MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

April 3, 2012

MEMBERS:           Charles Walker, President; Vera Davison, Vice-President; Bruce Blanton; Allen Gilbert; Randy Thomas; Jim Bonsall; Perry Kirkland; Jerri Lee; Steve Lemmons; Steve Ramsey; Daniel Thomas; and Charles Odom

Mr. Charles Walker called the meeting to order and asked R. O. Machen to open the meeting with Prayer and Wes Machen led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mr. Walker then asked for additions to the agenda.  The following items were added to the agenda:       11.  Springhill Temporary Servitude; 12.  Ms. Youngblood, Animal Control; 13. Special Meeting; 7 E. Cultural Crossroads sound equipment; and 14. Evergreen Fire Protection District #1 Tax Renewal Resolution

Motion carried unanimously.

Audience Comments: 

Mayor E. L. Edwards spoke to the Jury concerning the action taken at the Road Committee Meeting to set the Policy for municipality funding.  Mr. Edwards began by thanking the Jury for all the assistance the Town has received over the years.  He wanted the Jury to be aware of the additional financial burden that paying all cost with the municipality funding will be.  This is an additional expense for the small towns.  Mr. Walker responded and assured Mr. Edwards that the Jury is concerned also, and will work with the towns.   No other comments on the Agenda.

Mr. Bruce Blanton moved, seconded by Ms. Vera Davison to adopt the minutes of the March 6. 2012 Road Committee Meeting and the Regular Meeting, the March 13, 2012 Public Hearing, the March 16, 2012 Special Meeting, and the March 28, 2012 Workshop Meeting.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Daniel Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Randy Thomas to approve invoices for payment pending review of the committee.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Walker then presented a Plaque to Ms. Courtney Machen and the Doyline High School 4-H Club for the dedication to seeing a Community project completed,  the Christmas lighting in the Town of Doyline.  Those present with Ms. Machen were her 4-H Club school sponsor, Ms. Susan Addington, Principal, Mr. Grady Smith, LSU Ag 4-H leader, Ms. Lisa Holmes, Doyline High 4-H,  and a host of Family and friends.

Next on the agenda is the presentation of a Plaque of Recognition to the Springhill Masonic Lodge #348 F@AM who will hold their 100^th anniversary celebration on April 28, 2012 at the Lodge in Springhill, Louisiana.   Mr. Bruce Blanton accepted the award on behalf of the Masonic Lodge # 348.  Mr. Blanton thanked the Jury for the recognition. 

Mr. Charles Odom moved, seconded by Mr. Daniel Thomas to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the LSU Ag Center for the Shooting Sports Program.  The Endeavor is for use of a specified amount of land located on property adjacent to the Webster Parish Landfill.  This is a Temporary Use Agreement and is a “Work in Progress”.  The agreement can be upgraded when the various details are worked out.  Motion carried unanimously.

To approve the monthly Recreation Funding request:

Mr. Perry Kirkland moved, seconded by Mr. Bruce Blanton to approve the request for District #5 for the Cotton Valley Police Department radio equipment at $425.00.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Lemmons to approve the request for District #11 Town of Sibley and Sibley Fire Dept. SB-2 total for both $550.00.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Allen Gilbert moved, seconded by Mr. Bruce Blanton to approve the request for District #2, a scoreboard at the ball park in Cullen for $1,200.00 and miscellaneous repair expense for the Town of Springhill for $500.00.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Randy Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Allen Gilbert to approve a request for District #4, JP / Constable Convention expense for Mr. Hardaway for $475.00.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mrs. Jerri Lee moved, seconded by Mr. Charles Odom to approve $1,564.90 for Cultural Crossroads for sound equipment.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Charles Odom moved, seconded by Mr. Jim Bonsall to remove Mr. David Camp as the Fire Department representative to the E-911 Board and to appoint Mr. Kip Mourad as the Fire Department Representative to the E-911 Board to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Camp.  The appointment of Mr. Mourad is upon a recommendation of the E-911 Board of Directors.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Randy Thomas moved, seconded by Mrs. Jerri Lee to adopt Webster Parish Ordinance # 995 Amended.  The amendment will include the legal description that has the Town of Shongaloo within the boundaries.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Jim Bonsall moved, seconded by Mr. Daniel Thomas to approve a Resolution of Proclamation to acknowledge the month of April as Webster Parish Fair Housing Month.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mrs. Youngblood came to the Jury to express her concern that the parish does not have an animal shelter.  Mrs. Youngblood’s 19 year old daughter had been viciously attacked by a dog outside of her work place.  The owner did not attempt to restrain the dog.  She was upset that her family had incurred large medical bills resulting from the attack, no charges were brought against the dog owner and the dog was not quarantined.  Mr. Walker turned this over to Mr. Patrick Jackson, ADA for Webster Parish and asked that he research the case and try to help Mrs. Youngblood and her family if possible.

Mr. Daniel Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Charles Odom to call for a meeting of the Jury to discuss a plan to reduce the size of the Jury.  Mr. Thomas would like input from the Jurors.  Motion carried with one No vote, Mr. Steve Ramsey. 

A Resolution calling for an Election in the Evergreen Fire Protection District, Claiborne/Webster Parishes to authorize the renewal of a special tax was presented.  Mr. R.O. Machen for Evergreen spoke to the Jury request their support.  Mr. Machen stated that the renewal will be a lesser amount than the previous tax.  Mr. Randy Thomas moved, seconded by Mrs. Jerri Lee to approve the Resolution calling for the election.  Motion carried unanimously.

COMMENTS:       

Fran Harvey                          Webster Parish Police Jury Office of Community Services

Wanda Finley                       Webster Parish Head Start

Beverly Hammett   Webster Parish Library

Susan Baird                          Webster Parish Humane Association

Joan Almond                        Webster Parish Office of LSU Ag Center

COL Carl Thompson            National Guard

John Stanley                         Webster Parish Homeland Security/OEP

Billy Dorsey                         Webster Parish E-911 Office

Mr. Jim Bonsall moved, seconded by Mrs. Jerri Lee to add to the agenda the All Hazard Emergency Operations Updated Report as of April 1, 2012.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Jim Bonsall moved, seconded by Mrs. Jerri Lee to approve the All Hazard Emergency Operations for Webster Parish effective April 3, 2012.  Motion carried unanimously.  Plan on file in the office of the Secretary-Treasurer, Webster Parish Police Jury.

Mr. Patrick Jackson, ADA for Webster Parish, spoke to the Jury and the audience concerning the recent incidents involving some Fire Districts within Webster Parish.  Mr. Jackson recommended to the Jury that he work with the Police Jury Office and some of the Fire District Representatives to draw up an Ordinance that would set minimum standards that are basic acceptable requirements to be approved annually by the Jury on all of the Boards created by the Jury.  The Ordinance will be presented to the Jury at the next Police Jury meeting in May. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved, seconded by Mr. Charles Odom to approve the action taken at the Road Committee Meeting that was held earlier today.  Motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Vera Davison extended her appreciation and thanks to Wanda Finley for her work with the Head Start Program. 

Mr. Randy Thomas extended his thanks to Mr. R.O. Machen for his years of service to the Evergreen Fire Protection District.

Mr. Daniel Thomas also recognized Mr. Machen.

There being no further information to bring to the Jury, the meeting adjourned.

Ronda C. Carnahan                                                                                                        Charles R. Walker

Secretary-Treasurer                                                                                                         President

                  The following resolution was offered by ___Randy Thomas________ and seconded by __Jerri Lee______:

RESOLUTION

A resolution approving the holding of an election in Evergreen Fire Protection District, Claiborne/Webster Parishes, Louisiana, on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, to authorize the renewal of a special tax therein.

                       WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of Evergreen Fire Protection District, Claiborne/Webster Parishes, Louisiana (the "Governing Authority"), acting as the governing authority of Evergreen Fire Protection District, Claiborne/Webster Parishes, Louisiana (the "District"), adopted a resolution on March 5, 2012, calling a special election in the District on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, to authorize the renewal of a special tax therein; and

                       WHEREAS, the governing authority of the District has requested that this Police Jury, acting as the governing authority of the Parish of Webster, State of Louisiana, give its consent and authority for the District to hold the aforesaid election, and in the event that the election carries to continue to levy and collect the special tax provided for therein; and

                       WHEREAS, as required by Article VI, Section 15 of the Constitution of the State of Louisiana of 1974, it is now the desire of this Police Jury to approve the holding of said election and in the event that the election carries, to continue to levy and collect the special tax provided for therein;

                       NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Police Jury of the Parish of Webster, State of Louisiana, acting as the governing authority of said Parish, that:

                       SECTION 1.  In compliance with the provisions of Article VI, Section 15 of the constitution of the State of Louisiana of 1974, and in accordance with the request of the Board of Commissioners of Evergreen Fire Protection District, Claiborne/Webster Parishes, Louisiana, this Police Jury hereby approves the holding of an election in the District, on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, at which election there will be submitted the following proposition, to-wit:

PROPOSITION (CONTINUATION AND REDEDICATION)

Summary: Authority to continue and rededicate the levy of a 10 year, 10 mills tax for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving, maintaining and/or operating fire protection facilities and equipment in and for Evergreen Fire Protection District, including fire trucks.

Shall Evergreen Fire Protection District, Claiborne/Webster Parishes, Louisiana  (the "District"), be authorized to levy a special tax of ten (10.00) mills on all the property subject to taxation in the District (an estimated $190,000 expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of ten (10) years, beginning with the year 2013 and ending with the year 2022, for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving, maintaining and/or operating fire protection facilities and equipment, including fire trucks, in and for the District, and paying the cost of obtaining water for fire protection purposes, the Tax to continue and rededicate the District’s present tax which was authorized in the amount of 16.89 mills and is being levied through the year 2012 pursuant to an election held on November 5, 2002?

                       SECTION 2.  In the event the election carries, this Police Jury does hereby further consent to and authorize the District to continue to levy and collect the special tax provided for therein.

This  resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:

MEMBERS:                   YEAS:      NAYS:  ABSENT:             ABSTAINING:                                                                  

Bruce Blanton                                   X                                                                       

Allen Gilbert                    X                                                                                       

Daniel Thomas                 X                                                                                       

Randy Thomas                 X                                                                                       

Perry Kirkland                                   X                                                                       

Jim Bonsall                      X                                                                                       

Steve Lemmons                X                                                                                       

Charles Odom                                   X                                                                       

Jerri M. Lee                      X                                                                                       

Vera Davison                   X                                                                                       

Steve Ramsey                   X                                                                                       

Charles Walker                 X                                                                                       

               And the resolution was declared adopted on this, the 3^rd day of April, 2012.

               /s/ Ronda Carnahan                                                                                         /s/ Charles Walker                

               Secretary-Treasurer                                                                                          Secretary-Treasurer

WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

ORDINANCE # 995  - AMENDED 

An ordinance amending and expanding the bound­aries of the Shongaloo Fire Protection District No. 9 of the Parish of Webster, State of Louisiana confirming the corporate powers of said District, and providing for other matters.  To include in Ordinance #995 the legal description of the boundaries as set Ordinance #995 including the Village of Shongaloo.

                              WHEREAS, in strict compliance with the provisions of Part I, Chapter 7, Title 40 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, and other constitutional and statutory authority supplemental thereto, the Webster Parish Police Jury, State of Louisiana (the "Police Jury") adopted a resolution on August 3, 2010, giving notice of its intention to amend and expand the boundaries of the Shongaloo Fire Protection District No. 9 of the Parish of Webster, State of Louisiana (the “District”) to include the Village of Shongaloo within the boundaries of the District, ordering and directing the President of the Police Jury to give due notice of the proposed amendment and expansion of the boundaries of said Fire District and providing for the hearing of any and all objections thereto; and

                              WHEREAS, notice of intention to amend and expand the boundaries of  the District and of the public hearing to be held in connection therewith were duly published as required by law and as directed by said resolution of August 3, 2010; and

                              WHEREAS, the Police Jury did at the hour and place and on the date designated in said resolution of August 3, 2010, meet in open and public session for the purpose of hearing any and all objections relative to the proposed amendment and expansion of the boundaries of the District; and

                              WHEREAS, the Police Jury did by legally advertising and holding a Public Hearing, Webster Parish Ordinance # 995 was adopted by unanimous vote on September 7, 2010, and  

                              WHEREAS, the legal description of the Shongaloo Fire Protection District No. 9 of the Parish of Webster, State of Louisiana to include the Village of Shongaloo within the boundaries of the District is hereby set forth in the amendment to Webster Parish Ordinance # 995- Amended:

                              LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF SHONGALOO FIRE DISTRICT WITH THE AMENDMENT TO THE BOUNDARIES TO INCLUDE THE VILLAGE OF SHONGALOO:

*TOWNSHIP 21 NORTH, RANGE 10 WEST—All that portion of Section 1 lying East of Dorcheat Bayou and Northwest of Louisiana Hwy 160.

*TOWNSHIP 22 NORTH, RANGE 9 WEST – All of Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and  24.  All that portion of Sections  25, 26 ,  27,  28,  29,  30,  31,  and  36 lying North of Louisiana Highway 160.

*TOWNSHIP 22 NORTH, RANGE 10 WEST -  All of Sections  1,  12,  13,  14,  and  24.  All that portion of Sections  2,  10,  11,  15,  16,  22,  23,  25,  26,  and  35 lying East of Dorcheat Bayou.  All that portion of Section  36 lying East of Dorcheat Bayou and Northwest of Louisiana Highway 160.

*TOWNSHIP 23 NORTH, RANGE 9 WEST – All of Sections  1,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  9,  10,  11,  12,  13,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  19,  20,  21,  22,  23,  24,  25,  26,  27,  28,  29,  30,  31,  32,  33,  34,  35,  and  36.

*TOWNSHIP 23 NORTH, RANGE 10 WEST – All of Sections  1,  2,  11,  12,  13,  14,  23,  24,  25,  26,  and 36.

All that portion of Sections  3,  9,  10,  15,  16,  21,  22,  27,  28,  34,  and  35 lying East of Dorcheat Bayou.

                              NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Police Jury of the Parish of Webster, State of Louisiana, acting as the governing authority of the Parish of Webster, State of Louisiana, that:

on a Motion by              Randy Thomas              , Duly seconded by Jerri M. Lee, and by unanimous vote of the Webster

Parish Police Jury in legally convened Regular Session on this the   3^rd  day of  April, 2012.   Webster Parish Ordinance # 995 Amended,  was declared adopted.

      /s/ Ronda Carnahan                                                                    /s/ CharlesWalker               

Secretary-Treasurer                                                                           President