The Hopkins Street sidewalk project is one step closer to being started, as the New Iberia City Council will vote Tuesday evening on whether to agree with the Department of Transportation and Development’s award of the bid to Forby Contractors to the amount of $385,805. The project  will encompass grading, drainage structures and paving, among other things.

The council also will be discussing House Bill No. 392, which makes it necessary a public body have a unanimous vote of all members present to add anything to the agenda in its public meetings, and elaborate until it is clear what the matter up for discussion is before a vote is taken.

“Before, if you had two-thirds of the council you could expand the agenda. Now, you need everybody,” said Councilman Dan Doerle, adding he thinks the measure was mostly done for the media.

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He said the matter is most likely on the agenda just to let people know about it.

The city also will be acquiring land for free, via a gift from Timeless Treasures Inc. The land is on Bridge Street, and the donation will be made with the understanding that if the city is not awarded the Brownfields Cleanup grant the donation will become null and void.

The Department of Natural Resources’ Web site said the grants, which are from an Environmental Protection Agency program, must be applied to “brownfield” land — “real property, the expansion, redevelopment or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.”

In other developments around the Main Street area, the council also will vote on approving an additional $7,774 for the Bayou Teche museum.