By: NICK JAGNEAUX
Staff Reporter
Although the Ville Platte City Council meeting was routine, one of the two topics of public hearings held before the regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening generated a lot of conversation.
Before the actual meeting, a public hearing allowed for comment on an ordinance requiring all private rental facilities, bars, and night clubs to have a commissioned law enforcement officer present during operational hours.
Although such an ordinance has not yet been formulated, the hearing was to allow public input so that when the ordinance is introduced next month it can be crafted to meet the needs of the City and concerned parties.
“This all stems from the commotion that goes on at the Creole House,” explained Mayor Jennifer Vidrine. “At last month’s meeting residents complained about the loud music and dancing in the streets. I’ve got videos that look like Bourbon Street.”
The Creole House is owned by JC Ceasar. Two years ago, Ceasar prevailed over tough opposition in his desire to build the Bulldog Sports Bar and a restaurant at the corner of MLK Drive and Dr. Carver Street, where the Creole House is located.
Vidrine told the council that she has been in touch with Ceasar about the problems and that he will work on it.
“We’re having these problems from the same business owner who stood here (two years ago) and promised we wouldn’t have these problems,” Vidrine said.
Joycie Thomas, who lives across from the business, addressed the council.
“It’s a nuisance,” Thomas said. “It’s bad. I’m not out to hurt anybody or their business, but when you’re going to continually disturb me at night, that’s not fair.”
Vidrine added, “It’s not just Mrs. Joycie. I’ve gotten numerous phone calls from the whole block, from people complaining about the noise and that they can’t sleep. Mrs. Joycie just had surgery, and she couldn’t rest the whole time she was trying to recuperate.
“It’s ridiculous, the kinds of activities that go on there,” Vidrine stressed.
Fred Freeman, who also lives in the neighborhood, asked the council to consider how such an ordinance would affect other areas of the city and other businesses that aren’t causing problems.
“I’m for implementing something,” Freeman said, “but we need to examine how this will affect other events in the city. Will it harm them?”
Freeman, who is a member of St. John Baptist Church, said, “We have a facility which we rent. Would our facility be affected? The pizzeria, Main Street Pizza, that rents out for parties, would it be included?”
Freeman asked whether a stronger police presence in the neighborhood and enforcement of existing laws might not work better.
The discussion then broadened to take in enforcing existing ordinances concerning loud music and loitering. Police Chief Neil Lartigue said that his officers do pass in the areas that are generating complaints. However, he said, that the officers do not issue loitering citations. The officers make the crowds lower the music and disperse if they are loitering.
“We need to start writing tickets for loitering,” Vidrine said. “If you write a few citations, people will get the message.”
Vidrine encouraged residents to call city hall to let her know their feelings about an ordinance requiring a commissioned officer on duty at the private clubs, bars, and rental facilities.
Next month, Vidrine said, an ordinance will be introduced. A public meeting will be held on the specific ordinance in June, with a vote on adoption to follow at the regular monthly meeting.
The other public hearing was to adopt a new Citizen Participation Plan for 2018-19. The adoption of the plan is part of the requirements for obtaining a Louisiana Community Development Block Grant. The city is planning on applying for an $800,000 grant to improve the streets.
During the regular meeting, City Engineer Ronnie Landreneau gave a bit of bad news concerning the $1 million LCDBG that the city received to improve the sewage treatment plant. The money is slated to pay for tertiary filters.
According to Landreneau, the lowest bid, by Trek Inc., for the project came in at over $1,080,000. The city would have to pay for any amount over budget out of the general fund. Consequently, he could not recommend accepting the bid at this time.
In an effort to try to bring the cost of the project within the budget, a reassessment of the plans was done. However, even after eliminating important, but non-vital, elements of the project, it is still more than $40,000 over budget.
Landreneau told the council that he is working with Trek Inc. to try to find further savings. The council has 45 days either to award the bid (and pay for overages from city funds) or to bid the project out again. He said he might have to ask for a special meeting to take action on the project before the May regular meeting.
Landreneau also informed the council that the waterline project is proceeding in the southwestern part of the city. If a resident is not home when the new meters are hooked up, Landreneau said that the water is not being turned on to the houses.
Instead, hangers are being placed on residents’ doors with an after-hours number to call when they get home to have the water turned on.
In other news, the council approved an agreement to partner with the Smoked Meat Festival. This year, the Festival will be held on June 2-3. It will include a fair again and make use of the new pavilion for the 25th anniversary.
Vidrine told the councilmen that they needed to submit their “wish lists” for their districts so that she can put together her budget proposal in May. She also informed the council that the new pavilions are going up at Hope Park.
More than 100 children registered for the Boys and Girls Club summer program, and the program is full, Vidrine said. Applications for the Summer Youth Program for Employment are available at city hall. The jobs program is open to 16- to 18-year-old high school students who reside in the city limits. The deadline for applications is April 25.