The City Council unanimously approved the bicycle and pedestrian master plan and bike share feasibility study for Natchitoches at its meeting Monday evening, June 22. Through a combined effort with the Rapides Area Planning Commission, Bantam Strategy Group, and local stakeholders, a solid structural plan for bike share and micro mobility transit and infrastructure is now in place.

Check out the plans here:

The Council also recognized Sheriff Victor Jones for his 20 years of service as Natchitoches Parish Sheriff and 43 years with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office. New Sheriff Stuart Wright was sworn in early Monday morning in a private ceremony amidst Covid concerns.

Other agenda items included:

PLANNING & ZONING – FINAL:
Amending Ordinance No. 64 Of 2001 By Changing Zoning Classification Of Property Described As Follows: South One-half of Lt 7, Lot 8 & East 39.4 Feet of Lt 9 of East Broadmoor Subdivision, Unit #2 from B-3 Commercial to additional B-A to sell beverages of high and low alcoholic content for consumption on premise. Application by Redolpho Vargas – 115 South Drive.

ORDINANCES – FINAL:
Authorizing The Mayor Of The City Of Natchitoches, Lee Posey, To Execute An Agreement Or Lease Of Public Property And Airspace With Ronald Mooty And Marilyn D. Mooty Whereby The City Of Natchitoches And The Board Of Commissioners Of Waterworks District Number 1 Will Lease Public Ground And Airspace Pursuant To The Terms Of R. S. 33:4712 And R. S. 33:4712.1 To Ronald Mooty And Marilyn D. Mooty , To Provide For A Public Hearing, To Provide For Advertising, And A Savings Clause.

Amending Ordinance No. 17 Of 2020 Adopted On February 24, 2020 To Provide For The Removal Of A Pledge And Dedication To The Natchitoches Economic Development District D Of The Incremental Revenues Generated By The City’s One Percent (1.0%) Sales And Use Tax Now Being Levied For General Purposes And Collected By The City; And Otherwise Providing With Respect Thereto.

Approving A Smartnet North America Reference Network Reference Station Host Agreement With LEICA Geosystems, Inc. And Authorizing The Mayor To Execute The Said Agreement On Behalf Of The City, Providing For Advertising, Further Providing For Severability, And Further Providing For A Repealer And Effective Date Of Ordinance.

ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION:
Adopting Setting Forth the Adjusted Millage Rate(s). The Public Safety FAC/SER Fire & Police will be at 9.690 mills and the General Alimony will be at 6.820 mills.

Adopting to Roll Forward to Millage Rates(s) Not Exceeding the Maximum Authorized Rate(s) with a 2020 Levy of 10 mills for the Public Safety FAC/SER Fire & Police and 7.030 mills for the General Alimony.

RESOLUTIONS:
Adopt The Natchitoches Bicycle And Pedestrian Plan And The Natchitoches Feasibility Study And Implementation Plan Developed By The Rapides Area Planning Commission.

Execute A Certificate Of Substantial Completion To The Contract Between The City Of Natchitoches And Regional Construction, LLC For La-6 West Turn Lane And J-Turn (Bid No. 0624)

Enter Into A Maintenance Agreement, Including Mowing And Litter Pickup, With The State Of Louisiana, Department Of Transportation And Development, Office Of Engineering Beginning July 1, 2020 Through June 30, 2021.

Adopt The Required Plans, Policies, Appointments And Authorization Of Individuals For Compliance With The LCDBG Program.

Execute A Grant Agreement With The Rapides Foundation For The 2020 Healthy Behaviors Program Grant For Ready, Set, Go!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The next scheduled City Council meeting will be July 13, 2020.
The Offices of the City of Natchitoches will be CLOSED Friday, July 3, 2020 in honor of Independence Day.