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RAYNE - The first meeting of the new year for the Rayne City Council saw many projects and actions taken here Monday evening during a marathon session held at City Hall.
“We have a number of projects that are in need of being done this year,” said Mayor Charles “Chuck” Robichaux during the meeting, “and with everyone returning, it looks like we can continue to check things off the list that are needed for the good of the our citizens.”
The City Council passed a resolution to issue utilities revenue bonds topping at $2,600,000 for the construction and improvements of the city’s outdated water treatment system, a long-time program that is finally coming to light.
During the upcoming Feb. 11 regular City Council meeting, the mayor and City Council will hear any objections to the proposed issuance of the bonds. Publication of the notice of the intention of the city to issue the bonds will be published in the Rayne Acadian-Tribune for four consecutive weeks ending Feb. 7, at which time, public notice will be given.
The timetable was submitted by bond attorney Jason Acres of Foley & Judell, LLC, following the newspaper publication and February meeting/public hearing until the delivery of the bonds tentatively for May 14.
Following the City Council receiving a letter from DOTD in December concerning the ongoing Enhancement Grant Project (Adams Avenue Improvements), the Council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement for State Project No. H.007369 Rayne Sidewalks Phase 2 (continue upgrades and improvements from railroad tracks to East South First Street).
“This project is a win-win for the city,” noted Robichaux of the ongoing project that began under Mayor James Petitjean in 2007.
“The state will provide $398,000 and the city has already set aside our portion of $125,700 to complete the next phase of improvements for our busy downtown area for better traffic flow.”
The next action approved by the Council was a 90-day extension for CDG Energy, LLC, to complete the construction of the Barbara Street Pump Station Improvements and Sanitary Sewer Force Main Extension project.
The mayor and Council also discussed with Tim Mader of Mader Engineering the possibility of the acquiring the needed materials to have on-hand for the remainder of the project. Mader would discuss the possibility with CDG Energy, LLC.
Concerning the DOTD City Road Improvement Project, the Council approved a resolution to approve plans and specifications and authorizing the advertisement for bids and designing the time and place the bids will be received for the Edgewood Subdivision street improvement.
Robichaux noted the funds have been received by the city from DOTD in the amount of $281,000 for the city to complete the project.
The lone change made to the initial project was an alternate proposal for medians to remain by removing and replacing barrier curbs with mountable curbs to forego additional damage by large vehicles.
Under new business, the financial update was given by City Clerk Annette Cutrera, who noted the “numbers look good” and “will even look better when the December numbers are included.”
Requests heard and approved by the Council included:
• Back To Basics Car Show on March 15-17 at the Pavilion;
• Request by John Stefanski to host a crawfish boil fundraiser on April 3 at the Pavilion;
• Authorize the mayor to seek emergency replacement of the last two breakers located at the north substation;
• Nita McCall addressed the Council with concerns of dangerous dogs in and around her neighborhood;
• Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Fran Bihm in regards of the City of Rayne co-sponsoring the annual Mardi Gras Parade and Gumbo Cook-Off on March 2;
• Reinstate Phil Hebert as a member of the Board of Fire District #9;
• Request to replace William Wynn with Carroll Stelly on the Rayne Housing Authority Board;
• Administrative Rep Jamie Guillory with Med Express for a possible introduction of the company into Acadia Parish;
• Enter the City of Rayne in the 2019 State Cleanest City Contest with the Rayne Garden Club;
• Confirm Annette Cutrera as the City of Rayne’s city clerk/tax collector;
• Confirm/appointment of Lendell “Pete” Babineaux as mayor pro-tem;
• Consider/appointment of Larry Richard as city attorney;
• Confirm/appointment of Borne, Wilkes & Rabalais, LLC as assistant city attorney;
• Confirm/appointment of Angela Wagar as city prosecutor;
• Confirm/appointment of Thibodeaux Accounting Company LLC as city auditors;
• Disposal of broken meters as submitted by Mike Judice;
• Heard report from Christopher Emanuel of the 2020 census; and
• Confirm/appointment of Mader Engineering as city engineers.
Also considered were two recommendations from the Rayne Planning and Zoning Commission Board from their January 7 meeting.
As agreed by the Council, a variance for Ali LeLeux to put a beauty salon and boutique at 309 E. Louisiana Ave., which is zoned R-1, was approved, and Lee Seilhan was renewed as chairman of the Rayne Planning and Zoning Commission for the 2019 calendar year.
Under permit department/demolition projects, five properties were discussed, including:
• 811 Reynolds - 90 days to demolish;
• 605 East Butler - 30 days for plan of action and repair; afterwhich, 90 days to demolish;
• 402 6th Street - 30 days for cleanup; and
• 214 and 216 North Arenas - 60 days to demo for both properties.
Robichaux announced the following upcoming events:
• Martin Luther King Jr. city-wide celebration on Monday, Jan. 21, at both the Depot (8:30 a.m.) and Civic Center (11 a.m.);
• St. Joseph Catholic Church parking lot update and near completion;
• Boulevard sidewalk project continuing with the east strip being worked on and the west strip completed; and
• Work beginning on Magnolia Memorial Garden previously uprooted by BNSF Railroad spearheaded by the Rayne Garden Club. The project will also include Boulevard and Gossen Park updates with funds permitting.