Washington Parish Council

Minutes

Regular Meeting – 6:00 PM

Washington Parish Courthouse

Council Chambers

April 12, 2010

 

Item No. 1 – Call to Order – Chairman Posey called the meeting to order.

 

Item No. 2 – Invocation – Councilman Fussell 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 Johnson offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Fussell to approve the minutes of the March 31, 2010 meeting.  All in favor and the motion carried.

 

Item No. 6 – Adoption of the Financial Report – Councilman Thomas offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Route to adopt the financial report.  (ATTACHMENT-A)

 

Item No. 7 – Introduction of Ordinance 10-519 – An ordinance authorizing the Parish President to sign all contracts, forms, applications and other necessary documents to apply for and administer a grant through the Louisiana Governor’s Assistance Program (LAGAP)

 

Item No. 8 – Introduction of Ordinance 10-520 – An Ordinance to Levy Taxes for the 2010 Tax Roll on all property subject to taxation in Washington Parish

 

Item No. 9 – Resolution No. 10-460 – A resolution authorizing signatures on Safety Deposit Box. 

 

Councilman Thomas offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Johnson to adopt Resolution No.10-460. All in favor and the motion carried.

 

Councilman Johnson offered a motion to open the agenda to introduce Ordinance 10-521. Councilman Route seconded the motion, on the justification it is needed for the extending of a contract with Larry Kinlaw & Associates. All in favor and the motion carried.

 

Councilman Thomas offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Route to add to the agenda the Introduction of Ordinance 10-521.  All in favor and the motion carried.

 

 

Item No. 9-A – Introduction of Ordinance No. 10-521- Ordinance to extend contract with Larry Kinlaw & Associates

 

Item No. 10 – Public Participation - There we no comments during public participation.

 

Councilman Route offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Johnson to close public participation.  All in favor and the motion carried.

 

Item No. 11 – President’s Report – President Thomas turned his time over to Public Works Director Leo Lucchesi. He gave an update report on the stimulus money received by the Parish.  Report as follows:

 

Bridges (completed)

 

Bridges (to be completed)

Dollar Road

 

Bridges (to be completed – bid on for May 20, 2010

 

Total

·        4.6 Million Dollars

 

Comments:

·        In addition Hwy. 436 was sealed by DOTD

·        Downtown Franklinton is going to receive money for some turn lanes.

·        The introduction of Ordinance 10-519- Repair of River Road Bridge

 

John Taylor gave report as follows:

 

6.1 miles of Blacktop Road completed (March-April 8, 2010)

 

President Thomas stated, “This is flood money roads. We are going to look at the best way to continue to stretch our funds as far as we can by looking at some contract service, using the new equipment and using our crews completing the work. The staff will not let up, because we are looking at continuing to get the roads ready.”

 

Item No. 12 – Council Discussion – Councilman Nassauer thanked the Council staff for following up on his request from last meeting about the 911 issue on Hansen road concerning the ambulance service. Councilman Fussell continued by giving a  report on the results of the joint Infrastructure and Road Committee meeting.  Councilman Fussell gave an overview of the research concerning the Hansen Road’s servitude and there were questions about if the servitude is still active.  Legal counsel is researching the situation to see if the Council has proper standing.

 

Councilman Thomas reiterated about the Census and the good turn out of representation of the Councilmen at the Sunflower in Angie, Walmart Store in Bogalusa and Jack Browns in Franklinton. Residents can still turn in their information. Census workers will start knocking on doors at the beginning of May.

 

Councilmen Wheat offered a motion to open the agenda for a resolution concerning reinstating a road to the Parish inventory list. It states in the resolution that T. Magee Road (C.W. Magee Road- off of C.A. Stewart Road) be re-accepted on the Parish Road Inventory List for maintenance. All in favor and the motion carried.

 

Councilman Fussell offered a motion to add Resolution No.10-461 to the agenda. Councilman Route seconded the motion.  All in favor and the motion carried.

 

Item 12-A – Resolution No. 10-461 - A Resolution Reinstating a Road on the Washington Parish Inventory List.

 

Councilman Wheat offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Fussell to adopt Resolution No.10-461.  All in favor and the motion carried.

 

Councilman Fussell discussed the Census and emphasized how important the Census count is for the Parish. He commended the Public Works and the Transportation Departments for the good road work in progress and the work that has been completed recently.

 

Councilman Route asks for a report on the tree cutting projects and dirt removal on Wilson Road.

 

Leo Lucchesi gave an update reporting the public works department could not handle many of these trees due to there size and height.  The Parish doesn’t have this type of equipment. The Parish has contracted this out and an update at the next meeting will be given as the contractor completes the tree projects. Also, the dirt project on Wilson Road would be expedited.

 

Chairman Posey announced that the new equipment has been received and ready to go.  The staff has been working hard and the Councilmen met all day Friday working in committees concerning roads, infrastructure and financial projects. The Council appreciates the public’s patience and the council and administration has the parish’s residents at heart when doing the best thing for the parish.

 

Councilman Fussell stated, “Have we got through the process of filing an

appeal on the alcohol issue?”

 

Attorney Kuhn stated, “The appeal has been lodge with the Louisiana Supreme Court and briefs are due less than 30 days. For anyone requiring information about it; the appeal puts everything on hold until a decision is made.  I am going to work on the council a statement trying to explain the situation. Also, we want the public to be able understand it.”

 

Item 13 – Adjourned – No further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned on motion by Councilman Thomas, seconded by Councilman Route.  All in favor and the motion carried.

 

(All Ordinances, Resolutions and Attachments in its entirety is available at the office of Clerk of the Council at 909 Pearl Street, Franklinton, Louisiana)

 

 

 

 

 

 

______SIGNATURE___________                                        ___SIGNATURE________

Sharon Lyons, Clerk to the Council                                        Aubrey Posey, Chairman

Washington Parish                                                                  Washington Parish Council

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Published: 05-12-10

Posted Website: 04-29-10