VINTON, LA

            April 15, 2008

 

            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 15th day of April, 2008, with the following members present:

 

                                                            Kenneth O. Stinson, Mayor

                                                            Bliss Bujard, Council Member

                                                            Karen Douglass, Council Member

                                                            William “BB” Loyd, Council Member

                                                            Kevin Merchant, Mayor Pro Tem

                                                            Edward J. Vice, Council Member

 

                        ABSENT:                    None

 

                        ALSO PRESENT:      Thad Minaldi, Town Attorney

                                                                                                                                                           

The following Reports were submitted:

 

                        Total Payroll for March, 2008                                                      $       89,413.43     

                        Total Receipts for March, 2008                                       $ 1,100,971.31

                        Total Disbursements for March, 2008                                        $ 1,181,783.08  

                        Total Bills for February, 2008                                                      $    759,349.61 

 

 

 

Kenneth O. Stinson, Mayor called the meeting to order.  Chaplin 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 Bujard and carried.

 

                        Mary Vice, City Clerk gave the monthly Administration Department report. 

 

                        Bills for the month of March, 2008, were approved and payment authorized upon a motion by Council Member Douglass, seconded by Council Member Merchant and carried.

 

                        Mayor Stinson congratulated and presented Proclamations to the following “Students of the Year”:

 

                                                            Jacie Istre – Vinton Elementary School

                                                            Holly Beth Nichols – Vinton Middle School

                                                            Maria Riggins – Vinton High School

 

                        Mayor Stinson updated the governing authority on pending grants and projects.

 

                        Mayor Stinson gave an updated on the progress of the pending demolitions.

 

                        After discussion, it was moved by Council Member Merchant to continue the demolition extension for 1413 East Street until May 20, 2008.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Douglass and carried.

 

                        It was moved by Council Member Merchant to proceed with the demolition of 906 Fancher Street due to the non-compliance from the home owner.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Vice and carried.

 

                        It was moved by Council Member Merchant to continue the demolition extension for 1605 Nichols Street until May 20, 2008.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Vice and carried.

 

                        It was moved by Council Member Vice that the following Resolution be adopted.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Douglass and the vote cast thereon was as follows:        

 

                                    YEAS:  Council Members Bujard, Douglass, Loyd, Merchant and Vice

 

                                    NAYS:  None

 

                                 ABSENT:  None

 

                                                                        RESOLUTION

 

A Resolution to protest legislation restricting revenue

Generated from traffic violations.

 

            WHEREAS, state law grants municipalities the ability to patrol and enforce violations of state and municipal laws, including criminal violations involving the speeds in excess of posted speed limits committed on state highways, parish roads and municipal streets located within the jurisdictions of the respected municipalities, and

 

            WHEREAS, state law provides that municipalities may assess penalties in the form of fines against any driver violating any provisi9on of Title 32 and that law requires those fines collected to be deposited into the treasury of the municipality for its discretionary use, and

 

            WHEREAS, the citizens of municipalities in the State of Louisiana expect its police departments to protect the public safety of its citizens by enforcing the criminal laws of the State of Louisiana including those involving violations involving excessive speed, and

 

            WHEREAS, HB 1050 has been introduced in the 2008 Regular Legislative Session which, among its various provisions, restricts the amount of revenue a municipality may generate for its general budget based upon population and requiring any overages to go directly to the state’s general budget and prohibits municipalities from issuing traffic citations on interstate roads and state highways in their jurisdictions with “minimal” commercial and residential developments, and

 

            WHEREAS, the Louisiana Municipal Association discourages municipalities from using fines from traffic violations as a main source of revenue, but understands the need for these revenues due to restrictions place upon municipalities by the legislature which makes it difficult to generate revenues to provide basic services for its citizens and is concerned about the negative impact on public safety.

 

            NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOVED, that the Mayor and Council of the Town of Vinton, Louisiana on the 15th day of April, 2008, states its strong opposition to HB 1050 and is concerned about the effect this legislation will have on the public safety and welfare of its citizens and those law-abiding drivers traveling along the roads located inside Vinton as well as the potential loss of revenue that could be experienced by municipalities which could result in the lessening of public safety protection.

 

            APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 15th day of April, 2008.

 

                                                                                    ____________________________________

                                                                                    Kenneth O. Stinson, Mayor

 

ATTEST:

 

______________________________________

Mary O. Vice, City Clerk

 

 

                        It was moved by Council Member Vice that the following Resolution be adopted.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Douglass and the vote cast thereon was as follows:        

 

                                    YEAS:  Council Members Bujard, Douglass, Loyd, Merchant and Vice

 

                                    NAYS:  None

 

                                 ABSENT:  None

 

                                                                        RESOLUTION

 

            WHEREAS, the Constitution of the State of Louisiana grants local governments the right to levy and collect local sales and use taxes; and

 

            WHEREAS, sales and use tax revenues for the Town of Vinton, Louisiana, represent approximately 85% of our local revenues; and

 

            WHEREAS, local administration and collection of sales and use taxes are the best means to protect our most important revenue source; and

 

            WHEREAS, local governments do not wish to be dependent on outside agencies to manage this critical function; and

 

            WHEREAS, Representatives Tucker and Lorusso have filed House Bills 440, 442 and 453 for the 2008 Regular Session proposing to have the State of Louisiana collect all local sales and use taxes.

 

            NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council of the Town of Vinton, Louisiana urge and request every member of the Calcasieu Parish Legislative delegation to vigorously support local administration and collection of sales and use taxes.

 

            BE IT FURTHUR RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Calcasieu Parish Legislative delegation so that they will be made aware of our position on this matter.

 

            APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 15th day of April, 2008.

                                                                                                ___________________________________

                                                                                                Kenneth O. Stinson, Mayor

 

ATTEST:

 

______________________________

Mary O. Vice, City Clerk

 

                        It was moved by Council Member Douglass that the following Resolution be adopted.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Merchant and the vote cast thereon was as follows:

 

                                    YEAS:  Council Members Bujard, Douglass, Loyd, Merchant and Vice

 

                                    NAYS:  None

 

                                 ABSENT:  None

 

RESOLUTION

 

WHEREAS, travel is at the heart of America’s economic and national security; and

 

WHEREAS, travel is one of America’s largest service exports creating a travel trade surplus in excess of $7 billion and is one of the nation’s largest employers accounting for more than 7.5 million direct travel-generated jobs, or one in every eight U.S. non-farm jobs; and

 

WHEREAS, including the direct spending in the U.S. by domestic and international visitors, travel and tourism generated $740 billion last year, providing more than 110 billion in tax revenue to local, state and federal governments; and

 

WHEREAS, the travel industry supports the interest of Louisiana, contributing to our employment, economic prosperity, international trade and relations, peace, understanding and goodwill; and

 

WHEREAS, as people throughout the world become increasingly aware of the outstanding cultural and recreational opportunities available in Louisiana and throughout the United States, travel will become an increasingly vital resource in improving America’s image around the world and building our public diplomacy;

 

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the governing authority of the Town of Vinton, Louisiana, that May 10-18, 2008, is hereby designated NATIONAL TOURISM WEEK, in the Town of Vinton, Louisiana.

                                                                                                _____________________________________

                                                                                                Kenneth O. Stinson, Mayor

 

ATTEST:

 

______________________________

Mary O. Vice, City Clerk

 

                                Mayor Stinson announced that he had issued Proclamations as follows:

 

                                                                Saturday, April 26, 2008 – “Rabies Awareness Day”

                                                                Month  of April, 2008 – “Alcohol Awareness Month”

 

                                Council Member Douglass discussed complaints she has received from citizens regarding pitt bulls.  She discussed introducing an Ordinance that would be very stringent regarding pitt bulls.

 

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

 

                        Upon the recommendation of Chief Fox, it was moved by Council Member Merchant that Melynda Carpenter be made regular employee effective next pay period.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Vice and carried.

 

                        Upon the recommendation of the Chief of Police, it was moved by Council Member Vice to hire Jason McGee as a dispatcher/patrolman.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Bujard and carried.

 

                        John Epperly, Electrical Supervisor gave the monthly Public Works and Electrical Department reports for the month.

 

                        Reece Richard discussed a drainage problem that exists in the downtown area and requested assistance from the town in solving the problem.

 

                        It was moved by Council Member Douglass to authorize the engineer to do a study on the drainage problem in the downtown area.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Merchant and carried.

 

                        In the absence of Jerry Merchant, Council Member Merchant gave the Fire and Civil Defense reports for the month.

 

                        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 Loyd and carried.

                                                                                    ______________________________

                                                                                                Kenneth O. Stinson, Mayor

ATTEST:

 

___________________________

Mary O. Vice, City Clerk