Council moves forward on street repairs, utility rate changes, and subdivision ordinance amendments

PORT ALLEN – The Port Allen City Council held its regular meeting October 1st, addressing public safety concerns, infrastructure improvements, and proposed changes to utility rates and development ordinances.

Police Report Shows Active September

Assistant Police Chief Revay Smith presented September statistics showing 608 calls for service, with the department making 11 arrests across various charges including hit-and-run, disturbing the peace, assault, and drug-related offenses. Officers also worked 20 traffic crashes and issued 19 traffic citations.

Councilwoman Gordon raised concerns about persistent stop sign violations at 14th Street and Avenue E, warning that "it's going to be a bad accident one day." The chief committed to increasing patrol presence in the area.

Gordon also highlighted a growing problem with broken glass accumulating on city streets, particularly on 4th Street near Linda's Salon, which she attributed to items being thrown from vehicles.

Nuisance Property Enforcement Continues

Mayor Terecita Pattan provided updates on code enforcement actions across multiple properties. Two properties on Chapelia Street received notices and have since been cut. Additional notices to abate were sent to:

• 626 Gladiolus Street (Theodore Malonso) – given until end of October after previous deadline passed
• 630 South 14th Street (Micheal property) – awning fallen down, notification re-sent
• 1250 Avenue B – empty lot with overgrowth causing rodent complaints
• 357 Atchafalaya Street
• 336 Michigan Avenue (HUD home) – city contacted HUD departments

Several properties have complied with notices, including locations on Atchafalaya Street and a residence on 14th Street after intervention by Councilwoman Joseph.

The city continues investigating a complaint about an Oregon Street property with a dumpster that neighbors report has a foul odor. Ownership remains unclear after the property was sold at tax sale, with officials working to identify the current owner through the tax office and dumpster company.

Infrastructure Projects Take Priority

The City Engineer provided updates on critical infrastructure needs, emphasizing urgent repairs at the city's wastewater treatment plant.

Treatment Plant Repairs: Hall reintroduced a list of necessary upgrades first presented in March, prioritizing four major items with the blower system identified as most critical. "If one blower goes out, we're not going to have enough air at the plant," Hall warned. The repairs require advertising and at minimum 45 days to complete.

The city continues searching for a suitable site for a new treatment plant, with animal control property off Ted Denstel Road emerging as a potential location due to its large parcel size and distance from residential areas.

Annual Road Program: The council reviewed proposals for three street rehabilitation projects – Avenue D, Avenue E, and Avenue F, all running from the river to South Alexander Avenue. Each project carries an estimated cost of $180,000-$190,000 due to deteriorated base conditions and large oak trees requiring extensive work.

Hall noted the city's annual road program typically runs around $370,000, and the council indicated they would likely proceed with two of the three streets. North 15th Street, which has a concrete surface requiring significantly higher replacement costs, may be budgeted for next year.

West Palm Estates Subdivision Sign Dispute

The council discussed replacing a damaged entrance sign for West Palm Estates subdivision, an issue that revealed differing views on municipal responsibility for neighborhood amenities.

The Mayor presented two quotes: $1,885 for an aluminum-coated sign with vinyl lettering, or $5,225 for a routed and painted HDU sign with wood frame. Both prices include removal of the current bent sign and installation.

However, Councilwoman Gordon objected, noting this would be the second time the city replaced the sign after damage. "The first time he did replace it as a courtesy," Gordon explained, referring to actions under former Mayor Richard Lee. "I don't think it's our responsibility to keep replacing their sign when we had already replaced it once."

The subdivision lacks a homeowners association, complicating questions about maintenance responsibility. Joseph suggested residents might be willing to pay half the cost, and the council agreed to add the item to next week's agenda after gauging neighborhood interest.

DMU Subdivision Ordinance Amendment Advances

The council moved forward with an ordinance amendment allowing property owners in the Downtown Mixed-Use (DMU) district to request subdivision of lots containing two or more single-family detached dwellings that existed before the 2016 zoning revision.

Ms. Landry requested the change to subdivide her property at 510 North Jefferson Avenue/444 Maryland Avenue, which contains two separate residences with split utilities. Under current ordinances, she cannot even request subdivision approval from the planning and zoning commission.

The City Attorney clarified the amendment would allow property owners in Landry's situation to petition planning and zoning for subdivision approval, with the council retaining final authority. The ordinance will be introduced at next week's meeting and return for final vote in November.

"What she's asking for is to subdivide, so she can keep one, sell the other, or vice versa," the attorney explained. Landry indicated a tenant in one residence wishes to purchase that portion of the property.

Utility Rate Changes Proposed

Finance Director Adrian Daigle presented proposed increases to utility deposits and reconnection fees, citing ongoing issues with abandoned accounts during cold months.

Deposit Increases:

• Water (residential and commercial): $75 to $100
• Residential gas: $125 to $200
• Commercial gas: $200 to $300

Reconnection Fees: Current $10 per meter fee would increase to $50 per meter for water and/or gas service restoration.

Daigle noted crews sometimes return to the same house multiple times, making the current $10 fee inadequate. The changes require ordinance amendments that will be introduced at next week's meeting.

Two Officers to Join Police Force

The council approved adding agenda items to hire two experienced officers pending completion of their background checks:

Aaron Nichols – Over five years law enforcement experience with Baton Rouge Police Department

Eric Reineke – Over Ten Years experience with Baton Rouge Police Department and Port Allen Police Department

Both officers were interviewed by council members, who expressed strong support for the hires.

Community Events

• Port Allen High School Breast Cancer Walk: October 11th at 9 AM, $10 registration via QR code on school's Facebook page
• Hazardous Waste Cleanup: October 25th (details on city website)
• Nightmare on Court Street: October 26th, 5-8 PM at City Hall

The council's next regular meeting is scheduled for the first Wednesday of October at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers.

Editor's Note: This article has been updated to correct an address error. Mayor Pattan stated during the October 1st meeting that a property at "622 South 14th Street" received a notice to abate for a fallen awning. The Mayor has since clarified the correct address is 630 South 14th Street and issued a personal apology to Mr. Caruso for the error. WBR Independent regrets repeating the incorrect address from the meeting transcript.