The Reeves Council discussed offering employees the possibility of entering a retirement system through the state’s Municipal Employees’ Retirement System. Mayor Chris Guillory said it would take seven years to be vested in the program, and five percent of employees’ salaries would be earmarked for retirement savings. The village would be responsible for a six to 15 percent match of the employees salary, which was based on the age and length of employment. He said the cost would be approximately $5,000 per year to the village for two employees.
Chad Guidry, village attorney, explained he saw no problems, but he believed if one employee took advantage of the retirement system, then both employees would have to participate. He did not think any employee could opt out of the plan if the city chose to add it to employees’ benefits.
The mayor said it would be a mandatory participation of all employees if the council chose to take this action. Since only one employee had asked the council to consider this option, it was agreed they would speak to the other full-time employee before the council would make a decision.
Guidry added if the council chose to add the retirement option to benefits now, it would be enacted going forward, and would be known to all employees upon hiring. The matter was tabled until the next meeting.
The mayor asked Guidry to advise them of the process needed to sell the land at 315 Clark Avenue now that it had been cleaned, cut and cleared. It would be surplus property. Guidry explained since it was immovable property, it would have to be appraised at fair market value and advertised with a minimum bid given during the process. He said the village could do this through a resolution after the appraisal was completed.
The council learned the construction project for the new Family Dollar in the village would require a right-of-way to clear the way for a ditch to bring excess water toward Highway 190 during rain, etc. The council saw no problems with the request, but they needed an official request complete with a certified legal description of the area.
FEMA dollars for the village sign and present building have been received by the village. The village has finally completed all the lists for dollars for the damage to the village hall. Guillory reported they should let the village know within the next month. However it could be delayed due to Hurricane Ida.
When asked if the hospital was still interested in utilizing the old village hall location for a clinic, the answer was yes. From the information the mayor had, he said the hospital asked for the building to be ready by February or March and they hoped to open in May of 2022.
A councilman asked if the park was open since he had seen people inside. Guillory reported there were no gates on the other side, but he would post signs. He said here were no hazards left in the area, and it had been cleaned.
In other business the council learned:
•The post office was still moving forward with its plan to re-establish a location in Reeves. It had two options.
•Learned Assistant Police Chief Kevin Doise’s last day was Friday. Chief Waylin Bertrand said Officer James Witherington had moved to days and would assume the duties of assistant chief for now. He would approach the council later to name an assistant chief.
In discussing projects or issues in the village, the council discussed:
•The need to cut a branch hanging above the new sign into Reeves before it falls and damages the sign.
•A stump that needed to be removed in a ditch on the corner of Lyles Street. It is on the village’s list but is not at the top of the list.
•The need to have a limb over the fire station trimmed so the fire trucks will not run into it.
•The mayor planned to purchase bags of asphalt and fill a problem area with sand before laying down the asphalt to see if the problem could be solved near the corner of Lyles Street.
The council went into executive session to discuss a personnel matter and took no action.
