Council Preview: Questions on CFO replacement, garbage contract, Guillory’s security detail

Parish Council

Final Adoption

No significant items.

Introduction

No significant items.

Special City Council Meeting

Fire & Police Board.

Fire & Police. The City Council is starting with a special meeting Tuesday to fill the vacancy created on the Fire & Police Civil Service by departing board member Kenneth Boudreaux, who was ineligible to serve because of his employment with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office. 

Three applicants were submitted by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, in accordance with state law, but only former board member Dwight Prudhomme completed the council’s questionnaire for the position.

City Council

Reports

Chief Financial Officer. Longtime LCG CFO Lorrie Toups’ retirement in February left LCG without a top accountant despite Toups’ announcement of her plans almost three months before her departure.

LCG did not begin posting advertisements to fill the CFO position until Feb. 1, two days before Toups left.

Council members pressed CAO Cydra Wingerter for details on the plan to replace Toups in February without much success. LCG is undertaking an open-ended search to fill the position until a sufficient replacement is found.

Garbage contracts. MP Josh Guillory announced in October that LCG will switch waste collection providers for residents from Republic Services to Acadiana Waste Services starting in November. 

Both councils gave him the greenlight to enter a contract with AWS last year. City Councilwoman Liz Hebert, a dedicated scrutinizer of LCG’s trash collection services, placed Tuesday’s discussion on the council’s agenda. 

Dignitary detail. Guillory’s use of LPD officers for personal security has drawn scrutiny in recent months. The Current reported in January that the MP’s full-time personal security was ended after the Louisiana Legislative Auditor began investigating LCG. LPD Chief Judith Estorge later sent The Current a letter saying the reporting was “riddled with false information” and “grossly irresponsible” but refused to answer any questions or identify any inaccuracies. 

Guillory’s use of LPD’s dignitary detail is currently under investigation by the City Council, and Council Chair Glenn Lazard is seeking an update and discussion on the matter at Tuesday’s meeting. 

Final Adoption

No significant items.

Introduction

Lake Farm detention. CO-18 would move $600,000 from LCG’s Digby Avenue Detention Pond project into its controversial Lake Farm Road Detention Pond, which faced a lengthy court challenge of LCG’s expropriation of the 14-acre lot where the pond was created in 2021.

Multiple condemnations. Seven residences will be considered for condemnation by the City Council at its next meeting on March 21.

Joint Items

Final Adoption

No significant items.

Introduction

Playground in Parc Sans Souci. Downtown Lafayette Unlimited is teaming up with LCG to build a playground in Parc Sans Souci Downtown. Both councils will consider an ordinance allowing Guillory to enter a contract with DLU that would allow the nonprofit to raise funds for the facility and install it in the park.

Vacancies

Appointments