Gueydan Journal

Minutes of the proceedings of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the Town of Gueydan, Louisiana, taken at regular meeting held Tuesday, January 2, 2024, 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: JOHN LASETER, LAUREL PORTIE’, ANITA DUPUIS
& JASON SUIRE
Absent: EFREM LIVINGSTON

Public Comment any item on agenda (3 minutes per person)

Motion was made by JASON SUIRE, 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 December 5, 2023, that the reading of said minutes be dispensed with and same be adopted as written.

Motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by JOHN LASETER, and carried, that the reports of the Bookkeeper and Tax Collector be approved as filed. Mayor Reese spoke briefly on the budget to actual report:

Period YTD Actual Budget Variance
General Fund October 2023
Revenue 106,615.73 1,441,949.46 1,207,984.00 ( 233,965.46)
Expenditures:
General & Administrative 5,810.56 289,579.94 243,975.00 ( 45,604.94)
Police Department 7,305.90 414,491.57 333,436.00 ( 81,055.57)
Fire Department 3,515.59 228,527.17 228,590.00 ( 59,937.17)
Streets & Bridges 2,060.99 229,234.21 213,200.00 ( 16,032.21)
Drainage 18.93 22,427.17 10,550.00 ( 11,877.17)
Sanitation 0.00 0.00 109.00 109.00
Community Center .00 1,62.31 1,782.31 ( 62.31) Dept 81 – Capital Outlay 2,516.11 50,425.62 .00 ( 50,425.62)
Total Expenditures 22,259.45 1,343,100.56 1,069,310.00 ( 273,790.56)
Profit (Loss) 84,356.29 98.848.90 138,574.00 39,825.10

Sales Tax Revenue 24,476.64 244,941.48 301,500.00 56,556.54 Expenses & Transfers Out 141,528.41 .00 ( 141,528.41)
Total Expenditures .00 141,528.41 .00 ( 141,528.41)
Profit (Loss) 24,476.64 103,413.05 301,500.00 198,086.95

Utility Fund Revenue
Misc. Rev & Transfers 1,218.99 76,529.45 75,700.00 ( 629.45)
Electrical 95,101.45 1,598,204.72 1,750,000.00 151,795.28
Gas 29,990.11 182,882.62 250,000.00 67,117.38
Sewer 14,168.80 169,929.60 161,900.00 ( 8,029.60)
Water 17,222.00 200,384.20 198,500.00 ( 1,884.20)
Total Revenues
157,701.35 2,227,930.59 2,436,100.00 208,169.41

Expenditures:
Transfers Out 90,000.00 1,044,000.00 750,000.00 ( 294,000.00)
Electrical ( 196,667.18) 851,554.45 1,084,650.00 233,095.55
Gas 20,677.09 249,482.92 223,900.00 ( 25,582.92)
Sewer 9,914.88 243,628.22 200,960.00 ( 42,668.22)
Water 11,272.28 319,342.43 248,475.00 ( 70,867.43)
Dept 84 ARPA Sewer 47,205.76 0.00 ( 47,205.76)
Dept 85 ARPA Water 0.00 17,635.30 0.00 17,635.90)
Total Expenditure (64,801.91) 2,772,849.06 2,507,985.00 ( 264,864.08)
Profit (Loss) 222,504.26 ( 544,918.49) ( 71,885.00) 473,033.49

Motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by JOHN LASETER, and carried that the following transfer, on the date, and amount from fund is hereby ratified and approved:

To General Fund:

December 12,2023 Utility Fund $74,000.00
December 28,2023 Utility Fund $16,000.00

Councilman John Laseter questioned the finances of the Town and requested it be recorded in the minutes. After a discussion no action was taken

Mayor Reese announced the amount of interest that the town has received for the month and the year-to-date amounts.

Motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by JOHN LASETER and carried to accept the billing adjustments in the amount of $62.49 for the month of December 2023.

Larry Cramer, engineer representing Sellers & Associates informed those present that the Louisiana Community Block Grant for the Blighted Property was awarded to the Town in the amount of $195,250.00.

Mr. Cramer also informed those present that the Louisiana Water Initiative Local and Regional Watershed Grants Program – Round 2 preliminary application has been conditionally awarded to the Town in the amount of $1,170,700.00 for the Gueydan Flood Protection Project. The next step is to submit the application to LCDBG.

Motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by ANITA DUPUIS and carried to adopt the following resolution.

TOWN OF GUEYDAN RESOLUTION
FOR
OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – LOUISIANA WATERSHED
INTIATIVE

STATE OF LOUISIANA

PARISH OF VERMILION

On January 2, 2024, the Town of Gueydan held a meeting with a quorum of its members present, and the following business was conducted:

It was duly moved and seconded that the following resolution be adopted:

BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Gueydan hereby authorizes Jude Reese,
Mayor, or his successor in office, to negotiate and enter into a contract or
contracts to accept funding for the Town of Gueydan on terms and conditions
that he may deem advisable, and to execute said documents on behalf of the
Town of Gueydan, during the term of CEA. Further, we do herby give him
the power and authority to do all things necessary to implement, maintain, amend
or renew said documents and to accept any grant awards on be half of the Town of Gueydan.

The above resolution was passed by a majority vote of those present and voting in accordance with the By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation of the Town of Gueydan.

I certify that the above and foregoing constitutes a true and correct excerpt of the minutes of the above-referenced meeting of the Town of Gueydan

Signed this 2nd day of January 2024.

S/Roxanna Richard S/Jude Reese Clerk Mayor

Mayor Reese ordered a rate study which is being conducted by Sellers & Associates that is still in progress.

Motion by JOHN LASETER, seconded by JASON SUIRE and carried to accept the recommendation of Mayor Jude Reese of Roger Cormier as Street Commissioner.

Motion by JOHN LASETER SECONDED by JASON SUIRE and carried to adopt an Intergovernmental Agreement

INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT

BY AND AMONG CITY OF ABBEVILLE, VERMILION PARISH POLICE
JURY, VERMILION PARISH SCHOOL BOARD, TOWN OF ERATH,
TOWN OF DELCAMBRE, TOWN OF MAURICE, TOWN OF KAPLAN,
TOWN OF GUEYDAN, AND VERMILION PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE.

Original Agreement is filed in the filing cabinet.

RESOLUTION NO. 1-2004

A RESOLUTION BY THE COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF GUEYDAN
(“TOWN”) AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE TOWN (“MAYOR”)
TO EXECUTE CERTAIN AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE TOWN AND
THE LOUISIANA ENERGY AND POWER AUTHORITY (“LEPA”)

BE IT RESOLVED that the MAYOR of the TOWN be and he is hereby authorized to execute and deliver the following agreements for and on behalf of the TOWN, the

FULL REQUIREMENT SERVICE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE
LOUISIANA ENERGY AND POWER AUTHORITY AND THE TOWN OF
GUEYDAN

FULL REQUIREMENT INCENTIVE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN
LOUISIANA ENERGY AND POWER AUTHORITY AND THE TOWN OF
GUEYDAN, LOUISIANA

and in connection therewith, he be and is further authorized to deliver such certificates and other writings and otherwise take such actions as may be necessary to implement the terms and conditions of this Resolution and said agreement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith be and the same are hereby repealed.

On motion by Councilman JASON SUIRE, seconded by JOHN LASETER, the above resolution was passed by a vote of 4 to 0.

AYES: JOHN LASETER, LAUREL PORTIE’
ANITA DUPUIS & JASON SUIRE
NAYS: NONE
ABSENT: EFREM LIVINGSTON

S/Roxanna Richard S/Jude Reese Clerk Mayor

Motion by JOHN LASETER seconded by JASON SUIRE and carried to declare the 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe (0058). Minimum bid is $500.00. Sealed bids will be accepted until 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, and will be opened and publicly read at the meeting of February 6, 2024, which meeting beg8ins at 6:00 p.m.

Motion by JOHN LASETER, seconded by JASON SUIRE and carried to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Town of Gueydan and the Village of Morse for the donation of a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe (3169).

Motion by JASON SUIRE seconded by JOHN LASETER and carried to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Village of Morse and the Town of Gueydan for the donation of a 2013 Dodge Charger (6724) and also the donation of an additional 2013 Dodge Charger (6722).

John Laseter voiced his concerns about bills being behind. Mayor Reese advised him that he is working toward getting them all up to date.

Jason Suire voiced his concern on the number of vehicles the town has.

Mayor Reese informed the governing body that he is having rate studies done on electricity, gas, water and sewer.

There being no further business to come before the meeting thereupon motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by LAUREL PORTIE’, and carried the meeting thereupon adjourned at 6:57 o’clock P.M. on this 2nd day of January, 2024.

S/Roxanna Richard S/Jude Reese Clerk Mayor

Published in The Gueydan Journal Newspaper:
THURSDAY, January 11, 2024