Rayne City Council discusses recent flooding

The majority of Monday’s City Council meeting was dedicated to discussions and reports of the recent flooding that blanketed southern Louisiana, including Rayne and Acadia Parish.
Mayor Charles “Chuck” Robichaux welcomed Jeremy Bott, FEMA Intergovernmental Affairs, who gave a report of how the flooding affected Rayne.
“Of the 110 homes damaged in Rayne,” noted Bott during his report, “you could have a more serious situation if your city was not prepared.”
Bott was referring to the city-wide drainage project recently completed by the city’s own street department and additional help provided by the Rayne Police Department’s DOC work program. Work was completed just two weeks prior to the historic flooding, an 18-month project that touched every neighborhood within the Rayne city limits.
“With the amount of rain that fell over the city (18 inches in a 24-hour period), this could have caused way more damage to Rayne,” according to Bott. “Of course, you have other areas of the state that receives up to 30 inches of rain; but, that’s an entirely different scenario.”
Bott concluded, “Overall, over 45,000 homeowners were displaced and 27,000 of those homes are still unoccupied. The damage mark hit the $1 billion mark last week. We will continue to have disaster survivor assistance teams on the ground as long as you need us. We’re just a call away.”
Mayor Robichaux expressed to everyone in attendance and to all Rayne citizens to contact him or City Hall for any help needed.
In addition to flood reports, the council heard a request from Rayne resident Dr. Edward M. Moody II, who resides at 910 John Drive. On behalf of his property and neighboring homes, he expressed his thanks for the city’s assistance in requesting help from the EPA and DEQ for attention towards the sewer main located at the intersection of East Branche and Barbara Street.
“I have neighbors who flood often with just a rain storm,” Moody addressed the council. “I’m not talking about the recent flooding, this happens every couple of years in our neighborhood.”
A suggestion was discussed of diverting the main line into additional outlets until the station is updated. This could alleviate the entire area draining just to that one location which causes the frequent flooding.
Work on the Barbara Street Sewer Lift Pump Station is planned to be completed by October of 2018. But, City Engineer Tim Mader explained once work is completed on the lift station, this will improve sewer line function but will not address the flooding issues. Discussion was held of what avenues could be taken to address flooding issues in that area.
“This issue and many more are always on our plate,” noted Robichaux when discussing water draining throughout the city. “We take into account where all this water has to go and how it needs to get there. We don’t want to flood one neighborhood out to relieve another. We are working hard to help everyone and all neighborhoods throughout the entire city.”
Completing reports was the authorization of payment of the “Carver Street Pump Station Improvements” project in the amount of $38,342.50 for labor and materials and remaining work.
Under other new business, David Lalande was reappointed as chairman of he Planning and Zoning Commission Board for a five-year term.
A street drive was also approved as requested by the Sisters of A&O, with proceeds to benefit their annual cancer awareness project.
In addition, a liquor permit application was approved for Boss’s Sports Bar, located at 1314 The Boulevard, and a 2006 Ford Crown Victoria was declared surplus property.
A number of ordinances were voted upon during the Council meeting, including:
• adopted an operating budget of revenues and expenditures for the fiscal year Oct. 1, 2016 until Sept. 30, 2017;
• amended the budget of revenues and expenditures for the fiscal year Oct. 1, 2015 until Sept. 30, 2016;
• adopted operating budget of revenues and expenditures for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 2, 2016 until Sept. 30, 2017; and
• adopted the amending of the City of Rayne budget and revenues and expenditures for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 2, 2015 until Sept. 30, 2016.
City Clerk Annette Cutrera presented a chart of the operating budget for the council and the audience, noting the present budget and anticipated budget, including a six percent sales tax decrease due to the economic slow-down. She also noted no cuts or layoffs were made to the city’s payroll, but adjustments will be made in other areas including new business opportunities for a balanced budget.
Ordinances introduced during the council meeting that will be voted upon during the October meeting included:
* amend Code of Ordinance of the City of Rayne relative to the filling of vacancies;
• amend Code of Ordinance of the City of Rayne relative to the termination of service;
• amend the Code of Ordinance of the City of Rayne relative to the appointment procedure;
• amend the Code of Ordinance relative to the determination of strength of detachment;
• amend Code of Ordinance of the City of Rayne relative to promotion procedures; and
• amend Code of Ordinance relative to when members to serve, attire.