The City Council held a public hearing at the start of its Aug. 28 meeting, followed by the introduction of an ordinance for the issuance of the City’s Utilities Revenue Bonds in an amount not to exceed $11,645,000.
One of the first meetings when Ronnie Williams Jr. stepped into his role as Natchitoches Mayor, dealt with the rehabilitation of the City’s water treatment plant. Water and electric rate studies, town halls, and securing a $5 million grant were all steps toward providing residents with better water.
The bond is for the following purposes (system refers to the combined waterworks plant and system, the electric power and light plant systems and sewer utility system):
- Acquire and construct additions, extensions and improvements to the sewer utility portion of the system, including but not necessarily limited to equipment and fixtures
- Fund a debt service reserve fund or purchase a reserve fund policy, if necessary
- Pay the cost of issuance of the bonds, including the costs of purchasing a bond insurance policy, if necessary.
An important part of the project, a clarifier will remove suspended particles and colors from the water that is drawn from Sibley Lake.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said Utilities Director Matt Anderson, who explained how the construction of a new water treatment plant and the rehab of two other plants will increase the water plant capacity from 8 million gallons a day to 12 million.
“This administration has been highly focused on infrastructure,” said Williams.
Other agenda items included:
- PLANNING & ZONING – FINAL:
Change Zoning Classification Of Property Described As Follows: Lot 62 Feet Front East Side Washington St. East by Cane River Lake, North By Poleman, South by Brown (911 Washington St.)
Change Zoning Classification Of Property Described As Follows: Lot East Second St., North by Kaffie, South By Church (129 St. Denis)
- ORDINANCES – FINAL:
Approve The Terms And Form Of A Lease Agreement Between The City Of Natchitoches, State Of Louisiana And KTBS, LLC, A Louisiana Limited Liability Company, And Authorizing The Execution Thereof By The Mayor Of The City Of Natchitoches, State Of Louisiana And Further Providing With Respect Thereto.
- ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION:
Award The Bid For The Equipment Replacement, Sludge Thickener #2 City Of Natchitoches Wastewater Treatment Plant (Bid No. 0662)
Extend The City Limits Of The City Of Natchitoches Annexing A 2.17 Acre, More Or Less, Tract Situated In Section 40, Township 9 North, Range 8 West, Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, Said Tract Lying Adjacent To And North Of Louisiana Highway 3278, Together With That Area Of Louisiana Highway 3278Situated Between The 2.18 Acre Tract And The Existing Municipal Limits Of The City Of Natchitoches, And Further Providing For The Fixing Of A Public Hearing, Advertisement, Fixing Council District For Same, Fixing Zoning Classification And Providing For An Effective Date Of The Ordinance. (Hutchinson Property)
Repeal Ordinance Number 039 Of 2023, Awarding Bid No. 0661 For Improvements At Professor F. M. Richardson Park
Rename The City Street Which Is Currently Delineated As Trudeau Street To Hence Forth Be Known As 1927 Remembrance Way In Honor Of The Year Of The Founding Of The Historic Texas And Pacific Railroad Depot, And Otherwise Providing In Connection Therewith.
Designate Funds From The American Rescue Plan To Community Development In The City Of Natchitoches, State Of Louisiana, And To Otherwise Provide With Respect Thereto.
- RESOLUTIONS:
Execute Change Order No. 4 To The Contract Between The City Of Natchitoches And Williams Equipment Services, LLC, For FY 2021-22 Phase 1 Street Rehabilitation (Bid No. 0641)
Approve The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) For Financial Assistance From The State Of Louisiana DOTD, Division of Aviation For The Natchitoches Regional Airport.
- ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- The next scheduled City Council meeting will be Monday, September 11, 2023.
