Jennings Daily News
July 15, 2026
OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN TOWN OF WELSH WELSH, LOUISIANA July 7, 2026 The Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the Town of Welsh met in regular session at the Welsh Council Room on Tuesday, July 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Karl Arceneaux called the meeting to order. The invocation and pledge were recited. Roll call as follows: Present: Aldermen: Andrea King, Chuck Abell, Lawrence Mier, Melward Doucet, Jr., Jackie Balmer, and Mayor Karl Arceneaux. A motion was made by Ms. Balmer and seconded by Mr. Mier to add the following to the Agenda of the Day: 1. Address by Carter Prejean, Jeff Davis Tourism 2. Address by Skip Broussard, State Representative Roll Call: Yea: King, Abell, Mier, Doucet, Balmer. Nay: None. All in favor, motion carried. A motion was made by Mr. Mier to approve the minutes of the meeting held on June 2, 2026. The motion was seconded by Mr. Abell. All were in favor. Motion carried. Ms. Balmer made a motion and was seconded by Mr. Doucet to accept the financials for May 2026 as presented. All were in favor. Motion carried. Ms. Carter Prejean, Tourism Director for Jeff Davis Parish, gave a report on activities and events from the past year. Ms. Prejean reminded everyone about the upcoming Bayou Blues music event in the Town of Welsh on July 16, July 23, and July 30 at Sportsman Park. Karen Daniel Ancelet, Candidate for the 31 st District Judge addressed the council. She spoke on her qualifications and why she was running for judge. The council wished her well. The mayor and council then honored Chirs LeBouef for his 24 years of service as an employee for the Town of Welsh. Chris retired June 30, 2026. Skip Broussard, State Representative gave a report on the recent legislative session and how some of the funding was routed to the Town of Welsh for projects. The condemnation hearing for 106 Derouen Street was postponed until August 4, 2026. A Public Hearing was held on the condemnation of a mobile home located at 309 E Grove Street. It was moved by Ms. King and seconded by Ms. Balmer to condemn the structure which was burned. The council voted to condemn and give the owner 30 days to remove the mobile home. A Public Hearing was held on the condemnation of a mobile home located at 110 Hawthorne Street. It was moved by Mr. Mier and seconded by Ms. Balmer to condemn the mobile home. The council voted to condemn and give the owners 30 days to remove the mobile home. It was moved by Mr. King and seconded by Mr. Mier to introduce Ordinance 858 to rezone property located on Hwy 99 from business to residential and to further set a public hearing on August 4, 2026. A motion was made by Ms. Balmer to adopt Resolution 010-2026 to transfer funds in the amount of $41,631.30 to the TED account for the month ending May 2026. Mr. Doucet seconded the motion. All were in favor and motion carried. A motion was made by Ms. Balmer and seconded by Mr. Abell to adopt Resolution 011-2026 to accept substantial completion for the 2025 Street Rehabilitation Project. All were in favor, motion carried. Ms. King made a motion and it was seconded by Mr. Mier to accept the resignation of Ms. Myra Harmon from the Welsh Housing Authority board and to appoint Brandy Rozas to fill the unexpired term that ends on September 1, 2026. All were in favor, motion carried. A motion was made by Ms. Balmer and seconded by Mr. Abell to accept the recommendation of Chief Crochet to move Julie Gillard, Admin Clerk from part time to full time effective immediately. All were in favor, motion carried. It was moved by Ms. Balmer and seconded by Mr. Doucet to approve a Retail Liquor License for Charge Up 170, 604 N Adams, Welsh contingent upon receipt of either proof of ownership or a lease. All were in favor, motion carried. It was moved by Mr. Mier and seconded by Ms. King to approve a Retail Beer license for Charge Up 170, 604 N Adams, Welsh contingent upon receipt of either prof of ownership or a lease. All were in favor, motion carried. The council approved setting October 10, 2026 as the Community Garage Sale Day. A motion was made by Ms. Balmer to authorize the mayor to enter into a contract with Neel-Schaffer for engineering services in connection with the Safe Streets Grant. Motion was seconded by Mr. Mier, all were in favor, motion carried. It was moved by Mr. Balmer and seconded by Mr. Doucet to surplus a 1990 Chev Dump Truck, VIN# 1GBL7H1PILJ203436 and send to auction. All were in favor, motion carried. It was moved by Mr. Mier to surplus 13 handguns to TEECO-LA to be used as trade in toward the purchase of 13 new handguns for the police department. The motion was seconded by Mr. Doucet, all were in favor, motion carried. Ms. Balmer made a motion to approve a request from Chief Crochet to amend the Vehicle Pursuit Police to address the use of Spike Strips. Ms. King seconded, all were in favor, motion carried. The mayor reported that the start date for the Frontage Road Extension Project is now July 31, 2026. There being no further business, Ms. Balmer made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Mr. Mier seconded. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned. ATTEST: CATHERINE H HICKS, TOWN CLERK APPROVAL: KARL ARCENEAUX, MAYOR Published in the Jennings Daily News, Jennings, LA for total cost $56.16 on July 15, 2026.