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St. Martinville council adopts CDBG‑DR complaint procedure, tables LCDBG23 action until ADA fixes and approves festival street closures
Summary
At its Jan. 20 meeting, the St. Martinville City Council unanimously adopted a citizen complaint procedure for the LCDBG23 Clearance Grant, tabled the grant summary of action pending ADA corrections, approved street closures and alcohol sales for the March 21 Acadian Memorial Festival, declared a nuisance property at 2040 Gerard Street and declared multiple city vehicles surplus.
The St. Martinville City Council on Jan. 20 unanimously adopted a citizen complaint procedure for the LCDBG23 Clearance Grant and tabled the grant’s summary of action until identified Americans with Disabilities Act deficiencies are corrected, the council said.
CRT Director Danielle Fontenette recommended the complaint-procedure policy, and Councilwoman Carol Frederick moved to adopt it; Councilwoman Janise Anthony seconded the motion, which the council carried unanimously. The policy sets timelines and steps for handling CDBG‑DR complaints: complainants notify the City Clerk (orally or in writing); the Clerk notifies the chief elected official within two working days; the official investigates and reports findings within three working days; committee review and hearing procedures are specified, and HUD Fair Housing/Equal Opportunity contact information is provided in the policy document.
At the same time, the council voted to table the LCDBG 23 Clearance Grant Summary of Action until ADA deficiencies are corrected. Councilman Jonas Fontenette moved to table the summary, Councilwoman Flo Chatman seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Councilwoman Janise Anthony requested to be part of the follow-up on ADA corrections.
Also at the meeting, the council granted permission to close Evangeline Boulevard and South New Market Street for the Annual Acadian Memorial Festival on Saturday, March 21, 2026, and approved the sale of alcohol during the event. CRT Director Danielle Fontenette requested the closures; Councilman Mike Fuselier moved the request and Councilwoman Flo Chatman seconded; the motion was approved unanimously.
The council declared a list of city vehicles surplus and authorized them to be sold for salvage. The minutes list multiple vehicles by year, make and partial VIN, including a 2008 Elgin street sweeper, various Chevrolet and Dodge pickups and Chargers, and Ford utility vehicles and Explorers. Councilwoman Flo Chatman moved the surplus declaration and Councilman Jonas Fontenette seconded; the motion was carried unanimously.
Two ordinances were introduced for consideration at the council’s Feb. 2 meeting: Proposed Ordinance No. 26‑01 would authorize sale of adjudicated property described as parcel no. 17101A1533 (lots 14–17, Block J of Ameal Subdivision) under LA R.S. 47:2202 et seq.; Proposed Ordinance 26‑02 would amend current ordinances related to levels and sources of noise. Both were introduced for future adoption.
Resident Sarah Pierre raised concerns about a nuisance property at 2040 Gerard Street, citing scattered waste and an apparently inoperable vehicle next to her home. Mayor Jason Willis said seven citations have been issued; City Attorney Allan L. Durand will forward a report to the City Magistrate and notify the owner to appear in Mayor’s Court on Jan. 27. Based on photographic evidence presented, Councilman Mike Fuselier moved and Councilwoman Flo Chatman seconded a unanimous motion declaring 2040 Gerard Street a public nuisance under city ordinances.
Mayor Jason Willis also reported procedural dates and project updates: candidate qualifying for mayor and council will run Feb. 11–13, the municipal election is scheduled for May 16 with a runoff on June 27, he was appointed chairman of the LEPA Board, and a pre‑construction meeting for the Main Street Enhancement Project is set for Jan. 21 at 2:00 p.m. Councilman Mike Fuselier announced he will run for the St. Martin Parish School Board in November and will end 32 years of city council service in June.
Votes at a glance: minutes (Dec. 15, 2025) approved (mover: Janise Anthony; seconder: Flo Chatman; outcome: unanimous); LCDBG23 complaint procedure adopted (mover: Carol Frederick; seconder: Janise Anthony; outcome: unanimous); LCDBG23 Summary of Action tabled pending ADA fixes (mover: Jonas Fontenette; seconder: Flo Chatman; outcome: unanimous); festival street closures and alcohol sale for March 21 approved (mover: Mike Fuselier; seconder: Flo Chatman; outcome: unanimous); vehicles declared surplus (mover: Flo Chatman; seconder: Jonas Fontenette; outcome: unanimous); 2040 Gerard Street declared public nuisance (mover: Mike Fuselier; seconder: Flo Chatman; outcome: unanimous).
The council adjourned after routine business. The full list of surplus vehicles and the adopted complaint‑procedure text are recorded in the official minutes and available from the City Clerk’s office.
