The Leesville City Council held a public hearing before the regular meeting to announce the introduction of two ordinances. Ordinance 9 of 2025 will amend the Leesville Code of Ordinances Section 46-32/Garage Sales permit. Ordinance 10 of 2025 revokes the road right-of-way named Herrington Street in the city limits of Leesville. This was requested by the City Planning Commission.
During the regular meeting, monthly bills of $108,029.49 were presented to the Council. City Engineer Mark McCarty reported on the ballpark lift station project receiving an increase in grant funding. The 2025 street rehab project bids will be announced at the next meeting. Apeck Construction was the apparent low bidder.
Fort Johnson Garrison Commander, Col. C.J. Lopez, addressed the Council his last time as Garrison Commander. He will transition to Chief of Staff but is staying in the area. Lopez said the entire Iowa National Guard is in rotation at JRTC through the middle of July. This represents 5900 troops and 200 support personnel. Traffic will be heavy on the installation. Lopez also relayed a change of command at Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital. July 30 will be the date of a rotation support update for local leaders. October 22 will be the date for the Cenla Economic Engagement, which will include regional and state leaders gathering on post.
Attorney Karen White, a grant facilitator, spoke on a recent grant from the U.S. Forestry Service and USDA, the first of its kind in the state of Louisiana. The grant is for the development of plans to advance a plan to combat wildfires and form a better municipal firefighting strategy.
Resolutions were introduced the rest of the meeting. The City will advertise for bids to fence two baseball fields at the recreation complex. A resolution was offered to engage with local digital creator/social influencer, Jessica Herring, to provide public relations service.
A resolution was offered to authorize the initial payment of $31,244.21 to begin with construction of the new splash pad at the recreation complex. A pair of resolutions will award Apeck Construction, LLC the work on the new walking path and new cart path at the Leesville Municipal Golf Course.
A resolution was offered to award Charles Welch Trucking & Dirt Work with the retention pond construction project.
Much discussion was given to a resolution to approve an event permit application submitted by Jason Smith of CW Stables to host a Juneteenth Trail Ride on Sunday, June 15. The discussion centered on horses, safety and clean up. Council members approved the event.
A resolution to award GEO Surfacing the infield turf project at the recreation complex was given the green light.
Apeck Construction was the lowest responsible bidder for the replacement of the ballpark lift station. A resolution was approved to award the bid.
The final resolution of the meeting was to advertise for bids to clear 15 acres of debris at the recreation complex.
Leesville Police Chief, Beth Westlake, introduced three of the four new city police officers who recently completed Academy training. Chief Westlake commented that the officers had prior military experience and had settled their families in Leesville.
The next meeting of the Leesville City Council is set for Monday, June 23, at 10 a.m.