Minutes
Regular Meeting
Town of Iowa
115 N. Thomson
August 08, 2011
7:00 PM
Mayor and Council met in regular session this date in compliance with all requirements as to
notice.
Present: Mayor Carol Ponthieux; Council Members: Jeannie Guillotte, Larry Hardy, Thomas
Talbot, Gerald Guidry (quorum present)
Absent: Errol Marshall
Invocation given by Mayor Ponthieux, and then followed by Pledge.
Approval of Minutes: Hardy motioned to approve minutes of July 09, 2012 as written; Talbot
seconded. Motion carried.
Agenda Items
1. National Rodeo – recognition of participants- Mayor Ponthieux stated several of our Iowa
youth participated in National Rodeo finals. However they were not able to be present this
evening. Hopefully we will be able to recognize them at a future Town meeting. Our Iowa youth
bring positive recognition to Iowa and we thank them for this
2. Clothes Mission – recognition of Rachel Gremillion and Janet Chargois – on behalf of our
citizens. Rachel and Janet explained their mission to the Council and audience. On August 4th a
free clothes/uniform day was held in Iowa. Fifty boxes of clothes were brought and only four left
at the end. Approximately fifty families benefited from this function. Clothes Mission as of 2012
has helped about 800 families. Plans are to have another Spring of 2013 with Iowa hosting.
Clothing donations are welcomed. Mayor thanked both ladies for doing this and Mayor
presented Key to Town keychain and a lapel pin.
3. New health clinic - Southern Family HealthCare – Samantha Lilley, Brook Hornsby, Dr. and
Mrs. Wilder introduced themselves to the community. Mayor welcomed them to the Town and
thanked them for the medical service they will now provide the community. It is Family practice
and opening date is set for August 20th. Hours are M-F 8 to 4:30 p.m.
4. Entergy – Lydia Aboagye – Ms. Aboagye is the Entergy representative for Iowa. She
explained the problems recently experienced and what caused the power outage and how Entergy
goes into action. Ms. Aboagye assisted the Mayor by answering phone lines at Town Hall
during the outage. The Town expressed their thanks by presenting her with a proclamation.
5. Open Bids – Lambert Street project – Mr. Jessen, Town Engineer, opened bids. All bids had
bid bond attached and contractor’s license number provided. The following bidders submitted
bids:
Bidder:
Bid Amount
Bessette:
T.L. Const.
Asphalt & Assoc.
$131,828
$174,370
$141,144
Engineer recommended to the Council the lowest bidder, Bessette Development Corporation.
Engineer will take these bids for review and if all is in order will prepare contracts for Mayor to
sign.
6. Financials – Mr. Corbello reviews financials ending July 31st, 2012. He reviewed General
Fund and other special revenue funds and ended with a review of Enterprise Fund.
Mayor interjected info about water and sewer tap fees. Town has done a review of the costs and
what we currently charge and though we want to maintain as low a fee as possible it maybe that
this year we will have to increase rates slightly and may come back to the Council later this year.
Mayor says we will have some challenges this year such as the increased cost to health insurance
costs. At budget time we were told to project 8-10% increase and now learn it will be about 20%.
We are reviewing this issue but this is something that will impact the budget adopted for FY1213. We will have to tighten our belts in other areas to make up the difference in increase of costs.
October 1st is the beginning of the new insurance year.
7. IVFD – Fire Chief Miller – updates, stats – have been busy with our training sessions
including in-line-of-duty deaths and advance extrication. Budget is on target. Burn permits none
issued. Seven calls this month including a car fire in Dogwood and two hazmats at Kings Travel
Plaza. Department participated in blood drive. Department is currently in discussion regarding a
vehicle for responders to use. We need a road worthy vehicle. Chief Miller was pleased to
announce our PIAL went from a class 5 to a class 4 which is really good. Were it not for the
volunteers this would not have happened. Chief Miller introduced our volunteers which are the
most important aspect of our fire department. Chief Miller asked for the Council to consider
increasing the $1 per call amount and says she will also be discussing this with Fire Board. Due
to change in PIAL to a class 4 citizens’ fire insurance rate should decrease. We are very pleased
to bring this to the citizens of Iowa. Mayor thanked all the volunteers and expressed our
appreciation for their service and our prayers are with them.
8. Engineer – updates, recommendations, reports by Town Engineer Jessen a. Lambert St. – received bids this evening on this project
b. Barkley St. culvert – field work completed and office is working on details for
replacement of this culvert
c. Second St. culvert – understood that we would not proceed on this until we know the
cost of Barkley St. Mayor stated Public Works has indicated a willingness to work on this issue.
Mayor asked for Jessen and Brad to collaborate on this issue. More expensive line item was to
replace the entire pipe and the lesser cost was to remove the pipe leaving ditch open. Brad says he
is thinking of keeping the parking and repairing just the damaged area. Guillotte says she wants it
done correctly that it might be retained to be used as a parking area. Guillotte is concerned it is a
matter of time before something else happens. Walt indicated Town would need to go west of the
Post office to get better drain and take advantage of the other pipe there. Brad can only patch
what is there. Mayor asked that Walt give us some alternative and ideas at the next meeting.
d. Ruby St. – drainage project awarded to McManus and contractor is working with
supplier and getting boxes ordered. There is a wait for materials. Jessen indicated availability of
materials is what is holding up many of our projects.
e. sewer project - this project has had preconstruction meeting and the project has
actually started and is moving forward. Asphalt & Associates say they’re hoping to get filters in
by end of month.
Water plant valve project is moving forward but maybe 12-14 weeks to get the parts.
Mr. Calvin Caesar addressed Council and wanted to know if all of Lambert is going to be done.
Answer yes. Then he wanted to know about Second Street and he stated one who caused damage
should be held responsible. It was stated if we just replace damaged part then JimBill Disposal
knows it will be passed along to him. Caesar also said another problem is when they turn on
Second off of Thomson. Need to check with State as it might be their responsibility. Caesar also
asked about work at sewer pond. Engineer responded it’s maintenance of nitrification chambers
and it’s strictly a maintenance issue.
9. Ordinance 12-05 – amending FY11-12 – this ordinance is amending past fiscal year. Mayor
closed regular meeting for public hearing on this issue at 8:20 p.m.
a. Public Hearing – Caesar asked about water account. Asked what the surplus was and
the carryover of Sales Tax III. He would also like to know the amount of any surplus in the
General Fund. There being no further comments. Regular meeting resumed at 8:31 p.m.
b. Vote/action – Talbot motioned to approve Ordinance 12-05; Hardy seconded. Motion
carried.
ORDINANCE 2012- 05
AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING THE FY 2011-2012 BUDGET FOR THE
TOWN OF IOWA, LOUISIANA
BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Town Council of the Town of Iowa, Louisiana that:
The following is an amended statement of the FY11-12 Budget
SECTION 1: The following is an amended statement of the probable receipts and disbursements of the Town
of Iowa, Louisiana for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2011 and ending June 30 th, 2012 and the same is hereby
declared to be and is designated the adopted amended budget for the Town of Iowa, Louisiana for FY2011-2012.
Amended Changes
Sales Tax 1 – WI Fund
Changes:
Revenues:
Expenditures:
changes from $1,451,686.00 to $1,536,325.00
changes from $1,231,098.00 to $1,249,220.00
Sales Tax II
Changes:
Revenues:
Expenditures:
changes from $ 448,946.00 to $ 471,584.00
changes from $ 448,946.00 to $ 471,584.00
Sales Tax III
Changes:
Revenues:
changes from $ 370,800.00 to $ 381,950.00
Expenditures:
changes from $ 370,800.00 to $ 370,800.00
General Fund - changes from $1,515,802.00 to $1,611,662.00
Revenues:
Taxes:
Licenses/Permits:
Investment Earnings:
Transfers:
GF changes from $1,515,802.00 to $1,611,662.00
changes from $511,632.00 to $549,000.00
changes from $130,000.00 to $145,000.00
changes from $13,650.00 to $12,000.00
changes from $213,877.00 to $223,000.00
Prior yr. cash appropriated [01-39.900] - $36,519.00
Expenditures:
Police changes from $858,017.00 to $ 964,668.00
Fire changes from $79,226.00 to $92,000.00
Streets changes from $27,900.00 to $30,600.00
Multi-Purpose Ctr. From $29,292.00 to $25,500.00
SECTION 2: This section shall become effective immediately upon adoption.
Said Ordinance having been introduced on July 9, 2012, the title having been read with public hearing set on
August 13, 2012 and appropriate public advertisement completed.
The above ordinance was adopted at a duly convened meeting on motion of Talbot and seconded by Hardy;
upon a vote taken as follows:
YEAS: Talbot, Hardy, Guillotte, Guidry
NAYS: none
ABSENT: Errol Marshall
ABSTAIN: none
THUS ADOPTED AND APPROVED during regular session at Iowa, Louisiana on this 13th day of 2012.
10. Police Department – Chief Vincent – recommendations, reports, and updates – reviewed the
department’s stats with Council. Sat. Aug 25th is our sixth annual football Cheer camp. Chief
encourages all to come. Starts at 8:30 a.m. and there is no costs to citizens. Mayor said she went
last year and this is a successful program. Businesses help support and fund this program and we
appreciate it. Chief asked Council to consider putting up No Parking signage at the exits off of I10. This will help cut down complaints. This wording can be added to the No Driving on the
shoulders. Question was asked if need to request DOTD. DOTD has indicated they rather trucks
use the ramps for parking rather than on the interstate. Mayor asked Chief to send her the
wording of the statute. Bouquet says we may not have authority to put up sign on interstate.
Bouquet says ok to ask DOTD to change the wording. Talbot says give DOTD the law/statute to
send to DOTD to make them aware there is already a law prohibiting parking.
Chief recommended the following promotion: Kristina Juarez to Assistant Communications
Supervisor. Guillotte motioned to accept recommendation; Hardy seconded. Motion carried.
11. Resolution 12-05 authorizing application for LGAP – Talbot motioned to approve; Hardy
seconded. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 2012-05
A RESOLUTION REQUESTING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
FROM THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
UNDER THE FISCAL YEAR 2012-2013
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Office of Community Development has announced that
applications are being accepted for the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Local Government Assistance Program; and
WHEREAS, the Local Government Assistance Program offers grants to eligible
municipalities and parishes for a wide range of projects to improve public health, public safety, living
conditions and for economic development purposes; and
WHEREAS, it is deemed necessary and proper to submit an application to the Office of
Community Development under the Local Government Assistance Program.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Iowa that the
Honorable Carol Ponthieux, Mayor, is hereby authorized to sign and submit an application to the State of
Louisiana, Office of Community Development under the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Local Government
Assistance Program and any future documents should this application be funded.
THEREUPON, the above resolution was declared adopted.
12. Ordinance 12-06 – title introduction enterprise funds – appropriating funds – title read and
action and public hearing will take place at the September 10, 2012, Iowa Town Hall, 115 N.
Thomson at 7:00 p.m. Public comment: Caesar asked what Council member introduced this
ordinance. Guidry responded he.
Round Table –
Guillotte – I’ve been approached about tall grass and branches stacked along street. I just wanted citizens
to know these issues are being addressed.
Hardy – same issue just try and get grass cut and trash picked up.
Guidry – KCs are having their 13th annual steak supper Sept. 15 th. Members are selling tickets.
Mayor – LMA Convention was this past weekend. Town of Iowa was approached by Mayor Roach along
with other municipalities about co-hosting the conference. Today we had post evaluation of conference
and all evaluation comments have been very positive. LMA did pass a resolution given to each
municipality. Mayor read the resolution plaque.
There being no further business Hardy motioned to adjourn at 8:47 p.m.; Talbot seconded.
Motion carried. .
Sign Checks – Guidry
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Sandra Turley, CMC
______________________________
Carol Ponthieux, Mayor