Washington Parish Council

Regular Meeting – 6:00 PM

Washington Parish Courthouse

Council Chambers

October 12, 2009

 

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

 

Item No. 2 – Invocation – Councilman Wheat gave the invocation.

 

Item No. 3 – Pledge of Allegiance – Chairman Nassauer 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 Route to approve the minutes of September 28, 2009 meeting.  All in favor and the motion carried.

 

Item No. 6 – Adoption of Finance Report – Councilman Posey offered a motion to adopt the financial report.  Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and the motion unanimously carried.

 

Item No. 7 – Introduction of Ordinance 09-502 - An ordinance to authorize the Parish President to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement with the State of Louisiana, Division of Administration, Office of Community Development-Disaster Recovery Unit for the Implementing Grant under the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program through the Parish Implemented Recovery Program

 

Item No. 8 – Introduction of Ordinance 09-503 - An ordinance to authorize the Parish President to sign all contacts, form, applications and other necessary documents to apply for and administer the grant, for the Bogue Lusa Water Works District through the Office of Community Development (CWEF) Program. In the amount of $100,000 for a term of three years

 

Item No. 9 – Introduction of Ordinance 09-504 - An ordinance authorizing the Parish President to sign all contracts, forms, applications and other necessary documents to apply for and administer the grant, for the Rural Franklinton Water Corp. through the Office of Community Development Program, in the amount of $75,000.00.

 

Item No. 10 – Introduction of Ordinance 09-505 - An ordinance to authorizing the Parish President, to sign all contracts, forms, applications, and other necessary documents to apply for and administer any funding to be used for the Isabel Swamp Road Project.

 

Item No. 11 – Public Participation – There were no comments during public participation.

 

Item No. 12 – President’s Report - President Thomas announced starting Tuesday, October 27, 2009 Mr. Troy Barber, Manager of the Washington Parish Landfill, will be speaking to the 5th graders throughout Washington Parish. He will be educating the students about our landfill and the importance of the keeping Washington Parish litter free. Also, the President reported on the open house of the Washington Parish Health Unit in Franklinton. He said it was a success and approximately 75 people attended the opening. President Thomas read a proclamation claiming October 2009 National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  The proclamation was presented at a ceremony held earlier at the Fair Grounds and balloons were released in memory of persons who were affected by domestic violence.

 

President Thomas asks Mr. Dempsey Parden, IT Director, to address the next issue concerning the pamphlet of “Keep Washington Parish Beautiful”.  Mr. Parden stated the Keep Washington Parish Beautiful Board is asking the Council to approve their program’s brochure before they go to press with it.

 

Councilman Thomas offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Route to approve the brochure presented by the Keep Washington Parish Beautiful Board. All in favor and the motion carried. (Brochure - Attachment A)

 

President Thomas stated, “We were fortunate today to go with some Councilmen and tour the Bogue Chitto State Park.  It is a sight to behold.  People have the opportunity to go out and look at it. They are going to be really excited about it. Also, the Dollar Road Bridge was scheduled to be ---------the bids were scheduled to be let in October and it has been moved up to February.  The good thing is it will be let in February.  It will not take long for the project to start after that.”

 

Item No. 13 – Councilman Discussion - Councilman Johnson ask about the animal shelter status. 

 

Leo Lucchesi, Public Works Director, stated, “What we are working on is a meeting to be scheduled for early November.  We are looking at a brochure that can be distributed throughout the parish to educate citizens on the animal shelter and what is needed to help not only to complete the project, but keep it operating in the future. We are

asking for donations and, hopefully, we will have some fund raisers in the near future.  Also, we are constantly researching to see what grants are available.   These are some of the options the staff is looking at.”

 

Councilman Thomas stated, “We did have a great day at the park. The conception of the  of the park was started when my daughter was 12 years old and now she is 26 and she has a three year old.  Through the tenacity and the endeavors of Dr. Jerry Thomas and then to carry the torch forward has been our Senator, Ben Nevers the park is coming to fruition.  It’s not only going to be a nice park; it is going to be an excellent park. Everything is done tastefully.  It is going to do Washington Parish proud and Louisiana proud.  A lot of camper spaces.  It has two or three Common Aries, where you can have anything from a wedding to Boy Scout’s meeting or family reunion.  I t is done very tastefully.  They have complete kitchens where you can just bring your food and the pots and pans will be there in place and do you’re cooking there. The State will have housekeeping for the lodges, which are two, three or four bedrooms.  The combination is on the outlook of the Smokey Mountains and you will now have to go no further than what you will see in this park. You will be impressed. I am so proud it is in Washington Parish and my respects to everyone who got it to this point.”  Councilman Thomas continued to point out there is a splash area for children and it is handicapped accessible.  Also, the admission is going to be reasonable for day visits and overnight visitors.

 

Councilman Fussell asks what was the opening date and Councilman Thomas stated the date has been move to a tentative date in April.

 

Chairman Nassauer said he thought that was based on the access road. The road has been put on the fast track for completion.

 

Councilman Wheat told the audience that Councilman Thomas chaired the commission to the park and he wanted to thank him personally for his hard work.

 

Council Posey offered a motion to set the speed limit on Glen Guy Road to 20MPH.  Councilman Johnson seconded the motion.  All in favor and the motion carried.

 

Councilman Thomas announced there was a specific civil service test that you would need to take if before citizens could apply for an opening for employment at the park and he encouraged people to apply.

 

Chairman Nassauer stated he had a letter concerning LSU Bogalusa Medical Center Foundation. The Foundation is hosting an evening dinner on November 7th to share with the community the work of the Foundation and celebrate the strength of LSU Bogalusa Medical Center. It will be there first Annual Event.  The event will be held at the Bogalusa Country Club. Tickets to the dinner are available for $50 per person; there will also be a silent auction and everyone is encouraged to attend.

 

Item 14 – Executive Session – under LA R.S. 42: 6.1 A(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

 

Councilman Posey offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Route to into Executive Session to discuss litigation.  All in favor and the motion carried.

 

After executive session was closed, Chairman Nassauer declared the Council meeting back in regular session.  Chairman Nassauer reported that during the executive session no action was taken at this time.

 

Item No. 16 – Adjourn – Having no further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned on motion by Councilman Johnson, seconded by Councilman Thomas.  All in favor and the motion carried.

 

 

 

_____________________________                          ____________________________

Sharon Lyons, Clerk to the Council                               Dr. Charles A. Nassauer, Chairman

Washington Parish                                                        Washington Parish Council