Projects heard during March Rayne City Council meeting

RAYNE - Plans for a number of ongoing and future projects throughout the city of Rayne were discussed Monday evening at City Hall during the March meeting of the Rayne City Council.
“We have a number of projects going on at this point in the city,” stated Mayor Charles “Chuck” Robichaux as the meeting was called to order. “We’ve completed a few, but we also have projects we are presently working on now, in addition to a number in the near future.”
One of the projects now in the planning stages is the street repair and re-surfacing of five road projects throughout the city.
During Monday’s meeting, the Council introduced and approved a second supplemental bond ordinance to have a public hearing at next month’s Council meeting to approve plans to issue utilities revenue bonds topping at $2,600,000 for the construction and improvements of the city’s outdated water treatment system. The Council previously authorized city officials to proceed with the preparation of the documents required for the issuance of the bonds and obtain approval of the La. State Bond Commission.
The Council also voted to renew a resolution authorizing the amended and restated project support agreement between the City of Rayne and the Louisiana Energy and Power Authority (LEPA).
Under new business, the financial update, which displayed the city in a good position, was given by City Clerk Annette Cutrera, who noted that next month’s numbers will be “real-time” financials as the new computer program will be installed.
The Council considered and approved the following items as declared by the street department as surplus: Bush Hop, X-Mark Zero Turn Mower and Hach Pocket Colorimeter.
Also heard and approved was a request from Haseya’s New Beginning to host a street drive with proceeds to benefit the non-profit organization to assist in horse rescue and with adoption at the Rayne Animal Shelter.
The re-election of Louis Thomas to the Youth Recreation Board for a five-year term was tabled until next month when additional volunteers will be considered.
The Council approved the re-election of Sanders Senegal to the Municipal Employee Service Board for a five-year term April 1, 2019 until March 31, 2024.
Under permit department/demolition projects, five properties were presented for action, including:
• 401 Bailey - 30 days for owner to secure property and board openings, followed by one year period to demolish;
• 407 Bailey - 30 days to secure and action tabled until April meeting;
• 507 Bailey - demolition has begun and given 90 days to complete demo;
• 207 North Chevis Lot 15 - 90 days to demolish; and
• 413 6th Street - annual update to secure property for storage only.
City Engineer Tim Mader gave a brief update of the following items:
• Barbara Street Pump Station Project - barring wet weather delays, expected completion the first week of April;
• DOTD Street Improvement Project - received bids for the Edgewood Subdivision Street Improvement Project including base bid and desired additive alternates and awarded to Elliott Construction, LLC; and
• LPDES Application and Louisiana Municipal Water Pollution Prevention Annual Report approved for submittance to DEQ.
Before adjourning, Councilman Kenneth Guidry submitted a request he has received from a number of citizens concerning the occurrence of barbecue sales taking place throughout the city on a regular basis. He noted the item will be added to the April meeting agenda for further discussion.