Town of Kentwood
TOWN OF KENTWOOD May 1, 2025
REGULAR MEETING
The Town Council of the Town of Kentwood, Louisiana held its regular session on Thursday, May 1,
2025 at 6:00 P.M., included a public hearing at 5:45 p.m. with continued session after the hearing, at the
Kentwood City Hall with Mayor Irma T. Gordon presiding. Mayor Gordon called the meeting to order
following the opening prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.
The roll was called with the following results:
Present: Michael Hall, Paul Stewart and Jakoiya Wilkerson.
Absent: Gary Callihan, Xavier Diamond (came in at 6:23 p.m.).
A motion was offered by Councilman Hall, second by Councilman Stewart and unanimously carried to
approve the minutes of last month meeting.
Financial Reports will be emailed to the Council Members.
Ronnie Harrell, President of the Zoning Board, gave recommendation from the zoning board to deny the
zoning change request from Sierra Blount, property located at 313 11 th Street, requests property to be
rezoned from R1, Single-family Residential to R1M, Single-family Residential, Detached Conventional
and Non-Conventional Districts.
A motion was offered by Councilman Hall, second by Councilwoman Wilkerson and unanimously
carried to deny the Zoning Board’s recommendation, and grant Sierra Blount approval to rezone her
property, located at 313 11 th Street, from R1, Single-family Residential to R1M, Single-family
Residential, Detached Conventional and Non-Conventional Districts.
The roll was called with the following votes:
Yeas: Councilman Hall, Councilman Stewart and Councilwoman Wilkerson.
Nays: None.
Abstained: None.
Absent: Gary Callihan, Xavier Diamond.
There were no seal bids for the Nursing Home.
Ordinance No. 01 of 2025 (Abandoned Alley in Block 39) was introduced on a motion offered by
Councilman Hall, second by Councilwoman Wilkerson and unanimously carried.
A motion was offered by Councilman Hall, second by Councilman Stewart and unanimously carried to
approve Michael Sumerford’s proposal, to hire his company Demand Benefits, as our Independent
Broker for employee benefits and health insurance.
A motion was offered by Councilwoman Wilkerson, second by Councilman Diamond and unanimously
carried to approve David Higgenbotham’s request for utility services of one storage building that will be
used as an office only, for his local business. The property is owned by Walter Travis Estate.
A motion was offered by Councilman Hall, second by Councilman Diamond and unanimously carried to
not approve Walter D. King as our new Gas Operator.
A motion was offered by Councilman Diamond, second by Councilwoman Wilkerson and unanimously
carried to not approve Richard Hebert with R&R Training, to handle the Town’s gas paperwork.
Councilwoman Wilkerson discussed the “End Gun Violence Community Walk.” This event will be June
7 th , from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month.
Mayor Gordon discussed recommendations for the Town of Kentwood’s Fire Department for 2026.
Mayor Gordon and the Council discussed the Kentwood Chamber of Commerce’s Renovation Plans for
the Kentwood Mini Park (on Ave F).
Kentwood Recreational Director Oliver Cook gave an update on the Kentwood Recreational Department
and activities.
Mayor Gordon gave an update on the Town of Kentwood Parks.
Mayor Gordon announced that the WSP Gravity Sewer Project with Insituform is in the Closeout phase.
G9 – G10 need to be completed, but it will need to be funded under a new project.
Mayor Gordon and the Council discussed the elevation difference between the manhole on the east side
of the railroad tracks that should be lowered for proper drainage and look for grant funding to fund it.
A motion was offered by Councilwoman Wilkerson, second by Councilman Hall and unanimously
carried to adjourn.
Fredrika M. Ruffin, Town Clerk Irma T. Gordon, Mayor