An ordinance was introduced at the Sept. 25 City Council meeting to designate funds from the American Rescue Plan for use by the City of Natchitoches to provide funding for the cost of juvenile housing. Mayor Ronnie Williams Jr. said the plan is to find some of the money in the budget to match the $75,000 from ARPA.
In April the City was made aware of a revised statue that indicates municipalities are responsible for these costs when the youth are being housed at a facility outside of the parish. The City typically budgets $67,000 for fees for adults and some misdemeanors. The Parish has paid for felony cases in the past.
Juveniles cost more to house than adults, which historically cost only $15.50 per day. The City is currently housing four juveniles at the WARE facility, which has raised its fees to $110-310 per day. Other facilities charge $170 per day. WARE would be $113,150 for one juvenile for one year. For one year at an out of state facility the cost for one juvenile is $62,050, but this includes 6-7 hours of transport time to try and save the city money.
Council Member at Large Betty Sawyer Smith said she’d like to see a facility for juveniles built in Natchitoches, which she feels would be more efficient. Juveniles would also be closer to home where parents could visit them.
“This is uncharted territory,” said Police Chief Nikeo Collins. “In the history of Natchitoches we’ve never had to pay for the juveniles…We’ve looked at what we can do.”
He went on to say that the costs of building and running a juvenile facility are high as there are usually 4-5 staff members (educators, medical staff, etc…) per juvenile, which is mandated by state and federal laws.
Another interesting agenda item amended the 2023-2024 budget to reflect additional revenues and expenditures.
During the process of renewing the City’s agreement with Sabine State Bank they did an account revue. They found where the City had been underpaid interest income on all City accounts (all but one are interest bearing) for the entire time the City has been banking with Sabine State Bank in the total amount of $1.2 million.
The City felt the need to to increase its reserves with $942,000. The other $250,000 was awarded to the Utility Department for a water maintenance project for a ground storage tank that was an immediate need.
Other agenda items included:
PROCLAMATIONS:
Declare October 8-14, 2023 As Fire Prevention Week In The City Of Natchitoches.
Declare October 15, 2023 As White Cane Awareness Day In The City Of Natchitoches (Gary Schoelerman)
PLANNING & ZONING – FINAL
Amend Ordinance No. 64 Of 2001 By Changing Zoning Classification Of Property Described As Follows: 13.63 Acres—Being a Portion of Land Situated on the South side of State Highway 6 Extending southward onto the Northwestern State College Campus and That Portion of Northwestern State University lying North and West of Tarlton Drive Being Bounded on the North by University and Parkway, on the South by Natchitoches Central High School, and on the West by Highway 3110 (NSU)
Amend Ordinance No. 64 Of 2001 By Changing Zoning Classification Of Property Described As Follows: Lot 80 Ft. Front East Side 2nd St., N by Free, S by Grayson, E by Boundary Line Between Sherman Wilson, ET UX & City of Natchitoches (Janice Marie Scribner)
ORDINANCES – FINAL:
Award The Bid For The 2023-24 Street Rehabilitation Project (Bid No. 0663)
ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION:
Execute An Amendment To That Lease In Favor Of The Louisiana Agricultural Finance Authority, Of That Property Located In The Natchitoches Regional Airport, Described As Lot 9, And That Lease In Favor Of The Louisiana Agricultural Finance Authority, Of That Property Located In The Natchitoches Regional Airport, Described As Lot 10 And Further Providing For Advertising Of The Amended Lease And An Effective Date.
Designate Funds From The American Rescue Plan For Use By The City Of Natchitoches To Provide Funding For The Mill Street Master Plan; Authorizing The Execution Of Any And All Documents, Contracts And/Or Agreements; And Otherwise Providing With Respect Thereto.
RESOLUTIONS:
Approve The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) For Financial Assistance From The State Of Louisiana DOTD, Division of Aviation For The Natchitoches Regional Airport.
Utilize Remaining ARPA Funds In The Amount Of $78,000 For The Repair Of The Existing Storm Drain Outfall System And Sinkhole Located At 843 Washington Street.
Appoint The Fiscal Agent For The City Of Natchitoches
Authorize Retained Legal Counsel To Proceed With All Steps Required To Ensure The Participation Of The City Of Natchitoches In The Claims Process Associated With The Ongoing Settlement Of The Poly Fluoroalkyl Substances (“PFAS”) Litigation And To Otherwise Provide With Respect Thereto.
Authorize Mayor Ronnie Williams, Jr., To Execute An Entity-State Agreement With The Louisiana Department Of Transportation And Development Committing The City Of Natchitoches To Maintain Sidewalks That Will Be Constructed As Part Of DOTD Project No. H.014712, La-6 Roundabout At La-504.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The next scheduled City Council meeting will be Monday, October 9, 2023.
