PUBLIC NOTICE
EUNICE, LOUISIANA
MAY 14, 2024
THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN AND ALDERWOMEN, THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF EUNICE, PARISH OF ST. LANDRY/ACADIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, met in Regular Session on Tuesday, MAY 14, 2024 at six-thirty (6:30) o’clock p.m., at their regular meeting place, the Eunice City Hall.
6:30 pm The Mayor called the Regular meeting of the City of Eunice Board of Aldermen and Alderwomen to order.
There were present: Mayor Scott A. Fontenot, Alderman at Large Marion “Nootsie” Sattler, Alderman Chad Andrepont, Alderwoman Germaine Simpson, Alderman Randall Reed and Alderwoman Connie Thibodeaux
There were absent: None
The Mayor announced that a quorum was present and ready to transact business.
There were no requests for Public Comments.
It was moved by Alderman at Large Marion “Nootsie” Sattler, seconded by Alderman Chad Andrepont and carried to adopt the Minutes of the April 9, 2024 Regular Council meeting.
CODE ENFORCEMENT:
Code Enforcement Officer Judson Venezia was not present. The Mayor stated that Officer Venezia had requested that the following properties be schedule for “Show Cause” hearings:
320 Mill Street – owner Brown Enterprises
170 East Ardoin Street – owner Wayne Sittig
150 South Vivian Street – owner Peter G. Miller
It was moved by Alderman Randall Reed, seconded by Alderman at Large Sattler and carried to have the above property owners notified to attend a Show Cause Hearing on their properties violations.
The Mayor also stated that the structure at 230 East Ash Avenue, which had previously been condemned by the Board, had been demolished by a contractor hired by the City of Eunice at a cost of $4,900.00.
MAYOR’S RECOMMENDATION AND/OR BUSINESS:
Sarah Smith with the Louisiana National Guard spoke about the Guard’s “Youth Challenge Program” which is an alternate educational program that offers at-risk adolescents between the ages of 16 and 18 an opportunity to change their futures. Anyone interested could attend an informative interview Saturday, May 18th at the South Regional Library in Lafayette, LA.
Celeste D. Gomez of the Eunice Bulb and Blossom Club. The Club was founded in 1948 and is a member of the national Bulb & Blossum organization. Mrs. Gomez spoke about the “Nature Trail Tree Marker Project” for which the club received grant funds to replace and repair the tree plaques at the Nature Trail and in addition provide educational identification of trees.
The Mayor announced that the VFW Post #8971 will honor Memorial Day with a ceremony on Memorial Day at 5:00 PM at the War Monument at South 2nd Street and Park Avenue.
Alderwoman Germaine Simpson advised that Sgt. Chavis with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office’s Neighborhood Watch Program could not attend tonight’s meeting.
Alderwoman Simpson asked Pastor John to address the Board. Pastor John updated the Board about the Daisie Mae Foundation’s Summer Feeding Program which will be held at the Southeast Neighborhood Center from 9 am to 2 pm and is open to all children up to 18 years old. Pastor John also spoke on the After School Program and scholarships supported by the Foundation.
Alderwoman Simpson spoke about the annual “Parent’s Reach Out” school supply drive, now know as the Elizabeth Reed Foundation, which provides school supplies for kids. Also, the Elizabeth Reed Foundation has partnered with the Legacy Institute for a program for children ages 11 to 17 years old which will guide participants on business and leadership.
OLD BUSINESS:
Chief of Police Kyle LeBouef presented a traffic study for Reed Avenue, between 4th Street and 7th Street which was requested by Alderwoman Connie Thibodeaux at the April 9th monthly meeting. The Study was conducted during mornings and evenings and different days of the week:
Number of vehicles observed: 68
Posted Speed Limit: 25 mph
Average Speed of vehicles: 20 mph
Vehicles driving over Posted Limit: 0
Alderwoman Connie Thibodeaux advised that due to the results of the Traffic Study she felt that no further action was required.
NEW BUSINESS:
It was moved by Alderman at Large Sattler, seconded by Alderman Chad Andrepont and carried to introduce, by Title only, Ordinance 0524A, amending the City of Eunice budget for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2024.
It was moved by Alderman Randall Reed, seconded by Alderman Andrepont and carried to introduce, by Title only, Ordinance 0524B , adopting a new Budget for the City of Eunice for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
It was moved by Alderman Reed, seconded by Alderman at Large Sattler and carried to introduce for consideration Ordinance 0524C, annexing into the City Limits of Eunice 1.38 acres of land located on the south side of Highway 190 West, owned by G.V.C.S., Inc. dba Whataburger.
It was moved by Alderman Reed, seconded by Alderwoman Simpson and carried to introduce for consideration Ordinance 0524C, annexing into the City Limits of Eunice 1.62 acres of land located on the south side of Highway 190 West, owned by MDJCE Properties (Sattler Supply) with an address of 1736 Highway 190.
Dr. Zebediah Stearns, St. Landry Parish Coroner, and his investigator Mr. Toby Savoy, addressed the Board concerning his office’s request to construct a 12x30 foot building to contain a walk-in cooler to be used as a morgue on City property southside of the Southeast Neighborhood Center at 131 City Avenue in Eunice.
There was discussion on the request by members of the Board.
It was moved by Alderwoman Simpson, seconded by Alderman Andrepont and carried to table any action on the request by the Coroner, Dr. Stearns.
It was moved by Alderman Andrepont, seconded by Alderwoman Thibodeaux and carried to adopt Resolution 0524A, authorizing the Mayor to execute a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the City of Eunice and the State of Louisiana, Capital Outlay Project Act 117 of 2022 Regular Session to request financial assistance for Street Improvements, Planning and Construction in the amount of $250,000.00
It was moved by Alderman Reed, seconded by Alderman at Large Sattler and carried to adopt Resolution 0524B, appointing Mayor Scott Fontenot as Director and Pam Daigle as Alternate Director to represent the City of Eunice on the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Municipal Natural Gas Purchasing and Distribution Authority.
It was moved by Alderwoman Thibodeaux, seconded by Alderwoman Simpson and carried to concur with the recommendation of the City’s Engineer and award the contract for the 2023 Street Improvements LCDBG grant to the lowest bidder, Elliott Construction in the amount of $688,275.00.
The Mayor discussed the requesting and approval of speed bumps.
Alderwoman Simpson discussed adoption of a Resolution providing for a policy for the approval or removal of speed bumps on city streets.
It was moved by Alderman Reed, seconded by Alderwoman Simpson and carried to table for further discussion a policy for speed bumps.
Fire Chief Chaise Brown requested approval for the purchase of a Spartan ER, 1,000 gallon pumper mounted on a Spartan Metro Star custom Chassis, 4-door Fire Truck in the amount of $665,000. Fire Chief Brown advised that the Fire Department currently had three (3) older Fire Trucks which could be sold, with the monies being put toward the cost of the new Fire Truck.
It was moved by Alderwoman Thibodeaux, seconded by Alderwoman Simpson and carried to approve the purchase of the Spartan Metro Star with pumper Fire Truck in the amount of $665,000.00, contract HGAC FS12-23.
It was moved by Alderwoman Thibodeaux, seconded by Alderwoman Simpson and carried to declare as surplus 2005 Sterling Fire Truck, ID # 0814 with a minimal bid requested of $70,000.00.
It was moved by Alderwoman Thibodeaux, seconded by Alderman Andrepont and carried to declare as surplus 2005 Sterling Fire Truck, ID # 0822 with a minimal bid requested of $70,000.00.
It was moved by Alderwoman Thibodeaux, seconded by Alderman at Larger Sattler and carried to declare as surplus 2004 Ferrara Fire Truck, ID # 0406 with a minimal bid requested of $40,000.00.
Fire Chief Chaise Brown gave a report of the Eunice Fire Department’s activities for the month of April, 2024 and the training completed.
It was moved by Alderwoman Thibodeaux, seconded by Alderman at Large Sattler and carried to declare as surplus the old City Marshal ‘s vehicle, 2008 Ford Expedition, ID # 2540.
Police Chief Kyle LeBouef recommended hiring of Mr. Jadon Bellard for the position of Probational Police Officer.
It was moved by Alderman at Large Sattler, seconded by Alderman Reed and carried to concur with the recommendation of the Chief of Police and hire Jadon Bellard for the position of Probational Police Officer.
Police Chief Kyle LeBouef recommended hiring Alex Pousson for the position of Probational Police Officer.
It was moved by Alderman at Large Sattler, seconded by Alderman Andrepont and carried to concur with the Chief of Police’s recommendation and hire Alex Pousson for the position of Probational Police Officer.
Chief LeBouef recommended the hiring of Mr. Gavin Miller for the position of Provisional Jailer as Mr. Miller still needs to take the test and will remain a provisional jailer until that time.
It was moved by Alderman at Large, seconded by Alderman Andrepont and carried to concur with the recommendation of the Police Chief and hire Mr. Gavin Miller for the position of Provisional Jailer.
Chief LeBouef announced that he no longer had any vacancies in the Police Department.
Chief LeBouef announced that during May 20 through June 2 the Eunice Police Department will be participating in the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign which provides money for additional Police Officers to work during that time, concentrating on violations of non-use of seat belts and child restraints.
MONTHLY REPORTS
Chief of Police Kyle LeBouef gave a report of the Eunice Police Department’s activities for the month of April, 2024.
It was moved by Alderman Chad Andrepont, seconded by Alderwoman Germaine Simpson and carried to approve payment of the City’s bills for the month of April, 2024 and acknowledged that the Board has received the City’s financial reports.
The Mayor stated that June 1, 2024 there will be a car show downtown and that the public should go to the Library.
It was moved by Alderwoman Germaine Simpson, seconded by Alderman Randall Reed and carried to adjourn.
Ginny Moody, City Clerk Scott A. Fontenot, Mayor
(PUBLISH: JUNE 16, 2024) 1T