St. Martinville council approves grants, contracts and appointments; package includes tax abatement for Duchamp Opera House

The Mayor and City Council of St. Martinville met Oct. 21 and approved a series of resolutions, contract awards and appointments that the city said will support infrastructure, water and downtown improvements.

The council unanimously adopted a resolution certifying a prioritized list of state capital budget requests for FY 2025–2026, totaling projects that include electrical system improvements ($1,066,667), Main Street enhancement ($1,680,000), public works building renovations ($500,000), new Durand Subdivision drainage ($1,200,000), Old Durand drainage ($300,000), a citywide sidewalk project ($2,400,000) and a sewer extension to SLCC ($2,000,000). Mayor Jason Willis read the resolution as introduced by Councilman Jonas Fontenette, and the council certified the city lacks cash or bond funding to complete those projects.

The council also approved two state grant applications. By unanimous vote it authorized the mayor to submit an application to the Louisiana Office of Community Development under the FY 2025–2026 Local Government Assistance Program (LGAP) for a technology upgrade and likewise authorized application to the Community Water Enrichment Fund (CWEF) program to purchase control valves, with the mayor authorized to execute any documents should the grants be funded.

On local contracts, the council awarded an annual lawn-service contract for city parks, the swimming pool and festival grounds to Lawn Magic LLC for $63,900 per year. Council members also approved authorization for the mayor to sign a contract for engineering services for Durand Drainage Phase II Planning & Design contingent on McBade Engineering confirming by email that the city will be charged only for work actually performed if the scope is reduced.

The council approved a tax-abatement request for the Duchamp Opera House after holding a public hearing. SMEDA Director Jennifer Stelly explained the state restoration tax abatement would apply only to property taxes on new investments or improvements made after purchase, and Councilman Jonas Fontenette opened and closed the hearing before the council voted to approve the abatement.

The council made several personnel and governance actions: it authorized the clerk to work from home for five weeks while on FMLA, adopted a corporate authorization resolution removing former account signer Avis Gutekunst from city bank accounts and naming the mayor, Kathryn Bujard (Chief Financial Officer), and Executive Administrative Assistant Lorrie M. Poirier as the authorized signatories (two signatures required). The council also appointed Jessica Aubry, Mike Formeller and Floyd Johnson to the Planning & Zoning Commission.

Council members discussed an invoice from auditing firm Kolder, Slaven & Co. relating to management advisory services and items noted by the Legislative Auditor’s Office; Mayor Willis said the firm was contacted for more information and the council will not make payment until additional details are provided.

The council granted a special-event permit allowing Notre Dame Church to sell alcohol at a church fair and approved a request to allow the Magnolia Park pavilion to be used for a benefit BBQ on Feb. 9; the mayor noted the city will hold an annual Christmas Parade on the second Sunday of December during the current term and that an entrance fee for participants will fund parade security.

Votes at a glance

- Interim CFO appointment (substitute motion setting pay to $30.59/hr): Yeas — Jonas Fontenette, Janise Anthony, Flo Chatman; Nays — Mike Fuselier, Carol Frederick; outcome — approved. - La Louisianne contract renewal: substitute one-year renewal (Fuselier) — Yeas: Fuselier, Frederick; Nays: Fontenette, Anthony, Chatman; outcome — failed. Original two-year renewal (Chatman) — Yeas: Fontenette, Anthony, Chatman; Nays: Fuselier, Frederick; outcome — approved. - Duchamp Opera House tax abatement: approved (unanimous). - State capital budget request resolution: approved (unanimous). - LGAP and CWEF grant application authorizations: approved (unanimous). - Lawn Magic LLC low bid award ($63,900/year): approved (unanimous). - Nuisance ordinance amendment ($50 administrative fee for inaction): approved (unanimous). - Withdrawal from opioid lawsuit against Louisiana Wholesale Drugs (requested by local pharmacists): approved (unanimous). - Hire of Avis Gutekunst as CFO consultant at $50/hr: approved (unanimous).

What’s next: The council requested the City Attorney prepare a resolution to the state objecting to the municipality bearing expenses related to tax abatements. Mayor Willis also reported that the environmental review for a clearance grant is complete and the city is awaiting asbestos test results; scope-of-work approval and bids have been submitted for an electrical upgrade grant.

Attendance and adjournment: Mayor Jason Willis presided; the meeting was adjourned after all items were addressed.