Kinder’s leaders dealt with several issues from zoning to budgets and town events at Monday’s council meeting.
Brendon Gaspard from Pan American Engineers attended the meeting to discuss a variance request from Pattie Delafosse regarding setback requirements for property located on Church St. Gaspard said Delafosse had a small lot with an older structure, which was torn down, to prepare for a new home. The town’s new zoning asks for setbacks of 20 feet in front and back of a structure and 10 feet on each side. After looking at the lot, Delafosse would only have 10 feet in front, five on both sides and eight in the rear due to the lot’s size. His recommendation to the council was to approve the variance so Delafosse could construct a new home. The council agreed.
A question did arise on an existing fence line on the north side and stakes from the property survey. Councilwoman LaToya Tunwar said she was asking on behalf of the neighbor, who was sick and not present. If a property line dispute did occur in this matter, Tunwar was told it could be a court matter. She said there was no dispute, she just wanted to know what was happening. If any issues arise, it would be a legal matter to be solved between the two land owners.
Gaspard also gave an update on the waste water treatment update project. He said it appears the project should be completed by the end of July from his conversation with the contractor.
In his report, Public Works Superintendent Eric Fontenot reported addressing water leaks at an apartment facility in town. He finally made contact with the management and a meeting was held. In the past, the facility refused to fix its lines. There are approximately 40 customers. Fontenot said they would install one meter, and the complex will collect water payments from residents. The facility’s management also plans to make the repairs necessary. This will hold management accountable for certain things like line maintenance and water usage.
Fontenot pointed out tap fees in the city were at $350, but the town pays approximately $868 for a tap. Other agencies are charging $900. This is only for new home owners. He said the attorney is going to look at it.
Disconnect fees are $30 at this time. Other agencies are charging $50 for the first offense, $75 for the second offense and $100 for the third, with that person remaining on probation for a year. The mayor said the needed to look at the costs and fees.
In the Nixon Subdivision, Fontenot made contact with the Railroad to discuss an area, which has caused flooding and other issues for years. The Railroad leaders did install two culverts and it appears the drainage has been fixed. Several residents at the meeting, thanked Fontenot for this fix. They were pleased no water went under their carports with the recent rains.
Fontenot also is working on a business’ retention pond that is an eye sore and a dumpster at another business. He also said he would talk to code enforcement to keep them updated on what he is doing.
Blake Trahan, who played baseball at Kinder High, then UL at Lafayette under Coach Robicheaux and the Cincinnati Reds, has decided to open a business with his wife known as “The U.” Grand opening is May 27, with a possible soft opening at the end of this week or early next week. The U will be a training facility where athletes can develop their skills in all sports. Trahan said adult classes also are planned. He said they will be hiring coaches. He already has Eunice’s Stuart Turner on board, a catcher from Eunice who also played for Cincinnati.
“He will be our catching coordinator,” Trahan said.
Brodie Rice approached the council as a concerned citizen regarding the sale of Rose pipes or blown glass pipes, which are supposedly used for tobacco, in the community. Rice doesn’t believe tobacco can be used in these pipes, which he said are really being used as meth pipes. He doesn’t think the community should be giving a way for people to get meth into their bodies.
Mayor Wayland LaFargue said he and the town’s attorney, Michael Holmes met with Rice recently. Holmes is now researching if the town can do anything in the matter of sales, displaying items, etc. Holmes explained the town doesn’t have any ordinances at this time. He said the town may not want these items sold in the open or sold at all. The stores also have rights, so Holmes said he will be researching the issue.
Holmes also pointed out sexual-oriented items being sold in area stores in plain view of adolescents. He will give the town an update in the future after his research is completed.
In other business:
•The council approved the introduction of an ordinance to amend the budget for FY 2023-2024 and to propose a new budget for FY 2024-2025.
•Learned the ongoing issue with the town’s gas system and the Coushatta Tribe was moving forward. Some language was still being finalized.
•Heard a question from the audience on how city ordinances were enforced.
•Irene Henry inquired about a water bill and how to get it disconnected. Her tenant has been in jail since August. The bill was paid for several month with funds from the Allen Action Agency. The city usually only disconnects water when the owner of the account makes the request. Henry was told to return to city hall, and they would assist her.
•The mayor reported bridge replacement project on Park Road has been delayed by approximately eight weeks.
•The mayor reported the library board will probably attend the next meeting to discuss the sale of the library building to the library board. In the meantime, the town attorney is researching what would happen to the monies that is gathered through a sales tax to maintain the library and the funds on hand if the building were sold. The town has a .3 percent sales tax with 10 percent of those funds collected going toward the library and the remaining 90 percent earmarked for the sewer system. This averages approximately $1,500 to $1,600 per month. The building has appraised for $610,000 and approximately $270,000 is in the fund earmarked for library. The lot next to the building is valued at approximately $14,500, and the library board is not interested in it. However, a nearby business owner would like to purchase the lot. Discussion of the city’s options should be on the June agenda for discussion.