Master plan, pet hotel on Eunice board’s agenda

The public hearing on a proposed pet hotel and the report a committee to study the feasibility for a master plan are just two of the items on the agenda for Tuesdays Board of Alderman’s meeting.
Council members as well as Mayor Scott Fontenot, Police Chief Randy Fontenot and City attorney Vernon McManus met Thursday to discuss the agenda.
The Rev. Clinton Sensat, chairman of the master plan committee, will give a report on the feasibility of a master plan. Drew Miller, manager of the Eunice Airport, will be there as the board discusses a resolution to accept as complete the runway and taxiway rehab project. There will also be a report on the 2014-2015 city audit.
New business includes proclaiming March 18 Leaders Against Litter Day and a resolution regarding handicap accessibility at the U.S. Post office, which is a federal building.
“Currently handicapped individuals have to drive to the back of the building and honk for service,” Fontenot said. “It’s a bit of an inconvenience. I have met with a representative from (Sen.) Bill Cassidy’s office about the post office.”
Alderman-at-large Jack Burson suggested a resolution for repairs to La. 91 (Maple Avenue) and Fontenot also suggested adding the expediting of the La. 91 bridge repairs, which are scheduled to take a year.
“I’m very tired of, when I’m going down Maple Avenue, going to Champagnes or Basile State Bank, the holes in Maple Avenue,” Burson said. “This is a state highway. We need to request that basic repairs need to be performed to get the road to safe travel standards.”
“We need to talk to DOTD about the bridge, too,” Fontenot said. “It will be closed for a year and will affect traffic, including emergency and school traffic. It’s going to be a big headache.”
“When Bill Fontenot was there (for DOTD), we knew things,” Burson said. “That guy they have there now must not like small towns because we never see him.”
Burson suggested sending the request to a state representative and being informed, in writing, of what the traffic plans would be regarding the bridge. Burson also suggested getting an update on College Road (La. 755 spur) and East Ardoin St. (La. 3116).
The police chief discussed promotions, including filling a lieutenant position.
“We are way under budget right now because we are so shorthanded,” Fontenot said. “Even if we are fully staffed, there is still money for position.”
Fontenot indicated the current sergeant on the force will be promoted to lieutenant, opening up the sergeant position. He also requested the surplus of three police vehicles, one of which has been through three motors and has more than 100,000 miles on it.
Fontenot also discussed the surplus of the department’s two canine officers. One of the canines has some medical disabilities and the other is an older dog, and both have had medical bills.
“The dogs are used more outside Eunice then in Eunice and we can get dogs from sheriff’s office in a reasonable amount of time,” he said.
The dogs were purchased with grant money, and Fontenot asked McManus to see how to go about having the dogs declared surplus so that the animals could be retired with their respective handlers.
Fontenot also requested an executive session for personnel matter.