NEWS

City Council proclaims 50 years of Fair Housing Law

Greg Fischer Editor-in-chief
gfischer@weeklycitizen.com
The Donaldsonville Council and Mayor honored the Ascension Catholic High School 2018 state champion girls powerlifting team during the Tuesday, April 10, 2018 meeting. Shown front row, from left, are: Coach Jalynn Moll, Lani Lemann, Hannah Settoon, Mayor Leroy Sullivan, Camille Lemann; back row: Councilman Lauthaught Delaney, Councilman Charles Brown, Councilman Raymond Aucoin, Coach Robert Lemann, and Councilman Brent Landry.

The Donaldsonville City Council recognized a proclamation last week to celebrate 50 years of the Fair Housing Law, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, familial status or age.

That was the start to a meeting that also featured recognition of the four-time, back-to-back State Champion Ascension Catholic Girls Powerlifting Team. Present members of the team were Head Coach Jalynn Moll, Lani Lemann, Hannah Settoon, Camille Lemann, and Coach Robert "Bubba" Lemann.

"Therefore, I Leroy J Sullivan Sr. and the City Council of the City of Donaldsonville hereby congratulate the 2018 Ascension Catholic Girls Powerlifting team."

Next, representatives from Trinity Capital Resources, LLC were on hand to discuss funding for the new fire station. Resolution 2018-28, which was approved by the council, seeks to generate $1.3 million in bonds to go towards building the new fire station.

The architect on hand stated that the cost of the new fire station, which will be situated along Marchand Road, will be in the $2.1 million-dollar range. Moreover, Mayor Leroy Sullivan was authorized to begin the bidding process for the construction of the fire station this week.

"This resolution gives preliminary approval to the issuance of $1 million dollars limited tax revenue bonds," a representative from Trinity Capital Resources, LLC said.

The city will have 14 years to pay back the cost at a four percent rate. Four percent of one million is $40,000 dollars.

The new fire station will be equipped to hold all the city's fire trucks, including the behemoth recently acquired with the 60-foot ladder that currently does not fit in the station on 700 Lafourche Street.

Moreover, Ascension Parish School Board member Robyn Delaney presented a new program to the council called Cradle to K for their support. Beginning into the next school year, the program would meet monthly or bi-monthly and would focus on parent engagement in the child's formative years.

The council seemed to be in approval of the program, which Delaney said would not cost much for the city.

"There may be some expense, but most would be by volunteers," Delaney said. "It's not a whole lot of expense because you're just sitting around talking and giving out resource information. But I won't say zero budget."

Delaney also reminded the council that a Back-to-School Refresher Program for students will be held Monday, July 23 to Friday, July 27 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Lemann Memorial Center on 1100 Clay Street.

Lastly, the council approved a resolution approving the Liquor License application of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church for a special event on May 4, 5, and 6.