Council honors Pinto champions; city budget contains 4% pay raise

Prior to adopting a new city budget which contained a 4 percent pay raise for city workers, The Rayne City Council recognized players and coaches of the world series champion Rayne Gators 8U softball pinto team Monday night.
Mayor Roland Boudreaux proclaimed Monday, Sept. 8, as “Gator Day” in Rayne and presented copies of the proclamation to the 13 girls and their four coaches.
Recreation Director Dwayne Derise presented trophies to the champions and their coaches. In turn, the coaches presented the mayor and council members with softballs autographed by the girls.
Derise was also presented a framed picture of the team which produced a 37-7 record.
Members of the championship team are Gracie Alleman, Madison Boudreaux, Gracie Duhon, Analie Dupuis, Addyson Gautreaux, Ella Guidry, Emily Marks, Addison Richard, Bailee’ Royer, Annabetha Savoy, Kallie Venable, Ani Comeaux, and Abigail Richard.
Head coach was Keith Richard, with  Randy Guidry, Shannon Royer and Derek Richard, as assistant coaches.
Prior to adopting the 2014-2015 operating budget, Alderman Paul Molbert, who chairs the finance committee, reported Judge Jim Cunningham requested the addition of $12,000 to the City Court budget in order to give a salary increase to five court employees. Council members approved the budget as amended.
In addition to the pay raise for  non-elected city employees, next year’s budget provides for new accounting software for city hall and all utility departments, new aluminum electrical poles for downtown, a new water line on American Legion Drive and a new 12-inch water line for North Rayne.
Also contained in the budget are funds to overlay four miles of city streets and patching streets, and capital outlays of $40,000 for Veterans Park, $50,000 for a new MLK Center, $40,000 for sidewalk repairs, $40,000 for youth recreation and $80,000 for sewer maintenance and smoke testing.  
During the budget discussion, members of the audience requested upgrades to playground equipment  in city parks and asked about sidewalk improvements near Armstrong Middle School.
In related action, the Council also adjusted the 2013-2014  budget.
The Council adopted a resolution supporting two constitutional amendments on the Nov. 4 ballot which would aid municipalities regarding blighted property.
Amendment 4 would allow an authorized agent of a tax collector to assist in the sales tax process and include any fees charged to be included in the cost.
Amendment 10 would shorten the redemption period from 36 months to 18 months the purchaser of vacant property must wait to take full ownership of the property.
Mayor Boudreaux reported the Louisiana Municipal Association (LMA) recommended voter approval of the two amendments.
The Council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to apply for a $1,825,000 low-interest loan to upgrade the pump station on Barbara Street and extend the sewer line to the wastewater treatment plant. Currently, during heavy rain, water overflow in area manholes.
The Council hopes to secure the 20-year loan through the State Revolving Fund program operated by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. The application process is expected to take a year or more.
The Council approved the owner of a house at 603 Live Oak 90 days within which to demolish the building.
A 1999 Ford F-250  truck and a 2001 Ford F-150 truck were declared surplus property to be sold at auction. Two water treatment plant 80-gallon air compressors were also declared surplus to be sold at auction.