PPVC discuses village projects

By: HEATHER

BOGARD

Lifestyles Editor

PINE PRAIRIE - The Pine Prairie Village Council received updates on the progress of both major village projects during its regular meeting Thursday, March 13. Todd Deville with Landreneau and Associates addressed the council to inform them the sewer project was going well and a lot of work was being done. He stated the project might be complete by the end of April. Deville also stated he was finishing up the plans for the new community center in order to submit them to the USDA for approval by the end of next week.

Mayor Terry Savant, in his reports, stated plans were underway for the 50th anniversary of the incorporation of Pine Prairie in April 2009. He said he and Allen Manuel have been working on the project, and Manuel has been visiting with residents to gather photos and stories for the project. Savant said he hopes to have a booth at next year’s Boggy Bayou Festival to display the exhibit and possibly hold an open house at the village hall so residents can look at the exhibit of Pine Prairie’s history.

Savant stated he contacted Tim Champagne from New Orleans about the possibility of hiring him to remove the old sewer plant and putting the ground back in order. He said Champagne will be visiting the village this week to look at it before a decision is made.

He noted Lamar Johnson and Scott McDaniel donated the pipe for the fence at the ball park. Savant added Tim Pierce donated six light poles for the field and the lights have been ordered. He also noted Cleco agreed to set up the new lighting.

Savant also noted a new police unit has been ordered and he will see about obtaining a new motor for one of the units.

In other business, the council:

•Approved the $2,500 grant from Conoco Phillips with a resolution. The funds, along with other grants, were used for improvements to the ball park.

•Authorized Landreneau and Associates to begin accepting bids for the new Pine Prairie Community Center.

•Authorized the transfer of funds from the general savings and sales tax funds to certificates of deposit (cds). Sixty thousand dollars from the general savings fund will be transferred to a one-year cd, and $60,000 from the sales tax fund will be transferred to a six-month cd.

•Authorized a limit on the purchasing of signs for the ball park. In the future, signs will be purchased only for district or state championships, or above, contingent upon the availability of funds in the village’s budget.

•Approved the payment of monthly expenditures.

•Approved the minutes of the February 14, regular meeting.

•Heard the financial report from Village Clerk Allison McCollough.