The city of Crowley's policy to install culverts on public rights-of-way is being questioned by city council members, according to a report in the Crowley Post-Signal.
The paper says the city has installed the culverts for years "at no cost to the property owners," who then are responsible for purchasing the culvert that is on their property. City council members question the fact that the city pays a private contractor to do the installations.
Chairman of the city's Public Works committee Clint Cradeur believes the city should not pay a contractor for the work; he says, "it's a no-brainer to me."
Cradeur requested a legal opinion from attorney Calvin E. Woodruff, who said the city's code "does not...provide for a CEA or 'contract' with the private citizen." Woodruff also cited a decision by Attorney General Jeff Landry and a pronouncement by the Louisiana Supreme Court. Woodruff says that while "some of (the AG's opinions) appear contradictory," the latest decisions seem to "dispel any prior confusion."
The city council will meet on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Cradeur says Woodruff is expected to attend the meeting, and he hopes the attorney will be able to clarify his opinion for the council.
