VINTON, LA

                August 21, 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 21st day of August, 2007, 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 June, 2007                                                                                $   124,097.48

                                Total Receipts for June, 2007                                                             $1,160,151.33

                                Total Disbursements for June, 2007                                                  $   954,202.24

                                Total Bills for June, 2007                                                                     $   655,279.56

 

 

 

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 July, 2007, were approved and payment authorized upon a

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

 

                                Representative Ronnie Johns presented a Resolution from the Louisiana House of Representatives to the family of Sgt. John Hennen.

 

                                John Smith announced his candidacy for Louisiana State Senator, and asked for the support from the citizens of the Town of Vinton.

 

                                Ellis Hassien announced his candidacy for Calcasieu Parish Police Jury and asked for the support from the citizens of the Town of Vinton.

 

                                Mayor Stinson announced that three (3) bids were received in response to the NOTICE TO BIDDERS for residential garbage pick-up and proceeded to open the bids as follows:

 

                                                                1.  Waste Management, Inc.                                                $19.14/month/residential unit

                                                                2.  IESI                                                                    $17.85/month/residential unit            

                                                                3.  Jim Bill Disposal                                              $19.40/month/residential unit

 

                                It was moved by Council Member Loyd to take the bids under advisement and have the attorney look over them to be sure they meet all the specifications.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Douglass and carried.

 

                                Mayor Stinson updated the governing authority on pending grants and projects and made the following announcements:

 

                                                                LOVE’S Grand Opening is scheduled for September 6, 2007 @ 11:30 A.M.

                                                               

                                                                LION’S DEN DAY CARE Grand Opening will be August 28, 2007 @ 2:00 P.M.

                                Gary Fontana, Consultant discussed the following information presented at the public hearing held at 5:30 P.M., regarding the 2008-2009 LCDBG Grant application:

 

a)       Citizen Participation Plan/Citizen Complaint Procedure

b)       The approximate amount of funds available for proposed community development and housing activities:  $32,450,000.00

c)       The range of activities that may be undertaken, including the estimated amount of funds proposed to be used for activities that will principally benefit persons of low and moderate income.

d)       The plans of the applicant for minimizing displacement of persons as a result of activities assisted with such funds and the benefits to be provided to persons actually displaced as a result of such activities.

 

                                A motion was made by Council Member Merchant and seconded by Council Member Douglass that a Citizen Participation Plan/Citizen Complaint Procedure (Exhibits “A” & “B”) be adopted and Mary Vice be appointed as Citizen Complaint Officer for compliance with the LCDBG program.  The vote cast thereon was as follows:

 

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

 

                                                                NAYS:  None

 

                                                           ABSENT:  None

 

                                A motion was made by Council Member Douglass and seconded by Council Member Loyd that the LCDBG application be submitted for Public Facilities, contingent upon consideration given to views and proposals submitted by citizens unable to attend the public hearing, if any.  The vote cast thereon was as follows:

 

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

 

                                                                NAYS:  None

 

                                                             ABSENT:  None

 

                                A motion was made by Council Member Douglass and seconded by Council Member Loyd authorizing the Mayor to proceed with the procurement and selection of professional services for the purpose of assisting the development of the LCDBG application and implementation of the project.  The vote cast thereon was as follows:

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

 

                                                                NAYS:  None

 

                                                           ABSENT:  None

 

                                Mayor Stinson discussed becoming a Charter Member of the LaMP (Louisiana Mapping Project), whereby the Town would make a good faith commitment with FEMA to work together toward the adoption of the new Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps.

 

                                After discussion, it was moved by Council Member Merchant to authorize the Mayor to sign the Charter (Exhibit “C”) whereby making the town a Charter Member of LaMP.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Loyd and carried.

 

                                It was moved by Council Douglass that the following Class “A” Beer Permits  be approved:

 

                                                                                Gregory M. Love

                                                                                DBA:  LOVES Travel Stop

                                                                                2024 West Street

                                                                                Vinton, LA  70668

 

                                                                                K.J.H., LLC

                                                                                DBA:  Taco Rico

                                                                                1905 West Street

                                                                                Vinton, LA  70668

The motion was seconded by Council Member Bujard and carried.

 

                                It was moved by Council Member Douglass that the following Class “B” Beer Permits be approved:

 

                                                                                Gregory M. Love

                                                                                DBA:  LOVES Travel Stop

                                                                                2024 West Street

                                                                                Vinton, LA  70668

 

The motion was seconded by Council Member Bujard and carried.

 

                                It was moved by Council Member Douglass that the following Class “A” Liquor Permits be approved:

 

 

Gregory M. Love

                                                                                DBA:  LOVES Travel Stop

                                                                                2024 West Street

                                                                                Vinton, LA  70668

 

                                                                                K.J.H., LLC

                                                                                DBA:  Taco Rico

                                                                                1905 West Street

                                                                                Vinton, LA  70668

 

The motion was seconded by Council Member Vice and carried.

 

                                Mayor Stinson announced that the town won Honorable Mention in the LMA Community Achievement Awards for the Downtown Project.  The award was received at the LMA Convention Banquet in Monroe, Louisiana, on August 4, 2007.

 

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

 

                                Upon the recommendation of Chief Fox, it was moved by Council Member Vice that Jolene McGee be made a regular employee, effective the beginning of this payroll.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Bujard and carried.

 

                                It was moved by Council Member Vice to hear an item from Scott Savoit regarding problems with his driveway that was not listed on the agenda.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Bujard and carried.

 

                                Mr. Savoit discussed on-going problems he is having regarding the ditch under his driveway.

 

                                A written report for the Public Works and Electrical Department was submitted due to the absence of Terry Vice, Director of Public Works.  Mr. Vice is attending a mandatory conference regarding the Safe Route to School Grant the town received.

 

                                It was moved by Council Member Vice to amend the agenda to hear an item from David Smith regarding Venisatt Ballpark.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Merchant and carried.

 

                                Mr. Smith discussed using the ballpark on a daily bases for the Vinton Youth Group.

 

                                Mayor Stinson assured Mr. Smith that he would check to see if there would be any legal issues regarding the use of the park and if there are none something could definitely be worked out for the Vinton Youth Group to use the ballpark.

 

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

 

                                Mr. Richard Huval discussed trash being thrown out and piled up on East Street.  He said the trash is getting into the ditches and causing a problem with drainage, not to mention the eye sore it creates.

 

                                The governing authority assured Mr. Huval they would check into the problem

 

                               

                            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’Quinn Vice, Clerk