Covington council approves roundabout land acquisitions, amends budget and designates watershed signatory; tables procurement threshold ordinance

The Covington City Council on May 5 approved several items on the regular agenda, including an ordinance authorizing the mayor to negotiate and acquire parcels and rights of way needed to build two roundabouts on Columbia Street, and an amended budget that removed a $120,000 lighting item from a multi-use practice field.

Council heard from staff that the Columbia Street roundabout projects are funded with bond proceeds and that 100% design plans are in review; completing the projects will require acquiring all or portions of eight parcels. After a brief staff explanation, and with no public comment, the council moved to adopt Ordinance 2026-03-03 authorizing the mayor to enter negotiations and complete the acquisitions.

On the budget amendment (Ordinance 2026-03-04), a council member moved to remove item four — $120,000 for lighting at a multi-use practice field — reducing the amendment total from $820,000 to $700,000; the council adopted the amended budget on roll call.

Council also considered Ordinance 2026-03-02, a change to Chapter 2, Article 6 (professional service contracts) that would revise the dollar threshold for procurement. Councilman Roberts commended administration’s work but asked for improved verbiage and asked to table the item until the finance committee can review the language; the motion to table carried on roll call.

In new business, the council adopted Resolution 2026-10 to designate an authorized signatory for the Louisiana Watershed Initiative with the Louisiana Office of Community Development, adding the city CEO, Miss Aaron Star, as a signatory in addition to the mayor to streamline processing of grant documents.

All actions on those agenda items passed on roll-call votes among the voting members present. Council President Mark Veret served as acting mayor and did not vote on matters that evening.