Discussion of an objection to an occupational license issued by the City of Tallulah led to disorder during the Jan. 8 City Council meeting, which ended before all agenda items were completed.
The council took no action on the occupational license, which was issued Nov. 13, 2025, to Andrea Hicks. The item was listed on the agenda as a discussion only.
Interim Mayor Yvonne Lewis told the council early in the discussion that no vote would be taken.
“This item is on the agenda tonight as discussion,” Lewis said. “There isn’t going to be a decision made tonight because we have to figure out first how we would bring it back up because we’ve already issued the license.”
Attorney Joy R. Jackson filed a formal objection to the license, arguing that it was issued in violation of the city’s zoning ordinance. Jackson said the property is located in an R-70 residential district, where commercial uses are not permitted.
“It is in an R-70 zone, which is illegal, and that’s nothing to research,” Jackson said. “An occupational license is a business.”
During the meeting, council members, city officials and members of the public debated whether the license authorized a business operating in a residential zone or whether it was required by the state due to an increase in the number of foster youth living in the home.
Pamela Grady, who was serving as city attorney at the time of the meeting, said the city did not have enough information to determine how the use should be classified. Grady’s term ended Jan. 9, 2026, after she submitted her resignation in December 2025.
“I don’t feel like there’s enough information for me to make a complete opinion about whether or not it’s a residential activity or a commercial activity,” Grady said.
Lewis acknowledged that occupational licenses are generally associated with businesses.
“The issue tonight is the occupational license, which is typically for a business,” Lewis said.
Kiara Hicks, who was hired to direct the program operating in the home, said the residence is a state-regulated transitional living program for foster youth placed through the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services.
“This is not a commercial business,” Hicks said. “It is a state regulated residential transitional living program for foster youth placed through DCFS.”
Hicks said the home would serve youth between the ages of 16 and 21 and would be staffed by trained adults who have passed background checks. She said the program is subject to state licensing, monitoring and inspection.
As discussion continued, multiple speakers spoke at the same time, and exchanges between council members and members of the public disrupted proceedings. Lewis repeatedly called for order.
“We are grown people and we are sitting in here acting like children,” Lewis said. “This is ridiculous.”
Lewis said the city plans to seek clarification from the state before the issue returns to the council.
“What we’re going to do is reach out to DCFS, understand the reasoning for the occupational license, and then we will have legal counsel look at that,” Lewis said.
No vote was taken to revoke, suspend or amend the occupational license.
Following continued disruption, Lewis asked for the meeting to be ended early.
“Can I have a motion to adjourn the meeting,” she said.
A motion was made and seconded, and the council approved adjournment, ending the meeting before the remaining agenda items were addressed.
