After a late start due to city court proceedings and a special meeting of the city council, city committees met in regular session Wednesday afternoon in the council chambers.
The Public Works Committee met with all committee members present.
Due to the late start, most of the city workers were not present to report to the committees. However, Mayor Greg Jones reported for the Public Works Committee, saying that they have been spraying for mosquitoes each night weather allowed and that the departmeint is down one back hoe.
Jones went on to report for the Street Commissioner that they are actively blowing out culverts in preparation for possible large amounts of rain as hurricane season is currently under way.
City Engineer, Tim Mader requested the council authorize the mayor to move forward with the Bayou Plaquemine Brulle project.
The project involves a water gauge to measure the height and volume of water in the bayou.
Also, the city, in conjunction with the state Department of Transportation and Development and the rail company will participate in track work to remove three rail road spurs along Parkerson Avenue.
The City of Crowley will pay $10,000 of the estimated $70,000 project.
The Utility Committee passed a resolution authorizing and directing the mayor to submit for and on behalf of the City of Crowley, an application to the Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Louisiana Office of Community Development’s Local Government Assistance Program, pertaining to the Waste Water System Improvements.
It will go to full council at next week’s meeting.
The Public Safety Committee discussed a speed limit sign being installed on Fairway Drive, as the police department is researching the street’s speed limit — which officials have determined is either 25 miles per hour or 30 miles per hour.
In other Crowley Police Department business, Chief Jimmy Broussard requested an emergency slot be opened until further notice as the department is fully staffed, however, numerous officers are on sick leave leaving the department short handed.
Broussard also asked to “unretire” Uzi, a K-9 Officer, as his handler has returned to the police department.
In addition, Broussard reported the department received a grant to purchase an additional K-9 officer.
This dog is young and still in training, according to the chief. With the addition of these two K-9’s the Crowley Police Department will have enough dogs to have one on each shift.
The K-9’s are all multipurpose tracking, narcotics and biting, Broussard added.
A new beer and liquor license for Gaungrong Zou dba Mr. C’s Landing, was passed by the committee and will go to full board next week.
Tony Duhon, Code Enforcement, reported 22 uninhabitable structures and 89 violations of code, such as grass and rubbish.