VINTON, LA

                October 20, 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 20th day of October, 2009, with the following members present:

 

                                                                                Kenneth O. Stinson, Mayor

                                                                                Bliss Bujard, Council Member

                                                                                Harold R. Douga, Council Member

                                                                                Kevin Merchant, Council Member

                                                                                Paul Patin, Council Member

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                ABSENT:                              William “BB” Loyd, Mayor-Pro-Tem

 

                                ALSO PRESENT:               Thad Minaldi, Town Attorney

 

                                                                The following Reports were submitted:

 

                                Total Payroll for September, 2009                                                                              $      92,377.79                      

                                Total Receipts for September, 2009                                                          $    946,798.26

                                Total Disbursements for September, 2009                                                             $    860,175.11 

                                Total Bills for September, 2009                                                                   $    444,885.03

 

 

 

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 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.

 

                                Sheriff Tony Mancuso and District Attorney John DeRosier reported on the tax propositions that will be on the November 14th ballot and requested that the citizens of Vinton support them.

 

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

 

                                Mayor Stinson called on Vernon Meyer, Engineer to open the bids received for the Water Efficiency Improvement Project.  The bids were as follows:
               

                                                                Blake D. Hines, Inc.                                          $921,600.00

                                                                R. Cloud Construction Co., Inc.                  $1,173,777.00

                                                                Jan’s Construction Company, Inc.            $970,781.00

                                                                Simco Enterprises, LTD                                 $829,250.00

                                                                Teche Construction Co., Inc.                       $896,069.90

                                                                National Metering                                            $903,656.10

                                                                Utility Metering Solutions                            $694,820.71

 

                                Upon the recommendation of the Engineer, it was moved by Council Member Merchant that the bids be taken under advisement until they are reviewed by the engineer and DEQ representatives.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Douga and carried.

 

                                Bills for the month of September, 2009, were approved and payment authorized upon a motion by Council Member Douga, seconded by Council Member Bujard and carried.

 

                                Mayor Stinson updated the governing authority on pending grants and projects.  He announced that the town was awarded a grant from the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Road and Drainage Trust Fund for the Center Street Bridge and Road Project in the amount of $478,500.00.

 

                                Mayor Stinson called for demolition hearings on the following properties:

 

                                                                1507 Horridge Street – Angela Marie Jones McBride, property owner

                                                                913 East Street – Beacon Lodge No. 117, property owner

 

                                The property owner or representative thereof for 1507 Horridge Street was not present to show just cause why structure should not be demolished.

 

                                It was moved by Council Member Merchant to proceed with the demolition of 1507 Horridge Street.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Bujard and the vote cast thereon was as follows:

 

                                                                YEAS:  Council Members Bujard, Douga, Merchant and Patin

 

                                                                NAYS:  None

 

                                                          ABSENT:  Council Member Loyd

 

                                The property owner or representative thereof for 913 East Street was not present to show just cause why structure should not be demolished.

 

                                It was moved by Council Member Merchant to proceed with the demolition of 913 East Street.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Bujard and the vote cast thereon was as follows:

 

                                                               

                                                                YEAS:  Council Members Bujard, Douga, Merchant and Patin

 

                                                                NAYS:  None

 

                                                          ABSENT:  Council Member Loyd

 

                                Mayor Stinson discussed the dilapidated and unsafe condition of the old jail located in the alley of the 1300 block of Horridge Street with the governing authority.

 

                                After discussion, it was moved by Council Member Douga that the old jail located in the alley of the 1300 block of Horridge Street be demolished due to the dilapidated and unsafe condition of the building.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Bujard and the vote cast thereon was as follows:

 

                                                                YEAS:  Council Members Bujard, Douga, Merchant and Patin

 

                                                                NAYS:  None

 

                                                          ABSENT:  Council Member Loyd

 

                                It was moved by Council Member Patin that we begin the process of selling the property where the old jail was located.  The motion was seconded by Council Member Merchant and carried.

 

                                Mayor Stinson announced that Halloween would be observed from 5:00 – 8:00 P.M. on Saturday, October 31, 2009.  The 1400 Block of Horridge Street will be closed for those wanting to participate in Trunk-or-Treat, providing a safe environment for trick-or-treaters.

 

                                Council Member Douga discussed concerns and problems he had with IESI.  He thanked David Smythe, IESI Manager for working with him to address and correct the problems and asked that he come before the Council at least twice a year to address any future concerns.

 

                                Council Member Douga discussed amending the Animal Control Ordinance to make it unlawful to chain, tie, rope, stake or tether a dog.  After discussion, the attorney was instructed to draft an ordinance for introduction amending said ordinance.

 

                                Council Member Patin discussed condemnations and a drainage problem in the downtown area with the governing authority.

 

                                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.

 

                                Chief Merchant discussed amending the Fire Department Ordinance to allow for an increase from 28 to 35 firemen on the roster.

 

                                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 Patin and carried.                          

                                                                                                                ______________________________

                                                                                                                                Kenneth O. Stinson, Mayor

ATTEST:

 

___________________________

Mary O. Vice, City Clerk