Town Of Abita Springs

The following minutes were taken from the regular monthly meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen on November 17, 2009 at the Town Hall in Abita Springs.

Alderman Campbell gave the Invocation and Alderman Dugas led the Pledge of Allegiance.

PUBLIC HEARING:
APPENDIX J: Mayor Fitzmorris opened the Public Hearing discussing the International Residential Code advising the town currently follows Appendix J and noted the importance of adopting the Appendix J Ordinance. Alderman Dugas made a motion to close the Appendix J Public Hearing, seconded by Alderman Lemons.

HISTORIC COMMERCIAL DISTRICT USES WITHIN BOUNDRY OF CULTURAL DISTRICT: Mayor Fitzmorris opened the Public Hearing. He discussed the Cultural District boundaries, allowable uses and uses that would require a special use permit. Alderman Lemons mentioned by making the changes this will enhance the Cultural District and he is in support of the changes. Alderman Dugas noted the recent expansion of the Cultural District. Alderman Dugas made a motion to close the Public Hearing seconded by Alderman Campbell.

Mayor Fitzmorris called roll and present were Alderman Campbell, Dugas, Edmiston, Lemons and Patterson.

Alderman Patterson made a motion to accept and waive the reading of the minutes of the October 20, 2009, regular monthly meeting, seconded by Alderman Lemons, Vote YEAS: 5, Campbell, Dugas, Edmiston, Lemons and Patterson, NAYS: 0, ABSENT: 0, ABSTAIN: 0.

Alderman Dugas made a motion to accept the July 2009 financial reports, seconded by Alderman Campbell, Vote: YEAS: 5, Campbell, Dugas, Edmiston, Lemons and Patterson, NAYS: 0, ABSENT: 0 ABSTAIN: 0.

LT. ESCHER/STPSO:
Lt. Escher gave a brief recap of citations and reports for the month. He reminded all residents to lock vehicles, homes and business and should report any suspicious activities to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office.

FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT:
Fire District #8 representative recapped monthly calls mentioning the success of the smoke house at the Water Festival. He noted that Fire District #8 has taken over the garage sale and anyone having questions should call the Fire Department. Mr. Lange expressed importance of safety when checking and using space heaters.

ENGINEERING PROJECT REPORT:
Town Engineer, Jean Thibodeaux reported that sidewalks are on the DOTD bid list for March 2010. He is hoping to have a response later in November regarding the cash match on the landscape for the roundabout. Mr. Thibodeaux is requesting the irrigation for the landscape as a cash match. Mayor Fitzmorris thanked Allyson Schilling for going above and beyond noting she was a pleasure to work with. He expressed his appreciation to Southern Homes for a job well done on the Elevator Tower advising it is complete and we are working on getting the elevator lift.

Mayor Fitzmorris commented on what a great success the Water Festival was. He was pleased with the turn out. He introduced Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Cognevich as the 2010 Citizens of the Year for the Town of Abita Springs. Mayor Fitzmorris thanked all of the volunteers for their help and musicians for the wonderful music. He stated this is a community he can be proud of. He also thanked Abita Brewery for the generous donations. He commented on the huge success Halloween was, thanking Clerk of Court Kathy Armand for all her hard work. He thanked everyone for the donations and help explaining this was the largest crowd the town has had. Mayor Fitzmorris reminded residents to check the town’s website for a listing of up coming events for the Holiday season.

OLD BUSINESS:
Alderman Campbell made a motion to accept the Appendix J Ordinance, seconded by Alderman Dugas. Vote was: YEAS: 5, Campbell, Dugas, Edmiston, Lemons and Patterson, NAYS: 0, ABSENT: 0, ABSTAIN: 0

Alderman Edmiston made a motion to hold over the Historic Commercial District Uses Within Boundary of Culture Districts Ordinance, seconded by Alderman Dugas. Vote was: YEAS: 5, Campbell, Dugas, Edmiston, Lemons and Patterson, NAYS: 0, ABSENT: 0, ABSTAIN: 0.

NEW BUSINESS:
Alderman Campbell made a motion to introduce the 2010 Proposed Budget, seconded by Alderman Patterson. Vote was: 5, Alderman Campbell, Dugas, Edmiston, Lemons and Patterson, NAYS: 0, ABSENT: 0, ABSTAIN: 0.

Alderman Lemons made a motion to introduce the Parking Amendment Ordinance Introduction, seconded by Alderman Campbell. Vote was: 5, Alderman Campbell, Dugas, Edmiston, Lemons and Patterson, NAYS: 0, ABSENT: 0, ABSTAIN: 0.

Mayor Fitzmorris explained the CDBG Financial Resolution is to make sure that two people are signer and two people can request for money for the project. Alderman Dugas made a motion to adopt the CDBG Financial Resolution, seconded by Alderman Lemons. Vote was: 5, Alderman Campbell, Dugas, Edmiston, Lemons and Dugas, NAYS: 0, ABSENT: 0, ABSTAIN: 0.

Mayor Fitzmorris explained the CDBG Urgent need Project work Resolution describes the project that replace gas and water valves. Alderman Campbell made a motion to adopt the CDBG Urgent Need Project Work Resolution, seconded by Alderman Dugas. Vote was: YEAS: 5, Alderman Campbell, Dugas, Edmiston, Lemons and Patterson, NAYS: 0, ABSENT: 0, ABSTAIN: 0.

Alderman Edmiston made a motion to adopt the DOTD Roundabout Landscape Mayor Authorization Resolution between DOTD and the Town of Abita Springs, seconded by Alderman Campbell. Vote was: YEAS: 5, Alderman Campbell, Dugas, Edmiston, Lemons and Patterson, NAYS: 0, ABSENT: 0, ABSTAIN: 0.

Alderman Dugas made a motion to adopt the Sidewalk Mayor Authorization Resolution between DOTD and the Town of Abita Springs, seconded by Alderman Campbell. Vote was: YEAS: 5, Alderman Edmiston, Dugas, Edmiston, Lemons and Patterson, NAYS: 0, ABSENT: 0, ABSTAIN: 0.

Alderman Lemons made a motion to adopt the Fire District #8 Board Commission Appointment Resolution appointing Rene Henry, seconded by Alderman Dugas. Vote was: 5, Campbell, Dugas, Edmiston, Lemons and Patterson, NAYS: 0, ABSENT: 0, ABSTAIN: 0.

Mayor Fitzmorris explained the ACT 20 State of Louisiana Mayor Authorization Resolution explaining the Town of Abita Springs applied for a Capital Outlay Appropriations from the State of Louisiana. Alderman Dugas made a motion to allow passage of the ACT 20 Resolution as read, seconded by Alderman Campbell. Vote was: YEAS: 5, Alderman Campbell, Dugas, Edmiston, Lemons and Patterson, NAYS: 0, ABSENT: 0, ABSTAIN: 0.

Mayor Fitzmorris explained the ACT 122 State of Louisiana Mayor Authorization Resolution noting the Town of Abita Springs applied for landscape funding from the State of Louisiana. Alderman Dugas made a motion to allow passage of the ACT 122 Resolution as read, seconded by Alderman Patterson. Vote YEAS: 5, Alderman Campbell, Dugas, Edmiston, Lemons and Patterson, NAYS: 0, ABSENT: 0, ABSTAIN: 0.

Alderman Patterson motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Dugas.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED THIS 17TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2009.

________________________ _______________________
Jennifer Oalmann, Town Clerk Louis Fitzmorris, Mayor
TC MINUTES 11-09

This entry was posted on Monday, December 7th, 2009 at 9:26 am and is filed under Minutes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.