Here is a selection of items on the agendas for the July 16 meetings of the City and Parish councils. To see the full agendas, check out the links below:
Special Joint Meeting
Introduction
Proposed budget. LCG kicks off its annual budget process with this ordinance. The Boulet administration will present a proposed budget during a special joint meeting of the City and Parish councils. Council members and the administration will develop the budget over a series of hearings later this summer. They are required by charter to complete the budget ahead of the start of the next fiscal year.
Lafayette 101
Annual budgets
LCG’s annual budget process starts each July with a proposal from the Mayor-President. Both councils then read through the entire budget and make amendments at public meetings throughout the summer before passing a final budget in early fall ahead of the start of LCG’s fiscal year on Nov. 1.
Parish Council
Resolution
Milton Volunteer Fire Department. LCG and the state government are partnered on a $242,000 project for the Milton Volunteer Fire Department. The state’s share is roughly $3,000 short of the project costs. This ordinance binds LCG to cover those overages.
Court House Repairs. In an agreement with the state, LCG plans to fund Phase 2 repairs of the Parish Courthouse. The state has roughly $1.3 million in “unobligated funds,” leaving LCG to put up $2.3 million to cover the proposed $3.6 million project.
Parish Road Overlay Project. Similar to Milton VFD and Court House repairs the state is committing a portion of funds for this project, leaving overage costs to LCG. This ordinance commits $545,000 to fully fund the $1.5 million project.
Final Adoption
Localized Flood Mitigation. This ordinance declares the Localized Flood Mitigation Contract #24 near W Broussard Road a public necessity. This ordinance allows LCG to acquire land using proper expropriation procedures if necessary. Use of expropriation powers has landed LCG in suits in recent years.
M-P’s Emergency Preparedness Division. Mayor-President Monique Blanco Boulet plans to add a Lafayette Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. The Parish will need $186,133 annually to hire a director and emergency management office.
Introduction
Adult drug court. The fourth floor of the Parish government building is currently unoccupied. This ordinance approves leasing that space to the Adult Drug Court run by the 15th Judicial District Court.
Public defenders. The 15th JDC will lease over 6,000 square feet of Parish government building for the Lafayette branch of the Louisiana Public Defenders Program.
City Council
Reports/Discussion
LUS Fiber. LUS Fiber Director Michael Soileau, appointed in April, will present and discuss the status of his agency, by Councilwoman Liz Hebert’s request.
Himbola Manor Apartments. Council members will discuss living conditions at the Himbola apartment complex and LCG’s program for inspecting rental properties for living conditions.
Veto Consideration
Gas Station Denied. Boulet vetoed an ordinance to put a gas station at 1803 W. University. Residents’ concern is that homes surround the property. Boulet supports the development of the property into a convenience store without gasoline. The council would need four votes to override Boulet’s veto.
Final Adoption
GUMBO grant power. Boulet is seeking greater administrative authority to budget local funds for broadband projects supported by the state’s Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities program. LUS Fiber, Lafayette’s city-owned telecom company, has received millions to expand its network outside of Lafayette Parish through the program. This ordinance amends a 2023 statute to clarify the mayor-president’s budgeting power concerning GUMBO projects.
Freetown Bar/Lounge. The city is fielding an application for a Conditional Use Permit to put a bar/lounge at 504 Garfield St., in Freetown. The Zoning Commission recommends against the bar/lounge due to the lack of parking spaces and residencies in the area limiting street parking. Freetown Coterie members also voiced opposition to the bar/lounge, partially due to the lack of parking as well as a belief that the retail space will become a vape shop.
Introduction
No significant items.
Joint Items
Final Adoption
Emergency preparedness. This ordinance repeals Chapter 30 of the Code of Ordinances relating to Emergency Management. Chapter 30 must be removed for Mayor-President Boulet to create Lafayette’s Emergency Preparedness Division.
Introduction
Rescue plan money. This ordinance allocates the majority of $2,251,381 in federal housing funds distributed to Lafayette in 2021 through the American Rescue Plan Act. The Acadiana Outreach Center, Catholic Charities of Acadiana and the Acadiana Regional Coalition on Homelessness and Housing will receive funding, leaving $871,581 uncommitted. Local social service groups have pushed for the remaining dollars to help fund Catholic Charities’ shelter operations after Gov. Jeff Landry cut $1 million from its budget. The funding proposed for Catholic Charities here is not for shelter operations.