City Council

July 14, 2025 The City Council of the City of Sulphur, Louisiana, met in regular session at its temporary location located at 501 Willow Avenue in the Council Chambers, Sulphur, Louisiana, on July 14, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., after full compliance with the convening of said meeting with the following members present: DRU ELLENDER, Council Representative of District 1 NICK NEZAT, Council Representative of District 2 MELINDA HARDY, Council Representative of District 3 JOY ABSHIRE, Council Representative of District 4 MANDY THOMAS, Council Representative of District 5 After the meeting was called to order and the roll called with the above result, prayer was led by Mrs. Ellender, followed by the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mrs. Thomas. The Chairman asked if there were any changes to the minutes of the previous meeting. With no changes made, motion was made by Mrs. Thomas seconded by Mrs. Hardy that the minutes stand as written. Motion carried unanimously. Motion was then made by Mrs. Hardy seconded by Mrs. Thomas that item #4 be amended to read as follows (amended from Wastewater Plant to Water Plant): AN ORDINANCE DECLARING CERTAIN SURPLUS MOVABLE PROPERTY OF THE CITY OF SULPHUR AND PROVIDING FOR THE DISPOSAL THEREOF FOR WATER PLANT AND FIRE DEPARTMENT ITEMS. Motion carried unanimously. Motion was then made by Mrs. Hardy seconded by Mrs. Ellender that the agenda stand as amended. Motion carried unanimously. The first item on the agenda is a presentation by Courtney Murphy, event coordinator for the Methodist Children’s Home of Southwest Louisiana - Squeeze the Day 5K run. Sarah Head addressed the Council and stated that the Methodist Children’s Home was dedicated in 2011 and opened in 2012. This is their first fundraiser and they need sponsors and volunteers. There are currently 23 kids in the home now and they have 28 beds. They are also hiring a therapist. She encourages all to please attend their first 5K run in Westlake at the Pinderosa Park on Saturday, September 13th.  The next item on the agenda is to adopt the property tax millage rates for tax year 2025. After Mrs. Abshire read the ordinance, motion was made by Mrs. Ellender seconded by Mrs. Hardy that the following ordinance be adopted to-wit: ORDINANCE NO. 1979, M-C SERIES ORDINANCE WHICH SETS FORTH THE GENERAL ALIMONY, STREET MAINTENANCE, AND FIRE MAINTENANCE AUTHORIZED MILLAGE RATES IN THE CITY OF SULPHUR FOR THE 2025 TAX YEAR. SECTION 1: BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Sulphur, Louisiana, in regular and legal session convened, that the City of Sulphur of the Parish of Calcasieu, Louisiana, in a public meeting held on July 14, 2025, which meeting was conducted in accordance with the Open Meetings Law and the additional requirements of Article XII, Section 3 of the Louisiana Constitution and R.S. 42:11 – 28 [R.S. 42:11, et seq.] that the following millage rate(s) be and they are hereby levied upon the dollar of each assessed valuation of all property which is subject to ad valorem taxation within said City for the year 2025 for the purpose of raising revenue: Tax Description: Millage Rate(s): General Alimony (5096 001): 5.84 mills Street Maintenance (5096 002): 5.29 mills Fire Maintenance (5096 003): 5.29 mills SECTION 2. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the proper administrative officials of the Parish of Calcasieu, State of Louisiana, be and they are hereby empowered, authorized, and directed to spread said taxes, as hereinabove set forth, upon the assessment roll of said Parish for the year 2025, and to make the collection of the taxes imposed for and on behalf of the taxing authority, according to law, and that the taxes herein levied shall become a permanent lien and privilege on all property subject to taxation as herein set forth, and collection thereof shall be enforceable in the manner provided by law. A vote was then called with the results as follows: YEAS: Mrs. Ellender, Mr. Nezat, Mrs. Hardy, Mrs. Abshire, Mrs. Thomas NAYS: None ABSENT: None And the said ordinance was declared duly adopted on this 14th day of July, 2025. ATTEST: __________________________ ______________________________ ARLENE BLANCHARD, Clerk JOY ABSHIRE, Chairman The next item on the agenda is a public hearing on ordinance authorizing Mayor Mike Danahay to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Calcasieu Parish Police Jury for overlaying Kim Street. Austin Abrahams, Director of Public Works, stated that this is a cost share project with the Parish and the city’s share is $93,825.00. Motion was then made by Mrs. Hardy seconded by Mrs. Thomas that the following ordinance be adopted to-wit: ORDINANCE NO. 1980, M-C SERIES ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING MAYOR DANAHAY TO ENTER INTO A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH CALCASIEU PARISH POLICE JURY FOR THE OVERLAYING OF KIM STREET. WHEREAS, Article VII, Section 14 (C) of the Constitution of the State of Louisiana provides that “for a public purpose, the State and its political subdivisions or political corporations may engage in cooperative endeavors with each other, with the United States or its agencies, or with any public or private association, corporation, or individual; and WHEREAS, the Parish and the City hereby agree to overlay approximately 2,355 feet of Kim Street; and WHEREAS, the initial term of this agreement shall commence upon execution of this agreement and shall continue until the completion of the project listed in the Scope of Work and all payments have been made. A vote was then called with the results as follows: YEAS: Mrs. Ellender, Mr. Nezat, Mrs. Hardy, Mrs. Abshire, Mrs. Thomas NAYS: None ABSENT: None And the said ordinance was declared duly adopted on this 14th day of July, 2025. ATTEST: __________________________ ______________________________ ARLENE BLANCHARD, Clerk JOY ABSHIRE, Chairman The next item on the agenda is a on ordinance declaring certain surplus movable property of the City of Sulphur and providing for the disposal thereof (Water Plant and Fire Dept. items). Motion was made by Mrs. Hardy seconded by Mrs. Thomas that the following ordinance be adopted to-wit:  ORDINANCE NO. 1981, M-C SERIES AN ORDINANCE DECLARING CERTAIN SURPLUS MOVABLE PROPERTY OF THE CITY OF SULPHUR AND PROVIDING FOR THE DISPOSAL THEREOF FOR WATER PLANT AND FIRE DEPARTMENT ITEMS. BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Sulphur, Louisiana, the governing authority thereof, and in accordance with LA. R.S. 33:4712, that the following described surplus movable property of the City of Sulphur, not needed for public purposes, after having been duly advertised be declared surplus: DEPT TYPE DESCRIPTION YEAR MAKE MODEL SERIAL #/VIN # REASON DATE ESTIMATED VALUE WPLANT SCRAP SCRAP METAL NOT IN USE 6/2/2025 $500.00 WPLANT EQUIP GENERATOR(VERDINE) 1996 KOHLER 750 ROZD 607992 REPLACED 6/2/2025 $15,000 WPLANT EQUIP GENERATOR(GRADNEY) 1996 KOHLER 750 ROZD 607991 REPLACED 6/2/2025 $15,000 FIRE EQUIP VULCAN GAS STOVE 1998 VULCAN 481 481269598 REPLACED 6/2/2025 $300 FIRE EQUIP PEAVEY AUDIO SYSTEM 2000 PEAVEY ESCORT 0GHM0829 00511800 NOT IN USE 6/2/2025 $10.00 FIRE EQUIP HYDROSTATIC HOSE TESTER RICE HYDRO FH3 52823 NOT IN USE 6/2/2025 $50.00 BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that Mayor Mike Danahay is authorized to dispose of the above-mentioned surplus movable property and to sign all paperwork in connection therewith. BE IT ALSO FURTHER ORDAINED that this ordinance shall become effective immediately upon the Mayor’s signature. A vote was then called with the results as follows: YEAS: Mrs. Ellender, Mr. Nezat, Mrs. Hardy, Mrs. Abshire, Mrs. Thomas NAYS: None ABSENT: None And the said ordinance was declared duly adopted on this 14th day of July, 2025. ATTEST: __________________________ ______________________________ ARLENE BLANCHARD, Clerk JOY ABSHIRE, Chairman The next item on the agenda is a Rule to Show Cause for the condition of the following addresses: a. To condemn building or structure located at 947 Beulah Street, in accordance with Article IX, Section 5-286 through 5-296 of the Code of Ordinances. At this time Mrs. Hardy stated that she would recuse from voting since her children are related to this property owner. Motion was then made by Mrs. Thomas seconded by Mrs. Ellender that the above address be condemned.  A vote was then called with the results as follows: YEAS: Mrs. Ellender, Mr. Nezat, Mrs. Abshire, Mrs. Thomas NAYS: None ABSENT: None RECUSE: Mrs. Hardy And the above address was declared to be demolished on this 14th day of July, 2025. ATTEST: __________________________ ______________________________ ARLENE BLANCHARD, Clerk JOY ABSHIRE, Chairman To condemn building or structure located at 503 South Irwin Street, in accordance with Article IX, Section 5-286 through 5-296 of the Code of Ordinances. Mrs. VanderHey stated that the home is almost demolished, so she asked that the Council vote no on this condemnation. Motion was made by Mrs. Hardy seconded by Mr. Nezat that the above address be condemned. Motion failed unanimously. To condemn building or structure located at 521 Bryan Street, in accordance with Article IX, Section 5- 286 through 5-296 of the Code of Ordinances. Motion was made by Mrs. Hardy seconded by Mr. Nezat that the above address be condemned. Motion carried unanimously. The next item on the agenda is Rule to Show Cause for Dead or Diseased Tree Removal on private property for the following addresses: a. To condemn building or structure located at 303 East Lincoln Street, in accordance with Chapter 17, Article I of the Code of Ordinances. Motion was made by Mrs. Ellender seconded by Mrs. Hardy that the tree(s) located at the above address be removed. Motion carried unanimously. The next item on the agenda is a resolution accepting Substantial Completion for 2024 Street Overlay Project. Motion was made by Mrs. Ellender seconded by Mrs. Hardy that the following resolution be adopted to-wit:  RESOLUTION NO. 3650, M-C SERIES Resolution accepting Substantial Completion for the 2024 Street Overlay Project. BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Sulphur, Louisiana, the governing authority thereof, that they do hereby accept Substantial Completion for the 2024 Street Overlay Project. A vote was then called with the results as follows: YEAS: Mrs. Ellender, Mr. Nezat, Mrs. Hardy, Mrs. Abshire, Mrs. Thomas NAYS: None ABSENT: None And the said resolution was declared duly adopted on this 14th day of July, 2025. ATTEST: __________________________ ______________________________ ARLENE BLANCHARD, Clerk JOY ABSHIRE, Chairman The next item on the agenda is a resolution reappointing Mark Rozas to the Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board for the Fire Department. Motion was made by Mrs. Ellender seconded by Mrs. Thomas that the following resolution be adopted to-wit: RESOLUTION NO. 3651, M-C SERIES Resolution re-appointing Mark Rozas to the Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board for the Fire Department. BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Sulphur, Louisiana, the governing authority thereof, that they do hereby re-appoint Mark Rozas to the Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board for the Fire Department with term to expire July 29, 2028. A vote was then called with the results as follows: YEAS: Mrs. Ellender, Mr. Nezat, Mrs. Hardy, Mrs. Abshire, Mrs. Thomas NAYS: None ABSENT: None And the said resolution was declared duly adopted on this 14th day of July, 2025. ATTEST: __________________________ ______________________________ ARLENE BLANCHARD, Clerk JOY ABSHIRE, Chairman  The next item on the agenda is a resolution reappointing Jeremy Cain to the Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board for the Police Department. Motion was made by Mrs. Hardy seconded by Mrs. Thomas that the following resolution be adopted to-wit: RESOLUTION NO. 3652, M-C SERIES Resolution re-appointing Jeremy Cain to the Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board for the Police Department. BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Sulphur, Louisiana, the governing authority thereof, that they do hereby re-appoint Jeremy Cain to the Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board for the Police Department with term to expire July 29, 2028. A vote was then called with the results as follows: YEAS: Mrs. Ellender, Mr. Nezat, Mrs. Hardy, Mrs. Abshire, Mrs. Thomas NAYS: None ABSENT: None And the said resolution was declared duly adopted on this 14th day of July, 2025. ATTEST: __________________________ ______________________________ ARLENE BLANCHARD, Clerk JOY ABSHIRE, Chairman The next item on the agenda is Public Comment. Austin Abrahams stated that there’s a couple of big projects getting ready to start (1) Maplewood Drive rehabilitation (2) Verdine Water Plant Phase 3. Mrs. Hardy stated that school will be starting soon and asked everyone to drive safely. Mrs. Ellender stated that when redlights are out you have to treat that intersection as a 4-way stop. There being no further business to come before the Council, the Chairman declared the meeting adjourned. ATTEST: ______________________________ ______________________________ ARLENE BLANCHARD, Clerk JOY ABSHIRE, Chairman 7/14/25 5:53 P.M.