Sulphur City Council members approved a 1998 manufactured home in the city at its Monday meeting — and minutes later denied the request for a 2005 model. The variance request for a 2005 model did not make it past Nick Nezat’s first motion to approve or disapprove.

Melinda Hardy chaired. Joy Abshire and Mandy Thomas were present. Dru Ellender was absent.

“What’s the problem? The age?” Stephen Primeaux asked after requesting permission to address the council about his variance request. “You just approved a 1998 model.”

A council member answered, “We have an ordinance that states mobile homes moved in over 10 years old. We had to establish that because of some of the mobile homes being moved in here, hopefully to build up our city. So, I’m sorry but that’s the ordinance.”

The ordinance states that no mobile/manufactured home shall be transported, relocated or installed within the city unless a permit has been obtained. Permits shall not be issued for any mobile/manufactured home which is greater than 10 years of age and does not possess a seal or label issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Primeaux’s mobile home had the right seal. They paid the $50 application fee to request the variance and the $120 fee charged to inspect the mobile home.

“The inspector told me he was passing it,” Primeaux said.

The Primeauxs were waiting to go through the final hoop before making their purchase.They planned to put the 2005 model on land where their 1976 model was, a rental, until Hurricane Laura blew it off its blocks. An inspector suggested they just put the ‘76 back on its blocks. Primeaux said he decided to tear it down. The newer model would be for their grandson, and if that didn’t work out, it would be rented.

“I wouldn’t move junk in there,” Primeaux told council members. “I might have to live in it.”

Two individuals spoke on Primeaux’s behalf, saying he has always kept up the property, including immediately after the hurricane.

“I guess I was wrong, but I was thinking if he (the inspector) looks at it (the mobile home) and he inspects it, it is his job to make sure it is good enough to move in the city of Sulphur,” Regina Primeaux said during the final public comments period.

At the end of each Sulphur City Council meeting, the public can address any issue, on or off the agenda, as long as they don’t take more than three minutes to do it and respect the regular rules of order. After these comments, the council does not speak or answer questions.

Regina Primeaux said the inspector approved the 2005 mobile home.

“Yes, there was a tear in the belly (the underbelly covering). That’s nothing to fix. We’ve fixed that a million times on our own trailer after we had to cut it to fix plumbing. If you’re going to follow the rules, how come that one (the ‘98) was passed and mine was not and it’s newer?” (The photos showed the 1998 mobile home with skirting. Belly tears, if there were any, could not be seen.)

Other public comments made also called into question the council’s seemingly inconsistent decision-making and enforcement.

On Monday, a business-to-residential rezone request was approved. A couple of weeks ago, a house three houses down from that address was denied the same request. Another speaker said a council member did not pull permits to build a new office building.

In an email to the city of Sulphur, the American Press requested information about mobile home inspections, and it was answered by Municipal Services Director Denise Fontenot.

“We do not inspect mobile homes,” Fontenot wrote. “We do a site visit to gather data and pictures for the Council to ensure the home is travel ready.”

Tree removal, it’s a process

A new ordinance for removing dead and diseased trees and assessing the cost against the property owner was introduced at the July Sulphur City Council meeting. The ordinance was discussed because of concerns for public safety. It was reported last month that a limb fell from a tree in Jackson Square in New Orleans leaving a teen in critical condition.

 The ordinance was amended at the Monday meeting.

“When the city administration finds the tree is worthy of coming down, they’ll do a show cause order, just like condemnation,” said City Attorney Cade Cole.

Instead of a notification to the property owner requiring immediate action following a complaint, the matter will be brought before the council to make the decision about whether or not to cut the tree down. The  property owner will be able to address the council as well as have time to abide by the council’s decision.

Sulphur resident Robert LeBlanc said he worries some trees pose a more immediate danger and should be dealt with right away without delay.

Small business loans

A representative from Restore Louisiana said money was available to aid small businesses in eligible areas affected by Hurricane Laura and/or Hurricane Delta. Qualifications include having $10,000 in physical damages or a 20 percent annual gross revenue decline.

Funds are not for building repair, but can be used for monthly rent or mortgage payments, monthly wage and benefits, monthly utilities payments, inventory and other approved expenses. If approved, there are no payments due for six months. The term is seven years. The interest rate is 0 percent. Loans begin at $10,000. If borrowers comply with post closing program requirements, 40 percent of the loan may be forgiven when 60 percent of principal is repaid. To find out more, call 1-800-630-3791