Earlier this week the Crowley City Council Committee meeting was filled with action packed discussions.
Those discussions started with Tracy Young requesting, on behalf of the Rotary Club of Crowley, that they consider co-sponsoring next year’s “Feed the Hungry.” As a co-sponsor, the Rotary Club requested the City of Crowley allow them to use the International Rice Festival building at no charge. Young also requested a return of rental funds for the “Feed the Hungry” that has previously taken place this year.
The council requested that a date be established prior to the city agreeing to co-sponsor the event. The latter request — to reimburse the club for previous rental payment — was also tabled at that time.
The Utility Committee reported the intention to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Sixth Ward Drainage Board and the Acadia Parish Police Jury to repair eroding and drainage at the Center Ditch on East Fifth Street.
This led into a heated debate among council members as to why that location was being fixed instead of a portion along the same drainage canal on North Avenue A in which a home is dangerously close to “falling” in the canal, according to Councilman Vernon “Step” Martin.
Martin contended that the Avenue A issue constitutes a “life-and-death situation” and furthermore asked who would be held responsible as to damages acquired should the house slide off into the canal.
It was then discussed that the repairs on Fifth Street will cost approximately $16,000 total in which the city will only pay about $5,600. However, the situation on Avenue A will cost around $60,000 to $70,000 as that the drainage ditch is unable to be accessed to be fixed.
It was pointed out that, at the Fifth Street location, the ditch is relatively narrow and shallow while the location on Avenue A is very wide and deep.
Another agenda item, previously tabled until the mayor could be present, and discussed by the Utility Committee was to construct and add 27 LED lights and poles on Rice Capital Parkway.
A recommendation to approve the lighting project was forwarded to the full council who will meet Tuesday, April 10.
