Council acts on state grant to upgrade pump station

After four repeated attempts to secure funds to solve the problem of manholes overflowing on Section Street, the Rayne City Council approved eight resolutions Monday night to qualify for a Louisiana Community Block Grant to upgrade the Carver pump station and install a new pipeline directly to the city sewer plant.
The installation of a more powerful pump station and new force main line is estimated to cost $408,000. The city’s share of those costs will be between $100,000 and $120,000, reported City Engineer Tim Mader, and will cover the cost of administrating, designing and inspecting the work expected to begin in the first or second quarter of 2015. He noted 180 municipalities applied for the state grant funds, and Rayne was one of only 30 approved.
The eight resolutions  designated who were authorized to sign payment forms, documents  and other requirements attached to secure the grant. For example, Deputy City Clerk Shelly Daigle was appointed as accessibility compliance, relocation, labor compliance and equal opportunity clerk for the grant program.  
In other action, the Council introduced an ordinance to adopt an operating budget and amended the past year’s budget. Formal action on the two ordinances will occur at the September meeting.
Two street drives were approved. The Frog Capital Boxing Club will conduct a street drive on September 6  to help fund equipment purchases and travel expenses. The Sisters of A&O will conduct a drive Oct. 3 and 4 to collect donations to aid breast cancer research and the Myles Perrett Center.
Sanders Senegal was appointed to serve as a member of the Municipal Employee’s Civil Service Board.
It was announced the local Woodmen of the World chapter will conduct a flag ceremony to commemorate those who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks. The flag ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. Sept. 11 on The Depot Square.
Regarding the Ted Carmichael apartment complex development on Highway 35 north, it was reported the First Ward Drainage Board has stipulated a 25 foot right-of-way will be required on the drainage ditch through the property. The city has also suggested the developer install an eight-inch water line connected to Nation Road.
A 2001 truck operated by the Waste Water Department was declared surplus for sale at auction. The truck will be replaced by a 2008 truck.