Carolyn Roy | News Editor
The agenda items at the City Council meeting Monday were mostly routine but one delivered good news to City employees.
Resolution #34 granted them a paid holiday Thursday, June 17 to observe Juneteenth.
Now a Federal and State holiday, Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was signed into law Jan 1, 1863, slaves in Texas did not receive the news until June 19, 1865.
The City will mark the holiday with a basketball game at a local school June 17 and activities on the riverbank June 18.
The council introduced an ordinance to approve an energy contract with Cleco. Director of Utilities Matt Anderson said that energy costs in the new contract are slightly lower. The costs per kilowatt hour will be .0051 cents compared to .0054 cents in the old contract. Anderson said, “the great unknown” will be the fuel charge. Washington, D.C. energy attorney Kirk Betts negotiated the contract for the City.
The council adopted the following ordinances:
•Sale of hangar at Natchitoches Regional Airport to Marc Millican for $41,003
•Ten-year lease of property at airport to Marc Millican for $2,185 annually.
While the City sold the hangar to Millican, the City maintains ownership of property on which it is located.
•Approved Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Community Façade and Economic Enhancement Committee to administer façade grants on Texas and Washington streets.
The council introduced two ordinances.
•Authorized the Mayor to advertise for caustic soda for use at water treatment plant; the soda is purchased twice a year and maintains the ph balance of City water.
•Introduced the millage rate for the 2022 tax roll for a total of 17.03 mills: public safety tax is 10 mills; general alimony tax is 7.03 mills.
The council adopted the following resolutions:
•Authorized change order No. 1 between City and DSW Construction for renovation to Texas and Pacific Railroad Depot for $61,590 to replace an existing, leaking roof on which the warranty has expired. The change order raises the contract price to $930,483. Costs to renovate to the depot will replace General Fund expenses through the 20-year lease with the National Park Service.
The next scheduled City Council meeting will be Monday, May 9.