2026-09-09 - Metropolitan Council

Summary

Built from the official minutes. No video is posted, so there is no transcript or timing.

Regular session called to order at 4:00 PM in Room 348; all twelve members present. Invocation and pledge led by the Baton Rouge and St. George fire department honor guards.
Mayor-President Edwards recognized the president and chief executive of the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge and its artist in residence; Councilman Hurst recognized a youth choir.
Minutes of the prior meeting approved 12-0 on Moak's motion, seconded by Hurst.
Every recorded vote was unanimous. Items introduced were published on Dunn's motions, seconded by Amoroso, 11-0 with Hurst absent for those votes; hearings were set for September 23, 2026.
Approved 12-0: three claim settlements ($81,657.93 in total), two crime prevention district parcel fees, two sales tax refunds ($567,071.46 in total), the Taxiway F design and grant items, a series of MovEBR and community development contracts, the disaster temporary housing waiver and three emergency items.
Condemnation: three decisions and orders approved, twelve cases deferred, new cases introduced.
All five Downtown Development District and human services district appointments were deferred.
No member of the public spoke on any item. Phillip Lillard sent emailed comments in opposition to the Vectura transit inspection contract and the Hollywood Street homes contract; emailed letters also supported appointment nominees.
Adjourned on Amoroso's motion, seconded by Noel, 12-0.

Resolution 59636 ($25,450.28 including court costs; motion Harris, second Kenney), Resolution 59637 ($35,000; Gaudet, Hurst) and Resolution 59638 ($21,207.65 for a sewer back-up; Harris, Adams) approved 12-0. Claimants are private individuals and are not named here.

Resolution 59632 (South Burbank, $100 per structure, $25 per unit in larger buildings, four years from January 1, 2026): motion Hurst, second Adams, 12-0.
Resolution 59633 (Concord Estates, $69.50 per lot for six years): motion Harris, second Gaudet, 12-0.

Resolution 59634, $291,398.69 to Walgreen Louisiana Co., Inc.: motion Amoroso, second Adams, 12-0.
Resolution 59635, $275,672.77 to Cardinal Health 108 LLC: motion Adams, second Amoroso, 12-0.

Decisions and orders approved on Hurst's motion, seconded by Harris, 12-0, in three cases; twelve other cases were deferred on the same motion and second. No one spoke at any hearing.
A long-running District 6 case introduced by Hudson in 2025 was deferred again.
Resolution 59639 rescinding the recorded order on an Old Hammond Highway property: motion Moak, second Hurst, 12-0.
New condemnation cases and two more rescissions were introduced for September 23.

Resolution 59640, Supplemental Agreement No. 1 with Stanley Consultants for additional design and construction administration ($281,984.66, total not to exceed $981,535.81): motion Amoroso, second Dunn, 12-0.
Resolution 59642, grant application for the project, $10,514,409 ($9,204,109 federal, $1,310,299 state): motion Dunn, second Kenney, 12-0.

Resolution 59641, TSA agreement for partial reimbursement of airport law enforcement costs, up to $173,375: motion Dunn, second Gaudet, 12-0.
A program management contract, a consulting extension and a state capital program request were introduced.

Resolution 59643, Evans-Graves Engineers construction inspection for Mickens Road (up to $1,189,458.65 more, total up to $2,250,693.86): motion Harris, second Adams, 12-0.
Resolution 59648, Vectura Consulting Services inspection for the Bus Rapid Transit project (up to $120,000 more, total up to $670,375): motion Hurst, second Amoroso, 12-0. Lillard sent an emailed comment in opposition.
Resolution 59660, Change Order No. 2 for Plank Road corridor enhancement: motion Hurst, second Amoroso, 12-0.
Resolutions 59664 and 59665, sidewalk contracts awarded to the lowest bidders (Floynell Drive and Glasgow Avenue): motion Amoroso, second Adams, 12-0.
Program management extensions (Westwood, Stantec) and several appraisal and design contracts were introduced for September 23.

Resolution 59649, Supplemental Agreement No. 1 with CARBO Landscape Architecture for the Perkins Overpass District enhancement ($7,750, total up to $142,000): motion Adams, second Coleman, 12-0.
A temporary parking lot agreement for the Perkins Road underpass business area was introduced.

Resolution 59644, All South Consulting Engineers for the Westridge Drive subsurface improvements, up to $236,087, FEMA-funded: motion Hurst, second Adams, 12-0.
Three floodplain appraisal and survey contracts were introduced.

Resolution 59656, four new single-family homes on Hollywood Street, $550,000 in HOME funds, contingent on the Grants and Contracts Review Committee: motion Hurst, second Kenney, 12-0. Lillard sent an emailed comment in opposition.
Extensions and increases for community development contractors (Resolutions 59650 to 59655) approved 12-0, including PEN Construction (plus $100,000, to $739,250) and EDR Construction (plus $100,000, to $839,250).
A proposed amendment to the UREC contract was deleted 12-0 on Adams's motion, seconded by Hurst.

Resolution 59657, twelve-month waiver of land use rules to allow temporary housing after a presidential disaster or emergency declaration: motion Hurst, second Adams, 12-0.

Resolution 59666 rescinded Resolution 59610 and authorized a replacement state agreement at up to $2,399,760.80 (previously $2,380,868.52). Declared an emergency on Adams's motion, seconded by Hurst; approved on Kenney's motion, seconded by Gaudet; both 12-0.

Resolution 59667 rescinded the unexecuted earlier blood products authorization, and Resolution 59668 authorized a contract with The Blood Center for blood, components and lab services, up to $235,000. Each was declared an emergency (Adams, Hurst) and approved on Coleman's motion (seconded by Dunn and Amoroso), 12-0.

Four Downtown Development District seats, including those of Gary Black and Eric Dexter, were deferred to September 23, 2026 on Adams's motion, seconded by Gaudet, 12-0 each; a Capital Area Human Services District seat was deferred to October 14, 2026 on Coleman's motion, seconded by Hudson, 12-0.
Council also reappointed one Brownsfield Volunteer Fire Civil Service Board member and five Fire Protection District No. 1 Advisory Board members, and concurred in the Downtown Development District's nominee to the Complete Streets Citizens Advisory Committee, all 12-0.

Final acceptances and change orders: Resolutions 59658 to 59662 (roof replacement, library chiller replacement, Plank Road) approved 12-0.
Resolution 59663, fire alarm replacement at the Public Safety Complex awarded to the only bidder, James Construction, LLC: 12-0.
Resolution 59645 (Trace Infrared Asphalt Restoration, plus $50,000), 59646 (City Court janitorial contract extension) and 59647 (fire department building design services, up to $9,500 more): approved 12-0.