The Bogalusa City Council, in its meeting Tuesday evening, got a lot of business done. And the citizens of Bogalusa got some surprises — not the least of which was learning International Paper Company wants to donate approximately 51 wooded acres across the Bogue Lusa Creek from Cassidy Park to the city.

Residents also heard that the council supports the development of Bicycle Route 90 through Louisiana.

First, the city dealt with two pending ordinances and three resolutions. The most important ordinance was one that called for an exception to Ordinance 2511 pertaining to underground burials, depth in the Bogalusa Cemetery and Ponemah Cemetery, and burial work.

Chester Abrams, a longtime worker at both cemeteries, warned everyone in attendance that even if they had a prearrangement plan, they should put any vault on a slab.

“It’s just going to float off,” Abrams said.

At that, councilman Brian McCree, suggested that Abrams, with his years of experience at both cemeteries, was the man for the job.

When that that ordinance passed, Mayor Wendy Perrette thanked the council for taking action, and said she would get together with the funeral directors to see that they understand what is expected from them.

The second ordinance was a request for a zoning change from A-2 Residential to B-1 Business to put a snowball stand on the property of Curtis Allen.

The meeting started with Raymond Tate, president of the Washington Parish Chapter speaking on the NAACP, its goals, objections, and expectations. Tate spoke of the often-perceived disparity between how African-Americans and Caucasians are treated in this parish.

“Prejudice has no has no place in a democracy,” said Tate, who is also a former officer of the Bogalusa Police Department.

The first resolution was to canvass the returns and to declare the results of the special election on the municipal employees’ retirement fund held in Bogalusa on April 28. Both Mayor Perrette and council president Gloria Kates said they are still working on alternative solutions to get the retirement funded.

Another resolution was to adopt the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire, which is a required part of the audit.

Finally, the third resolution expressed the council’s support for the development of U. S. Bike Route 90 through Louisiana.

Councilman Brian McCree tabled his planned ordinance on the re-subdivision of Mulberry Ridge for a total of a total of 29 lots for Gregory Brumfield, so that he could look into the proposition more.