Advertising, including political signs, are prohibited on public property, Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot said at Tuesday’s meeting of the Board of Aldermen.
“I just want to remind everybody as elections are coming up,” he said.
The city election is scheduled in November followed by a runoff in December.
After reading a portion of the city ordinance governing signs, Fontenot said, “In simple terms ... don’t nail it to a telephone pole Don’t stick it in the public rights of way.”
Hanging a banner or sign over a public street is also banned. City of Chamber of Commerce signs are exempted.
The city’s code enforcement officer, Bill Thompson, will be on the lookout for illegal signs and banners, he said.
Violation of the ordinance carries a fine of up to $200 and anor more than 30 days in jail.
Enforcement is being urged by Keep Eunice Beautiful, he said.
In another clean city issue, Fontenot said a city ordinance forbids placing refuse or rubbish “... in any street, alley, or public place, or upon any private property....”
“It is getting to the point we can’t keep up with the messes that are on the streets,” he said.
People are used to placing debris on the side of the road, but that has come to include property removed from residences in evictions, he said.
“There’s really no obligation for the city to pick that up,” he said.
The city is running three debris crews a week along with a grappler truck to keep up with the roadside rubbish, he said.
The regular trash pick up service will collect branches if bundled along with trash in the Progressive Waste cans and in bags, he said.
In other business at Tuesday’s meeting, aldermen:
— Approved the demolition of a trailer at 1120 Sittig Road.
— Approved a hearing on property at 411 S. CC Duson.
— Approved the appointment of Andrew Hickerson to the city’s civil service board.
— Approved a liquor license for Phat Stock’s Lounge, 1141-A W. Laurel Ave.
— Approved a resolution in opposition to a salt water disposal site in the Beggs-Garland area of St. Landry Parish.
— Declared a 1978 Mac fire truck as surplus.
— Approved a variance for property at 2041 W. Laurel Ave. that will be used for a car wash. A representative from Total Car Wash said the facility is being built at a cost of about $1 million and will employ 10 to 12 people. Construction is to begin in July.
— Agreed with the recommendation of Police Randy Fontenot to not install any additional traffic controls on Eula Street, particularly at its intersection with Dudley Avenue. Alderwoman Connie Thibodeaux had requested the study.
— Raised the page cost of public records requests from 25 cents to $1.
