By John Summers | WBR Independent

ADDIS — The Addis Town Council met March 10 for its regular monthly meeting, tackling a packed agenda that included a post-flood briefing from parish officials, a culvert replacement study, a community honor, and two ordinance introductions.

Drainage

West Baton Rouge Parish President Jason Manola and Public Works Director Brandon Bourgoyne appeared before the council to brief members on the parish's response to the March 7 storm, which dropped approximately 11 inches of rain near the Port Allen locks. Manola outlined a range of short- and long-term mitigation measures under study, including diverting flow from the Coulee Canal to the Stonewall ditch, constructing retention ponds near Lukeville Elementary, and potentially routing the Coulee directly to the Intracoastal Waterway. He said a finalized engineering report is expected by late May.

The briefing drew pointed responses from residents who said repeated flooding has caused lasting damage despite previous drainage projects. One resident told the council that water on the east side of First Street runs consistently higher than the west side — sometimes by a foot or two — and that the problem has only grown worse over time.

"The water level on the east side of First Street is one to two feet higher than the west side," the resident said. "We put a project in to make it work, and we're still not draining."

The same resident said the flooding has taken a personal financial toll. "In the last eight years, I've lost over $20,000 worth of stuff," he said. "I got $40,000 worth of equipment in my shop that I can't afford to get wet every time it rains."

Another resident described her yard flooding so severely during the March 7 storm that water and debris washed across the street from a neighboring property. "When I tell you lake, I have video of it," she told the council.

Residents also pressed parish officials on timeline. Bourgoyne said a finalized study for the Coulee Canal and proposed Stonewall diversion is expected by late May, with the council invited to hear results at the June meeting.

Culvert project moves toward design

Town engineer Toby Fruge presented completed drainage modeling for Main Street and Harris Avenue, recommending the replacement of approximately 1,800 feet of undersized culverts. Main Street was identified as the more critical corridor. The project is estimated at $700,000 to $800,000, with roughly $126,000 in state road maintenance funds available to offset costs.

The council also directed Fruge to model a separate bottleneck on First Street near a local church, where an undersized culvert is backing water against the highway. Officials said packaging both projects under a single contractor mobilization could reduce costs.

Jensen LeBlanc Day

Mayor David Toups announced that 11-year-old Addis resident Jensen LeBlanc was recently named one of 19 children nationwide selected as a spokesperson for the Children's Miracle Network. On February 23, the town and parish jointly proclaimed Jensen LeBlanc Day, presenting him with a key to the city during a ceremony at Children's Hospital of Baton Rouge. Toups said he hopes the council will adopt a formal resolution to bring LeBlanc before the body for an official recognition.

Variance approved

The council approved a setback variance for a resident on Eudora Drive seeking to add a 12-foot extension to an existing shop. The applicant said neighboring structures along the ditch line were already built to the property line, and that he maintains the ditch at his own expense. The motion passed unanimously.

Ordinances

The council passed Ordinance 2026-1, updating the town's fire prevention chapter to replace references to the town's former volunteer fire department with language reflecting West Baton Rouge Parish Fire Protection District No. 1.

Two ordinances were introduced for future action: Ordinance 2026-2, a cleanup measure aligning the town's traffic and criminal code citations with current state statutes, and Ordinance 2026-3, a proposal to bring the town's animal control ordinances into full consistency with parish regulations.

Police report

Addis Police reported 183 citations and 168 calls for service in February. Officers made seven misdemeanor arrests and four felony arrests. Auto accidents fell to six for the month. Felony arrests included a domestic battery with strangulation, a domestic abuse aggravated assault, a monetary instrument abuse charge, and one felony warrant.

Public works

The public works department handled 52 residential and commercial lift station issues and 32 collection system calls in February. Crews completed sidewalk repairs at Monte Vista Drive, Poplar Grove, Little Hope, and Sugar Mill Parkway. New canopy benches and trash cans were installed at the park.

Upcoming events

The town's Rocking on the Railroad spring concert series continues April 17 with Rockin' Dopsie, Jr. and May 1 with the Junior Lacrosse Band. The Louisiana Municipal Association's Municipal Day and Crawfish Ball is scheduled for May 5–6 in Baton Rouge; council members interested in attending were asked to notify town staff before the April 5 registration deadline.

Executive session

The council went into executive session to discuss employment matters related to Corporal Graves of the Addis Police Department. No action was reported following the closed session.