At its regular monthly meeting Tuesday night, the Crowley City Council adopted an ordinance granting a non-exclusive franchise to LAWCO.
The action affords Louisiana Water Company (or its successors) the right and privilege to provide water to the citizens of Crowley for a period of 15 years beginning Jan. 1. It includes the construction, maintenance and operation of water utilities and/or water transmission and distribution systems in, through and across the city and for the use of streets, alleys and public places within the limits of the municipality.
The council also discussed a large dip in sales tax received from November of 2017. Mayor Greg Jones said, “The totals are not uplifting, but I feel like the sales tax is lagging. The city and school board will be getting together to find said lag and, based on history, it will be rectified.”
He went on to say, “The budget analysis is running smoothly and all is going as planned.”
On the recommendation of the public works committee, the council authorized Mader Engineering to prepare a City-Wide Street Inventory and cost analysis. Jones states he expects a concise assessment to be ready by May or April.
The council also approved the partial payment estimate number 13 to Cecil Perry Improvements, LLC, in the amount of $281,187.21 for “Restoration of the rock filter at the waste water treatment facility.”
The project was reported by Tim Mader, city engineer, to be 94 percent complete by time and 82 percent complete by cost.
The Public Safety Committee recommended that the council authorize four-way stop signs on West Third and Avenue B as well as West Fourth and Avenue B. The council passed the motion.
City Councilman Vernon Martin expressed his concern of congestion at the intersections during a funeral procession as churches are in the near vicinity of the intersections.
However, Martin and Councilwoman Ezora Proctor want everyone to know they do approve of the installation of the stop signs and will do everything to make sure traffic flows during funeral processions.
The Public Safety Committee also brought before the board three 2018 beer and liquor license renewals. Those renewals included the Rice Palace, Silver Overseas (better known as Rice City Chevron), and the Vanilla Bean Coffee Shop. They were all approved by the council.
And in traffic news:
• Police Chief Jimmy Broussard’s request for no parking signs to be erected on Stutes Street is being tabled until further information can be gathered;
• Martin’s request for no parking signs in front of Geesey-Furgerson Funeral Home and Desiray Seaux’s request for a four-way stop to be installed at the intersection of East Sixth Street and North Avenue G are being evaluated.
The council approved the Zoning and Annexation recommendation for a variance of an additional 24 inches for a masonry fence and location within 35-foot setback located on Glenwood Avenue, owned by Terry Osborne.
In other business, Jones commented he hopes the heat will be installed in the International Rice Festival Building by some time next week.