The Kinder Council canceled its March meeting and set a special meeting Monday, February 26, where members approved a resolution and heard updates on ongoing projects.
Lt. Chris Oakes, the parish’s Homeland Director, asked the council to adopt the parish’s Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan. He explained a new plan is approved every five years. The first plan was done in 2002. Oakes said the parish has updated its plan every five years adding new items it has handled during disasters, hazards, etc. Like in recent ice storms, Oakes said he added mitigation for water systems. After the storms, he has seen issues arise with water systems in the small communities, so he addressed them in this plan. All of this is done to secure FEMA funding after disasters occur. The council approved the parish mitigation plan.
The council did introduce an ordinance to amend the budget for FYE 06/30/2024. At the next meeting, the council will approve the amended budget.
Council woman LaToya Tunwar said she knew the compact with the casino had changed, but if the town did receive monies, would it impact the budget. It was explained, this is done regularly to amend the budget when necessary.
The mayor invited the council to begin sitting down to discuss budget cuts over the next few weeks for the upcoming fiscal year, which will begin in July. Mayor Wayland LaFargue said he wanted to visit with the council to consider areas that could be cut. He also wants the council to understand the budget.
The council:
•Approved the minutes of its February 5, meeting.
•Heard an update from Wesley Miller, engineer. He said the waste water treatment plant project’s contract will end in April. He did discuss the issue with the contractor and learned the contractor believes the project will be on time. In the Nixon Addition Drainage Project, they are waiting on the next step in the process to be completed.
•Miller said the application for the $500,000 grant from DOTD to install a sidewalk beginning at First Avenue, and installed on the southside of town, has been completed and submitted. He believed they may have word by summer if it is awarded. Miller also noted the CWEF and LGAP applications to replace water lines – both $35,000 – had been submitted. He said the town would probably hear about these grants in June.
•The council commended the police department on its handling of events at the rice dryer last week. Chief Paul Courville said his officers did a great job.
Eric Fontenot, public works superintendent, said the town needed to consider its present sewer systems. He said pumps were aging and used to cost about $10,000 to $12,000 but were now at $15,000 to $17,000. There are 11 stations in town with two per each station and one with three. He said recently one went down in the Nixon Addition, and there are no parts to fix these systems. The panels inside are not easy to locate.