OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMAN TAKEN AT A REGULAR TOWN MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 26, 2024, AT 6:00 P.M. AT THE ARNAUDVILLE MEETING ROOM, 107 RUE DE JAUSIERS, ARNAUDVILLE, LA 70512.
PresentMayor, Todd Meche
AldermenDebbie Kidder, Ginger LeCompte, John Tayor
AbsentJamie Huval, Suzanne Stelly
Town ClerkDolores R. Quebedeaux
Town AttorneyKay Theunissen (Absent)
Town EngineerKenny Boagni (Absent)
Police ChiefJosh Ross
Utility SuperintendentTodd Abshire (Absent)
Parks and RecreationZelma Jackson (Absent)
Called to OrderMayor Meche
PrayerJohn Taylor
PledgeAli
Old Business:
Adopt Public Hearing Minutes for September 24, 2024 (Police Chief Raise 5:15 P.M.Mayor Meche
Debbie Kidder moved to accept the 5:15 Public Hearing Minutes seconded by John Taylor; motion passed.
Adopt Public Hearing Minutes for September 24, 2024 (SanitationOrdinance 5:30 P.M. Mayor Meche
John Taylor moved to accept 5:30 P.M. Public Hearing Minutes seconded by Debbie Kidder; motion carried.
Adopt Public Hearing Minutes for September 24, 2024 (Proposed Roads 5:45 P.M.Mayor Meche
Debbie Kidder moved to accept the 5:45 P.M. Public Hearing Minutes seconded by John Taylor; motion carried.
Adopt Regular Town Meeting Minutes for September 24, 2024-Mayor Meche
Debbie Kidder motioned to accept the Regular Town Meeting Minutes seconded by John Taylor; motion carried.
Approve the Budget to Actual/Comparison for September 2024Mayor Meche
Debbie Kidder moved to accept the Budget to Actual/Comparison for September 2024 seconded by John Taylor; motion carried.
Approve the Budget to Actual/Comparison for October 2024-Mayor Meche
Debbie Kidder moved to accept the Budget to Actual/Comparison for October 2024 seconded by John Taylor; motion carried.
Approve November 19, 2024, 5:30 P.M. Special Meeting MinutesMayor Meche
Debbie Kidder moved to accept the November 19, 2024, 5:30 P.M. Special Meeting Minutes seconded by Ginger LeCompte and John Taylor; motion carried.
Approve November 19, 2024, 6:00 P.M. Special Meeting MinutesMayor Meche
John Taylor moved to accept the November 19, 2024, 6:00 P.M. SpecialMeeting Minutes seconded by Debbie Kidder; motion carried.
Utility ReportTodd Abshire (Absent)
Mayor explained that the motor on well number 2 will be replaced. All is going well in the utility department.
Police ReportChief Joss Ross
As of November 26, 2024, the Arnaudville Police Department has responded to over 1000 calls to service, since the beginning of the year, including several calls to assist other agencies like St. Landry and St. Martin. (We are averaging around 3-5 calls a day, including medicals).
This month's analytic report shows what the Arnaudville Police Department has done since the beginning of the month. This shows we have had over 230 encounters with members of the public since the beginning of the month. The average response time has been less than 2.5 minutes.
This month, the Arnaudville Police Department has arrested Four (4) individuals, for felony level crimes, including burglary, probation revocation, and possession of methamphetamine, as well as an additional four (4) misdemeanor arrests. The Officers of the Arnaudville Police Department have also written seven (7) traffic citations, and one (1) criminal citation.
The current state of the department is as follows:
Investigations: Nothing major reported.
Staffing: We are currently staffed with four (4) dispatchers, four (4) Post Certified Police Officers, One (1) Chief of Police.
Training Updates: All officers with the Arnaudville Police Department have successfully completed and exceeded the minimum requirements under POST. Every Officer has completed over 50 hours of training to addition to the mandatory minimum requirements.
Vehicle Update: No issue.
Community Concerns: With the holidays approaching, we are currently staffing to meet the needs of the public. We would encourage anyone who sees anything suspicious, (including people, vehicles, etc....) to contact us immediately, so an Officer can respond.
Requests:
a. I would ask the council to approve the hiring of Anson Robin, to the position of Probationary Police Officer, with the starting pay of $14.50 per hour. Anson did sign a 2-year employment contract as a condition of employment and in accordance with LA R.S. 40:2405. . Debbie Kidder moved to hire Anson Robin as a probationary police officer at a pay rate of $14.50 per hour seconded by Ginger LeCompte; motion carried. Mayor Meche stated that he received an email stating that the chief could move forward and order the cameras. This is a $20,000 grant from the state. The town pays for the cameras, the town sends in a copy of the bill and a copy of the cancelled check so the state can reimburse the town.
Parks and RecreationZelma Jackson
Basketball registrations are being accepted.
Accept Bids for Police CarsMayor Meche Chad Latiolais $200.00 for 2015 Ford Explorer.
Rachel Badeaux $200.00 2008 Crown Vic. Rachel Badeaux $100.00 2007 Crown Vic.
Louis Valmont $20.00 Crown Vic.
Louis Valmont $15.00 Crown Vic.
Louis Valmont $15.00 Crown Vic.
Mayor asked for a motion to accept the high bidder, Ginger LeCompte motioned to accept the high bidder seconded by John Taylor, motion carried.
Adopt Resolution 9-2024 A Resolution Requesting Financial Assistance from the State of Louisiana under the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Local Government Assistance Program and Community Water Enrichment Fund ProgramMayor Meche
Debbie Kidder moved to accept Resolution 9-2024 Seconded by Ginger LeCompte; motion carried.
Change December Regular Town Meeting from December 24, 2024, to December 17, 2024-Mayor Meche
Debbie Kidder moved to change the meeting date to December 17, 2024, seconded by Ginger LeCompte; motion carried.
Up-DatesMayor Meche
Mayor explained that there are 3 different grants that are being worked on. He also re-applied for the Capital Outlay to try and get the gas meters done. Also re-applied for the sidewalk grant. Also, the water sector grant, mayor explained that Kenny Boagni said that there would be a round 3, so the Application will be re-submitted.
Citizens' Concerns
Daniel Brown inquired about the grass at the sewer plant. Mayor stated that he would like to see the pond cleared, so the town could maintain the plant. Ginger LeCompte inquired about the grass cutting in the ditches. Mayor said the maintenance workers do cut some of the ditches, but it is the responsibility of the landowner. Ginger said, in some places it is causing
drainage issues. Mayor asked that she send the addresses, and they will look at the issue.
Adjourn
John Taylor moved to adjourn the November 26, 2024, regular town meeting seconded by Debbie Kidder, motion carried.
Attest:
Dolores R. Quebedeaux, Town Clerk
Todd Meche, Mayor
12/8/12 10834598