TOWN OF VINTON
TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 15, 2026
The Governing Authority of the Town of Vinton, Louisiana met on September 15, 2026, at approximately 6:00 P.M.
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Bonnie Jo Bahnsen called the meeting to order.
2. INVOCATION / PRAYER
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. ROLL CALL / Roll call was taken by Brandi Patin, Town Clerk.
Present: Diane Conner, Stephanie Starring, Lindsey Stanley Absent: BB Loyd, Mike Wright. Also Present: Phillip Abshire Town of Vinton’s CPA
Total Bills for August 2026 $160,553.62
Payroll for August 2026 $183,967.54
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS – no public comments
6. MAYOR BAHSEN
· Council considered approval of the minutes from the regular meeting held on August 2026. A motion to approve the minutes was made by council member Starring, seconded by council member Stanley and carried.
*Mayor Bahnsen addressed the council that three items needed to be amended to the agenda tonight.
*Nichole Miller with CPPJ housing services department. Motion was made to be added by council member Stanley and seconded by council member Starring followed by a roll call vote. YEAS: Conner, Starring, Stanley ABSENT: Loyd and Wright
*Mayor Bahnsen for Collin Courmier – with Southland Construction for a permit for thirty days on the noise ordinance due to driving pilins in the ground the next few days. Motion was made by council member Starring and seconded by Conner and carried followed by a roll call vote. YEAS: Conner, Starring, Stanley ABSENT: Loyd and Wright
*Celeigh & Jeffery Fontenot – Bayou Boom Fireworks. Motion was made by council member Stanley and seconded by Conner followed by a roll call vote.
YEAS: Conner, Starring, Stanley ABSENT: Loyd and Wright
*Mayor Bahnsen tabled the discussion concerning water, sewer, garbage, and electric rates.
7. Donnie Bush was present and addressed the Mayor and Town Council regarding concerns he reported involving properties located at 401, 403, and 405 Highway 90 East, including concerns regarding a neighboring residence. Mr. Bush requested that the Town investigate the matters he presented to the Council. Mr. Bush also directed comments regarding the matter to Public Works Director Terry Vice.
*Chance Reveglia variance for aged mobile home address 1205 East St. Motion was made by council member Stanley and seconded by Starring and carried to grant the variance on aged mobile home.
*Council Member Diane Conner requested discussion regarding the potential establishment of a temporary moratorium on the development of new RV parks and mobile/manufactured home parks within the Town of Vinton. Council Member Conner stated that the Town may, at a later date, consider introducing an ordinance addressing such developments. She explained that the purpose of the discussion was to begin consideration of appropriate regulations and requirements for these types of developments while the Town continues to develop and implement its proposed regulatory program. Mayor Bahnsen stated that the Town is experiencing growth and expressed concern that a temporary moratorium could have the effect of delaying or limiting development within the Town. Mayor Bahnsen further stated that, to her knowledge, no specific duration or timeline had been established for a potential moratorium.
No action was taken by the Mayor and Town Council at this time.
* Council Member Lindsey Stanley expressed concerns regarding the development and implementation of a Policy and Procedures Manual for the Town of Vinton. Mayor Bonnie Jo Bahnsen advised the Council that the Policy and Procedures Manual is currently being developed and that progress is being made toward its completion. Mayor Bahnsen further stated that she has been in communication with the Town of Vinton Magistrate regarding matters related to the development of the Policy and Procedures Manual.
*Nicole Miller with CPPJ wanted to address the Council and let them know about 100 families showed up here for information that was given to them on housing and transportation and much more information was handed out for assistance. It was a great turnout, and thanks for having them.
*Southland Construction will be working on I -10 driving Piland’s needing a permit due to the town of Vinton’s Noise Ordinance 8.5-130 6pm -7pm will be issued a permit for a noise ordinance for thirty days. Workers will start working this weekend.
*Celeigh Fontenot addressed the Council regarding the closure of Bayou Boom Fireworks and requested clarification on the requirements necessary to allow the business to resume operations, noting that all required permits have been issued.
Town Attorney Jared Watson advised that the owners request a variance to allow the business to remain open until the ordinance could be corrected.
A motion was made by Council Member Stanley and seconded by Council Member Starring to grant a variance for Bayou Boom Fireworks, located at 908 Center Street, to allow the business to continue operating pending correction of the ordinance.
The motion carried unanimously.
*Phillip Abshire CPA- arrived late at the meeting and a motion was made by council member Stanley and seconded by Conner to add him to the agenda to speak about the budget that will be adopted on September 30,2026.
8. Terry Vice, Director of Public Works, presented the Public Works Report.
9. Chief Chris Vice was not present at the meeting but had his reports for the council.
10. Chief Scott Spell presented the Police Department report and addressed the Council regarding the department’s staffing needs. Chief Spell requested approval to hire two additional police officers. After discussion and consideration, a motion was made by council member Starring and seconded by Council Member Stanley to hire Mr. Ford as a police officer with the Vinton Police Department. The motion carried.
A second motion was made by Council Member Starring and seconded by Council Member Stanley to hire Garret Dosir as a police officer with the Vinton Police Department. The motion carried.
11. Jared Watson, Town Attorney presented the Attorney Report and updates.
12. Adjournment:
A motion to adjourn was made by Council Member Starring and seconded by Council Member Conner. The motion carried, and the meeting was adjourned
/s/BONNIE JO BAHNSEN,
Mayor
/s/BRANDI PATIN,
Town of Vinton Clerk
Run Date: Sept. 23, 2026 (S-6)
Cost of Notice: $96.00
