LMR September 2020

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LPS NEGOTIATESAFFORDABLE PRICINGFOR OUTDOOR PUBLICINFRASTRUCTUREINCLUDING PLAYGROUNDS,LIGHTING AND FLAG POLES.USE YOURSMARTPHONECAMERA TOVISIT LPS &CONTACT USFOR MOREINFO!FLY FLAGSWITH PRIDEIN PARKS &OTHER PUBLICSPACES!LET LAMATSKEEP COSTSDOWN &OLD GLORYFLYING HIGHThe Louisiana Municipal Review, the official publication of the Louisiana Municipal Association, serves as a medium for the exchangeof ideas and information for municipal officials in Louisiana. With a circulation of over 3,200, this publication is read by employees ofLouisiana municipal governments, sheriffs, parish presidents, state government officials, and members of the state legislature andCongressional delegation, among others. Subscription rate: $24 per year; Single copy: $2. Louisiana residents, add 9% sales tax.Rates for display, professional-listing, and classified advertising available upon request at editor@lma.org.Statements or expressions of opinions appearing herein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the LouisianaMunicipal Association. Publication of any advertisement shall not be considered an endorsement of the product or service involved.No material from this publication may be reprinted without the express permission of the editor.Editorial offices: Louisiana Municipal Association, 700 North 10th Street, Suite 400, Post Office Box 4327, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4327, editor@lma.org, www.lma.org, (225) 344-5001, (800) 234-8274, FAX (225) 344-3057.LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL REVIEWMUNICIPAL REVIEW STAFF(USPS 832-560) (ISSN 0164-3622)Executive Director: John Gallagher jgallagher@lma.org3 rd class postage paid atManaging Editor: Karen Day White kwhite@lma.orgBaton Rouge, Louisiana.Postmaster – Send address changes to:Editor: Anita Tillman atillman@lma.orgLOUISIANA MUNICIPAL REVIEWProduction Coordinator: Baton Rouge Press, Inc.Post Office Box 4327Baton Rouge, LA 70821-43272020-2021 LMA EXECUTIVE BOARD (non-affiliate, non-advisory)President – Jimmy Williams – Mayor, SibleyDistrict J Vice President – Rodney Grogan, Mayor, PattersonFirst Vice President – Michael Chauffe – Mayor, Grosse Tete LMA Past President – Barney Arceneaux, Mayor, GonzalesSecond Vice President– Jennifer Vidrine – Mayor, Ville Platte LMA Past President – Glenn Brasseaux, Mayor, CarencroImmediate Past President – Harry Lewis – Mayor, RayvilleLMA Past President – David Butler, Mayor, WoodworthDistrict A Vice President – Peggy Adkins, Mayor, SareptaLMA Past President – David Camardelle, Mayor, Grand IsleDistrict B Vice President – Ronny Walker, Mayor, RustonLMA Past President – Clarence Fields, Mayor, PinevilleDistrict C Vice President – Adam Holland, Mayor, Oak Grove LMA Past President – Norman Heine, Councilman, BakerDistrict D Vice President – Rick Allen, Mayor, LeesvilleVice President at Large – Mark Piazza, Mayor, AbbevilleDistrict E Vice President – Nathan Martin, Councilman, Pineville Vice President at Large – Darnell Waites, Mayor, BakerDistrict F Vice President – Charles James, Mayor, SunsetVice President (< 1K) – Kevin Colligan, Mayor, CanktonDistrict G Vice President – Kenneth Stinson, Mayor, VintonVice President (1K – 2.5K) – Johnny Natt, Mayor, ManghamDistrict H Vice President – David Toups, Mayor, AddisVice President (2.5K – 5K) – Robert Hardey, Mayor, WestlakeDistrict I Vice President – VacantPage 2LMR | SEPTEMBER 2020
Inside the LMADirector’s ViewpointRECOVERING AND REBUILDINGBY JOHN GALLAGHER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR“When the burdens of thepresidency seem unusuallyheavy, I always remind myselfit could be worse. I could be amayor.” This quote by the 36thPresident of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson,was invoked by Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunterduring his introductory remarks for an August 19thvirtual press conference sponsored by the LMA andthe National League of Cities. Those words provedprophetic when, only one week later, Lake Charles feltthe full brunt of Hurricane Laura, the most powerfulstorm to hit Louisiana in 150 years. Laura wroughtcatastrophic destruction throughout the city, alongwith devastating infrastructure, homes, and businessesin other southwest Louisiana municipalities, includingDeQuincy, Sulphur, Vinton, DeRidder, and Westlake.The storm continued its path of ruin through centraland north Louisiana, prompting the issuance ofhurricane warnings in Ruston and Shreveport forthe first time ever. A sobering fact that puts thingsinto perspective for me: over 20,000 miles of powerlines were felled by the storm, almost enough tocircumnavigate the globe. In all, 23 parishes have beendeclared as federal disaster areas.As the mayors of these municipalities strive toeffectively manage disaster recovery, many continueto struggle. Thank you to all of the LMA members whohave sent essential workers to these areas, openedshelters for those who have been displaced, and sentcritical supplies to throughout the state. GovernorEdwards, GOHSEP, and state agencies have beenboots-on-the ground since before the storm madelandfall and they continue to work around the clock incollaboration with federal partners to move recoveryefforts along as quickly as possible. But efficientand successful recovery also demands public-privatepartnerships, so we are particularly grateful to allof the utility companies, communications providers,and the Louisiana Rural Water Association for theirdiligence in restoring infrastructure so we can get ourfellow Louisianans back home to safely rebuild.Of course, this recent storm devastation occurredagainst the backdrop of the ongoing COVID-19pandemic. Louisiana is still number one per capitain infections, though, thankfully, recent statisticshave demonstrated a decline in both infections andhospitalizations. The fiscal crisisfacing LMA members acrossthe state because of thepandemic also continuesto build. Tax revenues,fees, and other sources ofrevenue have drasticallydeclined, making itdifficult for municipalitiesto continue to provide basicservices as part of the ongoingfight against COVID-19.As mentioned above, a virtual press conference washeld on August 19, during which Mayor David Butlerof Woodworth, Mayor Ronny Walker of Ruston,Mayor Ben Zahn of Kenner, and Mayor Nic Hunter ofLake Charles spoke about the effects that decliningrevenue is having on their respective budgets andoperations. All four mayors emphasized the needfor direct aid to local governments as part of thenext stimulus package, an issue that is currentlylocked in a congressional stalemate. I urge you tocontact our congressional delegation and tell themthat direct funding to locals is a critical part of asuccessful economic recovery, not only in Louisiana,but throughout the United States. Thank you againto Mayors Butler, Walker, Zahn, and Hunter for theireloquence and insight. We were very pleased with thestatewide media coverage that we received on thiscritical issue.Regretfully, Hurricane Laura forced postponement ofthe remainder of the workshops for the 2020 LMAVirtual Convention. I felt it was necessary to do so forour many members who were affected by the storm,so that they may focus on recovery at this time. Wewill announce new dates for those workshops, alongwith details about the award ceremony for winners ofour annual Community Achievement Awards.Please continue to take care of yourselves and eachother and keep those affected by Hurricane Laurain your thoughts and prayers. If you would like tocontribute funds or other donations to the affectedareas, please contact area United Way offices, the RedCross, or other reputable non-profit or faith-basedorganizations in these areas.LMR | SEPTEMBER 2020 Page 3
Page 1: Louisiana Municipal ReviewPUBLISHED
Page 5 and 6: Inside the LMAHUD Announces Disaste
Page 7 and 8: Inside the LMALegal BriefsSO, WHERE
Page 9 and 10: MunicipalitiesLMA’s Strong Congre
Page 11 and 12: Municipalitiesflowing again by open
Page 13 and 14: A Word fromOur AffiliatesJennifer V
Page 15 and 16: Partner InsightRural DevelopmentUSD
Page 17 and 18: Damage Assessment is Critical to Re
Page 19 and 20: FeatureBossier: 1Ouachita: 2Tensas:
Page 21 and 22: FeatureALWAYS ONFOR YOU.JOHN M. SCH
Page 23 and 24: Feature“So many have lost so much

LMR September 2020

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