[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6670198,"mediaKeyId","2172870-57b63d38e0e5fbd445d0f5536504d619","parentId",2172870,"title","Resident tells council city lighting supply list contains errors and discourages competitive bids","audioSeconds",234,"startMs",7247000,"endMs",7481000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172870-57b63d38e0e5fbd445d0f5536504d619&start=7247&end=7481","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172870-57b63d38e0e5fbd445d0f5536504d619/thumbnail_7247000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6670198/Kenner-City/Jefferson-Parish/Louisiana/Resident-tells-council-city-lighting-supply-list-contains-errors-and-discourages-competitive-bids","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6670198-e964ff35856ea47ae718318b6e654f55/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198370&Signature=fdwHhC~rEwsYpghMNpgvpC8FvtoFYIITl~cGDSvMj5TuGkam3U5mtRL08C0iT1zGo7UQ2caNfT57ILXSRB1wVpS7uGz8-Jd1qJRWp0whLdzcorJ6lJ5MojoG7SZKeq7PxLa1LhM~et5MKVxO3QWXYRqy0oMhgnHpPjvHcen6YAgzdeuRkquMUHhW2IM8uX8H8z8tb5mo7VSOp~YyrWrAevpx3rRf5p5DfdP74ngVzQSEyX0tdO3fA4Z~cCTHsLeXbewdzrnQ6d1iWFOocFvB2x2FMqyTec~nNN39KktFSoPFa2I-ofl6CAAW~obDjF2QhEVttC9LblWv0mRMaTCEBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kenner","date","2025-01-25T05:51:49.27Z","article","Kenner resident Ryan Nugent told the City Council on Jan. 24 that the city’s lighting supply list used in municipal solicitations is so outdated and error-prone that it effectively prevents competitive bids.

Nugent, who said his background includes architecture and lighting, gave specific examples: he said a fixture used in Chateau Estates appears to be marked up more than 270 percent on the city’s list (he cited a GE representative’s estimate of about $1,700 per fixture versus a city contract price of $4,595), multiple item-specification codes are indecipherable or duplicated, and many entries reference out-of-production high-pressure sodium fixtures.

“If this one supply list is this much of a disaster, what does that mean for the other non-lighting related supply lists the city uses?” Nugent asked, arguing that the errors make it impractical for any vendor other than the incumbent to prepare a responsive bid without substantial follow-up from the city.

Nugent said he had offered the city free consultations with lighting experts but that those offers had not been accepted. He told the council the situation imposes a cost on taxpayers because it reduces procurement competition.

Councilmembers did not take action at the meeting but Nugent said he had delivered documentation to staff and remains available to assist in reviewing the specification list.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kenner Council Meeting 1/24/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A Kenner resident, an architect by training, told the council that the city’s street-lighting supply list contains out‑of‑production items, transposition errors and inflated fixture prices that would prevent competitive bidding. He said he had offered free technical help that staff had not yet taken up.","taxTitle","Kenner City, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana","taxId",4994,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6670204,"Resident urges Kenner council to raise firefighter starting pay after millage passage",404,6876000,7280000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172870-57b63d38e0e5fbd445d0f5536504d619&start=6876&end=7280","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172870-57b63d38e0e5fbd445d0f5536504d619/thumbnail_6876000.jpg","/articles/6670204/Kenner-City/Jefferson-Parish/Louisiana/Resident-urges-Kenner-council-to-raise-firefighter-starting-pay-after-millage-passage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6670204-86fa096c362be3eed44fed70b0ee3e9a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198370&Signature=Nz-XdoyCitgU6eMefM40GcoYzGGYFPsuiwIltp3AOBs6lN4oC8XtNrpm8vwrY5reaVPAOiJSd-slmdTdLc4GlBWSRlTPbP-jrF3RNAs43znZ-6o8bpm3J79thnvJVShspSfvw~EFAaeAcs8e3vkkQTC-NxemYd4QglzNHvM7hM44Uh8fUg6i9m4dAR8FWu9y3HdKFwiLNUuALoPVGwCQfJJZYmq2n7N~VZNdNVJMwNKyG6CxbFQlAYgZpXrSGgfYkSQ1A2BwhGw9iwqYKkDRQfK8MoXcVSNwW8RdQifAPQVJTq51X3PLj7vAZzEh0rM-MtUpnr5VLoniW3hPIUORug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ricky Lee, a Kenner resident, told the City Council on Jan. 24 that recent comments he’s heard indicating firefighters would be paid a $13 hourly starting rate were “insulting and hard to believe” after voters approved a fire millage.

“I would hope the starting pay for firefighters and police officers would at least be that much or higher,” Lee said, referencing $15-an-hour starting wages he has seen advertised for retail and fast-food jobs. He urged the council to adopt a salary structure to retain firefighters and reduce turnover to other parishes.

Councilmember Brannigan responded that total compensation for Kenner firefighters includes overtime and a state supplemental payment, and that when those elements are averaged the effective hourly rate is substantially higher than the base-pay figure cited by Lee. Brannigan said his review of payroll cycles and supplements shows an effective hourly figure in the mid-to-high teens.

Members of the council and the fire department offered to follow up after the meeting. Council leadership suggested Lee and staff discuss the matter outside the public-comment period to allow more detailed review of pay scales, recruitment and retention strategies.

Lee’s remarks drew attention to the interplay between base pay, overtime, state supplements and retention; the council did not take action during the meeting but staff said they would continue to review compensation in the context of the recently passed millage.","A resident asked the council to raise starting wages for firefighters, calling a reported $13 hourly start rate inadequate compared with retail and fast-food pay; a council member and staff responded with figures that argued total compensation is closer to regional comparators.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6670208,"Votes at a glance: Kenner City Council, Jan. 24, 2025",3944,2240000,6184000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172870-57b63d38e0e5fbd445d0f5536504d619&start=2240&end=6184","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172870-57b63d38e0e5fbd445d0f5536504d619/thumbnail_2240000.jpg","/articles/6670208/Kenner-City/Jefferson-Parish/Louisiana/Votes-at-a-glance-Kenner-City-Council-Jan-24-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6670208-d331f8683b05737f250c3e72fe73ebe4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198370&Signature=k0rUp4wVzvPemHt4cafpCnU5mSzeNOnFfWl86mOrgPHe8ggbHnHLh3WV~o-tT4aumr4O9oWbTc0Y7Dcn9MdDV6GA3cRRFd4n-e80ofA7rfcIHZgzIpJMqj4ktVWbpJk9kQ3QjR8g8j~Js2~ncJh6lIR5zyQBx~SrussOLktniSivwBm6QVgKWXIB6gfjZQHZCwmz8UTlG1mVTuOBivdQjl~~xzpTelG6Gt4aNu6rO4ik9DwW-wgVnwJdV70aqAXtdyvTTGadLkVH-fSTCNpOhHRRzqLyPGfiuvsxLEnxJll7SrY5Wp16ZabZ4Xz9C1BaCQyMF3RBxuUXDHCJ4rsz2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its Jan. 24 meeting the Kenner City Council approved multiple consent items, emergency repairs, and procurement awards. All items below were approved by voice vote with no recorded dissents unless noted.

- Consent agenda and permits: Council approved minutes for the regular council meeting, several alcoholic-beverage permits and public-gathering/bingo permits (Rivertown festivals, Kenner Graw and Kenner Black Heritage Festival). Motion carried on a consent motion by Councilmember Wilmot, seconded by Councilmember Brennan (6-0).

- Abatement/demolition: Council approved a resolution to demolish 1235 Roosevelt Boulevard after a public hearing and presentation by code enforcement and the city-appointed curator (see separate article).

- Emergency repair and procurement approvals (summary of passed items):
• Summary Ordinance No. 13,700 — ratify emergency HVAC repair for Kenner Police Department: $8,952 to Beacon Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration, Inc. (approved 6-0).
• Summary Ordinance No. 13,721 — guaranteed maximum price amendment for Fire Station 38: GMP set at $5,384,123 (approved 6-0). See separate article for details.
• Summary Ordinance No. 13,722 — purchase of 135 firefighting helmets from Casco Industries: not to exceed $31,977 (approved 6-0).
• Summary Ordinance No. 13,723 — purchase of 270 Majestic PAC 2 P84 hoods from Casco Industries: not to exceed $10,732.50 (approved 6-0).
• Summary Ordinance No. 13,724 — ratify emergency repair of Fire Engine 376 (adjusted amount): amended from $5,993.58 to $24,182.78 to cover internal engine repairs (approved 6-0).
• Summary Ordinance No. 13,725 — purchase of 135 firefighting gloves from Delta Fire & Safety, Inc.: not to exceed $10,422 (approved 6-0).
• Summary Ordinance No. 13,726 — ratify emergency repair of the 24th and Delaware Lift Station pump No. 2 by Fluid Process & Pumps: $32,378 (approved 6-0).

Most procurement items were accepted as the lowest responsive bids or ratifications of emergency repairs. Where staff raised amendments (for example, the GMP for Fire Station 38 and the engine repair amount), the council considered and approved the amendments before final passage.

Motions were generally moved and seconded by councilmembers and approved by unanimous voice vote; the clerk recorded motions and certified the votes.","The council approved a slate of permits, emergency repairs, equipment purchases and project contracts. Key votes included a demolition order for 1235 Roosevelt, a $5.384 million GMP for Fire Station 38, and several emergency repairs and equipment procurements.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6670211,"Kenner approves $5.38 million guaranteed maximum price for new Fire Station 38",678,5252000,5930000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172870-57b63d38e0e5fbd445d0f5536504d619&start=5252&end=5930","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172870-57b63d38e0e5fbd445d0f5536504d619/thumbnail_5252000.jpg","/articles/6670211/Kenner-City/Jefferson-Parish/Louisiana/Kenner-approves-538-million-guaranteed-maximum-price-for-new-Fire-Station-38","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6670211-f00ae0d6c1c47ee1aa39bcb8d5a88e25/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198370&Signature=OvAmXtmtNTQziVRg095qB2wqxFTPtyrDFtzA8TzRz4GjG9TwZ0chtu7dq5sYG55xAsS8hFycD0PP4WZS0bznWRBeDtaKXR3HBC~sMJwd6w-n2v54doQZ-6NC2QzRUaBq0KQcr04K~L0dlhE37isr3aceIbfJFAi-HQFKgjR~gpw6kV1uJZnRb2BzSxqdgpTAAUlF8zA0mn6kRr060pYu9hVEoEO4jUfhyBOgvT6trsKgegUJcCuM1JAfSFoG9XjS5VoOb~LpNAQDdRhFZNVkfMscPST1LHGrBuMPg643One-F4IMSEcwNVJNWUfTXTwmjd~b0UaTZaXaX-IK0lAMiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kenner City Council unanimously approved an amendment on Jan. 24 that sets a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) of $5,384,123 for construction of Fire Station 38.

City project staff said the station will be a single-story, three-bay facility of roughly 9,600 square feet, will include a 200-kW generator and was designed to exceed code wind-load requirements (roughly 150–155 mph). Under the construction-management-at-risk (CMAR) approach used for the project, the contractor and design team worked together during design and submitted a guaranteed price that includes roughly $304,000 in allowances for items such as site utilities and landscaping.

\"That $5,384,123 is the guaranteed maximum price that we'll pay for it,\" Kenner Fire Chief Morris said after staff explained the amendment. Chief Morris said the city received approximately $3.5 million from the state to help fund the project; remaining funding will come from the recently approved fire millage and anticipated general-fund allocations. City staff said roughly $800,000 of the state allocation remains available for construction.

Staff described the 16-month construction schedule (weather permitting) and said, with the ordinance adopted, they expected to begin construction in March 2025. The station site was relocated from its former location near Loyola Drive because of airport ingress/egress improvements; the new site is on Duke Street.

Under the CMAR procurement method, the contractor (Gibbs Construction LLC) will deliver the project for the GMP unless unexpected, defined conditions arise; allowances in the GMP may be unused and would reduce the final price. Councilmember Brennan moved and Councilmember McKenney seconded the amendment; both the amendment and the ordinance as amended passed 6-0.

City officials said the station will expand the department’s response capacity and will be built to modern standards for resilience and emergency operations.","The Kenner City Council set a $5,384,123 guaranteed maximum price for construction of Fire Station 38 and approved the amended ordinance 6-0. City staff said the state contributed about $3.5 million; the remainder will come from the fire millage and the general fund.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6670216,"Kenner council votes 6-0 to demolish unsafe house at 1235 Roosevelt Boulevard",1747,4623000,6370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172870-57b63d38e0e5fbd445d0f5536504d619&start=4623&end=6370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172870-57b63d38e0e5fbd445d0f5536504d619/thumbnail_4623000.jpg","/articles/6670216/Kenner-City/Jefferson-Parish/Louisiana/Kenner-council-votes-6-0-to-demolish-unsafe-house-at-1235-Roosevelt-Boulevard","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6670216-7962a3f1201d719d23badb34c131c546/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198370&Signature=BZjLaZNEk2rgsq2D7IZn7jxD1ATTtwBwKdtrG0x9QPUukOpAoZJV6X74jEuC0TZqxgX7TjruJt5Vzs3LEhJWqj5Mb-ne5vT6StYoHTqMbUxnFwNGfn~zd22fPdO7W1k-ABEsGXuT7EBYcCFR0WDJgKoPQ78FPWM2yP8tse84hmU-AWzGpt-OHUUY3DIAPco331dfR37ExDmuQ-A3o83wS8mBsr0A8qMY09WpPIJsx61dRPrBRxvHAYeFYcaKUtasnLa9czjv23z8kHVWI-xDeIVLGTXKds3qnOlBAgVbaumh4x66QsVv5uj6qxUEI6r6oBSS-mHX7Y8Tya4JyUM7Mg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kenner City Council voted 6-0 on Jan. 24 to order the demolition of a vacant structure at 1235 Roosevelt Boulevard after code enforcement staff said an engineer found the building to be a public hazard.

Code Enforcement Officer Miss Topple told the council the city’s engineer documented “inadequate maintenance, dilapidation and/or abandonment” including boarded windows, missing siding, wood rot in exterior wall framing, missing soffit and fascia, and a collapsed carport cover. Topple said the property’s water service has been inactive since Aug. 29, 2022, Entergy’s meter was turned off in October 2024 and the sewer line was capped on Jan. 14, 2025.

“Based on the report of the engineer, the structure is a serious public hazard and [we] recommend the city take the steps necessary to demolish the structure and abate the violations,” Topple told the council during the public hearing.

The mayor had appointed LeBlanc Fanteze & Villio LLC as curator for the owner after the city was unable to reach the property owner. The appointed curator told the council they had researched the estate, located an obituary for the listed owner, identified a likely son, James Stewart, and sent certified letters that were signed and returned. The curator said they also ran newspaper notice ads and had received no contact from anyone claiming ownership or responsibility.

The city provided a demolition-cost estimate based on a recent comparable job (400 Ferrara) and said the likely cost would be in the neighborhood of $29,430, though a contractor estimate could not be completed on schedule because of inclement weather.

Councilmember Brannigan moved to close the public hearing and then moved the demolition resolution; Councilmember Lehat seconded both motions. The council voted unanimously to demolish the property “within the time allowed by law,” as the motion stated.

Acting-city officials and the district representative said the property is one of several in District 2 that the city plans to address to improve neighborhood safety and conditions.

The city’s code-enforcement presentation, the curator’s summary of outreach, and the council’s demolition vote were documented in the meeting minutes and public hearing record.","The Kenner City Council voted unanimously to demolish a derelict house at 1235 Roosevelt Blvd after code enforcement and an engineer found structural decay, missing utilities and safety hazards. The city appointed a curator and expects demolition costs roughly in line with a recent comparable job.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident tells council city lighting supply list contains errors and discourages competitive bids

Resident urges Kenner council to raise firefighter starting pay after millage passage

Votes at a glance: Kenner City Council, Jan. 24, 2025

Kenner approves $5.38 million guaranteed maximum price for new Fire Station 38

Kenner council votes 6-0 to demolish unsafe house at 1235 Roosevelt Boulevard