Washington Parish Council
Minutes
June 27, 2005
Item No. 1 – Call to Order - Councilman Darwin Sharp called the meeting to order.
Item No. 2 – Invocation – Councilman Rodney Brown gave the invocation.
Item No. 3 – Roll Call – Administrative Assistant Sandra Miller called the roll. Present was Councilmen Clinton Miley, Charles Nassauer, Rodney Brown, Relton Sumrall, Marvin Thomas, Darwin Sharp and Kenneth Wheat. No one was absent.
Item No. 4 – Approval of the minutes – Councilman Miley offered a motion, with a second by Councilman Brown, that the minutes of the June 6, 2005 meeting be approved. All in favor the motion passed.
Item No. 5 – Adoption of the financial report – Councilman Wheat offered a motion, with a second by Councilman Brown, that the financial report be adopted as presented and that Council Chairman Sharp be given authorization to sign certification as required by R.S. 48:758.
Item No 6 – Sam Fauntleroy – Bogue Chitto State Park update - Architect for the project presented to the Council the status of the state park project. Located approximately four miles south of Franklinton off of Highway 25, detailed plans were shown and a detailed explanation of each area was given. Eighteen hundred acres of property, formerly known as Fricke Cave, has many beautiful scenic overlooks, streams, as well as lakes formed from the years of mining gravel, will be converted to a park without over developing. They will only cut what timber is absolutely necessary. The master plan has been approved and the funding is available. There will be a park hub where all information about the park is available and where all trails will go off of. Rental cabins, RV sites, group camps, primitive camping and day use will be offered. Many of the sites will be located on the 32 acres of lakes, on the canoeable streams or the Bogue Chitto River. Bike, walking and equestrian trails will be offered and will be user friendly. Small, non gasoline engine boats can be brought in. In addition, there will be interpretive areas, an amphitheater, and children’s play areas with comfort stations. The Corp of Engineers is reviewing the plans at this time. The construction process has not been firmly made. Infrastructure may be done first and then buildings/sites. That decision will be made as time progresses, but the park should be completed within two years.
Councilman Sharp thanked Mr. Fauntleroy for the information and commented on the memories he has of exploring those woods as a young person. He stated it is a beautiful piece of property and we are fortunate to have this in Washington Parish.
Agenda Opened - Councilman Wheat made a motion to open the agenda. With a second by Councilman Miley the motion was approved.
Mr. Oscar Pierce was recognized and addressed the council. He thanked the council, especially Councilman Wheat and President Taylor, for the effort, cooperation and work they had done to keep the Pearl River Navigational Canal open. Because of the quick action of a group of concerned citizens, Senator Nevers, Representative Ritchie, Congressmen Vitter and Jindal, St. Tammany President, Mayor of Sun, Governor Blanco, staff of the congressional delegation and even the Corp of Engineers worked to come to this positive resolution. The goal of the Poole’s Bluff Conservation Association was to assist the Corp, and others, to seek a solution or resolution. With a cooperative effort by the Corp, State and Parish, each assuming different responsibilities, to keep the canal open will be possible. Mr. Pierce stated he thought what has transpired needs to be a model for other groups and issues.
Councilman Wheat thanked Mr. Pierce for the work and leadership he provided as he chaired the Poole’s Bluff Conservation Association.
President Taylor advised that a $600,000. request has been put in the Capital Outlay Bill – this money would address safety and cosmetic improvements. The Infrastructure is in sound condition but the Corp has done very little. President Taylor thanked the State and Federal legislators. He understands Dwight Landreneau, Secretary of the State Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will forward correspondence for us to follow up with the specifications of our responsibilities. President Taylor understands the sills and locks will be maintained by the Corp, the enforcement will be the State’s responsibility and the parish will do maintenance of grass, right of ways. It will be good cooperative effort.
Councilman Wheat also thanked the council for their cooperation and for bridging the gap between the east and west side of the parish and gave his thanks to President Taylor.
Introduction of Ordinances – Councilman Nassauer introduced
**An ordinance imposing a moratorium on the construction of new telecommunication towers in the glide paths of Washington Parish airport runways
**An ordinance imposing a moratorium on the development of new pain management clinics in rural Washington Parish.
A public hearing will be held on these at the regular council meeting of July 11, 2005.
Item No. 7 – Jeff Lewis – Mr. Lewis brought to the council’s attention the problem on Fricke Road – located south of Franklinton off of Highway 25 close to the property the state park will be built on. He gave the back ground on the purchase of he and his wife’s home, their health issues since that time and the problem with the many trucks using the road each day to haul gravel being mined off of the 429 acres belonging to Elsie Frickie Miller. The property is located at the end of the quarter mile road. Mrs. Miller cut every tree on her property and has started digging gravel – Industrial Aggregates has the property leased for 10 years. Mr. Lewis reported he had recently counted 140 trucks making a trip out of the road – counting the return trip would make a total of 280 trips in one day. Even though his house faces Highway 25, when the wind is blowing from the south they cannot go out in the yard because of the dust problem. He stated it has ruined their dream home and has caused numerous respiratory problems. Mr. Lewis stated the owner of Industrial Aggregates worked with him originally and the problem tried to be resolved with out success. No resolution has been worked out. Mr. Lewis says he has contacted different state agencies without much success. He continued that his hands are tied and he is broke. His suggestions and request from the council is: He says $724.30 is paid to the parish by the state for the gravel; $363.00 is paid annually by Mrs. Miller for property tax being a total of $1,000.00 annually. He stated that for $10,000.00 a three-shot road can be laid. This would certainly help with the dust and at $1,000.00 annually it would be paid for in ten years. He knows this type road would deteriorate fast with that amount of traffic and then with the patches it would create a way to keep the trucks to a slower speed. He said the council could lower the speed limit to 15 MPH or put speed bumps in the road. Discussion continued with Councilman Miley making a motion, with a second by Councilman Sumrall, to lower the speed limit to 15 MPH on Fricke Road and to send a letter to the Sheriff’s Office asking them to enforce this speed. The road committee would have to make the decision if any overlaying could be done.
Item No. 8 – Public Participation –
Mr. Fate Ferrell addressed the council concerning the condition of Highway 21 and inquiring as to why we would not have it repaired – he was told that this is a state highway and the Parish Government has nothing to do with the upkeep/repair of it. Mr. Ferrell stated that everyone is pushing water and thinks the parish should put that much effort into bringing jobs or economic development to this area. Other states recently have gotten motor vehicle plants. President Taylor stated he didn’t think Mr. Ferrell knew what worked. The parish officials do not influence matters in Baton Rouge, but that Mr. Ferrell needs a better understanding of Economic Development. President Taylor feels he is always being negative and never bringing anything positive. President Taylor invited him to come to one of the FAEDF or WEDF meetings. We have many volunteers in the parish working on economic development. By saying we are not doing anything you attack these people. We are always working on economic development and if Mr. Ferrell would schedule a meeting with President Taylor he was told he could be shown something tangible. In addition, President Taylor thanked the 40 – 50 volunteers that do try to bring jobs to our area.
Councilman Sharp commented that the State Park and Reservoir are things we need in our parish. Councilman Wheat said approximately thirty minutes away the main industry is building. We will soon be experiencing more growing pains and the parish will experience changes. More changes will need to be made. We are doing the best we can and a lot of things have been done.
Councilman Sharp continued that land use management issue is something that will be coming to our parish soon. Councilman Wheat stated one thing our parish does have that is a positive is natural resources.
Jalon Pittman Beech spoke to the council again asking for their support for the displacement of homes, people and cemeteries for a reservoir. She commented there will be ten lakes or so on the west side of the parish in the state park and she did not see any need for one in the middle of the parish. She stated, in her opinion, if the Reservoir Commission had chosen the Ben’s Creek area for the reservoir fewer people would have been displaced. She again asked the council for their support.
Kenneth Clayton addressed the council and stated he was from the Lee’s Creek area of the parish. He has been in favor and voted for various taxes – for the roads, school, fire etc, but he does not support the reservoir and forcing people to move from their homes and places in the Oak Grove Community.
Murphy Pittman spoke to the council and reminded them he too is against the reservoir, but he was asking the council for their support of a different nature tonight. He described the oldest log home in the parish located outside of Mile Branch. Belonging to the Moore family and owned by his father at this time. People come to sit on the porch and feel a connection. They feel drawn to this place. They hear and tell tall tales and big fish stories also – It is a place of rustic beauty and historical heritage. He shared the genealogical line. Because of the heritage and history of the place he asked the council to recognize this as a historical landmark. Councilman Sharp stated the parish does not have that authority but referred him to the Varnado Museum and they could provide information about getting the home on the National Historic Register.
Nr. Nevels Pittman addressed the council saying he is also known as “Pete” – his homestead will be one of the first ones gone if the reservoir is constructed. In his opinion he feels there will not be enough jobs generated from the reservoir project to merit taking of people’s property in the Oak Grove Community. Also, the construction of this reservoir will close many of the main road ways creating a problem and longer commute for those people traveling from Bogalusa to Franklinton and for those traveling from Pine/Thomas to Covington. Many of those people cut through on the Lee Road at this time. In addition, for some people to go down the road to church or the store may mean a longer way around. You helped the Poole’s Bluff area stay open. I am asking for your support against the reservoir.
Item No. 9 – Parish President’s Report
**President Taylor reported that to say we have not supported the people in the Oak Grove Community in their stand against the reservoir is not quite accurate. The Parish requested of our legislators some changes in the language of the law. In the session just recently ended, legislation was changed to take property for water only – not any other property – that would remain as free enterprise. The terms of the Reservoir Commissioners was also changed. We did express what we were unhappy with and our Senator and Representatives listened. If it comes to a local tax we are opposed to that.
**President Taylor reminded the council of the Community Development Grant and we need to begin to focus on that. Historically we have done roads and/or water. There is a group north of Franklinton that is interested in doing a community center; however this is not the time to proceed with that. It was verbally agreed to proceed with one on roads and one on water and to begin with both.
**President Taylor updated the council on the progress with the Public Works –stating that 53 % of roads scheduled to be reconstructed have been ditched on both sides and new cross drains have been installed. The overlay on Thomas Cryer and R. J. Riley road has been completed for a total of 3.03 miles. The first bid advertisement is Wednesday, June 29 for the next road rehabilitation project and bids should be opened in thirty days. We are continuing progress on the asphalt walking trail at the Varnado Recreation Center with the advertisement for that being done in July. The Choctaw Landfill permit renewal has been submitted to LA DEQ. The first ad has been published for the Construction of new cells 4 & 5 and we should open bids on or about July 15, 2005. Construction should begin around September 1, 2005 and we are looking for completion around March 1, 2006.
Item No. 10- Council discussion -
** Councilman Brown brought to the council’s attention the football camp to be held in Bogalusa by some Professional football players from our area. In connection with this will be a banquet “Dinner with our Legends” on Thursday night June 30, 2005 that will honor Bogalusa High School football personnel. Proceeds of the camp and dinner will be donated to the Bogalusa High School Athletic Department.
**Councilman Miley made a motion to add the Shorty Bush Road back to the inventory. With a second by Councilman Wheat and a unanimous vote, the motion passed.
** Councilman Nassauer reported that the Solid Waste Committee, along with City of Bogalusa, had met and heard the exit report from our auditor Richard Seal. There was no recommendation made and GASB 34 has been implemented. He also reported that the residents of the Timberlane subdivision have provided a landscaping sketch for the entrance to their subdivision. He would like Leo to review it, but it doesn’t appear it would interfere with not being able to see as they pull out of their road. A resident of the subdivision, also an attorney, will be fixing a hold harmless letter to be signed.
President Taylor reported that Mr. Seal is working, with Carole’s assistance, very hard to complete our audit and to have it submitted in a timely manner.
Item No. 11 – Adjourn – There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
_______________________________ _____________________________
Sandra Miller, Darwin Sharp, Council Chairman
Administrative Assistant