Gilda Johnson questioned the City Council at Monday night’s meeting, Sept. 26 about the re-opening of the after school program at the John Below Center in the Breda Town community. It was closed because of a lack of participation. Mayor Lee Posey said, that for the money the City is spending, there needs to be twice as much participation as when it closed (From around 20 kids to 40-50).

He hopes to re-open it by Oct. 15 and is trying to find volunteers to help with the program.
Program Director Delores Bivens assured the Council the Center has the numbers.
The Council recognized pageant queens. Greg O’Quinn, executive director of the Miss Natchitoches Pageant, began the pageant three years ago. The pageant represents the City while furthering education by providing scholarships to young women. In its second year, it adopted a second title: Miss Cane River and Miss Cenla last year. It is open to young women throughout the state.

Those recognized were:
Ana Deloach – Miss Cane River
Kelsey Wilkins – Miss Cenla
Caroline Colvin – Miss Cane River’s Outstanding Teen
Harper Armstrong – Little Miss Natchitoches
Lincoln Pearce – Miss Natchitoches
Ryia Williams – Miss Natchitoches’ Outstanding Teen

The Council also recognized Willie Mae Kennedy for over 80 years of gospel singing and Shirley Small-Rougeau for her outstanding community service.

Posey presented Leah Lentz with a proclamation declaring September as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in the City.

Other agenda items included:
Ordinance amendment changing the zoning classification of 1202 and 1204 College Avenue from R-2 Residential to B-3 Commercial to sell used cars

Award bid for Hancock and Watson Street underground electrical service to Sunstream Inc. of Natchitoches for $150,000

Authorize a franchise in favor of Cane River Paddle & Pedal Sports, LLC to operate a rental boat business in Natchitoches

Award bid for Liquid Chlorine for the Water Treatment Plant to Brenntag Southwest Inc. of Houston for $680 per ton

Award bid for Water System Improvements – Phase I to Williams Equipment Services

Award bid for Water System Improvements – Phase II (2015/2016 Community Water Enrichment Fund) to ASB Utility Construction LLC of Alexandria for $154,421

Enter into a contract with Risk Services of Louisiana, Inc. for property insurance for the City

Advertise and accept bids for the Natchitoches Tennis Complex Expansion

Advertise and accept bids for the Hwy. 1 South and Hwy. 1 Bypass Substations Project

Execute Change Order No. 2 to the contract between the City and Regional Construction LLC for the City Park Walking Track and Parking Project

Execute Change Order No. 1 to the contract between the City and Pat Williams Construction LLC for the East Fifth Park Improvements

Execute Change Order No.1 to the contract between the City and Womack and Sons Construction Group Inc. for the Rue Beauport Sewer Main Rehabilitation