Live Blog: Caddo Commission proposal to halt solar farm approvals fails to advance

5:13 p.m.- Commissioner Jackson asked to englobo and advance resolution 23-25 and special resolution proclaiming Memorial Day and recognizing National Maritime Day. The advancement was approved by the commission with a unanimous vote of the commission.

5:05 p.m.- The parish public works is asking the commission to authorize the purchase of a property located at 4862 Dixie Garden Loop Road in hopes to mitigate flooding. The commission advanced this introduction with nine in support and one in opposition.

4:48 p.m.- Commissioner Todd Hopkins introduced an ordinance which would place a moratorium on the building approval or permitting all solar panel farms, commercial solar power plants or similar operations that have not currently obtained approval from the Louisiana public service commission.

Commissioner Lyndon Johnson said, “we always talk about economic development, and this is economic development. There will be jobs created, building these solar farms and now we want to say no don’t do that. I don’t understand that… We have had plenty of people come down here saying I have the right do what I want to do with my land. Well, if the people that own the land want to put a solar farm, then why hold them back?”

The ordinance will not advance after failing on majority vote.

4:43 p.m.- The commission advanced the introduction of ordinance No. 6329, which will amend the budget from the oil and gas fund by $140,000 to provide an appropriation for the rehabilitation to Hosston’s water standpipe.

4:17 p.m.- Commissioner Stormy Gage-Watts asked to suspend the rules to bring representatives up to speak about the Caddo Community Lighthouse Pilot Project. Commissioner Mario Chavez said that the commission has had three different committee meetings on this project and questions have not been answered. He continued by asking the representatives the cost of the items in this project and other options to save the taxpayers money. “Why are we not looking at this from a cost perspective? That is our job as commissioners.”

4:10 p.m.- The commission Facebook Live Stream is having technical difficulties at this time. Viewers can stream the work session on the commission's page at http://www.caddo.org/CivicMedia?

4:01 p.m.- Commissioner John Paul Young said that he thanks Epperson for this idea and highlighted the Highland Center. The Highland Center is a multi-purpose community and nonprofit center located in the heart of the Highland neighborhood and has been serving the community for the last 30 years.

3:48 p.m.- Commissioner Ken Epperson asked Bryant about the magnitude of mental health issues within Caddo Parish in regard to homelessness. He said, “food for thought… I think we should have a one stop shop for homelessness, mental health, and things of that nature in one of these big facilities.” Epperson is proposing to take empty buildings within Caddo Parish to make a singular place to help the disadvantage population.

3:41 p.m.- Caddo Parish Commission Administrator Erica R. Bryant announced that the parish has received a little less than one million dollars in its first opioid payment. Bryant said this amount is after the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office received 20% of the initial amount granted.

The Caddo Parish Commission will meet Monday afternoon to discuss new and old business during their work session meeting.

This week the commission will be discussing ordinance No. 6317 which will amend the budget of estimated revenues and expenditures, the request of a location for a proposed visitor information center and the advancement of special resolution of recognition of Judge David Matlock.

The commission will also discuss an amendment to the noise ordinance in Caddo Parish.

Live Blog: Smoking ban, downtown safety top topics at Shreveport City Council meeting

Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Live Blog: Caddo Commission to discuss proposed visitor information center and noise ordinance