By William Midkiff
On the evening of Feb. 7, Ruston City Council had its monthly meeting, during which several items were introduced and several more were passed, including an ordinance that will save the city $700,000.
The first item discussed was a resolution to publish a notice of intent to amend the boundaries of economic development for District No. 1.
The amendment of these boundaries, which will be voted on as an ordinance during next month’s meeting, would add two new restaurants to the district: the McAlister’s Deli in the Walmart parking lot and the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen on Farmerville Hwy.
The ordinance would also delete from the district a restaurant called The Platter, which was a sandwich place.
The resolution passed unanimously, meaning that the vote to amend those boundaries will be taking place next month.
Next, a resolution to authorize extension of city utilities beyond the corporate city limits was considered. This resolution would allow Rhodes Properties and Development to use the city’s power to facilitate the development of a subdivision called The Reserve at Moore’s Dairy Subdivision.
The resolution passed unanimously.
The next resolution considered was to accept $59,000 in grant money that Ruston was offered through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to be put toward the airport. Mayor Ronny Walker confirmed during the meeting that this money was offered freely, meaning that the city would not have to match the funds in any way.
The resolution passed unanimously.
The next two resolutions called for the city to enter into contract with Amethyst Construction on two new road revitalization projects. Amethyst Construction was the lowest qualified bidder for these projects, and therefore was granted the opportunity to work with the city.
These two projects will be the second and third that Amethyst Construction have partnered with the city on.
Between the three projects, Amethyst Construction is roughly $4.2 million over budget. Mayor Ronny Walker is hopeful that this overage can be counteracted.
The resolution passed unanimously, fulfilling the contract.
The final item of the night was an ordinance to award the sale of the Economic Development District No. 1’s bonds to Origin bank at a 1.85 interest rate. The decrease of this interest rate from 3.07, as presented in last month’s meeting, was considered a great achievement for Ruston, as it will save the city $700,000.
The public hearing for the ordinance was silent, and it was unanimously passed by the council.
