City Keeps Millage Rate Same as Prior Year

Ruston’s Board of Aldermen last night approved an ordinance levying property taxes for tax year 2021 that is at the same rate as tax year 2020.

A 5.19 mil tax is dedicated to general operating needs, and a 2.89 mil tax is dedicated to the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.

City Clerk Julie Speir said that the general operating tax brings in about $1 million/year, while the RPAR tax takes in about $560 thousand.

Said Speir, “Without rolling either millage forward, we anticipate modest growth, based on new properties coming on to the tax rolls.

The council also introduced an ordinance amending the criminal code relating to the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Recent legislation signed into law by Gov. Bel Edwards and effective 8/1/2021 makes possession of less than 14 grams of cannabis is punishable by a $100 fine and no threat of jail time for the first and every subsequent offense. Possession of more than 14 grams still carries harsh penalties.

Mayor Ronny Walker said that the proposed amendment will align city ordinances with the new state law.

Ruston City Council Monday

Ruston’s Board of Aldermen will meet Monday, July 12, 5:30 PM, Ruston City Hall, 401 North Trenton.

Here is the agenda.

City Council Tomorrow

Ruston’s Board of Aldermen will meet Monday, June 7, 2021, 5:30 PM, Ruston City Hall, 401 North Trenton.

Here is the agenda.

Ruston Council Overrides P&Z on Church

After 45 minutes of an active public comment period from supporters and opponents of a zoning change requested by Faith Church Ruston, the City Council rejected the unanimous recommendation of the City’s Planning & Zoning board to grant the change.

Ward 5’s Bruce Seigmund moved to adopt the recommendation, but there was no second.

This was the second time this year that a P&Z recommendation was overruled.

Pastor Stan Pody said that the church needed room to grow, as its membership has continued to expand.

Said Pody, “I believe the sight and sound issues, if they were taken care of, this would be a win-win to everybody.”

He said that an addition to the existing building would enable the seating capacity to be doubled.

At the March 15 P&Z meeting the opponents cited loud music, unsightly storage buildings, and future commercial encroachment into the neighborhood.

Several people from the nearby Trenton Place subdivision spoke.

Allen Tuten said that he was concerned that the property wouldn’t be kept up and degrade the neighborhood.

Michelle McGee noted that rezoning could change property values in Trenton Place.

Said McGee, “If that back behind me becomes commercial property, that changes the value of my home.”

Several Church members gave testimony about how Faith Church had turned their lives around.

A + Cuts Lawn and Landscaping owner Grayson Allen said that he learned Biblical business principles at Faith.

“I didn’t learn the principles that I know about business going to Ruston High, going to Tech – I learned them from teaching from The Word – how to do Biblical business. I got taught that at Faith Church Ruston,” he said.

Colton Hall said Faith Church his life was changed for the better.

Said Hall, “I was lost, I was bound by addiction. I was not leading a very good life. I took a leap of faith and I moved down here, and shortly after I opened up my own insurance agency. It’s absolutely change my life, it’s changed my wife’s life, and now we have a one year old son.”

Earlier in the meeting, the council approved a resolution to hire a feasibility consultant for study of a city-owned internet service provider.

The vote followed public comments from over a half-dozen residents who were not satisfied with the local cable provider’s internet service.

Mayor Ronny Walker cautioned that if the plan were to move ahead, it could be as long as two years before the service would be up and running.

No Taxes on Water, Electricity

A proposed economic development district located on East Mississippi Avenue WILL NOT result in the city’s water and electricity customer paying a 1.75% sales tax as we reported yesterday.

We regret the error.

A commercial development is underway on the property, utilizing an old building that once housed the city’s diesel power generation equipment.

See here the complete resolution.

See here the complete ordinance.

Ruston Administration to Propose Taxing Water, Electricity

A resolution to propose creation of an economic development district made up of the city’s water and electrical utilities, and levying a 1.75% sales tax therein is set to be introduced at next Monday’s meeting of Ruston’s Board of Aldermen.

Consider Resolution No. ________ of 2021, Authorizing the Publication of a Notice of Intention to (I) Create the Power and Water Economic Development District of the City of Ruston, State of Louisiana, and (II) Levy a 1.75% Sales and Use Tax Therein, Under the Authority of Part II, Chapter 27 of Title 33 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as Amended (La. R.S. 33:9038.31 et seq.); and Providing for Other Matters in Connection Therewith.

The accompanying ordinance:

Introduce Ordinance No. _______ of 2021, Creating the “Power and Water Economic Development District of the City of Ruston, State of Louisiana;” Defining the Boundaries Thereof From Which Area Local Sales Tax Increments will be Determined and Used to Finance Economic Development Projects in Accordance with and as Authorized by Part II of Chapter 27 of Title 33 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as Amended; and Providing for Other Matters in Connection with the Foregoing.

The meeting is set for 5:30 PM, Monday, May 3, Ruston City Hall, 401 North Trenton.

Here is the complete agenda.

City Council Tonight

Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the

City of Ruston to Be Held on Monday, April 5, 2021, at 5:30 P.M.,

In Council Chambers/Courtroom, City Hall,

401 North Trenton, Ruston, Louisiana

AGENDA

I.          AGENDA AND MINUTES:

            A.        Adopt Agenda

B.        Approve Minutes of the March 1, 2021 Regular Meeting

II.        ADMINISTRATION:

1. Consider Resolution No. ________ of 2021, Designating the Current Boundaries of the Ruston Main Street District

• Consider Resolution No. ________ of 2021, Authorizing the Publication of a Notice of Intention to Amend the Geographical Boundaries of Economic Development District No. 1 of the City of Ruston, State of Louisiana, and to Extend the Levy of the District’s Existing Sales and Use Tax into the Expanded Boundaries; and Providing for Other Matters in Connection Therewith

• Introduce Ordinance No. _______ of 2021, Amending the Boundaries of Economic Development District No. 1 of the City of Ruston, State of Louisiana; Extending the Levy of the District’s Existing Sales and Use Tax into the Expanded Boundaries of the District; and Providing for Other Matters in Connection with the Foregoing

• Consider Ordinance No. ________ of 2021, Authorizing City to Enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Bourgeois Restaurant Group, L.L.C. and to Sell Property in Connection with City of Ruston Economic Development

D.(1)    Public Hearing Regarding Ordinance No. ______ of 2021, Authorizing City to Enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Bourgeois Restaurant Group, L.L.C. and to Sell Property in Connection with City of Ruston Economic Development

E.        Consider Resolution No. _______ of 2021, Authorizing City to Enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Louisiana Delta Community College Foundation and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System Related to Sewer Rehabilitation on and around the Louisiana Delta Community College Campus

III.       PUBLIC WORKS:

1. Consider Amended Resolution No. ________ of 2021, Authorizing City of Ruston, Louisiana to Acquire Property and to Institute Expropriation Actions Necessary for Construction of State Project No. H.014355, Federal Aid No. H014355, South Monroe Street, West Texas, West Louisiana & Oil Mill Street, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana Project

• Consider Resolution No. ________ of 2021, Authorizing City to Enter into Professional Services Agreement with Hunt Guillot & Associates for Design Services Relating to the Smart Cities Innovation Testbed Expansion Project

• Consider Resolution No. ________ of 2021, Authorizing City to Enter into Professional Services Agreement with Keller and Heckman, L.L.P. for Legal and Associated Services Relating to the Initiation of Residential Internet Service

IV.       TELECOMMUNICATIONS:

1. Consider Resolution No. _______ of 2021, Authorizing the Sale of Telecommunications Equipment as Surplus Movable Property

V.        PLANNING AND ZONING:

1. Consider Resolution No. ________ of 2021, Approving Final Plat of The Oaks of Kentucky Subdivision of the City of Ruston, Louisiana (Case 1487 – Oaks of Kentucky Subdivision)

• Introduce Ordinance No. _______ of 2021, Amending Chapter 29 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Ruston, Louisiana by Changing Certain of the Zoning District Boundaries Provided for Therein (Case 1483 – Paul Avenue)

• Introduce Ordinance No. _______ of 2021, Amending the Ruston 21 Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map (Case 1481(a) – Faith Christian Church)

• Introduce Ordinance No. ______ of 2021, Amending Chapter 29 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Ruston, Louisiana by Changing Certain of the Zoning District Boundaries Provided for Therein (Case 1481(b) – Faith Christian Church)

• Introduce Ordinance No. ______ of 2021, Amending Chapter 29 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Ruston, Louisiana by Changing Certain of the Zoning District Boundaries Provided for Therein and Approval of Preliminary Plat (Case 1484 – Cypress Run Holdings, L.L.C.)

• Introduce Ordinance No. _______ of 2021, Amending the Zoning Code of the City of Ruston, Louisiana (Case 1482)

VI.       CODE ENFORCEMENT:

1. Request Permission to Start the Property Condemnation Process as Required by Ordinance for the Building(s) or Structure(s) Located at the Following Addresses:

     Address                                                                  Owner

805 Gilman	Wanda Lewis and Evelyn Cooper
209 S. Hazel	Cornelius Larome Dunaway
1011 Jones	Carolyn Green, Jackie Foster, Cathy Holyfield, Latoya Houston
1117 Strain	Dennis Woods, Cathy Woods, David Woods, JoAnn Nesbth
1208 Strain	Gregory Shelton
1402 White (LCDBG #38)	June Crew Adams
1605 Branscome (LCDBG #40)	Rychland Martin- Horne
1003 Gilman (LCDBG #41)	Darrell W. Gant
408 Grant (LCDBG #42)	Debra Jordan Crowe, Terry Lee Jordan, Kerry Lee Jordan

• Take Appropriate Action on the Abatement of the Substandard Building(s) or Structure(s) Located at 815 Sandy Lane         

B.(1)    Public Hearing Regarding Abatement of the Building(s) or Structure(s) Located at 815 Sandy Lane

• Take Appropriate Action on the Abatement of the Substandard Building(s) or Structure(s) Located at 815 Ross

C.(1)    Public Hearing Regarding Abatement of the Building(s) or Structure(s) Located at 815 Ross

• Take Appropriate Action on the Abatement of the Substandard Building(s) or Structure(s) Located at 405 S. Farmerville St. (LCDBG #16)

D.(1)    Public Hearing Regarding Abatement of the Building(s) or Structure(s) Located at 405 S. Farmerville St. (LCDBG #16)      

• Take Appropriate Action on the Abatement of the Substandard Building(s) or Structure(s) Located at 1102 Larson St. (LCDBG #21)         

E.(1)    Public Hearing Regarding Abatement of the Building(s) or Structure(s) Located at 1102 Larson St. (LCDBG #21)

• Take Appropriate Action on the Abatement of the Substandard Building(s) or Structure(s) Located at 1106 Martin L. King (LCDBG #25)

F.(1)    Public Hearing Regarding Abatement of the Building(s) or Structure(s) Located at 1106 Martin L. King (LCDBG #25)

• Take Appropriate Action on the Abatement of the Substandard Building(s) or Structure(s) Located at 1405 McHenry (LCDBG #26)

G.(1)   Public Hearing Regarding Abatement of the Building(s) or Structure(s) Located at 1405 McHenry (LCDBG #26)

• Take Appropriate Action on the Abatement of the Substandard Building(s) or Structure(s) Located at 1006 Pecan (LCDBG #27)

H.(1)    Public Hearing Regarding Abatement of the Building(s) or Structure(s) Located at 1006 Pecan (LCDBG #27)

1. Take Appropriate Action on the Abatement of the Substandard Building(s) or Structure(s) Located at 200 Riser Rd Lot #13 (LCDBG #28)

I.(1)     Public Hearing Regarding Abatement of the Building(s) or Structure(s) Located at 200 Riser Rd Lot #13 (LCDBG #28)     

• Take Appropriate Action on the Abatement of the Substandard Building(s) or Structure(s) Located at 208 Snowden (LCDBG #29)

J.(1)     Public Hearing Regarding Abatement of the Building(s) or Structure(s) Located at 208 Snowden (LCDBG #29)

• Take Appropriate Action on the Abatement of the Substandard Building(s) or Structure(s) Located at 1111 Strain (LCDBG #30)

K.(1)   Public Hearing Regarding Abatement of the Building(s) or Structure(s) Located at 1111 Strain (LCDBG #30)

• Take Appropriate Action on the Abatement of the Substandard Building(s) or Structure(s) Located at 113 Turner (LCDBG #34)

L.(1)    Public Hearing Regarding Abatement of the Building(s) or Structure(s) Located at 113 Turner (LCDBG #34)

• Take Appropriate Action on the Abatement of the Substandard Building(s) or Structure(s) Located at 143 W. Vaughn (LCDBG #35)

M.(1)   Public Hearing Regarding Abatement of the Building(s) or Structure(s) Located at 143 W. Vaughn (LCDBG #35)

• Take Appropriate Action on the Abatement of the Substandard Building(s) or Structure(s) Located at 602 Vernon (LCDBG #36)    

N.(1)    Public Hearing Regarding Abatement of the Building(s) or Structure(s) Located at 602 Vernon (LCDBG #36)

VII.     FINANCE:

VIII.    ADJOURN MEETING.

Tommy Lane Boddie: 3/9/1953-3/20/2021

Tommy Lane Boddie, age 68 of Ruston, Louisiana, passed away Saturday, March 20, 2021.

Funeral service will be 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at Cook Baptist Church in Ruston. Rev. Gil Arthur and Rev. Jeff Smart will officiate.  Interment will be at Douglas Cemetery in Choudrant, Louisiana.  Visitation will be held on Monday, March 22, 2021, from 5:00 P.M. -8:00 P.M. at Cook Baptist Church under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston.

Tommy was a member of Cook Baptist Church.  Tommy was a retired superintendent for the DOTD.  He is preceded in death by his parents; Thomas “Bo” Boddie and Sybil Dye Boddie.  Those left to cherish his memories are his wife Nina Cook Boddie, son; Todd Boddie and wife Kim Boddie, daughter; Nancy Boddie Griffith and husband Eddy Griffith.  Four Grandchildren: Nathan Griffith, James Gunner Griffith, Adam Griffith and Skylar Boddie, brother; Terry Thomas Boddie and wife Pam Boddie, and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be sent to Cook Baptist Church in Ruston, Louisiana.

Pallbearers are Tony Billberry, Will  Billberry, Brian Vann, Luke Allen, J.P. Dunbar, Donnie Martin, Ken Lantrip and Dan O’Neal.  Honorary Pallbearers are Steve Barham, John Roebuck, Wayne Brooks, John Eley, Randy Roberson and DeDe Deason.

Cell Tower Approved for Tech Drive Location

For the second time in less than a year, location of a cell phone antenna tower became the focus of a lengthy discussion at a Ruston City Council Meeting. Last night, the council voted unanimously to not follow the recommendations of the city’s Planning and Zoning board, and allowed construction of a tower near the corner of Tech Drive and Bearcat Drive.

Planning & Zoning Director Jim Hayes told the council that the board voted 3-1 to recommend denial of the necessary variances and use permit. He said the board explained that a tower in that location did not match up with improvements that Louisiana Tech University was making in the area, and there were other nearby locations that weren’t considered.

Representing AT&T, New Orleans attorney “Chip” Leyens explained that the company had explored over a dozen other locations, and that the tower was needed to relieve overloading from other cell sites. He added that they had been trying to place the tower for five years.

Local attorney Kyle Greene spoke up on behalf of the Brasuell family, the owners of the site. He noted that they owned several business locations in that area, and would do nothing that would jeopardize the value of those properties.

Said Greene, “The Brasuells have agreed to do whatever it takes to change the landscape around the property. They can do it as a monolithic pole or a “pine tree” tower.”

The council unanimously approved both the variances and the use permit.

In other business, the aldermen approved starting the condemnation process for about 20 buildings/structures that do not meet the city’s codes.

Ruston City Council Tonight

Ruston’s Board of Aldermen will meet in regular session this afternoon (5:30 PM, Monday, March 1) at the Ruston City Hall, 401 North Trenton.

Here is the agenda.