Rayne City Council tackles traffic, drainage
A traffic problem on Hilda Street was solved and the continuation of drainage improvements announced during the November meeting of the Rayne City Council.
Mayor Charles “Chuck” Robichaux told members of the council that he had been approached by a resident on Hilda Street concerning street parking there.
According to the mayor, Hilda Street is a “substandard road,” measuring only about 13 and a half feet in width. Standard city roads are 21 feet in width.
“When people park on the side of (Hilda Street), it’s almost impossible for emergency vehicles — fire trucks, ambulances, etc. — to get through,” Robichaux said.
Robichaux recommended that no parking be allowed anywhere along the entire length of the street and that a sign be installed at the beginning of the street announcing such.
Edward Bergeron, a resident of Hilda Street, said he didn’t see a need for the prohibition.
“I’ve lived there for over 20 years and I don’t ever remember an incident where an emergency vehicle was impeded,” he said. “But if you think its in the best interest of the city, I’m all for it.”
During announcements just prior to the close of the meeting, Robichaux said the city has embarked on a project to clean culvert in ditches across Rayne as part of the continuing drainage improvement program.
“We’re fortunate in that FEMA is allowing us six employees to work on this project at no cost to the city,” the mayor said.
He said the crews have already cleaned a number of primary drainage culverts in the city and will be moving from area to area.
“They’re inspecting for defects and misaligned culverts also,” Robichaux said, adding that “some citizens may have to pay part of the expense of realigning or replacing defective culverts on their property.
“We’ll provide the labor.”
In other business, Councilman Kenneth Guidry said he had been approached by constituents concerning the possible placement of stop signs along Second Street.
“They said people are speeding up and down there,” Guidry said.
Chief Carroll Stelly said he will have officers “running radar” along Second Street and other city streets to deter speeding.
In other action, the council:
•nIntroduced an amendment to the code or ordinances relative to the reimbursement of travel expense and set a public hearing on the ordinance to be held Dec. 12.
•nAnnounced that the annual Rayne Christmas Parade will be held Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m., culminating with activities at Depot Square.
•nAccepted the resignation of Larry Menard as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission. His replacement will likely be named in December.
•nRenewed the contract with Building Code Inspection Services, LLC.
•nDeclared a 1999 Ford pickup as surplus and authorized its sale at auction.