PROCEEDINGS OF
THE MAYOR AND
THE NEW IBERIA
CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF
NEW IBERIA,
STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY,
JULY 19, 2022 @ 5:31 P.M.
The Mayor and City Council of the City of New Iberia, State of Louisiana, met in public session at City Hall, 457 East Main Street, New Iberia, Louisiana, on July 19, 2022, at Five-Thirty-One (5:31) p.m., (Central Standard Time). Present were the Mayor, Freddie DeCourt, and Erin Romero, City Clerk, as well as the following members of the New Iberia City Council: Brooke Marcotte, Marlon Lewis, David Broussard, Deidre Ledbetter, Deedy Johnson-Reid, and Dustin Suire. Absent from the meeting were Jeff Simon, City Attorney, and Ricky Gonsoulin.
The City Council for the City of New Iberia, State of Louisiana, was duly convened as the governing authority for the City of New Iberia, State of Louisiana, by the Honorable Mayor, who then stated that the Governing Authority was ready for the transaction of business. Council member, Deidre Ledbetter led the prayer and pledge.
1. PUBLIC COMMENT:
2. ACCEPTANCE OF THE MINUTES:
a. Acceptance of the minutes of July 5, 2022, which will publish on July 22, 2022.
Motion by Brooke Marcotte, seconded by Deedy Johnson-Reid
YEAS: Brooke Marcotte, Marlon Lewis, David Broussard, Deidre Ledbetter, Deedy Johnson-Reid, and Dustin Suire
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Ricky Gonsoulin
ABSTAINED: None
3. RESOLUTIONS:
a. Resolution No. 22-155: Resolution appointing Trilaina “Lanie” Kerlegon as City Clerk.
Motion by Deedy Johnson-Reid, seconded by Marlon Lewis
YEAS: Brooke Marcotte, Marlon Lewis, David Broussard, Deidre Ledbetter, Deedy Johnson-Reid, and Dustin Suire
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Ricky Gonsoulin
ABSTAINED: None
b. Resolution No. 22-156: Appointing Wayne Ducote to the Squirrel Run Levee and Drainage District Board of Commissioners for a three-year term.
Motion by Brooke Marcotte, seconded by Dustin Suire
YEAS: Brooke Marcotte, Marlon Lewis, David Broussard, Deidre Ledbetter, Deedy Johnson-Reid, and Dustin Suire
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Ricky Gonsoulin
ABSTAINED: None
c. Resolution No. 22-157: Appointing Richard Romero to the Squirrel Run Levee and Drainage District Board of Commissioners for a three-year term.
Motion by Brooke Marcotte, seconded by David Broussard
YEAS: Brooke Marcotte, Marlon Lewis, David Broussard, Deidre Ledbetter, Deedy Johnson-Reid, and Dustin Suire
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Ricky Gonsoulin
ABSTAINED: None
d. Resolution No. 22-158: Appointing Burton E. Cestia, Jr. to the Squirrel Run Levee and Drainage District Board of Commissioners for a four-year term.
Motion by Dustin Suire, seconded by David Broussard
YEAS: Brooke Marcotte, Marlon Lewis, David Broussard, Deidre Ledbetter, Deedy Johnson-Reid, and Dustin Suire
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Ricky Gonsoulin
ABSTAINED: None
e. Resolution No. 22-159: Appointing Rene Simon to the Squirrel Run Levee and Drainage District Board of Commissioners for a four-year term.
Motion by Brooke Marcotte, seconded by Deedy Johnson-Reid
YEAS: Brooke Marcotte, Marlon Lewis, David Broussard, Deidre Ledbetter, Deedy Johnson-Reid, and Dustin Suire
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Ricky Gonsoulin
ABSTAINED: None
f. Resolution No. 22-160: Appointing Lizabeth Clark to the Squirrel Run Levee and Drainage District Board of Commissioners for a two-year term.
Motion by Brooke Marcotte, seconded by Dustin Suire
YEAS: Brooke Marcotte, Marlon Lewis, David Broussard, Deidre Ledbetter, Deedy Johnson-Reid, and Dustin Suire
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Ricky Gonsoulin
ABSTAINED: None
g. Resolution No. 22-161: Re-appointing Doug J. Louviere to serve on the New Iberia Fire and Police Civil Service Board for a three-year term, as recommended by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Motion by Dustin Suire, seconded by Brooke Marcotte
YEAS: Brooke Marcotte, Marlon Lewis, David Broussard, Deidre Ledbetter, Deedy Johnson-Reid, and Dustin Suire
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Ricky Gonsoulin
ABSTAINED: None
h. Resolution No. 22-162: Re-appointing Wyatt Collins to serve on the New Iberia Fire and Police Civil Service Board for a three-year term, as recommended by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Motion by David Broussard, seconded by Brooke Marcotte
YEAS: Brooke Marcotte, Marlon Lewis, David Broussard, Deidre Ledbetter, Deedy Johnson-Reid, and Dustin Suire
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Ricky Gonsoulin
ABSTAINED: None
i. Resolution No. 22-163: Accepting a certificate of substantial completion for the LA Pepperplex – Soccer Field Refurbishments and authorizing the mayor to execute any and all documentation in connection therewith.
Motion by David Broussard, seconded by Brooke Marcotte
YEAS: Brooke Marcotte, Marlon Lewis, David Broussard, Deidre Ledbetter, Deedy Johnson-Reid, and Dustin Suire
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Ricky Gonsoulin
ABSTAINED: None
j. Resolution No. 22-164: Authorizing the Mayor to proceed with the energy infrastructure upgrades at New Iberia City Hall as part of the Statewide Energy Efficiency Program and further authorizing the mayor to execute any and all documentation in connection therewith.
Motion by Deedy Johnson-Reid, seconded by Brooke Marcotte
YEAS: Brooke Marcotte, Marlon Lewis, David Broussard, Deidre Ledbetter, Deedy Johnson-Reid, and Dustin Suire
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Ricky Gonsoulin
ABSTAINED: None
4. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES:
a. Introduction of Ordinance No. 2022-15: An Ordinance granting a franchise to LOUISIANA WATER COMPANY (a Louisiana corporation), its successors and assigns, for a period of ten (10) years and a provision for an automatic renewal for an additional ten (10) years, for the construction, maintenance and operation of water utilities and/or water transmission and distribution systems in, through and across the City of New Iberia, Louisiana, and for the use of the streets, alleys and public places within the limits of said municipality, as same may be now or hereafter lawfully exist, and repealing all ordinances in conflict herewith and to set for Public Hearing on August 2, 2022.
Motion by Deedy Johnson-Reid, seconded by Brooke Marcotte
YEAS: Brooke Marcotte, Marlon Lewis, David Broussard, Deidre Ledbetter, Deedy Johnson-Reid, and Dustin Suire
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Ricky Gonsoulin
ABSTAINED: None
b. Introduction of Ordinance No. 2022-16: An Ordinance approving the Water Service Agreement with Louisiana Water Company and authorizing the mayor to execute any and all documentation in connection therewith and to set for Public Hearing on August 2, 2022.
Motion by Marlon Lewis, seconded by Dustin Suire
YEAS: Brooke Marcotte, Marlon Lewis, David Broussard, Deidre Ledbetter, Deedy Johnson-Reid, and Dustin Suire
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Ricky Gonsoulin
ABSTAINED: None
c. Introduction of Special Ordinance 2021-2022-09: Amending the budget to reflect fund allocation to the Pepperplex for facility improvements and to set for Public Hearing on August 2, 2022.
Motion by Brooke Marcotte, seconded by Dustin Suire
YEAS: Brooke Marcotte, Marlon Lewis, David Broussard, Deidre Ledbetter, Deedy Johnson-Reid, and Dustin Suire
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Ricky Gonsoulin
ABSTAINED: None
5. PLANNING AND ZONING:
a. Resolution 22-165: A recommendation to approve a “Special Use/Conditional Use Permit” as requested by Chad Darby to operate a machine shop (I-2 zoning classification) at 1715 E. St. Peter St., contingent upon approval by the New Iberia City Council. All done in compliance with the City of New Iberia Code of Ordinances, Appendix-Z Article IX. USES ALLOWABLE BY SPECIAL PERMIT* Sec. 9.3 Permits issued by the Planning & Zoning Commission for special use/conditional use.
Motion by Deedy Johnson-Reid, seconded by Brooke Marcotte
YEAS: Brooke Marcotte, Marlon Lewis, David Broussard, Deidre Ledbetter, Deedy Johnson-Reid, and Dustin Suire
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Ricky Gonsoulin
ABSTAINED: None
b. Resolution 22-166: A recommendation to approve moving a residential structure request currently found at 410 E. Dale St. onto property owned by Melanie F. Hebert at 338 Duperier Ave. zoned R-1 (single family residential). All done in compliance with the City of New Iberia Code of Ordinances, Appendix-Z Article III. SCHEDULE OF DISTRICT REGULATIONS ADOPTED* Sec. 3.3 R-1 residential district 3.301 allowed uses.
Motion by Dustin Suire, seconded by Deedy Johnson-Reid
YEAS: Brooke Marcotte, Marlon Lewis, David Broussard, Deidre Ledbetter, Deedy Johnson-Reid, and Dustin Suire
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Ricky Gonsoulin
ABSTAINED: None
6. PROPERTY STANDARDS:
a. Resolution No. 22-167: Declaring the buildings and/or structures located at 318 Weeks Street (District 5) shall be repaired to conform to the Building Code of the City of New Iberia and that the property owner return to the Board of Trustees for a ‘Revisit’ on September 20, 2022, to give an update on the status of remediations to this property.
Motion by Deedy Johnson-Reid, seconded by Marlon Lewis
YEAS: Brooke Marcotte, Marlon Lewis, David Broussard, Deidre Ledbetter, Deedy Johnson-Reid, and Dustin Suire
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Ricky Gonsoulin
ABSTAINED: None
7. FINANCE REPORTS:
a. Kevin Zerangue presented the monthly budget actual reports for November 1, 2021, through April 30, 2022, and November 1, 2021, through May 31, 2022.
8. COUNCIL REMARKS:
9. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
a. The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 2, 2022.
b. Reminder to council and citizens to participate in the MS4 Storm Water Survey at www.cityofnewiberia.com under Public Works section.
c. City of New Iberia currently has adjudicated properties available for sale at CivicSource.com. To initiate the auction process on one or more properties, the investor must place a deposit of $850 on each property, which starts the pre-requisite legal research and notification process that is required prior to the auction. The pre-sale process takes approximately 120 days to complete. If the current property owner pays all delinquent taxes and fees during the pre-sale period, the depositor is refunded the deposit and the sale is halted. Visit CivicSource.com to learn more.
10. ADJOURN:
Unanimous motion to adjourn at 6:44 p.m.
/s/ Erin Romero
Erin Romero, City Clerk
City of New Iberia, Louisiana