Alderman asked to authorize fire investigations by Eunice firefighters

Fire Chief Mike Arnold is asking the Eunice Board of Aldermen to authorize his department to investigate the origin and cause of fires.
Arnold said the investigations are already something he and four others in the department do, but if the board authorizes it the city gets a point on its fire rating, along with other changes.
The city has a 4 rating on a 10-point scale with the lower the number the better. The rating outside the city, but in its service area, is 5, Arnold said.
The city had a 3 rating and Arnold said he is working to regain that rating.
The fire investigation was one item placed on the the agenda for the Tuesday meeting of the Board of Aldermen and mayor scheduled at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers at the Eunice Municipal Complex.
The meeting to set the agenda was held Thursday.
A public hearing is scheduled at 6:15 p.m. on an ordinance to move stops signs. Four-way stop signs will be placed at North 2nd Street and Magnolia Avenue. The four-way stop at North 2nd Street and Camelia Avenue will be replaced with stop signs on Camelia Avenue.
Other items on the agenda include:
— Recognizing the Eunice High and Eunice Junior High bands for winning sweepstakes awards and advancement to state competition in Lake Charles.
— Approve a contractor for the street improvement project.
— Amend an ordinance on the city marshal’s salary. In May 2015, the board voted to raise the marshal’s salary from $19,186 to $31,000, but the raise has to be in the city’s ordinances.
— Elect a mayor pro-tem.
— Accept a donation of .116 acre from Coburn’s on Magnolia Avenue.
— Abandon the Betty Street extension. Mayor Scott Fontenot said the action is needed to allow McDonald’s to add a second drive-through service window.
— Consider a request from Detel Communications to use a utility right-of-way.
— Declare surplus fire department items and four city vehicles.
— Consider a resolution requesting the state Department of Transportation and Development repave Maple Avenue from Bobcat Drive to its intersection with La. 13 and a resolution for road work on La. 13.
Newly seated alderman Dale Soileau used the agenda-setting meeting to urge a special meeting to discuss the budget.
Soileau also urged repairs be done at the municipal complex to repair leaks in the roof.