Rayne Mardi Gras parade rolls Tuesday, Feb. 17

In a busy session Monday night the City Council approved a Mardi Gras parade and appointed a new city clerk.
On behalf of The Krewe de Mardi Gras Creole, Brian Mouton and Terry Augustus were granted permission to sponsor the afternoon parade on Tuesday, Feb. 17, in cooperation with the Krewe of New Beginnings.
Krewe Captain Brian Mouton addressed the Council, citing the local heritage connected with the parade which the Krewe originated but which lapsed for several years.
The parade lineup will start at 12:30 p.m. on American Legion Drive and step off at 1 p.m. up North Adams and The Boulevard ending at the Civic Center.
The Krewe of New Beginnings will also participate by honor ing Ray Benoit and Harry James Guidry as grand marshals and presenting a special “Hall of Fame Award” to local citizen to be named that day. The Krewe will also provide trophies to the winning costume entries.
Mouton announced there will be no fee for participants and he extended an invitation to non-profit groups and individuals, businesses and elected officials and candidates. All those interested in joining the parade are asked to contact Mrs. Rosa Guidry with the Beautiful Majestic Ladies Social Club. She is parade chairperson and can be reached at (337)781-3456.
Mayor Chuck Robichaux introduced Annette Cutrera before asking the Council to amend its agenda and approve her appointment.
The mayor praised Cutrera’s accounting expertise working with international and national issues as he asked for Council approval. She will assume her new duties on Monday, Feb. 16.
In other action, the Council amended an ordinance regarding delinquent utility bills by inserting service “may be subject” to disconnection. Previously, the ordinance read utilities “shall” be disconnected if not paid by the 23rd of the month.
The Council also approved an agreement permitting the Acadia Parish School Board to use the city’s “digger truck” to drill holes for three telephone poles at Church Point High School. In turn, the School Board will assume all liability and pay for any and all damages which might occur.
Three recommendations by the Planning Commission secured Council approval. Diane Navarre was granted permission to open a massage therapy business at 202 East C Street and Clayton Dailey was granted permission to open a business and professional office at 611 The Boulevard.
A parking variance was also approved for a Family Dollar Store planned next to the City Hall. Building Inspector Mark Daigle explained the city ordinance requires 42 parking spaces for the proposed 8,320 The developer asked permission to create only 36 parking spaces. Because of concerns regarding stormwater runoff expressed by the Council and Mayor Robichaux, the parking variance is contingent on approval of a drainage impact study required from the developer.
Acting on the recommendations of Police Chief Carroll Stelly, the Council accepted the resignation of Officer Kevin Clark and the hiring of two as police officers and a communications officer.
Chief Stelly explained Clark’s resignation and the retirement of Sgt. Russell Buchanan left the police department short two officers and the transfer of Officer Tiffany Dominque from dispatch to patrol created the third vacancy.
The Council approved the hiring of Kyle Seaux as a police officer, the hiring of Thomas Ware as a provisional police officer and the hiring of Sara Leblanc as a provisional police communications officer.
Before adjourning, Mayor Robichaux reported he has asked the street department to replace missing street signs throughout the city.
In addition, he has asked the city electrical department to replace broken street lights. He explained the city pays electricity charge of $7 for each street light whether it is lit or broken. The cost of replacement bulbs is about $3.40 each.
The mayor also reported city street department workers have begun working on drainage and that the city is considering the purchase or lease of equipment to improve drainage.