The Oberlin Council continued working toward setting guidelines for use of its community center as well as authorizing the mayor to sign contracts with DOTD and approved a resolution asking voters to approve an ad valorem increase. The item will be on the December 11, ballot (which originally was the November 13, election).
Alderman Bobby Thomas, who had asked to table rules for the town’s community center, addressed some changes that needed to be made before the rules are accepted. He asked that the rental fee for the building be set at $250 instead of $400 with a $100 deposit. He made sure a check list occurs for a pre- and post-inspection of the facility. The rental agreement will ask the renter of the building to clean the building or lose their security deposit and secure security and pay for that security for certain events planned at the center based on numbers. Security will have to be secured through the Oberlin Police Department or Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office, the only two agencies with jurisdiction in the town. The agreement will also state the renter must be responsible for any damages over $100.
Guidelines will include no scotch tape or masking tape on the walls. Some events like meetings and blood drives will be held without charge based on the guidelines which were addressed by Mayor Joseph “Moochie Manuel and Charlotte Artis, city clerk.
If alcohol is utilized, there will be a $50 fee for the permit. All of the suggestions will be changed in the document and brought before the council next month for approval. The mayor also asked for large trash cans to be placed at all events, and the renter will be responsible for properly disposing of trash.
A resolution to place an item on the November ballot (which will be in December because of mandates set by the governor in regards to Hurricane Ida) asking voters to approve levying a special tax of 15 mills on all property subject to taxation in the town. This revenue will total $88,861 per year. Sixty percent will be earmarked for the town’s use, and 40 percent will be dedicated for acquiring, constructing, improving, maintaining and/or operating the waterworks system and the sewage collection and disposal system of the town.
In other business, the town:
•Approved the moving of a trailer for Queen Brandon and Rhiannon Restivo based on its trailer ordinance.
•Authorized the mayor to sign contracts with DOTD. This project is associated with the Safe House to School grant through the Rapides Foundation, which was presented several years ago. Sidewalks on Fourth Street to school will be installed. The area in front of the school will be designated as a one-way to help with school traffic in the mornings and afternoons. Artis said once the project is completed, the town could qualify for sidewalks on Main Street.
•Approved September bills, but Thomas asked that bills be paid on time after he heard a contractor came to the town hall and was overheard telling the workers that certain bills needed to be paid. He said we shouldn’t be listening to a vendor. If a vendor needs payment, that vendor should be discussing it with town hall. He also asked and received confirmation if money previously approved to pay bills was utilized in that fashion. Artis said some bills from 2020 did come across as not paid, but they were working on paying bills now. She said she could put a list together for the alderman if they wanted to come to town hall for a copy.
•Agreed to review documentation on the Cross Connection Control/Backflow Ordinance, which meets state’s guidelines, by the next meeting and consider it for adoption.
•Set new guidelines for tickets written by the police department and court dates issued for those tickets.
•Heard from Lucy Brandon, who had experience high water bills over the last two months. The town will perform an audit of her account, known as a profile, to see what is happening.
