The owners of the new Whistle Stop business Tuesday addressed the Mayor and City Council to clarify their intention with their request to sell alcohol at their store. They originally checked the wrong box on the permit, which would have allowed them to sell alcohol and have it consumed on the premises, as is done for restaurants. The Whistle Stop said that was a mistake, and that they only want to sell packaged alcohol that cannot be consumed at the site. The ARC and city council requested that the Whistle Stop provide security, discourage loitering, and provide signage to discourage customers from parking at the ARC. Concern was also given for the citizens who are sometimes in residence at the ARC. The Whistle Stop owners were eager to oblige and said they plan on being very considerate. The council approved the Whistle Stop's permit to sell packaged alcohol. The Ville Platte Fire Chief, Chris Harrison, said the city received 39 calls, and there were no fatalities. City Engineer, Ronnie Landreneau, reminded the council about the proposed L-GAP funds, which the city wants to use for a new Ville Platte welcome sign near Tobacco Plus. Mayor Vidrine said the idea is to have a wall with flags, a fountain, lights, and a motto. The city will later take suggestions from the public as to what type of motto to put on the wall. In other action, a Ville Platte resident approached the council to ask what can be done about the city's drainage problems. The same citizen approached the Evangeline Parish Police Jury the night before, where he was told by the jury that they want to help by providing their equipment and labor, but that the city would have to reimburse them. Councilman Bryant Riggs seemed to take issue with the police jury, saying there's a difference between helping someone and charging them. He said it's a money issue and went on to say some people think the city doesn't have enough money for projects because they hear about council members getting raises, but he said that's a small amount compared to civil lawsuits. He said, "Our money is being spent on civil lawsuits." Councilman Mike Perron agreed with the citizen that something needs to be done about the drainage issue. Mayor Vidrine said 16 more properties have been cleaned up or demolished since the last city council meeting. She and City Attorney Eric LaFleur spoke about revamping communications between city departments. They said the new system will be web-based and state-of-the-art. Mayor Vidrine also announced, with much glee, that the McDonald's driveway is fixed, and DOTD are working on the entrance to Popeye's. In other action, the council approved alcohol permits for the following: Mark's Corner & Drive Thru Hebert's Boudin & Cracklin's, LLC Cheap & Best, LLC The Louisiana Cotton Festival Mayor Vidrine wore a Sacred Heart Trojans jersey because she said she lost a bet when her alma mater, Ville Platte High, lost to the Trojans in the Tee Cotton Bowl. However, she said she was very proud of both teams. In other business, Mayor Jennifer Vidrine read the expenditure report. Total expenses for the month of July, 2018, was $189,011.05 Total for the month of August was $208,903.51. Additional expenses were at the end of the quarter. Some expenses were paid to Acadian Ambulance to transport inmates, and two pump stations unexpectedly broke and needed repairs. The council renewed their sponsorship of Evangeline Council on Aging Public Transit. The council approved the hiring of 4 new people to the Ville Platte Police Department: a dispatcher and three parol officers.