Minutes

Special Meeting

Monday, September 26, 2011

The Mayor Michael A. Ragusa and Board of Aldermen of the Town of Independence, La. met in a special meeting on Monday, September 26, 2011, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall.

Present: Richard Navarra, Larry Cardaronella, Parnell Baham, Mike Muscarello and Town Attorney LeAnne Malnar.

Absent: Louis Joseph

Public Input: None

Motion was made by Aldermen Butch Baham, seconded by Parnell Baham to adopt agenda. Passed unanimously.

A motion was made to dispense of reading of prior meeting minutes by Richard Navarra, seconded by Butch Baham. Motion passed unanimous.

Butch Baham - Yay

Mike Muscarello - Yay

Richard Navarra - Yay

Louis Joseph - Absent - Yay

Larry Cardaronella - Yay

Old Business:

A. A simple work order and a motion to accept this was made by Mike Muscarello, seconded by Larry Cardaronello. Voting was as follows:

Butch Baham - Yay

Mike Muscarello - Yay

Richard Navarra - Yay

Louis Joseph - Absent

Larry Cardaronella - Yay

Motion was passed unanimously.

B. Aldermen Mike Muscarello discussed the matter of signs for business. He is checking into this matter and a motion was made by Mike Muscarello, seconded by Parnell Baham to table this matter until a future meeting. Voting was as follows:

Butch Baham - Yay

Mike Muscarello - Yay

Richard Navarra - Yay

Louis Joseph - Absent

Larry Cardaronella - Yay

Motion was passed unanimously.

C. Scott Hotstetler Kean and Miller Atty at law were to be at the meeting but were not present. A motion was made by Parnell Baham, seconded by Richard Navarra to table this matter until a future meeting. Voting was as follows:

Butch Baham - Yay

Mike Muscarello - Yay

Rirchard Navarra - Yay

Louis Joseph - Yay

Larry Cardaronella - Yay

Motion was passed unanimously.

D. Joey Campo was present and passed out restrictions that he is going to put in place for his property he will sell. A motion was made to approve and accept his restrictions on this property by Mike Muscarello, seconded by Larry Cardaronella. Voting was as follows:

Butch Baham - Yay

Mike Muscarello - Yay

Richard Navarra - Yay

Louis Joseph - Absent

Larry Cardaronella - Yay

Motion was unanimously.

E. Aldermen Parnell Baham discussed the matter of the newly formed Historical District Committee's recommended new application process that has been compiled. This application still in the draft stage and a motion was made by Mike Muscarello, seconded by Richard Navarra to table until the October regular meeting. Voting was as follows:

Butch Baham - Yay

Mike Muscarello -Yay

Richard Navarra - Yay

Louis Joseph - Absent

Larry Cardaronella -Yay

Motion was passed unanimously.

New Business:

A. The matter of sub-leasing the bar at the bingo hall to Mr. Earl McFarland was discussed. Town Attorney LeAnne Malnar asked the board for the stipulations that they wishes to be in the lease. The matter of utilities and insurance should be included in the leases. The lease amount due to the town would be $150.00 per month. A motion to approve the signing of to the lease when completed was made by Larry Cardaronella, seconded by Richard Navarra. Voting to approve signing was follows:

Butch Baham - Yay

Mike Muscarello - Yay

Richard Navarra - Yay

Louis Joseph - Absent

Larry Cardaronella - Yay

Motion was passed unanimously.

B. Larry Holland, local buisness owner was present to express his concern and disapproval of the ordinance that makes landlords responsible for tenants' waters bills. Mr. Holland also inquired on the "discing" up on Frazier Park. Mr. Calvin Batiste was present from the Recreation Board and stated that this work is being done during the "slow" time for the park in order to have improved drainage next year. He apologizes for any inconvenience that this may have caused but it will be a lot better for all next year.

C. Town Attorney LeAnne Malnar read the proposed Town Ordinance #11-334, which is to prohibit sex offenders from town property. A motion to introduce was made by Mike Muscarello, seconded by Parnell Baham. Public input from Dale Brouillette regarding school functions. Town Attorney LeAnne Malnar stated that it is on school property and the town would have no jurisdiction on school property. This ordinance only pertains to town events on town property. Voting was as follows:

Butch Baham - Yay

Mike Muscarello - Yay

Richard Navarra - Yay

Louis Joseph - Absent

Larry Cardaronella - Yay

Motion was passed unanimously.

D. Ms. Tiffani Cravens was present from DEQ. She explained the Drinking Water Program that DEQ has in place. She asked the town in order to protect the drinking water systems if they would introduce an ordinance to ensure the quality of water for the residents. She will provide sample ordinances for possible future introduction.

E. Mayor Ragusa asked for the Board's approval to renew the affiliation with the Tangipahoa Parish Crime Stoppers Program. The fee for the year is $960.00. A motion to approve was made by Larry Cardaronella seconded by Mike Muscarello. Voting to approve was as follows:

Butch Baham - Yay

Mike Muscarello - Yay

Richard Navarra - Yay

Louis Joseph - Absent

Larry Cardaronella - Yay

Motion was passed unanimously.

Mayor's Remarks:

On Wednesday, September 28, 2011 the Independence High School will host its Homecoming Parade in the downtown area. It will be held at 1:30 p.m.

A motion was made by Richard Navarra, seconded by Parnell "Butch" Baham to adjourn. Voting was as follows:

Butch Baham - Yay

Mike Muscarello - Yay

Richard Navarra - Yay

Louis Joseph - Absent - Yay

Motion was passed unanimously.

Michael Ragusa, Mayor

Robin Dagro, Clerk

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Publish in The Amite Tangi Digest on Wednesday, October 5, 2011.