MAYOR

GORDON O'CON

ALDERMEN

RODNEY FRENCH MIKE SOLICE LOVACE

SOWELL

CLERK

CELESTE O'CON

CHIEF OF POLICE

SHELBY BORDERS

VILLAGE OF ROBELINE

P.O. Box 217 ¥ Robeline, Louisiana 71469 Phone (318) 472-6121 ¥ Fax (318) 472-6128

Village of Robeline, Louisiana Town Council Meeting

Thursday, July 20, 2023 6:00 P.M.

The "Pledge of Allegiance" was recited after the invocation by Courtney Freeman.

Call to order was made by Mayor Gordon O'Con.

Roll call was as follows; Mayor Gordon O'Con, Alderman Rodney French, Alderwoman Lovace Sowell, Alderman Mike Solice, and Clerk Celeste O'Con.

Also, in attendance was: Chief of Police Shelby Borders, Assistant Chief Tommy Fatheree, Pam Jennings, Gilda Jenkins, Carl Ferrier, Terri Matthews, Martha Solice, Colie Plaster with the Natchitoches Times, Kevin O'Con, Cole O'Con, Wanetta French, Courtney Freeman, Ann Moran, Linda Fatheree, Wayne O'Con, Frances Walker, and Kelsi Marr.

Clerk Celeste O'Con then read the minutes from the June 15,2023 Town Council Meeting. Mike Solice made motion to accept the minutes as read. Lovace Sowell seconded said motion. The vote was as follows:

Yeas: 3 MOTION PASSED

Nays: 0

Absent:

Mayor asked for comments and there were none.

Clerk Celeste O'Con then read the minutes from the June 29, 2023 Millage Special Meeting. Mike Solice made motion to accept the minutes as read. Rodney French seconded said motion. The vote was as

follows:

Yeas: 3

Nays :0

Absent: 0

MOTION PASSED

Mayor asked for comments and there were none.

Clerk Celeste O'Con then read the minutes from the June 29, 2023 Budget

Special Meeting. Mike made motion to accept the minutes as read. Lovace Sowell seconded said motion. Rodney French made mention that he did not understand what he was voting and it was a misunderstanding to the Yea vote on said budget. For lack of motion, and said budget being adopted at prior meeting, the vote is as follows:

Yeas: 3 MOTION PASSED.

Nays: 0

Absent: 0

Mayor asked for comments and there were none.

Clerk Celeste O'Con then read the June 2023 Income and Expense Report. Mike So lice made motion to accept report. Lovace Sowell seconded said motion. The vote was as follows:

Yeas: 3 MOTION PASSED.

Nays: 0

Absent: 0

Mayor asked for comments and there were none.

Under New Business, Mayor Gordon O'Con discussed the importance of having restrooms available to the public in the City Park. He explained to the public and to the Town Council that he with the help of volunteers could build a bathroom located on the concrete slab to the left of the park bridge. This would include 2 restrooms, with handicap accessibility. The materials would cost approximately $2,500.00. Rodney French made a motion to accept building the restrooms at said location in the amount of $2,500.00. Lovace Sowell seconded said motion. The vote was as follows:

Yeas: 2 MOTION PASSED.

Nays: 1

Absent: 0

Mayor asked for comments and there were none.

Under New Business, Rodney French discussed the idea of installing a splash pad within the City Park. He explained to the public and the Town Council that since concrete is too expensive, there are other options such as rubber mats and PVC piping. Cost is unknown. Public is concerned about drainage issues and requests more time for designs. This will be brought back up for discussion and placed on the agenda at a later date.

Under New Business, Rodney French discussed the possible hiring of a grant writer. The Village of Robeline will be seeking more information on this matter.

Under New Business, Terri Matthews discussed the Village's current CPA and wanted the Town Council to change from John Vercher, to someone else. The Town Council, with Mike Solice making a move to accept and keep John Vercher as The Village of Robeline's CPA was made on July 20,2023. Mike Solice made motion, with Lovace Sowell seconding said motion. The vote was as follows:

Yeas: 3 MOTION PASSED.

Mayor asked for comments and there were none.

Nays: 0

Absent: 0

Under New Business, Terri Matthews discussed wanting the Village to be able to sell beer. Clerk Celeste O'Con stated that there are steps that have to be taken in order to have this placed on a ballot for the peoples vote. I explained to her that the present Town Council must act on said request. Then it would need to be proposed to the Town Council. If the Town Council votes in favor of, then paperwork is sent to the Secretary of State. Mrs. Matthews gets upset when someone makes a remark in regards to her discussed item, and leaves the meeting.

Having no further business, Lovace Sowell made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Rodney French seconded said motion. The vote was as follows:

Yeas: 2 MOTION PASSED.

Nays: 0

Absent: 1

Mayor asked for comments and there were none

Celeste O'Con

Clerk for the Village of Robeline, Louisiana

560-23 7/27