City of Abbeville
Regular Meeting
March 5, 2024
The Mayor and Council of the City of Abbeville met in regular session on March 5, 2024 at 5:30 P.M., at the regular meeting place, the Council Meeting Room, located at 101 North State Street, Abbeville, Louisiana, with the Honorable Roslyn R. White, Mayor, presiding.
Members Present: Council Members, Carlton Campbell, Terry Broussard, Brady
Broussard, Jr., and Tony Hardy
Members Absent: Councilman Francis Touchet, Jr.
Also, Present: Bart Broussard, City Attorney
Jude Mire, Fire Chief
Lieutenant Chris Hardy
Chris Gautreaux, Public Works Director
Cristian LeJeune, Digital Media Assistant
Bryan Fisher, Code Enforcement Officer
Gene Sellers, Engineer
Byron Dozier, Parks & Recreation Coordinator, QSA
Patrick Duhon, VEDA
Mayor White called the meeting to order and requested a roll call. Mayor White asked Ms. Lauren Trahan to lead those assembled in prayer. Mayor White asked Lieutenant Chris Hardy to lead the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor White asked if there were any comments from the public on any agenda item prior to action. There were none.
Mr. Patrick Duhon discussed the annual $6.50 parcel fee proposal that will be on the upcoming ballot. This would be a ten-year property parcel fee levied. The revenue it would generate would support the activities of VEDA.
Cristian LeJeune provided a media update. She discussed the social media stats of City posts.
-01 introduced by Mr. Tony Hardy and seconded by Ms. Terry Broussard to approve the special event permit for Shuga Shack Trail Riding Club to hold a trail ride on April 21, 2024 at the Red Barn pending receipt of insurance and a liquor permit. The permit is needed to access the public street for the trail ride. The motion carried unanimously.
907 S. Lyman – no one was present for the hearing.
-02 introduced by Ms. Terry Broussard and seconded by Mr. Carlton Campbell to condemn the structure at 907 S. Lyman and to authorize bids for demolition. The motion carried unanimously.
1010 S. Miles – Ms. Brown appeared to represent the project. She has requested Restore Louisiana Program funds for structure.
-03 introduced by Ms. Terry Broussard and seconded by Mr. Tony Hardy to condemn the structure at 1010 S. Miles and the property owner will report to the tax department within 30 days the progress. The motion carried unanimously.
Hardy/B. Broussard
Resolution R24-04
A resolution to authorize the Mayor to execute all documents with the Louisiana DOTD, Aviation Division, relative to the Apron and Taxilane Rehabilitation Phase I Project.
The motion carried unanimously.
-04 introduced by Ms. Terry Broussard and seconded by Mr. Carlton Campbell to approve change order #3 relative to the New Fishing Pier and Wharf for LaFitte Drive-in Park Project. The motion carried unanimously.
-05 introduced by Ms. Terry Broussard and seconded by Mr. Brady Broussard, Jr. to approve payment of partial payment estimate number 5 in the amount of $38,044.58 payable to Southern Constructors, LLC relative to the New Fishing Pier and Wharf for LaFitte Drive-in Park Project. The motion carried unanimously.
-06 introduced by Mr. Brady Broussard, Jr. and seconded by Ms. Terry Broussard to authorize the Mayor to move forward with software acquisition either through state contract or by request for proposals and to provide the updated recommendation at the next City Council meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
Chris Gautreaux, Public Works Director
• Purchased two more dump truck loads of rip rap for LaFitte Park.
• The parklet is ready. It is mobile and will be placed at Nehemiah Project.
• Safety meeting will be held tomorrow.
Byron Dozier, Parks and Recreation Coordinator, QSA
• Baseball registration ends at midnight. We have 400 registrations so far. Opening day is April 6, 2024.
• 2D had a tournament last weekend and USSSA will have one this weekend.
Mayor Roslyn White
• Had 70 people who attended the visioning walk. Will have a community visioning session on April 11, 2024. More details will be released soon about that.
• She visited with SLCC about their future plans to grow their campus.
• Early voting starts Saturday, March 9, 2024.
Councilman Brady Broussard, Jr.
• Sounds on the Square will be on March 14, 2024. Geno Delafose and Terrence Simien will be playing as well as the Lache’ Pas students.
• The Sicilian Festival will be held on March 23, 2024 at the Blacksmith Shop Museum.
Councilwoman Terry Broussard
• Councilwoman Broussard read the following statement aloud:
I would like to take a minute to address the recent Letter to the Editor that was in the Meridional. I want to start by saying that I contacted the author yesterday requesting a meeting with myself and the mayor, but that meeting has not been set at this time. I would like to clarify a factual error in the article regarding Tivoli and Peace Street. Contrary to the assertion made, those streets are one-lane, one-way streets, not two-lane one-way streets as stated. Such inaccuracies alone show the importance of thoroughly examining our city's road infrastructure. With the roadwork in the coming weeks, it's crucial to consider all aspects comprehensively, rather than allowing prevalent misconceptions to persist. My commitment as a public servant remains steadfast towards prioritizing safety and the concerns of my constituents. While much attention has been directed towards the road design, it's equally vital to address other pressing issues affecting our community. In District D, which I represent, inherited challenges, particularly concerning crime and safety, need attention. However, these concerns often go unnoticed by the public. I extend an invitation to the author of the letter, as well as anyone else interested, to join me in walking through District D. Experiencing firsthand the issues faced by our residents within our city. Ultimately, my decisions as a councilwoman are guided by conscience and what I believe is in the best interest of our entire community. The seat I occupy is not mine alone; it belongs to the people, and their voices will always guide my actions.
Councilman Carlton Campbell
• He has been getting calls from the author of the letter to the editor that was in the newspaper. He set up a meeting between the author and the Mayor for March 10, 2024 but the author said he could not make it. Councilman Campbell still gets calls about things he cannot answer so he refers them to the Mayor’s office. Mayor White stated that sometimes people don’t want answers, they just want to complain. She did reach out to the author herself and offered to set up a meeting to calm any of the concerns and to hear any concerns any his friends have over the project and the individual steadfastly refused to meet. That individual will continue to complain and not want to directly address any concerns he has so there is nothing more that she can do. She has heard the complaints and have considered the complaints. Councilman Broussard stated that he too was called and he told the individual that the concerns would be considered and addressed. Every citizen matters.
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor White declared this meeting adjourned.
ATTEST: APPROVE:
Kathleen S. Faulk Roslyn R. White
Secretary-Treasurer Mayor