Washington Parish Council
Minutes
Regular Meeting – 6:00 PM
Washington Parish Courthouse
Council Chambers
April 28, 2010
Item No. 1 – Call to Order – Chairman Posey called the meeting to order.
Item No. 2 – Invocation – Chairman Posey gave the invocation.
Item No. 3 – Pledge of Allegiance – Councilman Fussell 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 Fussell offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Johnson to approve the minutes of the April 12, 2010 meeting. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item No. 6 – Adoption of the Financial Report – Chairman Posey announced there was no financial report.
Item No. 7 – Public Hearing on Ordinance No.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)
There were no comments during public participation.
Councilman Thomas offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Johnson to close public participation. All in favor and the motion carried.
Councilman Fussell offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Johnson to adopt Ordinance No. 10-519. A roll call vote resulted as follows:
YEAS: (7) Johnson, Thomas, Route, Posey, Wheat, Fussell and Nassauer
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (0)
ABSTAINED: (0)
Item No. 8 – Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 10-521 – An ordinance to extend contract with Larry Kinlaw & Associates
Johnny Daniels gave an overview of Mr. Kinlaw’s and the Recreational District’s accomplishments and goals. They are as follows:
Councilman Nassauer asks if anyone had the total sum that had been paid to Mr. Kinlaw, and if an administrative payment was allotted for out of the grants that had been applied for under the recreational department.
Jim Ryan, Financial Advisor, stated those types of grants, in most cases, they do not allow for administrative payment.
There were not further comments.
Councilman Fussell offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Route to close the public hearing. All in favor and the motion carried.
Councilman Thomas offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Route to adopt Ordinance 10-521. A roll call vote resulted as follows:
YEAS: (7) Johnson, Thomas, Route, Posey, Wheat, Fussell and Nassauer
NAYS: (0)
ABSTAINED: (0)
ABSENT: (0)
Item No. 9 – Resolution No.10-462 – A Resolution reinstating a road on the Washington Parish Inventory List – Mobley Road-Inventory List No.08-128.
Councilman Thomas offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Route to adopt Resolution 10-462.
Chairman Posey called for discussion and there were no comments.
Chairman Posey called for a vote on Resolution No.10-462. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item No. 10 – Resolution No.10-463 – A Resolution requesting assistance from Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries to perform a sampling study of the estuary within the Pearl River Canal Northern Pool.
Councilman Wheat offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Nassauer to adopt Resolution 10-463.
Chairman Posey called for discussion.
Councilman Wheat gave an update on the situation with the Pearl River Canal and the problems that have occurred with spawning of native fish habitat in the Northern Pool of the Pearl River Canal. The resolution request a study to determine what impact the drastic water level conditions may have caused and if estuary restoration may be necessary. Also, the study is needed because the estuaries of the Pearl River Canal pools provide a source of recreation, education environment and economic qualities of life to a large multi-parish region, including Washington Parish. The resolution is to be sent to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Wildlife & Fisheries to enter into a dialogue with them on this matter.
There were no further comments.
Chairman Posey called for a vote on Resolution No.10-463. All in favor and the motion carried
Item No. 11 – Resolution No.10-464 – A Resolution approving the holding of an election in Washington Parish Fire Protection District No. 6, State of Louisiana, on Saturday October 2, 2010, to authorize the levy of a special tax therein.
Chairman Posey stated, “Resolution No.10-464 will be pulled from the agenda. It will be reinstated at the appropriate time.”
Councilman Wheat stated the Council did not have a problem with the resolution, but it is being pulled due to needing to follow administrative procedure policy.
Item No. 12 – Resolution No. 10-465 – A Resolution to Support Highway 10 Project.
Councilman Thomas offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Fussell to adopt Resolution No.10-465.
Chairman Posey called for discussion.
Councilman Nassauer stated he realized there are problems with passing on the road and there are short term precautions that are needed at this time, but as far as long term precautions he would like to see in the future the possibility of having some passing lanes in this section of Highway 10. He asks Public Works Director Leo Lucchesi if he would follow up with a resolution stating this.
Councilman Johnson stated he had seen other highways where the passing lanes have been constructed and this helps with people trying to pass logging and other big trucks. Also, there is a procedure where you can submit to The Louisiana Public Safety Division the data of the total of accidents and asks them do a study and let them give the parish some recommendations on the situation.
Councilman Route stated, “I drive that road everyday and all these recommendations are needed and good, but people need to slow down and drive defensively.”
Councilman Thomas read the written resolution. He gave the statistics of the large amount of tickets that have been given in the past weeks for speeding in that area. He stated, “The log trucks are probably the exception and not the rule. Speed kills and the proof are in the statistics here. I appreciate the council adopting this resolution.”
There were no further comments.
Chairman Posey called for a vote Resolution No.10-465. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item No. 13- Resolution No.10-466 – A resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in the Parish of Washington, State of Louisiana (“The Parish”), to authorize the renewal of the 10-Year, 10 Mill property tax for the parish dedicated solely for constructing, improving, maintaining and resurfacing parish roads and bridges, including incidental drainage and the acquisition of equipment therefore, with the proceeds of the tax to be subject to being funded into certificates of indebtedness; and further making application to the state bond commission for consent and authorization to hold the aforesaid election; and further providing for other matters in connection therewith.
Councilman Fussell offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Route to adopt Resolution No.10-466.
Chairman Posey called for discussion.
Jim Ryan commented on the resolution explaining this tax is crucial for Parish government’s finances for repaying of the debt service of the road fund. This tax generates about $700,000 a year. If this millage is not renewed, then the debt will have to be paid out of the general fund.
President Thomas stated, “This is very important due to the indebtedness. Also, this will help us plan for the roads and what we can do and not do. We will be left in jeopardy if we do not find out. This is very, very important for this parish.”
Councilman Wheat stated, “In a nut shell this tax is for the debt of roads, but used solely for roads. Is that right?”
Jim Ryan clarified and explained by the state law the parish cannot use it for anything else, because it is a dedicated fund. The auditor will look at that each year and make sure the proceeds are use correctly for roads.”
Councilman Posey stated, “I think the public is going to see when we have a road report, later, some of the benefits of this tax, but to keep going we will need the support of the public.”
Councilman Johnson stated, “I just want to say this is something we need to make our road program move forward not only to construct new roads, but to maintain the roads we have in place at this time.”
Councilman Fussell told the public the parish has made a major purchase of equipment it is impetrative that we have this new equipment to construct the roads in house. This will save the parish money on construction. The parish needs this to move forward with the road program.
Councilman Nassauer stated, “Also, I want to applaud the road crew and Mr. Lucchesi, because we were given out a projected construction of new roads. So the next year an average estimated cost per mile, this was with us doing the roads ourselves, it’s about $25,000 a mile. It sounds like a lot of money, but Ken, I seem to remember when we contracted these out we were spending a $100,000 a mile -------$125,000 a mile for some of these roads, when we last contracted them out. So, because of the good work of Leo and our administration we are squeezing every inch of road out of every dollar that we have and I applaud you guys for that. With this new equipment quality equally convinced me, also.”
There were no further comments.
Chairman Posey called for a vote on Resolution No.10-466. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item No. 14 – Resolution No.10-467 – A Resolution of Support to Fund the LSU AgCenter at the July 1, 2008 Level.
Councilman Nassauer offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Route to adopt Resolution No. 10-467.
Chairman Posey called for discussion and there were no comments.
Chairman Posey called for a vote on Resolution No.10-467. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item No. 15 – Resolution No.10-468 – A Resolution for The National Day Of Prayer on May 6, 2010.
Councilman Johnson offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Fussell, to adopt Resolution No.10-468.
Chairman Posey called for discussion.
Councilman Wheat stated, “We start our meetings with prayer, so I think this resolution is worthy of being read.” The resolution was read.
There were no further comments.
Chairman Posey called for a vote on Resolution No.10-468. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item No. 16 – LSU AgCenter – County Agent Henry Harrison – Mr. Henry Harrison thanked the council and President Thomas for their support of Resolution No.10-467, especially considering the financial strain that the departments are under at this time.
Item No. 17 – Public Participation – There were no comments during public participation.
Councilman Fussell offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Johnson to close public participation. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item No. 18 – President’s Report – President Thomas recommended the reappointment of Mr. James T. Thomas to the Riverside Medical Center/Washington Parish Hospital Services District #1 Board for a six year term.
Councilman Thomas offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Fussell to reappoint Mr. James T. Thomas to the Riverside Medical Center Board. All in favor and the motion carried.
President Thomas announced the Day 0f Prayer program will be held in front of the Washington Parish Courthouse at 12:00 noon on May 6, 2010.
Mr. Leo Lucchesi gave a report as follows:
2010 Roadways
Ø Roads Completed
v Lake Choctaw, Byrd, Henry Kennedy, Rogers, Jimi Thomas, Jobi Magee, Pete Seals, Perry Erwin, Patterson and JW Rile
Ø Roads To Be Completed Tomorrow
v Holland Brook
2010 Permit Department
Dollar Road Bridge@ Pushepettapa Creek
President Thomas reported and reiterated what Councilman Wheat had stated concerning the Pearl River Canal. He stated, “The staff has been dealing with this and talking to the US Corps of Engineers trying to get a permit, because we have someone who will dreg part of this free of charge, but we need a permit. We are working hard on this.”
Item No. 19- Council Discussion – Councilman Johnson reiterated what he had stated earlier about the renewal of the tax for roads. He stated, “I hope the people of the Parish will put their faith and trust in us to handle this money wisely.”
Councilman Nassauer announced there will be a Golf tournament held at the Gemstone Plantation on Thursday, May 10, 2010 and the proceeds will go to The Children’s Hospital.
Councilman Thomas asks the public to take their time and leave early when driving Highway 10 to Bogalusa. Driving is a big responsibility, so drive safe.
Councilman Fussell stated, “I would like to say few words about the renewal millage. I think it is very important for the parish to try to move forward for keeping the roads maintained and improving. We saw a video of the new machinery and it’s important that we get this passed if we are to continue with the road program.”
Councilman Route stated, “I want to commend Recreation District #1 Board of Directors. It seems to me they are doing a real hard job. They are working hard to try to bring recreation to District #1 and I want to encourage the other councilmen here to go ahead and appoint your board members for District #2 and District #3, so they can get on board, because we need recreation in this parish. These young people need something to do and I commend District #1 for doing what they are doing. I want to commend Mr. Kinlaw for working with them and trying to get those dollars. I hope he can get many more for them, but the State Park is still interviewing. I know some people that have interviewed out there and they are doing something to the road, because an interviewee was telling me they almost got bogged down trying to get back there. A matter of fact, they had to send her out through another road, because they are working on those roads out there, so it’s just a mater of time before our park will be ready to go.”
Chairman Posey stated he had received a thank you note for a road under construction that had been completed and this show a reflection of good work for the government staff. I think as we work on these roads and get some of these roads blacktopped I think the voters will see we are accomplishing with the road program.
Item No. 20 – Adjourn – No further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned on motion by Councilman Thomas, seconded by Councilman Fussell. 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)
____________________________ ________________________
Sharon Lyons, Clerk to the Council Aubrey Posey,
Chairman
Washington Parish Washington
Parish Council