Ville Platte City Council
December 8, 2015
The Ville Platte City Council and Mayor Jennifer Vidrine held its monthly meeting tonight in City Hall. Those attending were greeted with treats of apple cider and popcorn. City Hall is beautifully decorated for the holidays.
The City Council appointed Chris Harrison as the new permanent Fire Chief in Ville Platte. The Assistant Chief will be Blake Perron and Fabian Poullard will act as Captain.
Police Chief Neal Lartigue announced the hiring of 6 new Full Time Patrol Officers: Joseph Comeaux, Markita Thomas, Edward Lastrapes, Evan Lacross, Scott Fontenot and Trace Roy.
Gervis LaFleur of Evangeline Community Action presented Cleanest District Awards to: 3rd Place for Most Improved: Councilman C.J. Dardeau; 2nd Place to Councilman Donald Sam; and 1st Place to Councilman Mike Perron.
Mayor Vidrine happily reported that Expenditures for the month of November were $180,911.55 which is down $14,366 from the month of October. She also reported that the Sales Tax collected for the month of November was up 5.22% from November in 2014.
The annual 2% pay increase for fireman was approved by the city council, as well as pays increases for the City Council itself and the mayor. The longevity pay to city employees who have been with the City 5 years or more was also approved to take effect in January. The Mayor presented the letter that will be going out to those who have failed to clean up or repair abandoned or blighted property. The letter gives land owners 30 days to clean up the areas before penalties are imposed. If the City is forced to clean up your property, the cost of that cleanup will be tacked onto your property tax bill.
The Mayor will be traveling to the Capital tomorrow to present data from Ville Platte Police’s Body Camera usage. Ville Platte began using body cameras approximately 2 years before it others started using them.