Parish lease near Eunice questioned

St. Landry Parish Government is leasing a 21-acre plot northeast of Eunice, but has not used the property since a lease was executed in August 2014.
And, former parish administrator Jessie Bellard also has a lease on the property and is running cows on it, according to discussions at Wednesday’s Parish Council meeting.
The acreage had been leased in 2014 to provide a place for horses picked up by parish animal control.
The council voted to have its legal counsel research the lease.
Parish President Bill Fontenot said, “The lease continues to be recorded. It is recorded in Sept. 14 and we have not paid to my knowledge nor does the record show any of the lease costs.”
A copy of the lease ordinance indicates it is for 36 months and ends July 31, 2017. The annual rent is $500 on the property at 199 Brown Road, Eunice.
“We have not improved it at all or taken any action toward moving to improve it,” Fontenot said.
Fontenot asked the council for permission to to drop the lease.
Councilwoman Pam Gautreaux asked, “Are you aware Mr. Jessie Bellard has another lease on the property?”
Fontenot replied, “No, I’m not.”
Gautreaux followed, “How is it legal that we have a parish lease or contract with a former employee of parish government now using the property?”
Fontenot said the parish has no intent to use the property nor pay the lease.
Lance Pitre, who was serving as the council’s legal counsel, said voiding the contract depends on the contract.
Fontenot said the owner, identified as Pernell Livingston of Lafayette, has not asked for payment.
On Pitre’s recommendation, the lease is to be researched by Chad Pitre, its legal council.
Another matter related to parish animal control also is to be researched by Chad Pitre.
The question is if someone cares for a stray animal for more than 48 hours they are deemed to the owner.
Gautreaux brought the issue up at the Oct. 7 Administrative-Finance Committee meeting.
A man contacted her after caring over the weekend for a puppy that had been roaming his neighborhood. The man could not find an owner and when he contacted the animal control director, he was told he would have to pay $25 to surrender the puppy.
The director told that man anyone caring for an animal more than 48 hours owns it.
Pitre agreed there is a law stating that after 48 hours a stray animal becomes the property of the person who provides care.
Gautreaux noted someone finding a stray animal on a Friday evening would end up caring for it until Monday — more than 48 hours — and owning it.
In other action, the Council:
— Approved a resolution supporting a Veterans Honor Guard sponsored by American Legion Post 514.
— Appointed Lloyd Ardoin, parish airport manager, to the St. Landry Parish Communications District E-911 Board.
— Requested Fire District 3 provide an update on its finances and about a firefighter living at a substation.
— Approved amending its application for Boards and Commissions to include family ties to parish government employees, criminal background checks and bankruptcies.
— Voted to review the home rule charter to provide that appointments by the president be ratified annually by the Council.