Oberlin’s special meeting Tuesday night, February 22, included decisions on reapportionment, contract renewals, approving a street project and applying for grant money.
Cedric Floyd, president of Data Center LLC, asked the council to consider approving a resolution agreeing to his services for redistricting purposes. He said this was his third time redrawing district lines for Oberlin.
Floyd said the town’s population had decreased since 2010, going from 1,770 to 1,402 in 2020. He explained the current deviation is 25.36 percent now and should be at 10 percent. He said the new plan’s ideal size for the town’s four districts should be at approximately 351 residents in each district. He said he would work with the council to bring each district into compliance. According to his chart, Floyd said the deviations for the districts were at 2.85 percent in District 1 with a population of 361, a negative 11.40 percent in District 2 with a population of 311, a 13.96 percent in District 3 with a population of 400 and a negative 5.98 percent in District 4 with a population of 330. The council approved the hiring of Floyd and the resolution to begin redistricting.
Oberlin will have until June 22, to approve a plan, four weeks before qualifying for the November 8, election. Qualifying will be July 20-22, for that election.
Under contract renewals, the council approved its finance commitment with Scott Finance for the town’s backhoe. The town financed $94,526.90 and still owes $83,517.28. The maturity date of the loan is March 2024.
The council tabled approving a utility contract with Mueller until it had more information on costs associated with the contract. Mueller, formerly known as Ferguson and Mueller Systems, provides the town with metering products and software for running its meters. Charlotte Artis, city clerk, explained this was an application to establish credit with Mueller. She said the town’s present contract was expiring soon.
The council heard an update on a drainage project from Luke Miller, project engineer with Meyer, Meyer, LaCroix and Hixson, and Kimberly Boyd, hazard mitigation planner with the Rapides Area Planning Commission. Miller explained the first round of monies to the parish totaled approximately $1 million. He said Oberlin requested $70,000 for drainage improvement along Eighth and Fifth Avenues. He said this FEMA money has no stipulations in regards to cost sharing. The second round of money, expected to total $1.5 million to the parish, will involve the traditional matching funds of 75-25 percent.
Miller said GOHSEP (Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness) requires documentation of the homes along the drainage area. He said they want documentation of the flood damage for every structure along the proposed route including items like loss verification, elevation certificates, type of structure, etc. He said the monies will be used to enlarge ditches and/or widen culverts.
After administrative and design service costs and possibly documentation costs to gather information, this grant may not be worth pursuing. Mayor Joseph “Moochie” Manuel asked if the town could dig the ditches and use money for culverts, and Miller said yes.
Miller said the town has an application deadline of April 24, if the council wants to pursue the money. He said the jury is using monies to purchase generators for the Allen Parish Civic Center and its maintenance barn and Oakdale is going to purchase generators for four buildings and its water wells.
Boyd said it may not be difficult to gather the documentation once she heard there were a small number of homes along the two streets. The council agreed to move forward.
The council approved its street project, which was over the projected costs. The bid was $161,000. The town has $157,00 from capital outlay and capital improvement funds. It found another $2,000 in its budget to complete the project. To cut costs, the engineer agreed to reduce Garcille Road by 200 feet on the north end and reduce the work on S. 13th St. by 350 feet on the south end of the street.
Mike Hollier, executive/MPO director for SWLA Regional Planning Commission, presented Oberlin with its comprehensive master plan. “The commission is the designated Economic Development District (EDD) for Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jeff Davis parishes, as well as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for greater Lake Charles. It’s primary goal is the continued growth and development of Southwest Louisiana.”
Hollier said Oberlin is the first plan completed. The commission chose to work on three plans including Lake Charles and Beauregard Parish. He said the five page plan, once adopted, would be put on the commission’s website. He said the plan would help the commission to keep its members, like Oberlin, on its radar. He said it would be used to keep everyone focussed. The plan includes economic goals, utilities available and possible upgrades, transportation, recreation, housing, etc.
The council accepted the plan.
In other business, the town:
•Approved applying for the 2022-2023 Healthy Communities Grant.
•Tabled moving some of its LACE funds available to assist with paying bills. Councilman Romelzy Willis Jr. asked for a financial report of the account before making a decision.
•Adopted the 2021 MWPP (Municipal Water Pollution Prevention) Resolution.
•Approved its bills for January 2022.
•Approved its December 2021 minutes.
•Approved the financial report from Tina Maddox, finance clerk.
•Entered executive session to discuss budget cuts and the superintendent’s salary. No action was taken in the open meeting.
