DeQuincy News
August 26, 2026
REGULAR COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
VINTON, LOUISIANA
August 18, 2026
The Governing Authority of the Town of Vinton, Louisiana was convened in regular session at Vinton City Hall, 1200 Horridge Street, Vinton, Louisiana, on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at approximately 6:00 P.M.
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Bonnie Jo Bahnsen called the meeting to order.
2. INVOCATION / PRAYER.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
4. ROLL CALL / Roll call was taken by Brandi Patin, Town Clerk.
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS - no public comments
6. MAYOR BAHSEN
The following Reports were submitted:
Total Payroll for July 2026 $193,118.38
Total Pay Warrant for Town Bills July 2026, $ 207, 237.23
7. APPROVAL OF BILLS – JULY 2026. A motion was made by Council Member Starring to approve the July 2026 bills. There was not a second, and the motion failed, opposition from Council Members Conner, Stanley, and Wright.
8. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING OF JULY 21, 2026
A motion was made by Council Member Loyd, seconded by Council Member Stanley, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held July 21,2026
Motion carried.
9. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – SPECIAL MEETING OF MAY 28, 2026
A motion was made by Council Member Starring, seconded by Council Member Stanley, to approve the minutes of the special meeting held May 28, 2026 and
Motion carried.
10. PROCLAMATION FOR GRUNIE “TUTIE” RICHARD
Mayor Bahnsen presented a proclamation honoring Grunie “Tutie” Richard. The proclamation was read aloud by Carla Sigular Town Magistrate
11. JEFF ROY POWELL – 905 Vincent. Mr. Powell was not present.
12. PICO PACO / PAULINA – 2026–2027 BEER AND LIQUOR PERMIT
The Council considered the application for approval of the 2026–2027 Beer and Liquor Permits for 1346 Horridge Street. Paulina indicates the matter was waiting on the Fire Marshal. A motion was made by Council Member Loyd, seconded by Council Member Wright, and the motion carried.
Council Member Starring requested that it be noted for the record that she was not in favor of alcohol being served on main st as she preferred to maintain a family-friendly, environment.
PUBLIC HEARING
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-533
Mayor Bahnsen called the Public Hearing to order regarding Ordinance No. 2026-533, an ordinance adding Section 17-1 relative to fireworks to the Code of Ordinances of the Town of Vinton and providing requirements and restrictions for the sale and use of fireworks. Mayor Bahnsen asked for public comment regarding the proposed ordinance. There were no public comments.
A motion was made by Council Member Loyd, seconded by Council Member Stanley, to close the Public Hearing.
The motion carried by roll call vote.
Roll Call Vote: ALL YEAS: Conner, Starring, Loyd, Stanley, Wright. NAYS: 0
13. MAYOR BAHNSEN –
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-533
The Council considered adoption of Ordinance No. 2026-533, an ordinance adding Section 17-1 relative to fireworks to the Code of Ordinances of the Town of Vinton to provide requirements and restrictions for fireworks, including the sale thereof and the dates and times they may be used.
AN ORDINANCE ADDING SECTION 17-1 RELATIVE TO FIREWORKS TO THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE TOWN OF VINTON
WHEREAS, the Board of Aldermen of the Town of Vinton believe that the Town of Vinton’s ordinances be amended to add requirements and restrictions addressing fireworks and pyrotechnics, including relative to the sale thereof and the times and dates by which same may be used within the corporate limits of the Town of Vinton.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Code of Ordinances, Town of Vinton, Louisiana, is hereby amended, and specifically Section 17-1 (located under Chapter 17 Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions, Article I), which is currently reserved under the Town’s Ordinances, is inserted therein the following ordinance:
Sec. 17-1. Fireworks/Pyrotechnics.
(a) Except as hereinafter provided for, it shall be unlawful for any person to have, keep, store, use, discharge, manufacture, offer to sell, handle or transport any pyrotechnics within the corporate limits of the town, it being the intention of this section to prohibit the sale, distribution of, or discharge of pyrotechnics of any kind or description of, or discharge of pyrotechnics of any kind or description whatsoever within the corporate limits.
(b) The terms "pyrotechnics" and/or “fireworks” is defined as any sparkler, squib, rocket, firecracker, roman candle, signal lights, fireworks or explosives of inflammable material and any other of such devices used to obtain a visible and/or audible pyrotechnic display.
(c) This section shall not apply to the following:
(1) The possession or use of signaling devices necessary for the safe operation of railroads or other classes of public or private transportation or of eliminating devices for photographic use or the use of blank cartridges for ceremonial, theatrical or athletic events.
(2) Pyrotechnic displays of fireworks in public parks or other open places where a permit for such display has been issued by the town.
(3) Fireworks which are used, fired, shot or exploded by a responsible adult, or under the constant supervision of a responsible adult, in a place and in such a manner that no fire hazard will be presented.
(4) Fireworks may only be fired, shot or exploded within the corporate limits of the Town Of Vinton two weeks prior to and one week after the recognized holidays of 4th of July, Christmas and New Years. At no other time will they be allowed to be fired, shot or exploded within the corporate limits. For all such recognized holidays other than New Years Eve, citizens must stop the use of fireworks by 10:00 P.M. Citizens will be allowed to use fireworks on New Years Eve/New Years Day until 12:30 A.M.
A motion was made by Council Member Conner, seconded by Council Member Stanley. Motion carried.
/s/Bonnie Jo Bahnsen,
Mayor
/s/Brandi Patin
City Clerk
14. MAYOR BAHNSEN Proposed ORDINANCE for purpose of soliciting sealed bids to dispose of obsolete and unnecessary office chairs. Attorney Jared Watson spoke to the matter, and we should be revisited at a later meeting, with the intention of including additional items for disposal.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-21
A RESOLUTION OF THE Town of Vinton La TO ADOPT THE 2026 Calcasieu Parish Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan for the Town in accordance with the Disaster Mitigation Act on August 18, 2026
ADOPTED by a vote of 5 in favor, 0 against, and 0 abstaining, this 18th day of August 2026.
YEAS: Conner, Starring, Loyd, Stanley, Wright NAYS: NONE ABSENT: NONE
/s/Bonnie Jo Bahnsen,
Mayor
/s/Brandi Patin
City Clerk
MAYOR BAHNSEN - COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT
The Council discussed the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between Calcasieu Parish Police Jury (CPPJ), Port of Vinton, and the Town of Vinton. No action was taken at this time.
MAYOR BAHNSEN -WATER, SEWER, GARBAGE AND ELECTRIC RATES
Mayor spoke to council to discuss the Town’s water rates, sewer, garbage, and electricity rates.
No action was taken. Council members were provided with packets for review.
15. TERRY VICE – DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
Mr. Terry Vice, Director of Public Works, provided the Public Works Report.
16. CHIEF CHRIS VICE Chief Chris Vice provided the Fire and Civil Defense Report. (Not Present)
17. CHIEF SCOTT SPELL - Chief Scott Spell provided the Police Report.
18. JARED WATSON – TOWN ATTORNEY.
19. ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Council Member Loyd, seconded by Council Member Starring, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned.
/s/Bonnie Jo Bahnson,
Mayor
/s/Brandi Patin,
City Clerk
Run Date: Aug. 26, 2026
(Au-10)
Cost of Notice: $114.00
Government Publications - Miscellaneous