Mamou Council amends, adopts budgets

During the November 10 special meeting of the Mamou Town Council, Mayor Ricky Fontenot and the board of aldermen heard an overview of the town’s finances from CPA Michael Johnson.
Johnson updated them on the necessary amendments to the 2015 budget and also discussed the proposed 2016 fiscal budget. The council approved the proposed ordinances to amend the 2015 budget and adopt the 2016 budget. A public hearing will be held December 9, before the start of the next regular monthly meeting to discuss the amendments to the 2015 budget and the 2016 budget prior to adopting both during the meeting.
Interim Police Chief Allen Noel presented the monthly police department activity report to the mayor and council members. After reading the report, Councilman Robin Young thanked Noel and the department for the wonderful job they have been doing, stating, “I would like to take the time to let the Mamou Police Department know what a great and overwhelming response I have gotten over the last month. Several businesses have let me know that the police presence at their businesses has been greatly appreciated. Members of the community have also let me know that the police presence, patrolling and clearing of streets at their businesses are greatly appreciated. Y’all have been doing a great job, even with all the obstacles y’all had and have overcome. The police report also reflects the great job y’all are doing. I just wanted, as police commissioner, to thank everyone from the administration, to the juvenile officer to the patrolmen to the dispatchers. We are all behind you 100 percent. Thank you again for all you do.”
Mayor Fontenot and the council members also heard and approved several personnel recommendations made by Chief Noel, which included hiring Sloan Clark as part time dispatcher, George Cain as part-time patrolman and dispatcher and Ethan John (post-certified) as full-time patrolman. The council also approved Noel’s request to increase the salary of administrative assistant Stephanie Ortego.
The council heard heated input from a couple of concerned residents about the proposed ordinance regulating the use of golf carts in the town limits. Attorney Peter Savoy stated that under the ordinance, only licensed drivers with liability insurance would be allowed to drive the golf carts. Council member Charles Reed stated residents’ rights to ride their golf carts must be balanced with the law. One resident emphatically stated that the carts should not be allowed on the streets due to no seat belts or that if they are allowed, seat belts should be installed on the vehicles. Chief Noel stated he had not researched the issue yet. It was emphasized that all electric recreational vehicles must be insured, however, golf carts are not equipped with seat belts. Council member Robin Young moved to table the issue. However, the issue has already been tabled several times, and council members Charles Reed and Freddie Matthew voted to adopt the ordinance, while Young and Leisa Deshotel were adamantly against it. With the deciding vote, Mayor Fontenot voted to adopt the ordinance, stating that it can always be amended.
In other business, the council:
•Appointed Deyon Guillory as gas superintendent and also named him as a town representative for the Louisiana Municipal Gas Authority (LMGA) Board of Directors. Normally Clerk Guy Pucheu serves as the representative, but Guillory was appointed as an alternate for whenever Pucheu cannot make the meetings.
•Approved a resolution to once again apply for Louisiana Community Development Block Grant (LCDBG) grant funding to be used for street improvements.
•Proposed a resolution to canvas the election returns for the sales tax renewal from the October 24, election.
•Proposed a resolution to support the acquisition of Cleco by the North American Investor Group. A representative from Cleco stated the move needed the support of the towns served by Cleco. He said employee pay and insurance, as well as any rate changes will be guaranteed for five years under the acquisition.
•Approved the minutes of the October 14, regular meeting and October 5, and October 26, special meetings.