The Natchitoches City Council met this week to consider proclamations, ordinances, resolutions, and a financial update, while also announcing upcoming community events.
Mayor Ronnie Williams Jr. issued a proclamation declaring September 2025 as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in the City of Natchitoches.
The council adopted Ordinance No. 031 of 2025, approving a zoning change for property at 434 Williams Avenue. The lot, which fronts Williams Avenue and backs Cane River Lake, was reclassified from R-1 to R-1 Special Exception to allow operation of a short-term rental.
Two ordinances were introduced for consideration at future meetings. The first would authorize the city to lease and eventually sell a portion of the ADM facility, located between the Union Pacific Railroad and Mill Street, to Brian Briggs, doing business as Social Butterfly. The proposal includes lease terms, a purchase agreement, and a zoning change to accommodate future use.
The second ordinance would grant an amended franchise to Paul’s Party Boat to continue operating a tour boat business within city limits, outlining the franchise term, conditions, and compensation.
The council also passed several resolutions. Resolution No. 080 authorized the mayor to enter into a contract with Risk Services of Louisiana Inc. for the city’s property insurance coverage.
Resolution No. 081 approved the city’s Capital Improvement Plan, a required step to apply for financial assistance from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development’s Division of Aviation for improvements at Natchitoches Regional Airport.
Resolution No. 082 authorized the mayor to contract with Buchart Horn, an engineering firm based in Baton Rouge, for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) demonstration project. The $1 million project, funded largely by a federal grant with a local match, will test traffic safety improvements such as access controls and speed tables on several city streets. The city has also applied for a $6 million grant to expand permanent safety measures.
Resolution No. 083 consented to the assignment of a franchise agreement between the city and Southern Light LLC to Uniti Gulfco LLC, allowing the new company to continue maintaining and operating underground fiber optic transmission lines in city rights-of-way. Officials noted the change primarily reflected a transfer of ownership with no changes to existing terms.
Finance Director Clarissa Brown-Smith presented the August financial report. Year-to-date sales tax collections totaled $9.9 million, an increase of about 6.7 percent, or $627,000, over the same period last year.
Collections for August were slightly lower than the previous year by $22,000, or 1.8 percent, marking the first monthly decline of 2025. Smith also reviewed revenue trends for the city’s economic development and tax increment financing (TIF) districts, with most showing double-digit percentage increases compared to last year.
The next meeting of the Natchitoches City Council is scheduled for Oct. 13, 2025.