In the only business that required a vote during Tuesday’s meeting, the Bogalusa City Council accepted an ordinance authorizing Mayor Charles Mizell to renew the city’s contract with Progressive Waste Solutions for two more years.

The city and Progressive Waste Solutions first reached an agreement in January 2007. The contract has been extended three times since 2007. The current agreement is for two years and goes through Nov. 30, 2016.

During remarks from the city’s department heads, Director of Personnel Sandy Bloom said some adjudicated properties will soon be sold at auction.

“We’ve identified 64 adjudicated properties in the first group. In the next month or so, these properties will be put up for auction. The auction gets these properties back on the tax rolls,” Bloom said.

Bloom said citizens can go to www.civicsource.com to see a list of adjudicated properties.

“I’m so thankful to be able to offer these properties for sale,” Mizell said.

In his report, City Administrator Jerry Bailey gave the council some good news.

“We’re looking pretty good. Sales tax is up 3 percent,” Bailey said. “Sales tax was down 19.4 percent in February. We collected $632,000 in July, compared to $478,000 for the same time last year.”

Bailey said the 2014 budget is being revised.

Public Works Director James Hall said nine citations were recently issued for code violations. He said another 33 properties were brought into compliance before a citation was issued.

Recreation Department Director Landon Tims encouraged the public to discourage those they observe littering at Cassidy Park and Lake Vista.

“We’ve been addressing litter in this city for four years. We haven’t made a lot of arrests, but we’ve made some strides in this city. I believe we have a cleaner city, not because of the number of arrests, but (because of) awareness.”

Tims said his department is preparing for the Open Road Cruisers car show Sept. 20 and the Bogalusa Blues and Heritage Festival Sept. 26-27.

Tims also reported that the new restroom facilities in the rear of the park are open.

Main Street Manager Robin Day reported a new business opening on South Columbia Street. She said Closet to Closet, a consignment shop at 415 S. Columbia St., is scheduled to open this month. With the new business, Day moved her office to 518 S. Columbia St., the second move in a matter of weeks.

Day said Michele’s, a women’s boutique, has its grand opening this morning at 11. The boutique is next to Wild Blu at 429 S. Columbia St.

Day said August’s Rendezvous on the Road was the most productive of the summer.

“It was the best yet,” Day said. “My retailers reported good sales.”

Days said South Columbia Street merchants will be sponsoring Parking Days from 5 until 7 p.m. on Sept. 19. Day said merchants will turn the parking spaces in front of their businesses into small parks.