Cable TV office closing questioned

The Eunice Board of Aldermen is charging its attorney to investigate whether Charter Communications must maintain a customer service office in Eunice.
The office closed and a sign on the door of the building on Moosa Boulevard states the closure is due to flooding and the office has moved to Opelousas.
Vernon McManus, city attorney, said he is researching the issue to determine if the company is required to maintain an office in Eunice.
McManus updated the Board of Aldermen at a meeting Tuesday.
Mayor Scott Fontenot, at an agenda meeting Oct. 6, said Charter is continuing a maintenance facility in Eunice.
McManus said there may be a contract between the city and former cable television provider Renaissance Media that required the office. That contract would have been written in 1999, he said. Since the state law governing cable television regulation and ownership of the franchise has changed.
Jack Burson, alderman at-large, asked McManus to research if the cable television provider is obligated to present a video of the council meetings on a public service channel.
Aldermen met at City Hall in a session lasting about 15 minutes.
Other business included:
— A newly formed recreation committee was populated by aldermen and the mayor. The appointees are: Ryan Viene by Jason Bertrand; Chad Lemelle by Germaine Simpson; Chawana Fontenot by “Nootsie” Sattler; Donna Frey by Dale Soileau; Thad Richard by Burson; and Roger Pedigo, Willie Burson and Chris Hamous by the mayor.
The recreation committee is to meet quarterly.
— Aldermen approved an application for a Local Government Assistance Progam grant to buy vacant lots at 2nd and Walnut and 2nd and Ash streets. Up to $50,000 is sought from the governor’s office.
The city received approval for an $18,000 grant to repair the dog pound.
— Halloween is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31. A Halloween event in downtown Eunice is also scheduled on Oct. 31.
— The mayor offered a reminder that the Experience Louisiana Festival is scheduled Oct. 22 and 23.
— Noel on the Prairie is scheduled Nov. 12 and 13.
— Gas line relocations on Maple Avenue and Bobcat Drive were approved. The projects totaled about $200,000 in cost and were necessary for the bridge replacement at Maple Avenue and Bobcat Drive.
— Audit reports for the wastewater plant from 2013 through 2015 were approved.