Council addresses emergency services funding, rezoning requests, and property condemnations during Oct. 9 regular meeting
PORT ALLEN — The West Baton Rouge Parish Council conducted its regular meeting Thursday, Oct. 9, addressing public records policies, emergency services funding, rezoning requests, and property condemnations.
Public Records Fee Structure Updated
The council voted 9-0 on Resolution 13.B to support a new fee schedule for public records requests that would charge up to $1 per page—four times Louisiana’s official state standard of 25 cents per page (effective upon custodian adoption under La. R.S. 44:32(C)(1)). Councilman Alan Crowe made the motion; Councilman Brady Hotard seconded.
For detailed coverage of the fee structure, approval process, and officials’ responses, see: WBR Council Appears to Violate State Open Meetings Law While Quadrupling Public Records Fees – Oct. 15, 2025
Emergency Services Facility – 25% Match Authorized
The council voted 9-0 on Resolution 13.A authorizing Parish President Jason Manola to enter into an Entity-State agreement with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LaDOTD) to provide a 25% match for the Emergency Services Facility State Project No. 50-J61-24-01. The agreement allows the parish to partner with the state on emergency services infrastructure improvements, with LaDOTD covering 75% of eligible project costs.
Rezoning and Land Use Actions
MBK Land LLC – Highway 190: The council held public hearings on Ordinances 10.B and 10.C (public hearings held Oct. 9; final votes pending) for Michael Kauffman with MBK Land LLC regarding property at 838 Highway 190 West. The requests include:
- Special use permit for wrecker service/storage facility in I-2 industrial zone (4.59 acres, Belair Industrial Park)
- Special use permit for commercial seasonal fireworks in I-2 industrial zone
Both requests apply to the same property (Tract E-7 & W P/O Tract E-8).
Subdivision Ordinance: The council held a public hearing on Ordinance 10.D (public hearing held Oct. 9; final action scheduled for next meeting) amending subdivision design standards and improvement requirements in Chapter 105.
Property Condemnations Ratified
The council ratified condemnations for two derelict structures (Item 14):
6713 Highway 190 West: Property owned by Harlan and Janet Cashiola (Lot Z, 2.62 acres, Case #2025-488)
7590 Highway 190 West: Property owned by Augustine Bingham et al. (0.5766 acres, Case #2025-721)
Both properties met parish standards for condemnation of derelict structures.
Budget Amendments Introduced
The council introduced ordinances (Items 11.A-B) for 2025 budget amendments affecting:
- Fire Department budgeted expenses (public hearing Oct. 23)
- Detention Center budgeted expenses (public hearing Oct. 23)
Both ordinances amend the fiscal year beginning Jan. 1, 2025 and ending Dec. 31, 2025.
Detention Center Project Bid
The council accepted administration’s bid recommendation (Item 12.A) for the detention center project, pending contract execution.
Public Comment
Port Allen businessman Louis B. Vielee addressed the council during general public comment, expressing concerns about the council making “pre-made decisions” rather than fully deliberating agenda items during meetings.
Council Chairman Carey Denstel responded that lengthy meetings demonstrate the council does listen and make adjustments based on public input.
Parish President’s Report
Parish President Manola provided updates on ongoing parish initiatives including drainage studies, road maintenance throughout the 192-square-mile parish, and economic development discussions with potential businesses.
Administrative Actions
The council approved routine administrative items including budget amendments for various departments, personnel actions, purchase authorizations within approved budgets, and agreements with state and federal agencies.
Additional Ordinances Introduced
Council Meeting Attendance: Ordinance 11.C amending Chapter 22 (Elections), Article I, Section 22-3 regarding council meeting attendance and roll call (public hearing Oct. 23)
Abandoned Vehicles: Ordinance 11.D amending Chapter 109 (Property Maintenance) regarding abandonment of junked vehicles and other items, enacting new sections 109-104 through 109-112 (public hearing Oct. 23)
General Provisions Amendment: Ordinance 10.A amending Chapter 111 (Administration and Enforcement), Article IV (Zoning Enforcement), Section 111-78 regarding special and conditional use requirements and procedures (public hearing held Oct. 9)
Next Steps
The council’s next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 23, 2025 at 5:30 PM, with public hearings on several introduced ordinances.
Regular council meetings are held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 5:30 PM at the West Baton Rouge Parish Government Building, 880 North Alexander Avenue, Port Allen.
Agendas and meeting videos are available at wbrparish.org.
What Passed Thursday:
- Resolution 13.A: Emergency services facility 25% match authorization (9-0)
- Resolution 13.B: Public records fee support (9-0, custodian adoption pending)
- Property condemnations ratified: Two derelict structures on Highway 190 West
- Detention center project bid accepted, pending contract execution
- Public hearings held on zoning/subdivision ordinances (final votes pending)
- Budget amendment ordinances introduced (Fire, Detention Center)
Sources:
- West Baton Rouge Parish Council Meeting, Oct. 9, 2025
- West Baton Rouge Parish Council Agenda, Oct. 9, 2025
- Official meeting transcript and video recording
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