The Evangeline Parish Police Jury held its committee and monthly meetings tonight in the Courthouse in front of television cameras and other media.  The Mayor of Ville Platte, Jennifer Vidrine, was also in attendance.  One of the agenda items was to go into Executive Session about “personnel matters”.  The media was only given that reason for the possible session.  KVPI News has continued to report on the resignation and reinstatement of OEP Director, Liz Hill.  When it came time to go into “Executive Session”, Police Juror, Eric Soileau, questioned the Jury as to why they were going into Executive Session.  He asked if it was to discuss Liz Hill, who was in attendance at the Jury meeting.  He then questioned the Jury’s Legal Counsel, Marcus Fontenot, as to whether Ms. Hill was required to be in attendance if they did go into Executive Session to talk about her.  Mr. Fontenot responded that “Ms. Hill has the right to object to the Jury going into Executive Session regarding her.”  Ms. Hill then stood and objected to the Jury doing just that.  Police Jury President, Ryan Ardoin, stated he did not think they needed to go into Executive Session because he “is firm in his decision to reinstate Ms. Hill.”  President Ardoin had received negative responses for his decision from a couple of Police Jurors after his decision; however, nothing further was stated in the open meeting.  Police Juror, Lamar Johnson, stated “You, as President, have the power to reinstate her.”  The subject quickly came to an end as the President then asked for a Motion to Adjourn.  No one objected to that.  KVPI News spoke with 911/OEP Director, Liz Hill, and she stated: “We need to get past this.  I believe we can work together for the good of the people of Evangeline Parish.” 

In other news from the meeting, it was reported that nearly every entity has now entered into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with 911 for dispatching now that Sheriff, Eddie Soileau, will no longer be handling those calls. 

At the request of Jill Stevens with Every Paw Animal Rescue, the Jury voted to cover up to $300.00 a month to euthanize animals taken in from the parish who pose a “threat to the population”.  The funds will be taken out of Health Unit funding. 

Police Juror, Bryan Vidrine, brought up of the use of drones in our area and asked that a public hearing has been set to open discussions about regulating them.  That hearing is set for June 6^th at 4:30 p.m.

There will also be a public hearing on June 6^th at 4:45 to discuss reducing the speed limits on Gautreaux Lane, CDF Road and Redlick Road