Streets/Water Tank

The Olla Town Council passed Resolution 2024009 which is one of the first steps in starting the construction on Church Street and accepted a bid for the rehabilitation of the town’s elevated storage tank, both during the Council’s regular meeting Tuesday, September 10.

As the resolution states, the Town of Olla was awarded the “Roadway Reconstruction, Church Street, Planning and Construction” project through the State of Louisiana Capital Outlay, and upon passing the reso- lution, Mayor Rhonda Elliott will be authorized to execute all contracts related to the project. The resolution also states that the Town of Olla is able to commit a minimum of 25% matching funds for the project.

“This is the resolution that awards roadway construction for Church Street. This work has been awarded to Regional Construction. The bid amount for the final contract is $391,050.20. We do have $50,000.00 from Capital Outlay to use toward this,” Mayor Elliott said.

The Council unanimously voted in favor of the resolution.

The Council also accepted a bid from Stevens TPC for rehabilitation work on the exterior of the elevated water tank in the amount of $233,900.00.

“We found out that the tank was painted with lead-based paint. So, they will carry the tank off-site, blast it and repaint it with our Town of Olla logo,” Mayor Elliott stated.

Also at the meeting the Council approved of several department reports. During the fire department report, Olla Fire Chief Kim Taylor noted that for the month of August, the department had no calls from Olla, but they did respond to a mutual call from Tullos.

“There was a house fire in Tullos. It took a bunch of us and a lot of water,” Chief Taylor said. “It was a total loss. But we took our three tankers and kept them supplied with water.”

The department also completed two different trainings during August, including one for forcible entry in Jena.

“Glen and I also went to a property insurance grading class in Jena. We got to talk to someone and explain we were having trouble getting ready for it,” Chief Taylor said. “And he told us he’d give us more time, so now we have until November to get ready for PIAL.”

Chief Taylor updated the Council that they have flowed 98 of the 139 hydrants in preparation for the upcoming PIAL rating. They are also labeling hydrants that are difficult to locate.

Reading the police report that was submitted by Olla Police Chief Jody O’Bier was Mayor Elliott, as the Chief had to respond to a call just before the beginning of the meeting.

“The department issued 142 citations for a total of $25,195.70 collected. There were 10 arrests and 20 complaints. Animal control responded to three complaints and impounded two dogs,” Mayor Elliott stated.

Mayor Elliott also presented the public works report.

“We are still working on the lead service line surveys which are due next month. We still have a long way to go,” Mayor Elliott said. “They are replacing large sections of the metal lines in town now. They are making us replace the galvanized lines eventually, but the lead ones as soon as possible. I also have to report where all metal lines and connectors are and go through a process.”

Mayor Elliott explained that they will locate the line, send letters, report them on the website and replace the line, explaining that replacing all the lines will take a long time for the town to complete.

During the Mayor’s comments, Mayor Elliott reminded the Council that the annual downtown homecoming event is happening soon.

“It’s coming up! So please let those who might be interested in being a vendor to contact Town Hall for an application,” Mayor Elliot said.

Mayor Elliott also mentioned the recent meeting held with DOTD about the need for a traffic light at the intersection of US 165 and LA 127.

“DOTD is still saying we don’t meet the criteria for the red light, which they have been saying for twelve years,” Mayor Elliott stated. “The only thing that was different this time was the gentleman that came from the Governor’s office. He was not happy with their response and said he would go back and talk to the Governor about it. So maybe something can be done if Governor Landry gets involved.”