Pool assistant gets raise for doing manager’s job

The city pool’s Aquatic Assistant Kenya Bourda  was granted a $4 raise for the remaining 2 1/2 weeks the pool will be open this summer.

Kenya, reportedly a model employee, who has been earning $8 per hour as assistant manager, was promised a better position and a raise by the current pool manager. At the July 18 city council meeting, it was learned that Pool Manager Tyler Wilbanks, for reasons unknown at this time, has frequently failed to show up for work.

A meeting agenda item was added at the request of Council Member Janice Anthony to address the fact that Bourda has been opening and closing the pool and performing other managerial duties beyond her job description and pay grade. Attorney Allan Durand pointed out that the pool would not have been operating at all if Bourda had not, “stepped into the breech,” as he put it.

To remedy a clearly  unfair situation for the employee while keeping to city employment procedures, the position of “temporary aquatic administrative assistant” was created for her. She was granted the raise and asked to keep a log of the duties she performs. That log will be evaluated and she may receive retroactive pay for the time she has performed extra duties.

Councilman Mike Fuselier suggested that the pool’s managerial structure may need to be modified for next summer’s season. “The pool is in good shape now and the residents are coming. Let’s get through this start-up season then look into what we need to change for the future,” he said.

The pool is scheduled to close for the season on August 5.

Occupational Licenses

The city will begin cracking down on business owners who fail to renew their occupational licenses as required.

Code Enforcement Director Danielle Fontenette

said that, while increased efforts to get businesses to renew licenses has helped, many remain delinquent. She added that, currently, the city gives business owners three notices before enforcement actions are initiated.

Fuselier asked Durand whether so many notices are legally necessary. The attorney said three are not needed and suggested that the standard annual renewal notices and one delinquency notice are adequate. After that time a citation will be issued and business owners will be given a date to appear before the Mayor’s Court. If they pay before that date the court appearance will not be required.

Labor Changes

At Mayor Jason Willis’ request, two workers on the grass cutting crew were moved from part time to full time and two more full-time laborers were hired subject to a 90-day probationary period.

Willis said the first two have proven to be very good employees and their   job descriptions will be broadened and more clearly defined to include other tasks on rain days and during the winter.

It is hoped that the two newly-hired employees may make continued use of the Sheriff’s trustee crew unnecessary. The trustees cost the city $300 per day for a supervisor and four trustees. The 90-day probation will allow time to evaluate the employees, but also to consider whether a larger in-house crew will make economic sense.

Also:

•The city will place two “30-minute parking” signs in front of a business at 113 E. Bridge Street.

•The festival grounds will be made available for a “Night of Prayer” on Saturday, July 23 beginning at 9 p.m.

•Willis will negotiate a lease renewal for Races and Aces.

•The Attorney General will be consulted to clarify the scope of powers of the Mayor’s Court to levy fines and compensation resulting from damage cases.   

•Centerpoint Energy will improve management of street and driveway repairs after gas line work is performed.