Regular Council Meeting
City of Tallulah
October 12, 2023
A regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council was held on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 5:30 P. M., in the Council Room Chamber of Tallulah City Hall.
Mayor Charles M. Finlayson called the meeting to order, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and allowed for a moment of silent prayer.
A roll call of Council Members is listed as follows:
Scott Absent
Houston Present
Harris Present
Day Present
Wells Present
During the allowed time for public comments on the agenda, Mayor Finlayson called for amending the agenda to recognize two representatives from Monroe Regional Black Chamber of Commerce. Motion and second to that effect were made by Councilmembers Wells and Day respectively and carried unanimously. Executive Director, Ms. Kenya Roberson outlined the functions of the Chamber and stated that its primary responsibility was to service minority businesses in the area containing a region of twelve parishes. Those functions include leadership and encouragement of business and economic development within the region.
Motion and second to approve minutes of the September 28, 2023, meeting, with corrections, were made by Councilmembers Houston and Day respectively and carried. Councilmember Wells voted “Nay”.
Mr. Douglas Mitchell, Northeast Economic Development, and Mr. Frank Messenger, Messenger & Associates, were on hand to lend knowledge and understanding to the boundary problems of the City of Tallulah. For example, there are several voter districts which are categorized differently such as being within city boundaries on a city map but being within the parish on a census map. Plus, there was further discussion as to whether Kelly’s apartments were actually located within city boundaries or those of the parish. City Attorney David Doughty presented a list of blocks that are shown on city maps as being within the city boundaries but being shown in parish boundaries on a census map and vice versa. He noted that these mis-categorized boundaries will have to be solved legally. Hence, Councilmember Wells stated that a date should be set as to when measures are to be taken to correct the problems with city boundaries.
In his report to the citizens, Mayor Finlayson stated that work on the streets of Tank, Florida, and a part of University and will begin within two weeks. The contractor is Dreher Construction. Mayor Finlayson also stated that sealed bids on the water rehab project should occur in mid-November.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned on motion and second of Councilmembers Houston and Day which carried unanimously.
Attest:
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Gerald L. Odom, City Clerk Charles M. Finlayson, Mayor
