[8:34] Exception to rule 10.
[8:36] Oh, he just told you.
[9:25] It shouldn't be a long attendance.
[9:48] Meeting will now be in order.
[9:49] Heart attack.
[9:51] I want to welcome everyone to the legal and regular session of the August
[9:55] 11th edition of the Monroe City Council,
[9:58] asking that everyone please silence your cell phones.
[10:04] At this time, we will have roll call.
[10:07] Mrs. Ezzard,
[10:09] Present.
[10:10] Mr. McFarland.
[10:11] Present.
[10:12] Mr. Harvey.
[10:13] Present.
[10:13] Mr. Muhammad.
[10:14] Present.
[10:16] I declare we have a quorum.
[10:19] At this time, we will have our invocation and pledge of allegiance. Mr.
[10:23] Harvey.
[10:24] Thank you, Chairman. Have Troy Lisonbee here?
[10:28] There he is. I'm sorry, I'm crashing in, but Troy Lisonbee's going to lead us in
[10:31] prayer this evening.
[10:32] Okay.
[10:39] Okay, let's pray.
[10:41] Almighty God, our Father in heaven, you are the Lord and King over
[10:45] all the Earth. All authority is under your authority, and all
[10:49] wisdom, justice, and righteousness come from you.
[10:53] We thank you for this city, for our neighbors, and for those who have
[10:57] been entrusted with the responsibility of governing and serving this
[11:01] community.
[11:02] We ask your blessing upon this council, and upon all who serve our
[11:06] city. Grant them wisdom beyond their own understanding, give
[11:10] them patience to listen, courage to do what is right, and
[11:14] humility to seek the good of those whom they serve.
[11:18] Cause justice and peace to flourish among us.
[11:21] Defend the poor and the needy, protect those who are vulnerable,
[11:26] restrain wickedness, and prosper everything that is good, honest,
[11:29] and beneficial to our neighbors.
[11:32] Where there is disagreement, grant charity and understanding.
[11:37] Where difficult decisions must be made, give clarity and sound judgment.
[11:41] Keep those who exercise authority from pride, partiality, and
[11:45] self-interest, and make them faithful stewards of the responsibilities
[11:48] entrusted to them.
[11:50] And grant to all of us who live in this city quiet and
[11:54] peaceful lives, that we may love our neighbors,
[11:58] pursue what is good, and give thanks for your mercies.
[12:02] We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
[12:07] Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag
[12:11] of the United States of America
[12:13] And to the republic for which it stands, one nation
[12:17] under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
[12:24] Thank you.
[12:25] What was his name?
[12:26] Troy Elizabeth.
[12:30] Elizabeth. Thank you, Pastor Elizabeth.
[12:36] Okay, at this time, we'll move into our communications.
[12:40] We'll start with Mayor Ellis.
[12:47] All right. We had the privilege and the honor to
[12:51] host the
[12:53] 100, well, it's the 89th annual, but it's the celebration of
[12:57] 100 years of the Louisiana Municipal Association. It was held here in Monroe.
[13:02] People from as far south as Grand Isle, all the way as far
[13:06] north as from Spring Hill, got to come here, spend
[13:10] almost a week here, and get to celebrate all things
[13:13] Monroe. It's good to see our colleagues from council members and
[13:17] mayors and
[13:19] police jurors from towns and villages all across Louisiana.
[13:23] We want to show a small video real quick to show you a little bit of the
[13:27] action from Host City Party, but great time.
[13:50] Do good.
[14:29] Next slide.
[14:34] So just a few more images from the Municipal Association. Next slide.
[14:39] We've got lots of good coverage. We were able to also host a convening
[14:44] with John Robert Smith. He is the Senior Policy Advisor for Transportation
[14:48] for America and Smart Growth America, giving the community updates on the Amtrak
[14:52] progress here within the city of Monroe.
[14:54] It was well attended, had lots of great questions, and
[14:58] again, for those in the audience tonight, everything's moving along.
[15:01] We're moving into phase two of the corridor identification program to one day
[15:04] connect Atlanta to Dallas, but more importantly, have a stop here in
[15:08] Monroe in our downtown. Next slide.
[15:13] We also, with council, had the opportunity to celebrate the
[15:17] Economic Development Award for technology in our community with the
[15:20] AT&T fiber project. As you know, Monroe was the only
[15:24] city in the South to solve broadband challenges through a public-private
[15:28] partnership. It was fairly groundbreaking.
[15:30] This model is being used throughout the Gulf South right now for smaller
[15:34] communities to be able to connect their citizens to have
[15:37] affordable access and reliable access to fiber.
[15:41] And so, it's good to celebrate that.
[15:43] Some other good news, we have been put up to be guest
[15:47] speakers at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas
[15:50] because of this, to talk about solving broadband
[15:54] challenges, especially when your communities don't have access
[15:57] to certain funds or your community's too small to access certain
[16:01] funds that are out there through the federal government.
[16:03] So it's always nice to be connected.
[16:06] It's always nice to be recognized for those efforts. Next slide.
[16:10] Speaking of LMA, these are some great comments throughout the state from people who
[16:13] were here. It was a great opportunity for us to showcase everything
[16:17] Monroe, and I can promise you, people went back home all over the state
[16:21] right now bragging on the time that they had here, and they got to meet you,
[16:25] genuinely you. And people were talking about how our folks were just
[16:29] over-the-top welcoming.
[16:32] They could not stop bragging upon our city and how warm and welcoming
[16:36] you all have been to everyone throughout the state.
[16:38] And so, great job to you, and I can't end
[16:42] this without saying thank you to all of our city employees.
[16:47] My goodness. Yeah. Thank you.
[16:53] Quite the undertaking, and a lot of you are in here tonight, and I
[16:57] don't know another way to say thank you for your hard work.
[17:01] I know y'all's phone rang a lot,
[17:03] not only from us, from other people.
[17:06] But you showed up and you showed out, and I just can't say thank you enough.
[17:09] Next slide.
[17:12] We had a great time to be able to participate in America 250
[17:16] Celebration. This was through Louisiana
[17:18] Tourism that sponsored this event, and I just want to say thank you to everyone
[17:23] involved in this production. Great production celebrating 250 years in
[17:26] American history. Next slide.
[17:30] Again, we had to participate in the Top 20 Under 40 for the
[17:34] Chamber of Commerce. Just another reason to understand why there's so much
[17:37] talent within our community. Great people doing great things.
[17:41] I know I use this as an opportunity to poach a lot of these people that are
[17:45] here getting awarded to come to work for the city of Monroe.
[17:48] I know some of our employees came from
[17:51] events like this because it is a way to showcase people who are not only going
[17:55] above and beyond in their workplace, but also within their community.
[17:58] Oftentimes, I feel like my schedule is busy,
[18:02] but I wouldn't want to trade schedules with some of these young professionals
[18:05] within our community. Just wonderful people. Next slide.
[18:09] That's it. All right. Chairman, that's all I had. Thank you.
[18:12] Thank you, Mr. Ellis, Mayor Ellis.
[18:16] Mr. Harvey?
[18:17] No announcements, thank you.
[18:18] Mrs. Ezannet?
[18:20] Yes. Good evening to everyone. Glad you're here with us this evening.
[18:23] It's nice and cool in here, as it is not outside.
[18:27] Um, I just wanted to personally thank all the city employees, all the
[18:31] volunteers, everyone that had a part of making our
[18:35] comrades across the state welcome to Monroe.
[18:39] It was an awesome job. I've been involved with two
[18:43] other meetings we had here. This tops anything that we've
[18:47] seen, and been to, and attended anywhere.
[18:50] The effort that went into it really showed.
[18:53] I know it was very difficult for the employees.
[18:56] There was a lot of tasks to take
[18:58] forward, and they completed all of them, and it was just a
[19:02] wonderful event. So thank you to all that participated.
[19:06] We really appreciate it. And as to Public Works, I know that
[19:09] they had a lot of those tasks,
[19:13] and we held off calling with any issues that we may have otherwise.
[19:16] So expect some calls this week
[19:19] for some issues that came up last week not associated with the convention.
[19:23] That went off without a hitch. So thank you so much.
[19:30] Thank you.
[19:31] Bishop McFarland.
[19:32] Thank you so much.
[19:34] Echo the same. It was a outstanding
[19:39] LMA convention here in Monroe, and
[19:42] again, I congratulate everyone that worked hard to
[19:46] make sure that
[19:48] this convention was very enjoyable and
[19:51] educational. Thank you so much. That's all I have, Mr.
[19:55] Chairman.
[19:57] Thank you, Bishop. Again, I echo the same.
[20:00] I want to thank all of those who
[20:04] participated, Civic Center staff, Community Affairs, and
[20:08] Public Works, just everyone, and the volunteers who
[20:12] put on an extraordinary event for our city.
[20:15] I want to announce a few
[20:18] back-to-school events.
[20:21] The eighth annual Community Health and Wellness Expo will be taking place
[20:24] Saturday over at the Civic Center.
[20:27] That's going to be from 10:00 to 2:00.
[20:29] The Northeast Louisiana Chamber of Commerce will have an event over at
[20:33] Macedonia
[20:35] Baptist Church in their Family Life Center.
[20:37] That'll be from 10:00 to
[20:40] 2:00 as well on this Saturday.
[20:46] That's going to take place
[20:48] from 10:00 to 2:00.
[20:51] And then there is an event
[20:53] Sunday. Will be
[20:56] in Treshelle. The Turpins Back to School Event will be this
[20:59] Sunday from 4:00 to 7:00. That'll be
[21:04] in Treshelle on the Treshelle playground, so if you're not doing anything Sunday,
[21:08] they'll be giving free haircuts and backpack giveaways.
[21:11] So that'll take place Sunday in
[21:14] Treshelle.
[21:16] We gave away, well, AT&T and United Way gave
[21:20] away 50 laptops
[21:23] at the Henrietta Johnson Community Center. I was able to participate in that event.
[21:27] As you can see, the children were very excited to receive
[21:31] a laptop from partners with AT&T
[21:35] and United Way.
[21:39] Streetlights, street signs, and stop signs are
[21:43] missing.
[21:44] We had some good movement with replacing
[21:48] your street signs in Bryce Edition, so if your street signs is
[21:52] out, your stop signs are missing, or your streetlight is out, give
[21:56] us a call at 318-355-8951 and
[22:00] we'll do our best to get that taken care of.
[22:04] And then, finally, we have the fifth annual Black
[22:07] Bayou, or the Black Open... How you say it?
[22:11] Black Bayou Open Rodeo? I think that's how it go.
[22:14] Black Bayou Rodeo. That's the fifth annual.
[22:17] That's going to be next Saturday at the Monroe Civic Center,
[22:20] so you know that's going to be a very exciting event
[22:23] on next Saturday. And finally, I got a call from those
[22:27] who've got low water pressure
[22:30] on 12th Street. Let's see, 12th
[22:34] Crescent Drive, Donview,
[22:36] and
[22:38] Sunset. I know we did some work over there. I talked to Mr.
[22:41] Benton about that, and there are some residents on 12th Street,
[22:45] their water pressure is low. So I want you to know, those who
[22:49] live in that area, we are working to get that
[22:52] corrected.
[22:53] So that's all I have. All right.
[22:57] Okay, can I have a motion to approve the minutes?
[22:59] So moved.
[23:00] Second.
[23:01] Been moved and properly second that we approve the minutes from last
[23:05] meeting. Any public comment?
[23:08] Seeing none, any from counsel? Madam Clerk.
[23:11] Mr. Harvey?
[23:12] Aye.
[23:13] Mr. McFarland?
[23:14] Aye.
[23:14] Mrs. Ezannet?
[23:15] Aye.
[23:16] Mr. Muhammad?
[23:17] Aye.
[23:18] Item five, we have the reading of the receipt of veto read.
[23:21] Madam Clerk.
[23:23] Mr. Chairman and council members, the mayor vetoed ordinance number
[23:27] 12/300 and returned it to the council on July
[23:31] 27th, 2026, at 11:21 a.m. The
[23:35] mayor's veto, along with his veto message, was delivered to
[23:39] the council on July 27th, 2026, at 11:43
[23:43] a.m. The veto and veto message for the ordinance will
[23:46] be maintained in the council's records.
[23:50] That's all I have.
[23:51] Thank you, Madam Clerk.
[23:53] Item six, presentations, none. Public hearings, none.
[23:59] Public condemnations, none.
[24:02] Acceptance or rejection of bids, none.
[24:05] Nine, resolution and amendment entries.
[24:08] A, adopt the resolution-
[24:10] So moved.
[24:10] Second.
[24:12] Been moved and properly second that we adopt this resolution.
[24:15] Any public comment?
[24:18] Seeing none, any from counsel?
[24:21] Madam Clerk.
[24:23] Mrs. Ezzard.
[24:24] Aye.
[24:24] Mr. Muhammad.
[24:25] Aye.
[24:26] Mrs.
[24:27] I'm sorry, Mr. Harvey?
[24:29] Aye.
[24:30] And Mr. Muhammad.
[24:31] Aye.
[24:31] Mr. McFarlane.
[24:33] Aye.
[24:33] You missed me.
[24:36] All right. Motion carries. Okay, two, department
[24:40] administration, none. Department of planning urban development, none.
[24:43] Legal department,
[24:45] public comment... Well, A, adopt the resolution-
[24:49] So moved.
[24:49] Second.
[24:50] Been moved and properly seconded. We adopt this resolution.
[24:54] This resolution is dealing with sidewalk enhancements in the
[25:01] MLK, Minnie Ruffin area. Any public comment?
[25:06] Seeing none, any from council?
[25:08] Yes, Mr. Chair, I just want to
[25:11] know
[25:15] exactly what fund
[25:17] this project is coming out of.
[25:26] Yes, sir. This is coming
[25:29] out of CIC, and the other portion is DOTD.
[25:34] Okay.
[25:35] So it's coming out of CIC.
[25:38] Correct.
[25:40] Explain that to me, please.
[25:42] So capital infrastructure,
[25:44] well, CIT, capital infrastructure tax.
[25:47] CIC is the Capital Infrastructure Commission.
[25:49] So in the packet, you should see,
[25:53] of course, there is the
[25:56] CEA,
[25:57] but what I prepared and submitted to the council chair and vice chair
[26:02] shows this split. So 59.6%
[26:06] is from DOTD, and then the remaining
[26:09] 40.4% is from capital infrastructure
[26:13] tax.
[26:14] So that is roughly a
[26:17] $514,000
[26:22] project.
[26:23] Okay. So the money is coming from
[26:26] the
[26:28] 1%
[26:29] tax-
[26:30] Correct
[26:31] ... on our end.
[26:33] And exactly how much, because the public need to know
[26:36] exactly how much money is actually
[26:39] being used for this project out of that
[26:44] funding.
[26:45] $207,800.
[26:48] 207,000,
[26:51] and how many?
[26:52] 800.
[26:52] 800.
[26:54] Okay.
[26:56] Now,
[26:59] well, I
[27:03] guess when we have our finance committee meeting, we'll see exactly what
[27:07] other monies are there.
[27:09] But whatever we do for one, we got to do for the others,
[27:14] and here it is again.
[27:17] Money is available,
[27:19] money is quickly moved to do certain
[27:23] things.
[27:25] So when we have our finance meeting, I hope that we can be transparent
[27:30] and we can see how much money is actually in that
[27:34] account,
[27:35] that if other
[27:37] council members want to do the same, it won't be no pushback.
[27:42] Because if there's some pushback, then
[27:45] there's going to be some other pushback, and we shouldn't have that.
[27:50] Here it is again,
[27:52] very quickly,
[27:55] and nobody's really asking these questions out in the
[27:59] public but me,
[28:01] is where the money's coming from.
[28:05] Every district
[28:07] should share
[28:10] likewise.
[28:14] There are some things that I will be bringing
[28:17] forth to you
[28:20] that we need to get done.
[28:23] So again, here it is on record tonight,
[28:27] how much money is coming out of this 1% sales tax,
[28:31] $207,800 on this particular
[28:35] project. We're going to hear another one
[28:39] in a minute.
[28:41] Unless you want to just go ahead and give me that figure now.
[28:44] No, we'll take this.
[28:45] Okay. We'll wait. Okay. All right. Thank you so much.
[28:49] Can I clarify something just on this particular one?
[28:53] This is an agreement with the school board.
[28:55] This actual project was something that was approved
[28:59] quite a while back as part of a grant when the city applied for this project with
[29:03] DOTD. The agreement that is
[29:06] on the agenda with council is because a portion of this project
[29:09] crosses school board property, and so we had to enter into an agreement with the
[29:13] school board to let us
[29:15] put that portion of the sidewalk across school board property.
[29:19] So this project was long ago-
[29:21] Well, you say long ago?
[29:23] Yeah, I think this was done... How long ago was this project in the works?
[29:26] It's been a couple of years. I could provide that date if that's what you-
[29:30] Would you do that for me, please?
[29:31] Yes.
[29:31] Yeah. So this agreement is not about the expenditure of funds whatsoever.
[29:35] It's about getting the project with the school board across.
[29:38] But it's still a portion of the money is coming out of our funds.
[29:42] Is that right?
[29:44] That is correct. I'm just clarifying the agreement on the agenda.
[29:47] That's where the silence
[29:50] is concerning the monies that's coming out of the 1%
[29:54] tax,
[29:55] which I think that we all should have a sit-down conversation
[30:00] and make sure that across the board in each and
[30:04] every district is going to
[30:08] receive the same or likewise.
[30:11] Because all of us got projects that we want to see happen,
[30:16] and there is projects in other districts that I want to see happen,
[30:21] that I have been pushing for to happen, not only
[30:25] in my district, but in other districts
[30:27] So we want to be transparent,
[30:30] and we want everybody to know exactly how much
[30:34] money is involved.
[30:37] Thank you so kindly.
[30:39] Thank you, Bishop.
[30:41] Any further comment from council?
[30:44] Madam Clerk.
[30:45] Mr. McFarland.
[30:46] Aye.
[30:47] Mr. Harvey.
[30:48] Aye.
[30:49] Mrs. Eznick. Aye. Mr. Muhammad.
[30:51] Aye. Motion carries. Item B, adopt a resolution.
[30:55] So moved.
[30:56] Second.
[30:57] Been moved and properly seconded that we adopt this resolution.
[31:01] This resolution is pertaining to Carver Elementary,
[31:05] where we will put a sidewalk for those students that
[31:09] live in Oak Mountain area. They can have a paved sidewalk
[31:13] that
[31:14] comes from the back of the school
[31:17] into the
[31:19] entrance of the school through the back.
[31:22] Any public comment?
[31:26] Comment from council.
[31:27] Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman.
[31:31] I'm going to ask the same questions on this.
[31:35] Let's get the dollar amount so the public will actually know.
[31:44] This is a project requested by Councilman Muhammad.
[31:48] It is split. This particular agreement is,
[31:52] again, with the Monroe City School Board to place
[31:56] roughly 511 feet of five-foot concrete sidewalk,
[31:59] as Councilman had mentioned, and
[32:03] it's roughly an $18,000 project, and it's a split 50/50 between
[32:07] the school board, and it is yet to be determined whether the other 50% will
[32:11] come from Councilman Muhammad's budget or if it will be CIT.
[32:16] So it hasn't been determined where the money is coming from?
[32:20] It will either be
[32:22] Councilman Muhammad's budget or CIT.
[32:25] So we are voting on something tonight, and we don't have the
[32:28] legits of where the money is actually
[32:32] coming from.
[32:35] Tonight,
[32:37] what you just stated
[32:40] is that we don't know.
[32:42] Sir, I would ask that you speak to Councilman Muhammad.
[32:44] This is not an engineering managed project.
[32:54] Let me help you.
[32:57] You are the one that made the statement
[33:00] that you didn't know
[33:03] exactly where the money was coming from.
[33:05] Was it coming from CIT
[33:09] or coming from the discretionary fund?
[33:12] We are prepared-
[33:12] Wait a minute, wait a minute.
[33:16] I want us to have a harmonious
[33:20] meeting. We ought to be able to ask questions-
[33:23] Mm-hmm. Absolutely
[33:25] ...
[33:27] without this other stuff.
[33:29] Accusations, without accusations. Yes, sir. Thank you.
[33:33] So let me help you.
[33:37] If we are voting on something,
[33:42] then everybody ought to have their ducks in a row,
[33:47] and the questions ought to be answered
[33:50] without to say,
[33:53] "Get with the Chair."
[33:56] This is not a chairman's call.
[33:59] If it was a chairman's call,
[34:02] then we wouldn't need this on the agenda tonight if he
[34:06] was just going to say
[34:08] where the money's coming from.
[34:11] This is a council call.
[34:15] But it's your job
[34:18] to have the plan
[34:22] written
[34:24] and so in place
[34:27] that a babe can understand.
[34:30] I asked a simple question,
[34:34] and the answer now
[34:36] is, "I don't know
[34:39] where the money's coming from."
[34:43] All of us got discretionary funds,
[34:47] but it's not determined at this very
[34:50] moment
[34:52] where it's coming from.
[34:56] That's the issue now.
[35:00] Now, other things,
[35:02] accusations, what you want to say,
[35:07] just because a person asks questions
[35:10] don't mean they're accusing you of anything.
[35:12] It's just
[35:14] the fact that I want information.
[35:18] Exactly.
[35:18] And I want it to be transparent that
[35:22] everybody in here and on social
[35:26] media
[35:28] hears the answers from you.
[35:34] I'm going on.
[35:35] You know
[35:38] how and the questions that I'm going to ask.
[35:42] But again,
[35:44] we really don't have no clear answers on
[35:48] this one
[35:49] because we don't know exactly
[35:53] where the additional funds is coming
[35:56] from.
[36:00] Wherever the money is coming from, if it's coming from our discretionary
[36:03] funds,
[36:05] that's pretty much our prerogative
[36:08] as long as our internal auditor says that
[36:12] we can do it because she going to do a thorough
[36:15] research to make sure
[36:19] that we stay legal.
[36:22] Here it is
[36:24] that I have no answers, no clear answers
[36:28] on this matter.
[36:33] And you're the only one that can give the answers.
[36:37] Because it's not a chairman's decision.
[36:42] This is a council decision.
[36:49] Well, I would say, Bishop, I would like for the money
[36:53] to come from the infrastructure fund.
[36:56] Now, I would have liked the money...
[36:59] We put a fence around Carver. We put a fence from along 12th Street,
[37:03] around Peach, up to 14th Street.
[37:05] Mm-hmm.
[37:07] And we asked that capital infrastructure take a
[37:11] look at it,
[37:13] and the determination was
[37:16] the school board needs to be involved in it.
[37:19] And so that fence was $20,000,
[37:22] I believe it was. And so that came out of my discretionary fund.
[37:26] Now we at the sidewalk project. I wanted to do both projects
[37:30] at the same time, but we wanted to get the school board
[37:34] involved, and we got the city school board to agree to do 50%.
[37:39] And as for as the split of nine,
[37:43] nine, 9,000, 9,000,
[37:46] I would like to see that
[37:48] the capital infrastructure do pay it.
[37:51] And that's a determination that
[37:54] I can't make. I would like to see that.
[37:56] That's correct.
[37:57] So if they come back and tell me they can't
[38:01] pay it, then I will consider paying it out of my discretionary
[38:04] fund.
[38:05] But the last money, Mr. Muhammad,
[38:08] should've came
[38:10] from that account.
[38:13] Ma'am-
[38:14] And it was other monies that was already
[38:19] earmarked to help with that project, with that fencing.
[38:23] But at the end of the day,
[38:26] there it was,
[38:28] they changed course on us,
[38:31] and it came out of your discretionary fund, which was not right.
[38:36] Now we at a junction tonight
[38:39] where
[38:41] we don't know,
[38:43] and we can't get no answers about
[38:47] who going to pay what.
[38:49] But it's here on this agenda to vote on it,
[38:53] and we don't know exactly where the money is coming from.
[38:57] If it was going to come from
[39:02] CIT,
[39:05] then it should've been stated that that's where the money was
[39:09] coming from.
[39:10] All I'm saying,
[39:13] transparency.
[39:14] Mm-hmm.
[39:16] Do it the right way.
[39:17] You won't have no issues with me.
[39:20] Mr. McFarland, this matter was directed to be put on by the chairman.
[39:26] These questions have been directed to Mr.
[39:29] McAlister as if this was a project that was put forward by Mr.
[39:32] McAlister and the engineering department.
[39:35] The chairman directed me to draft this agreement, to submit it to the school board,
[39:39] and to place it on the agenda.
[39:42] Who's always in with this?
[39:46] It's our engineer. Has he has given those answers?
[39:50] Again, the chairman has no power
[39:55] to direct what comes out of the
[39:59] CIT
[40:01] without council involvement.
[40:06] So we voting it up or down?
[40:09] We don't need to be hilarious tonight.
[40:11] It's not hilarious. Going back and forth, we keep talking-
[40:14] And we don't need to-
[40:14] Let's just do something else
[40:15] ... and we don't need to go that way because I know the game that's
[40:19] trying to be played. And what I'm saying is this:
[40:23] if we were going to have something on the agenda,
[40:27] if it's coming out of a certain account,
[40:30] it should've been stated that this is where it's coming from.
[40:35] Transparency. That's all I'm
[40:39] talking about now.
[40:41] It's transparency.
[40:42] Are we taking it off the agenda, are we vote it up or vote it down?
[40:48] Is this time-sensitive?
[40:50] No, we've been dealing with this for two years.
[40:53] I'd just like to see it happen before it get the inclement
[40:58] weather, because when it begins to get cold and muddy, the children have to
[41:02] walk around 12th Street in two instead of walking
[41:06] because the trail is muddy and full of water.
[41:10] I would love for it to happen, too, but we got to know exactly where the
[41:13] money is coming from. This is just pulling
[41:17] something out the air on where the money is coming from.
[41:22] It's like the cart-
[41:23] Well, let me ask you-
[41:24] ... before the horse
[41:24] ... let me ask you, Mr. McAlister, what will determine
[41:28] what fund it will come on? What factors will...
[41:32] Because I'd like to see it come out of the capital infrastructure.
[41:34] Yeah. Thank you, Council Chair, for asking that question.
[41:38] I think we can have that open dialogue.
[41:40] We've been working on a number of projects with you, so thank
[41:44] you for your patience and your willingness to work.
[41:48] If you're saying now that you would prefer capital infrastructure pay
[41:52] this $9,000 versus your discretionary funds,
[41:55] capital infrastructure will pay that $9,000.
[41:58] Okay. All right.
[41:58] I will answer that to you now. That's where it's being funded from.
[42:01] Okay. All right, so you can make that decision without
[42:05] council,
[42:06] where the money comes from?
[42:08] This is a budget, a $500 million budget that you've already
[42:12] approved, and so I'm working within those bounds.
[42:15] I'm not dictating your budget. I'm working within a
[42:19] budget that you have already approved, the capital infrastructure budget.
[42:24] Per the call-
[42:27] Assuming we vote it up or vote it down, right?
[42:29] I mean, I-
[42:29] That's where the council discretion comes in, right?
[42:32] If that's not satisfactory, then
[42:35] I'll sit down and let y'all hash it out.
[42:37] I mean-
[42:38] What I'm saying, and now it's on record
[42:43] That a request was made, and you quickly said,
[42:48] "This is how it's going to be done. It's going to come out
[42:51] of that account." You said that.
[42:55] So if that's what we're doing, if that's the standard that you're
[42:59] setting now,
[43:03] these next
[43:06] 23 months,
[43:09] I guess it'll be the same.
[43:11] I want to clarify again. Mr. McAlister was asked to identify
[43:15] a particular fund for the council to vote on.
[43:18] He identified the fund. It will be this council's choice whether or not those funds
[43:22] are paid from the capital infrastructure tax.
[43:25] If the council chooses to fund it from that tax, then it will be paid from there.
[43:28] If it does not, then perhaps the motion could be amended to fund it from Mr.
[43:32] Mohammed's discretionary account.
[43:35] It is the council's choice. It is not Mr. McAlister's.
[43:38] Thank you so much for clarifying. Because, again,
[43:42] the way that was stated, it's like his choice, and
[43:46] it's not.
[43:47] That's correct. This council will vote.
[43:49] Thank you so much.
[43:51] Well, I asked what factors would determine
[43:55] is the account depleted?
[43:59] Are we able to pay it?
[44:02] No.
[44:03] But if it's a
[44:05] healthy balance in there, then I would prefer
[44:08] the capital infrastructure.
[44:10] Mr. Chairman, with that, I so
[44:13] move to amend the motion
[44:16] that these funds come out of the CIT
[44:20] account.
[44:22] There's a motion on the floor.
[44:25] Second.
[44:27] Been moved and properly seconded that the
[44:30] funds for this sidewalk come out of the capital infrastructure
[44:34] account. Any public comment?
[44:38] Seeing none. Any further discussion from council?
[44:45] All right, so we'll vote on the amended motion.
[44:48] Madam Clerk.
[44:50] Mr. Mohammed.
[44:51] Aye.
[44:52] Mr. Harvey.
[44:53] Aye.
[44:53] Mr. McFarland.
[44:54] Aye.
[44:55] Mrs. Ezernack.
[44:56] Aye.
[44:56] That motion carries. Do we need to consider the
[45:00] original motion, Mister?
[45:02] I guess now that it's been clarified, you do, because that was just the motion to
[45:05] amend it, and so now you actually have to vote on the underlying motion.
[45:08] Okay.
[45:10] Which is to approve-
[45:10] Motion
[45:11] ... the resolution as amended.
[45:11] Okay. There's a motion originally on the floor to approve the
[45:15] original resolution.
[45:17] As amended.
[45:18] As amended.
[45:20] Any public discussion?
[45:22] Seeing none. Any more from council?
[45:24] Madam Clerk.
[45:28] Do we need a
[45:30] motion and a second as-
[45:32] No. They're approving it as amended.
[45:34] Just as-
[45:34] Okay.
[45:35] Yes.
[45:36] Mr. Harvey.
[45:37] Aye.
[45:38] Mr. McFarland.
[45:39] Aye.
[45:40] Mrs. Ezernack.
[45:40] Aye.
[45:41] Mr. Mohammed.
[45:42] Aye.
[45:43] Motion carries.
[45:44] Mr. Chairman?
[45:45] Yes, sir.
[45:45] Let me clarify something.
[45:48] One reason why I wanted this to go through in this manner
[45:52] is because of what happened last year,
[45:55] where you thought that everything was covered,
[45:59] and at the end of the day, your account was
[46:03] zapped
[46:04] dry-
[46:05] Mm-hmm
[46:06] ... to take care of something that could've been taken care of out
[46:10] of another fund.
[46:11] I appreciate that, mister.
[46:12] Thank you so much.
[46:13] I do. I appreciate that.
[46:15] Okay.
[46:17] Item five, mayor's office.
[46:19] Adopt the resolution authorizing termination.
[46:22] Second.
[46:23] Been moved and properly seconded that we consider this resolution.
[46:27] Any public comment?
[46:38] Good evening-
[46:39] Good evening
[46:39] ... council and honorable Mayor. I wanted
[46:43] to know
[46:45] why were the services being terminated from
[46:48] Kineticx Technology, is one question.
[46:52] The second question, who's the owner of Kineticx?
[46:56] And then the third question is, who is the owner of
[46:59] Undercurrent?
[47:04] Hey, good evening.
[47:05] The
[47:07] termination to move from Kineticx is that there was a...
[47:10] And look, I'm not trying to get into other people's business.
[47:14] I'm just going to let you know that we had the Kineticx.
[47:16] There was, I guess, a recent buy or some new owners to Kineticx.
[47:21] When that merger happened, you had a few of the employees who were
[47:24] specific to Monroe to leave the company and start their own
[47:28] company. My opinion,
[47:31] Kineticx, those employees that were specific to Monroe, who
[47:35] actually had a office here in Monroe, that was the face of Kineticx.
[47:39] That's who the city of Monroe had worked with over not only my
[47:42] administration but the previous administration.
[47:46] They have serviced the city well.
[47:49] They have helped build relationships.
[47:51] Of course, you saw last night on Monroe City School Boards that Monroe City School
[47:54] Board picked up Undercurrent as well.
[47:57] Also with the university, there's a lot of intentional steps being taken to
[48:01] unify our communication across the board between multiple agencies.
[48:05] And they were the
[48:08] catalyst, in a sense, behind all of that.
[48:10] And so they're familiar with our system.
[48:12] They have personally built our website,
[48:16] been with us since day one in the previous administration for a long time.
[48:19] They're very familiar with our systems. They're familiar with council.
[48:22] They're familiar with all of our employees, and that line of communication
[48:26] is very strong. So they have given the city of Monroe
[48:30] excellent, above standard service.
[48:33] And they started their own company, Undercurrent.
[48:36] To answer your other question, they're standing right behind you,
[48:39] Liz and Roy, Uncle Roy. And so that is the new owners of
[48:43] Undercurrent, and they've started their company, and that's who the city of Monroe
[48:47] is putting up tonight to be considered for this new contract.
[48:50] Okay. Thank you.
[48:51] All right. Thank you
[48:58] Well,
[48:59] good evening, council.
[49:01] Name and address.
[49:01] Huh?
[49:02] Name and address.
[49:03] Oh, Roy Heatherly, 1505 Frenchman's Bend Road, Monroe,
[49:07] Louisiana, 71203.
[49:10] I just want to say it's great to be back here to see council and to see
[49:14] mayor, and congratulate everybody on a wonderful
[49:18] LMA conference.
[49:20] We've worked very hard over the last many years to showcase our
[49:24] city, and I think it culminated last week.
[49:27] I think the whole world got to see Monroe in a way
[49:31] that we all see Monroe. And you've heard me say many times, it is a beautiful
[49:35] day, and it is a beautiful day in Monroe, Louisiana.
[49:38] Liz Pyle, who is the majority owner of Kinetics, and
[49:42] I'm a minority owner, we've worked together since I
[49:47] started at the Monroe Chamber of Commerce.
[49:48] As the mayor mentioned, she
[49:51] started under Mayor Mayo, and Mayor Ellis kept her on.
[49:55] And my first, I think it was at the Miller Roy groundbreaking,
[49:59] Liz came up and introduced herself, and I was so nervous.
[50:02] It was my first groundbreaking. I kind of moved her to the side and I said, "I
[50:06] don't have time to talk to you." And she showed up in my office about an hour
[50:09] later, and we spent the next three hours talking about the chamber's
[50:13] vision and the city's vision for our city.
[50:16] And I said, "I don't have a lot of funds right now." And she said, "Roy, it's so
[50:20] important that, A, our city grow, but that the chamber and the city
[50:24] work together." And they worked behind the scenes with the Monroe Chamber,
[50:28] and we finally... She did most of it at no cost. They rebuilt our website.
[50:31] They did so much for us. And we finally put them on
[50:35] contract with us, and it's been a great relationship, as you all know, because
[50:39] you've experienced it, whether we're in DC or whether we're here.
[50:42] We've had a great experience. And you won't find anybody, no two
[50:46] people that love this city more than we do, with the exception of maybe you all up
[50:50] there. But we love this city, and
[50:53] I think the mayor stated it, and I'm sorry,
[50:57] I probably will preach. I haven't had a microphone in a long time, so I'm kind of
[51:00] enjoying it. But
[51:04] the people that came here, this is why it's a
[51:07] beautiful day.
[51:09] You all are why it's a beautiful day.
[51:10] The people that came here for LMA said they've never been treated like that.
[51:14] What did Meta say when they got to town?
[51:16] They said they've never been treated like they've been treated here.
[51:19] And we've been able to... And the contractor said the same thing.
[51:23] It's something about our city, and we've been able to work together to
[51:27] help capture that. And we've got such great things that are
[51:30] going to happen in this city.
[51:33] Every day's going to be a beautiful day.
[51:35] So anyway, I thank you for your considerations. It's great to see you again.
[51:38] And I'll... Liz, you want to might jump up here. Anyway, and the mayor was right.
[51:42] We had a unanimous vote last night with the Monroe City School Board, which
[51:46] is great. We're working with ULM. We're doing so many things with so many people
[51:50] and unifying this message and pushing our city forward. So anyway, thank you all.
[51:53] It's great to see everybody again.
[51:55] Thank you.
[51:57] Good evening. Liz Pyle, 467 Randy Road, West
[52:01] Monroe. I'm proud to be a resident of this community as well.
[52:05] I'm also just more available in case you have questions of me, but
[52:09] I did want to give you a little backstory on me and how
[52:13] many times I've stood here and done this.
[52:16] But I originally was hired by Mayor Mayo
[52:20] back in 2016, 2017.
[52:24] Worked closely with him and Roderick and the rest of the team.
[52:29] Matter of fact, for the record, Mayor Ellis did bring us in to fire
[52:33] us, and he made the choice to keep us.
[52:36] So it wasn't a, "Oh, just keep her
[52:40] because status quo." I feel like the work that
[52:44] we are doing is
[52:46] helping Monroe move into a direction that all of you are pushing for.
[52:50] I will tell you, there are a few changes that we did put in this agreement, and
[52:55] Mr. Creekbaum can probably attest to it.
[52:57] Your previous agreement that was under Kinetics Technologies did not mention the
[53:01] city council.
[53:02] That's my concern, that the
[53:06] city council wasn't-
[53:08] In the previous one, it wasn't.
[53:09] Right.
[53:09] But in your under current one, it is.
[53:12] Actually, I met with, and Mr. Creekbaum can attest to this.
[53:15] I said we need to add it in there.
[53:17] Okay.
[53:18] It's somewhere in the agreement, correct?
[53:21] So I take all forms of
[53:25] suggestions very seriously, and so when we had a meeting a couple of weeks
[53:29] ago about content of contracts and things like that, we went back
[53:33] and took what had been a longstanding, pretty bare bones agreement with
[53:36] Kinetics and beefed it up to the 20-page agreement you see
[53:40] now, that has many, many-
[53:42] Please silence your cell phone, please
[53:44] ... many beefed up provisions, including ones that authorize work
[53:48] for city council and things like that. We have enhanced cybersecurity provisions.
[53:52] We have additional insurance requirements.
[53:54] We have more detailed deliverables, schedules, things like that.
[53:58] And so this is a beefed up on
[54:01] steroids version of the agreement that had been in place for many, many
[54:05] years and is more strict and-
[54:08] What about ADA, is that-
[54:09] ... has more with that. Yes.
[54:11] Okay.
[54:12] Yes, the ADA. If you can go over how important that ADA compliance on website would
[54:16] be.
[54:16] So as of April of 2027,
[54:20] 100% of any government entity
[54:24] that has an under 50,000 population by April 2027,
[54:28] 100% of everything has to be ADA compliant,
[54:32] on your website, your videos, your PDFs, everything that-
[54:36] That's hearing impaired or vision.
[54:38] All of it. Hearing.
[54:40] It ranges from even just your learning disabilities.
[54:43] It's not just hearing and vision. So those are
[54:47] things that we've been working towards over the past several years, and it is a
[54:51] critical thing because the fact that
[54:54] Your first fine's $75,000, the second goes to
[54:58] 125. So the ADA compliance is critical.
[55:01] So it is also even more important that we work very closely with the Monroe City
[55:05] Council to ensure that every document that you're uploading is ADA compliant as
[55:09] well, which is not something that you've had to focus on in
[55:13] the past. So
[55:15] Okay.
[55:17] Any other questions of me?
[55:19] Any questions, Michelle?
[55:22] Did you ask for the public?
[55:23] Yeah, any more public comment? Thank you.
[55:26] Yes, sir.
[55:27] But we're not here.
[55:28] We're on public comment.
[55:29] Okay.
[55:31] Any more public comment? Council?
[55:34] Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman.
[55:38] Now, this
[55:40] came up under my tenure
[55:45] as the chair,
[55:47] and what I requested
[55:51] was that the mayor
[55:55] take care of the firing.
[55:59] I did not want the council to be the ones that
[56:03] would be the one that will actually
[56:08] fire Kinetic.
[56:13] So it waits out till I pass the gavel
[56:17] to put this back on,
[56:19] and now it's on in the right
[56:22] category because it's under the mayor.
[56:25] But the underlying question is,
[56:31] that under previous administration,
[56:35] and was accepted by this administration,
[56:41] a professional service agreement.
[56:45] But when you take a very good look
[56:49] at this agenda item,
[56:53] you see some words that has been changed
[56:58] from professional service agreement
[57:02] to a general service agreement.
[57:06] No, it's-
[57:07] Mr. Creekmore
[57:07] ... it's professional services right there at the top.
[57:10] I see.
[57:12] Wait a minute.
[57:14] Okay.
[57:14] This is not my question.
[57:16] Okay.
[57:17] All right?
[57:19] It starts off as a professional service
[57:22] agreement,
[57:24] and then this agenda item
[57:28] moves into by saying to enter into
[57:33] a general service agreement
[57:37] with Undercurrent.
[57:40] Now,
[57:41] I have no problem
[57:44] supporting what the mayor wants
[57:48] under his office.
[57:53] But the mayor shouldn't have no problem of
[57:56] supporting what the council want
[57:59] under their office. If the majority of this council
[58:04] desires for a professional service
[58:07] agreement or a general service agreement,
[58:12] we should get the same support.
[58:16] But here, I don't know if this is a typo.
[58:20] It is. In the caption, it's a typo.
[58:21] All right. But-
[58:22] It is
[58:23] ... but Mr. Creekmore,
[58:25] words mean
[58:28] a lot.
[58:31] Well, then please amend it-
[58:32] And, and-
[58:32] ... please amend it to
[58:34] reflect professional services agreement.
[58:35] Okay.
[58:36] It's a bear typo. That's all it is.
[58:38] So, but again, nobody else
[58:42] said nothing about it.
[58:43] And that's good, Bishop. You caught it.
[58:46] That's good. It's good, because I didn't see it.
[58:49] I didn't say.
[58:51] Hey, we're all human. Typos happen.
[58:53] Yeah.
[58:54] I probably grabbed an old resolution or something and just didn't change.
[58:58] That's all it is.
[58:59] Sure.
[59:00] To your point, Councilman McFarland, to your point, nothing in the main...
[59:04] Is it only in this resolution reading or is it back in the full contract?
[59:07] It's just in the caption. Everything else is professional services, and I think it
[59:11] probably came from the fact that the original Kinetics agreement was
[59:15] called a general services agreement.
[59:17] So when I was doing the caption, I probably just looked at the old agreement
[59:20] instead of the new one.
[59:21] But-
[59:21] That's all it was
[59:22] ... all right. So what goes on record is how the
[59:26] agenda item is written.
[59:30] Again, transparency.
[59:32] Make a motion to amend to professional.
[59:34] Second.
[59:34] And this is what... I'm talking.
[59:37] And while I'm talking, you need to respect-
[59:40] Hold on. Hold on. Hold on.
[59:41] I said it both ways, too.
[59:42] Hold on. Hold on.
[59:42] I'm talking.
[59:43] Hold on.
[59:45] You shouldn't interrupt me.
[59:47] Direct comments through the chair, and we're not going to talk at each other.
[59:50] I was making a point on both sides.
[59:52] I'm saying-
[59:53] But again, I was talking.
[59:54] Go ahead, Bishop.
[59:55] You interrupted me.
[59:56] Go ahead. Go ahead.
[59:56] You're talking to the chair.
[1:00:00] Trying to be funny.
[1:00:03] This is disrespect.
[1:00:05] That's right.
[1:00:05] Ditto.
[1:00:06] This disrespect from you
[1:00:09] eventually going to come to an end.
[1:00:15] Again, what I'm saying,
[1:00:18] when I saw the words "professional" and
[1:00:22] "general,"
[1:00:24] to me that was different.
[1:00:26] General means general.
[1:00:30] Could mean anything.
[1:00:32] So I'm glad that you are
[1:00:35] bringing
[1:00:42] clarification to this, that it was a typo,
[1:00:45] because I didn't read it as a typo.
[1:00:48] All right? So again,
[1:00:52] I support this because
[1:00:55] it's in the right category
[1:00:58] and it's what the mayor desires under his
[1:01:02] budget
[1:01:04] All right. So I'm good with
[1:01:08] it. I just want the same support
[1:01:12] when the council brings something.
[1:01:15] And with that being said,
[1:01:21] I will second the motion
[1:01:23] on the amendment of this agenda item from
[1:01:26] general to professional.
[1:01:30] Okay, it was a motion on the floor.
[1:01:33] Yeah, and Gretchen actually seconded it.
[1:01:36] Was it... Who seconded it?
[1:01:37] It was Ms. Ezzard.
[1:01:39] Hold on, hold on. Wait, wait. What are we going to do right now?
[1:01:44] Because you spoke out of turn. Make a motion,
[1:01:49] Bishop.
[1:01:49] So moved that we amend the language of this
[1:01:53] agenda item from
[1:01:55] the word general service agreement to professional service
[1:01:59] agreement.
[1:02:00] I second Bishop's motion.
[1:02:02] It's been moved and properly seconded that the motion be amended to add the word
[1:02:06] professional.
[1:02:06] No, to change general to professional.
[1:02:08] To change the general to professional. Any public comment?
[1:02:12] Seeing none, council. Madam Clerk.
[1:02:15] Mr. Harvey?
[1:02:16] Aye.
[1:02:17] Mrs. Ezzard?
[1:02:18] Aye.
[1:02:19] Mr. Muhammad?
[1:02:20] Aye.
[1:02:20] Mr. McFarland?
[1:02:21] Aye. Motion carries. So do we need to do the same?
[1:02:25] Yes, on the amended version.
[1:02:26] Okay, we need to
[1:02:28] vote on the amended motion.
[1:02:31] It has been moved and seconded. Any public comment on the amended motion?
[1:02:35] Seeing none, council. Madam Clerk.
[1:02:38] Mrs. Ezzard?
[1:02:39] Aye.
[1:02:40] Mr. McFarland?
[1:02:41] Aye.
[1:02:41] Mr. Harvey?
[1:02:42] Aye.
[1:02:42] Mr. Muhammad?
[1:02:43] Aye.
[1:02:44] Motion carries.
[1:02:47] Okay.
[1:02:48] We are down to public works.
[1:02:51] Under A, we adopt a resolution-
[1:02:54] So moved
[1:02:54] ... to bid for High Life Airfield Service. Moved and properly seconded.
[1:02:58] Any
[1:02:59] comment from the public on this resolution?
[1:03:03] Council?
[1:03:06] Madam Clerk.
[1:03:09] Mr. McFarland?
[1:03:10] Aye.
[1:03:11] Mr. Harvey?
[1:03:12] Aye.
[1:03:13] Mrs. Ezzard?
[1:03:14] Aye.
[1:03:14] Mr. Muhammad?
[1:03:15] Aye.
[1:03:16] That motion carries. Okay, B, adopt the resolution-
[1:03:20] So moved
[1:03:20] ... authorizing the mayor to accept certain federal...
[1:03:22] Okay, been moved and properly seconded. Any public comment?
[1:03:30] Okay.
[1:03:32] Any from council?
[1:03:36] Mr.
[1:03:37] Butcher, you want to talk a little bit about this before we actually vote?
[1:03:45] I can. Yes, sir, Mr. Chairman. This just gives the mayor the right to sign the
[1:03:48] grants. Obviously, we'd have to bring them before you for approval.
[1:03:50] But it just gives him the right to sign the grants for the city.
[1:03:53] And that goes for the next one, too. I don't want to jump to the next one.
[1:03:55] This one is for the FA, and the next one is for the-
[1:03:57] Well, we can talk about the first.
[1:03:58] We're doing the airport markings project.
[1:03:59] Oh, I'm sorry. Do you want me to talk on airport markings or B?
[1:04:02] We're on B.
[1:04:03] Yeah.
[1:04:05] Okay.
[1:04:05] Yeah, that just gives the... I want to make sure I'm on the right one.
[1:04:08] That gives the mayor the right to sign the grants after, obviously, we bring them,
[1:04:12] if whatever it is, we bring them before you for approval.
[1:04:13] Okay.
[1:04:15] All right. Thank you, sir.
[1:04:16] Yes, sir.
[1:04:16] All right. Any further discussion? Madam Clerk.
[1:04:20] Mr. Muhammad?
[1:04:21] Aye.
[1:04:22] Mrs. Ezzard?
[1:04:23] Aye.
[1:04:23] Mr. McFarland?
[1:04:24] Aye.
[1:04:25] Mr. Harvey?
[1:04:26] Aye.
[1:04:26] Motion carries. C, adopt the resolution-
[1:04:28] So moved
[1:04:29] ... authorizing the mayor to execute. Been moved and properly seconded.
[1:04:33] Any public comment?
[1:04:35] Seeing none, council.
[1:04:37] Madam Clerk.
[1:04:39] Mr. Harvey?
[1:04:40] Aye.
[1:04:40] Mr. McFarland?
[1:04:41] Aye.
[1:04:42] Mr. Muhammad?
[1:04:43] Aye.
[1:04:43] Mrs. Ezzard?
[1:04:45] Aye.
[1:04:46] Motion carries.
[1:04:48] Item seven, the Department of Community Affairs, none. Police Department, none.
[1:04:51] Fire Department, none. Engineering Services, A, adopt the resolution approving the
[1:04:55] intergovernment agreement-
[1:04:56] Second
[1:04:56] ... with the State of Louisiana.
[1:04:59] It was moved and seconded.
[1:04:59] Moved and properly seconded. Any public comment?
[1:05:05] Council?
[1:05:07] Mr. McAlister, for the sake of the audience and the public,
[1:05:11] can you tell us what we're doing here?
[1:05:12] I know this is dealing with the Garrett Road interchange.
[1:05:16] As you know,
[1:05:18] Garrett Road is undergoing a tremendous facelift,
[1:05:22] hopefully.
[1:05:24] Yes, sir. So this is
[1:05:26] one of the initial steps that we're working with DOTD
[1:05:30] on to see this project ultimately get off the ground.
[1:05:34] We've gone through a series of utility relocations thus far, mouse or
[1:05:38] relocation, that's associated with airport lighting, some of the
[1:05:42] landing mechanisms. So, this is for a
[1:05:45] temporary detour that's a part of the construction
[1:05:49] sequencing.
[1:05:51] So rather than having all of the ramps and this entire intersection
[1:05:54] closed down for a period of four to five years, we worked
[1:05:58] closely with DOTD over the past year or so to provide a
[1:06:02] three-phase sequencing approach.
[1:06:05] This particular component right here, as travelers are coming
[1:06:09] westbound to get off of the Garrett Road exit, when
[1:06:12] that part of the construction is underway, it would allow a
[1:06:16] detour onto the boulevard that is partially complete
[1:06:20] there,
[1:06:22] next to or connecting to Millhaven Road.
[1:06:25] So, that's the general scope of this, is a temporary
[1:06:29] detour.
[1:06:30] Okay.
[1:06:32] Thank you, sir. Any
[1:06:34] further discussion from council?
[1:06:37] Any idea when this project's actually going to be-
[1:06:40] Great question
[1:06:41] ... kicked off?
[1:06:41] That's a very good question. Yeah, yeah.
[1:06:44] This project is funded on the federal
[1:06:48] and state level.
[1:06:51] We've seen the date get pushed back, and
[1:06:55] so we're anticipating within the next couple of years.
[1:06:58] Yeah.
[1:06:59] That's where we're at. But we're constantly communicating with our delegation
[1:07:03] and DOTD, Secretary of DOTD, and we're looking at about a year and a
[1:07:07] half, two years before we begin.
[1:07:09] So, Mr. Chairman, Councilwoman Ezzard
[1:07:13] When we got in, initially, that five
[1:07:17] roundabout Kansas Garrett
[1:07:20] was the plan of attack. And then with the change in administrations, the plan
[1:07:23] is to six-lane interstate from 165 to
[1:07:28] Millhaven.
[1:07:30] Ultimately, those two projects were combined,
[1:07:33] and so they had to go back out and get re-engineered and repackaged as one.
[1:07:37] So that obviously took some time.
[1:07:40] They're pushing right now. They're still doing the detours, like what
[1:07:44] you see here tonight.
[1:07:46] They're moving forward with demolition of the old gas
[1:07:50] station and the old Ronin, and so there's little pieces that they're making
[1:07:54] progress. And on the backside of that, as you all know, the one that we've all been
[1:07:58] keeping up with for the past,
[1:08:00] how long? 30-some odd years,
[1:08:03] the Kansas Lane extension.
[1:08:06] So they're moving forward with phase two of the Kansas Lane extension, which will
[1:08:10] start at the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home, and it's to go over the
[1:08:13] bayou and to pass through Cypress Point and stop at the back.
[1:08:19] Right now, they still want progress to move forward, so it looks like, and
[1:08:23] Morgan can correct me if I'm wrong, they're going to look at the bridge portion
[1:08:26] that crosses the bayou first, because that's the most expensive, and the longer you
[1:08:29] wait, that price tag just keeps going up.
[1:08:32] So they're looking to finish that bridge portion to show progress to move
[1:08:35] forward. But as the general public, just kind of stay
[1:08:39] aware.
[1:08:41] It is about to be a logistical nightmare here over the next four years, just
[1:08:45] with all the DOTD work that's happening in those intersections.
[1:08:49] And so you can imagine, that is one of our largest and busiest
[1:08:52] intersections there off Interstate that gets you access to Sam's and other parts of
[1:08:56] the parish and neighborhoods, the mall.
[1:08:59] Once it's finished, you'll have a mitigated over the rail.
[1:09:03] You won't have to stop at that cursed train any longer.
[1:09:07] They'll have an over-the-railroad track, elevated portion that will get
[1:09:11] you over, but there will still be an at-grade crossing for those
[1:09:14] who just like waiting on trains. That's not me.
[1:09:17] But you'll have the ability to get on, hit a roundabout, go back over and go.
[1:09:21] And so if you're making a train or if you're trying to get your kid to school or
[1:09:24] trying to make work in the industrial area, all that will be open.
[1:09:28] So,
[1:09:29] Morgan, is there any more clear date on when they are
[1:09:33] going to let that project? Is it later next year?
[1:09:38] Is that kind of target date?
[1:09:39] Yes. So we're looking probably as early as fall of '27 with the-
[1:09:43] Okay
[1:09:43] ... letting date. Yes.
[1:09:44] Yeah. So,
[1:09:46] just to give you a really early heads-up of when the
[1:09:50] traffic's going to get a little wild.
[1:09:52] But as progress speeds up, traffic slows
[1:09:56] down, and so we hope that you're seeing signs of that right now with all the...
[1:10:00] And again, obviously, nobody at DOTD
[1:10:04] has children in school, because all the roadwork started right at the opening of
[1:10:08] the school session.
[1:10:11] But we hope you're starting to see a lot of the progress moving forward throughout
[1:10:15] the city with the sidewalk projects, the lighting projects, and some of the,
[1:10:19] Chairman Muhammad, a lot of the roadwork that's happening right now throughout the
[1:10:23] city. So, there's just going to be a lot more of that.
[1:10:26] But as the year progresses next year,
[1:10:30] a lot more of the heavier construction will start happening, and detouring of
[1:10:33] Interstate, and as you know, it's already packed right now.
[1:10:36] So just get ready to use Waze or Google Maps
[1:10:40] to find a back way
[1:10:42] around Monroe. So...
[1:10:44] All right. Thank you, Mayor.
[1:10:45] Thank you, Chairman.
[1:10:46] Okay. Any further discussion on this resolution? Madam Clerk.
[1:10:51] Mrs. Ezzardat.
[1:10:52] Aye.
[1:10:52] Mr. Muhammad.
[1:10:53] Aye.
[1:10:53] Mr. McFarland.
[1:10:54] Aye.
[1:10:55] Mr. Harvey.
[1:10:56] Aye.
[1:10:57] Motion carries. Okay, break if needed.
[1:10:59] All right, 10, introduction resolution ordinance.
[1:11:03] None. 11, resolution ordinance for second reading and
[1:11:07] final adoption.
[1:11:09] We are now in a public hearing.
[1:11:14] Finally adopted an ordinance adopting an authorized millage rate and providing for
[1:11:18] the levying of special and general taxes for the City of Monroe
[1:11:22] for the year 2026, further providing with respect thereto.
[1:11:26] We are now in a public hearing. Any public comment?
[1:11:30] Seeing none. Council.
[1:11:32] Close that.
[1:11:33] Oh, me, I need to close it. Okay. We are now
[1:11:36] out of a public hearing.
[1:11:39] I will read the item again.
[1:11:41] Final adopting ordinance adopting a
[1:11:44] authorized millage rate and providing
[1:11:47] for the levying of special and general taxes for the City of Monroe for the year
[1:11:51] 2026, and further providing with respect thereto.
[1:11:55] So moved for final adoption.
[1:11:57] Second the motion.
[1:11:58] It moved and properly second that we finally adopt this ordinance.
[1:12:01] Any public comment?
[1:12:04] Seeing none. Council?
[1:12:05] I have just-
[1:12:05] Yes, ma'am
[1:12:06] ... one clarification.
[1:12:07] Just to let everyone know, that millage rate is the same as it was in
[1:12:11] 2025.
[1:12:12] That is correct.
[1:12:14] That's all.
[1:12:15] Okay.
[1:12:17] Madam Clerk.
[1:12:19] Mr. McFarland.
[1:12:21] Aye.
[1:12:21] Mr. Harvey.
[1:12:22] Aye.
[1:12:23] Mrs. Ezzardat.
[1:12:25] Aye.
[1:12:25] Mr. Muhammad.
[1:12:26] Aye.
[1:12:28] Motion carries.
[1:12:30] We're in a public hearing. B, finally adopting orders amending the...
[1:12:34] I'm sorry.
[1:12:36] Yeah.
[1:12:36] That's right.
[1:12:37] Amending the city of Monroe operating budget for the fiscal year
[1:12:40] '26-'27 to appropriate funds for cancer
[1:12:43] screening for fire service employees and f-f-further
[1:12:47] providing with respect thereto.
[1:12:50] We are now in a public hearing. Any public comment?
[1:12:56] Public hearing is now closed.
[1:12:58] B, finally adopt an ordinance amending the city of Monroe's operating
[1:13:02] budget for the fiscal year '26-'27 to appropriate funds for
[1:13:06] cancer screenings for fire service employees and further providing
[1:13:10] with respect thereto.
[1:13:11] So moved.
[1:13:12] Second.
[1:13:13] It moved and properly second that we finally adopt this ordinance.
[1:13:16] Any public comment?
[1:13:18] Seeing none. Any from counsel?
[1:13:21] Madam Clerk.
[1:13:23] Mr. Muhammad?
[1:13:24] Aye.
[1:13:25] Mrs. Ezzard?
[1:13:26] Aye.
[1:13:27] Mr. Harvey?
[1:13:28] Aye.
[1:13:29] Mr. McFarland?
[1:13:30] Aye.
[1:13:30] That motion carries.
[1:13:33] We are now in a public hearing. C, finally adopt an ordinance
[1:13:36] authorizing the City of Monroe to take corporate possession of and sell
[1:13:40] to Linda Faye Rucks all rights, title, interests
[1:13:44] that the city may have acquired to Lot
[1:13:48] 6, Square 55, Unit 10, Booker T. Washington Addition,
[1:13:52] 4010 Pippin Street, Ouachita Parish, District 3, Monroe,
[1:13:56] Louisiana, by adjudication at the tax sale dated July
[1:14:00] 25, 1996, and further
[1:14:03] providing with respect thereto. We are now in a public hearing.
[1:14:07] Any comment from the audience?
[1:14:12] Public hearing is now closed. C, finally adopt an ordinance
[1:14:16] authorizing the City of Monroe to take corporate possession of and sell to
[1:14:19] Linda Faye Rucks all rights, title, and interest that the
[1:14:23] city may have acquired to Lot 6, Square
[1:14:27] 55, Unit 10, Booker T. Washington Addition,
[1:14:31] 4010 Pippin Street, Ouachita Parish, District 3, Monroe,
[1:14:35] Louisiana,
[1:14:36] by adjudication at tax sale dated July 25, 1996,
[1:14:40] and further providing with respect thereto.
[1:14:43] So moved.
[1:14:43] Second.
[1:14:44] Final adoption.
[1:14:45] Second.
[1:14:45] It's been moved and properly second that we finally adopt this ordinance.
[1:14:49] Any public comment?
[1:14:51] Seeing none from council.
[1:14:53] Madam Clerk.
[1:14:54] Mr. Harvey?
[1:14:55] Aye.
[1:14:56] Mr. McFarland?
[1:14:57] Aye.
[1:14:58] Mrs. Ezzard?
[1:14:59] Aye.
[1:14:59] Mr. Muhammad?
[1:15:00] Aye. Motion carries.
[1:15:04] We are now in a public hearing. D, finally adopt an ordinance authorizing the
[1:15:08] City of Monroe to take corporate possession of and sell to
[1:15:11] Erica Thomas and Horace Wilson all rights,
[1:15:15] title, and interest that the city may have acquired to
[1:15:19] South
[1:15:20] 70 feet, Lot 7, and
[1:15:24] South
[1:15:27] 70 feet of West 10 feet of Lot 8,
[1:15:31] Square 7, Bryant's
[1:15:34] South Highland Addition,
[1:15:37] no municipal address, Mark Street,
[1:15:41] Ouachita Parish, District 5, Monroe, Louisiana, by adjudication at
[1:15:45] tax sale dated July 13, 1999, and further
[1:15:49] providing with respect thereto. We are in a public hearing.
[1:15:52] Any public comment?
[1:15:57] Public hearing is now closed. D, finally adopt an ordinance
[1:16:01] authorizing the City of Monroe to take corporate possession of and sell to
[1:16:05] Erica Thomas and Horace Wilson all rights, title, and
[1:16:09] interest that the city may have acquired to South 70
[1:16:13] feet, Lot 7, and South 70 feet of
[1:16:17] West 10 feet of Lot 8,
[1:16:20] Square 7, Bryant's South Highland Addition,
[1:16:24] no municipal address, Mark Street, Ouachita Parish, District 5,
[1:16:28] Monroe, Louisiana, by adjudication at tax sale dated July
[1:16:32] 13, 1999, and further providing with respect thereto.
[1:16:36] So moved for final adoption.
[1:16:38] Second.
[1:16:39] Second.
[1:16:39] It's been moved and seconded that we finally adopt this particular
[1:16:43] ordinance. Any public comment?
[1:16:47] Any from council?
[1:16:49] I do have a... What's the address?
[1:16:51] It doesn't say here.
[1:16:52] I know there's no address, but I'm trying to figure out, because I don't understand
[1:16:55] all these coordinates. Wait, I don't-
[1:16:57] Yeah, we have to do that sometimes.
[1:16:58] We have old properties that were never assigned a municipal address, because they
[1:17:02] only get assigned when someone actually lives on the property for the
[1:17:06] first time.
[1:17:07] Can you find that on the map and send it to me?
[1:17:09] I'd like to know exactly what it is on Mark Street.
[1:17:11] Yeah, there's a parcel number. We can give you the parcel number.
[1:17:13] Okay. Any further comments? Madam Clerk.
[1:17:17] Mrs. Ezzard?
[1:17:19] Aye.
[1:17:19] Mr. McFarland?
[1:17:20] Aye.
[1:17:21] Mr. Harvey?
[1:17:22] Aye.
[1:17:22] Mr. Muhammad?
[1:17:23] Aye. That motion carries.
[1:17:29] E,
[1:17:31] we are in a public hearing. Finally adopt an ordinance declaring certain movable
[1:17:35] property located at 911 Orange Street, Monroe, Louisiana, to be
[1:17:39] no longer needed for a public purpose or public use,
[1:17:42] authorizing the sale of said property to Eta Delta Lambda
[1:17:45] Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Educational Foundation,
[1:17:49] Incorporated, pursuant to Louisiana Revised Statute
[1:17:53] 33:47:12, and otherwise providing with respect
[1:17:57] thereto. We are now in a public hearing. Any public comment?
[1:18:02] Please give us your name and address.
[1:18:05] I'm Ernest Muhammad, 1013 Griffin Street.
[1:18:10] Happy Tuesday.
[1:18:12] Nice.
[1:18:13] On behalf of the
[1:18:16] incredible Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, we want to thank the
[1:18:20] city for giving us an opportunity to purchase a
[1:18:24] house that we can use for the educational
[1:18:27] purposes of beautifying the city
[1:18:30] and making our city proud of what our fraternity
[1:18:34] does. So, with no further delay, we have our brothers that are
[1:18:38] representing the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
[1:18:41] Brothers that have joined me, would you please stand?
[1:18:47] One, one, one, one, nine.
[1:18:51] All right.
[1:18:53] Our Alpha Phi Alpha brothers,
[1:18:56] we just want to say thanks to the city, and we're looking forward to
[1:19:00] working hard and beautifying that neighborhood and then being a
[1:19:05] beacon
[1:19:07] for the city and transcend all. Thank you.
[1:19:11] Thank you, sir.
[1:19:12] Thank you.
[1:19:12] Any further public comment?
[1:19:16] We are now out of a public hearing. E, finally adopt an ordinance declaring certain
[1:19:20] immovable property located at 911 Orange Street, Monroe,
[1:19:24] Louisiana, to be no longer needed for a public purpose
[1:19:28] or public use, auth- Authorizing the sale of said property to
[1:19:32] Eta
[1:19:33] Delta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
[1:19:37] Educational Foundation Incorporated, pursuant to Louisiana
[1:19:40] Revised Statute
[1:19:41] 334712 and
[1:19:44] otherwise providing with respect thereto.
[1:19:48] So moved for final adoption.
[1:19:49] Second.
[1:19:50] It's moved and properly second that we finally adopt this ordinance.
[1:19:54] Any public comment?
[1:19:57] Seeing none. Any from council?
[1:19:59] Yes, Mr. Muhammad.
[1:20:04] I am just so
[1:20:08] proud of you all taking the initiative of
[1:20:12] turning this facility into something very
[1:20:16] useful
[1:20:18] within District Four.
[1:20:23] I applaud you all,
[1:20:25] and the
[1:20:28] Ice Cold Men.
[1:20:31] I applaud you all. Job well done, and I
[1:20:35] pray and hope
[1:20:37] that you all will allow some of our elders to come-
[1:20:41] ... and to your facility once it's complete, and
[1:20:45] help you all on any of your educational
[1:20:48] endeavors.
[1:20:50] Again, congratulations on your great work.
[1:20:53] Yeah, good job.
[1:20:54] All right.
[1:20:55] Great job.
[1:20:56] Okay. Madam Clerk.
[1:20:59] Mr. McFarland.
[1:21:00] Aye.
[1:21:00] Mr. Harvey.
[1:21:02] Aye.
[1:21:03] Mr. Muhammad.
[1:21:04] Aye.
[1:21:04] Mrs. Ezernack.
[1:21:05] Aye.
[1:21:06] Congratulations. Motion carries.
[1:21:08] All right, we're down to citizen participation.
[1:21:11] We have a
[1:21:13] long list tonight. Brenda Faye Williams, please give us your name and
[1:21:16] address.
[1:21:18] It's Brenda Joyce.
[1:21:20] Oh, I'm sorry.
[1:21:22] Brenda Joyce Williams. Yes.
[1:21:24] To answer your question a few minutes ago, about that parcel,
[1:21:29] it's probably best described as the northeast corner of Marks and
[1:21:33] Ford.
[1:21:33] Ford?
[1:21:34] Yeah.
[1:21:34] Okay. Thank you.
[1:21:35] Mark and Ford.
[1:21:35] Thank you. Are you joining us live?
[1:21:40] Brenda Joyce Williams.
[1:21:42] Yes, ma'am. My correction. My apologies.
[1:21:45] 502 Carlton Avenue, District
[1:21:48] 4.
[1:21:50] First of all, I want to say, Mr. McFarland,
[1:21:53] I'm still waiting on those receipts in that ride-through.
[1:21:58] I got the receipts.
[1:21:59] Still waiting.
[1:21:59] I thought you were coming by my office.
[1:22:01] I told you I'd have them for you in a couple of days.
[1:22:04] Okay.
[1:22:04] Do you want them?
[1:22:05] But nevertheless, what I want to do tonight really is
[1:22:10] commend the Monroe Police Department
[1:22:12] and code enforcement,
[1:22:15] because we continue to do what we do in our area.
[1:22:19] And what happened was that they coordinated an
[1:22:22] effort when I took pictures because you
[1:22:26] all say, "You see something, you say something."
[1:22:30] And so we had an individual that was illegally dumping in the
[1:22:34] area, piles of stuff.
[1:22:37] And through the coordination of the Monroe Police Department, the
[1:22:41] code enforcement, they also said that Wildlife and
[1:22:44] Fisheries are now getting involved in things.
[1:22:47] And based on the pictures that I took,
[1:22:52] they were able to, in about 10 minutes, coordinate,
[1:22:56] and they found this person on North 19th
[1:23:00] Street.
[1:23:01] Made them come back to the area-
[1:23:04] ... pick up all that junk-
[1:23:07] Yeah, yeah
[1:23:07] ... that they had piled- ... on the side of the road, and then-
[1:23:10] Where was this?
[1:23:11] Yes.
[1:23:14] What corner was it?
[1:23:14] What'd you say?
[1:23:14] Where was it?
[1:23:15] It was in District Four on the corner of Carlton and Polk Street.
[1:23:19] Okay.
[1:23:21] And they did issue them a citation.
[1:23:25] But the coordinated effort that the police and,
[1:23:29] of course, Tommy James came out. It was like 7:00 something in the morning, so he
[1:23:33] was like, "My breakfast got cold."
[1:23:37] But we just do what we do. When we see something, we
[1:23:41] say something, we take pictures, we call, and I just
[1:23:45] encourage anybody and everybody in their neighborhoods
[1:23:48] to do the same when we're talking about
[1:23:52] trying to make the effort. It's not just
[1:23:56] about complaining to city council. We do what we do.
[1:24:00] That's right.
[1:24:01] Not just in our area, but if we see
[1:24:04] streetlights out, if we see anything
[1:24:08] that's not supposed to be going on, we have
[1:24:12] numbers, and we give neighbors numbers as well.
[1:24:15] But I just really commend them on that particular morning because they did a
[1:24:18] fantastic job. And the police
[1:24:22] officers came, and they just did what
[1:24:26] they do, and Tommy James came and did what
[1:24:30] he
[1:24:31] does, and it was just a wonderful coordinated
[1:24:35] effort that paid off.
[1:24:37] Yeah.
[1:24:37] And so they
[1:24:39] thought that this guy was probably intending to come back, but he
[1:24:43] won't be coming back anytime soon.
[1:24:46] That's good.
[1:24:47] Ms. Brenda, that's called, "I ain't going to stop you from trying, but we're
[1:24:51] about to break you from the habit."
[1:24:52] Oh, okay.
[1:24:53] Right?
[1:24:54] Great job.
[1:24:55] Thank you, Ms. Williams. Pat Turner.
[1:25:08] Pat Turner, 315 Marshall Drive, District Five.
[1:25:12] So I woke up this morning with lots of little yellow
[1:25:15] flags, and I have six lots in
[1:25:19] King Oaks on Marshall Drive. The house and the brick and wrought
[1:25:23] iron fence sits on three lots, and
[1:25:28] my lots to the south of me, there's two,
[1:25:31] and then I have one north of me
[1:25:35] So the little yellow flags were all up and down on the city
[1:25:39] side of the sidewalk. But then I began to see them
[1:25:43] throughout the entire King Oaks area.
[1:25:47] And when I got back, there were some.
[1:25:49] Now, these run parallel to the street.
[1:25:52] When I got back, there was some perpendicular to the
[1:25:56] street in my yard. Help. What is this
[1:26:00] about?
[1:26:01] That's going to be a gas line.
[1:26:03] So is it throughout the neighborhood or just
[1:26:07] isolated?
[1:26:08] The entire neighborhood.
[1:26:09] You probably got a fiber project about to get buried, fiber optic cable
[1:26:12] through Morgan, most likely, in your experience through
[1:26:16] that. They're neighborhoods now, so you'll have a service provider
[1:26:20] within the right of way that's going to underground bury and bore
[1:26:24] lines, if I'm guessing. I can get Morgan to look to see who's pulled permits, but-
[1:26:28] I did make some calls, and that was said.
[1:26:31] But I thought since it was council meeting, I would bring this up in particular.
[1:26:34] And then I also spoke to a student, one of my former students, who's very
[1:26:38] familiar with this type of thing, who has handled insurance claims.
[1:26:42] And here's the concern, especially since I see that it looks like they're
[1:26:46] going to segue into my yard, on the lawn.
[1:26:51] And he says, a lot of times when they come, because these people are not
[1:26:55] often attached to the city, they
[1:26:59] come in, they're contracted from other states, and they come in and
[1:27:03] they do damage.
[1:27:05] And then they give you a number to say, "Okay, file a claim." This is
[1:27:09] very alarming to me, so I'm concerned about that.
[1:27:12] C, I'm concerned about them putting things back, because in
[1:27:16] that area, council will
[1:27:19] attest to the fact it's very well-groomed.
[1:27:21] We edge, we do what we need to do to make the property look nice for the
[1:27:25] most part. And so that's what I'm concerned about, is that we have
[1:27:29] enough headaches
[1:27:31] without having to file claims from people who come
[1:27:35] and
[1:27:37] who are contracted, who have no vested interest in the community,
[1:27:41] but to do their job.
[1:27:41] I will say, Ms. Turner, that I know that AT&T laid fiber
[1:27:45] in
[1:27:47] West Parkview area, and they have to come back and sod it out.
[1:27:51] Are you talking about your bushes may be
[1:27:55] affected?
[1:27:55] I have no bushes.
[1:27:56] Okay.
[1:27:56] I don't do bushes.
[1:27:57] They'll definitely replant your grass-
[1:27:59] Uh-huh
[1:27:59] ... if that's affected.
[1:28:01] Yeah, so anytime somebody's going to dig underground, they'll call and get a
[1:28:04] location of every line. So if you see yellow, for example, that's where a
[1:28:08] gas line is existing today.
[1:28:10] Mm-hmm.
[1:28:10] And so it's an indication of what's currently in the ground.
[1:28:12] But if anybody damages a line, especially like if somebody busts a water
[1:28:16] line, it requires immediate restoration because everything floods out.
[1:28:19] The same thing with gas. So if you have any problem, obviously you can call, but-
[1:28:23] Okay
[1:28:23] ... there's immediate requirements to address anything that's done like that in the
[1:28:27] right of way.
[1:28:27] Okay, and I made another call in there. I heard the timer.
[1:28:30] Okay.
[1:28:30] And
[1:28:31] that Richwood Road, number one, grass still
[1:28:35] tall in the ditches. Thanks.
[1:28:37] Okay. Thank you. Lester Paster?
[1:28:46] Lester Paster, 100 South Point Drive, Apartment
[1:28:49] 301.
[1:28:51] About a couple of months ago, I had asked the
[1:28:55] city council and the public
[1:28:57] to read my website,
[1:29:00] justicepaster.com.
[1:29:08] It talks about injustice I've been fighting for over 20 years.
[1:29:13] It's where the city of Monroe, the state of Louisiana, is refusing to obey
[1:29:17] a court order from Court of Appeal.
[1:29:21] Last city council meeting, I asked Councilman Virgil
[1:29:25] Muhammad
[1:29:27] to bring
[1:29:29] to the fore and ask for an investigation of this case,
[1:29:33] and I see he did not do that. Now, when Virgil
[1:29:37] Muhammad was running for office, I came to him and
[1:29:41] I sit down and I talked to him about this order court of appeals that has not been
[1:29:45] carried out.
[1:29:46] So he's very aware that the law is being broke.
[1:29:51] I want my supporters, Black and white, to know that
[1:29:56] the people that's breaking the law, if they was white,
[1:30:01] like Judge Smith, Carl Shaw,
[1:30:08] I wouldn't have a problem with the NAACP,
[1:30:11] Katrina Jackson, Pat Moore, backing me up,
[1:30:15] saying that this is against the law.
[1:30:17] But because they're Black,
[1:30:20] they're trying to keep this here quiet.
[1:30:23] But if they was white, the NAACP would step forward and
[1:30:27] say, "Hey, this is against the law.
[1:30:29] You cannot do this."
[1:30:30] Again, I'm asking the public.
[1:30:35] I have this here on the outside. All you have to do is take a flash drive of it,
[1:30:39] take a picture of it. It'll go straight to my website.
[1:30:42] I'm asking the public to go and see what law that they are
[1:30:46] breaking, that they are refusing to look at.
[1:30:49] A month ago, I told them that
[1:30:53] Proverbs 28:4 say, "They that forsake the law
[1:30:57] praise the wicked." But if you go to 28 and 9, it says,
[1:31:01] "If he
[1:31:04] hears the law,
[1:31:08] his
[1:31:12] prayer is an abomination." God's told against this here.
[1:31:16] I can get nervous. You can say what you want to say about me.
[1:31:20] Paster going to be here. I'm going to keep fighting this case.
[1:31:24] Court of Appeal
[1:31:27] order is clear. This case does not belong to city of
[1:31:31] Monroe. They had no business taking me before their court.
[1:31:35] And
[1:31:36] I'm not going to hire attorney. Court of Appeals, I had the right to counsel, and I
[1:31:40] have a right
[1:31:41] to a
[1:31:42] jury trial
[1:31:44] Go read my website and see what I'm talking about.
[1:31:48] Now,
[1:31:49] I heard a person say a couple of months ago-
[1:31:50] Thank you, Mr. Pastor
[1:31:51] ...
[1:31:52] But I'm going to give you a compliment.
[1:31:53] Don't
[1:31:54] rob yourself of it
[1:31:54] Mr. Pastor, your time is up, sir.
[1:31:57] Your three minutes is up.
[1:31:59] Okay.
[1:31:59] Mr. Muhammad.
[1:32:01] You robbed yourself of a compliment, Mr. Muhammad, but thank you.
[1:32:04] Mr. Muhammad, I'd like to read something for the record.
[1:32:08] And I appreciate Mr. Pastor coming up to discuss this case,
[1:32:13] and he has done so over time-
[1:32:15] Yes
[1:32:15] ... in discussions with the previous attorney, but there is an order from the
[1:32:18] Second Circuit Court of Appeals that does not get discussed in Mr.
[1:32:21] Pastor's presentation. And so I want to read it.
[1:32:25] No, no.
[1:32:26] To give some resolution.
[1:32:27] Mr. Pastor, no.
[1:32:28] I can hear. I want to hear what he has to say.
[1:32:30] Well, just-
[1:32:31] So this is an order from the Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeal, dated
[1:32:35] October 13th, 2016, almost a decade
[1:32:38] ago. "The applicant, Lester G. Pastor, has filed a
[1:32:41] motion complaining that his case, arising from a 1997
[1:32:45] charge for a violation of Louisiana Revised Statute
[1:32:48] 14:401, is not proceeding as ordered by this
[1:32:52] court's opinion in City of Monroe versus Pastor," and then gives the case
[1:32:56] citation, "whereby this court vacated the applicant's conviction
[1:33:00] and remanded the matter to the Monroe City Court for new proceedings.
[1:33:04] Contrary to the applicant's arguments, on remand from this court,
[1:33:08] the prosecutor for the City of Monroe had the authority to dismiss the charge
[1:33:12] against the applicant. Because the charge has been dismissed,
[1:33:16] the case is final, and the applicant is not entitled to a new trial.
[1:33:20] Accordingly, the applicant's motion is hereby denied." Mr.
[1:33:24] Pastor's case has been final. The charges were dismissed.
[1:33:28] The Second Circuit recognized that over a decade ago.
[1:33:31] There is no case to be tried in Mr. Pastor's case.
[1:33:34] That is, the Court of Appeals order that Mr.
[1:33:36] Pastor complains has been violated, the Court of Appeals
[1:33:40] itself has said is not being violated. The case is over.
[1:33:45] Thank you, sir.
[1:33:47] Okay. Lanikia Robinson.
[1:33:53] Please give us your name and address.
[1:33:55] Good evening. Lanikia Robinson, 2700 Stokes-
[1:33:59] Outside, all you got to do is take a picture of it
[1:34:01] ... Monroe. I hope I'm-
[1:34:02] You got to take a picture of it.
[1:34:06] Sorry for being out of order. I just wanted to make a comment, give
[1:34:09] thanks to our mayor and our council for your passing of resolution for
[1:34:13] the Northeast Louisiana Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation.
[1:34:16] We just thank you on behalf of the...
[1:34:18] I'm a board member there, and it's on behalf of the board and the organization, we
[1:34:21] just thank you for your investment in a very important mission
[1:34:25] that we have. That was all. I'm sorry about order. All right. Thank you.
[1:34:28] Thank you so much.
[1:34:30] Gloria Clark.
[1:34:33] I'm good. Thank you. Okay.
[1:34:35] Ebony Johnson.
[1:34:37] That's Ivorra. I'm good. Oh, how you say that? Ivorra. What'd I say?
[1:34:41] Ebony. Ivorra. I'm sorry. You good?
[1:34:45] I'm good. Okay. Thank you. Latasha Larkin.
[1:34:51] Kaya
[1:34:52] Davenport.
[1:34:56] Shana Wilson.
[1:34:59] Tanya Freeman.
[1:35:03] Sheridan Hamilton.
[1:35:07] Kenya Roberson.
[1:35:12] Is it Roberson or Robinson? How you say it?
[1:35:14] It's Robinson, but you've been calling me that for 20 years.
[1:35:17] I'll say Roberson, Robinson.
[1:35:19] It's okay. It's all right. It's okay.
[1:35:22] All right.
[1:35:23] Kenya Roberson on behalf of the Northeast Louisiana Chamber of Commerce,
[1:35:27] and I do want to applaud everyone who took place with
[1:35:31] the LMA conference that you all had this past week.
[1:35:35] It was amazing. However, with that
[1:35:39] being said, and
[1:35:41] I would be doing a disservice to my members
[1:35:45] if I did not address this.
[1:35:48] With that type of magnitude of people
[1:35:51] that you all had coming into the city,
[1:35:55] there were some services that my members feel,
[1:36:00] that I feel as the executive director, and our board
[1:36:04] feels, that a phone call or a meeting
[1:36:08] should have been had with our chamber.
[1:36:11] We had members that could have provided
[1:36:16] feeding,
[1:36:17] maybe breakfast, maybe lunch,
[1:36:21] maybe dinner.
[1:36:23] Not one phone call.
[1:36:25] I was hurt by that,
[1:36:28] because you had over 1,000 people that were serviced by
[1:36:32] one vendor
[1:36:35] every day.
[1:36:37] That's disheartening,
[1:36:40] and that's a lot of missed opportunities for people
[1:36:44] who feed their families through their small businesses.
[1:36:48] And I think going forward, council and
[1:36:52] mayor,
[1:36:53] we're going to have more opportunities because we are growing,
[1:36:57] and they do see it.
[1:36:59] Please make sure that it reflects
[1:37:03] all chambers,
[1:37:06] all businesses.
[1:37:08] Make sure that they have an opportunity.
[1:37:10] How about a meet and greet, or a forum, or
[1:37:15] something to let all of the businesses know that
[1:37:18] these are the opportunities that are available?
[1:37:22] There should have been some type of process that was done.
[1:37:25] But I just think that type of money that was paid out
[1:37:29] for those food, for those five days, it could have
[1:37:33] been spread across the city.
[1:37:35] Exactly.
[1:37:35] Thank you.
[1:37:36] You're welcome.
[1:37:37] Ms. Roberson, just to clarify on that, I'd like to...
[1:37:42] The Louisiana Municipal Association chose the vendor
[1:37:46] We did not pay for the vendor. The Louisiana Municipal Association
[1:37:50] chose the vendor.
[1:37:52] It's not about who pays it.
[1:37:56] I know that there were conversations had, and Mayor, being that you
[1:38:00] are our mayor, you are our advocate for the city of Monroe,
[1:38:04] and you do know that there are various chambers here
[1:38:08] in our area. I didn't receive a phone call,
[1:38:12] not from anybody.
[1:38:14] Yeah.
[1:38:14] And so I know that when it's something
[1:38:18] I see that my members can take part in, I'm texting, I'm
[1:38:22] calling, I'm emailing. I'm trying to get them
[1:38:25] opportunities.
[1:38:26] Yeah.
[1:38:27] I think we missed that.
[1:38:29] Thank you.
[1:38:30] No, and no doubt, you represent well, and you've been here for many
[1:38:34] years, and you represent your people, and I'll never deny you that.
[1:38:37] So you're a very great advocate. I just wanted to, just between you and
[1:38:41] I, so you can communicate, that the LMA rented
[1:38:45] our facility. They chose the vendors. They had the conversations.
[1:38:48] And again,
[1:38:50] no chamber chose it, nobody chose it.
[1:38:53] Just wanted to put that out there, that they hired
[1:38:58] the vendor.
[1:38:58] I'm not saying the pay.
[1:38:59] Yeah.
[1:38:59] I'm speaking of, we all know that in order for, and I won't call their
[1:39:03] business name, but in order for their business to receive that
[1:39:07] type of contract, there had to be some
[1:39:11] conversations. He had to be recommended.
[1:39:13] And all I'm saying going forward, allow all to
[1:39:17] be recommended and then allow them to choose.
[1:39:20] But I know that my phone rang off the hook every
[1:39:24] single day asking me why didn't I, as the executive
[1:39:28] director of the chamber,
[1:39:30] afford them an opportunity. And I had to answer that, because
[1:39:34] I didn't even have an answer.
[1:39:35] Yeah.
[1:39:36] Mr. Chairman, may I?
[1:39:38] Yes, sir.
[1:39:39] Thank you so much, and I do thank you, Ms.
[1:39:42] Robinson, for
[1:39:44] your comments, and I also thank the mayor for his.
[1:39:48] But I need to put this on record that the
[1:39:51] council had absolutely nothing
[1:39:54] to do with that. And just as
[1:39:57] your phone was ringing, mine was ringing, too,
[1:40:02] because there were those that felt like
[1:40:06] they were slighted and that one person shouldn't have got all
[1:40:10] of the business.
[1:40:12] I do agree with you, and everybody know that McFarland shoots
[1:40:15] straight from the hip.
[1:40:18] I do agree with you.
[1:40:20] LMA wouldn't have known about the individual unless
[1:40:24] we are selling that individual. It was a lot of other
[1:40:28] businesses out there. I think we should have shared the
[1:40:31] wealth. We should have had opportunity of others
[1:40:35] to come in and do some things, not just one.
[1:40:39] Was the food great? Yeah, food was great. Did we have a great time?
[1:40:43] Yes. Was it an outstanding convention? Yes.
[1:40:47] But can we do some things better? Yes, indeed,
[1:40:51] and we all need to be involved. I was promised to
[1:40:55] be involved,
[1:40:57] but I never got a phone call as chair
[1:41:00] to be involved in this matter.
[1:41:04] Everything was planned
[1:41:07] with LMA and the mayor.
[1:41:09] But again, I do want to say to the mayor, it was a great
[1:41:13] convention.
[1:41:15] I enjoyed it to the highest.
[1:41:17] But I pray and hope the next go around, whenever it comes here,
[1:41:21] that we can be more involved and everyone
[1:41:26] can be
[1:41:27] in the midst and have a variety of
[1:41:31] foods, especially,
[1:41:34] I was looking for one day to have some good soul food, and we
[1:41:38] never had soul food. All right.
[1:41:41] All right.
[1:41:42] This is a city that's, again, and you may get upset about me saying it,
[1:41:46] but we are 65% African American, and
[1:41:50] they should have had a taste of soul food.
[1:41:54] Thank you so much.
[1:41:56] Did I skip you?
[1:41:57] Yes, sir. You called my name, but you-
[1:41:59] What's your name?
[1:41:59] ... went right past it. Sheridan Hamilton.
[1:42:02] You didn't move.
[1:42:03] When I was looking up, you went to the next name.
[1:42:05] I was like, "Oh."
[1:42:05] I did? Okay. All right. Go ahead, Ms. Hamilton.
[1:42:08] So,
[1:42:09] the Green Acres area has a question about the veto.
[1:42:12] We're trying to see if it affects our area,
[1:42:16] the Section 5 veto.
[1:42:19] What area?
[1:42:19] It was the Green Acres area.
[1:42:22] That-
[1:42:22] The Green Acres subdivision.
[1:42:23] Oh, that was about another item. That wasn't
[1:42:26] about Green Oaks, that was about-
[1:42:29] Green Acres.
[1:42:30] Green-
[1:42:30] Yeah.
[1:42:30] Yeah.
[1:42:30] Green Acres. That wasn't-
[1:42:31] Okay.
[1:42:31] No.
[1:42:32] We were just
[1:42:33] trying to be-
[1:42:34] No
[1:42:34] ... making sure it was in question.
[1:42:35] Thank you.
[1:42:35] No.
[1:42:36] Okay. Thank you.
[1:42:37] Okay. Thank you for your concerns.
[1:42:39] And the final one is Sonya Jacobs.
[1:42:46] Ms. Wallace.
[1:42:49] That's a long ways.
[1:42:50] Mm-hmm.
[1:42:55] Sonya Jacobs, 700 University. Want to bring
[1:42:59] to your attention, it was very uncomfortable
[1:43:03] watching the exchange, the disrespectful exchange.
[1:43:08] We should have better decorum here.
[1:43:12] We expect from our leaders, whether administrative
[1:43:16] or legislative, to have and display
[1:43:19] respect,
[1:43:21] amongst other things. Now, every person on the
[1:43:25] council
[1:43:27] has a significant perspective. So when
[1:43:31] one is expressing their perspective, Mr.
[1:43:34] McFarland in particular, I was learning.
[1:43:37] Oftentimes, we don't know what's going on beyond the
[1:43:41] surface. So as you ask questions, the
[1:43:45] audience is engaged.
[1:43:47] So the lack of decorum and the disrespect, I'm asking the
[1:43:51] chair to better lasso that, so going forward,
[1:43:55] we can learn, and no one is interrupted preemptively.
[1:44:00] Thank you.
[1:44:03] Thank you.
[1:44:05] We stand in adjournment.
[1:44:07] All right.
[1:44:10] Oh.
[1:44:11] Put your toes in.