ADDIS — The Addis Town Council wrapped up two federally funded infrastructure projects, authorized a new round of road rehabilitation work, and heard an extended plea from Sugar Mill subdivision residents over dangerous parking conditions at its regular meeting Monday, May 12, 2026.

ARPA Projects Paid Out

The council approved final payments on both phases of its American Rescue Plan Act infrastructure work. The Addis Lane pump station project closed out at $74,869 to 2-Day Services, and the First Street pump station followed at $81,965 to the same contractor.

The council also renewed its annual Highway 1 maintenance agreement with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development — identical to last year's — at $660, authorizing Mayor David Toups to sign the documents.

Subdivision Plats Approved — With a Servitude Debate

The council approved two final plats but not before a lengthy discussion over conflicting drainage servitude requirements in the town's own ordinances.

The first involved a subdivision of property at 4600 Foret Street belonging to Jerome and Marina Richard. The discussion revealed inconsistencies between ordinance provisions — one called for a 50-foot drainage servitude, while a prior council action on an adjacent tract had set the requirement at 35 feet. Town Attorney Karen Day White pointed the council to Section 111-7 of the town's ordinances, but members agreed the language was outdated and inconsistent with past practice.

The council approved the plat with two modifications: the drainage and access servitude set at 35 feet — matching the adjacent property — and one tract adjusted slightly to reach approximately 0.75 acres. Council members acknowledged the episode exposed ordinance language in need of cleanup.

"We definitely need to make changes to our ordinance," Councilwoman Bliss Bernard said.

The second plat, a subdivision of property belonging to Michael S. Lopez, Jr. at 8414 Lois Street, was approved without discussion.

Sugar Mill Residents Ask for Parking Relief

Mark Hebert, vice president of the Sugar Mill Homeowners Association, and HOA president Sumer Maney told the council that cars parked on both sides of interior subdivision streets have made it difficult for school buses and garbage trucks to pass — and could eventually block emergency vehicles.

"We're scared there's going to come a time when fire trucks or ambulances or police cars can't get through some of our streets in the case of an emergency," Hebert said.

The HOA said its management company has limited enforcement authority over vehicles parked in the street — that falls to the town. Town Attorney Karen Day White confirmed the town has authority under state law to adopt and enforce parking restrictions on municipal streets.

The council discussed options at length, including amending the parking ordinance, installing no-parking signs, and designating one side of each street for parking.

Road Rehab Project Authorized

Jason Ellis of Novus Reb Engineering presented the town's 2026 road rehabilitation proposal and was authorized to proceed with design and public bidding. Engineering fees are proposed at $55,600, with construction estimated between $584,000 and $644,000.

This year's project includes work on Main Street, Belleville Drive, Poplar Grove Drive, Monte Vista Drive, Little Hope Drive, and Peter Messina Road, along with drainage improvements on Main Street and patch repairs on Myrle Drive. Last year's project finished $102,000 under its $475,000 budget.

Ellis said the goal is to complete construction during summer months while school is out.

Police Report — April 2026

Chief Jason Langlois reported 95 citations and 214 calls for service in April. The department made six misdemeanor arrests — including domestic abuse battery, battery of a dating partner, resisting an officer, simple battery, and two hit-and-run arrests — and four felony arrests, including one for aggravated assault on a dating partner and three felony warrants. Officers responded to 16 auto accidents.

Public Works and Sewer

Public Works Superintendent Travis Bourgoyne reported 48 residential and commercial control panel and tank issues, 28 collection system issues, and 43 service calls in April. The town's new vacuum trailer was used to clean five lift stations and assist with post-storm drainage cleanup. Lab work for the town's sewer operations permit renewal has been submitted to the state.

Toups noted improved drainage performance during recent heavy rain events following parish upgrades to the Coulee Canal, saying the canal did not go outside its banks during the most recent storm.

Other Action

The council voted to move its June regular meeting from Tuesday, June 9 to Wednesday, June 10, after Mayor Toups noted he would be out of town on the originally scheduled date.

The council also went into executive session to discuss the resignation of Officer Adam Gillis. No action was announced publicly following the closed session.

The Addis Town Council meets regularly at the Addis Municipal Center, 7818 Highway 1 South. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, 2026.