Washington Parish Council
Regular Meeting – 6:00 PM
Washington Parish Courthouse
Council Chambers
February 8, 2010
Item No. 1 – Call to Order – Chairman Posey called the meeting to order.
Item No. 2 – Invocation – Councilman Thomas gave the invocation.
Item No. 3 – Pledge of Allegiance – Chairman Posey called for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item No. 4 – Roll Call – Clerk Sharon Lyons called the roll. Present were Kenneth Wheat, Michael Fussell, Charles Nassauer, Andre’ Johnson, Randy Thomas, Greg Route and Aubrey Posey.
Item No. 5 – Approval of Minutes – Councilman Route offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Johnson to approve the minutes of the January 25, 2010 meeting. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item No. 6 –
Adoption of the Finance Report – Councilman Wheat offered a motion,
seconded by Councilman Johnson to adopt the Finance Report. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item No. 7 –Introduction of Ordinance No. 10-513 – An Ordinance adopting Mines and Mining Operations (Introduced by Randy Thomas)
Item No. 8 – Introduction of Ordinance No. 10-514 – An Ordinance to adopt the budget adjustment No.2 to the 2009 Annual Operating Budget for the Washington Parish Government.(Introduced by Ken Wheat)
Item No. 9 – Introduction of Ordinance No. 10-515 – An Ordinance to amend the adoption of the 2010 Annual Operating Budget and Capital Outlay Budget for the Washington Parish Government (Introduced by Ken Wheat)
Item No. 10 – Resolution No. 10-454 – Allocating funds appropriated by the Louisiana Legislature for the Washington Parish Infrastructure and Park Fund under LA R.S. 47:332.8C.
Councilman Thomas offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Nassauer to adopt Resolution No. 10-454. All in favor and the motion carried. (Resolution 10-454 can be seen in its entirety at the Office of the Clerk to the Council at 909 Pearl Street, Franklinton, Louisiana)
Item No. 11 – Public Participation – There were no comments during public participation.
Councilman Thomas offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Johnson to close public participation. All in favor and motion carried.
Item No.12 – President’s Report - President Thomas presented a proclamation declaring the month of February 2010 College and Career Month as the Louisiana Technical Institute in Washington Parish. The proclamation was presented to Mr. Dan Hardy, College and Career Coordinator from the Louisiana Technical Institute.
Chairman Posey expressed his gratitude to Mr. Hardy and the Louisiana Technical Institute for their hard work and accomplishments the technical school has brought to the Parish.
Due to the recent death of Ms. Carole McMillian, President Thomas recommended the appointment of Mr. Charles “Chuck” Williams to the Washington Parish Fire District #5 Board of Directors.
Councilman Thomas offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Route to approve the appointment of Mr. Charles “Chuck” Williams to the Washington Parish Fire District #5 Board of Directors.
President Thomas asks for the names for the new appointments to the Washington Parish Planning Commission for those of the Councilman who had received resignations. Meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of each month and the appointments need to be in place by March 2010 meeting.
President Thomas announced the Washington Parish Government offices will be closed on Monday, February 15th, for President’s Day and Tuesday, February 16 for Mardi Gras Holiday.
President Thomas told the Council due to the severe bad weather the roads have suffered greatly. The crews are continuously making repairs to these roads. He asks all citizens to be patient with the repairs as they continue throughout the next couple of months. The government is trying to stay on top of this.
Item No. 13 – Council Discussion – Councilman Thomas reminded everyone to shop at home, because the Parish needs the sales tax.
Councilman Wheat congratulated the Saints. He expressed his appreciation to the Public Works Department and the crews for all their hard work on the roads.
Councilman Fussell expressed his gratitude to the Honorable Johnny Crain, Clerk of Court, for attending the Parish Council meeting and stated the Parish government and Council would be working close with him in the future.
Councilman Route congratulated the Saints on their victory. He reiterated what Councilman Thomas had said about shopping at home. He entered a work report for Catherine Piggott Road.
Chairman Posey stated, “Along with what Mr. Richard said about the road crews. I know they are working. I hope as they repair some of these roads for overlay the public will understand--------- sometimes you have to go through these trials to get a better road. I just want to encourage the crews to keep working.
President Thomas reported to the council he had met with our elected State Officials and Dr. Barlow, Core of Engineers. Our Officials asked Dr. Barlow to give a monthly update on Highway 3241. Also, he recognized Honorable Johnny Crain, Clerk of Court, presents at the meeting and reiterated what Councilman Fussell stated earlier concerning working close with his department in the future.
Item No.14 – Executive Session –under LA R. S. 42:6.1A (2) concerning the matter of Deer Enterprises L.L. C. vs. Parish Council of Washington Parish, “099580-1, 22nd Judicial District Court, Washington Parish, Louisiana
Chairman Posey declared at this time the Council would enter into executive session.
After executive session was closed, Chairman Posey declared the Council meeting back in regular session.
Councilman Fussell offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Route to direct Attorney Wayne Kuhn, Legal Counsel, to file an appeal concerning the matter of Deer Enterprises L.L.C. vs. Parish Council of Washington Parish. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item No. 15 – Adjourn – Having no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned on motion by Councilman Fussell, seconded by Councilman Route. All in favor and the motion carried.
___SIGNATURE______________ _SIGNATURE___________
Sharon Lyons, Clerk to the Council Aubrey L. Posey, Chairman
Washington Parish Washington Parish Council