Gonzales Weekly Citizen
May 21, 2026
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF GONZALES, STATE OF LOUISIANA,
TAKEN ON MONDAY, MAY 11, 2026, 5:30 P.M.,
AT CITY HALL, 120 S. IRMA BLVD, GONZALES, LA 70737.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Timothy Tim Riley, Mayor Councilman Kirk BoudreauxCouncilwoman Terri Lambert Councilwoman Cynthia Gray-JamesCouncilman Eddie Williams, Jr. Councilman Tyler Turner
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT:
Anthony Keller, City Clerk Chief Sherman Jackson, Gonzales PDAllen V. Davis, City Attorney Terri Delatorre, Administrative Secretary
Motion by Councilman Kirk Boudreaux, seconded by Councilman Tyler Turner, to approve the minutes of a Special Meeting of the Mayor and City Council taken on Monday, April 20, 2026.
YEAS: Councilwoman Terri Lambert, Councilman Eddie Williams, Jr., Councilman Kirk Boudreaux, Councilwoman Cynthia Gray-James, Councilman Tyler Turner
NAYS: NONE ABSENT: NONE
Motion by Councilman Eddie Williams, Jr., seconded by Councilman Tyler Turner, to approve the minutes of a Special Meeting of the Mayor and City Council taken on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
YEAS: Councilwoman Terri Lambert, Councilman Eddie Williams, Jr., Councilman Kirk Boudreaux, Councilwoman Cynthia Gray-James, Councilman Tyler Turner
NAYS: NONE ABSENT: NONE
Motion by Councilman Tyler Turner, seconded by Councilman Eddie Williams, Jr., to approve the minutes of a Public Hearing of the Mayor and City Council taken on Monday, April 27, 2026.
YEAS: Councilwoman Terri Lambert, Councilman Eddie Williams, Jr., Councilman Kirk Boudreaux, Councilwoman Cynthia Gray-James, Councilman Tyler Turner
NAYS: NONE ABSENT: NONE
Motion by Councilman Tyler Turner, seconded by Councilman Eddie Williams, Jr., to approve the minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council taken on Monday, April 27, 2026.
YEAS: Councilwoman Terri Lambert, Councilman Eddie Williams, Jr., Councilman Kirk Boudreaux, Councilwoman Cynthia Gray-James, Councilman Tyler Turner
NAYS: NONE ABSENT: NONE
Via Proclamation, May 2026 was proclaimed Myositis Awareness Month.
Dereon LeBlanc, a Gonzales Middle School student, was recognized for her outstanding commitment to serving the community.
The Blackburn Express Track Club was recognized for its outstanding achievements at the 2026 Junior Olympics.
Motion by Councilman Eddie Williams, Jr., seconded by Councilman Tyler Turner, to approve the Mayors recommendation to appoint Willie Robinson to the Industrial Development Board.
YEAS: Councilman Eddie Williams, Jr., Councilman Kirk Boudreaux, Councilman Tyler Turner
NAYS: Councilwoman Terri Lambert, Councilwoman Cynthia Gray-James
ABSENT: NONE
Motion by Councilman Eddie Williams, Jr., seconded by Councilman Tyler Turner, to approve the Mayors recommendation to appoint Marvin Glover to the Recreation Committee.
YEAS: Councilman Eddie Williams, Jr., Councilman Kirk Boudreaux, Councilman Tyler Turner
NAYS: Councilwoman Terri Lambert, Councilwoman Cynthia Gray-James
ABSENT: NONE
Motion by Councilman Eddie Williams, Jr., seconded by Councilman Kirk Boudreaux, to approve Robert Lawsons application to rezone 511 W. Tobey Ave. from R-8 (Single-Family Residential) to C-1 (Limited Commercial).
YEAS: Councilwoman Terri Lambert, Councilman Eddie Williams, Jr., Councilman Kirk Boudreaux, Councilwoman Cynthia Gray-James, Councilman Tyler Turner
NAYS: NONE ABSENT: NONE
Motion by Councilman Eddie Williams, Jr. to introduce Ordinance No. 4304: An Ordinance Adopting the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 General Fund Budget.
Public Hearing and final vote on this foregoing Ordinance to be taken at the City Council meeting scheduled for May 26, 2026.
Motion by Councilman Eddie Williams, Jr. to introduce Ordinance No. 4305: An Ordinance Adopting the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 PACE Center Economic Development District Budget.
Public Hearing and final vote on this foregoing Ordinance to be taken at the City Council meeting scheduled for May 26, 2026.
Motion by Councilman Eddie Williams, Jr. to introduce Ordinance No. 4306: An Ordinance Amending the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating Budgets.
Public Hearing and final vote on this foregoing Ordinance to be taken at the City Council meeting scheduled for May 26, 2026.
Final Vote on Ordinance No. 4298:
ORDINANCE INTRODUCED
April 27, 2026
ORDINANCE # 4298
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES
CHAPTER 6. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC SAFETY.
SECTION 8 - 193
CHANGE, TO READ
BE IT ORDAINED, by the Mayor and Councilmen of the City of Gonzales, Louisiana:
That the Code of Ordinances of the City of Gonzales be amended as follows:
(CHANGE SECTIONS)
Sec. 8-193. - Animals strictly prohibited at the Gonzales Christmas parade.
(CHANGE)
It shall be unlawful for any attendee of the Gonzales Christmas parade to have an animal of any sort on public property within one hundred (100) feet of the parade, with the exception of horses participating in the parade and Seeing Eye dogs.
(TO READ)
It shall be unlawful for any attendee of any parade to have an animal of any sort on public property within one hundred (100) feet of the parade, with the exception of horses participating in the parade and service animals.
YEAS: Councilwoman Terri Lambert, Councilman Eddie Williams, Jr., Councilman Kirk Boudreaux,
Councilwoman Cynthia Gray-James, Councilman Tyler Turner
NAYS: NONE ABSENT: NONE
ORDINANCE ADOPTED: MAY 11, 2026
Final Vote on Ordinance No. 4299:
ORDINANCE INTRODUCED
April 27, 2026
ORDINANCE # 4299
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES
CHAPTER 6. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC SAFETY.
SECTION 8 - 194
CHANGE, TO READ
BE IT ORDAINED, by the Mayor and Councilmen of the City of Gonzales, Louisiana:
That the Code of Ordinances of the City of Gonzales be amended as follows:
(CHANGE SECTIONS)
Sec. 8-194 No alcoholic beverages shall be allowed at the Gonzales Christmas parade.
(CHANGE)
It shall be unlawful for any attendee of the Gonzales Christmas parade to bring, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages of any type on public property within one hundred (100) feet of the parade route.
(TO READ)
It shall be unlawful for any attendee of any parade to bring, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages of any type on public property within one hundred (100) feet of the parade route.
YEAS: Councilwoman Terri Lambert, Councilman Eddie Williams, Jr., Councilman Kirk
Boudreaux, Councilwoman Cynthia Gray-James, Councilman Tyler Turner
NAYS: NONE ABSENT: NONE
ORDINANCE ADOPTED: MAY 11, 2026
Final Vote on Ordinance No. 4300:
ORDINANCE INTRODUCED
April 27, 2026
ORDINANCE # 4300
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES
CHAPTER 6 OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC SAFETY.
SECTION 8-182
DELETE
BE IT ORDAINED, by the Mayor and Councilmen of the City of Gonzales, Louisiana:
That the Code of Ordinances of the City of Gonzales be amended as follows:
(DELETE SECTIONS)
Sec. 8-182. Illegal carrying of weapons
(DELETE)
(a) Illegal carrying of weapons is:
(1) The intentional concealment of any firearm, or other instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a dangerous weapon, on one's person; or
(2) The ownership, possession, custody or use of any firearm, or other instrumentality customarily used as a dangerous weapon, at any time by an enemy alien; or
(3) The ownership, possession, custody or use of any tools, or dynamite or nitroglycerine, or explosives, or other instrumentality customarily used by thieves or burglars at any time by any person with the intent to commit a crime; or
(4) The manufacture, ownership, possession, custody or use of any switchblade knife, spring knife or other knife or similar instrument having a blade which may be automatically unfolded or extended from a handle by the manipulation of a button, switch, latch or similar contrivance.
(b) The provisions of this section except subsection (a)(4) shall not apply to sheriffs and their deputies, state and city police, constables and city marshals, or persons vested with police power when in the actual discharge of official duties.
(c) It shall be unlawful for any person to illegally carry weapons as defined herein.
YEAS: Councilwoman Terri Lambert, Councilman Eddie Williams, Jr., Councilman Kirk Boudreaux,
Councilwoman Cynthia Gray-James, Councilman Tyler Turner
NAYS: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ORDINANCE ADOPTED: MAY 11, 2026
Final Vote on Ordinance No. 4301:
ORDINANCE INTRODUCED
April 27, 2026
ORDINANCE # 4301
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES
CHAPTER 6. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC SAFETY.
SECTION 8 - 184
DELETE
BE IT ORDAINED, by the Mayor and Councilmen of the City of Gonzales, Louisiana:
That the Code of Ordinances of the City of Gonzales be amended as follows:
(DELETE SECTIONS)
Sec. 8-184. - Possession of dangerous weapons in alcoholic beverage establishments.
(DELETE)
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to have in his possession a firearm, or other instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a dangerous weapon in any premises where alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed on the premises except the owner or lessee of the premises, or their employees, sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, state police, city police, constables, city marshals, or persons vested with police power when in the actual discharge of their duties.
(b) Any sheriff, deputy sheriff, state police, city police, constables, city marshals, or persons vested with police power, may search any person found in any place where alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed on the premises and shall confiscate any firearm or other instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a dangerous weapon which such peace officer may find; this search shall be limited to only weapons unless probable cause for a wider search is authorized. Any person who enters a place where alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed on the premises does by the mere fact of entering, consent to the search of his person for any firearm or other instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a dangerous weapon while on the premises, by any sheriff, deputy sheriff, state police, city police, constable, city marshal or persons vested with police power, without a warrant.
(c) Premises where alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed on the premises shall include all of the licensed premises including the parking lot.
(d) Any gun or other instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a dangerous weapon found on any person while on the premises of a place where alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed may be used as evidence in court.
(e) Any guns or other dangerous instrumentalities seized under the provisions of this section shall be held by the police until the disposition of the charges against the defendant; in the event of a conviction, the weapon shall be destroyed unless otherwise ordered by the judge, who shall have the authority to order the weapon either destroyed or otherwise disposed of.
YEAS: Councilman Eddie Williams, Jr., Councilman Kirk Boudreaux, Councilman Tyler Turner
NAYS: Councilwoman Terri Lambert, Councilwoman Cynthia Gray-James
ABSENT: NONE
ORDINANCE ADOPTED: MAY 11, 2026
Final Vote on Ordinance No. 4302:
ORDINANCE INTRODUCED
April 27, 2026
ORDINANCE # 4302
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES
CHAPTER 22. ZONING. SECTION 22-7(b)
CHANGE, TO READ
BE IT ORDAINED, by the Mayor and Councilmen of the City of Gonzales, Louisiana:
That the Code of Ordinances of the City of Gonzales be amended as follows:
(CHANGE SECTIONS)
22-7(b)- Definitions. Defined terms
(CHANGE)
Manufactured home. A factory-built structure constructed after June 15, 1976, and under the authority of 42 U.S.C. 5403 on an integral chassis and designed for residential occupancy when connected to the required utilities. For the purposes of this zoning code, a manufactured home is a single-family home.
Each manufactured home must meet the National Manufactured Home Construction and Safety standards and must display a seal certifying that it was built in accordance with the standards and must have been built within the last ten (10) years. The home owner must provide proof of age of the home before the permit may be issued and before the home may be moved into the City of Gonzales. All manufactured homes must be found, upon city inspection, to be safe and fit for occupancy.
(TO READ)
Manufactured home. A factory-built structure constructed after June 15, 1976, and under the authority of 42 U.S.C. 5403 on an integral chassis and designed for residential occupancy when connected to the required utilities. For the purposes of this zoning code, a manufactured home is a single-family home.
Each manufactured home must meet the National Manufactured Home Construction and Safety standards and must display a seal certifying that it was built in accordance with the standards. All manufactured homes must be found, upon city inspection, to be safe and fit for occupancy.
YEAS: Councilman Eddie Williams, Jr., Councilman Tyler Turner
NAYS: Councilwoman Terri Lambert, Councilman Kirk Boudreaux, Councilwoman
Cynthia Gray-James
ABSENT: NONE
ORDINANCE FAILED: MAY 11, 2026
Motion by Councilman Tyler Turner to defer Agenda Item No. 30 Final Vote on Ordinance No. 4303: An Ordinance Amending Ordinance #3087 An Ordinance Adopting the Fiscal Year 2016-2017 Budget Address (CHANGE TO READ), pending further clarification.
The motion failed for lack of a second and, therefore, died without further action.
Motion by Councilwoman Terri Lambert, seconded by Councilman Kirk Boudreaux, to amend the proposed Ordinance No.4303 by adding the 2018 employee handbook language Covered employees retired prior to December 31, 2016 will be eligible for this program upon attaining age 65.
YEAS: Councilwoman Terri Lambert, Councilman Kirk Boudreaux, Councilwoman Cynthia Gray-James
NAYS: Councilman Eddie Williams, Jr. ABSTAIN: Councilman Tyler Turner
ABSENT: NONE
Motion by Councilwoman Terri Lambert, seconded by Councilman Kirk Boudreaux, to adopt the proposed Ordinance No. 4303 as amended.
YEAS: Councilwoman Terri Lambert, Councilman Kirk Boudreaux, Councilwoman Cynthia Gray-James
NAYS: Councilman Eddie Williams, Jr. ABSTAIN: Councilman Tyler Turner
ABSENT: NONE
Final Vote on Ordinance No. 4303:
ORDINANCE INTRODUCED
April 27, 2026
ORDINANCE # 4303
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE #3087
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2016-2017 BUDGET ADDRESS
CHANGE, TO READ
BE IT ORDAINED, by the Mayor and Councilmen of the City of Gonzales, Louisiana:
That the Code of Ordinances of the City of Gonzales be amended as follows:
(CHANGE)
Retiree Medicare Stipends
The City of Gonzales has traditionally paid all medically covered retirees, upon reaching the age of 65 a $200 per month stipend to help offset the cost of health services past the age of 65. This has proven to be a costly benefit to the city, exceeding $50,000 per year. In an effort to further control benefit spending, we are recommending ending this benefit at the end of 2016. All covered retirees currently receiving the benefit on December 31, 2016, or having attained the age of 65 by December 31, 2016, will be grandfathered-in to the program and allowed to receive the benefit. Any retirees turning 65 after December 31, 2016 will not be eligible for this program.
(TO READ)
Retiree Medicare Stipends
The City of Gonzales has traditionally paid all medically covered retirees, upon reaching the age of 65 a $200 per month stipend to help offset the cost of health services past the age of 65. This has proven to be a costly benefit to the city, exceeding $50,000 per year. In an effort to further control benefit spending, Retiree Medicare Stipends will be discontinued immediately.
Covered employees retired prior to December 31, 2016 will be eligible for this program upon attaining age 65.
YEAS: Councilwoman Terri Lambert, Councilman Kirk Boudreaux, Councilwoman Cynthia
Gray-James
NAYS: Councilman Eddie Williams, Jr. ABSTAIN: Councilman Tyler Turner
ABSENT: NONE
ORDINANCE ADOPTED: MAY 11, 2026
There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Meeting was adjourned.
__________________
Timothy Tim Riley, Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________
Anthony Keller, City Clerk
12333458 5/21/26 ($284.16)
Miscellaneous Notices