Ville Platte Gazette
March 29, 2026
Legal Notice
VILLE PLATTE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 10, 2026
Mayor Ryan Williams called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
After an opening prayer and the pledge of allegiance, role was called. In attendance were Alderwoman Lemoine, Alderwoman Frank, Alderman Roy, Alderman Jagneaux, Fire Chief Soileau. Absent were City Attorney Ludeau, Alderwoman Sam, Alderman Riggs, Police Chief Thomas.
The first item of business was to approve February 10th meeting minutes. Motion by Alderman Jagneaux and 2nd by Alderwoman Frank. Motion passed unanimously.
Second item was approval of the February 12th Special meeting minutes. Motion by Alderman Roy, 2nd by Alderman Jagneaux. Motion passed unanimously.
Third agenda item was to approve the January 2026 financial reports that were emailed to the council. After review by the council, a motion to approve the monthly financials was offered by Alderwoman Lemoine and 2nd by Alderwoman Frank. Motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Williams asked for any public comments on the agenda. There being none, the first item of business was the introduction of an ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING the SALE OF ADJUDICATED PROPERTIES AT PUBLIC AUCTION SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 29, 2026.
Second agenda item was a request by citizen Kathy Ned Gallow to rename part of West Live Oak St to “Sherman Ned” St. The mayor will look into the request and will reschedule a future meeting.
Third agenda item was a discussion of the CEA entered into with the Veterans of Ville Platte, Inc., Disabled American Veterans Chapter 41, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 632 and American Legion Ville Platte Chapter for city utilities used in their building. The Cooperative Endeavor Agreement stated the city would forgive the base rate amounts for water, sewer and gas service. Any amount of use over base rate would be the Veterans groups responsibility. The council felt this would be sufficient as they were informed the Veterans only use the building a few days a month for a meeting and a couple of days a week for Veterans outreach. Since that agreement was signed, the building has been used on a near daily basis, substantially increasing utility usage. The council voted to ratify the existing CEA with out any changes. Motioned by Alderwoman Frank and 2nd by Alderman Roy. Motion passed unanimously.
Fourth agenda item was a discussion on a proposed Adult Playground League for Women and Co-Ed teams to play kick ball. The league would have a Spring and Fall season, with each season lasting 6-8 weeks. A motion to support the endeavor and help finding suitable playing fields was offered by Alderwoman Frank and 2nd by Alderman Roy. Motion passed unanimously.
Fifth agenda item was a discussion on finance offers for a new Ville Platte Fire Department fire station. Points discussed were the dollar amount of the loan as well as interest rate and terms. Alderwoman Frank requested a breakdown of the terms and conditions be presented to the council before any decision is made. No action was taken.
Sixth agenda item was to consider entering into a one-year preventative maintenance agreement with Calcasieu Mechanical for biannual maintenance of the city’s air conditioning systems. Motion by Alderman Jagneaux and 2nd by Alderwoman Frank. Motion passed unanimously.
Seventh item was an update on the city’s health benefits package. Motion by Alderwoman Frank to accept bundling Blue Cross Blue Shield’s health, dental, vision and life insurance in order to reduce the city’s rate increase to 2%. Seconded by Alderman Roy. Motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Williams asked the council to add two agenda items, first item being to adopt a Citizens Participation Plan and the second was to move the April meeting to April 13 at 5:30. Motion to add the items was offered by Alderwoman Frank and 2nd by Alderwoman Lemoine. There was no objection from the audience and the motion passed unanimously.
In discussion of the Citizens Participation Plan, it was pointed out that the state objected to the city’s 27-day time limit for addressing citizen complaints on LCDBG projects. The city reduced the number of days to 13 which would be 2 days quicker than the state’s maximum of 15 days for resolution of complaints. A motion to allow 13 days to address issues was made by Alderwoman Lemoine and 2nd by Alderwoman Frank. Motion passed unanimously. Next Mayor Williams requested a change in the April meeting date due to a conflicting conference schedule. He requested the meeting be changed to April 13, same time, 5:30 pm. Motion by Councilwoman Frank for April 13th meeting date, 2nd by Alderman Jagneaux. Motion passed unanimously.
The Engineer’s report was given by Ronnie Landreneau of Landreneau & Associates who reported our water distribution project for phase 4 has begun with crews starting on E Washington St. The sewer lift station project is 90% complete. The property for a new water well has been purchased and the contractor has mobilized unto the site to dig a new water well, well #12, funded in part by a $1.6 million dollar Water Sector grant. This concluded the engineers report.
Fire Chief Soileau reported for the month of February
• In February, the fire department was dispatched to 16 incidents in the city, 1 mutual aid response to Mamou Fire District, and 11 incidents in the surrounding fire district, totaling 28.
Of those incidents, there were no actual structure fires or losses, though 6 of the incidents were fire alarm dispatches. Vegetation fires totaled 10 inside the city and the surrounding fire district.
• I’d like to recognize our firefighters who worked the most incidents in the city as volunteers in 2025:
3rd place – Landon Arvie (28)
Tied for 2nd place – Curtis Marcantel & Ahmad Fontenot (32)
Tied for 1st place – Ashton Janise & Landon Vizinat (43)
Also, career firefighter Caiaphas Freeman is recognized for working the most incidents while off-duty.
• The last original HVAC unit (from 1980) at the Lincoln Rd station was replaced. It serves the west side of the meeting room, which also serves as an election polling place. Our annual Aerial Ladder and breathing air compressor testing, inspection, and recertification is completed.
• Pre-Incident planning and updates are on-going and scheduled to be completed this month.
• End of my report.
Police Chief Thomas’s report was given by citizen Tony Marks in the chief’s absence, who read, during the month of February the department responded to a total of 348 calls for assistance which was down by 94 from January. 12 citations, which was up by 6. 29 arrests which included 9 felony arrests, up by 4. Officers also responded to 15 accidents in February. Accidents were down by 5 and there were no fatalities. This concluded the report as written by Chief Thomas.
In his mayor’s report, Mayor Williams stated:
Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Funding – Sidewalk Improvements.
In late 2025, I applied for Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding through the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD). Earlier this month, I am pleased to announce that the city of Ville Platte has been awarded $770,000 in funding through DOTD to construct new sidewalks throughout the city to improve accessibility and pedestrian safety.
This project will tie into the upcoming DOTD road project that will extend from Mercy Regional Medical Center down to Tate Cove Road. DOTD may utilize consultants and engineering firms to help move this process forward more efficiently so that construction can begin as soon as possible.
Well #12 update: Work has officially begun on the construction of well #12, which will help improve the city’s water system capacity and reliability.
Phase 4 water system improvements: Have begun. Crews are currently excavating and boring pipe along Washington Street as part of this infrastructure improvement project.
City drainage update: Following the recent rainfall, I personally monitored conditions throughout the city between 11:00 p.m. and midnight to observe water levels and identify any problem areas. Overall, drainage performed well throughout most of the city.
However, the area around Chataignier Road and Lasalle Street experienced water accumulation on the roadway. This area functions like a bowl, which contributes to slow drainage. A few months ago, I reached out to DOTD to address this issue and a meeting was scheduled, but it was later cancelled.
One of the primary issues appears to be that some storm drains in the area have been blocked off with old brick material for many years, which forces water to flow down LaSalle toward the railroad tracks. Due to the road elevation in that direction, water does not flow properly and tends to remain stagnant longer than normal.
At the earliest opportunity, I will have elevation measurements taken throughout that entire area so we can develop a proper solution. In the short term, I have a plan in place to help divert water toward a nearby street that does not experience flooding during heavy rain events.
I also met with Corey from DOTD yesterday to review the as-built plans for that area, and he has given me the okay to move forward with addressing some of these drainage concerns.
City employee health insurance update: The city has been working with Mark Fontenot and his team with HUB International regarding our employee health insurance renewal. Initially, the city was facing a 5.5% increase in premiums.
After negotiations with Blue Cross Blue Shield and by transitioning our vision and dental coverage to Blue Cross as well, we were able to reduce that increase to just 2%, which results in approximately saving $1,000 more per month for the city.
Partnership with Ville Platte High School 4-H students: The city is partnering with Ville Platte High School 4-H students for their Achievement Day Project. Students will be constructing planters that will be placed at various locations throughout the city to help beautify our community.
Surplus vehicle: An item is on the agenda tonight regarding a surplus city vehicle sale that the council will be asked to consider.
Evangeline Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet: Will take place on March 12 at 6:00 p.m. and I encourage everyone to come out and support this important community event.
Dads & kids mentoring group community event: As a member of the Dads & Kids mentoring group, I am proud to support the many programs we host that recognize and encourage student achievement in our community.
On Saturday, March 21st, we will be hosting a prom dress giveaway for students throughout the community. This event will take place at the MLK Center from noon until 3:00 p.m., and any student in need of a prom dress is welcome to attend.
This concludes the mayor’s report.
There being no further business to come before the council, Alderwoman Frank motioned and Alderman Jagneaux seconded to adjourn. Motion unanimously passed and the meeting was adjourned at 6:15 PM. March 10, 2026
Signed: ______________________________
Mayor Ryan LeDay Williams
Attested: ____________________________________
Donald Bergeron, City Clerk & Tax Collector
032926
Cost is $260.00