Town Of Abita Springs

The following minutes were taken from the regular monthly meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen on December 15, 2009 at the Town Hall in Abita Springs.

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

PUBLIC HEARING:
2010 PROPOSED BUDGET ORDINANCE: Mayor Fitzmorris opened the public hearing and went over proposed numbers for 2010. He explained decreases and increases in revenue collected and expenses paid out. Mayor Fitzmorris also noted the budget has to be a balanced budget. Mayor Fitzmorris mentioned the special section on the 2010 Budget was due to the redirection of 1 mill for lighting and 2 mills for the park and playgrounds. Mayor Fitzmorris noted recycle was revisited and participation has increased. Alderman Lemons gave a brief summary about the 80% increase in recycling and a school program set up to recycle through Coastal Waste. Mayor Fitzmorris mentioned he is encouraged by the participation percentage and would like to extend recycling for another year.
Mayor Fitzmorris explained he tries to give employee pay raise every year but no raises were budgeted for employees. He expressed his appreciation to the employees for their understanding in regards to the town’s situation. Alderman Patterson made a motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Alderman Lemons.

HISTORIC COMMERCIAL DISTRICT USES WITHIN BOUNDRY OF CLTURE DISTRICT ORDINANCE: Mayor Fitzmorris opened the public hearing noting this ordinance needs to go before Planning and Zoning again to get their approval and this should be done by January. Alderman Campbell made a motion to defer to the January 19, 2009 Town Council Meeting, seconded by Alderman Lemons.

PARKING AMENDMENT ORDINANCE: Mayor Fitzmorris opened the Parking Amendment public hearing discussing the Parking Amendment Ordinance explaining the clarification in the language will help the town enforce the parking rules. 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 Edmiston made a motion to accept and waive the reading of the minutes of the November 17, 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 August 2009 and September 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 explaining more warnings are being given due to the Holiday’s. He explained in detail some issues that happened in the past month advising all residents to lock their homes and cars. Lt. Escher announced he would be leaving in January and returning in May. He joined the United State Army Reserve as an Assistant Chaplin. Community Relations Officer, Eddie Vauthier was introduced to take Lt. Escher’s place while out. Mayor Fitzmorris expressed how proud he is of Lt. Escher and how he will be missed noting what he is doing is important and he is confidant that all would be handled.

FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT:
Alderman Lemons gave a report for Fire Department #8 noting a 10% increase in calls since this time last year. He advised that all six new fire fighters have passed the Fire Fighter 1 course and Hazmat course.

TOWN MARSHAL:
Town Marshal, Joe Candilora gave a brief summary for the month. Mayor Fitzmorris mentioned the decrease in complaints since Town Marshal Candilora has been out patrolling the streets.

ENGINEERING PROJECT REPORT:
Town Engineer, Jean Thibodeaux reported that a lot of the Road Paving bid packets were picked up by local contractors and a couple of addendums were sent out noting if recycled asphalt is used the town would be able to asphalt more roads. He advised the bid opening has been rescheduled until December 18, 2009 at 2:00pm. Town Engineer, Jean Thibodeaux reported on the progress of the Sidewalk Project and the chance to receive some Stimulus money for the project. He also reported on the Roundabout Landscaping, CDBG gas and water valve project and noted the Handicap Accessory Structure was complete. Discussion followed on meeting with the DEQ Loan Program and storm water infiltration. Mayor Fitzmorris thanked Valarie Horton with the State and Town Engineer, Jean Thibodeaux for their hard work on the Sidewalk Project. The Handicap Accessory Structure is complete and Mayor Fitzmorris commented on a job well done by Southern Homes.

Mayor Fitzmorris discussed the seven inches of rain that was received since Friday, December 11, 2009 explaining that we are in good shape with drainage. He noted the Abita River was high but we have had very little street flooding. Discussion followed on lift stations and drainage.

Alderman Campbell mentioned on Thursday, December 17, 2009 in the lighted field across from Town Hall Trinity Baptist Church will begin Christmas Caroling at 6:30. She noted schools are decorating the Christmas trees in the park. Mayor Fitzmorris thanked the Ladies Progressive Club for the donation of the lights and Cleco for putting up the lights. Mayor Fitzmorris thanked Pastor Baker with Trinity Baptist Church for the beautiful Widow’s Banquet and how much they enjoyed it. Alderman Campbell also mentioned the Push Mo Parade will be held on February 6, 2009 and the 2010 theme is “What were you thinking”. She noted line up starts at 8:00am and parade rolls at 11:00am.

Mayor Fitzmorris mentioned Mr. Stire passed away this week noting he was on the Council. He also mentioned that Mr. David Root will be honored at the Saints game on Saturday for the People’s Health Award.

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

Alderman Campbell made a motion to defer the Historic Commercial District Uses Ordinance until the January 19, 2009 Town Council Meeting, seconded by Alderman Patterson. Vote was: YEAS: 5, Campbell, Dugas, Edmiston, Lemons and Patterson, NAYS: 0, ABSENT: 0, ABSTAIN: 0.

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

NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Fitzmorris mentioned the February 16, 2009 Town Council Meeting falls on Mardi Gras day explaining this is a holiday and the office will be closed. Alderman Dugas made a motion to reschedule the February 16, 2009 Town Council Meeting to Wednesday, February 17, 2009, seconded by Alderman Campbell.

Mayor Fitzmorris wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Alderman Patterson motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Dugas.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED THIS 15TH DAY OF DECEMBER 2009.

________________________ _______________________
Jennifer Oalmann, Town Clerk Louis Fitzmorris, Mayor
TC MINUTES 12-09

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