City Council

Minutes of the proceedings of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the Town of Gueydan, Louisiana, taken at regular meeting held Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at 6:00 o’clock P.M. The Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the Town of Gueydan, Louisiana met in regular session with Mayor Jude Reese presiding and the following Aldermen present: Present: EFREM LIVINGSTON, JOHN LASETER, LAUREL PORTIE’, & ANITA DUPUIS Absent : JASON SUIRE Public Comment any item on agenda (3 minutes per person) Motion was made by ANITA DUPUIS, seconded by JOHN LASETER, and carried, that in as much as each member of the Board of Aldermen received a copy of minutes taken at Regular Meeting of September 5, 2023, that the reading of said minutes be dispensed with and same be adopted as written. Motion by JOHN LASETER, seconded by LAUREL PORTIE’, and carried, that the reports of the Bookkeeper and Tax Collector be approved as filed. Period Actual YTD Actual Budget Variance Revenue 119,577.87 1,042,523.97 1,207,984.00 165,460.03 Expenditures: General & Administrative 22,116.97 226,696.48 243,975.00 17,278.52 Police Department 26,139.74 340,965.22 333,436.00 (7,529.22) Fire Department 26,609.28 229,379.36 228,590.00 ( 789.36) Streets & Bridges 13,413.16 182,445.30 213,200.00 30,754.70 Drainage 265.87 21,874.98 10,550.00 (11,324.98) Sanitation 0.00 0.00 109.00 109.00 Community Center 3,133.22 35,158.63 37,750.00 2,591.37 Meeting Hall 218.69 1,765.31 1,700.00 ( 62.31) Dept 81 – Capital Outlay 2,749.74 44,717.15 .00 (44717.15) Total Expenditures 94,646.67 1,082,999.43 1,069,310.00 (13,689.43) Profit (Loss) 24,931.20 ( 40,475.46) 138,674.00 179,149.46 Sales Tax Revenue 20,744.10 175,348.25 301,500.00 126,151.75 Expenditures: Expenses & Transfers Out 17,225.45 141,528.41 .00 (141,528.41) Total Expenditures 17,225.45 141,528.41 .00 (141,528.41) Profit (Loss) 3,518.65 33,819.84 301,500.00 267,680.16 Utility Fund Revenue Misc. Rev & Transfers 1,826.56 71,121.96 75,700.00 4,578.04 Electrical 154,406.75 1,279,976.70 1,750,000.00 470,023.30 Gas 6,803.47 123,424.60 250,000.00 126,575.04 Sewer 14,134.40 127,552.80 161,900.00 34,347.20 Water 17,151.20 150,765.20 198,500.00 47,734.80 Total Revenues 194,322.38 1,752,841.62 2,436,100.00 683,258.38 Expenditures: Transfers Out 90,000.00 770,000.00 750,000.00 (20,000.00) Electrical 1,744.14 694,282.23 1,084,650.00 390,367.67 Gas 12,813.50 140,753.79 223,900.00 83,146.21 Sewer 15,266.65 161,853.92 200,960.00 39,106.08 Water 13,609.19 178,524.33 248,475.00 69,950.67 Dept 84 ARPA Sewer 0.00 32,240.76 0.00 (32,240.78) Dept 85 ARPA Water 0.00 11,612.00 0.00 (11,612.00) Total Expenditure 149,433.48 2,042,651.04 2,507,985.00 465,333.96 Profit (Loss) 44,888.90 (2,89,809.42) (71,885.00) 217,924.42 Motion by JOHN LASETER, seconded by LAUREL PORTIE’, and carried that ratify the following transfer, on the date, and amount from fund is hereby ratified and approved: To General Fund: September 05, 2023, Utility System Fund $30,000.00 To General Fund: September 18, 2023, Utility System Fund $ 5,000.00  To General Fund: September 18, 2023, Utility System Fund $40,000.00 To General Fund: September 27, 2023, Utility System Fund $15,000.00 Motion by LAUREL PORTIE’ seconded by JOHN LASTER and carried to ratify the following transfers, on the date, and amount from fund is hereby ratified and approved: To General Fund: September 15, 2023, American Rescue Plan $ 4,438.00* To General Fund: September 29,2023 American Rescue Plan $ 7,317.00* Transfer from American Rescue Plan Fund to General Fund to reimburse General Fund wiring and supplies to relocate the Fire & Police Station. Motion by JOHN LASETER seconded by LAUREL PORTIE’ and carried to accept the billing adjustments in the amount of $372.38 for the month of September 2023. Mr. Larry Cramer engineer representing Sellers & Associates, informed the governing authority that an application will be submitted for a Department of Transportation Grant which funds will be used to install and replace lighting down main street. The State is still reviewing the grant for the Clearance Program. An application is being prepared to build a new fire/police station. Motion by JOHN LASETER, seconded by ANITA DUPUIS and carried to authorize Sellers & Associates to apply for the Capital Outlay Grant. Motion by ANITA DUPUIS, seconded by LAUREL PORTIE and carried to suspend the ordinance to “suspension and/or possession of Alcohol on town grounds for the fall festival being held on October 14, 2023, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Certificate of Time Deposit was tabled at the last meeting held September 5, 2023, for the Property Lease being invested at the Vermilion Bank. Motion by LAUREL PORTIE’ seconded by JOHN LASETER and carried to redeem the certificate of time deposit and deposit funds into the general fund. Motion by JOHN LASETER, seconded by LAUREL PORTIE’ and carried to renew the Contract between the Town of Gueydan and Avenu Insights. The matter of the police & fire station had been discussed earlier and no further discussion was held. Fire Chief Evans Bourque informed the governing authority that a grant has been awarded to purchase new SCBAs. Discussion of the School Board Contract. Mayor Jude Reese explained the contract between the Town and Vermilion Parish School Board. No action was needed at this time. Police Chief Cru Delcambre recommended the provisional hiring of Etienne Boone as of October 2, 2023. Motion by LAUREL PORTIE’ seconded by JOHN LASETER and carried to approve the hiring of Etienne Boone as a patrolman with the Town of Gueydan effective October 2, 2023. Mayor Reese recommended the amending of the agenda to include Mr. Kevin Bihm representing Louisiana Energy Power Authority (LEPA). Motion by LAUREL PORTIE’ seconded by JOHN LASETER and carried to amend the agenda to include Kevin Bihm to speak. Mr. Bihm explained LEPA’s background and how the contracts run with electrical companies to purchase power from them. There being no further business to come before the meeting thereupon motion by JOHN LASETER, seconded by LAUREL PORTIE’, and carried the meeting thereupon adjourned at 6:40 o’clock P.M. on this 5th day of September 2023. There being no further business to come before the meeting thereupon motion by JOHN LASETER, seconded by LAUREL PORTIE’, and carried the meeting thereupon adjourned at 6:55 o’clock P.M. on this 3RD day of October 2023. S/Roxanna Richard S/Jude Reese Clerk Mayor