City Council

August 11, 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 August 11, 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. Hardy seconded by Mrs. Thomas that the minutes stand as written. Motion carried unanimously. Motion was made by Mrs. Ellender seconded by Mrs. Hardy that item #3 be moved up to item #1 and item #4 be moved up to item #2. Motion carried unanimously. Motion was then made by Mrs. Ellender seconded by Mrs. Hardy that item #9 be removed from the agenda: 9. Resolution authorizing the advertisement of bids for Stationary SCBA/Cascade Fill Station & Installation for the Fire Department. Motion carried unanimously. With no comments from the public, motion was then made by Mrs. Ellender seconded by Mrs. Hardy that item #10A be added to the agenda: 10A. Resolution authorizing the advertisement of bids for Knuckleboom Trash Loader, Dump Body, and Side Loading Trough. Motion carried unanimously. Motion was made by Mrs. Ellender seconded by Mrs. Thomas that the agenda stand as changed. Motion carried unanimously.  The first item on the agenda is a Proclamation to Allstars Sulphur Girls T-Ball State Champions. Mayor Danahay presented a Proclamation to the team and congratulated them on their successful season. The next item on the agenda is a Proclamation to Allstars Sulphur Girls Coach Pitch State Champions. Mayor Danahay presented a Proclamation to the team and congratulated them on their championship. The next item on the agenda is Dane Bolin, Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Administrator, and Judd Bares, Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President, to address Mayor and Council. Mr. Bolin introduced himself and stated that he’s excited to be the next Parish Administrator. He listed a number of successful projects between the Parish and the City and anticipates many more to come. The next item on the agenda is a presentation to John Bridges, for broadcasting 50 years at KPLC. Mrs. Hardy presented Mr. Bridges with a key to the city and also a plaque for broadcasting for 50 years. John’s quote…”I’m not riding off in the sunset, I’m riding into the sunrise”. Mr. Bridges thanked the Council and Mayor and said that Sulphur is a huge part of his heart where he grew up and still remains to live here. The next item on the agenda is an ordinance to adopt the property tax millage rates for tax year 2025. Motion was made by Mrs. Ellender seconded by Mrs. Thomas that the following ordinance be adopted to-wit: ORDINANCE NO. 1982, 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 August 11, 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): 5.00 mills Fire Maintenance (5096 003): 5.00 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 11th day of August, 2025. ATTEST: __________________________ ______________________________ ARLENE BLANCHARD, Clerk JOY ABSHIRE, Chairman The next item on the agenda is a public hearing on ordinance repealing Ordinance No. 1979, M-C Series, adopted July 14, 2025, which set forth the property tax millage rates for tax year 2025. Motion was made by Mrs. Ellender seconded by Mrs. Thomas that the following ordinance be adopted to-wit: ORDINANCE NO. 1983, M-C SERIES ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 1979, M-C SERIES, ADOPTED JULY 14, 2025, WHICH SET FORTH THE PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE RATES FOR TAX YEAR 2025. BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Sulphur, the governing authority thereof, that they do hereby repeal Ordinance No. 1979, M-C Series, adopted July 14, 2025, which set forth the property tax millage rates for tax year 2025. 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 11th day of August, 2025. ATTEST: __________________________ ______________________________ ARLENE BLANCHARD, Clerk JOY ABSHIRE, Chairman  The next item on the agenda is a public hearing on ordinance granting an Exception to Ann Marie Pego (Keever), 309 East Thomas Street, to allow for a mobile home in a Business District. Mrs. Keever addressed the Council and stated that there once was a mobile home located on this property before Hurricane Laura. Mr. Abrahams, Zoning Administrator, stated that putting a mobile home on this property would be in-line with the city’s Master Plan. Motion was then made by Mrs. Hardy seconded by Mr. Nezat that the following ordinance be adopted to-wit: ORDINANCE NO. 1984, M-C SERIES ORDINANCE GRANTING AN EXCEPTION TO ANN MARIE PEGO, 309 EAST THOMAS STREET, TO ALLOW FOR LIVING IN A BUSINESS DISTRICT. WHEREAS in accordance with Article IV, Part 3, Section 4 (3) of the Land Use Ordinance of the City of Sulphur, application has been received from Ann Marie Pego, 309 East Thomas Street, to allow for living in a Business District for the following described property: ALL OF LOT 8 BLK 1 LYING S OF THOMAS STREET AND A PORTION OF THE E/2 OF BLK 2 ALL IN GEORGE HILLEBRANDT SUB This Exception is granted by the City of Sulphur and may be withdrawn by the City of Sulphur should said Exception interfere with the rights and privileges owned by the City of Sulphur pursuant to a pre-existing right of way, servitude, or easement. If withdrawn, any improvements constructed thereon shall be removed at the expenses of owner thereof. Grantee hereby agrees and contracts to hold Grantor harmless from any damages created and/or caused by the granting of this Exception, including, but not limited to, litigation defense, litigation costs, violation of subdivision restrictive covenants, building code violations or any other damages, property and/or monetary or otherwise, relating thereto. If City Council does hereby approve this Exception the owner of this Exception shall be responsible for the recordation thereof, with the Clerk of Court, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, and shall provide the City of Sulphur a receipt evidencing recordation within 10 days of the effective date of this Exception. No work shall commence until all applicable permits are obtained. In the event work is commenced prior to obtaining all applicable permits, this Exception shall be withdrawn and considered null and void. BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Sulphur Louisiana, that they do hereby grant an Exception to Ann Marie Pego, 309 East Thomas Street, to allow for living in a Business District. 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 11th day of August, 2025. ATTEST: __________________________ ______________________________ ARLENE BLANCHARD, Clerk JOY ABSHIRE, Chairman The next item on the agenda is Rule to Show Cause for the condition of the following addresses: a. To condemn building or structure located at 716 Landry Street, in accordance with Article IX, Section 5-286 through 5-296 of the Code of Ordinances. The property owner addressed the Council and stated that he had a buyer for the home but then the buyer recently backed out. Since Monday, he’s spent $6,500 on making repairs. He’s ordered new windows that cost $9,000. The windows won’t be in for another 4-5 weeks. He’s also spent $1,500 on a plumber. Mrs. VanderHey stated that he is bringing all electrical up to code and he’s gotten all his permits. After discussion, motion was made by Mr. Nezat seconded by Mrs. Hardy that the above address be deferred to the October 14, 2025 City Council meeting. Motion carried unanimously. b. To condemn building or structure located at 802 Elm 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 Mrs. Thomas that the above address be condemned. Motion carried unanimously. The next item on the agenda is a resolution supporting the Memorandum of Understanding for the Calcasieu Corridor Coalition (3 C District). Motion was made by Mrs. Ellender seconded by Mr. Hardy that the following resolution be adopted to-wit: RESOLUTION NO. 3653, M-C SERIES Resolution supporting the Memorandum of Understanding for the Calcasieu Corridor Coalition (3 C District). WHEREAS, this MOU is between the Mayor’s of the City of Sulphur, City of DeQuincy, Town of Iowa, City of Lake Charles, City of Westlake, City of Vinton and Calcasieu Parish that jointly share a common interest in fostering comprehensive, cooperative, coordinated, and consensus in public infrastructure in the designated arterial corridors of I-10, I-210, Proposed North Loop Segment 1, Proposed North Loop Segment 2 and Proposed I-514; and  WHEREAS, the purpose of this MOU is to outline the mutual intention of the Parties to explore collaborative opportunities to meet critical needs identified individually and through a united purpose, plan and strategy; and WHEREAS, this MOU is only for discussion purposes and there is no legally binding obligation on the part of any Party unless and until mutually satisfactory written agreements are executed and delivered between all parties. BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Sulphur, Louisiana, the governing authority thereof, that they do hereby support the Memorandum of Understanding for the Calcasieu Corridor Coalition (3 C District). 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 11th day of August, 2025. ATTEST: __________________________ ______________________________ ARLENE BLANCHARD, Clerk JOY ABSHIRE, Chairman The next item on the agenda is a resolution authorizing the advertisement of bids for Knuckleboom Trash Loader, Dump Body, and Side Loading Trough. Mr. Abrahams, Director of Public Works, stated that this is a limb truck. Motion was made by Mrs. Ellender seconded by Mr. Nezat that the following resolution be adopted to-wit: RESOLUTION NO. 3654, M-C SERIES Resolution authorizing the advertisement of bids for Knuckleboom Trash Loader, Dump Body, and Side Loading Trough. BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Sulphur, Louisiana, the governing authority thereof, that they do hereby authorize advertisement for bids for a Knuckleboom Trash Loader, Dump Body, and Side Loading Trough for Public Works, said bid to be in accordance with the quantities and specifications on file with the City of Sulphur Finance Department. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the advertisement of bids will be in “The American Press, the official journal of the City of Sulphur, in three separate publications, giving notice as follows:  NOTICE TO BIDDERS Separate and sealed bids for the advertisement of bids for a Knuckleboom Trash Loader, Dump Body, and Side Loading Trough for Public Works, will be received by the Clerk of the Council until 10:00 a.m. on the 3rd day of September, 2025, at which time bids will be opened and read aloud in an open and public bid opening session to be conducted by the Director of Public Works in the Conference Room at City Hall, and the City Council shall at a regular meeting on the 8th day of September, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. proceed to award the bid to the lowest bidder, to waive irregularities, or to reject any and all bids, or otherwise proceed thereto as provided by law. Bids are also available electronically at www.centralbidding.com; free membership is required to access. Said bids to be in accordance with the quantities and specifications on file with the City of Sulphur Finance Department located at 101 North Huntington Street, Sulphur, Louisiana 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 11th day of August, 2025. ATTEST: __________________________ ______________________________ ARLENE BLANCHARD, Clerk JOY ABSHIRE, Chairman There being no further business to come before the Council, the Chairman declared the meeting adjourned. ATTEST: ______________________________ ______________________________ ARLENE BLANCHARD, Clerk JOY ABSHIRE, Chairman 8/11/25 6:15 P.M.