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
- Special Joint Meeting
- City Agenda (Public Comment Time!)
Special Joint Meeting
Executive Sessions
Spoil banks. Both councils will meet in executive session Tuesday to discuss a trio of lawsuits stemming from Lafayette Consolidated Government’s clandestine removal of spoil banks between the Vermilion River and the Bayou Tortue Swamp in 2022. Former M-P Josh Guillory’s administration sued the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the St. Martin Parish Government in a bid to justify its actions, but a federal judge largely dismissed LCG’s suit, which LCG has appealed. St. Martin Parish is now suing LCG in state court over the spoil banks removal, as is one of the owners of the property where LCG removed the earthen levee. Tuesday’s executive sessions are the new City and Parish councils’ first meetings on the spoil banks lawsuits.
Lafayette 101
Executive Session
Public bodies in Louisiana are required to meet in open session in most cases, but strict exemptions in state law allow them to discuss public business behind closed doors when dealing with personnel, legal and security issues or emergencies. Bodies are not allowed to vote while in executive session, and must make any votes on matters discussed in executive session only after returning to their public meeting.
Parish Council
Final Adoption
No significant items.
Introduction
No significant items.
City Council
Reports
LPSS. Turmoil over the removal of special programs from Paul Breaux Middle School and the closure of Lafayette’s Chinese immersion program have dominated headlines for the past week. Former School Board member Elroy Broussard, now a City Council member, has asked LPSS Superintendent Francis Touchet Jr. to appear at Tuesday’s meeting to discuss the status of the school system and plans for the future.
Gun laws. City Councilman Kenneth Boudreaux has a discussion planned for Tuesday’s meeting on gun violence and recently passed laws, including one that allows anyone 18 and older to carry a concealed handgun.
Final Adoption
No significant items.
Introduction
No significant items.
Joint Items
Resolutions
I-49 Connector. Both councils will vote on a resolution Tuesday voicing support for the Interstate 49 Connector project, which is a key priority for new M-P Monique Blanco Boulet. The controversial project has been “in the works” for decades, but renewed support in recent years has seen some efforts to bring it to fruition. The councils’ resolution comes near the start of this year’s legislative session in Baton Rouge, where lawmakers will be doling out millions in state funding, though I-49 doesn’t yet appear to have a top spot among their priorities.
Final Adoption
No significant items.
Introduction
No items.
Property
| Address | Approval | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 608 Marigny Circle, Duson | Parish Council | Condemnation [Final] |
| 301 Lantier Road, Carencro | Parish Council | Condemnation [Final] |
| 828 Cocodril Road, Lafayette | Parish Council | Condemnation [Final] |
| Three lots near Carmel Drive | Parish Council | Donation of adjudicated properties to nonprofit Coco Tribe of Canneci Tinne [Final] |
| 121 Martin St. | City Council | Condemnation [Final] |
| 802 Omega Drive | City Council | Condemnation [Final] |
| 500 Block Ridge Road | City Council | Rezoning from Residential Single- Family (RS-1) to Commercial Mixed (CM-1) [Introduction] |
| 522 Jefferson St. | City Council | Conditional Use Permit for a Downtown bar/lounge [Intro] |
Appointments
| Board | Approval | Applicants |
|---|---|---|
| Constable, Region 8, Ward 6 | Parish Council | Scott A. Morgan (former LPD chief) |