MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF ST. MARTINVILLE, LOUISIANA HELD ON THE 1st DAY OF JULY 2024.
The Mayor and City Council of the City of St. Martinville, Louisiana met in Regular Session on the 1st day of July 2024 at City Hall, their regular meeting place, pursuant to the call of the Mayor.
THERE were present: Jason Willis, Mayor, Mike Fuselier, Councilman, Carol Frederick, Councilman, Jonas Fontenette, Councilman, Janise Anthony, Councilman, Flo Chatman, Councilman, Allan L. Durand, City Attorney
THERE were absent: None
Mayor Jason Willis presiding called the meeting to order.
It was moved by Janise Anthohy duly seconded by Mike Fuselier and unanimously carried that the minutes of the regular meeting held June 17, 2024 hereby be approved for publication in the Teche News, the Official Journal of the City of St. Martinville.
Upon motion of Flo Chatman duly seconded by Mike Fuselier and unanimously carried that the bills to be paid by the City Finance Committee hereby be approved for payment.
CAO Avis Gutekunst presented the Mayor and Council the May financials with comparative of actual budget.
It was moved by Mike Fuselier duly seconded by Jonas Fontenette and unanimously carried that Cherie Guilbeau be hired as a part-time docent with a paygrade of 105 ($10.00/hr). effective 7-1-24.
Upon recommendation of Chief Ricky Martin, it was moved by Carol Frederick duly seconded by Mike Fuselier and unanimously carried that the provisional appointment of Letroy Johnson be approved. Sergeant Johnson’s pay rate will change from $16.57/hr to $18.90/hr, effective 7-2-24.
It was moved by Flo Chatman duly seconded by Jonas Fontenette that the employment status change for Otis Chatman be discussed.
A substitute motion was made by Mike Fuselier duly seconded by Carol Frederick that the employment status change for Otis Chatman be tabled until the next meeting.
Mr. Fuselier’s motion being submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was:
Yeas: M.Fuselier, C.Frederick, J.Anthony
Nays: J.Fontenette and F.Chatman
Absent: None
Upon recommendation of Mayor Willis, it was moved by Mike Fuselier duly seconded by Carol Frederick and unanimously carried that the position of Procurement Coordinator be created.
It was moved by Mike Fuselier duly seconded by Janise Anthony that the hiring of Procurement Coordinator be tabled until the next meeting.
Mr. Fuselier’s motion being submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was:
Yeas: M.Fuselier, C.Frederick, J.Anthony
Nays: J.Fontenette and F.Chatman
Absent: None
Upon recommendation of Planning & Zoning Coordinator Calder Hebert, it was moved by Carol Frederick duly seconded by Mike Fuselier and unanimously carried that City Attorney Allan Durand prepare an ordinance to amend the existing mobile home ordinance to remove the requirement of obtaining a moving permit and present at the next council meeting for final adoption.
Upon recommendation of Planning & Zoning Coordinator Calder Hebert, it was moved by Mike Fuselier duly seconded by Carol Frederick and unanimously carried that City Attorney Allan Durand prepare an ordinance to amend the existing mobile home ordinance to amend the minimum setback requirement to: Front – 20’, Side – 10’, and Rear – 10’ (20’ if mobile home is placed parallel to the roadway) and present at the next council meeting for final adoption.
Councilman Mike Fuselier requested Planning & Zoning Coordinator Calder Hebert contact Kelly Bourque regarding the dilapidated mobile home that he owns in the trailer park located in the 100 block of Resweber Hwy.
It was moved by Mike Fuselier duly seconded by Janise Anthony and unanimously carried that Planning & Zoning Coordinator Calder Hebert contact Mr William Perkins, owner of the house located at 515 Bridge Street to appear at the next council meeting to state his intention for the property.
It was moved by Mike Fuselier duly seconded by Carol Frederick, with Flo Chatman opposed, that no payment plans be offered for utility payments and notices be sent to all utility customers currently on payment plans granting 15 days to pay off account or utilities will be disconnected.
Utility Supervisor Shika Hector provided Mayor and council with an update on the Utility Department. Councilwoman Carol Frederick asked if utility customers that do not have an active billing accounts were disconnected as the council approved last meeting. Ms. Hector stated that the list was given to the Public Works department on June 23, 2024; however, she does not know the status.
The contract for La Louisianne Consulting LLC was discussed. Concerns were presented in regard to the signing of the contract prior to City Attorney approving, the masterplan and the update the firm presented at the last council meeting indicating the number of grant applications submitted on behalf of the City. It was requested that representatives from the firm attend the next meeting to discuss services being provided.
RESOLUTION
A Resolution by the City Council of the City of St. Martinville Waiving the Notice requirement for termination of a consultant contract
WHEREAS the City Council has been presented with a notice from Ms. Kimya Cruz that she intends to terminate her contract with the City, and
WHEREAS the contract requires at least 30 days notice for termination by either party to the contract, but was received by the City within 30 days of the termination date, and the City is willing to waive the late notice,
THEREFORE be it resolved that the City of St. Martinville does waive the 30 day notice for termination of its contract with Kimya Cruz, and does consent to its termination, as requested by Ms. Cruz, effective June 30, 2024.
The foregoing Resolution was offered by Mike Fuselier, duly seconded by Carol Frederick, and upon being submitted to a vote, the vote was :
Yeas: M.Fuselier, C.Frederick, J.Fontenette, J.Anthony and F.Chatman
Nays: None
Absent: None.
The Resolution above was thereon duly declared and adopted at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of St. Martinville on the 1st day of July, 2024.
Mayor CERTIFICATION
I, Lorrie M. Poirier, Secretary to the St. Martinville City Council, do hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of a resolution passed by the City Council of the City of St. Martinville at a meeting lawfully called and properly noticed, and that this resolution is not contrary to any Ordinance of the city, nor has it been rescinded.
St. Martinville, Louisiana, this 1st day of July, 2024.
Lorrie M. Poirier, Secretary
Councilman Jonas Fontenette spoke about the Master Plan and the importance of representatives from the City to attend meetings with legislature and ensure the City is getting what was paid for.
City Attorney Allan Durand informed the council that Police Officer Jory Gary’s attorney stated that Mr. Gary intended to appeal to the Police Civil Service Board, following withdrawal of his resignation. City Attorney further stated the Police Civil Service Board does not have any jurisdiction to hear appeals from employees unless there is discipline action or discharge of the employee.
Upon recommendation of Mayor Willis, it was moved by Flo Chatman duly seconded by Jonas Fontenette that Lawn Magic be hired to maintain landscaping around City Hall for a monthly rate of $300.00.
Ms. Chatman’s motion being submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was:
Yeas: J.Fontenette and F.Chatman
Nays: M. Fuselier and C.Frederick
Abstain: J.Anthony
The vote of the motion, resulting in a tie, was voted on by presiding Mayor Willis in favor of Ms. Chatman’s motion to hire Lawn Magic to maintain landscaping around City Hall for a monthly rate of $300.00.
It was moved by Carol Frederick duly seconded by Janise Anthony and unanimously carried to approve payment to RM Partners in the amount of $6,500.00 for all rights to the City website that was created by Eddie Lau with RM Partners. The website will then be updated by Side & Associates as approved at the May 20, 2024 council meeting. Mr. Lau with RM Partners will maintain the City’s social media.
Upon recommendation of Mayor Willis, it was moved by Mike Fuselier duly seconded by Janise Anthony and unanimously carried that the City operations be closed on Friday, July 5, 2024, in accordance with State Office Closures as adopted in the Employee Handbook.
Mayor Willis gave a report on the following:
Mayor met with La Louisianne Consulting and UL regarding Masterplan Will meet ever 2/3 weeks and prepare for Town Hall meeting in August City was awarded $250,000,000 of Direct Appropriation Funds(no match required) for the purchase of heavy equipment 4th of July Celebration sponsored by Main Street Association was a success
Two years current Mayor and Council are in office and many great things have been accomplished
Mayor will meet with Fenstermaker regarding Sidewalk and Lighting Project from Courthouse to the old Fred’s which is expected to begin in the early Fall
There being no further business to come before the Mayor and City Council, Mayor Willis adjourned the meeting upon motion of Jansie Anthony and duly seconded by Jonas Fontenette.
JASON WILLIS, MAYOR
ATTEST:
LORRIE M POIRIER, CITY CLERK