Regular Council Meeting
City of Tallulah
February 26, 2026
A regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council was held on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 5:30 P.M., in the Council Room Chamber of Tallulah City Hall.
Mayor Yvonne Lewis called the meeting to order, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and prayer was given by Councilmember Wells.
A roll call of council members is listed as follows:
Wells Present
Day Present
Harris Present
Houston Present
Scott Present
Mayor Lewis made available a short period of time for citizens of the audience to make comments regarding the agenda, but there was none.
Motion and second to approve minutes of the February 12, 2026, meeting, with corrections, were made by Councilmembers Scott and Houston respectively and carried unanimously.
Mr. Paul Holmes, Executive Director, LaMATS LPS Municipal Surplus Property Program, made a presentation explaining the purpose of LaMATS and how it is of importance to local governments of Louisiana Communities. Mr. Holmes gave an overview of the organization’s aid of technical services and Administered Purchasing Programs to local governments within the state.
Mayor Yvonne Lewis presented a briefing concerning the ongoing water plant rehabilitation. She stated that the contract between the City and Magnolia Water Systems ends on February 17, 2026, but that the State would allow for an extension of one year giving time for additional contracts between participating bodies. She stated that during the meantime, the city would be awaiting a comprehensive plan for the future and offering its own input as well. She also discussed sources of funds for remaining upgrades.
Ms. Andrea Hicks, “Turning Point to Rebuilding”, appeared again before the Council to clear up the problem associated with her organization within the city. Since the foster care facility deals with young girls, City Attorney Donecia Banks-Miley gave the opinion that the business license given to Ms. Hicks by the City Council was not correct. She stated that the foster care facility should be licensed by approved zoning regulations instead. Therefore, the Council voted unanimously to revoke the current occupational license to free up the facility for an occupational license. Motion and second to that effect were made by Councilmembers Wells and Harris respectively and a roll call vote is shown as follows:
Wells Yea
Day Yea
Harris Yea
Houston Yea
Scott Yea
Motion carried.
To be approved was: A Cooperative Endeavor Agreement and Covenants Between the City of Tallulah and the Madison Parish Police Jury for the Benefit of the Madison Parish Police Jury. The agreement allows for the cleaning up of the lot behind the parish library to be used as a parking lot for the Madison Parish Library. Subsequent motion and second to approve the corporate endeavor agreement were made by Councilmembers Wells and Houston respectively and the roll call vote is shown in the following:
Wells Yea
Day Yea
Harris Yea
Houston Yea
Scott Yea
Motion carried.
City Clerk Gerald Odom presented financial statements for General Fund for the 7th month, January, into the current fiscal year. He called attention to the favorable expense to budget ratio of each department within general fund and gave credit to departmental managers for keeping expenses within budget.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned by Mayor Lewis.
Attest:
Date: March 26, 2026
/s/Gerald L. Odom, City Clerk
/s/Yvonne Lewis, Mayor
