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A public hearing Thursday night took an uncomfortable turn when a question from resident Bill LeBlanc turned into a heated exchange with City Council member Stuart Moss, and later, into a shouting match outside the chambers.
The special meeting was called in order to hold a public hearing on the City’s proposed acquisition of the building that once housed the Old Tyme Variety Store.
The City plans to purchase the 12,000 square foot building, which is at the corner of Ruth and Cypress streets, for $475,000 and turn it into a judicial center.
Money for the purchase will come from what is left of a City Hall renovation account, which is about $250,000, and the general fund. Sulphur City Court Judge Charlie Schrumpf and Ward 4 Marshal Billy Guidry are also expected to contribute toward the remodeling of the building. Each will move their respect offices and staff into the new center.
“For the remodeling portion, $250,000 is being put up by Judge Schrumpf. Billy Guidry is paying for cameras and security items for the building,” said the mayor.
Sulphur resident Bill LeBlanc stepped up to address the Council on his concerns about the project.
“I just have concerns about one thing: the deficit,” said LeBlanc. “We have an $880,000 deficit, and we will have a million three next year. I thought we should be more concerned about that.”
“If I owed $880,000, I wouldn’t be borrowing or spending another half million,” he added.
LeBlanc then addressed Moss directly, stating, “I also heard said that this isn’t going to cost the taxpayers anything, is that right, Mr. Moss?”
“You have money in an account, in a building fund. The taxpayers are still paying for it. If you are quoting me, please make sure you quote me correctly,” responded the Council member.
The exchange quickly turned into a heated debate about whether LeBlanc was quoting Moss or asking him a question. LeBlanc apologized for the misunderstanding. However, at the meeting’s end, the two became involved in a shouting match outside the Council chambers when LeBlanc reportedly directed some heated personal comments toward Moss. The Sulphur Police were on-hand, separating the two and keeping the situation from becoming physical.
Chief Inspector Keith Berry addressed concerns about environmental issues at the building. It was a feed store at one time.
“We are aware the facility once held fertilizer, and we have no records of any concerns for environmental purposes. As far as asbestos, there was no inspection for asbestos, but through my inspection, we did notice there was only concrete floors and nothing suspicious that would have asbestos in there,” said Berry, adding that there was some existing mold and water stains on a couple of pieces of sheetrock which was a result of hurricane damage and considered nonactive but would be easily remedied during renovations.
The planned center will house the courthouse, the city judge and his staff’s offices, the Ward 4 Marshal and his staff’s offices, and holding cells. The current location of the Marshal’s office could then be used by the prosecutor and perhaps the city attorney as well. Council chambers could then be moved into the current courthouse with the City Clerk possibly maintaining an office there as well. The Sulphur Police Department would then be allowed to expand into the current Council Chambers location on North Huntington.
The Council and mayor also discussed the possibility of shutting off the road between the proposed judicial center site and the current courthouse to help with the expansion. According to the mayor, no other property faces the road at that location.
“The purpose of [the purchase] is to put everyone in a central location,” said Mayor Duncan, who also stressed to all parties that it was not something that would happen overnight and that it must be designed to be functional for all entities.
Marshal Guidry and City Clerk Dee Davis each spoke of the need for additional space. Expansion at their current locations is an impossibility, or near to one.
Council members were in apparent agreement on the need for providing the new space.
“We have the money set aside. Let’s utilize that money,” said Moss. “This is a long term project. This is something that will benefit the city down the road as we run out of space. We can’t wait until we are totally incapable of expanding.”
The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 13.
On the web:
www.sulphur.org
A public hearing Thursday night took an uncomfortable turn when a question from resident Bill LeBlanc turned into a heated exchange with City Council member Stuart Moss, and later, into a shouting match outside the chambers.
The special meeting was called in order to hold a public hearing on the City’s proposed acquisition of the building that once housed the Old Tyme Variety Store.
The City plans to purchase the 12,000 square foot building, which is at the corner of Ruth and Cypress streets, for $475,000 and turn it into a judicial center.
Money for the purchase will come from what is left of a City Hall renovation account, which is about $250,000, and the general fund. Sulphur City Court Judge Charlie Schrumpf and Ward 4 Marshal Billy Guidry are also expected to contribute toward the remodeling of the building. Each will move their respect offices and staff into the new center.
“For the remodeling portion, $250,000 is being put up by Judge Schrumpf. Billy Guidry is paying for cameras and security items for the building,” said the mayor.
Sulphur resident Bill LeBlanc stepped up to address the Council on his concerns about the project.
“I just have concerns about one thing: the deficit,” said LeBlanc. “We have an $880,000 deficit, and we will have a million three next year. I thought we should be more concerned about that.”
“If I owed $880,000, I wouldn’t be borrowing or spending another half million,” he added.
LeBlanc then addressed Moss directly, stating, “I also heard said that this isn’t going to cost the taxpayers anything, is that right, Mr. Moss?”
“You have money in an account, in a building fund. The taxpayers are still paying for it. If you are quoting me, please make sure you quote me correctly,” responded the Council member.
The exchange quickly turned into a heated debate about whether LeBlanc was quoting Moss or asking him a question. LeBlanc apologized for the misunderstanding. However, at the meeting’s end, the two became involved in a shouting match outside the Council chambers when LeBlanc reportedly directed some heated personal comments toward Moss. The Sulphur Police were on-hand, separating the two and keeping the situation from becoming physical.
Chief Inspector Keith Berry addressed concerns about environmental issues at the building. It was a feed store at one time.
“We are aware the facility once held fertilizer, and we have no records of any concerns for environmental purposes. As far as asbestos, there was no inspection for asbestos, but through my inspection, we did notice there was only concrete floors and nothing suspicious that would have asbestos in there,” said Berry, adding that there was some existing mold and water stains on a couple of pieces of sheetrock which was a result of hurricane damage and considered nonactive but would be easily remedied during renovations.
The planned center will house the courthouse, the city judge and his staff’s offices, the Ward 4 Marshal and his staff’s offices, and holding cells. The current location of the Marshal’s office could then be used by the prosecutor and perhaps the city attorney as well. Council chambers could then be moved into the current courthouse with the City Clerk possibly maintaining an office there as well. The Sulphur Police Department would then be allowed to expand into the current Council Chambers location on North Huntington.
The Council and mayor also discussed the possibility of shutting off the road between the proposed judicial center site and the current courthouse to help with the expansion. According to the mayor, no other property faces the road at that location.
“The purpose of [the purchase] is to put everyone in a central location,” said Mayor Duncan, who also stressed to all parties that it was not something that would happen overnight and that it must be designed to be functional for all entities.
Marshal Guidry and City Clerk Dee Davis each spoke of the need for additional space. Expansion at their current locations is an impossibility, or near to one.
Council members were in apparent agreement on the need for providing the new space.
“We have the money set aside. Let’s utilize that money,” said Moss. “This is a long term project. This is something that will benefit the city down the road as we run out of space. We can’t wait until we are totally incapable of expanding.”
The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 13.
On the web:
www.sulphur.org
