Neighborhood Restoration Program planned

Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot said a Neighborhood Restoration Program will be launched to bring to life ordinances requiring property to be maintained to a high standard.
The program, announced at Tuesday’s Board of Aldermen’s meeting, is to start next week with the residents being informed and the actual enforcement phase to begin in October.
“The end result if we can complete some of our goals would be increased property value, neighborhood pride and quality of life,” he said.
“The city is going to commit to drainage improvements,” he said.
The first area first area is Benoit Street and Corn and Cotton avenue south of Maple Avenue and east of La. 13.
The city will look to enforce its ordinances on blighted property, junked vehicles in yards and other issues such as litter.
Neighborhoods will be identified through Keep Eunice Beautiful, which conducts an annual survey of Eunice, complaints and criminal activity, he said.
“We’ve been talking about this for about nine months and kind pushed things back ... but now we are ready to hit the ground running,” he said.
“We want to see the neighborhood come up,” he said.
Fontenot said the city and private resources will used to help residents.
“This is to help everybody take pride in the community,” he said.
In other business:
— Fire Chief Mike Arnold spoke about the city receiving a $730,000 grant from FEMA to buy a ladder truck. The truck would replace the city’s 48-year-old ladder truck.
— The Board accepted a $1.6 million LED lighting project as complete. The project was possible through a grant from the state Public Service Commission and through commissioner Mike Francis. The lighting is expected to save the city about $72,000 in utility costs.
— By Oct. 16, the city will begin collection on past-due utility bills. People owing money will be given about six weeks to pay their bill or make arrangements.
— An annexation request from New Hope Fellowship Church on Sittig Road will be forwarded to Acadia Parish for approval.
— An ordinance to govern mobile food vendors was introduced.