City Hall, Monroe, Louisiana
December 27, 2023
6:00 p.m.
There was a legal and regular session of the City Council of the City of Monroe, Louisiana held on this date at the Council’s regular meeting place, the Council Chamber, City Hall Building, Monroe, Louisiana.
The Honorable Chairman Ezernack, called the meeting to order. She then asked the clerk to call roll.
There were present: Mr. Harvey, Mrs. Ezernack, & Mr. Marshall
There was absent: Ms. Woods & Mrs. Dawson
Chairman Ezernack announced that a quorum was present, and that the Invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance would be led by Mayor Ellis or his designee.
The Invocation was led by Mr. Morgan McCallister, City Engineer.
COMMUNICATIONS & SPECIAL ANNOUCEMENTS:
Mr. Harvey expressed his condolences to the family of Mr. Allen Gallagher. He stated Mr. Gallagher passed last week and he was someone really special to the community. He thanked Mr. Morgan McCallister, City Engineer, for taking care of a stop sign issue within the 12 hours he had asked him for today.
Mr. Marshall thanked everyone for coming out to the City Council meeting and he stated is praying for a prosperous new year.
Mayor Friday Ellis echoed the sentiments of Councilman Harvey, and he stated Mr. Allen Gallagher was a loved member of the community. He said the City s prayers are with his family who are special to him and the community. He said he hopes everyone had a wonderful Christmas time and he hopes the City of Monroe employees enjoyed this time with their families. He noted there is never enough time to get all the things you need for the new year and Christmas time. He further noted he hopes everyone took this time and spent it with their loved ones. He wished everyone a Happy New Year as well and he said he is looking for good things to happen in 2024. He said to continue the good work you do every single day and doing what you do to make the City of Monroe special.
Mrs. Ezernack welcomed everyone to the City Council meeting, and she expressed her condolences to the Gallagher family as well. She said it s very sad news for the community and the City is praying for his family during this difficult time. She stated she hopes everyone had a wonderful Christmas and she is looking forward to 2024. She further stated she will call the year 2024 the year of kindness and caring. She said she thinks that is something we all could use a whole lot more of in our community, ourselves, and our nation. She said we need to add peace as well to cover them all.
Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Marshall the minutes of the Legal and Regular Session of December 27, 2023, were unanimously approved. (There were no public comments.)
Department of Administration:
Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Marshall and unanimously approved to consider an Application by Red Door of Ouachita, LLC dba El Camino, 605 N. 2nd St., Monroe, LA 71201 for a New 2023 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.)
Upon motion of Mr. Marshall, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved to consider an Application by Monroe s 19th Street Dining, LLC dba Monroe s 1301 N. 19th St., Monroe, LA 71201 for a New 2023 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. Roy Arthur thanked the Perry family and he stated they did a great job restoring the building. He said back in the early 80 s it was Monroe s old steak house, and he is bringing it back and calling it Monroe s. He thanked the Council for their support and for putting him on the agenda.
Mayor Ellis said Mr. Arthur has that entrepreneur brain and spirit and he is always bringing new things to the community. He thanked Mr. Arthur for always choosing Monroe and investing here.
Mrs. Ezernack thanked Mr. Arthur for investing in our community as well.
Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Marshall and unanimously approved to consider ten (10) Renewal Applications for a New 2024 Class A Alcoholic Beverage Permit. The Monroe Police Department has no disqualifying records and Sales Tax has been approved. (There were no public comments.)
Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Marshall and unanimously approved to consider one (1) Renewal Application for a New 2024 Class B Alcoholic Beverage Permit. The Monroe Police Department has no disqualifying records and Sales Tax has been approved. (There were no public comments.)
Upon motion of Mr. Marshall, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved to consider one (1) Renewal Application for a New 2024 Class G Alcoholic Beverage Permit. The Monroe Police Department has no disqualifying records and Sales Tax has been approved. (There were no public comments.)
Mayor s Office:
Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Marshall and unanimously approved Resolution No. 8648 adopting the 2023 Ouachita Parish Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update dated August 25, 2023, and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS & ORDINANCES:
Upon motion of Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Marshall and unanimously approved to Introduce an Ordinance approving a Collective Bargaining Agreement by and between the City of Monroe and the International Union of Operating Engineers, AFL-CIO, Local 407 and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
Upon motion of Mr. Marshall, seconded by Mr. Harvey and unanimously approved to Introduce an Ordinance authorizing the City of Monroe to acquire a certain 4.30 acre parcel of real property in the Monroe Air Industrial Park from Banks Construction Family Limited Partnership and further providing with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES FOR SECOND READING AND FINAL ADOPTION AND SUBJECT TO PUBLIC HEARING:
The Chairman opened the Public Hearing and seeing no one come forward the Hearing was closed.
Upon motion Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Marshall and unanimously approved Ordinance No. 12,207 authorizing the City of Monroe to take Corporeal Possession of the property described below and sell to Robert K. Jones all rights, title, and interest that the City may have acquired to the Lot 8, Block 17, Unit 4, Booker T. Washington Addition, Ouachita Parish, 3602 Pippin St., District 3, Monroe, La, by Adjudication at Tax Sale dated July 1, 2010, and further with respect thereto. (There were no public comments.)
There being no further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned at 6:11 p.m., upon motion of Mr. Harvey and it was seconded by Mr. Marshall.
Mrs. Gretchen Ezernack
Chairman
Ms. Carolus S. Riley
Council Clerk
Ms. Ileana Murray
Staff Secretary
