VILLE PLATTE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
FEBRUARY 12, 2014
The Ville Platte City Council, Tuesday, approved a request from Camille Fontenot, executive director of the Ville Platte Chamber of Commerce to replace the roof on the Chamber of Commerce building. Fontenot said the chamber office is located in the city owned building. She remarked that it is raining in the building. It was noted that the lease agreement with the city revealed that the chamber is responsible for paying up to $1200 in roof repairs per year. It is estimated that it will cost from $8-10,000 to replace the roof. The council is requesting another tenant in the building, Work Force, to help pay for a portion of the replacement cost. Also attending the meeting were Dr. Kirk Soileau, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Mary Alice Fontenot, President of the Evangeline Tourism Commission.
Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine announced that a number of Little Free Libraries will be located in city parks and in various neighborhoods. The Little Free Library is an open cabinet with shelves containing books. Residents will be invited to take a book and leave one of their own books to replace it. The project is to encourage literacy in the city.
In other action the city council:
--approved the hiring of Justin Taylor of Oakdale as a new police officer;
--approved a liquor permit for” How You Want It Seasonings” for a benefit gumbo cook off March 2 at the City Park Grand pavilion for the benefit of the new Ville Platte Boys and Girls Club;
--received a report from City Engineer Ronnie Landreneau that work crews have installed 1350 of the 1500 smart meters as part of the city water project;
--heard from Mayor Vidrine announce that the city is still accepting residents to come in and have their income tax returns done at no charge at city hall with retired IRS agents;
--received a report from Fire Chief Ted Demourelle that the Ville Platte Fire Department received 14 fire calls in the city including 7 structure fires and 2 vehicle fires for the month of January;
--received a report from Police Chief Neal Lartigue that the police department received 607 complaints in January including 21 citations, 6 felony arrests and 29 traffic accidents.