Washington Parish Council

Regular Meeting – 6:00 PM

Washington Parish Courthouse

Council Chambers

September 28, 2009

 

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

 

Item No. 2 – Invocation – Councilman Route 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 Thomas offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Route to approve the minutes of September 14, 2009 meeting.  All in favor and the motion carried.

 

Item No. 6 – Adoption of the Financial Report – There was no financial report submitted at this time to the council for approval.

 

Item No. 7 – Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 09-501 – Chairman Nassauer opened the public hearing on an ordinance to adopt the budget adjustment No. 1 of 2009 Annual Operating Budget for the Washington Parish Government.

 

There were no comments during the public hearing.

 

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

 

Councilman Route offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Wheat to adopt Ordinance No. 09-501. A roll call vote resulted as follows:

 

            YEAS:  (7) Nassauer, Johnson, Thomas, Route, Posey, Wheat and Fussell

 

            NAYS:  (0)

 

            ABSENT: (0)

 

            ABSTAINED: (0)

 

Item No. 8 – Resolution No. 09-443 – An endorsement of a resolution for Weatherly Air (Project No. 20090768) to participate in the Enterprise Zone Program.

 

Councilman Posey offered a motion to adopt Resolution No. 09-443, seconded by Councilman Wheat. All in favor and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Item No. 9 – Resolution No. 09-444 – A resolution to support and approve Commissioners to the Zachary Taylor Parkway Commission.

 

Councilman Posey offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Thomas to adopt Resolution No. 09-444.  All in favor and the motion carried.     

 

Item No. 10- Resolution No. 09-445 – A resolution that the Washington Parish Council is hereby establishing the load limits on bridges within the Off-System Bridge Program.

 

Councilman Johnson offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Posey to adopt Resolution No. 09-445.  All in favor and the motion carried.

 

 

Item No. 11 – Resolution No. 09-446 – A resolution to adopt the initial certification of compliance with the State of Louisiana Off-System Bridge Replacement Program.

 

Councilman Posey offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Thomas to adopt Resolution No. 09-446.  All in favor and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Item No. 12 – LSU AgCenter – Representatives from the AgCenter presented the program “Washington Parish on the Move” which is an affiliate of “America on the Move”.  This program will have its kickoff at the Washington Parish Fair Grounds on October 5th at 3:00 p.m. at the Women’s Building. Schools along with local church groups are encouraged to participate. Walking is a great way to control weight and stay healthy reported AgiCenter representatives Lacey Urick and Valerie Vincent.  Pedometers and tracking forms and valuable information on healthy living were given to all councilmen. Residents of all ages were encouraged to create walking clubs in their community, neighborhood, workplace or organizations. If residents want to participate they can contact the LSU AgCenter at 985-839-7855. This program is made possible through a grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation. Information on this program will be announced and published in the local newspapers. This program is an exciting national program that encourages residents to develop and maintain healthy, active lifestyles.

 

Resolution No. 09-447 – A resolution to support “Washington Parish on the Move” Program through the LSU AgCenter Department.

 

Councilman Posey offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Route to adopt Resolution No. 09-447.  All in favor and the motion carried.

 

Item No. 13 – Public Participation – There were no comments during public participation.

 

Item No. 14 – President’s Report – President Thomas stated he had a request to reinstate Mr. Walter Smith to the Washington Parish Fire Protection District No. 9.

 

Councilman Posey offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Route to reinstate Mr. Walter Smith to the Washington Parish Fire Protection District No. 9.  All in favor and the motion carried.

 

President Thomas announced he had received a letter from Mr. Danny Knight. Mr. Knight said he could not accept the position on the Riverside Medical Center Board. He said his position on the Board would be contradictory to the “Ethics Law” at this time.

 

Councilman Thomas offered a motion to accept the resignation of Mr. Danny Knight board member to the Riverside Medical Center.  Councilman Route seconded the motion.  All in favor and the motion carried.

 

President Thomas asks for the appointment of Mr. Joseph Cobb to fill the position of Board member to the Riverside Medical Center Board.

 

Councilman Thomas offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Route to appoint Mr. Joseph Cobb to the Riverside Medical Center Board.  All in favor and the motion carried.

 

Mr. Leo Lucchesi announced the Grand Opening to the Washington Parish Health Unit in Franklinton was schedule for 3:00 p.m. on October 7, 2009.

 

Mr. Lucchesi stated at this time he would like to thank the WST Electric for its help with the roadways with dropping lines when the parish schedules tree removal or limb removal. Their assistance is greatly appreciated by government.

 

John Taylor, Transportation Director, stated the Seven Mile Bridge Road is closed.

 

Councilman Thomas asks, “About how long will that take. Do you have any ideal?”

 

Mr. Lucchesi stated, “The Mitch Road about three months and the Seven Mile Bridge Road about six months.”

 

Councilman Johnson asks, “Is that on the east side of Hwy. 21?”

 

Leo Lucchesi stated, “Yes, the east side.”

 

Item No. 15 - Council Discussion –Councilman Route stated when the Road Committee meets again he would like for load limits for trucks and road signs to be scheduled on the agenda for discussion. These trucks are really destroying our roads.  Councilman Route stated, “Mr. Taylor, President Thomas and I rode in my area the other day and there were pot hole, after pot hole where the eighteen wheelers are tearing them up and costing us money. It is something we need to discuss.”

 

President Thomas reported flu shots would be given the week after the fair and he would hope that everyone would receive one. The Council and public were told Homeland Security Director, Tommy Thiebaud, would give an update on the distribution of the flu vaccination at a later date.

 

Item No. 16 – Executive Session - under – 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.  

 

Councilman Posey offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Thomas to enter 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 Posey, 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