ODD Gives Mayor $147,000

ODD Gives Mayor $147,000

BOBBY ARDOIN

St. Landry Now.com Editor

The Opelousas Downtown Development District has agreed to give Mayor Julius Alsandor $147,000 in order for him to help pay for what he says are architectural and other undisclosed fees associated with the $4.3 million Community Center project in South City Park.

According to a Sept. 16 letter addressed to the ODD, Alsandor requested the extra funding for the project as part of what he said is an ongoing cooperative endeavor agreement with the District that is intended to provide “incidental expenses associated with the ongoing project.”

The ODD took no action on the funding request during a September meeting, but the matter was placed on the agenda as an action item at the Friday meeting for the District.

ODD chairperson Lena Charles said on Friday that Alsandor was scheduled to attend the Friday ODD meeting, but Alsandor was not present either before or after the voting.

In his funding request letter, Alsandor wrote that when projects like the Community Center are ongoing charges for “associated fees” that become necessary, “such as those from the architect.”

Alsandor also pointed out in the letter that,” any changes in scope inevitably bring additional costs,” in order to provide “flexibility” without delaying any of the project deadlines.

A presentation from St. Landry Now.com during the public comment segment of the Friday meeting, reminded Charles and ODD members that they have indicated previously that they claim to operate separately from city government.

ODD members were reminded during the presentation however that the ODD has acted in the past as another “funding arm” of city government, after granting previous requests to provide Alsandor with $100,000 to pay for a new roof at City Hall, in addition to more funding for heating and air conditioning units at the Opelousas Museum.

ODD member Pat Fontenot agreed that the city probably does not have the money at this point to pay for any additional expenses.

Fontenot said prior to the vote that there is apparently no funding for architectural fees in the Community Center funding.

Fontenot said that Alsandor was also supposed to appear at the Friday meeting so that the ODD would have an opportunity to, “let the mayor state his case.”

Fontenot added that it is also part of the ODD’s “mission” to assist with city economic development.

Charles said the ODD provided nearly $500,000 in order to help supply water and sewerage for the Chick-Fil-A project.

Fontenot said the $147,000 request should be provided, along with a stipulation that the ODD is within its authority to do that.

ODD members Donald D’Avy, Rob Hilliard and Fonenot voted to pay the $147,000, while Keith Broussard voted “no.”