City receives share of road money

St. Mary Parish President David Hanagriff and St. Mary Parish Councilman Dale Rogers presented the city of Franklin with a check from the parish council, at Tuesday’s city council meeting.
The check, in the amount of $575,000, of bonds proceeds allocated for what Franklin Mayor Eugene Foulcard called, “critical infrastructure” comprised of water, drainage and roads to be constructed and/or repaired.
Hanagriff said the presentation of the monies was “round one, this year, of $575,000,” and that, “We’ll be back next year with another check of another $575,000 going towards roads in the City of Franklin.”
Relatedly, Reid Miller of Miller Engineers gave a progress report concerning the Yokley Drainage Project, saying a new Department of Transportation and Development contract is in place to “button up some of the smaller issues.”
He added that an appraiser is being retained and a permit should be available by next month, with the biggest hang-up facing the project now being, “right-of-way acquisition.”
Once complete, the drainage project is said to primarily affect the Cayce Street, Robert Street and the Iberia and Tenth Street area, lowering the potential flood level by one foot.
Pastor Lance Howard addressed the mayor and council, thanking them for their donation to send underprivileged local youths to this year’s Carolina Creek Summer Camp; and Franklin Masonic Lodge member Ronnie Williams said the lodge is poised to have the construction signage and sidewalk blockage in front of the lodge building on Main Street, clear within 10 days, or so.
In other business, an ordinance was approved declaring certain movable property in the city, designated as unnecessary and surplus, to be auctioned to the highest sealed bid.
A resolution was approved authorizing Mayor Foulcard to engage Miller Engineers in the performing of a survey to determine which city streets require repair or replacement, and the cost of such operations.
In announcements:
— A Stop the Violence Rally will be held Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Broussard-Harris Recreation Center, with attendees asked to wear black and gold, in honor of Rachel Bell.
— The Dance Recital and Student Art Show will take place Saturday at Franklin High School Auditorium at 5 p.m. with the recital starting at 6 p.m. Admission is $5 per person.
— Keep St. Mary Beautiful City-Wide Clean-Up will take place on Aug. 11 at 9:30 a.m. at the Stage parking lot.
— Artists and Appetizers will be held Aug. 11, between 5 and 8 p.m. at City Park Recreation Center. Attendees are asked to wear white and/or black.
— City of Franklin and South Louisiana Community College will host a job fair on Oct. 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at City Park Recreation Center.