Routine Rayne City Council meeting held Monday

RAYNE - As compared to previous City Council meetings held in the past, a rather routine and short meeting was held by the Rayne City Council on Monday.
The light agenda included the monthly financial update presented by City Clerk Annette Cutrera, in addition to the Council’s approval of a request by City Hall to declare a Royal shredder as surplus.
The Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire, a annual report submitted as part of the financial audit to the state by Thibodeaux Accounting Company, was adopted and approved by the Council.
Jean Menard addressed the Council, along with Dr. Eddie Palmer who gave a brief review of the upcoming OST Day to be held Nov. 3 at the Rayne Depot Square and along Louisiana Ave. This year’s event will include a number of new exhibits and speakers and will be dedicated to the late A.J. LeBlanc.
The Council also approved two street drives, the annual street drive by the Rayne Lions Club to be held Nov. 2-3 for the Lions Club Foundation, Lions Club Kids Camp and various local charities; and the Sisters of A&O for Breast Cancer Awareness on Oct. 12-13. Both will be held at the major intersections in the downtown section of the city.
Hours were announced for the upcoming trick or treat hours for Halloween on Oct. 31. Regular trick or treat hours for home visits will be held between 5:30-7:30 p.m., along with the annual Fright Fest to be held at the Rayne Civic Center between 6-8 p.m. by the city.
The lone permit department/demolition project brought before the Council was a two-part recommendation by the Rayne Planning and Zoning Board.
As explained by Mark Daigle, City Inspector, the board recommended to deny a request from The Pediatric Group of Acadiana, LLC to rezone lot 9 and east 1/2 lots 5 and 7 of block 26 of Cunningham Addition (facing Clegg Street) from R-1 to C-1. The Council agreed with the Board and accepted the request to deny the re-zoning.
The second of the two-part recommendation by the Board was to approve a request from The Pediatric Group of Acadiana, LLC to rezone lots 6, 8 and 10 of block 26 of Cunningham Addition (facing North Adams Ave.) from C-2 to C-1.
Following discussion, the Council and City Attorney Larry Richard stated a vote was not needed for the second part of the recommendation due to the fact the business, a walk-in clinic, had decided not to build on the site as noted by Daigle.
Under reports, Alderman Jimmy Fontenot asked of the anticipated work planned on the water plant south wall due to the odd surface. It was noted by Mayor Charles “Chuck” Robichaux the wall has been repaired and will be cleaned, water-sealed and painted in the very near future.
Alderman Kenneth Guidry noted a number of individuals and businesses had approached him regarding the large number of hamburger sales taking place over the weekends. Robichaux noted this would be addressed prior to the next Council meeting.