Parish council allocates $30,000 to St. Mary CAA

St. Mary Community Action Agency received a $30,000 allocation Wednesday from the parish council to complete repairs to the former G.W. Hamilton Elementary School in Baldwin that will be the new home of Mickey Mouse Head Start.
The funds will be used to replace the building’s air conditioning system, according to CAA Chief Executive Officer Almetra Franklin.
“It is not only going to be an early child development center, but we have applied for funds to (include) babies and infants as well as toddlers”, Franklin said.
CAA Compliance Officer Monica Harding told the council completed repairs over the past two years have included replacement of the building’s alarm system.
After moving from Head Start’s current location on Martin Luther King Street, students will have use of a gymnasium, larger cafeteria and three classrooms, Harding said.
The council approved the $30,000 allocation with equal amounts to be transferred from the gaming fund, general fund and the Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8 three-tenths percent sales tax.
In other business Wednesday the council:
—Referred to finance committee a request from the Save Our Children Mentoring Program fund $50,000 in operation costs.
—Approved a specific use permit to Tony Booty for operation of “gentlemen’s club” at 8691 E. La. 182 in Amelia, and introduction of an ordinance on same.
—Introduced an ordinance amendment on the Regional Planning Commission.
—Passed resolutions to the state Department of Transportation and Development, Division of Aviation requesting funding to complete capital improvements at Harry P. Williams Airport; a change order with Gray Construction Corp. on the Patterson sewer improvement project; a change order and notice of substantial completion on the metal building rehab project at the West End Solid Waste Pickup Station in Franklin with Acadiane’ Renovations Ltd.; change orders with Southern Constructors, LLC on repairs and improvements at Russo and Marcel boat landings; establishment of staggered terms on the Board of Commissioners of Recreation District 1; an agreement with state Office of Emergency Preparedness on the wind retrofit and safe room project at the 911 Call Center; and the canvassing and declaration of the Nov. 4 election results.
—Approved a request from Councilman Ken Singleton to transfer $25,000 from the Wards 5 and 8 three-tenths percent sales tax fund to the St. Mary Parish School Board for baseball field improvements at Patterson High School.
In a budget workshop prior to the regular meeting the finance committee reviewed the following items.
—Agreed to revisit later in the upcoming year a request from Community Outreach for supplemental funding in the amount of $15,000.
—A $40,000 request from Chez Hope for funding for a new roof is included in the current fiscal year budget.
—St. Mary Community Action Agency requests in the amounts of $30,000 for transportation and $24,000 for its elderly nutrition program are included in 2015 budget.
—St. Mary Outreach and Emergency Aid Center allocations in the amounts of $6,000 each are included in 2015 budget.
—St. Mary Parish Registrar of Voters’ $26,950 allocation is included in the 2015 budget.
—A one-time $8,000 allocation to the Council on Aging was recommended for approval by the full council.