American Press
May 24, 2022
Minutes
Regular Meeting
Town of Iowa
115 N. Thomson
Iowa, La
May 9, 2022
6:30 p.m.
Mayor and Town Council met in regular session this date in compliance with all requirements as to notice.
Present: Mayor Paul Hesse; Council Members: Gerald Guidry, Vernessa Guillory, Julie Fontenot, Daniel Hennigan, and Joe Becnel; [quorum present]; Chief of Police H. Keith Vincent; Town Attorney Eugene Bouquet; Town Clerk Cynthia Mallett; and about 7 citizens.
Invocation by Joe Becnel; followed by Pledge.
Mayor Hesse called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
It was moved by Daniel Hennigan, seconded by Vernessa Guillory to adopt agenda. The motion passed unanimously.
It was moved by Joe Becnell, seconded by Julie Fontenot to approve April 11, 2022 minutes as submitted. The motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Hesse announced he will address item 6 of the agenda first because of time constraint for Officer Brandon Crooks.
Officer Crooks came forward to report on the below properties for condemnation process:
a.500 502 Railroad Owner, Mr. Miller, wasnt present. Officer Crooks reported that Mr. Miller is still working on it. There was discussion on condemning it. It was moved by Julie Fontenot, seconded by Vernessa Guillory to demolish the structure. The motion passed unanimously.
b.414-A S. Knapp- Owner was not present. Mayor Hesse said to put on agenda for next month..
c.402 S. Philbrick- Owner was not present. Officer Crooks suggested that the owner work with the demolition company to pay it. Daniel Hennigan requested to postpone until next month.
d.510 W. Alley Street Ms. Anastasia Davis came forward. She requested time to make repairs. Mayor suggested four month time period. It was moved by Daniel Hennigan, seconded by Julie Fontenot to grant a four month extension. The motion carried unanimously.
e.616 N. Lightner Owner wasnt present. Mr. Gerald Guidry said he talked to the owner and he was not finished. He suggested a one month extension. It was moved by Daniel Hennigan, seconded by Julie Fontenot to grant one month extension. The motion carried unanimously.
f.405 S. Welty Officer Crooks reported this property process is completed/closed.
g.504 W. First Officer Crooks corrected the address to be 506 W. First Street. Fellowship Ministries. The owners were not present. Mayor requested Officer Crooks receive estimates for demolition.
OLD BUSINESS:
Introduction of Ordinance 2022-03 - Mayor Hesse read the title to Ordinance 2022-03, An Ordinance to amend Section 47 of the Tow of Iowa Municipal Code of Ordinances. He explained, it is requested, and a one-way flow of traffic is needed on N. Kinney Street from Scott Street to David Street.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mr. Jeff Kudla was not present. Mayor said we had a summary from Mr. Kudla on dates for advertisement and bid opening.
Mr. Gerald Guidry asked about what the plans were for building the baseball fields and the buddy ball field as far as what will be built first. A suggestion from Mr. Daniel Hennigan was to build the other fields first. Mayor said he will be talking to representative Tony Stelly about helping with the cost because people from outside Iowa play on the fields. Ms. Julie Fontenot suggested the other fields be built first. There was discussion of the design of the other fields not being ready yet. Cindy Mallett read the text response from Mr. Kudla on the date the design will be ready, late July. Mayor suggested amending the budget when the design is ready. Ms. Julie Fontenot stated she would like to meet with Mr. Kudla.
It was moved by Daniel Hennigan, seconded by Julie Fontenot to approve payment of $138,916.60 to K&J Development of SWLA for the Public Works Storage building project. The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Daniel Hennigan, seconded by Julie Fontenot to approve payment of $4,219.20 to Kudla Architecture for services rendered on Hurricane Laura damage assessments, and public works storage building. Invoice 2022-012-3. The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Julie Fontenot, seconded by Daniel Hennigan to approve payment of $12,495.83 for invoice #2022-012.2, Construction Administration for Public Works Storage Building. The motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Walt Jessen came forward he reported on the updates for the Sewer Pond repairs. He reported that RC Paving will be starting the asphalt work at South Estates Sub division on May 23, 2022. He said we were still in the Clear Lien Process for the N. Storer Drainage project. And that the Water Looping Project through the park was almost complete.
Mayor Hesse asked about the Drainage project for the Calcasieu Parish Road and Drainage Trust Fund. Mr. Jessen explained the only project they mentioned that qualifies is the David Street Drainage Project.
There was a discussion of the culvert issues at Ash Ridge Subdivision. Mayor asked to place it on the agenda for June meeting after we could research who is the responsible party to repair the culverts. Mr. Pat Thibodeaux said the town has made temporary repair on one section of culvert.
It was moved by Julie Fontenot, seconded by Vernessa Guillory to apply for the Calcasieu Parish Street & Drainage Trust Fund and authorize Mayor Hesse to execute all documents for the David Street Project.
Clayton Aymond reported the activities for the Street and Maintenance Department for the month of April. Mayor announced that the town crew has started blowing culverts out.
James Hardy gave a report on April activities for the Sewer Department. Mayor Hesse announced a consistent PM has been implemented.
Charles Ramour gave a report on April activities for the Water Department. Mr. Ramour reported 80% completion of the water meter installation.
Chief Keith Vincent came before the Mayor and Council and reported the activities for the month of April for the Police Department. He requested to amend agenda to add: Motion to promote Madolyne Miller from Patrol to PFC. It was moved by Daniel Hennigan, seconded by Julie Fontneot to add the requested item to the agenda. The motion carried unanimously. Upon the recommendation of Chief Vincent, it was moved by Daniel Hennigan, seconded by Julie Fontenot to promote Christopher Piper from PFC to CPL. The motion carried unanimously. Upon the recommendation of Chief Vincent, it was moved by Daniel Hennigan, seconded by Vernessa Guillory to promote Madolyne Miller from Patrol to PFC. The motion carried unanimously. Chief Vincent, after reviewing the proposed budget amounts, requested the amounts set for salaries and wages be checked and possibly increased.
Upon the recommendation of Chief Vincent It was moved by Julie Fontenot, seconded by Daniel Hennigan to approve Cooperative Endeavor Agreement by and between the City of Lake Charles and the Town of Iowa for the purpose of accepting surplus WatchGuard equipment and authorize Mayor Hesse to execute agreement. The motion carried unanimously.
Fire Chief Sonny Coffey was not present. Mayor announced that a new vehicle will be in the budget as a replacement for the Fire Chiefs truck. He also stated that two part-time fire fighters will be hired.
The appraisal report for NW/Corner of Railroad Avenue @ N. Storer Street was presented. Mayor Hesse requested a motion be made to enter into a purchase agreement for the appraised market value of $54,000.00. It was moved by Gerald Guidry, seconded by Joe Becnel to enter into a purchase agreement with Cary Cross McKee for the appraised lots for the amount of $54,000.00. The motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Joe Becnel, seconded by Daniel Hennigan to authorize Mayor Hesse to execute all documents for the purchase of said property. The motion carried unanimously.
The appraisal report for 413 Stockwell Street was presented. Mr. Kenneth Landry approached the Council and asked about the Fire Department and Police Department having a joint agreement to hold a communication office in the police department. Mayor Hesse said it is something that needs to be looked at when the new police building is designed. It was moved by Gerald Guidry, seconded by Daniel Hennigan to enter into and authorize Mayor Hesse to execute all documents for the purchase of 413 Stockwell Street in the amount of appraised market value, $35,500.00. The motion carried unanimously.
The appraisal report for 412 Philbrick Street was presented. It was moved by Gerald Guidry, seconded by Daniel Hennigan to offer the appraised value of $88,000.00 to the owners and enter into a purchase agreement. The motion carried unanimously.
A quote from Andrea Jean d/b/a Servclean was presented to the Council for a month to month contract for the purpose of complete janitorial and related cleaning services for City Hall. There was discussion from the Council, Mayor, and Chief of Police. No action was taken.
It was moved by Daniel Hennigan, seconded by Gerald Guidry to approve Resolution 2022-05. The motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION 2022-04
The Town of Iowa declares the following property is no longer needed by the Town, and is declared surplus property to be assigned and sold online by LaMATS through the LPS Municipal Surplus Property Program, 700 North Tenth Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, Paul Holmes, Program Administrator:
1) 2- 50-55 feet towers located at 102 S. Kinney Street
2) 1- 1999 275 KW Generac Diesel Generator located at 102 S. Kinney Street
3) Unused and Old Surplus Water Meters
and assigns same to LaMATS, as-is/where-is, to sell online at https://lamats.net/surplus. All high bids are subject to review by the town to determine if the fair market value has been obtained. Where the minimum value of an item has been listed, but has not been reached, the Town of Iowa reserves the right to reevaluate the minimum value considering the auction results, and to lower the minimum value if deemed fair and reasonable, or to relist the item.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the Town Council of the Town of Iowa, Louisiana on this 9th day of May, 2022.
Paul Hesse, Mayor
ATTEST:
Cynthia Mallett,
Municipal Clerk
It was moved by Gerald Guidry, seconded by Daniel Hennigan to approve Resolution 2022-05. The motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION 2022-05
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF IOWA BOARD OF
COUNCIL MEMBERS TO DECLARE CERTAIN PROPERTY OWNED BY THE TOWN TO BE SURPLUS TO THE TOWNS NEEDS AND DIRECTING DISPOSAL OF SAME.
WHEREAS, the Town of Iowa has identified various items of town-owned property as being surplus junk and has determined it to be in the public interest to sale as junk metal.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE IOWA TOWN COUNCIL, AS FOLLOWS:
1. The following attached list of property declared surplus property and junk to the Town of Iowa
2. The Town of Iowa hereby deems the attached listed property as junk and will be sold at Pederson auction, to the highest bidder, in June, 2022.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the Town Council of the Town of Iowa, Louisiana on this 9th day of May, 2022.
Paul Hesse, Mayor
ATTEST:
Cynthia Mallett,
Municipal Clerk
It was moved by Julie Fontenot, seconded by Daniel Hennigan to approve Amendment #1 to Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury and the Town of Iowa for the service of providing animal control within the Town of Iowa and authorize Mayor Hesse to execute agreement. The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Daniel Hennigan, seconded by Julie Fontenot to approve Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury and Town of Iowa for the Summer Feeding Program. The motion carried unanimously. Mayor requested the Council to consider doing the summer program as they did a few years ago when they hired teachers to provide services in coordination with this program. He also suggested that breakfast be included with this program. He said it will be looked into and will be discussed at the June meeting.
Mayor Hesse presented the proposed budget. Ordinance 2022-04, An Ordinance adopting an Operating Budget of Revenues and Expenditures for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022, and ending June 30, 2023 was introduced. He explained some of the assumptions in the proposed budget. Mayor Hesse discussed the additional benefits to employees he is including. He also talked about the increase in Sales Tax revenue and other forecasted revenues. He went through the budget and made explanations of certain budgeted accounts. He included his monthly financial report at this time.
Mayor Hesse asked if anyone had any comments or questions. A citizen of Town of Iowa came forward. He stated he lived at 408 W. 1st Street. He stated that the drainage at the end of street was stopped up. Mayor Hesse said he would have someone take care of it. Also, he said, streetlight @ Thomson and 1st Street is out. Mayor Hesse said that Entergy was in the process of replacing the bulbs with LED lights and should be done in June. The gentleman reported the streetlight on the corner of W. 1st Street and Philbrick is completely gone. This has been since the hurricane and asked if it can be replaced. Mayor Hesse said he would look into it.
With no further business, it was moved by Daniel Hennigan, seconded by Vernessa Guillory to adjourn meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm.
ATTEST:
Paul Hesse, Mayor
Cynthia Mallett, MMC
May 24 1t
1449965
Miscellaneous Notices