Here is a selection of items on the agendas for this week’s meetings of the City and Parish councils. To see the full agendas, check out the links below.
- Parish Agenda (Public Comment Time!)
- Special Joint Meeting
- City Agenda
Special Joint Meeting
Report
Drainage Management Plan Update. This meeting will occur between the Parish Council and City Council meetings. Councilwoman Nanette Cook requested the update in April, raising concern about the administration’s use of a “quick take” expropriation process to seize private land for drainage projects, two of which became the subject of lawsuits.
Lafayette 101
Council Districts
The councils must revise district maps after every census, a process called reapportionment. Rules for how the maps are drawn are established in Lafayette’s Home Rule Charter and in federal law. Two concepts to watch for: Districts must be compact and contiguous. Both factors are required by charter but not readily defined.
Parish Council
Resolution
Redistricting. This resolution is the next step in the redistricting process for Parish Council districts. It authorizes sharing three alternative maps with the public and calling two public hearings for feedback. Here are links to the maps: Option 1, Option 2, Option 3, Existing.
Final Adoption
IGA with Duson for infrastructure maintenance. This ordinance authorizes the mayor-president to enter an intergovernmental agreement with the town of Duson for minor road and drainage maintenance improvements. In it, LCG will agree to complete projects under $40,000, and Duson will reimburse for expenses. This kind of arrangement is the foundation of the concept of functional consolidation, with separate city-only and parish-only departments at LCG establishing IGAs to collaborate as needed.
Introduction
No notable items
City Council
Resolutions
Redistricting. This resolution is the next step in the redistricting process for City Council districts. It authorizes sharing three alternative maps with the public and calling two public hearings for feedback. Here are links to the maps: Option 1, Option 2, Option 3, Existing.
Report
LPD update/plan on Gun Violence and Community Input. This report was requested by City Councilmembers Glenn Lazard and Nanette Cook. And it comes against the backdrop of a string of shootings.
Final Adoption
Repealing panhandling laws. This ordinance repeals in its entirety Lafayette’s prohibition against “Begging and Soliciting Money” and will also repeal a portion of the criminal mischief ordinance. LCG was sued in federal court over its enforcement of panhandling laws, which federal courts have held unconstitutional.
Change to Heymann Center rental rates. This ordinance changes the fee schedule for performance rentals from a “per performance” rental rate to a “per day” rental rate. The intent is to encourage organizers to hold multiple events on the same day and to align this policy with industry norms.
Introduction
Domestic abuse definition. This ordinance adds a category for “Battery of a Dating Partner” under simple battery crimes. This ordinance would expand the definition of domestic abuse from just opposite sex couples to include all types of couples and also to include family members.
$20 million for wastewater treatment plants. This ordinance authorizes the mayor-president to enter into four cooperative endeavor agreements with the state to receive Water Sector Program funding. LUS applied for five grants and was awarded four at $5 million each.
More legal fees for the Fire and Police Civil Service Board. This ordinance increases the budget for civil service board legal costs by $22,000. This board is currently dealing with multiple wrongful termination hearings, including from the past two police chiefs.
Joint Items
Resolutions
Applying for grants without council approval. Two resolutions authorize the administration to apply for specific grant funds without seeking approval from the councils. One pool is funding related to the May 2021 flood and the other is funding from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Both resolutions would empower the mayor-president to apply for these grants without coming to either council for approval so long as the administration keeps the councils apprised and doesn’t “bind the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government for match funds.” Additionally, if any funds are awarded, the council(s) with the right authority will have to pass an ordinance to amend the budget.
Final Adoption
No notable items.
Introduction
Extended wheels and tilted vehicles ban. This ordinance prohibits driving a vehicle modified with a wheel extension of more than 4 inches on parish roadways. This ordinance bans driving tilted vehicles, setting the threshold a tilt of 3 inches from the front fender to the back fender.
New rules for nuisance and dangerous animals. This ordinance will make it easier to get animals declared as nuisances or as dangerous, and will alter some aspects of the steps of that process.
Property
| Address | Approval | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1421 SE Evangeline Thruway | City Council | Declare property to be dangerous to public welfare, and order its condemnation |
| 2954 Ambassador Caffery | City Council | Annexation |
Vacancies
| Board | Approval | Qualifications |
|---|---|---|
| Lafayette Parish Library | Parish Council | Registered voter and a resident of Lafayette Parish |
| Lafayette Parish Waterworks District South | Parish Council | Registered voter and a resident of Lafayette Parish |
| Lafayette Public Trust Financing Authority | City Council | Registered voter and resident of Lafayette Parish |
| Board of Zoning Adjustment | City Council | Registered voter and resident of Lafayette Parish |
| Downtown Management Committee | City Council | Must own immovable property or a business that operates downtown, or be a director, partner, or member of a business that does |
Appointments
| Board | Approval | Applicants |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Development Board | Parish Council | Mechelle Roberthon |