Ville Platte- Following a public hearing, the Evangeline Parish Police Jury Monday voted to adopt an amendment to its glass bottle ordinance for Crooked Creek Park near Pine Prairie.
The new ordinance adds penalties to the ordinance. First time offenders will be issued a warning or given a citation from deputies or wildlife agents. Second Time offenders will be removed from the park and be issued a citation from a law enforcement officer.
Visitors to the parish owned park will also be notified about the changes through signage at the park and will be given a set of park rules at the park entrance.
In other business, the police jury authorized its secretary treasurer to begin the procurement process to select an engineer, administrator and project manager for a federal Hazard Mitigation Grant. The successful candidate will handle the project to “harden” the Ville Platte North side Civic Center to better withstand high winds and stormy conditions.
The police jury went on record approving a resolution supporting the new United States Bicycle Route, a portion which will run through Ville Platte and Chataignier in Evangeline Parish.
Also, the police jury authorized President Eric Soileau to approve the lowest possible bidder that the parish will receive later this week for restroom renovation work.
The work involves making the restroom on the second floor of the courthouse handicap accessible that is being mandated by the United States Department of Agriculture. USDA is holding up awarding a grant to the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Department for new vehicles until the courthouse restroom project is completed. Engineer Ronnie Landreneau is estimating the work should cost the parish about $10,000.
In other action, the police jury:
--voted to advertise for bids for limestone, pest control, culverts, and fuel;
--appointed Bryan Bieber to replace Peter Savoy on the Mamou Drainage District Board;
--reappointed Roderick Thibodeaux to serve another five year term on the Evangeline Parish Water District One board;
--voted to advertise to replace the chillers and blowers on the courthouse air conditioning system using funds received from an Energy Efficient Grant.