Council Minutes 20050606

Washington Parish Council

Regular Meeting – 6:00 pm

June 6, 2005

Minutes

Item No. 1- Call to Order – Chairman Darwin Sharp called the meeting to order.

Item No. 2 – Invocation – Councilman Clinton Miley gave the invocation.

Item No. 3 – Roll Call – Administrative Assistant Sandra Miller called the roll. Present were Kenneth Wheat, Clinton Miley, Charles Nassauer, Rodney Brown, Relton Sumrall, Marvin Thomas and Darwin Sharp. None were absent.

Item No. 4 – Approval of the Minutes – Councilman Miley offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Brown to approve the minutes of the May 23, 2005 meeting. All in favor, the motion carried.

Item No. 5 – Adoption of the Financial report – Councilman Miley made a motion, seconded by Councilman Wheat that the financial report be adopted as presented. All in favor, the motion carried.

Item No. 6 – Introduction of an Ordinance – Council Chairman Sharp introduced an ordinance to levy taxes for the 2005 tax roll on all property subject to taxation in Washington Parish, with a public hearing scheduled for July 11, 2005.

Item No. 7 – Resolution # 05-335 - Councilman Brown made a motion, seconded by Councilman Miley to adopt resolution authorizing Leo Lucchesi to certify that funds under the Parish Transportation Act were expended in 2004 in a manner as established by law and designating personnel to sign the LA Compliance Questionnaire for the audit period of 2004 stating that we are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. All in favor, the motion carried.

Item No. 8 – Resolution # 05-336 – Councilman Wheat made a motion, with a second by Councilman Nassauer to adopt resolution authorizing the Parish President to enter into an agreement with special counsel to enforce the security interest of the Revolving Loan Fund. All in favor, the motion carried.

Item No. 9 – Public Participation –

Jalon Pittman Beech addressed the council – she described the assets and natural beauty of each part of the parish including the beautiful Bogue Lusa Creek – Because of the availability of potable water she does not see a need for a reservoir. In addition, she stated she had spoken with Representative Harold Ritchie and it was of his opinion the economic development the reservoir would bring to the parish would be the construction of beautiful homes around the lake. She stated she feels it is disrespectful to both the living and dead to construct a reservoir over the Oak Grove community. She said this act is not acceptable to her and others and asked the parish council to withdraw it’s support of the reservoir and to give their support to saving the Oak Grove community.

Jimmy “Jim” Stokes addressed the council explaining he also is opposed to the taking of land and homes for a reservoir. On May 24th he met with the Reservoir Commission as a public participant and voiced his opposition. He understands there is a million and one half dollars to be made available to the reservoir commission during the fiscal year 2005-2006 and to be funneled through the Washington Parish Council. He presented to the council a petition with signatures opposing a reservoir that takes the land and homes from people. He further explained that Mike Thompson, Consultant to the Reservoir Commission, said at Poverty Point the cemeteries were covered by the water deep enough that they couldn’t get to the graves and the tombstones were raised. Mr. Stokes explained this is very unspiritual and would not be acceptable.

Item # 10 – Parish President’s Report – Parish President M. E. “Toye” Taylor reported to the council that work is still being done on audit in preparation to get it to the legislative auditor by July 1st deadline. He reported the projection for the road program is still on time. We are still anticipating going out on bid with June 15th as the first advertisement for the next portion of the road program. We are still progressing with our drainage work and culvert installation with 68 % completed, all done in house. The drainage crew is making good progress. They have re-dug 34,000 feet or 6.46 miles of drainage ditch, installed 480 feet of culverts in this program and hauled off about 3700 hundred cubic yards of trench material. They used about 420 cubic yards of clay and clay gravel to re-build some road beds and raised grades on about 2500 feet of roads and regarded and raised grade of 24,000 feet of shoulders. Everything is still on schedule at the landfill and we are planning to go out for bids on our new cell. Construction is anticipated to begin somewhere around September 1st.

Item # 11 – Council Discussion –

Councilman Brown asked about the status of Varnado Recreation Center walking trail and grant. President Taylor and Leo Lucchesi explained the plans have been prepared-funds are available. The parish will be doing in-kind work as the match. This will allow the entire $26,000. to be used toward the asphalt for the track, ultimately, being able to do the track all around the center. Several meetings have been held. In addition, President Taylor shared that the legislative delegation will soon be announcing the award of four grants.

Councilman Nassauer questioned the copy of the letter received from the Pearl River Commissioners reference a proposed solid waste management plan amendment. President Taylor explained he is forwarding the letter to our landfill manager, Troy Barber, for him to check on.

Councilman Miley made a motion, seconded by Councilman Brown, that the speed limit on Kat Kaw Road be reduced to 25 MPH. All in favor, the motion passed. He reported he will go to the M. J. Clayton Road the following day to check on the right of way.

Councilman Sharp asked that a Road Committee meeting be scheduled for 5:00 pm of the June 27th regular meeting.

Item # 12 – Adjournment – There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.

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Sandra Miller, Administrative Assistant

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Darwin Sharp, Chairman

Washington Parish Council