The Ville Platte City Council and Mayor Jennifer Vidrine met Tuesday for their meeting of the month at City Hall. Todd Morein with Universal Communications made a presentation to provide high speed internet service throughout the city. His proposal would include attaching his equipment to the city’s Water Towers. The council voted to take his proposal under consideration and report back at a later date.

   Five retired city employees were honored with a plaque of appreciation during the meeting by the mayor and council for their many years of service to the city. The honored retirees included: Marcus Johnson with the Gas Dept; Donna Veillon, tax collector, Kenneth Green in the street department; Joe Matte and Carroll Duos, both in public works department.

   In other business, the city council approved longevity pay for full time city employees who have been with the city for more than five years. Also, fire department employees began receiving this month their mandatory 2 percent increase in pay.

   Mayor Jennifer Vidrine commended Fire Chief Chris Harrison for applying and  receiving a $7500 grant for the fire department to be used for a new vehicle. The city is also applying for grant money to purchase a new ladder truck and new pumper truck.

   Also, Public Works Director Don White was commended for his early repair work on the city water system last year that has keep the city water system from losing water pressure during the recent hard freezes we have had.

   In other action, the city council approved a resolution to apply for the sale of 2.9 million dollars in bonds for road and drainage improvements.

   The council approved moving the dates for their February meeting to Feb. 12 due to the Mardi Gras holiday and move the March meeting date due to a conflict with the National League of Cities Conference.