PAGE 004-2015

MINUTES OF THE ROAD COMMITTEE MEETING

WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

February 3, 2015 – 9:00 a.m.

MEMBERS:         Steve Ramsey; Steve Lemmons; Jim Bonsall; Vera Davison; Perry Kirkland; Bruce Blanton; Jerri Lee; Allen Gilbert; Charles Walker; Daniel Thomas; and Bruce Blanton.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Charles Odom

Mr. Steve Ramsey called the meeting to order and asked Mr. Steve Lemmons to open the meeting with prayer.  Mr. Ramsey they asked for additions to the agenda.

Mr. Charles Walker moved, seconded by Mr. Randy Thomas to add the following items to the agenda:

8.  To approve Truck bids pending recommendation of the Public Works Director and legal review.

9.  Mr. Frank Kelley with Paradise Vegetation Management presentation.

10. Right of Way mowing contract.

11. Resolution – M-6 Propellant – Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Ramsey asked Mr. Kelley to make his presentation first and moved item # 9 up.

Mr. Kelley with Paradise Vegetation Management discussed the use of chemical spray including use of pre-emergence on the rights of way to control vegetation.  A sub-committee will discuss the information presented.

Mr. Charles Walker moved, seconded by Mr. Daniel Thomas to approve work on the Fred Sanders Road pending paperwork to go onto private property to clean a natural drain.  Motion carried unanimously.

The next item is recycling bins; this will be tabled until next month when Mr. Charles Odom is present.

Mr. Perry Kirkland moved, seconded by Mr. Daniel Thomas to approve a Resolution from the Town of Cotton Valley to clean a ditch at 304 Humble Street using District #5 Recreation funding.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Perry Kirkland moved, seconded by Mr. Daniel Thomas to approve a Resolution from the Town of Cotton Valley to clean a ditch at 151 Prospect Street using municipality funding.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Charles Walker moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Lemmons to approve a Resolution from the Village of Doyline to put an iron ore base followed by a layer of gravel and grading on the East Watson Street beginning at Fuller Street to the gate using municipality funding.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Charles Walker moved, seconded by Mr. Perry Kirkland to approve a Resolution from the Village of Heflin to use the side cutter on South Church, Memorial Park, and Railroad Trail on the East side using municipality funding.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Charles Walker moved, seconded by Mr. Jim Bonsall to approve a request from the School Board to base and 2-shot the road between the ball fields at Doyline School at an est. cost of $6,169.70 to be paid totally by the School Board, pending paperwork from the School Board.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Bruce Blanton moved, seconded by Mr. Randy Thomas to approve the bids for a “low boy” truck (purchase price) and 2 trucks with dump body (lease purchase) pending recommendation from the Public Works Director, Teddy Holloway, and also pending legal review by Mr. Jackson.  Motion carried unanimously.

The next item on the agenda, right of way cutting, Wilson Landscaping has notified the Jury that the owner, Mr. Jimmy Wilson died in January, and they will not be able to honor the Police Jury contract with the company.  The committee that will look into the chemical control of vegetation will also look at alternate choices for right of way mowing and present a recommendation to the Road Committee at the March meeting.

Mr. Jim Bonsall then told the Committee that the Webster Parish Police Jury will make a statement to the Citizens of Webster Parish stating support to the Louisiana Military in efforts to find a safe and timely method of disposal of the M-6 Propellant currently at Camp Minden.  The Jury will stand up and do what we can do to prevent any method that would cause harm to the Citizens of Webster.

Ronda C. Carnahan, Secretary-Treasurer                                                Steve Ramsey, Chairman

PAGE 005-2015

WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

REGULAR MEETING

February 3, 2015       10:30 a.m.

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

MEMBER ABSENT:  Charles Odom

Mr. Bonsall called the meeting to order and asked COL Carl Thompson to open the meeting with prayer.  Mr. Morris Guin, Assessor led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mr. Bonsall then asked for additions to the agenda.  Mr. Charles Walker moved, seconded by Mr. Bruce Blanton to add the following to the agenda:

6-d – Cullen Fire Department #6

8 - District #5 Recreational Funding

10.  – Resolution concerning the disposal of M-6 Propellant

Motion carried unanimously.

There were no audience comments concerning the agenda.

Mrs. Jerri Lee moved, seconded by Mr. Perry Kirkland to adopt the minutes from the January 6, 2015 Regular Meeting.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Allen Gilbert moved, seconded by Mrs. Jerri M. Lee to approve invoices for payment pending review of the committee.  Motion carried unanimously.

The next item on the agenda is the presentation of “Compliance Guide to LA Ad Valorem Property Tax”.  Mr. Morris Guin, Assessor and COL Carl Thompson will made the presentation to the Fire District Board Members that are present today.  All Fire District Boards were represented at the meeting with only one exception.  The tax guide will help the boards to comply with the ever changing laws concerning Ad Valorem Property tax in Webster Parish.  Mr. R. O. Machen spoke on behalf of the Fire District Boards to thank Mr. Guin and his office for the assistance provided.

The following Board Appointments were presented for approval:

            a- Sarepta Fire District #5, to approve the reappointment of Mack Garrett and Sam Sandlin for the Town of Sarepta appointment.  A two year term ending 12/31/2016.

            b- Sibley Fire District #2, to approve the re-appointment of Kenneth Chandler and Mark Clements to a two year term 2/18/2015 to 2/17/2017.

            c- Webster Parish Convention and Visitor’s Bureau:  To reappoint Mr. Jerry Madden – Police Jury appointment – for a three year term. 1/01/2015 to 12/31/2017.

            d- Cullen Fire District #6, to approve recommendation to re-appoint Mr. Micheal Lawler.

Mr. Daniel Thomas moved, seconded by Vera Davison to approve the board appointments as presented.

Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Perry Kirkland moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Ramsey to approve Police Jury and staff expense for the Police Jury Convention in New Orleans on January 29, 2015 – February 1, 2015.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Perry Kirkland moved, seconded by Mr. Randy Thomas to approve the following items for recreational funding expense:

            District # 2       $570.00 to WP Head Start to purchase tablets for the Center

            District #3        $2,500.00 to the Town of Sarepta toward the purchase of warning sirens.

            District #5        $400.00 to the Town of Cotton Valley for ditch cleaning at Humble Street.

Motion carried unanimously.

The last item on the agenda concerns the disposal of M-6 Propellant at Camp Minden.

Mr. Charles Walker moved, seconded by Ms. Vera Davison to approve drafting a Resolution stating that the Webster Parish Police Jury will support the Louisiana Military efforts to find a safe and timely method of disposal of the M-6 propellant at Camp Minden and request the EPA to do a better job of informing the public concerning the disposal.  Motion carried unanimously.

PAGE 006-2015

WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

REGULAR MEETING 2-03-2015 – Continued:

COMMENTS:

Mary Whitaker, WPPJ OCS

Wanda Finley, Head Start

Joan Almond, WP LSU Ag Center

Morris Guin, Assessor

COL Carl Thompson, WP Assessor’s Office

John Stanley, WP Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness

AUDIENCE COMMENTS:  No comments

JUROR COMMENTS:

Allen Gilbert reported that the Black History Celebration in Springhill, Louisiana will be held February 21, 2015.

Mr. Steve Ramsey reported on the Road Committee Meeting and made a motion to approve the action taken at this meeting, seconded by Mr. Steve Lemmons.  Motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Vera Davison spoke concerning the disposal of the M-6 propellant.  She stated that the time is right for the Webster Parish Police Jury to make a statement and wanted the community to know that we are all concerned about this issue.

Mr. Bruce Blanton reported on the Police Jury Convention in New Orleans and he then stated that the Convention will be in Shreveport in 2016.

Mr. Daniel Thomas thanked the volunteer efforts of the Fire Departments of Webster Parish and that their work was essential to our parish.

Mr. Charles Walker also commented on the M-6 Disposal.  His District is the Doyline area and therefore is very interested and concerned about this disposal.  The parish is lucky to have the leadership of Mr. Bonsall and the other legislators that are involved in finding answers.

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

Ronda C. Carnahan                                                                   Jim Bonsall

Secretary-Treasurer                                                                   President