VINTON, LA

March 20, 2007

 

                The Mayor and Council of the Town of Vinton, Louisiana, met in regular session at the regular meeting place of said Mayor and Council, in the Town Hall, Vinton, Louisiana, at 6:00 p.m. on the 20th day of March, 2007, with the following members present:

 

                                                                                Kenneth O. Stinson, Mayor

                                                                                Karen Douglass, Council Member

                                                                                William “BB” Loyd, Council Member

                                                                                Kevin Merchant, Mayor Pro Tem

                                                                                Robert D. Tatum, Council Member

                                                                                Edward J. Vice, Council Member (arrived at 6:50 P.M.)

 

                                ABSENT:                               None

 

                                ALSO PRESENT:                 Andre’ Buisson, Town Attorney

                                                                                Thad Minaldi, Town Attorney

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

The following Reports were submitted:

 

                                Total Payroll for February, 2007                                                                    $  84,807.58

                                Total Receipts for February, 2007                                                                $762,543.67

                                Total Disbursements for February, 2007                                                    $816,285.90

                                Total Bills for February, 2007                                                                        $338,637.52

 

 

 

Kenneth O. Stinson, Mayor called the meeting to order.  Council Member Tatum led in

 prayer,  and there followed the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

                                It was moved by Council Member Douglass that the minutes of prior meeting/s, copies of

 which were mailed to each Council Member, be approved as written.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Loyd and carried.

 

                                Mary Vice, City Clerk gave the administration report for the month.

 

                                Ms. Vice advised the governing authority that an inspection fee needed to be adopted for all inspections on residential and commercial buildings to cover the fee charged by the parish for their inspector and administrative costs.

 

                                After discussion, it was moved by Council Member Tatum to adopt the following Resolution, the motion was seconded by Council Member Loyd and the vote cast thereon was as follows:

 

                                                                                                RESOLUTION

 

                                BE IT RESOLVED by the governing authority of the Town of Vinton, Louisiana, that an inspection fee of $50.00 is to be assessed for building inspections in the Town of Vinton.

 

                                BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that said fee will be assessed each time the Parish Inspector is required to make an inspection at a location.

 

                                BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that said inspection fee shall cover the cost for the Parish Inspector as per the Joint Service Agreement between the Town of Vinton and The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury and the town’s administrative cost.

 

                                APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 20th day of March, 2007.

 

                                                                                                                                                ________________________

                                                                                                                                                Kenneth O. Stinson, Mayor

 

ATTEST:

 

_____________________________

Mary O. Vice, City Clerk

 

                                Bills for the month of February, 2007, were approved and payment authorized upon a

motion by Council Member Douglass, seconded by Council Member Merchant and carried.

 

                                Mayor Stinson updated the governing authority on the pending grants and projects and announced that the following grants were received by the Town:

 

                                                1.  Safe Route to School Grant – (Sidewalks down West, Fancher and Hampton Streets)                  $205,566.04

                                                2.  Keep America Beautiful Grant – (Cigarette Litter Prevention)  $7,590.00

                                                3.  Louisiana Local Road Safety Grant – (Street Signs)  $29,400.00

 

                                Mayor Stinson reminded everyone of the meeting on Tuesday, March 27, 2007, at 6:30 P.M. regarding possible railroad crossing closures.

 

                                Mayor Stinson shared an invitation he received from DeQuincy Mayor, Lawrence Hennigan inviting our community to the DeQuincy Railroad Festival, April 12-14, 2007.   He also announced the plans for the National Day of Prayer on May 3, 2007, in the Town of Vinton.

 

                                Attorney Thad Minaldi discussed the proposed amendment to the weed/grass ordinance and the proposed amendment to the burning ordinance.  He stated he would have both amendments drafted for introduction at the next regular meeting.

 

                                Mayor Stinson, Council Members Merchant and Loyd reported on the National League of Cities Conference and APPA Conference they attended in Washington, D.C., this month.  They all concurred that both conferences were very informational and the meetings with our Congressional Delegation were very successful.

 

                                Ricky Fox, Chief of Police gave the monthly Police Department report.

 

                                In the absence of Terry Vice, Director of Public Works a written report was submitted for the monthly Public Works and Electrical Department reports.  (Exhibit “A”)

 

                                In the absence of Jerry Merchant, Fire Chief no monthly Fire and Civil Defense reports were submitted.

 

                                Owen “Red” Pickett, Cameron State Bank Vice President presented Mayor Stinson with Litter Prevention Signs donated by Cameron State Bank to assist the Town with its efforts in making Vinton litter free.

 

                                Mr. James Gradnigo discussed drugs and noise pollution in the community.  He stated he has tried on several occasions to receive assistance from the Vinton Police Department regarding these issues and has been treated rudely and disrespectfully by the chief and his officers.  Chief Fox responded to Mr. Gradnigo’s concerns and let him know he would continue to monitor the matter.

 

                                 There being no further business to come before the Governing Authority, it was moved by Council Member Douglass that the meeting be adjourned.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Merchant and carried.

                                                                                                                ______________________________

                                                                                                                                Kenneth O. Stinson, Mayor

ATTEST:

___________________________

Mary O’Quinn Vice, Clerk