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Mayor explains $3.8 million in capital outlay improvements

Infrastructure upgrades, city projects highlighted during meeting

RAYNE - The 2019-2020 budget was the main order of business for the September meeting of the Rayne City Council. However, Mayor Charles “Chuck” Robichaux also included the many projects being completed with the 2018-2019 budget as the new fiscal year begins.
“We have many projects and upgrades on the horizon for the coming year, as you can see,” said Robichaux as the 2019-2020 budget was approved. “But, there are many projects we are still working on and trying to finish up that were included in last year’s budget.”
Assisted by City Clerk Annette Cutrera, who provided a Power Point presentation during the September Council meeting, Robichaux touched on the many projects that are being tackled to date.
“As most of you know, a number of sewer-related projects are planned for the sewer infrastructure of our city, including the Barbara Street Pump Station project that is nearing completion,” said Robichaux.
The 2018-2019 expenses totaled $551,000 for a long-awaited project that will help alleviate the sewer problems the southeast portion of the city has endured for many years. The remaining $410,000 balance to complete the project is included in the upcoming budget approved by the Council.
In addition, a new and much-needed back-up emergency generator for the wastewater plant is another portion of the wastewater upgrades.
“The $175,000 project will provide sewer services in the case of emergencies when there is no power to the city,” Robichaux noted. “No matter the emergency, the city’s wastewater system will not be interrupted with this new generator.”
The final wastewater project was a new 2020 Vac-Con sewer truck, which will provide employees assistance with projects throughout the city. The new truck replaces a 20-year-old model.
Another city-wide project that began during the 2018-2019 budget was the Edgewood Subdivision patch and overlay street project, one of six street projects planned throughout the city.
The Edgewood project was paid directly from the state Department of Transportation and Development to the city from the Road Transfer Program. DOTD provided $281,000 with the remaining $101,000 put up by the city.
The other street projects to be paid with the remaining $722,000 of the original $1,003,000 budget soon to be available through the Road Transfer Program are West Jeff Davis, North Polk, Seventh Street and South Eastern Ave.
“We are anxious to get these other streets complete and have a few problems worked out with this new patch and overlay,” said Robichaux. “We have North Polk between East Jeff Davis and the Frog City truck stop that will replace a now dangerous narrow roadway with a 24-foot wide, DOTD approved quality road to service our high school traffic, along with Seventh Street that serves as a truck route for our farmers — these streets, and the others, are vital for heavy traffic throughout our city.
“Thankfully, these repairs will begin as soon as DOTD releases the funding allowing the beginning of these projects.”
Completing the street projects, Robichaux also announced the continuation of the city-wide street patching project.
“With the $65,000 approved in last year’s budget, we are fixing our city streets to last until hopefully 2022,” he stated. “We are extending the life of our city streets until we pay off the loan made in the year 2000 when the streets were resurfaced.”
New playground equipment was purchased by the city and installed by the DOC program at all four city parks at a competitive price of $150,000. A total of six apparatus /play structures were installed at Mauboules Park, Gossen Park, Martin Luther King Park and Southside Park.
Of the total amount spent on the equipment, $50,000 was budgeted from the 2018-2019 budget and $100,000 was paid by the Lee Crossing housing construction agreement for recreational or civic purposes.
An asset recently acquired by the city was the former YMBC building that was donated to the City of Rayne to promote youth-related programs through the Recreation Department monitored by the Police Department. The $160,000 city asset also has future designs to assist high-risk youth and young adults to one day study to attain their GED accreditation among other programs.
“This program is presently assisting a free youth boxing league,” Robichaux explained. “In addition to the GED program, other free and much-needed activities for our youth and young adults are expected to take place there once the facility’s renovations are complete.
“This property is similar to the large property (over 16 acres) donation made to the city on Kahn Street that will someday, hopefully, be a state-of-the-art park for our citizens.
“Just these few projects during the 2018-2019 budget year carry a $1.3 million price tag in capital improvements and increased assets for the city — it adds up fast for the good of our community.”
Another acquisition for the city was the property near the city’s water plant that will someday house a new water well and equipment storage facility.
“The property was purchased for $16,500,” Robichaux said, “but the location value in relation to the water plant makes it priceless.”
Concerning the upcoming 2019-2020 upgrades for the city’s utility departments, Robichaux said that may be the most daunting of tasks on the horizon.
“As all you know, our infrastructure is the utmost important project we have to upgrade for our citizens,” Robichaux stressed while itemizing future items.
“We have a water system that’s on its last leg and in need of a number of upgrades. Unfortunately, that doesn’t come cheap.”
Robichaux explained the five features included in the $2.5 million water treatment upgrades, including:
• (new) water treatment clarifier;
• (new) natural (400KVA) gas backup emergency generator;
• clean and inspect all groundwater storage tanks;
• upgrades to a (new) filter control panel; and
• pressure wash and inspect existing elevated water tower.
Robichaux also explained that two 10 MVA transformers will be purchased to replace the aged and worn equipment for the city’s south electrical substation. The price tag for these necessary items is $400,000. He feels the time for the purchase is now, when its needed, before its an emergency and the city would have to pay almost double the price to replace.
A street project to be continued along South Adams Avenue from the railroad tracks to East South First Street, a joint venture between the DOTD and City of Rayne, was also discussed.
Phase II of the Downtown Street Enhancement program is to continue from the Phase I project (railroad tracks to Edwards Avenue) with a total cost of $500,000, of which $100,000 will be provided by the City of Rayne.
The DOTD Grant Funding will provide the remaining $400,000 for the handicapped sidewalks, permanent planters and upgrades needed at the intersection of South Adams and East Texas Avenue / American Legion Drive.
“We’re paying only 20 percent of a half-million dollar project,” noted Robichaux. “Our busiest intersection at Rayne State Bank will be addressed with this project. That’s reason right there for this project to proceed.”
That comment was agreed to by city engineer Tim Mader, who presented the action item during the meeting.
Five new city projects on the horizon and included in the 2019-2020 budget as discussed by Robichaux were also presented.
“A ‘brand new’ Martin Luther King Jr. Center is coming soon,” he stated. “The Legislature has approved one state grant ($200,000 priority one) in its last session. Another $125,000 grant which is priority 5, the balance of the grant, should be approved in the next session in 2020.
“State Representative John Stefanski and Senator Bob Hensgens were instrumental in us receiving these funds,” Robichaux stressed.
The city, since 2015, has earmarked $160,000 thus far for the new MLK Center, of which $52,000 was earmarked for the new budget approved this month, totaling $485,000 of funds.
“Once the final state grant comes through next year, we can begin plans and blueprints for the brand new structure that is planned to be larger, plus provide more necessities on the inside for everyone to enjoy.”
New improvements for the basketball and tennis courts located on Lyman Avenue were also presented to include a “new” collegiate-style basketball court, parking area (former tennis courts) next to grassy area where plans are being discussed for the new MLK Center.
“I’ve shopped around and, from the initial $55,000 projected installed cost, we’ve brought the cost down to $22,000, saving the taxpayers $30,000, with the help of the DOC inmate program,” added Robichaux. “We are also looking to maybe add another basketball court in the following budget.”
Plans are also complete for the extension of the ADA-compliant sidewalk and ramps along a DOTD right-of-way including The Boulevard and along North and South Adams avenues (Oak Street to St. Joseph Catholic Church).
“The price for the sidewalk project was estimated by Mader Engineering at $70,000.” Robichaux said. “But, the anticipated cost will be around $15,000 as most of the work will be completed by city employees and the Chief’s DOC inmate program, similar to the recently completed project between Oak Street and I-10.”
The final budget projects discussed during the meeting were a pair of drainage areas to be corrected in the coming year.
“We have two areas that are in need of correction and jar replacement due to corrosion,” said Robichaux.
The first project is a major 610-foot double culvert at Gossen Park which drains water from Gossen Drive to Lillian Pierce Drive.
“The initial estimate for the project is $120,000,” the mayor explained. “But, the final cost should fall to about $40,000 due to labor provided by city employees, the Chief’s DOC inmate program and my machinery. That’s a big savings for a major project that minimizes flooding for that entire area.”
The second drainage project planned is $98,000 of improvements estimated by Mader Engineering in the area of East Butler, South Eastern and South Bradford.
“With labor to be provided by city employees and the DOC program, along with my machinery,” Robichaux continued, “we are looking at a savings of $73,000 with a final cost of approximately $25,000. This will alleviate a lot of problems we are having in that area.”
“We’re looking at a $3.8 million capital outlay this coming year that will place our city in good shape,” Robichaux concluded. “I, along with this Council as a team, are ready to take on these much-needed projects that our city can’t do without, as I hope you all agree.”

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