Condemnations moving forward

The Crowley City Council met Tuesday night to consider several issues including the condemnation of properties in the city, the cosponsorship of the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office’s CHOICES program and a beer/liquor license for Burger Zone. 

At the outset of the meeting, Scoutmaster E.J. Marceaux, with Boy Scout Troop 70, introduced four of his scouts who were in attendance to get credit towards a Citizenship of Community badge.

“Welcome boys, I hope we set a good example,” said Crowley Mayor Greg Jones.

City Attorney Tom Regan conducted public hearings for two properties which have been before the council for several months. The first was located at 917 East Sixth St. and is owned  by the unopened succession of Verna Hoffpauir Marx.

Nobody showed up to represent the property owners. 

City Engineer Danny Hebert described the property as “unsalvageable” and Alderman Bryan Borill said that neighbors wanted it “torn down.” 

“There’s no way it can be saved,” said Hebert. 

Hebert suggested that the council give the property owner 30 days before the city takes action. 

The council agreed. 

The second property belonged to Andrew Goodwill and is located at 1214 W. Eighth St. Nobody representing the Goodwill family was in attendance. The council was informed by Alderman Vernon “Step” Martin that the property owner had been dealing with medical issues involving a family member. 

“So far the only thing I’ve seen done to this property was that somebody picked up some brush,” said Hebert. “I don’t think they’re going to be able to do anything in 30 days.” 

The council gave the property owner 30 days before condemnation proceedings move forward. 

In other news, the council agreed to a partial payment of $124,493.95 to Coastal Bridge Co. for the 2012-13 Street Improvements Project. 

The council agreed to co-sponsor the Sheriff’s Office’s CHOICES program. A donation of $1,000 will be made to the project.

The council also agreed to the city financial report for the year ending August 31, 2013, issued by the  Kolder, Champagne and Slaven Company.  

An item that the council will be considering in the near future is the purchase of a fleet of police cars for the Crowley Police Department. The purchase of the police cars would be made “in a different way than we have in the past.” 

“This looks as though it could be very advantageous to us,” said Mayor Jones. 

The next Crowley City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11. Committee meetings are scheduled for Wednesday, March 5.