Metropolitan Council Introduces $9.2M Police Radio Lease, Alcohol Board Cites Underage Sales
Baton Rouge governing boards considered a multi-million-dollar public safety equipment lease, an affordable housing funding amendment, and citations for alcohol sales to minors during regularly scheduled meetings over the past two weeks. Final votes on most items were not immediately available because official minutes have not yet been published, but agendas detailed the proposals.
Public Safety Radio Lease Starts Council Review
The Metropolitan Council on June 24 introduced a proposed 10-year, $9,206,273.60 lease with Motorola Solutions to supply radios for the Police and Fire Departments. The item will proceed to a future public hearing. No vote was taken at the introductory session.
Affordable Housing Funding Realignment
The same council agenda included an emergency amendment to a subrecipient agreement with the East Baton Rouge Parish Housing Authority for the Cypress at Ardendale Phase I affordable housing project. The change would realign American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars to match Low-Income Housing Tax Credit requirements without increasing the project’s total budget.
Alcohol Board Hears Underage Selling Cases
The Alcoholic Beverage Control Board on June 25 held hearings on multiple violations. Agenda items included a first-offense underage sales citation for Jiffy Mart #15 at 12924 Coursey Blvd and a second-offense citation for S & P Store 2 at 4383 Nicholson Drive. The board also convened a formal opposition hearing for Break Express 3 at 2147 Staring Ln, and reviewed new license applications for Dash ‘N Pass, Parish Biscuit Co, Brightside Food Mart, and Manni’s. No outcomes were listed in the agenda-only records.
Council Moves Zoning and Property Actions
The June 24 Metropolitan Council agenda also contained 14 new property condemnation introductions for addresses including 2750 70th Ave and 4069 Tuscarora St, along with 14 adjudicated property sale introductions with opening bids ranging from $100 to $3,000. Rezoning requests included a change from Rural to Light Commercial Three (LC3) at 11635 Nicholson Drive and a shift from Single Family Residential A1 to A2 at 9965 Meadowdale Drive.
Historic Demolition Hearings Held
On July 1, the Historic Preservation Committee took up two demolition by neglect cases deferred from May: 645 North 8th Street and 764 Spanish Town Road. A certificate of appropriateness hearing for 999 North 9th Street was also scheduled. The committee considered a deferral request for 438 & 442 Main Street until September 9.
Mosquito Board Eyes Budget and Tax Renewal
The Mosquito Abatement & Rodent Control Board on June 23 discussed its 2027 budget, a secondary tax renewal vote, a 2026 operations update, chemical storage changes, and a joint project with the Department of Public Works. Because minutes are not yet published, the outcome of any vote was not immediately available.
Coming Up
The Metro Board of Adjustment meets July 13 to hear five variance or exception requests under the Unified Development Code. The most notable item is a request at 2755 McCarroll Dr to reduce the required 25-foot rear yard setback to just 6 feet for a 419-square-foot pool house. Other cases involve side yard reductions on Ingleside Drive, a large accessory structure on Richland Avenue, and additions to nonconforming structures on Greenside Lane and Beverly Drive.
Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.