Middle school basketball team honored; two blighted properties condemned; city cuts policy contract to save money

PORT ALLEN — The Port Allen City Council met for committee sessions on March 4 and its regular meeting on March 11, 2026, advancing two major infrastructure contracts, condemning two blighted properties, and tabling a budget amendment after a dispute over the figures erupted on the floor.

Police: 153 Calls, 22 Arrests in February

Police Chief Donovan Mitchell reported that officers responded to 153 calls for service in February 2026, resulting in 22 arrests and 21 traffic citations issued.

At the March 11 regular meeting, the council also voted unanimously to authorize Mitchell to advertise and hire a post-certified detective after the department's only dedicated investigator recently resigned. Mitchell said the demands of the role — including irregular hours and on-call availability — created conflicts with the officer's personal life and family obligations. The position will be open to both internal applicants and outside candidates, with a minimum two years of experience required. With the departure, detective responsibilities have fallen primarily on Assistant Chief Smith.

Middle School Basketball Team Honored for Undefeated Season

The council recognized the Port Allen Middle School varsity boys basketball team, which completed the season with an 11-0 record. Mayor Terecita Pattan presented the team with a plaque on behalf of the mayor and city council. Raising Cane's provided gift cards for all 18 players.

"It's oftentimes that we don't show our young people and our young men the true value that we have for them," Pattan said.

A council member who had attended several games singled out one player for his physicality and called on the group to bring that same determination to Brusly High School's athletics program.

Blight Enforcement: 16 Active Cases, Condemnation Hearings Ahead

Code enforcement officer Lance Guidry updated the committee on 16 active nuisance violation cases at the March 4 meeting. Several properties are at or near the condemnation stage, with two formally condemned at the March 11 regular meeting.

Active cases include properties on South 14th Street, Harry Brown Street, Avenue B, Rosedale, Court Street, Michigan, Georgia Street, Oregon Street, and Avenue C. Several owners have been notified and are working toward compliance; others have not responded to certified notices.

Officials also discussed an ongoing illegal dumping problem in the right-of-way between Oregon and Georgia streets. The city dispatched a tractor to clean the area and plans to install concrete pillars to prevent vehicles from cutting through. Residents were reminded to place debris at the front of their property for regular trash pickup rather than in the right-of-way.

Road Contract Awarded: Avenues D and E

The council approved awarding the Road Rehabilitation Project to M-TRAC for $260,918.45, covering work on Avenues D and E. Avenue F was structured as an additive alternate but was not awarded, keeping the project within the city's approximate $300,000 budget. Bids were opened February 26 and reviewed at the March 4 committee meeting. City Engineer Tony Arikol said the contractor has a proven track record with the city.

Sewer Blower Contract Awarded — But Budget Ordinance Hits a Wall

The council approved awarding the Blower Replacement Project to Grady Crawford for $379,500, but the companion budget ordinance needed to fund the contract was tabled after a dispute over the numbers.

Arikol described the situation as urgent. The city's sewage treatment plant relies on five blowers, and a failure without a replacement could force expensive temporary rentals. The contract requires delivery and installation of at least one blower within 10 weeks.

The lowest bidder, Key Construction LLC, was disqualified for failing to acknowledge receipt of the project addenda — a requirement under Louisiana public bid law. Grady Crawford's bid of $379,500 is $29,500 over the city's original $350,000 allocation. The mayor confirmed the additional funds had been identified within existing sewer fund line items.

When the council moved to amend the budget ordinance authorizing the transfers, the figures became a problem on the floor. The ordinance had been introduced in January at $175,000 and was revised upward to $204,500 as officials worked through the math. When a council member's arithmetic produced a total exceeding the project cost, the discussion stalled. City Attorney Casey Hollins and Finance Director Adrian Daigle attempted to clarify that $200,000 had already been budgeted, meaning only $204,500 in additional transfers was needed — not a combined new total. With the confusion unresolved, the council tabled the ordinance pending a special meeting.

The sewer fund's water system line item holds approximately $266,000 in unspent funds, providing the cushion to cover the transfer once the ordinance is corrected.

Wastewater Audit Contract Approved

The council authorized Mayor Pattan to sign a contract with LDQ for the 2025 annual audit of the city's wastewater treatment plant.

City to Hire Assistant Mechanic and Meter Reader

The council approved authorizing the mayor to advertise, interview, and hire for two open positions: assistant mechanic and meter reader. Since the West Side Journal closed, the city uses The Advocate as its official journal — at significantly greater expense. The mayor said the city will run smaller ads with minimum qualifications only and direct applicants to call City Hall. Changing the advertising requirement altogether would require amending the city ordinance.

City Drops $4,200 Annual Policy Contract, Builds Handbook In-House

Mayor Pattan announced the city will not renew its contract with LexiPool, a company previously engaged to write and update city and police department policies at an annual cost of $4,200.

City staff — identified as Ms. Tamika and Ms. Lynette — have built the employee handbook internally, using the city of Broussard's handbook as a reference and comparing it side by side with Port Allen's existing materials. Once finalized, it will go to the city attorney for review before adoption.

Pattan also flagged a similar cost review for the maintenance contract on the fountain in front of City Hall, which currently involves a vendor to add chlorine tablets — a task the city may handle internally.

Financial Report: Gas Bills Spike, Then Drop; Sales Tax Running Short

Finance Director Adrian Daigle presented the monthly financial report:

Natural gas costs: The city's wholesale gas cost swung sharply over three months — from $4.30 per unit for December usage, to $8.91 for January, and back down to $3.98 for February. That drove the city's wholesale payment from $112,000 in December to $273,000 in January and back to $79,000 in February. Customers should expect a significant decrease on the April 26 billing cycle. This follows the higher-than-normal bills on the March 26 cycle, which Daigle previewed for residents earlier this month.

Sales tax: Collections are projected to come in approximately $1 million short of budget for the year.

Audit savings: The city's 2024-25 financial audit came in roughly $17,000 under the expected fee because auditors encountered fewer complications than in prior years. Officials cautioned the same result is unlikely next year.

Election costs: The police department's millage election cost the city $22,619. The drainage and library tax and school board millage renewal on the same ballot helped distribute costs, keeping the city's share lower than initially projected.

Emergency gas line repair: Nearly $30,000 of a $71,000 utility expenditure was attributable to an emergency gas line repair in the 800-900 block behind the railroad tracks, near Sister's Soul Food and the Rere Shop.

Two Properties Condemned; Families Appear to Claim Them

1205 Avenue C

The council condemned 1205 Avenue C following a hearing in which city architect Justin Altazan, president of Baton Rouge-based Third Coast Architecture, testified the structure meets the city's definition of a derelict building under multiple provisions of city ordinance 34-28. The property has broken windows, rotted siding and framing, missing stairs, a missing porch support beam, and evidence that interior demolition began but was left open to the elements. The last owners of record were Leonce and Emma Jones.

Debbie Anderson appeared on behalf of her husband, Joseph Clifford Anderson Jr., whose mother Joan Anderson was identified as an heir. The family said they had no knowledge of the proceedings until receiving a certified notice from curator Attorney Leticia Jackson.

"We had no idea any of this was going on until we got the certified letter in the mail," Anderson said. The family intends to demolish the structure and take ownership. City officials reminded them that paying property taxes does not transfer legal ownership and that they must complete the tax redemption process by May 31.

The council voted to condemn the property and order demolition within 120 days of the family receiving the certified order.

451 Harry Brown Street

The council also condemned 451 Harry Brown Street. Altazan testified the property has deteriorated further since a July 2025 inspection, with multiple large holes in the roof, missing windows, heavy vegetation growth, and roof system failures. The last owner of record is Betty Shuler.

Gabrianna Foster identified herself as Shuler's great-niece and appeared alongside her mother, Lakeisha Foster, after curator Attorney Leticia Jackson made contact following the public notice. Foster said the family intends to demolish the structure and eventually build on the property.

"We don't want to fix the house. We want to tear it down and we want to build," Foster said.

A council member asked the family to notify the long-patient neighbor on the adjoining property before beginning any work. The council voted to condemn the property and order demolition within 120 days of the family receiving the certified order.

Alcohol Beverage Permit

The council approved an alcohol beverage permit for the Knights of Columbus Hall. Mayor Pattan noted the application was submitted late and that required late fees had been paid.

Community Updates

Prayer Breakfast: Mayor Pattan and council members praised the turnout at a recent community prayer breakfast. All seats were filled, Congressman Cleo Fields spoke, and the event wrapped within its two-hour window.

Cleanup Day: The city's spring cleanup is scheduled for April 18, with a focus on the river areas.

Port Allen 110th Anniversary: The city is planning a celebration of its 110th anniversary on Labor Day weekend. Volunteers interested in joining the planning committee were encouraged to contact the mayor's office.

Drainage Covers: Decorative painting of the large drainage covers in front of City Hall is planned to begin soon, weather permitting.

Women's Month: The city plans to recognize women in the community who have made notable contributions during March.

Announcements

Mayor Pattan offered condolences to two city families: Carolyn DeLoach, a city employee who lost her sister, and the family of Josie Young, a longtime city dispatcher who served under multiple administrations and later worked part-time in the utilities department to complete her retirement hours.

A special meeting to take up the tabled sewer fund budget ordinance has not yet been scheduled as of this report. For more coverage of Port Allen city government, visit wbrindependent.com.