VINTON, LA

                April 21, 2009

 

                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 17th day of March, 2009, with the following members present:

 

                                                                                Kenneth O. Stinson, Mayor

                                                                                Bliss Bujard, Council Member

                                                                                Harold R. Douga, 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, 2009                                                                       $      91,533.52                     

                                Total Receipts for March, 2009                                                                   $    797,631.11

                                Total Disbursements for March, 2009                                                      $    704,986.13 

                                Total Bills for March, 2009                                                                            $    370,290.28

 

 

 

Kenneth O. Stinson, Mayor called the meeting to order.  Chaplin Tatum led in prayer, and there followed the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

                                Mayor Stinson announced that some items on the agenda would be taken out of order.

 

                                Mayor Stinson recognized and presented Certificates of Achievement to the “Students of the Year” as follows:

 

                                                                Vinton Elementary – Jake Savoit

                                                                Vinton Middle – Whitney Adams

                                                                Vinton High – Kaitlyn Robinson

 

                                Jason Barnes updated the governing authority on the Parish Litter Program.

 

                                Ceclie Carson, representing Keep America Beautiful and Leigh Harris, representing Keep Louisiana Beautiful welcomed the Town of Vinton as the newest affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. 

 

                                It was moved by Council Member Loyd 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 Merchant and carried.

 

                                Mary Vice, City Clerk gave the monthly Administration Department report.  Mrs. Vice announced that sales tax revenue was down considerably and all department heads needed to continue to watch their expense budget carefully.

 

                                Bills for the month of March, 2009, were approved and payment authorized upon a motion by Council Member Merchant, seconded by Council Member Loyd and carried.

 

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

 

                                Attorney Minaldi discussed proper service to property owners in regard to demolition projects.

 

                                Mayor Stinson asked Mr. John Stoddard and Mrs. Bonnie Viator to address the Council again regarding their decision at the February council meeting whereby a motion was made to proceed with demolition of a structure on their property at 1413 East Street.

 

                                Mr. Stoddard and Mrs. Viator explained to the council that since the February meeting they had made additional repairs to the referenced structure.  The asked that the council withdraw their motion to proceed with the demolition.

 

                                After a lengthy discussion, it was moved by Council Member Vice to withdraw the action taken at the February 17, 2009, council meeting moving to proceed with the demolition of the structure located at 1413 East Street.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Loyd and the vote cast thereon was as follows:

 

                                                                YEAS:  Council Members Loyd, Merchant and Vice

 

                                                                NAYS:  Council Members Bujard and Douga

 

                                                         ABSENT:  None

 

                                Mayor Stinson discussed issues the garbage company is having with picking up limbs and leaves.   He asked that the paper publish again the requirements of having limbs cut 4ft in length and bundled and leaves bagged in order to have them picked up.

 

                                Mayor Stinson asked the council if they had any comments regarding the request from Allen Patterson regarding a variance on the Mobile Home Park Ordinance.  The consensus of the council was that the request has already been denied and they have not received any information that would cause them to change that decision.

 

                                Mayor Stinson announced the Proclamations he issued for the month as follows:

 

                                                                                Fair Housing Month

                                                                                Rabies Awareness

 

                                Council Member Bujard discussed complaints he received regarding teenagers walking in the middle of the street and refusing to move.  He stated that citizens incurring this problem need to call the police department and report it.

 

                                Council Member Douga asked Mr. Marcantel with the Calcasieu Parish Animal Control to address the council and public on animal control issues.  Mr. Marcantel reported that routine patrol and call response will be improving as soon as a new officer is hired and they are fully staffed.  He also stated that they were not receiving many complaint calls from Vinton and asked that anyone having a problem call them at 721-3730 and the problem would be dealt with.

 

                                Council Member Douga asked Attorney Minaldi to draft an amendment to the ordinance reducing the speed limit on Big Woods Road from Hampton Gulley to the Intersection of Hwy 3063 from 45mph to 35mph.   

 

                                Chief of Police, Ricky Fox gave the monthly police department report. 

 

                                Terry Vice, Director of Public Works gave the monthly public works and electrical department reports.

 

                                Jerry Merchant, Fire Chief gave the monthly Fire and Civil Defense reports.

 

                                After discussion, it was moved by Council Member Merchant to authorize Chief Merchant to apply for a grant from the Fire Act Grant Funds with town participation of 5% ($14,000.00).  The motion was seconded by Council Member Douga and carried.

 

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

 

                                It was moved by Council Member Loyd that the regular meeting be re-convened for an item skipped on the agenda.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Merchant and carried.

 

                                Mrs. Theresa Watson informed the governing authority and public present about the Library Tax Re-newal of 5.99 Mills. The election will be held on May 2, 2009.  She asked that everyone get out and vote in favor of the re-newal.

 

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

                               

                                                                                                                ______________________________

                                                                                                                                Kenneth O. Stinson, Mayor

ATTEST:

 

___________________________

Mary O. Vice, City Clerk