VINTON, LA

                August 19, 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 19th day of August, 2008, with the following members present:

 

                                                                                Kenneth O. Stinson, Mayor

                                                                                Harold R. Douga, Council Member

                                                                                William “BB” Loyd, Council Member

                                                                                Kevin Merchant, Mayor Pro Tem

                                                                                Edward Vice, Council Member

                                                                               

                                ABSENT:                              Bliss Bujard, Council Member

 

                                ALSO PRESENT:               Thad Minaldi, Town Attorney

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

The following Reports were submitted:

 

                                Total Payroll for July, 2008                                                                           $      88,464.45             

                                Total Receipts for July, 2008                                                                       $ 2,046,118.66

                                Total Disbursements for July, 2008                                                          $ 1,665,015.84  

                                Total Bills for July, 2008                                                                                                $    634,702.94

 

 

 

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

 

Mayor Stinson introduced a group of Boy Scouts that were present, Trevor Foreman, Logan Planchard and Don Thomas along with their leader Mr. Howard D. Foreman .

 

                                It was moved by Council Member Merchant 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 Douga and carried.

 

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

 

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

 

                                Representative Mike Danahay reported on the accomplishments of the Legislature in their last session.

 

                                Mayor Stinson reported on pending grants and projects.  He stated that the Sewer Re-hab Project has reached the substantial completion phase and anyone with complaints regarding the project need to report them to city hall at this time.

 

                                Mayor Stinson informed the governing authority of a letter he received from Allen Patterson requesting an exemption from using runners as required in the Mobile Home Park Ordinance and being allowed to use HUD approved pre-formed pads instead.

 

                                After discussion, it was moved by Council Member Loyd that Mr. Patterson’s request for an exemption to the Mobile Home Ordinance be denied.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Merchant and carried.  (A copy of the request is labeled Exhibit “A”)

 

                                Mayor Stinson discussed sample ordinances received from LMA regarding cable franchises.  After discussion he presented the sample ordinances to the attorney for his review and recommendation at the next regular meeting.

 

                                Mayor Stinson announced that he Town won Honorable Mention in the LMA Community Achievement Award competition.  The town submitted the LOVE’S Project in the Economic Development Division of the competition.

 

                                Mayor Stinson presented the proposed 2009 Budget and the 2008 Amended Budget to the governing authority for their review.

 

                                It was moved by Council Member Loyd that the following Public Notice be advertised one (1) time in the town’s official journal.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Vice and carried.

 

       PUBLIC NOTICE

BUDGET HEARING

TOWN OF VINTON, LOUISIANA

 

                                The proposed budget for the year October 1, 2008, thru September 30, 2009, of the Town of Vinton, Louisiana, has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Louisiana Local Government Budget Act and is available for public inspection at the office of the Mayor, Town of Vinton, Louisiana from 7:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday through Thursday and 8:00 A.M. to Noon on Friday (except holidays).  A public hearing on the Proposed Budget is scheduled for:

 

         Thursday, September 4, 2008, at

6:00 P.M. – City Hall

 

PUBLIC NOTICE:

OPERATING BUDGET SUMMARY

 

Following is a summary of the proposed budget for the year October 1, 2008 thru September 30, 2009:

 

ESTIMATED BEGINNING FUND BALANCE                             $7,260,353

 

               TOTAL REVENUES                                                            $6,418,613

 

TOTAL EXPENDITURES                                                 ($6,328,587)

                               

                                TRANSFERS AND LOANS                                             ($210,250)

 

                                ESTIMATED ENDING FUND BALANCE                    $7,140,128

 

                The proposed operating budget for the year ending September 30, 2009, which is available at City Hall, provides further details.

 

                                Attorney Minalidi discussed retaining special counsel in regard to FEMA lawsuit.

 

                                After discussion, it was moved by Council Member Loyd that the following Resolution be adopted.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Vice and the vote cast thereon was as follows:

 

                                                                YEAS:  Council Members Douga, Loyd, Merchant and Vice

 

                                                                NAYS:  None

 

                                                         ABSENT:  Council Member Bujard

 

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ENGAGEMENT OF

JONES, WALKER LAW FIRM FOR FEMA CLAIMS

 

 

 

WHEREAS, the Town of Vinton is seeking federal reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) for the costs incurred by the Town in connection with its recovery from the damage caused by Hurricane Rita;

WHEREAS, FEMA has resisted payment of certain costs incurred by the Town, and FEMA is questioning prior payments to the Town, and the Town has been unable to resolve these problems through the FEMA appeal process;

WHEREAS, the Town has a need for specialized legal counsel to assist it in seeking federal reimbursement from FEMA for these costs;

WHEREAS, Mr. Thad Minaldi has recommended the law firm of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere & Denegre, L.L.P. ("Jones Walker") to fill this need;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Board of Aldermen, acting as the governing authority of the Town of Vinton, that:

SECTION 1.      It is recognized, found and determined that a real necessity exists for the employment of additional legal counsel to the Town in connection with seeking federal reimbursement for Hurricane Rita expenses under the Stafford Act from FEMA, and accordingly, Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrère & Denègre, L.L.P., Baton Rouge, Louisiana ("Jones Walker"), is hereby employed as additional counsel to the Town to perform comprehensive legal work and coordinate professional work for the Town under the terms set forth in the attached engagement letter.  The fee for these services to be paid by the Town shall be based on hourly rates for Jones Walker attorneys as set forth in the attached engagement letter.  Further specification of the work to be undertaken by Jones Walker also is set forth in the attached engagement letter.

SECTION 2.        The Mayor is authorized and empowered to take any and all further action and to sign any and all documents, instruments and writings as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Resolution and to file, on behalf of the Town, with any court, governmental board, or entity having jurisdiction over such matters, such pleadings, administrative appeals or other filings, applications, or requests for approval thereof as may be required.

SECTION 3.      This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.

APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 19th day of August, 2008

                                                                                    _____________________________

                                                                                    Kenneth O. Stinson, Mayor

ATTEST:

____________________________

Mary O. Vice, City Clerk

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

 

                                Upon the recommendation of the Chief of Police, it was moved by Council Member Vice that Jason McGee be made a regular employee, effective immediately.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Merchant and carried.

 

                                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.

 

                                Upon the recommendation of Chief Merchant, it was moved by Council Member Loyd to authorize the Mayor and the Chief of Police to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Calcasieu Parish Public Safety Communications District  for VHF Paging Transmitter & Services.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Vice and carried.  (Exhibit “B”)

 

                                Mr. Wayne Doucette announced his candidacy for Ward 7 Constable.

 

                                There being no further business to come before the Governing Authority, it was moved by Council Member Merchant 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