PAGE 029-2015

MINUTES OF THE BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE MEETING

WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

AUGUST 4, 2015 at 9:00 a.m.

MEMBERS:  Randy Thomas, Chairman; Bruce Blanton, Vice Chairman; Jim Bonsall; Vera Davison; Charles Odom; Perry Kirkland; Jerri Lee; and Allen Gilbert.

Mr. Randy Thomas, Chairman called the meeting to order and asked Mr. Steve Lemmons to open the meeting with prayer.   

Mr. Thomas then asked for additions to the agenda.  Mr. Bruce Blanton moved, seconded by Mr. Perry Kirkland to add #3.  Preservation District Conference in Lake Charles by Charles Odom.  Motion carried unanimously.

The first item on the agenda is the Webster Parish Courthouse HVAC renovation project. 

Mrs. Ronda Carnahan first talked to the committee concerning the funding for the project.  The WPPJ has in Priority 1 of Capital Outlay for 2015, $1,265,000.00 the state funds will be used for the actual project; equipment, labor, architectural work, etc.  The Police Jury funds will be used for administration and overrun cost.  Mr. Ed Elberson with Somdal Associates went over the project and explained the type of system that will be installed.  Mr. Elberson and Mr. Wilson with Goth Engineering told the committee that the type of system that is being installed will be much more cost efficient as well as being quiet operation.  The existing equipment will be removed as possible, but the equipment with possibility of asbestos will be sealed off and left in place (such as the boiler). 

Mrs. Jerri Lee moved, seconded by Ms. Vera Davison to move forward with the bid process and to give the President and the Secretary-Treasurer authority to sign documents on behalf of the Police Jury for the project.  Motion carried unanimously.

The next item on the agenda is the Parish owned property.  Mr. Randy Thomas as chairman of the Buildings and Grounds Committee has chosen the Webster Parish Penal Farm and Warden’s House as well as adjoining properties to discuss at this meeting.  The committee will look at all of the properties in the coming months.  There was discussion of the future of the Penal Farm structures.  Mr. Thomas asked that any Jurors that would like to go out and look at the property this month please do so, and at the September meeting there will be more discussion on the Penal Farm and adjacent buildings and property. 

No action taken.

Mr. Charles Odom told the Committee about a trip to Lake Charles and about his attendance at the Preservation District Conference. 

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

Ronda C. Carnahan                                                       Randy Thomas

Secretary-Treasurer                                                       Chairman–Buildings & Grounds Committee

PAGE 030-2015

WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

ROAD COMMITTEE MEETING

August 4, 2015           immediately following Buildings & Grounds

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

MEMBER ABSENT:  Dorthy Walker

Mr. Steve Ramsey, Chairman, called the meeting to order and asked for additions to the agenda. 

Mr. Steve Lemmons moved, seconded by Mr. Bruce Blanton to add to the agenda:

Boat Launch out of Sibley/ Doyline, and B & R Drive in the North Webster Industrial District.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Perry Kirkland moved, seconded by Mr. Daniel Thomas to approve a Resolution from the Town of Cotton Valley for 4 “No Littering” signs and post using municipality funding.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Daniel Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Bruce Blanton to approve a Resolution from the Town of Sarepta for A.  Clean ditches in front of 310 Cave Street; on the north side of Waddey Street, and the south side of Coyle Street.  B.  Repair potholes on Kelly Drive, using Municipality funding.  Motion carried unanimously.

The next item on the agenda is the discussion of Smithville Road Bridge.  Mrs. Loraine Bostick has submitted a letter from her attorney requesting work to be done at the cross culvert on Smithville Road and then she would sign off on right of way for the bridge work on the Smithville Road Bridge through the DOTD Bridge program.   The committee requested that Mr. Holloway contact the DOTD to see how long the funding is available for this project before any further action is taken.  The drainage problem is over 300 feet from the site of the Bridge project, two totally different locations.

Mr. Perry Kirkland moved, seconded by Mr. Daniel Thomas to approve a Resolution from the Town of Cotton Valley to deliver one load of cold mix using municipality funding.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Teddy Holloway request the committee approve Nation Services to do the striping for this year at the same rate as they have honored for the last two years.  Mr. Charles Odom moved, seconded by Mrs. Jerri Lee to approve the recommendation to have Nation Services do striping for 2015.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Charles Odom moved, seconded by Mr. Perry Kirkland to place a plaque at the Sibley/Doyline Boat Launch with the names of the Jurors in office at the time of the Boat Launch creation and to name the Launch the “Charlie Walker Landing”.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Bruce Blanton requested the Jury consider overlay and/or repair of B & R Drive within the Northwest Industrial park.  The Drive is approximately .2 mile.  The Public Works Director, Mr. Teddy Holloway will make an evaluation and cost analysis and present at the September meeting. 

Mr. Randy Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Lemmons to add to the agenda, mowing at the landfill.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Thomas stated that the original cell at the Landfill needs to be cut.  This cell is the responsibility of the Jury.  Mr. Charles Odom moved, seconded by Mr. Allen Gilbert to have Police Jury Employees to mow the cell on weekend(s).  The employees will be paid overtime for this work.  Cost will be paid from the Landfill fund.  Motion carried unanimously.

Representative Gene Reynolds, State Representative came into the Committee Meeting and asked to speak to the Jurors.  Mr. Reynolds told the Jury that Capital Outlay will probably be completely re-vamped after the Governor’s Election.  The current Capital Outlay funding is safe (Courthouse HVAC Renovation).  Representative Reynolds also told the Jury that the Inventory Tax Exemption will be brought back up at the next legislative session.  Representative Reynolds recommended that the Jury pass a Resolution in opposition to the Exemption. 

Ronda C. Carnahan                                                                   Steve Ramsey

Secretary-Treasurer                                                                   Chairman, Road Committee

PAGE 031-2015

WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

REGULAR MEETING

August 4, 2015           10:30 A.M.

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

MEMBER ABSENT:  Dorthy Walker

PUBLIC HEARING:  To hear comments concerning the adoption of 2015 Millage Rate for renewed Library Tax as presented in Webster Parish Ordinance # 1013-A TAX, 2015

No comments.

Mr. Jim Bonsall, President, called the meeting to order and asked COL Carl Thompson to open the meeting with prayer.  Mr. Bonsall then led in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Mr. Bruce Blanton moved, seconded by Allen Gilbert to add the following items to the agenda:

            11. A. District # 1         signs for NWID roads                            $300.00

            11. B.  District # 11      Body Camera for Village of Heflin         $150.00

            12.  Resolution in opposition to the Inventory Tax Exemption

Motion carried unanimously.

No audience comments were heard.

Mr. Daniel Thomas moved, seconded by Mrs. Jerri Lee to adopt the minutes of the July 7, 2015 Road Committee Meetings and the July 7, 2015 Regular Meeting.  Motion carried unanimously.

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

Mrs. Jerri M. Lee moved, seconded by Mr. Charles Odom to adopt Webster Parish Ordinance # 1013-A Tax-2015.  Ordinance # 1013-A-Tax-2015 is for acquiring, constructing, improving, furnishing, equipping, operating and/ or maintaining Public Libraries in Webster Parish.  A 12.00 Mills pin# 1077005.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Tim Green and Ms. Jaime Esswein with the Accounting Firm of Allen Green and Williamson, CPA. presented the Audit report for the financial year 2014.  The Webster Parish Police Jury had an unqualified opinion- the best that a governmental agency can have.  The Jury is in good financial condition.  The component units had two finding each; E-911 Communication District and the WPPJ Office of Community Services.  This is an improvement over last year’s audit review. 

Mr. Randy Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Charles Odom to approve the audit report as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Lane Davison and Mr. Dustin Smith board members of the Germantown Water System spoke to the Jury concerning the possibility of having the Police Jury create a Water Management District that would assume the boundaries of the Germantown Water System.  There was much discussion concerning this.  The Board of the Water System would have to have the approval of the board as well as of the Water System membership and then present to the Jury for consideration and review by the Parish Attorney.  Mr. Randy Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Charles Odom to take under advisement the option to consider creating a Water Management District to assume the boundaries of the Germantown Water System.  Motion carried unanimously.

A listing of the adjudicated properties to declare surplus and to advertise for sealed bid:

Assessment #    Name on Deed                          City                  Street Name or Subdivision

100167             Dennis Arrington                      Sibley               100 Kelly Lane (camp house only) 

113621             Christine Oliver                                    Minden            445 Walter Lyons Rd.

121915             Loretta Domanski Hall Est.       Cullen              107 Reeves

122776             William David Malone              Sarepta             25018 Hwy 371

122937             Marty Lynn Thomas                 Sarepta             249863 Hwy 371

122276             Dianne Eason Smith                 Cullen              204 James Street

Ms. Vera Davison moved, seconded by Allen Gilbert to declare surplus and to advertise for sealed bid.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Perry Kirkland moved, seconded by Mr. Charles Odom to approve a Video Poker Permit application for WORMILE2, Goodwill Road, Minden, LA.  Motion carried unanimously.

PAGE 032-2015

REGULAR MEETING

AUGUST 4, 2015         --          CONTINUED

Mr. Charles Odom moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Ramsey to advertise and to notify landowners that a Public Hearing will be held on September 1, 2015 to hear comments concerning the proposed abandonment of Casady Lane, which is located off of LA Hwy 79 N.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Bruce Blanton moved, seconded by Ms. Vera Davison to approve Recreational funding for District #1 to purchase signs for NWID roads not to exceed. $300.00.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved, seconded by Mr. Perry Kirkland to approve the purchase of body camera for the village of Heflin not to exceed $150.00.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved, seconded by Mrs. Jerri M. Lee to approve a Resolution that would vehemently oppose changes to the Inventory Tax System for manufacturing, retail and distributors having business within the State of Louisiana unless the State can find a way to replace those revenues dollar for dollar to Parish governments.  The Resolution will be sent to the Police Jury Association of Louisiana.  Motion carried unanimously.

COMMENTS:

Mary Whitaker, WPPJ Office of Community Services

Wanda Finley, WP Head Start Director

Beverly Hammett, Webster Parish Library

Lynn Dorsey, Webster Parish Tourism

Joan Almond, Webster Parish Office of LSU Ag

COL Carl Thompson, Webster Parish Assessor’s Office

John Stanley, WP Homeland Security/OEP

Mr. Bruce Blanton moved, seconded by Mrs. Jerri Lee to add to the agenda:  Board Appointment for the WPFP District #4, Dubberly, LA.  Re-appoint Mr. Don Sayers to a one year term.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Steve Lemmons moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Ramsey to Re-appoint Mr. Don Sayers to a one year term for WPFP District #4, Dubberly, Louisiana.   Motion carried unanimously.

JUROR REPORTS:

Mr. Allen Gilbert recognized Evelyn Parish, Council Woman for the Town of Cotton Valley, LA.

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Lemmons to approve the action taken at the Road Committee meeting held earlier today.  Motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Vera Davison told the Jury that she and Mrs. Lee had represented the Webster Parish Police Jury at the Back to School Bash held at the Civic Center on Monday.  The event was well attended.

Mr. Bruce Blanton recognized Mrs. Dorsey, WP Tourism and asked about a bill board on the North end of the Parish.  Mrs. Dorsey said that she would look into having it replaced and report back. 

Mr. Randy Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Bruce Blanton to approve the action taken at the Buildings and Grounds Committee meeting that was held earlier today.

Mrs. Jerri Lee expanded on the Back to School Bash and stated that many agencies contributed and she commended the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Rawls on such a well-organized event.  Mrs. Lee then reminded the Jurors of the NRCS Strike Force Meeting that is endorsed by Trailblazer RC&D and will be held on August 27, 2015; unfortunately it is the same day as the Police Jury Association Region 4 meeting in Sabine. 

Mr. Bonsall took the opportunity to thank all Jurors and friends for the support and prayer over the last few months during his wife’s procedures in Houston, and reported that she is doing very well.  He also thanked all that assisted in the Audit procedures.  Good Audit. 

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

Ronda C. Carnahan                                                                   Steve Ramsey

Secretary-Treasurer                                                                   Acting President