Ville Platte City Council Meeting

September 13, 2016

     A large group of concerned residents from Shady Acres subdivision Tuesday packed the city council meeting room asking for the city’s assistance after the recent historic floods that damaged many of their homes last month. Spokesperson Faye Lemoine said she had water in her home three times in the last five years and the problem is no drainage. She said “We are financially and emotionally drained. We deserve to have good drainage.:

    The city council voted to authorize the street department to begin immediately to clean out drainage ditches and authorize its city engineer to make an elevation study of the subdivision properties and make recommendations. The council also asked the engineer to make a drainage survey of the entire city.

    The police jury is also expected to join in assisting through a cooperative endeavor agreement to clean out the major canals near Shady Acres.

     In other business, the city council approved the purchase of five new police body cameras at a cost of nearly $900 each and a server for $4000 to download the videos from each camera. Also the city agreed to apply for a federal grant to purchase 20 additional cameras. The city of Ville Platte was among the very first cities in the state to buy body cameras for police officers a number of years ago.

    Two representatives of Keep Evangeline Beautiful addressed the council. Becky Buller asked the city to remind residents to cut their grass to the curb side especially along Main, LaSalle and Lincoln. Sharon Fontenot received approval from the city to have Ville Platte  be a collection point for a parish wide Electronic Waste Recycling Program next spring.

   In other action, the city council:

--approved increasing the minimum wage for city employees from $7.25 to $8 an hour effective at the next pay period;

--approved accepting the donation of the old Heritage Manor Nursing Building and property. Mayor Jennifer Vidrine said the facility will be used as a public works building to house the city’s gas, water and sewer departments as well as most of its equipment;

--recognized a local Ville Platte team that won a national championship from the AAU;

--heard from CASA(Court Appointed Special Advocates) officials asking for the public’s help to find volunteers to assist in the monitoring of  foster children. Currently there are 67 foster children in Evangeline Parish area homes;

--Fire Chief Chris Harrison was presented a special plaque of appreciation on behalf of the fire department and volunteers for helping rescue some 25 people from their homes and flooded out cars last month during the floods;

--also the city approved a liquor permit for the Louisiana Cotton Festival Association to sell alcoholic beverages during the festival and the council authorized the closure of Constitution Drive during the festival;

--approved applying for $50,000 worth of basketball courts and other recreational equipment for the north side city park;.