Mamou Council discusses financial burden of hosting Mardi Gras; ordinances

Concerns about the cost of Mardi Gras celebrations and a citizen’s concern about fair enforcement of town ordinances dominated Mamou Town Council proceedings at the February regular monthly meeting earlier this week.
Coming on the heels of a large and successful Mardi Gras celebration, Wednesday evening the Council discussed the financial burden of hosting the three-day festivities.
Because the final costs are not tallied yet, the council did not know how much this year’s festival cost. In 2015, the town paid more than $33,000 to host Mardi Gras. Included in the cost was $13,000 for bands. It also paid more than $16,000 on extra security costs.
According to Fontenot, the town has been trying to reduce costs over the recent years. In the past, the Town has spent more than $70,000 for Mardi Gras.
However, Fontenot said, other than $2,700 in booth fees, the Town really doesn’t see much income in extra sales tax from the event.
“We want to emphasize that no one is talking about killing Mardi Gras in Mamou,” said Mayor Ricky Fontenot. His sentiment was met in swift agreement by members of the Council.
Councilwoman Leisa Deshotel said, “It is the tradition of Mamou. You’ll have to put me in the grave before you cancel Mardi Gras.”
Nevertheless, Fontenot said, “We want people to come” to Mamou. “The town just needs to be able to afford to welcome them.
“We’re not trying to make money,” Fontenot said. “We just want to be able to pay for the event.”
Among ideas discussed to help defray the cost, Fontenot asked the Council to consider expanding the availability of vendor booths. Right now, only about nine booths are allowed to operate, all of them non-profit organizations from Mamou.
Fontenot said that his office had been contacted by outside for-profit businesses, like food trucks, that wanted to have a booth permit. He believes that allowing more vendors could help raise money.
Councilman Robin Young did not feel that this was an acceptable idea.
“Leave it like it is,” Young said. “We made that ordinance (about vendors) for a reason.”
The cost of the bands seemed to be a sticking point for Councilman Charles Reed.
“Why are the merchants at least paying for the bands?” Reed asked. “They’re making a killing. I don’t mind paying for security and port-o-lets, but if we can knock off $16,000 for bands, then we’re doing good.”
Fontenot decided to form a committee of stake holders from the Council and the town to investigate ways either to reduce the cost or raise more money to help pay for the event.
Ray Manuel addressed the Council about his concern that town ordinances, specifically concerning mobile homes, are not being enforced fairly.
Manuel asked the Council to consider an ordinance passed six years ago that prevents mobile homes that are older than 15 years from being brought into Mamou.
Manuel said that the ordinance prevented him from bringing in a mobile home that passed safety inspections. However, an existing older mobile home was allowed to be moved from one town location to another, even though the property had changed ownership.
The problem is with the interpretation of the ordinance, which reads, “This (ordinance) shall not apply to any such manufactured homes presently existing within the town limits of Mamou.”
“I understand grandfathering property that is already in the town,” Manuel said. “However, once the property changes ownership, then the grandfather clause should no longer apply.”
Manuel also said that the ordinance requiring a clear space between the mobile home and the property line was not being properly enforced, citing a mobile home on Reed Street that does not meet the ordinance limits.
Finally, Reed complained that owners of abandoned trailers were not being forced to make repairs or remove the property.
“The city either needs to enforce the laws or throw them away,” Manuel said.
Deshotel told Manuel, “We do have laws, and we do our best. We’ve had some trouble with enforcement, but it’s getting better.”
Fontenot added, “I think those days are gone and behind us.”
The mayor promised to look into Manuel’s concerns.
In other business, an ordinance to regulate using golf carts on the streets of Mamou was tabled again. Last year, the Council considered requiring all golf carts to have a permit and insurance to operate them on the streets. That proposal, however, was not enacted.
Wednesday night, the Council talked about passing an ordinance to outlaw them completely. After a short discussion, it was decided to allow interim Police Chief Allen Noel to enforce existing state law concerning the carts. Noel said that state law does not allow them to be used on the roads.
Also, Fontenot introduced the idea of increasing the rental and deposit fees for using municipal facilities like the Rec and Teenage Center. Fontenot said that the current fees are low and do not allow the Town to recoup money to pay for damages to the facilities. The Council did not make a decision on the increased fees.
The Council approved pay raises for four employees. Last month, all town employees, with the exception of these four, received a pay raise. However, these four employment positions had to be individually approved through the adoption of city ordinances singling them out.
The ordinances were introduced last month and approved Wednesday night. Receiving the pay raises are the water, gas, and sewer superintendents; and the city clerk.