is not out any out of pocket cost the total price was $12,500 for this 60 by 110 foot strip. He said selling half of a former street.
Mr. McFarland stated for clarification that the City is selling half of a street.
Mr. Creekbaum noted half of a former street.
Mr. McFarland stated it is still a street if it belongs to the City of Monroe.
Mr. Creekbaum noted it was revoked.
Mr. McFarland said it is not totally in use, but he wants the City to understand that once they open this door and they cannot close the door. He said he expects when others come with the same situation that the City be fair in selling the property as they did here.
Mr. Creekbaum said in every case the City follows State law on the sale of the property. He said the City gets a fair market appraisal of the property and whatever the property appraises for is the amount that the City sell it for. He stated if people want to offer more than the property appraisal for the City will gladly take it but by law they have to get an appraisal to determine the value.
Mr. McFarland said they can hear one thing, but they also can do another. He said he is placing it on record again they open the door and when others come with similar situations the City treat them in the same manner. He said give them a fair price for the property because its going to happen as his name is Rodney McFarland I; it s going to happen. He said he is going to be right here to bring it back and say no can t do it that way you got to do it just like you did this one.
Mr. Creekbaum said no problem that is the process in every single sale case.
Citizen s Participation:
(1) Mr. Lester Pastor, South Pointe Dr. Apt. 301, said on January 23rd he had the pleasure to talk to City Attorney Brandon Creekbaum and President of the NAACP Bishop Clifford Thomas. He said the article he gave to the Council with Ms. Nancy Summersgill on it Mr. Creekbaum made it clear she dismissed the Court of Order of Appeal. He said he questioned how could she dismiss an Order of Court of Appeal and he stated she had the right to do it. He noted the order of Court of Appeal clearly says this is not a City charge but a State charge. He further noted the City Attorney stated it is not kept in the Clerk of Court Office because he was told it burnt in a fire, or a pipe bust and damaged it. He said he is not asking the City Council to address this Court of Appeal that has not been carried out, but he is asking the Council see to it that everything pertaining to the Court of Appeal be put back into the Clerk of Court Office.
(2) Ms. Kenya Roberson, Renaissance Movement Committee, on behalf of the committee she thanked the Council, the Mayor, and the City. She said on Saturday they had over 200 entries. She said it was a great event, participation was wonderful, no issues, and they really had great time. She said on behalf of the Renaissance Movement Committee she thanked the City workers who were out after and during the parade picking up. She said by the time she drove back around to the beginning it was clean. She stated on behalf of the Renaissance Movement Committee they appreciate the City workers, and the committee will be doing something for them.
Ms. Woods noted the committee received their accolades during the Council comments and she said the Council want the committee to know they really appreciated it.
There being no further business to come before the council, the Chairman adjourned the meeting at 6:35 p.m.
Ms. Juanita G. Woods
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.
