The Ville Platte City Council

March 3, 2015

The Ville Platte City Council held its monthly meeting tonight at Ville Platte City Hall.  During Council Comments, Councilman Mike Perron, brought up the problems that the City is having with street cleaning.  He stated that the driver of the street sweeper is having problems with residents putting their trash boxes too close, if not on, the road.  This becomes a problem because the sweeper cannot pass without the driver getting out and moving the boxes.  Residents should know their trash boxes should be at least 1 – 2 feet away from the curb.  It was also noted that much of the trash that residents are disposing off are not the City’s responsibility to pick up.  It is the responsibility of the Solid Waste Commission.  Items such as sofas, stoves, air conditioners, refrigerators and other items should be put out in accordance with the specifications of the Solid Waste Commission, then residents are to call 363-7254 and ask that those items be picked up.  Mayor Vidrine stated “We are trying to clean up the City.  If you put your trash out too early and animals get into your trash and scatter it, you can be ticketed if it is not picked up.  This is your responsibility.”  There was also discussion of the problem with residents cutting limbs and raking leaves and other lawn clippings into ditches and gutters.  This becomes a problem with drainage and creates a headache to clean up. 

Mayor, Jennifer Vidrine, was pleased to report that expenditures for the City of Ville Platte for the month of February were $123,670.30.  That was down $95,953.47 from the month of January.  She, again, thanked the city employees, supervisors, in-house personnel for all of their efficient work, as well as business owners for following the purchase order process.

A concerned citizen spoke to the council regarding his unpleasant experience with SuddenLink in our area.  He has been unhappy with the connectivity service as well as the lack of answers he has received from SuddenLink regarding any possible upgrade in equipment.  The Mayor shared her additional concern with their service and stated she has spoken to two other companies to see what availability Ville Platte would have for another service to be offered.  She stated she was unhappy with the price of the service versus the amount of channels.  Another member of the audience in the council room stated he wanted to know why his service has not gotten better, yet he has received a $6.00 hike on his bill.

The City Council unanimously agreed to enter into a Cooperative Agreement with Head of State Parks, Dwight Landreneau, and Chicot State Park due to the cuts in funding that are happening.  The City will be aiding the park through the Experience Work program by providing workers, volunteers, machinery, etc., when needed. 

A Cooperative Agreement was also agreed to for Renee Brown and her group taking over The Smoked Meat Festival.  Mayor Vidrine thanked Renee and Jessie Muse, along with the rest of the volunteers, for taking over the event and not letting it go. 

Mayor Vidrine thanked Councilman Riggs for his generous donation of a “Ping Pong Table” to the Boys & Girls Club.

Also in attendance were Glen Fontenot and Charlie Manuel from the Ville Platte Lyons Club.  They also made a donation to the Boys & Girls Club.

Mayor Vidrine also made note of the article regarding KVPI, French Programming and Evangeline Parish in the New York Times.  She showed her framed copy and said it would be hung inside City Hall.

During the Mayor’s Comments, she took the time to state: “Publicly and personally thank the Council for all they have done for the City.  The Mayor’s name comes up a lot but the Council has so much to do with everything.  I thank them for their support and enthusiasm for getting things done.  A lot of cities have councils and mayors that do not get along and things do not get done.  But, the Council and I work together as 1 body to do the best for the City.”

She also thanked City Engineer, Ronnie Landreneau, for doing so much for Ville Platte on a daily basis.  She stated: “I don’t many people know the time, paperwork, research and all Ronnie does for Ville Platte.  I thank him from the bottom of my heart and appreciate all you and your staff do to get things right for our city.”

She lastly thanked our City Attorney, Eric Lafleur for all he does for our city and our area.  She stated: “We are very lucky to have a city attorney who is also a State Senator and we thank him for being there for us.”