St. Martinville council approves charter amendment, hires multiple officers and certifies capital project requests

The St. Martinville City Council on Oct. 7 approved a range of administrative and personnel actions, certified state capital outlay requests and granted event permits during a meeting at City Hall.

Ordinance 24-12, a charter amendment that allows the council to set salaries for the mayor and council members by majority at the time of the annual budget rather than by an older deadline in the charter, was offered by Councilman Janise Anthony, seconded by Councilman Jonas Fontenette, and adopted unanimously. The amendment becomes effective upon governor approval under La. RS 33:1181 and recording with the Louisiana Secretary of State.

Following recommendations from Chief Ricky Martin, the council unanimously authorized hiring several full-time police officers: Indea Kately, Kylee Richard, Christian Moreno and Buddy Rumble as non-post certified officers at $15.51 per hour, and Odis Ledet as a post-certified officer at $18.22 per hour. The council also added and approved the hiring of Deontray Casimere (non-post certified at $15.51/hr). CRT Director Danielle Fontenette recommended hiring Ryan Williams as a part-time CRT Office Manager at $15.00/hr (pay grade 108 + 6%), a motion the council carried unanimously.

The council certified a resolution listing State Capital Outlay requests for FY 2025–2026 and attested the city lacks funding to cover the projects. Priorities and requested amounts specified in the resolution are: St. Martinville Electrical System Improvements ($1,066,667); St. Martinville Main Street Enhancement ($1,680,000); St. Martinville Public Works Building Renovations ($500,000); St. Martinville Water Drainage New Durand Subdivision ($1,200,000); St. Martinville Water Drainage Old Durand Subdivision ($300,000); and St. Martinville Citywide Sidewalk Project ($2,400,000). Councilman Mike Fuselier introduced the resolution and it was adopted unanimously.

The council granted event permits including a Fall Festival at Magnolia Park Pavilion on Oct. 20 (Cornell Zeno, SMSH Alumni Association) with approval to sell alcohol subject to Chief Martin handling insurance and security, and authorized a Christmas parade on Dec. 15 (George Choplin), with a request that music be limited to Christmas music.

Other administrative actions approved unanimously included: renewing a meter-reading contract with DVL; authorizing pursuit of possible adjustments to council district lines for districts 1 and 2; signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office for public-safety software and authorizing payment of $11,750 to date for dispatch software access and maintenance; and approving payment of $2,861.83 as the city’s 25% cost share for debris removal after May 2024 storms.

Councilwoman Carol Frederick raised a private drainage complaint (a blocked ditch behind a resident’s home) and City Attorney Allan Durand advised it is a civil matter, not city drainage. The council also voted to change utility bill due dates for the next three months (due the 18th; disconnect on the 28th) and was informed that liens have been recorded for grass-cutting accounts and that an agreement is in place with the Louisiana Department of Revenue for collections of delinquent utility accounts.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 24-12 (charter amendment) — adopted unanimously (Yeas: M. Fuselier, C. Frederick, J. Fontenette, J. Anthony, F. Chatman). Ordinance 24-13 (Historic District commission changes) — adopted unanimously (see separate article). Resolution certifying State Capital Outlay requests — adopted unanimously.

With no further business, Mayor Jason Willis adjourned the meeting.