Harlan Kirgan
Dale Soileau, Ward 4 alderman, announced at the end of Tuesday’s Board meeting that he had turned in his resignation on Aug. 3.
Soileau said he is moving into his late mother’s house about three miles outside the city limits.
“I thought I was going to continue my term and maybe run again, but she always had a wish that somebody in the family would live in her house. After thinking about it hard and losing a lot of sleep I decided I would do it,” he said.
“This past Saturday I moved in,” he said.
“I would like to thank everybody — Mayor (Ken) Peart, Mayor (Bob) Morris, Mayor Scott (Fontenot), all of the city council members I served with. It was a privilege and an honor to serve this town.”
Soileau said he has served three terms on the Board.
“It was a great run and I really appreciate what you all did for me to make me a better person,” he said.
City Clerk Ginny Moody said the next municipal election is Nov. 6, 2018, with qualifying on July 18 to 20.
Usually an election is required if there is year left on the term, but she was unsure if the year would be counted from the qualifying dates or the election date.
A special election can cost from $6,000 to $8,000, she said.
She was not certain whether the seat will be filled by a special election or appointment, which must be made by the mayor and confirmed by the Board of Aldermen.
If the seat is to be filled by an appointment, it would have be done within 20 days of the resignation being accepted by the Board.
Moody said resignations are sent to the secretary of state office to be declared vacant.
Mayor Scott Fontenot was unavailable Wednesday afternoon for comment.
In other business, the Board:
— Postponed action on three properties, 120 W. Bacciochi St., 130 W. Bacciochi St., and 1050 Faris Ave.
—Heard a presentation by Paul Carrier, street commissioner, on staffing and how work is assigned. The presentation led Soileau to comment the city needs more money to satisfy the demands placed on the street department.
Jack Burson, alderman at-large, said, “I think at some point if we want to keep our infrastructure from falling apart we are going to have to increase the maintenance.”
Burson said Crowley has a 30-mill property tax compared to 11.5 mills in Eunice.
Fontenot said, “It is a funding issue, I can tell you it is not a spending problem.”
— Approved a resolution to accept a $99,000 grant from the state Department of Transportation and Development Aviation Office for obstruction removal at the Eunice Airport.
— Proposed an ordinance to close Fairground Avenue from 7 to 8 a.m. and 3 to 4 p.m. on weekdays for school bus traffic.
— Passed a resolution commending the police department for its work in stopping gang violence.
Burson said, “I think it is important that people who are committing that kind of crime realize we have effective law enforcement in Eunice. I think the whole police department is worthy of commendation for their performance.”
— Accepted a recommendation from Eunice Police Chief Randy Fontenot to raise the speed limit on South East Street from 25 to 35 mph.
— Authorized the mayor to sign an agreement with Lawco for water service.
— Approved a resolution granting the police chief hiring and firing powers for the police department.