Good news, lots of project updates and a town moving forward were the topics discussed at the Kinder Council meeting on Tuesday, September 6. The meeting was rescheduled since Monday, the normal meeting day, was a holiday.
Mayor Wayland LaFargue gave the council an update on several projects associated with the 2020 hurricanes (Laura in August and Delta in October). Sheetrock, painting and other repairs were noted at city hall. While this was underway, the administration did a restoration project at city hall, which was built around 2004, by painting and re-varnishing areas.
The mayor noted the community center would receive a new roof, some paint and a new floor. He also noted prisoners would be returning to help around the community with trash, etc. as part of the prison work program. He said with the start of the senior feeding program at the community center in October, it was agreed prisoners would return to work in Kinder. LaFargue noted its been two years since this program was utilized in Kinder due to Covid-19.
In an update to projects in different council sections, LaFargue told Councilwoman Latoya Tunwar he had reached out to the railroad asking them to help with drainage and the cleaning of ditches near Market Basket and in the Nixon Subdivision. He said a patio cover would be installed over the basketball court in the Nixon Subdivision.
LaFargue also pointed out other areas where workers were making progress on other issues. He also said a sign would be installed at Veterans’ Park.
Besides the funding associated with the water section program and ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act of 2021), which will make repairs to the waste water treatment plant ($4.7 million), Kinder learned it will be allocated $3.75 million through the watershed initiative project to deal with drainage in the Nixon area. The town applied for the funds, but were denied during the first and second rounds of funding. In the third round, the town received the funding for a proposed retention pond to help with drainage in the subdivision. The mayor said it will probably take a year to create a plan and begin construction on the project, but the town had been awarded the funds.
Councilwoman Angie Van Norman asked about FEMA reimbursements and learned Kinder had received all but approximately $137,000. City Clerk Traci Fontenot said she was expecting the monies to be returned soon.
Police Chief Paul Courville asked and received approval of three employment matters he presented to the council. A motion to make Jacob LaCour a part-time officer was approved, along with the moving of Marie Manuel from dispatcher to patrolman. Cheri Rougeau was moved from part-time dispatch to full-time dispatch. Abigail Sellers was moved to part-time dispatch.
In other action, the council:
•Approved the alcoholic beverage license application for Polos Mexican Restaurant Bar and Grill. Tunwar entered a vote against the idea based on the town’s ordinance which states the applicant must be a United State citizen. The owner has a permanent residence here. Fontenot said the council would have to address the wording in the future.
•Heard from Tunwar who introduced an amendment to the town’s late fees in regards to utility payments that fall on weekends and holidays. The matter will be on the next agenda and will include a public comment section.
Not present were Councilman Barney Doise, Town Attorney Michael Holmes and Engineer Wesley Miller, Pan American Engineers.
