Ville Platte City Council Meeting July 12, 2023 The Ville Platte City Council met Tuesday at city Hall for their meeting of the month. An ordinance was introduced to update city utility rates. The plan is to adjust the rates monthly rather than yearly. A public hearing is scheduled for August 8 at 5;00pm at City Hall. In his comments, Ville Platte Mayor Ryan LeDay Williams announced the city has officially purchased the old Teche Electrical building on Railroad across from the Swamp Pop Museum. The city is advertising for bids to renovate the building. Mayor Williams also announced that the city is applying for funds to tear down dangerous and blighted buildings throughout the city. State Representative Rhonda Butler announced that the Ville Platte Fire Department was approved to receive $500,000 for their fire station project. City engineer Ronnie Landreneau gave update repots on the two park projects, work on the baseball field and the sewer lift stations. Fire Chief Chris Soileau reported that during the month of June the department responded to 24 incidents included three structure fires, two mobile, two grass fires, trash fire, four medical assistance, two alarms and two service calls. Police Chief Al Perry Thomas reported that for the month of June the police department responded to 670 calls, issued four tickets, made 46 arrests including 8 felony arrests and worked 21 traffic accidents. The chief got permission in his request to begin having "ride alongs" to encourage young people to pursue this profession. In other action, the city council: --Approved a liquor permit for the Louisiana Cotton Festival Oct. 10-15; --Congratulated all the Dixie Youth teams and players for all their success; --approved closing Constitution Drive located on the side of the Ville Platte Civic Center for the Louisiana Cotton Festival Oct 10-15.