EPPJ discusses company possibly moving to Industrial Park

The Evangeline Parish Police Jury learned that a company is actively considering locating in the industrial park just north of Ville Platte.

During the police jury’s monthly meeting on Monday, August 12, Acadiana Economic Development Council (AEDC) Executive Director Rebecca Shirley briefed the jurors about efforts the council is making to draw industry to the region, and to Evangeline Parish.

She said the regional approach to attracting industries is more effective because of the different advantages each specific urban area and rural communities offer.

Shirley said about 20 years ago, cities such as Lafayette would compete with other cities, and with rural communities. She said during the past eight years, the state has gained a “most positive reputation,” as a location for industry because of the workforce available here, the natural resources and other factors.

Another speaker at the meeting, Cleco Senior Business Developer Katie Chasison, talked about the advantages the parish has because of the “certified site” at the Evangeline Parish Industrial Park.

The site was certified as having had environmental, archaeological and other assessments made, so that industry would not have to spend the time and money on performing those assessments. The official announce of site certification at the industrial park was made in May 2012.

Chaisson said that years ago, an industry would take up to a year and a half to complete cite assessments, but, “Now, it’s pretty much the speed of light,” and a site has to be ready for industry to locate immediately.

Shirley and Chaisson were introduced by Dr. Tojo Ward, chairman of the Evangeline Parish Industrial Development Board. Ward also is vice chairman of AEDC and will become the council’s chairman October 1.

The police jury was briefed by State Senator Eric LaFleur, acting as bond council, on preliminary steps needed before the state can issue up to $28 million for road and drainage improvements. The funds are to be repaid with the two cent sales tax 10-year renewal voters approved last year.

LaFleur advised the police jury to act now, before interest rates rise. Interest rates are now at four and a half percent, and are expected to remain there until October, when the bonds are expected to be issued.

John Mayeaux, bonding underwriter with Citizens Securities, said an interest rate increase of one percent could cause the parish to lose $2 million.

The police jury adopted a resolution accepting the bond award application.

The police jury also discussed a claim for damages to a trailer caused by a parish road crew.

The owner of the 16-foot trailer parked it on a road that was being chip sealed and a steel roller packing the road backed into it.

The owner submitted a low bid of $3,445 to repair the trailer and cover the cost of driving to Alexandria to obtain the bids. The trailer owner said the frame was bent and the fender needed to be replaced.

Donald Bergeron, parish public works director, said he offered to straighten out the fender and that he did not see any damage to the frame after the accident occurred.

The police jury voted to receive estimates for a new fender and to pay that amount only.

Juror Eric Soileau suggested the police jury consider establishing a parish-wide policy on removal of debris to improve drainage. He asked the police jury to determine what the parish can legally do, such as tree removal. He said he has contacted other parishes and that some have a drainage board that handles drainage issues instead of having the police juries responsible for that function.

Near the end of the meeting, Doug Deville, who has been the police jury secretary/treasurer for 10 years, said he would retire in September to spend more time with his family, “while I’m still healthy and good looking.”

He said he enjoyed working with the police jury, which he described as the “youngest jury ever” in Evangeline Parish. Vidrine, the police jury president, said the police jury “has enjoyed working with you.”

The jurors voted to advertise for a replacement secretary/treasurer and scheduled a special meeting for Wednesday, August 21, at 5 p.m. to consider applicants for the position.

In other action, the police jury:

•Voted to proclaim August 21, in honor of three parish high school boxers -- Bobby Soileau, Larry Hollier and Terrona Guillory -- who have been inducted into the Louisiana High School Hall of Fame.

•Approved a motion to continue funding the Veterans Service Office at $1,278 per month until the end of 2014.

•Approved the reappointment of Kenneth Jackson for a five-year term on the Ward 4 Water District Board.

•Approved the reappointment of Lynn Gooden and Nathaniel Thomas to two-year terms on the Evangeline Parish Communications District.

•Appointed Darrel Magee to replace Joe Vidrine on the Prairie Mamou Gravity Drainage District 8.

Just as the police jury was about to adjourn, a citizen in the audience, Terry Fusilier, told the jurors the residents of the Demourelle Subdivision have had their homes flooded because of a canal that needs to be cleared.

The 37-year resident of the subdivision said flooding there is the worst he has seen.

Bergeron said clearing of the canal is in the “planning stages,” but Vidrine said because the subdivision is inside the Ville Platte city limits, clearing of ditches will require a cooperative endeavor agreement with the city.