A $730,000 FEMA grant to buy a new ladder truck for the Eunice Fire Department will likely be the highlight of Tuesday’s city meeting.
The mayor and Board of Aldermen are scheduled to meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the second floor council chamber at the Eunice Municipal Complex.
At an agenda-setting meeting Thursday, Mayor Scott Fontenot announced the grant and said it is largest awarded in the state for a fire truck.
Fire Chief Mike Arnold said the city is to pay $66,000 as its share.
Arnold said he was notified of the grant the Friday morning after Hurricane Laura struck.
The new truck will replace the city’s 48-year-old ladder truck.
The mayor said a Neighborhood Restoration Program will be announced with the first area being Benoit Street and Corn and Cotton avenues.
Property owners will be notified of the enforcement of city codes be encouraged to cleanup their property.
“We will do our best to work with the folks,” Fontenot said
Code violations will be identified and owners will be given 30 days to take action and after 60 days, the city will issue a summons.
The program will eventually take place in every area of the city, Fontenot said.
Fontenot said the city in March suspended disconnects for nonpayment of utilities, but plans to end that in October Ginny Moody, city clerk, said $24,000 to $28,000 in bills 30 days over the due date exist.
People owing money will be given about six weeks to pay their bill or make arrangements.
There will be a presentation of marking the completion of the LED lighting program.
Also on the agenda are:
— Eunice Food Bank and Hurricane Laura evacuees.
— Introduce an ordinance to permit food trucks.
— Hurricane Laura recovery update.
— Resolution to Acadia Parish about the annexation of the New Hope Church property.
— Discussion about picking up yard debris and the need to schedule pickup from Waste Connections. Alderwoman Connie Thibodeaux said residents should call Waste Connections at 337-942-4031 to schedule a pickup.
— Declare wastewater plant property surplus.
