PPVC discusses projects, new resolutions

By: HEATHER BOGARD

Lifestyles Editor

PINE PRAIRIE - The Pine Prairie Village Council, during its regular meeting Thursday, June 12, discussed several current and pending projects and adopted three new resolutions.

Mayor Terry Savant, during his reports, addressed the status of the Ville Platte Medical Center satellite clinic in Pine Prairie and stated the project is still in the works. He spoke with new CEO Brian Riddle and learned a contract had been signed with Bayou State to build the clinic, and a nurse practitioner and physician will be hired to work at the clinic, which should be operational by September.

Ronnie Landreneau, village engineer, gave a brief update on the status of the new sewer system and community center. He stated he believed the new plant should be complete sometime between July 15, and July 30. He added he spoke to DHH about closing out the old plant and the possibility of having it removed at no cost to the village. Landreneau said he spoke with Todd Cormier about getting a permanent generator in case of power outages and said there is a possibility of installing a permanent generator at the location. He also commented the project was moving along well and he was pleased with the quality of the work.

With regard to the community center, Landreneau said corrections were being made to the plans and Todd Deville would send the completed plans to USDA. He added he would ask Senator Eric LaFleur to get the item approved. He also said the council could pass a resolution to authorize for bid advertisements as soon as the plans are approved, which should be sometime in late July or early August. The council had already done this at a previous meeting.

Council members also discussed how to handle unpaid property taxes and occupational licenses. Savant said he would contact residents he knows and asked the council to authorize Village Attorney Trent Brignac to send certified letters to those who have not responded.

In other business, the council:

•Adopted a revised inmate supervisor employee policy, which outlines the job duties and responsibilities for employees hired to work and supervise Evangeline Parish inmates throughout the Village of Pine Prairie.

•Approved an update to the village’s property tax millages. Under the new resolution, the millages were adjusted as follows: general alimony, 5.22 mills; recreation facilities, 2.88 mills; street construction, 4.93 mills; police protection, 1.97 mills; and street maintenance, 6.89 mills.

•Adopted the Ville Platte Gazette as the village’s official municipal journal.

•Approved the payment of monthly expenditures.

•Approved the minutes of the May 8, regular meeting.

•Heard the financial report from Village Clerk Allison McCollough.