The Oberlin Council did some grant-related housekeeping and discussed police vehicles, its upcoming clean-up day and approved the hiring of three police officers.
Five resolutions were on the agenda Tuesday evening, October 9, in regards to grant and other sources of income to fund the projects. The council approved a resolution allowing the mayor to submit a request for capital outlay ($668,000) to make repairs at the sewer treatment plant. Spencer Gauthier, Pan American Engineers LLC, explained the “sewer plant is in dire need of updating.” He pointed out erosion, the need to swap out some vegetation, all specific to the operation of the system the town has in place.
The second resolution approved will allow the mayor to apply for capital outlay ($669,055) to be used for updates and repairs at city hall. The third resolution will allow Mayor Larry Alexander to sign the application for LCDBG grant monies. The town is waiting for plans to be approved, so the project for street repairs can go to bid. The mayor hopes the final stages of paperwork will be finalized so they can start the project before the end of the 2023 year. (Streets in this project include three blocks on MLK, one-and-a-fourth block on Fourth St., and some of First St. and Seventh Avenue.
The other resolutions involve the town seeking more funding for various projects like expanding the street replacement project. The competitive process for these types of funds revolves around points gained to receive a funding award. The council took steps to approve a resolution to pay engineering fees and grant administration fees, instead of using grant monies. This will add points to the town’s application. The council also approved allowing the mayor to submit the LCDBG grant application for the next funding fiscal year cycle.
The agenda noted an item to remove surplus police vehicles from the asset inventory for the town so vehicle insurance could be terminated. The town purchased four new Explorers for the department this year. They also have two Dodges, two Fords and one Tahoe – a total of nine with the chief’s vehicle. Police Chief Grady K. Haynes said that could not be done until he conducted a survey to determine the value of the vehicles. A heated argument occurred between the chief and council.
Councilman Abraham McCleon III said he believed the other vehicles were not worth keeping and were described as junk. Haynes said that was not true because he had not completed a survey on the vehicles. Councilman Ryan Rozas asked how long that survey would take to complete. The chief said he did not know.
The mayor’s report on insured vehicles totaled $13,406.79 for comprehensive automobile liability. Of the list of 15 vehicles, four are earmarked for the police fleet and cost $930.01 per vehicle in liability insurance. There are two Dodge sedans (both 2010) and two Ford sedans (one is a 2006 and the other a 2007 model). There are four 2023 Ford Explorers and a 2023 GMC pickup, all costing $950.91 each.
The town attorney, David Vidrine said the city would have to create a resolution first declaring why the items were surplus before anything could be done. The item was tabled.
The audience asked the mayor what the police budget total was, and Mayor Alexander said $389,000 in various categories.
The council approved the hiring of three police officers – Chad Doucet, Michael Isabelle and Brian Oaks. Chief Haynes asked why Doucet was on the list since he has worked for the town for 12 years. Mayor Alexander stated he had read all of the city’s minutes and couldn’t find where the officer was approved by the council.
The chief asked why the mayor didn’t bring his new hires before the council, and the mayor said the law was different for the two positions. The mayor referred to RS 33:404, functions of mayor and board of alderman and RS 33:423 duties of police chief. The first said the mayor shall have the powers, duties and responsibilities to appoint and remove municipal employees other than the employees of a police department with an elected chief of police. The mayor supervises and directs the administration and operation of all municipal departments. The second statute states the chief of police makes provisional appointments to immediately fill any vacancy in the police department, subject to the approval of the mayor and governing authority.
In his report, Alexander said they were still battling water leaks. He encouraged the council to report pot holes. He said they were working on ditches too when possible.
Oberlin will have a community clean-up day with funding from Keep Louisiana Beautiful. They will meet at the American Legion Post at 8 a.m. Bags will be provided along with lunch at noon. For more information, call Hailey Champagne (337) 639-9152 or Brenda Boyd (318) 452-5720.
