The Kinder Council discussed appointments to boards and the use of UTVs (utility terrain vehicles) here at Monday’s meeting, February 3.
Councilwoman Marie DeWees asked that Jerry Nevils Jr. be appointed to the zoning commission board to replace Derrick Duplechain, who had to resign because he moved out of the district. The council agreed unanimously.
Then Michael Holmes, town attorney, updated board members on the Housing Authority board, usually appointed by the mayor. Last year the Kinder Housing Authority took over daily operations of housing authorities in Oberlin, Elton and Basile. The Kinder Housing Board is appointed by the mayor.
Holmes said discussions with Sylvia Manuel, executive director for Kinder Housing, and HUD, it was agreed the mayor would appoint a new board with stagging terms. The new HUD board appointed by Kinder Mayor Wayland LaFargue were Jerry Nevils Sr., chairman, five years; Ronnie Fuselier, vice chairman, four years; Dewitt Carrier, three years; Walden Courville, two years; and Lucy Branden, Lula Prudhomme and Ron Craiger, all one year appointments. This item was informational to the board. The mayor asked that the council be updated since the board was being reappointed for housing.
Over the last few months, the council has discussed whether it should allow UTVs to operate on the streets of Kinder. Last year, the council discussed the state statute concerning the use of UTVs on Louisiana roads. The council also discussed the use of electric golf carts and its present ordinance governing the use of these vehicles.
Councilwoman Angie Van Norman was approached by constituents in her district to see if they use UTVs or side-by-sides.
Over the course of studying the rules, the council learned the operator could not use these vehicles on state highways 165, 190 and 383, which pass through Kinder unless the cross overs met state guidelines. The operator must be 21 years of age. The state has specific guidelines that owners will have to meet with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to use these vehicles on streets.
Chief Paul Courville also has been researching the use of UTVs and found that some can travel over 80 mph. They are less likely to be seen by other vehicles on the roadways bringing safety issues to light. Courville said a draft from the state of South Dakota where these vehicles were used during the winter indicated fatalities had increased in the area. And these vehicles can easily cause roll overs adding to the public safety based on tire pressures, terrain, etc.
It was agreed Holmes would use this information to create an ordinance for the council to consider at its March meeting as an introduction. In April, a public hearing would occur. Then the council would decide whether or not to approve the ordinance.
In other business, Chief Courville said he didn’t have a complete report for January but there were one battery, five disturbing the peace, one stolen vehicle and one theft reported.
Councilman C.J. Fontenot asked the mayor to ask the state to install a red light at Fourth Avenue and state Highway 165. He cited some serious issues which could result in accidents in this area.
