MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF ST. MARTINVILLE, LOUISIANA
HELD ON THE 20THDAY OF JUNE, 2016.
The Mayor and City Council of the City of St. Martinville, Louisiana met in Regular Session on the20thday of June, 2016 at City Hall, theirregular meeting place, pursuant to the call of the Mayor.
THERE were present:Thomas Nelson, Mayor
Mike Fuselier, Councilman
Dennis Williams, Councilman
Debra Landry, Councilwoman
Ike Robertson, Councilman
Allan L. Durand, City Attorney
THERE were absent:Craig Prosper, Councilman
Mayor Thomas Nelson presiding, called the meeting to order.
Upon motion of Dennis Williams duly seconded by Debra Landry and unanimously carried that the minutes of the regular meeting held June 6, 2016 hereby be approved as written and prepared for publication in the Teche News, the Official Journal of the City of St. Martinville.
Upon motion of Dennis Williams duly seconded by Mike Fuselierand unanimously carried that the bills to be paid by the City Finance Committee hereby be approved for payment.
Upon motion of Mike Fuselier duly seconded by Debra Landry and unanimously carried that the Public Hearing for the adoption of budget amendments for FY ending June 30, 2016, budget for General and Capital Projects Funds for fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, and budget projections for Enterprise Fund, Debt Service and Section 8 for fiscal year ending June 30, 2017 be hereby opened.
Upon motion of Dennis Williams duly seconded by Mike Fuselier and unanimously carried that the Public Hearing for the adoption of budget amendments for FY ending June 30, 2016, budget for General and Capital Projects Funds for fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, and budget projections for Enterprise Fund, Debt Service and Section 8 for fiscal year ending June 30, 2017 be hereby closed.
Upon motion of Dennis Williams duly seconded by Debra Landry and unanimously carried that the following budget amendments for Capital Projects Funds for fiscal year ending June 30, 2016 be hereby adopted as presented.
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Upon motion of Mike Fuselierduly seconded by Ike Robertson and unanimously carried that the following budget for General and Capital Projects Funds for fiscal year ending June 30, 2017 be hereby adopted as presented.
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Upon motion of Dennis Williams duly seconded by Ike Robertson and unanimously carried that the following budget projections for Enterprise Fund, Debt Service and Section 8 for fiscal year ending June 30, 2017 be hereby adopted as presented.
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The condition of the structure and property owned by Wilbert Anthony, located at 608 S. Theatre Street, was discussed. It was decided that Safety/Zoning Administrator Shedrick Berard will send letter to property owner to have the grass cut and contact City Inspector Rodney Richard to determine if the structure presents a public safety hazard in its current condition.
Upon motion of Mike Fuselier duly seconded by Dennis Williams and unanimously carried that bids be obtained and awarded to the lowest bidder to remove the dilapidated structure located at 304 W. Park Street, owned by Pamela, Shannon & Chase Champagne.
Upon motion of Mike Fuselier duly seconded by Debra Landry and unanimously carried that bids be obtained and awarded to the lowest bidder to remove the dilapidated structure located at 927 Gov. Mouton Street, previously owned by Eldora Mary Green Mason and adjudicated to the City of St. Martinville for non-payment of property taxes.
The following resolution was introduced by Mike Fuselier and unanimously adopted:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is responsible for determining the speed limit on State Highways; and
WHEREAS, the City of St. Martinville acknowledges the importance of safety for all citizens; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council of the City of
St. Martinville, Louisiana in regular session convened that the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development consider reducing the speed limit from 55 miles per hour to 45 miles per hour on Hwy 96 from 1/4 mile west of Capritto/Forty Arpent Rd to the existing 45 miles per hour entrance of the City.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Senator Fred Mills, Representative Terry Landry and Representative Mike Huval.
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I, LORRIE M. POIRIER, SECRETARY, City of St. Martinville, Louisiana do hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of a resolution adopted by the Mayor and City Council of the City of St. Martinville in Regular Session convened this 20th day of June, 2016, at which meeting a quorum was present and voting.
GIVEN UNDER MY OFFICIAL SIGNATURE AND SEAL OF OFFICE THIS 20th DAY OF JUNE, 2016.
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LORRIE M. POIRIER, SECRETARY
SealCITY OF ST. MARTINVILLE
ORDINANCE 16-07
An Ordinance by the City Council of the City of St. Martinville
WHEREAS the City of St. Martinville is authorized by La. R.S. 33:5062 to enact an Ordinance providing for the cutting of grass or weeds on any lot, place, or area within the City; and
WHEREAS the City Council has determined that the previous Ordinances should be updated and clarified to provide more specificity in the Ordinance,
THEREFORE be it ordained that Sections 14.52 and 14.53 of the Code of Ordinances for the City of St. Martinville be and the same are hereby amended and restated to read as follows:
Sec. 14-52. Weeds, Tall Grass, Noxious Growth and Dead Trees. Prohibited.
(a) No owner, tenant or occupant of any lot, place or area not leased or occupied by another person shall permit any noxious weeds, grass or deleterious, unhealthful or noxious growths to grow or stand on any lot, place or area owned by said person, or on any sidewalks or banquettes abutting any lot or place or area owned by said person. No dead trees shall be allowed to stand on any lot, if such dead trees pose a potential safety hazard to vehicle or pedestrian traffic, or to adjoining property.
(b) Any noxious weeds, grass or other deleterious, unhealthy or noxious growths in excess of twelve (12") inches in height shall be presumed to be in violation of this Ordinance.
Sec. 14-53. Abatement by city.
(a) The city is hereby authorized to cut, destroy or remove any dead trees as well as any noxious weeds or grass or deleterious, unhealthful or noxious growth growing or standing on any sidewalk or banquette, or on any lot, place or area, provided no such work shall be undertaken by the city until the owner of said lot, place or area or the owner of the property abutting the sidewalk or banquette, or of the lot upon which such growth or tree is found, shall have had the opportunity to do the work himself within at least ten (10) days after notice has been given him by advertisement in the official journal of the city, or by registered mail, or by hand delivery. Notice mailed to the address of the property owner as shown on the tax assessment records shall be sufficient, if no other address is known. The owner of said lot, place or area shall be charged a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for the cost of notification to cut grass and weeds.
(b) However, the city may undertake the cutting, destruction or removal of noxious weeds or tall grass on a monthly basis without the notice required above if the property owner has been notified as provided above at any time during the immediately preceding twelve (12) months and has failed to do the work himself after opportunity to do so.
The foregoing Ordinance was offered by Mike Fuselier, duly seconded by Dennis Williams, and upon being submitted to a vote, the vote was :
Yeas: M.Fuselier, D.Williams, I. Robertson, and D. Landry
Nays: None
Absent: C.Prosper
The Ordinance was thereon declared adopted on the 20th day of June, 2016.
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THOMAS NELSON, Mayor
ORDINANCE 16-08
An Ordinance by the City Council of the City of St. Martinville amending its present Ordinances with respect to abandoned or junked vehicles
WHEREAS the City of St. Martinville currently maintains an Ordinance dealing with the disposition of abandoned and junked vehicles, and
WHEREAS the City Council of the City of St. Martinville has, after due consideration, determined that junked or abandoned vehicles located on private property present a safety hazard and an attractive nuisance to children, as well as having a negative impact on property values of surrounding properties, and
WHEREAS the City Council of the City of St. Martinville has, after due consideration, determined that the Ordinances should be amended,
THEREFORE be it ordained that Section 14-20, 14-21, 14-22, 14-23, 14-24 and 14-25 of the Code of Ordinances for the City of St. Martinville be and the same is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 14-20. Definitions.
As used in this article the following terms shall mean as indicated below:
Abandoned Motor Vehicle: A motor vehicle that is inoperable and is left unattended on public property for more than five (5) days, or a motor vehicle that has remained illegally on public property for a period of more than five (5) days, or a motor vehicle that has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property for more than five (5) days,
Derelict or Junk Motor Vehicle: a motor vehicle located on private property,
in view of any street, which in operable and whose cost of repair would exceed
the value of the vehicle.
Policing authority or authority: The St. Martinville police department of the city shall enforce this ordinance, under the guidance and direction of the mayor and city council.
Sec. 14-21. Impoundment authorized.
The St. Martinville Police Department, acting through the Chief of Police shall
notify the City Council when anyvehicle is discovered within the limits of the
City whichthe Chief believes is a vehicle which is covered by this Ordinance.
Upon a finding by the City Council that the vehicle in question is either an
Abandoned Motor Vehicle or a Derelict or Junk Motor Vehicle, the policing
authority shall take into custody any such vehicle which is found
on public or private property. Said policing authority may employ its own
personnel, equipment and facilities or may employ persons, equipment and
facilities of others for the purpose of removing, preserving and storing such
vehicles.
Sec. 14-22. Notice to owners and mortgage holders.
When any Abandoned Motor Vehicle is found by the policing authority by reason of the illegal parking or the stationing of such motor vehicle for a period of more than have (5) days on a public street, way, road or highway within the city, the policing authority shall send a registered or certified letter, return receipt requested, to the last known owner of said vehicle at his last known address informing him to remove said vehicle within ten (10) working days from date of receipt of notice. The policing authority shall notify the owner of such vehicle that, in lieu of removal, said owner may remit fifteen dollars ($15.00), together with a complete certificate of authority to the policing authority to remove and dispose of the Abandoned Motor Vehicle. The certificate of authority shall be on a form prescribed and furnished by the policing authority, along with a self-addressed return envelope.
When any Junk or Derelict Motor Vehicle is directed to be removed by the
City Council,the policing authority shall send a registered or certified letter,
return receipt requested, or hand deliver, to the owner of the property where
the vehicle is located informing him to remove said vehicle within ten (10)
working days from date of receipt of notice.
Sec. 14-23. Removal by policing authority.
If the Abandoned Motor Vehicle or the Junk or Derelict Motor Vehicle is not removed within ten (10) working days from date of receipt of the required notice and, where applicable, the fifteen dollar ($15.00) removal fee has not been returned as provided herein, the Abandoned Motor Vehicle or the Junk or Derelict Motor Vehicle may be removed and disposed of by the policing authority forthwith, and in such case the policing authority may assess a penalty in the amount of the actual cost of removal for the failure of an of an owner to remove an Abandoned Motor Vehicle.
Sec. 14-24. Disposal by city authorized.
Whenever any Abandoned Motor Vehicle has been seized pursuant to this article and has not been claimed for a period of six (6) months or more then the motor vehicle shall be considered as having been abandoned to the city and may be disposed of as hereinafter provided.
Any Junk or Derelict Motor Vehicle will be considered as having been aban-
doned upon removal from its location by the police.
Sec. 14-25. Notice of sale.
After the required six (6) months period has elapsed, the policing authority shall send a registered or certified letter, return receipt requested, to the last known owner of said vehicle at his last known address informing him that the policing authority is holding said Abandoned Motor Vehicle and will sell said vehicle to the highest bidder unless said owner, on or before the date of the sale, claims the vehicle and pays to the policing authority all costs and charges imposed by the policing authority for the removal and detention of the vehicle. A copy of said letter shall also be sent to any person known to be the holder of a mortgage on said vehicle.
Any Junk or Derelict Motor Vehicle may be sold or disposed of by the City
in any feasible method.
The foregoing Ordinance was offered by Mike Fuselier duly seconded by Debra Landry, and upon being submitted to a vote, the vote was :
Yeas: M.Fuselier, D.Williams, I. Robertson, and D. Landry
Nays: None
Absent: C.Prosper
The Ordinance was thereon declared adopted on the 20th day of June, 2016.
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THOMAS NELSON, Mayor
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Kirk Lasseigne, it was moved by Mike Fuselier duly seconded by Dennis Williams and unanimously carried that Mike Martin be hired as Water/Wastewater Repair Laborer with a pay grade 101.
The following proclamation was introduced by Mike Fuselier and unanimously adopted:
Proclamation
WHEREAS, the American spirit has been distinguished by the ready willingness of neighbors to join together and help one another; and
WHEREAS, the volunteer firefighters of St. Martinville carry on this American tradition of responding on short notice to help fellow citizens in need; and
WHEREAS, fighting fires is one of the most hazardous commitments, requiring physical strength, stamina, extensive training, courage and selfless concern for the welfare of our citizens; and
WHEREAS, these brave men and women of different ages and race protect our lives and property through fire response, medical emergencies, hazardous material incidents, vehicle accidents, utility emergencies and other non-fire emergencies;
NOW THEREFORE, I, Thomas Nelson by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of St. Martinville, in this great state of Louisiana, do hereby proclaim June 25, 2016 as
Volunteer Fire Department Appreciation Day
and encourage citizens to pay special tribute, commend volunteer firefighters and recognize the valuable contributions they make to the safety and well-being of our community.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of St. Martinville to be affixed this 20th day of June, 2016.
Mayor Thomas Nelson
City of St. Martinville
Mayor Nelson updated the council on the Pedestrian Improvement Project.
There being no further business to come before the Mayor and City Council, Mayor Thomas Nelson adjourned the meeting upon motion of Mike Fuselierduly seconded by Dennis Williams.
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THOMAS NELSON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
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LORRIE M POIRIER, SECRETARY
City Council meeting 06-20-16