Council members were given a chance to hear from not just one but two speakers at their Tuesday night meeting. The first speaker, Bill Hankins, West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital CEO, spoke on his hospital's upcoming millage election and what it would mean for Vinton residents.
Hankins detailed the improvements that WCCH has made and how much business has now grown for the hospital. Yet, Medicare cuts and the recession have hurt their budget at a time when the hospital needs to maintain what they have already accomplished and try to keep moving forward. He emphasized that the capital bond that was passed so many years ago can only be used for equipment and major construction, hence the need for the maintenance tax.
"We need some support and some help," said Hankins.
Funding for the Vinton clinic is included in the proposal. Hankins hopes that with the passage of the millage, the clinic can open an additional day and have a physician in the office on occasion to focus on difficult cases.
"The clinic is very important to us," said Hankins.
And he pointed out that with homestead exemption about half of the households in Vinton will pay no or very little tax. As an example of cost, Hankins said that a homeowner with a house valued at $100,000 would only pay $17.38 per year for the tax.
Hankins informed the Council that there will be a public meeting about the proposed tax on Thursday, February 25, 6 p.m., at the Vinton clinic, and that they will also speak on the matter at the Senior Center on Wednesday morning.
Following Hankins presentation, Emily Stewart, Advertising Media Buyer/Planner with Delta Downs, spoke to the Council about a project her employer was interested in doing with the town. The project is to place 10 vertical banners on poles in the downtown area with Vinton municipal employees installing and maintaining them.
"We're really excited about them," said Stewart.
Mayor Kenny Stinson stated that he was very impressed with the artwork and that they 'should be very low maintenance."
After members addressed their concerns to Stewart about Delta Downs including advertisement of I-10 Exit 7 as they do Exit 4, the Council voted to approve the new project.
In other business:
•Mayor Stinson urged all residents to participate in the 2010 Census.
"This effects a lot of our funding opportunities for the next ten years," said the mayor.
•The Council approved entering into an agreement with the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury allowing Vinton to use the parish's inspectors on an as-needed basis for demolition inspection. The cost per inspection is $120. Council member William B.B. Lloyd suggested that the town look into having Fire Chief Jerry Merchant certified as an inspector. Chief Merchant responded that he would look into what he needed to do to achieve that certification.
•Council member Harold Douga issued his report on Animal Control issues in Vinton. He met with Calcasieu Parish Animal Services and reviewed with them new ordinances in town that match those of the parish. He also expressed his dissatisfaction to them in regards to call logs and the monthly report that Animal Services agreed to give the Council on the first of each month. He reiterated the need for personnel to check in at the Municipal Center or the Police Department when in town.
"Honestly, I think we have given enough. I want to start receiving," said Douga in reference to Vinton's relationship with Animal Services.
He also urged residents to write down the time, date, and person spoken to when making a call for service.
•Mayor Stinson announced that the proposed shutting down of the Office of Motor Vehicles in Sulphur is no longer an issue. The office will remain open.
"It was going to put an undue hardship on the people of Vinton," he said in reference to the possibility.
•The mayor also relayed a message of gratitude from Phelps Correctional Center's Warden Robert Henderson to the Vinton Police Department as well as to residents for all their assistance during the escape and manhunt for Jamaul LeBleu. He also defended his choice to continue the town's relationship with Phelps in regards to using their inmates on work details in the area stating that "it does work" and is of great benefit to Vinton. Police Chief Ricky Fox agreed with the mayor and pointed out that the offenders on the detail are generally at the end of their sentence and are not violent offenders. He stated that it is a good business practice.
•Chief Fox also informed the Council that due to the increase in Vinton's portion, from 11 to 25 percent, to the officers' state retirement fund beginning July 1, he will not seek to hire additional officers. He is short three officers but feels that his department will continue to do as good a job as they have been without the additional manpower.
•Fire Chief Merchant expressed his satisfaction with the decrease in the number of medical calls his department has had to respond to.
"It means the area is being covered a lot better than in the past," said Merchant.
"I look forward to seeing even more improvement," he continued. "We are definitely heading into the right direction."
The chief also spoke on the recent completion of fire hydrant flushing and reminded the Council that pressure and flow testing will be conducted in about six months.
Vinton Council meets in regular session the third Tuesday of each month, 6 p.m., at the Municipal Center.
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Council members were given a chance to hear from not just one but two speakers at their Tuesday night meeting. The first speaker, Bill Hankins, West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital CEO, spoke on his hospital's upcoming millage election and what it would mean for Vinton residents.
Hankins detailed the improvements that WCCH has made and how much business has now grown for the hospital. Yet, Medicare cuts and the recession have hurt their budget at a time when the hospital needs to maintain what they have already accomplished and try to keep moving forward. He emphasized that the capital bond that was passed so many years ago can only be used for equipment and major construction, hence the need for the maintenance tax.
"We need some support and some help," said Hankins.
Funding for the Vinton clinic is included in the proposal. Hankins hopes that with the passage of the millage, the clinic can open an additional day and have a physician in the office on occasion to focus on difficult cases.
"The clinic is very important to us," said Hankins.
And he pointed out that with homestead exemption about half of the households in Vinton will pay no or very little tax. As an example of cost, Hankins said that a homeowner with a house valued at $100,000 would only pay $17.38 per year for the tax.
Hankins informed the Council that there will be a public meeting about the proposed tax on Thursday, February 25, 6 p.m., at the Vinton clinic, and that they will also speak on the matter at the Senior Center on Wednesday morning.
Following Hankins presentation, Emily Stewart, Advertising Media Buyer/Planner with Delta Downs, spoke to the Council about a project her employer was interested in doing with the town. The project is to place 10 vertical banners on poles in the downtown area with Vinton municipal employees installing and maintaining them.
"We're really excited about them," said Stewart.
Mayor Kenny Stinson stated that he was very impressed with the artwork and that they 'should be very low maintenance."
After members addressed their concerns to Stewart about Delta Downs including advertisement of I-10 Exit 7 as they do Exit 4, the Council voted to approve the new project.
In other business:
•Mayor Stinson urged all residents to participate in the 2010 Census.
"This effects a lot of our funding opportunities for the next ten years," said the mayor.
•The Council approved entering into an agreement with the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury allowing Vinton to use the parish's inspectors on an as-needed basis for demolition inspection. The cost per inspection is $120. Council member William B.B. Lloyd suggested that the town look into having Fire Chief Jerry Merchant certified as an inspector. Chief Merchant responded that he would look into what he needed to do to achieve that certification.
•Council member Harold Douga issued his report on Animal Control issues in Vinton. He met with Calcasieu Parish Animal Services and reviewed with them new ordinances in town that match those of the parish. He also expressed his dissatisfaction to them in regards to call logs and the monthly report that Animal Services agreed to give the Council on the first of each month. He reiterated the need for personnel to check in at the Municipal Center or the Police Department when in town.
"Honestly, I think we have given enough. I want to start receiving," said Douga in reference to Vinton's relationship with Animal Services.
He also urged residents to write down the time, date, and person spoken to when making a call for service.
•Mayor Stinson announced that the proposed shutting down of the Office of Motor Vehicles in Sulphur is no longer an issue. The office will remain open.
"It was going to put an undue hardship on the people of Vinton," he said in reference to the possibility.
•The mayor also relayed a message of gratitude from Phelps Correctional Center's Warden Robert Henderson to the Vinton Police Department as well as to residents for all their assistance during the escape and manhunt for Jamaul LeBleu. He also defended his choice to continue the town's relationship with Phelps in regards to using their inmates on work details in the area stating that "it does work" and is of great benefit to Vinton. Police Chief Ricky Fox agreed with the mayor and pointed out that the offenders on the detail are generally at the end of their sentence and are not violent offenders. He stated that it is a good business practice.
•Chief Fox also informed the Council that due to the increase in Vinton's portion, from 11 to 25 percent, to the officers' state retirement fund beginning July 1, he will not seek to hire additional officers. He is short three officers but feels that his department will continue to do as good a job as they have been without the additional manpower.
•Fire Chief Merchant expressed his satisfaction with the decrease in the number of medical calls his department has had to respond to.
"It means the area is being covered a lot better than in the past," said Merchant.
"I look forward to seeing even more improvement," he continued. "We are definitely heading into the right direction."
The chief also spoke on the recent completion of fire hydrant flushing and reminded the Council that pressure and flow testing will be conducted in about six months.
Vinton Council meets in regular session the third Tuesday of each month, 6 p.m., at the Municipal Center.
