Town of Kentwood
TOWN OF KENTWOOD
August 7, 2025
REGULAR MEETING
The Town Council of the Town of Kentwood, Louisiana held its regular session on
Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 6:00 P.M., 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: Gary Callihan, Xavier Diamond, Michael Hall, Paul Stewart and Jakoiya
Wilkerson.
Absent: None.
Mayor Gordon and the Council recognized and thank Mr. Lawrence Edward Brenner,
Sr. for his 50 Years of Service as a Louisiana EMT.
A motion was offered by Councilman Hall, second by Councilwoman Wilkerson and
unanimously carried to approve the minutes of our July 3rd meeting.
A motion was offered by Councilman Callihan, second by Councilman Stewart and
unanimously carried to approve the Financial Reports as submitted.
Mayor Gordon gave an update on Zoning for Agriculture Districts. She informed
everyone that residents that own property in Agriculture Districts do not have to get
their property rezoned to Residential Districts. Per Attorney Simpson, residential
structures can be put in Agriculture Districts, without going before the Zoning Board.
Robert Hendrick Ortega was not present for his Nuisance Hearing. A motion was
offered by Councilman Callihan, second by Councilman Stewart and unanimously
carried giving Attorney Simpson permission to move forward with the next step. Per
Attorney Simpson, the Town can legally go on the property, clean the overgrown
weeds and add the price to his property tax by putting a lien on it. We will have to have
Chief Kazerooni to expect the vehicles inspected to make sure they fall under the
category as being “abandoned or inoperable.”
Sher Singh, Pilot store owner, and his contractor, John Barry, provided the following
update on the following:
MLK Street – They requested a month to provide a schedule and to get the plans for
the road DOTD approved.
A motion was offered by Councilman Diamond, second by Councilman Stewart and
unanimously carried to give Sher Singh and his contractor a month to report back
before the Town Officials with a plan of schedule on how they plan to adjust; and move
forward with the necessary repairs, and give the Town a month to come up with a plan
as well.
The red clay dirt – They will meet with Russ Carter and Mr. Neal Cutrer to check out
the red clay dirt and come up with a solution. An update will be presented at our next
meeting.
Drainage from commercial property – They will meet with Mayor Gordon, Russ Carter
and Mr. Neal Cutrer to look at the drainage issue that is undermining the Town’s
property by the Ave I well site. An update will be presented at our next meeting.
Mayor Gordon discussed the fencing at the Community Center Park. She informed
everyone that the Town had it surveyed. The back wall of the building that houses
some apartments and 2 businesses are on the Town’s property.
Mayor Gordon and the Council discussed servitudes for encroachments to the owners
of the property line of the Community Center.
A motion was offered by Councilman Hall, second by Councilman Callihan and
unanimously carried to approve Chief Kazerooni’s recommendation to hire Stephanie
McKenzie Carter as a part-time dispatcher, at $9.75/hr.
A motion was offered by Councilman Callihan, second by Councilman Diamond and
unanimously carried to approve Fire Chief Schrimsher’s recommendation to hire
Samuel Gilliland as a part-time firefighter, at a rate of $9.75/hr.
A motion was offered by Councilwoman Wilkerson, second by Councilman Callihan
and unanimously carried to approve Fire Chief Schrimsher’s recommendation to hire
Paul Wyman as a full-time firefighter, at a rate of $10/hr. He is currently a part-time
firefighter.
Mayor Gordon and the Council discussed updates on the Recreation Parks that the
Town received the $500,000 funding for Capital Outlay, through the State of Louisiana.
Mayor Gordon and the Council discussed the possible increase in water rates.
Mayor Gordon and the Council discussed the importance of water meters.
A motion was offered by Councilman Callihan, second by Councilman Diamond and
unanimously carried to adjourn.
Fredrika M. Ruffin, Town Clerk Irma T. Gordon, Mayor
Cost of notice:$ 67.65