Port Allen officials tackle administrative workload while residents seek faster action on problem properties

PORT ALLEN – The Port Allen City Council addressed mounting administrative demands and ongoing code enforcement challenges during committee meetings August 6th and the regular meeting August 13th, with Mayor Terecita Pattan requesting new staff positions while residents expressed frustration over property maintenance issues.

Administrative Assistant Position Debated

Mayor Pattan requested creation of an assistant Chief Administrative Officer/administrative clerk position at step 118, grade A ($63,870 annually) to help manage increasing workload across multiple departments.

The position would handle utility department oversight, billing processes, vendor communications, public complaints, and budget assistance. Pattan emphasized the need for additional administrative support, noting her phone "starts ringing between 7 and 11" with various issues requiring immediate attention.

"I just need someone to be here to help answer and facilitate some of these duties," Pattan told the council.

The proposal sparked debate among council members, with some questioning whether the position duplicates existing responsibilities and others expressing concerns about the timing and cost of adding new staff while the city faces ongoing code enforcement and infrastructure challenges.

CFO Adrian Daigle noted he's been handling both assistant CFO and CFO duties while dealing with complex issues like property tax research requiring manual investigation of years-old records. He's also working on software conversion and grant applications that demand significant recordkeeping.

The council agreed to make the position creation an agenda item for next week's meeting after receiving detailed job duty descriptions.

Police Department Seeks Two Officers

Chief Donovan Mitchell requested authorization to advertise for two police officer positions following recent departures. The department lost three officers: one retiree, one who relocated for family reasons, and a cadet who quit.

"We down three positions so we can open up at least two start and start focusing on getting some people back in out," Mitchell told the council.

The request received quick approval to begin the recruitment process.

Code Enforcement Highlights Ongoing Challenges

Inspector Lance Gary reported 12 high grass cases in July, with 11 remaining open and one completed. The cases included properties on South 14th Street and South Street requiring continued monitoring.

Gary discussed ongoing issues with property owners who fail to maintain adequate debris size for Republic Services pickup, noting some residents cut tree limbs improperly, leaving pieces too large for collection.

"You know that you didn't cut it small enough. So, you're cutting it on behalf of the homeowner. So, we're having it picked up, but you know, it's not small enough for them to pick up," one council member noted during discussion of the pickup protocols.

The city faces challenges with abandoned properties where original owners no longer maintain responsibility but trash continues accumulating. Council members noted the financial burden of maintaining properties where no one pays taxes.

"Some of these we've been cutting since I… Right. And that's a shame. It really is," said Inspector Lance Gary about ongoing maintenance costs.

Public Works and Community Updates

The council received updates on several community initiatives:

Senior Roundup Planning: Community Development Director reported preparations for the August 21st senior citizens event at the West Bank Community Center, featuring partnerships with the sheriff's department and other parish municipalities.

Equipment Purchase Request: The community development director requested $7,300 for a 20-by-30-foot tent with city branding for outdoor events, noting the city currently borrows equipment from various sources.

Neighborhood Watch Restart: Police Chief Mitchell announced the neighborhood watch program resumed last week after previous dormancy, encouraging community participation and contact through his office.

Hazardous Waste Collection: Residents were reminded of the October 25th hazardous waste collection at Alexander Park in Brusly, part of the annual parish-wide environmental cleanup program.

Infrastructure and Finance

The council addressed routine financial matters including monthly reports showing strong revenue performance. However, officials noted ongoing challenges with insurance cost increases and property maintenance expenses that strain city resources.

Finance Director Daigle confirmed budget capacity for requested positions within existing salary allocations, though the administrative assistant position requires council approval before advertising can begin.

The discussion highlighted broader challenges facing small municipalities balancing service delivery with administrative capacity, particularly when dealing with complex issues like heir properties and deferred maintenance on abandoned lots.

Looking Forward

Mayor Pattan emphasized the need for adequate staffing to maintain service levels while handling increasing administrative demands from grants, compliance requirements, and daily operations.

The meeting demonstrated ongoing tensions between resident expectations for immediate action on quality-of-life issues and the legal, financial, and procedural constraints facing municipal operations in a small city with limited resources.

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

Updated with information from the August 13th Port Allen City Council meeting. A separate story covering the property condemnation proceedings will be available tomorrow at WBRIndependent.com