CORRECTED MINUTES
Regular Council Meeting
City of Tallulah
January 8, 2026
A regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council was held on Thursday, January 8, 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 gave prayer.
A roll call vote of Council Members is listed as follows:
Wells Present
Day Present
Harris Present
Houston Present
Scott Absent
Mayor Lewis allowed time for comments regarding items listed on the agenda, but there was none.
Councilmember Day moved for approval of minutes of the December 11, 2025, council meeting with second from Councilmember Harris, and a “nay” vote from Councilmember Wells. Motion carried.
Attorney Jay Mitchell announced his desire to become the City’s attorney as present counsel Pamela Crews recently resigned effective January 9, 2026. Attorney Crews had originally offered December 31, 2026, as her resignation date, however, she was asked by the Interim Mayor to stay on until January 9, 2026. Attorney Mitchell presented his qualifications stating that his current practice includes several school boards. Attorney Mitchell discussed that he would be the attorney of record, however, the City would be engaging with his entire law firm and Tallulah could be serviced by other attorneys from the firm.. No decision was made.
Councilmember Day moved for approval of a Resolution of the City of Tallulah Declaring Immovable Property As Surplus and Further Authorizing the Demolition of Disposal, and/or Rehabilitation in Accordance with State Law. Councilmember Harris seconded, and motion carried. At question was the sale of the old Coca Building in the City, historical, and on the National Registry. Councilmember Wells voiced strong opposition to the sale of the building, but a majority of votes were cast. Motion carried.
Next up was a discussion regarding an occupational license issued to Ms. Andrea Hicks on November 13, 2025, for the operation of a foster home for juvenile girls ranging in age from 16 to to 21. Mayor Lewis stated that no decision would be made regarding the home for girls since the services of an attorney would be needed. Several citizens voiced their disagreement with the council on issuing the license in the first place. At issue is the classification of the operations of a girls’ foster home located in a R-70 zone which is for residential dwellers.
In light of continuous interruptions from Councilmember Wells, who stated several times that Attorney Grady had not been at a meeting in two months, and members of the audience while Attorney Grady attempted to provide an update on the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the City and the Police Jury, Mayor Lewis called for a motion to adjourn the meeting,
Attest: January 22, 2026
/s/Gerald L. Odom, City Clerk
/s/Yvonne Lewis, Mayor
