CITY OF JEANERETTE JEANERETTE, LA
MINUTES REGULAR MEETING-BOARD OF ALDERMEN Monday January 9, 2023
Proceedings of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Jeanerette, State of Louisiana, at their Regular meeting held Monday January 9, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.
Those present were: Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr., Alderman Clarence Clark, Alderwoman Charlene Moore, Alderman Garland Bourgeois, Alderman Ray Duplechain and Alderman Willie Ward. Also present: City Clerk Susan Colden, and Treasurer Liz Verdun and Police Chief Vallot., Public Works Director Howard White and Fire Chief Sherry Landry were also present
Alderman Clark. led in prayer and Alderwoman Moore led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr. determined that a quorum was present.
Moment of Silence to recognize the passing of Cynthia Schexnayder, Jacques Burke Larroque Jr, and Lou Ann Jenkins Berry and the Mayor read a Resolution Proclamation of sympathy for the passing of Jeanette Fruge, sister of Alderman Ray Duplechain
5. Approval of Minutes of the Last Regular Meeting on December 12th Regular Meeting - Alderman Bourgeois moved and Alderman Clark seconded to approve Minutes of the Last Regular Meeting on December 12th, Motion carried by voice vote of all yea, no nay and no abstain.
6. Correspondence by Mayor-.The Mayor announced that Raintree Market is purchasing Mac’s building and land. Next, he announced that the City has been awarded a 5 million Water Sector Grant to upgrade our sewer plant and a committee has been actively researching how to secure the matching funds and it is looking very positive.
7. Announcements by Mayor. Next Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, the Jeanerette Chamber is having a membership drive-please support your chamber.
8. A. Mardi Gras Report by Chief Vallot – Chief Vallot announced that the parade will be held on February 12, 2023 at 1 pm. The Chief met earlier in the day with the President and Vice President of the Mardi Gras Association and the Mayor. Chief Vallot said that he has 24 post certified paid officers to work from 12 noon to 7 pm. The plan for the parade route is that the parade should finish around 3:30 pm. MLK will be blocked off until 7 pm, at 6 pm the officers will start to clear the roadway to have the street clear by 7 pm. The Mayor also noted that the Chief was able to secure barricades and that public works will be setting those up. The Mayor noted that the Association has been around for 30 years and he thanked the group for bringing something positive to the community. Alderman Duplechain asked if the officers are definitely committed, and Chief Vallot said yes because in the past it was volunteer but this year the Mardi Gras Association agreed to pay security pay at $25/hour. Chief has the paperwork for the officers. Alderman Clark asked how many of our officers and the Chief said it will be 2 officers from our office bringing the total to 26 and 2 will be working their normal shift.
B. Report from the Tuesday January 3, 2023 Policy and Personnel Committee Meeting Present- Alderwoman Charlene Moore, Alderman Clarence Clark, Susan Colden City Clerk, and Treasurer Liz Verdun, and Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr. The committee discussed changes to Policy 10 City Holidays. The change will apply to full-time shift workers who are scheduled to work on the actual holiday will be paid their holiday pay. The day observed applies to regular Monday – Friday full-time employees. The changes will be introduced at the council meeting. There was also a discussion on changes to Policy 13 Vacation and Policy 11 Sick Leave, for compliance with RS 33:1996 and RS 33:2214. The committee wanted to research a few topics to properly make the changes to the policies. After a brief discussion on various updates, the meeting was adjourned.
C. Report from the Tuesday, January 3, 2023 City of Jeanerette Finance Committee Meeting Present - Alderwoman Charlene Moore, Alderman Ray Duplechain, Treasurer Liz Verdun and City Clerk Susan Colden and Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr. Utility Billing is on par with a total of 1968 customers and 78 customers are now using bank draft to pay. Collection of Utility payments is good and the City is following policies. Sales tax was not available for meeting. Bank balances are good. Cash Flow Projections was reviewed and it was noted September transfers from 1% was made at the end of December. The payables are inline. The P & L for period ending 1/03/2023 was available and % used should be at or under 50%. The revenues are at or above budget. The committee reviewed the P & L and noted a few areas that might need to be monitored but each department is within the percentages. The tax collections and license renewals coming in. With no other business to consider, the meeting was adjourned. The Mayor recognized Alderman Duplechain for his efforts to quickly become acquainted in the City finances.
D. Report from the Tuesday January 3, 2023 City of Jeanerette Public Works and Safety Committee Meeting Present- Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr., City Clerk Susan Colden, Public Works Director Howard White, Supervisor Wade Tillman, Chief Landry, Police Chief Vallot and Treasurer Liz Verdun. Chief Landry reported that the contractor to repair/replace the hydrants, Lonnie Jr., said the cost to grease the hydrants is $100 and cost to install replacement hydrants is $1,000. The Cost to order 10 new hydrants is $42,000. This year will be a grading year for the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana. This group evaluates the fire protection capabilities of municipalities and fire districts to determine a protection classification for the area (this impacts insurance rates). For the month there were 78 total calls, 67 city and 11 auto aid. There were 25 medical calls with 3 deaths, (natural causes), 2 shootings, 25 calls cancelled by chief, 15 alarm investigations, 1 vehicle fire, and 1 structure fire. Supervisor Tillman reported 1 Dottie marking, cleared drainage in 32 areas, and 2 water leaks were repaired. Grass cut in 11 ditches with side boom and grass was cut in 11 other areas. Three trailers of trashed were cleared and in city easements 10 areas were repaired, and 11 potholes were filled. Chief Vallot’s report detailed 138 total calls, hired two new officers and one dispatcher. There were 6 misdemeanors arrests, 3 felony arrests and 12 citations issued and 2 shootings. With no other business to consider the meeting was adjourned.
E. Statewide Electric on Sewer and Water Operations by Neal Swain- on the sewer side the sewer project is still limping along, hopefully that is finished soon. The lift stations are performing well but Mr. Swain did want to mention that he is noticing in increase in the system with flushable wipes. The wipes clog the pumps, and Mr. Swain wanted us to remind the public not to flush wipes or to pour grease in the sewer system. The City will remind public in notices. On the water side the leak in the bathroom has been repaired. The water system performed pretty well during the freeze with just a few pressures drops. It was very unfortunate that the pressure switch on the water tower failed after the system survived the freeze and it was replaced. The Mayor inquired about 2 automatic flushers that appear to be running constantly one on Kent and the other on Lewis-Mr. Swain will address.
The Mayor recognized the President and Vice President from the Jeanerette Mardi Gras Association Mr. Warner Colbert and Ms. Monica Hardy.
F. Judge LeGros reporting on the legislation to Create and Provide with Respect to the Acadiana Regional Juvenile Justice District. Judge LeGros said there is a serious problem with juvenile crime that most people are aware of but they may not realize that the Office of Juvenile Justice do not take over supervision unless there is an adjudication. Unlike adult court there is no place to house the juveniles pre-trial. Ten parishes have come together to get this legislation to create the juvenile justice facility that could accept these individuals pre-trial. The “Florida Parishes” which are north of lake Pontchartrain, have adopted a similar model to what is contained in this legislation, and it is working well for them, but if you are not in those Parishes they will not accept your juvenile. The Judge urged everyone to contact their legislature representative and let them know their thoughts on this and the City should make their position known by resolution-and this resolution is being drawn up by Andy Shealy. Lafayette is going to have their own facility and St. Martinsville has a stopgap plan that the Judge feels will not work.
9.Agenda Items
A. Award of Contract for project 50-ME2-21-01 Painting & Repairing 500,000-Gallon Elevated Water Tank to Southern Coatings LLC for the amount of $672,161.60 on motion by Alderman Ward and second by Alderwoman Moore to award contract to Southern Coatings LLC. It was noted that there will need to be some discussions to ensure this project does not affect the testing for the fire rating. Roll call vote
Yeas: Alderman Clark, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Duplechain, Alderman Ward
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
B. Approve Revision to Personnel Policy 10 City Holidays concerning payment of holiday for shift workers on motion by Alderman Bourgeois and second by Alderman Clark to approve the revision to the policy. Roll call vote
Yeas: Alderman Clark, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Duplechain, Alderman Ward
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
C. Evaluation of Blighted Properties-the City has many adjudicated properties that the City merely has a tax lien on, so the Mayor would like the Aldermen to identify properties in their ward that the City should use the $85,000 in ARPA funds to clean up.
12 A. Adopt Ordinance 2022-12 to Amend and Reenact Section 5026.2 Daytime curfew regulations for Minors On motion by Alderman Bourgeois, and second by Alderman Clark to leave regular session and enter public session, motion carried with a voice vote of all yea, no nay and no abstain. Alderman Clark introduced the change in age to 18 and times. On motion by Alderman Bourgeois, and second by Alderman Clark to leave public session and return to regular session, motion carried with a voice vote of all yea, no nay and no abstain. Alderman Clark moved and Alderwoman Moore seconded to approve the adoption of the ordinance, roll call vote
Yeas: Alderman Clark, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Duplechain, Alderman Ward
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
The Mayor recognized Jake Charpentier who asked when or how to take care of the adjudicated blighted properties-the Mayor explained the tax sale process, and the extensive process that the City needs to go through even if the City has full ownership of the properties.
Motion to enter executive session by Alderman Clark and second by Alderman Duplechain motion carried with a voice vote of all yea, no nay and no abstain.
13. Executive Session-Cabot Lease
Motion to return to regular session by Alderman Clark and second by Alderwoman Moore motion carried with a voice vote of all yea, no nay and no abstain.
Adjourn There being no further business to bring before the Board of Aldermen a motion by Alderman Clark and second by Alderman Duplechain to adjourn the meeting carried with a voice vote of all yea, and no abstain.
______________/s/___________________
Carol Bourgeois Jr., Mayor
ATTEST:
____________/s/___________________
Susan Colden City Clerk
MINUTES REGULAR MEETING-BOARD OF ALDERMEN Monday January 9, 2023
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