By KAREN LAGRANGE COX
At last night’s July 13, 2023, Youngsville City Council Meeting, the council approved the June 29, 2023 special meeting minutes with a motion to clarify the recipients for a 3% cost of living increase within the police department budget. The cost of living raises in Ordinance No. 485-2023 is for Youngsville City Police staff and does not include a raise for Youngsville Police Chief Rick Boudreaux.
Resident Dawn Durke questioned the council as to why Boudreaux wasn’t included in the raise. Council Member Ken Stansbury advised Durke that Boudreaux wasn’t included in the raise due to the city asserting Boudreaux had received approximately twenty-five thousand dollars since 2016 for vehicle expense that was not due to him. The twenty-five thousand dollars was on top of a vehicle allowance of one thousand dollars a month provided to the Chief.
Council Member Matt Romero also advised Durke that Boudreaux has a suit against the City Council.
In speaking with Council Member Matt Romero this morning, he cites what he considers a mismanagement of vehicle funds by Boudreaux as a reason for not providing a pay raise at this time for Boudreaux. Romero stated Boudreaux is also seeking a new car and additional police officers. The alleged mismanagement of vehicle funds, along with a lawsuit filed against the City Council by Boudreaux, are issues that need resolutions before considering hiring additional officers, a new car, or a pay increase for Boudreaux.
Boudreaux filed a lawsuit against the City Council in regard to the city council’s plan to investigate him over alleged wrongdoings by Boudreaux regarding an accident former city council member Kayla Menard-Reaux had on November 13, 2022, in which she hit a parked car in Sugar Mill Pond in Youngsville. Reaux is said to have left the scene without a sobriety test or citation. The lawsuit was filed in the 15th Judicial District Court.
Other Matters Before the Council
Approval of the May 2023 finance report,
Council Member Simone Champagne was appointed to the Youngsville Volunteer Fire Department Board.
A variance was approved for Wildman Warehouse, LLC for Section. 130-5. (p) “Requirements, restrictions, and responses” for a self-service storage facility, located on Griffin Road.
A variance was approved for Cortney Meyers for the expansion of Gracie Jiu Jitsu Youngsville to continue the current façade & allow additional limestone parking.
Resolution No. 2023-20 adopting the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire for Audit Engagement for the City of Youngsville for fiscal year June 30, 2023 was approved by the council.
Annexation Ordinance No. 486-2023 was approved for final adoption by the council. This Ordinance of the City of Youngsville, Louisiana amends the official map of the City of Youngsville, providing for the annexation of additional land into the corporate limits of the City of Youngsville, Louisiana, being the tract owned by Isaiah & Kayla Myers, consisting of 0.48 acres located in Section 8, Township 11 South, Range 5 East, Lafayette Parish, as shown on that map titled map showing property to be annexed into the City of Youngsville, Louisiana, 118 Metals Drive, prepared by Kevin D. Domingue, Professional Land Surveyor, dated May 2023.
The meeting was held at 201 Iberia Street in Youngsville.
