Mamou council discusses leases

MAMOU - The Mamou City Council’s agenda included the discussion on the lease of its nursing home building, surplus properties, salaries and grant funding on Wednesday evening, February 10.
The lease of the town’s nursing home building, known as Savoy Care Center, was expiring in March. The present tenant (MH3F, Healthcare Management LLC), who has been there for 16 years, wants to continue leasing the building. Normally the town issues a lease agreement for five years with a three-year extension option. In this case, due to COVID affecting finances, MH3F asked for a lower rental rate which the council agreed to do.
However, this action is normally handled through a bid process, so the town had to approve an ordinance to handle the matter in a different way. With the council’s approval, the process must be advertised in the official journal three times giving the public options to object to the process. The council also agreed to reduce the rate by $6,000 a month (from $39,000 to $33,000 per month based on fair market value). They will revisit the lease agreement and cost after one year.
Councilman Robin Young said MH3F had increased their rental rate at one time when their monetary gains had increased, so he believed this was a good business practice for the town. If objections arise from the public, the council will have to hear them as part of the process, Mayor Ricky Fontenot said as the ordinance process was explained.
Property on Fontenot Street and Sixth Street were discussed by the council and deemed as surplus for different reasons. The property on Fontenot Street is no longer being maintained by the town. The residents have been maintaining it. The council agreed to designate it as surplus and return it to the owners.
A business owner approached the mayor about the property on Sixth Street The business owner wants to expand and would like an opportunity to purchase the property from the city if possible. The council agreed to designate it as surplus land. This property will be advertised through the bid process and sold.
In the area of employees, the town approved the introduction of ordinances to give raises to Guy Pucheu, clerk, and Johnny Logue, gas superintendent. They also approved an ordinance to promote Jared Courville in the water department to the superintendent’s position and increased his salary to the appropriate salary on its pay scale. Members discussed the work of all three persons, and several noted Courville was doing a very good job. The mayor said he’s heard good things from the public on the job Courville was performing for the town. The ordinances should be approved at the March meeting.
Police Chief Brent Zackery asked the council to approve changes in the department involving several employees’ positions, as well as adjusting their pay. He asked to move Chase Pesson and Gwen Mason from part-time dispatcher to full-time dispatcher, and to move Danielle Lachney from part-time dispatcher to full-time patrol officer. He also wanted Dustin Sullivan to move from part-time patrol to full-time patrol. The council approved all moves.
Zackery asked to hire Javata Poole as full-time warden, and the council agreed. In his report, the chief said there were 190 complaints during the last month. A total of 16 arrests were made with two involving adult traffic and 14 adult criminal cases. There were three accidents in town with no fatalities. Two warrants were served and $550 was collected. His total millage for police units was 4,478 miles.
The council approved applying for grants through CWEF (Community Water Enrichment Fund) and LGAP (Louisiana Government Assistance Program). If awarded, the town could use CWEF funds for water issues. The mayor said this did not apply to the water plant at this time. He said it wasn’t big bucks but every dollar helps the town. LGAP can be used for streets, buildings, etc. The council agreed to both resolutions to authorize the town to apply for both grants.
Three citizens approached the council, two of which were added to the agenda in order to address the council.
•Bill McBride discussed animal control and the town ordinance. He said he wanted to make sure the town is protected because he was bitten by a dog while riding a bike and thought what if the dog had attacked a child. He said he was satisfied with the town’s actions for his case but wondered if it had protocols for picking up dogs, notifying owners, disposal of animals, mandating leashes, etc. The mayor said there is a group working with the town to handle animals picked up. He said often people want their animals back but don’t want to pay the fine. He said he was satisfied with the ordinance and the way the town handles stray animals.
•Shawn Darbonne, a business owner, inquired about procedures for selling liquor through a window or outside of his business for events like Mardi Gras. He knew he needed a permit from the state, and asked about the town’s existing ordinances. It was explained he couldn’t do it in front because the sidewalk could not be blocked. The city also gave him information about COVID and some of the other guidelines pertaining to his questions.
•Gail Peacock asked about Mardi Gras events and whether the participants on horses would appear in town. The council explained no Mardi Gras events like the annual street dance would be held in town due to COVID. Although they are not apart of the Mardi Gras Association, they had heard things would be done outside of town due to COVID, and the route had been adjusted.