Washington Parish Council
Minutes
May 26, 2010
Regular Meeting- 6:00 PM
Washington Parish Courthouse
Council Chambers
Item No. 1 – Cal to Order – Chairman Posey called the meeting to order.
Item No. 2 – Invocation – Councilman Thomas gave the invocation.
Item No. 3 – Pledge of Allegiance – Councilman Thomas announced he would like everyone to remember our troops that have served in the military in recognition of Memorial Day. He called for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item No. 4 – Roll Call – Clerk Sharon Lyons called the roll. Present were Ken 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 Route to approve the minutes of May 10, 2010 meeting. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item No. 6 – Adoption of the Financial Report – Councilman Wheat offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Route to adopt the financial report. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item No. 7 – Resolution No.10-472 – A resolution authorizing and approving the issuance and delivery of not to exceed one million two hundred five thousand dollars ($1,205,000) of water revenue bonds, including, any bond anticipation notes issued as interim financing of the Bogue Lusa Waterworks District, Parish of Washington, State of Louisiana.
Jim Ryan, Financial Advisor, gave an overview of the resolution stating this resolution will authorize the Bog Lusa Waterworks to borrow $1,205,000 through the USDA. The waterworks received a Community Development Block Grant about three years ago to drill a well in that area. They did a test well and it was clear, but when they drilled the well they found magnesium in the water. The waterworks will purchase and install filters with the money obtained from the loan. The Bogue Lusa Waterworks will have to acquire the approval of the Washington Parish Council and Louisiana State Bond Commission to complete the process.
Councilman Thomas asks if this would correct the problem.
Mr. Ryan replied, “Yes sir. This will correct the problem.”
Councilman Thomas offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Johnson to adopt Resolution No.10-472.
Councilman Fussell stated, “I do have one question. If we continue to get these water wells drilled in the parish and we know we have a high magnesium concentration in one well, typically we will have it in another well, then why don’t we pursue getting this money up front to rectify this problem? It is kind of like-------we had hind sight on the first well, but now we drilled another well that has high magnesium, now we have to come back do another process to get more money.”
Mr. Ryan explained they did do a test well and it came back okay. The test showed where you did not need the filters by looking at the results from the test well.
Councilmen Nassauer explained, “Just a comment. A couple of years ago, Councilman Wheat and I did a lot of research on aquifers in the area. We were working on a project. There are several different aquifer levels. Some of them we know have high sulfur contents some have magnesium and some of them, supposedly, very clear and very clean, so it’s really a question of what aquifer they are hitting. So it is not something that is in all aquifers. They are required to do the test well. In this case the test well would have come back negative. It is a possibility they might have went a little dipper and got two different wells, then the test were appropriate. Since the test came back positive they went ahead and drilled the main well and discovered the problem then, but it is not a common problem across the parish and it is well worth the drill. You just have to discover per case bases.”
Chairman Posey called for further questions.
There were no further comments.
Chairman Posey called for a vote on Resolution No.10-472. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item No. 8 -Public Participation – Mr. Adren Raybourn resident of Glenn Guy Road located in the Mt. Hermon area addressed the council and spoke on behalf of the Mt. Hermon citizens who were grateful for the road improvements made in their area. He brought “Thank You’ cards addressed to the Parish President and Council with a positive message to every worker involved concerning the progress made on the roads in the Mt. Hermon area and throughout the Parish. President Thomas accepted his card on behalf of his staff and crews. Chairman Posey accepted the card given on behalf of the Council members. Those present in the Council Chambers expressed their agreement with a round of applause.
Chairman Posey stated, “Adren, I will accept this on behalf of the other Council members, because without all of us working together we wouldn’t have gotten that equipment. Also, on behalf of Leo and John and all those guys that got out there. I think the machine has convinced a lot of us that it works good, when we do the proper things. I think this Parish Council is trying to work together for the benefit of the people in the parish.”
Mrs. Gladys Moseley, representing Quad Area, thanked the Parish Government and Council for their new office located in the old health unit building in Franklinton. She said this location would help the residents on this side of the Parish.
Mr. Denny Fowler, representing the Washington Parish Recreation District No.1 Association, gave a positive overview of a recent meeting with our elected officials on the possibility of receiving funds to purchase land. He gave a status update on grant work contracted through Larry Kinlaw & Associates.
Item No. 9 – President Report – President Thomas thanked Mr. Raybourn on his presentation and reported to the Council that the Parish Government has been working hard. He commended all employees for their hard work in helping move this Parish forward. President Thomas stated, “The government is trying to do better each day and we are getting some things done. With the hard times we are having here and throughout the whole United States the people in the Parish are excited about what is being done.”
President Thomas recommended the appointment of Mr. Colston Martin to the Washington Parish Fire Protection District No.9; term expires December 31, 2012. He will replace Mr. Bruce Martin whose term expired December 2009.
Councilman Route offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Johnson to adopt the appointment of Mr. Colston Martin to the Washington Parish Fire Protection District No.9 Board to replace Mr. Bruce Martin. All in favor and the motion carried.
The President recommended the reappointment of Kathy Rebstock to the Washington Parish Recreation District No.1; term expires May 30, 2014
Councilman Fussell offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Route to approve the reappointment of Kathy Rebstock to the Washington Parish Recreation District No. 1 Board. All in favor and the motion carried.
The President recommended the reappointment of Mr. Albert Brumfield to Washington Parish Fire District No. 2; with his term ending December 12, 2013.
Councilman Wheat offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Johnson to adopt the reappointment of Mr. Albert Brumfield to the Washington Parish Fire District No. 2 Board. All in favor and the motion carried.
President Thomas recommended the reappointment of Mr. William Mysing to the Washington Parish Fire District No.2 Board of Directors; term ending December 31, 2012. These reappointments are late getting to us, because the board did not have a quorum and this should resolve that problem.
Councilman Route offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Fussell to approve the appointment of Mr. William Mysing to the Washington Parish Fire District No.2 Board. All in favor and the motion carried.
The President recommended the appointment of Mr. Robert Stafford to the Washington Parish Fire District No. 2 Board, replacing Mr. Jeff Waskom whose term expired. The new term will expire December 31, 2012.
Councilman Fussell offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Route to approve the appointment of Mr. Robert Stafford to the Washington Parish Fire District No.2. All in favor and the motion carried.
President Thomas asks for the approval of the resignation of Mr. Earl Reese from the Washington Parish Fire Protection District #7.
Councilman Fussell offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Route to adopt the resignation of Mr. Earl Reese from the Washington Parish Fire District #7 Board. All in favor and the motion carried.
President Thomas asks for the appointment of Mr. Ronald Manning to complete Mr. Reese’s term. His term will end on December 31, 2010.
Councilman Fussell offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Route to approve the appointment of Mr. Ronald Manning to the Washington Parish Fire District #7. All in favor and the motion carried.
Public Works Director, Leo Lucchesi ask the Council to approve Resolution No.10-473.
A resolution reinstating a road on the Washington Parish Inventory list known as Walker Road, Inventory List No.6-67, .50 miles (approx. 2600 feet long is off the North side of
LA Hwy 60 and generally runs in a north to south direction).
Councilman Fussell offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Route to open the agenda for the above item. All in favor and the motion carried.
Councilman Johnson offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Thomas to add Resolution No.10-473 to the agenda. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item No. 9A -Resolution No. 10-473 – A resolution reinstating a road on the Washington Parish Inventory List.
Councilman Fussell offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Route to adopt Resolution No.10-473. All in favor and the motion carried.
Mr. Lucchesi gave a report as follows:
2010 Roadway &
Bridges
The pre-cast panels are structurally sound and will be reused. A new 20’ section will be added to span – replace the failed soil embankment.
Tenants at
building of former Health Unit at corner of Bene Street and 11th
Avenue.
(985) 839-5635
District #2 – move to take place in 2 to 4 weeks – Contact John Miller at
(985) 839-3497
Quad Area, Washington Parish Housing Authority and the Veterans Service will be in new locations in 2-4 weeks.
Floodplain Study
South of Bogalusa:
Councilman Nassauer stated, “Leo, I have a question that you discussed some weeks back, but I still don’t understand it. I had a couple of folks out there tell me that also their insurance rates have gone up, because somebody, rather it’s federal government or the State has changed the flood levels requirements for insurance or something like that-------------- that instead of it being the 20 year flood, it is the 100 year flood or something like that. Do you know anything about that?”
Mr. Lucchesi replied, “We work with this everyday.”
Councilman Nassauer stated, “In this study we are tying to do, we are going to try to correct these maps, sort of speak?”
Mr. Lucchesi replied, “Eventually, we will do community determination for certain areas south of Bogalusa off of Highway 21.”
Councilman Nassauer replied, “Hypothetically, that may be able to get them back in better levels as far as insurance rates are concerned?”
Mr. Lucchesi answered, “That is correct. Some have already. We have received at least ten base flood elevations determination and some people now are working with their insurance companies to change their rate because of that.”
Councilman Nassauer asks, “Are you doing that per house bases or sort of regional area bases?”
Mr. Lucchesi stated, “Right now we are capable of doing both. Right now we are doing per house bases, per request. As the resident emails me or calls me I take their address and I tell them right away what base flood elevation they are in, if I have it in my data. If I cannot determine it, then I send it to the Corps of Engineers and lately we have a three to four week turn around for the Corps to get a BFE from them. Once I receive that BFE, based upon the elevation dated by the Corps, off of my maps, then that is it. The maps we have don’t have a hundred percent coverage for Base Flood Elevations. What I can give them I will or what the Corps will give them -----------once they find their BFE, then they have to build a foot above that BFE.”
Councilman Nassauer asks, “But if it is a pre-existing home?”
Mr. Lucchesi replied, “If it is a pre-existing home and they can show that they received a permit and if they were not in a flood zone previously---------if they were issued a permit previously, they can use that to be grandfathered in, and make that appeal to their insurance carrier and to the people establishing the maps.”
Councilman Nassauer stated, “They can contact your office and get more information on it.”
Mr. Lucchesi replied, “Yes, we can give them guidance on that.”
Councilman Wheat stated, “I have to commend Leo and what he is doing in this particular area. I fear that you guys, before it is over with are probably going to be getting some similar calls as in my area, so he is actually establishing the ground work right now to make your experience when it comes across your desk a little more delightful than mine has been. Just so you will know, Leo is gathering a lot of information putting it in places that FEMA doesn’t have in place right now and that is what is causing the problem. These contours lines are based upon the Base Flood Elevations that don’t exist. If you have Base Flood Elevations that are, for example, three thousand or four thousand feet apart, then your contour lines are going be very inaccurate, but if your Base Flood Elevations come together closer and closer and closer and that is what Leo has been logging and creating all this multipliable bench marks. Well, then your contour lines will become more accurate. The contour lines are what create the zones. So it is something we will probably have to do, someway or somehow, with the entire parish. If we start getting calls we will have somebody right now that can talk that language and knows the process. The problem we were not prepared for two years ago; we are now. Again I have to thank you, Leo, for what you are doing.”
Councilman Wheat continued by giving a summary concerning the Community Service Point System. This will be for the entire Parish in the future. The Insurance Service Organization will help the parish government establish it. He said it is similar to the Fire Districts that have point systems which help lower the insurance rating and it goes through a series of stages. The more you do, obviously, the more points you get and better discounts you get on insurance. The same idea is achievable with this Community Service System through the flood zone plan. If accomplished, then residents throughout the Parish could receive discounts on their insurance.
President Thomas stated he was working with Senator Vitter and there is the possibility the parish government could acquire financial help, because of the burden it is putting on the timeframe. He assured people if they needed help concerning this matter contact the parish government office.
Councilman Wheat stated there are parishes out there that are actually not doing what Washington Parish is doing for our constituents. They are leaving it up to the people to deal with this problem. Actually our parish is ahead concerning this project. The government staff has already saved some residents money and a significant impact of saving could be made with the completion of this project.
Financial Director Donna Alonzo gave a report concerning the changes made in the financial department. Report as follows:
Chairman Posey asks, “In general, can somebody comment about the roads? I know we have a program on the flood roads, but how close are we to finishing the flood roads and what I call Phase II, are some more roads. Have we started working on some of those?”
Transportation Director John Taylor gave report as follows:
Item No. 10 – Council Discussion – Councilman Wheat stated he felt encouragement was contagious. Mr. Rayburn’s words have inspired the council and have continued with the reports given by the staff. He stated, “All I can say is this has been a good meeting and ‘make my day’.”
Councilman Fussell stated, “I would like express our appreciation and also the appreciation that we are trying to move forward with the Parish and get some stuff done. You are right Mr. Rayburn. You do hear the negative all the time and it is a ray of hope to hear a ‘Thank You’.”
Councilman Route joyously stated, “Thank you, Mr. Rayburn. Ms. Kay, please put Mr. Rayburn in the newspaper, so people will know somebody came to the meeting with something positive.”
Councilman Johnson stated, “I just want to say thanks to everyone involved, the council and the administrative side, for all the hard work that they are doing for the betterment of this parish. I always felt on the outside looking in that the Parish Government, in a sense, kind of benefited a few and not the many. I see that we are moving forward. We are progressing and seeing that this government is for everyone in this parish. I commend the guys that I work with and that work hard on different issues for the betterment of the parish as a whole. I just want to thank you guys and I enjoy working with all of you every day and the administration side, too.”
Councilman Nassauer stated, “Ms. Moseley, I want to ask you a question and I appreciate you being here tonight. Is Quad Area, since your about to open up the office here, are you still actively taking applications for the weatherization program?”
Ms. Moseley replied, “Yes, we are.”
Councilman Nassauer stated, “A lot of people, you know, could probably take advantage of that. Quad Area is the largest non-profit organization in the State of Louisiana that seeks public funding for community service activities. They operate several Head Start Programs. They have a school for Special Needs in Hammond. They are working on a new Veterans Rehabilitation Center there, which will be opening soon. They also have nine parishes and Washington Parish is in that weatherization program and you can go into the Quad Area office here or the one in Bogalusa and put in an application. If you meet certain financial requirements, it is not poverty level thing; a lot of folks around her can take advantage of this. At no charge, they will come out and access your house and they will weatherize your house for you. They will weatherize your trailer. They will even weatherize a piece of rental property, if you meet their requirements and you’re living in it. They learned a long time ago if people can’t pay their electric bill you can pay a couple of their electric bills, but if you can go out and weatherize their house, reduce their cost, that is something that will last many, many years and also give them a healthier environment. I recommend that folks call Quad Area or go in and look at the application and consider it. It is not uncommon for them to come out, no cost to the homeowner, if you meet the requirements, and they will spend six to eight thousand dollars weatherizing your house doing the spray foam, maybe checking your doors and windows. They go in there and put an instrument on your house to test how much air is coming in and out, and before and after they have to meet certain requirements and standards to give your home better insulation. A lot of people are getting this done with no charge to them, if they go into the Quad Area office, and see if they meet the requirements. I am glad you’re up here. I know you have been working hard with the Bogalusa end and I am glad you are going to be on this end of the parish. I hope folks are made aware of the good things you are doing over there and take advantage of it.”
Councilman Thomas stated, “Only thing I would like to mention is recognition of Memorial Day coming up and I would not want this meeting to pass without us not recognizing those who not only fought in the recent wars, but those in the past. I appreciate everybody’s service that is active and those that have already served. I know these counts for the Parish President and the folks who participate. I thank you for your service.”
Item No. 10-A – Executive Session –under (LA.R.S.) 42:6.1A (2) concerning the matter of prospective litigation.
Councilman Fussell offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Route to enter into executive session. All in favor and the motion carried.
After executive session was closed, Chairman Posey declared the Council meeting back in regular session. Chairman Posey reported that during the executive session an overview was given by legal counsel and no action was taken at this time.
Item No. 11 – Adjourn – having no further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned on motion by Councilman Fussell, seconded by Councilman Johnson. 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