Gueydan Journal
The Town Of Gueydan
Minutes of the proceedings of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the Town of Gueydan, Louisiana, taken at regular meeting held Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at 6:00 o’clock P.M.
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the Town of Gueydan, Louisiana met in regular session with Mayor Jude Reese presiding and the following Aldermen present:
Present: EFREM LIVINGSTON, JOHN LASETER,
LAUREL PORTIE’, ANITA DUPUIS & JASON SUIRE
Absent : NONE
Public Comment any item on agenda (3 minutes per person)
Motion was made by JASON SUIRE, seconded by JOHN LASETER, and carried, that in as much as each member of the Board of Aldermen received a copy of minutes taken at Regular Meeting of January 2, 2024, that the reading of said minutes be dispensed with and same be adopted as written.
Motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by JOHN LASETER, and carried, that the reports of the Bookkeeper and Tax Collector be approved as filed. A brief discussion was held about the actual to budget, however the new budget has not been entered into the accounting system but will be for the March meeting.
Louisiana Asset Management Pool (LAMP) interest was presented and after a discussion a motion by JOHN LASETER, seconded by LAUREL PORTIE’ to transfer the interest from LAMP Utility fund in the amount of $2,286.21 and General fund of $1,320.64 to the checking accounts at the Bank of Gueydan.
Motion by JOHN LASETER, seconded by LAUREL PORTIE’, and carried that the following transfer, on the date, and amount from fund is hereby ratified and approved:
To General Fund:
January 10, 2024 Utility Fund $36,000.00
Motion by JOHN LASETER seconded by LAUREL PORTIE’ and carried that the following transfer, on the date, and amount from fund is hereby ratified and approved.
Additional transfers were presented for approval, but no motion was made at the meeting. Below are the two additional transfers being as follows (American Rescue Plan Act) that were not approved:
To General Fund:
January 4, 2024 ARPA $9,500.00
To General Fund:
January 30., 2024 ARPA $8,500.00
Motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by JOHN LASETER and carried to approve the billing adjustments in the amount of $978.15.
Sellers & Associates provided the mayor with an update on the ongoing projects. Water System Corrosion Feed Permit, the application has been submitted to LDH and are awaiting a response from LDH. Funding was requested for emergency funding through APC for the repair of the sewer pump at the lift station behind the fire station. The electrical rate study is completed, and a meeting will be scheduled for the town to review anticipated and projected expense increases. Drainage Pump Station Site Improvements are still waiting on GOSPEH/FEMA response on construction funding time extension.
The FY 2024-2025 Capital Outlay – New Police/Fire Station. Waiting for a proposal from TSG for the demolition and construction of the new police/fire station. ($1.4 million (25% local) late May/June. LCDBG Clearance Program workshop is being held on Friday, February 16th in which the Town has registered. The workshop will explain all the grant steps, and such are handled.
LWI Round 2 Application, following the conditional award letter a mandatory training for application Grantees was held January 30, 2024. Waiting on the execution of the cooperative endeavor agreement (CEA) and then a kickoff meeting with OCD manager and begin the full application process.
Mayor Jude Reese recommended a resolution to adopt the System Survey & Questionnaire required for the Town audit and thereupon, the following resolution was offered by JASON SUIRE, seconded by JOHN LASETER:
RESOLUTION 2-2024
A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE SYSTEM SURVEY
AND COMPLIANCE QUESTIONNAIRE IN ACCORDANCE
WITH LOUISIANA REVISED STATUTES 24:517
BE IT RESOLVED that the System Survey and Compliance Questionnaire which was received from the Office of the Legislative Auditor, State of Louisiana, and which was properly completed by the Clerk of the Town of Gueydan and presented to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the Town of Gueydan and the same is hereby approved and adopted.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of said System and Compliance Questionnaire be filed in the records of the Town of Gueydan and certified copy of this resolution be forwarded to the firm of Kolder, Slaven & Co. LLC, of Abbeville, Louisiana, whose proposal was accepted by the Governing Body for the audit of the records of the Town of Gueydan for the period of January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. The auditors will during the course of his regular audit, test the accuracy of the answers of the questionnaire and submit to the Legislative Auditor and the Municipality a report containing his opinions as to the validity of the answers therein contained.
YEAS: EFREM LIVINGSTON, JOHN LASETER, LAUREL PORTIE’
ANITA DUPUIS & JASON SUIRE
NAYS : NONE
ABSTAIN : NONE
ABSENT: NONE
And this resolution was declared adopted on this 6TH day of February 2024.
S/Roxanna Richard S/Jude D. Reese Clerk Mayor
Motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by JOHN LASETER and carried to introduce an ordinance “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE TOWN OF GUEYDAN, LOUISIANA, DEALING WITH OFFICIAL USE OF POLICE VEHICLES. A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at 5:45 p.m. and will be presented for final adoption at the regular meeting hold on March 5, 2024 which meeting begins at 6:00 p.m.
Open sealed bids for the 2005 Chevy Tahoe (0058) and the bids were as follows:
Eric Potier $850.00
Skylar Abshire $780.00
ames Durham D/B/A J J Merchant $1,677.77
Motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by JOHN LASETER and carried to accept the bid from James Durham D/B/A J J Merchant in the amount of $1,677.77.
Police Chief Cru Delcambre recommended that Matt Touchet be promoted to Assistant Chief and Matthew Cormier be added to the list of part time patrolman with the Gueydan Police Department pending all evaluations and preemployment policies are done and accepted. Motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by JOHN LASETER and carried to accept Chief Delcambre’s recommendation as listed above.
A discussion was held concerning the Community Center Rental fee. It was decided that all renters will pay the full price for the rental. Mayor Reese informed the board of aldermen that the policy and procedures will change to reflect the change and will be presented for adoption at the next meeting. Also, discussed was the cleaning of the hall after an event. The board of aldermen discussed that the town go back to having the street department works to clean after a function.
A discussion was held concerning the lease on the town tractor. Mayor Reese informed the governing authority he will be inquiring on the lease of the town tractor, of how much time is left on the lease and the payoff of the tractor.
A discussion was held concerning the town employee numbers. No action was taken.
Pastor Chyrelena Peyton spoke on the Ecumenical Gatherings that the churches are having and invited everyone present to attend and spread the word. Pastor Peyton also informed the attendees that a Community Reboot is going to be held March 6, 7,8 and to spread the word in the community.
There being no further business to come before the meeting thereupon motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by JOHN LASETER, and carried the meeting thereupon adjourned at 7:28 o’clock P.M. on this 6TH day of February 6, 2024.
S/Roxanna Richard S/Jude D. Reese Clerk Mayor
Published in The Gueydan Journal Newspaper:
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024