The St. Martinville City Council once again failed to appoint a new planning and zoning director at Monday’s meeting after a recommendation to hire Otis Chatman was voted down by the council.

The council had postponed Chatman’s hiring last month after some council members decided to solicit applications from any interested in the position. Mayor Jason Willis said eight applicants had submitted their resumes for the position, and read a recommendation from Calder “Pop” Hebert to appoint Chatman who was the only one who had experience in the position.

“I’m recommending him, we always want to promote from within and he’s a good guy,” Willis said.

However, when the vote was called for it failed with a 2-3 vote. Several members of the council said they would like to have an executive session to discuss Chatman’s candidacy for the position.

“A couple of these applicants looked like there wouldn’t be a problem,” Councilwoman Carol Frederick said. “The rest of your comments could be addressed in an executive session.”

Willis said he would have preferred an executive session happen during the meeting, which was impossible due to prior notice needing to occur for the employee.

The problem is compounded, the mayor said, because Hebert has been a coordinator for the Planning and Zoning Department for six months and has given notice he will be retiring to focus on his private business.

“I don’t expect him to keep doing the job of coordinator for the next six months,” Willis said. “When people start to complain about the grass not being cut and the permits not being issued, I don’t understand who’s supposed to do it.”

In other business, the council heard an update from consulting group La Louisianne consulting group on their efforts to create a Master Plan for St. Martinville.

In a letter to the council, the group said it was continuing to facilitate conversations between the city and University of Louisiana at Lafayette for the Master Plan, and is advertising upcoming town hall meetings that will allow the public to give their input on the Master Plan.

A grant was also being applied for that will cover expenses associated with the Master Plan.