PAGE 035-2015

MINUTES OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

September 1, 2015 at 9:00 a.m.

MEMBERS:  Vera Davison, Chairman; Jerri M. Lee, Vice Chairman; Daniel Thomas, Steve Ramsey, Charles Odom, Steve Lemmons, Bruce Blanton, and Jim Bonsall, President.

Vera Davison called the meeting to order and then opened with Prayer.

There were no additions to the agenda and there were no comments concerning the Agenda.

Mrs. Melanie Smith, Registrar of Voters spoke to the Jurors concerning the annual Canvas of Precincts with less than 300 active registered voters.  There is only one precinct that has less than 300 voters that is eligible to merge with another precinct within the same district lines.  In District # 8, the recommendation is to Merge Precinct 22 with Precinct 21 and to name the New Precinct #22 with the polling location being at the Minden Civic Center, 520 Broadway, Minden, LA.  This would move approximately 800 voters from the Alternative School.  The next step is for the Jury to hire Doug Mitchell as the Demographer to redraw the precinct lines and to submit needed paperwork to the state agencies as required.

The Webster Parish Humane Association represented by Mrs. Patricia Powell and Mrs. Susan Baird gave information to the Committee concerning the procedure used to give P.O.s to Parish Veterinarians for Spay and Neuter Services.  Mrs. Powell and Mrs. Baird then answered questions from the Jurors on the program.  They explained that the Spay and Neuter program is kept totally separate from the Humane Association funds.  The Committee appreciated the WPHA and the work that they do for the Parish. 

Mr. Daniel Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Charles Odom to amend the Personnel Policy “Hospitalization Insurance, Retired Employees” to make the policy uniform for all employees and Jurors eligibility qualifications.  The new policy will be effective January 1, 2016 for all employees and Jurors sworn in after January 1, 2016, pending legal review by Mr. Patrick Jackson.  Motion carried unanimously.     

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

Ronda C. Carnahan                                                       Vera Davison

Secretary-Treasurer                                                       Chairman–Administrative Committee

****************************************

MINUTES OF THE BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE MEETING

WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

September 1, 2015 – immediately following the Administrative Committee

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.

Mr. Charles Odom moved, seconded by Mr. Bruce Blanton to draw up a plan to include the Warden’s House with one and a half acres of land plus an easement to Parish owned property and separate from the existing Penal Farm Property.  To notify Michelle Cochran, (Webster Parish Employee that has served as a caretaker for the Penal Farm Property), that she will need to relocate from the old Warden’s House by the end of the year.   Motion carried unanimously. 

Mr. Randy Thomas will call a special Buildings and Grounds Committee meeting within the next few weeks to continue to consider the Penal Farm property and future use thereof. 

Mrs. Ronda Carnahan, Secretary-Treasurer, reported that Regions Bank has executed their right to terminate the existing lease effective November 30, 2015 and pay a termination fee.  The termination fee has been paid to the Jury.  The Buildings and Grounds Committee will begin looking at possible uses of the 1^stfloor of the Bank Building/ Courthouse Annex.

Mr. Ed Elberson, Architect with Somdal and Associates updated the Committee on the plans for the HVAC renovation.  Plans will be submitted to Facility Planning as soon as Mr. Elberson and Mr. Patrick Jackson have worked out some of the bid details.  The meeting adjourned.

Ronda C. Carnahan                                                                   Randy Thomas

Secretary-Treasurer                                                                   Chairman, Buildings and Grounds C.

PAGE 036-2015

WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

ROAD COMMITTEE MEETING

September 1, 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. 

Ms. Vera Davison moved, seconded by Mr. Bruce Blanton to approve adding to the agenda: 

8.  Declare Surplus – Trucks

9.  Discussion, Coroner

Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Daniel Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Charles Odom to adopt an ordinance to allow for No Parking on the James Bradley Road- WP# 241-A effective immediately.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mrs. Jerri M. Lee moved, seconded by Mr. Perry Kirkland to ratify action taken on a Resolution from the Webster Parish School Board to build a road for drop off at the Central School with the School Board paying the cost of the road.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Perry Kirkland moved, seconded by Mr. Allen Gilbert to approve a Resolution from the Town of Cotton Valley to use the side cutter on specific streets within the Town using Municipality Funding.  Motion carried unanimously. 

Mr. Steve Ramsey told the Committee that a road that was at the top of the Priority listing for this year was found to be in good condition due to having major repairs made to the roadway.  Mr. Daniel Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Lemmons to move Plum Orchard Road down and go to the next road on the Priority listing and to have the Engineer, Mr. Brad Graff re-evaluate the Priority listing in the spring.  Motion carried unanimously.

Concerning District A Funding, Mr. Steve Ramsey discussed using the Road Materials line item budgeted amount to do road maintenance this year.  Each Juror in District A is to submit roads needed for maintenance and the Engineer will prioritize these roads.  If necessary, funds can be supplemented with contingency fund, but approved by the Jury in a budget amendment as needed.  No action taken.

Mr. Daniel Thomas moved, seconded by Mrs. Jerri M. Lee to ratify the action taken to amend the Mowing Contract for 2015 from $99.00 per mile to $150.00 per mile effective July 1, 2015.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Patrick Jackson, ADA explained the Service Agreement with the Town of Springhill and the Webster Parish Police Jury to allow for “Quick Take” authority by the governmental agencies when right of way is needed.  This agreement will allow for the DOTD Bridge Project on the Smithville Road Bridge to go forward as planned.

Mr. Bruce Blanton moved, seconded by Mr. Perry Kirkland to declare two trucks surplus and put in the upcoming auction.  Motion carried unanimously.

Vehicles:  2001 Dodge 2500  4X4     VIN# 3B7KF23Z91G773401

                1996 Dodge 2500               VIN#1B7KC23CXTJ176165

Mr. Patrick Jackson, ADA, updated the Committee on the Coroner’s Office and the plans to move forward after the arrest of the Chief Deputy Coroner.

Mr. Bruce Blanton moved, seconded by Mr. Allen Gilbert to add to the agenda a road in the North Webster Industrial Park.  There was one Nay vote (C. Odom), and therefore the item could not be added to the agenda.

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

Ronda C. Carnahan                                                                   Steve Ramsey

Secretary-Treasurer                                                                   Chairman, Road Committee

PAGE 037-2015

WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

REGULAR MEETING

September 1, 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 abandonment of Casady Lane.  There were no comments received and no one appeared to voice 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. 

There were no additions to the agenda.  There were no comments concerning the agenda.

Mr. Charles Odom moved, seconded by Ms. Vera Davison to adopt the minutes from the August 4, 2015 Buildings and Grounds Committee Meeting, the August 4, 2015 Road Committee Meeting, and the August 4, 2015 Regular Meeting.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Bruce Blanton moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Lemmons to approve invoices for payment on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 pending review by the committee.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved, seconded by Mr. Perry Kirkland to abandon Casady Lane and ownership goes to the landowner.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Charles Odom moved, seconded by Randy Thomas to approve the merger of Precinct 21 and 22, to name the new Precinct #22.  The new precinct #22 will be located at the Minden Civic Center, and to hire demographer, Mr. Doug Mitchell to rewrite the description of the merger and to submit the appropriate paperwork to the state agencies.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Ken Latin with Sci-Port of Shreveport made a short presentation requesting that the Webster Parish Police Jury budget $5,000.00 to be paid to Sci-Port in 2016.  This funding would allow for a Saturday per month to be “Webster Day” at Sci-Port.  The funding would allow for free access to Webster Parish residents on one day a month.  Mr. Bonsall said that the Police Jury would take this matter under advisement during the 2016 budget workshops sessions.

Mr. Bruce Blanton moved, seconded by Mr. Allen Gilbert to approve a Service Agreement with the City of Springhill to facilitate a method of acquis ion of servitudes, or other cooperative endeavors between the Police Jury and the City of Springhill. as per LA R.S. 33:1329.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Randy Thomas moved, seconded by Mrs. Jerri Lee to approve Professional Services Agreement with Somdal Associates for Webster Parish Courthouse HVAC Renovations.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Allen Gilbert moved, seconded by Mr. Perry Kirkland to approve the following Recreational Funding:  District #2       $160.00 to purchase a microwave for Council on Aging. 

Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Patrick Jackson told the Jury about the services offered by Civicsource to handle adjudicated properties for the Parish at no cost to the Police Jury.  Mrs. Jerri Lee moved, seconded by Ms. Vera Davison to enter into a contract with Civicsource for Adjudicated Property Sale Services for a period of one year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Bruce Blanton moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Ramsey to approve the following board appointments for the Webster Parish Convention and Visitor’s Bureau:

Appoint Mrs. Joan Farrar Roan of Springhill to fill the unexpired term of Lamar Smith, expires 12/31/16.

Appoint Mrs. Etta Jo McCullough of Minden to fill the unexpired term of Mary McKinney, expires 12/31/17.  Motion carried unanimously.

PAGE 038-2015

REGULAR MEETING

September 1, 2015         --          CONTINUED

COMMENTS:

Wanda Finley,                     WP Head Start Director

                                             Also reported for Mary Whitaker, WPPJ OCS

Angie Jackson,                   Webster Parish Library

Lynn Dorsey,                      Webster Parish Tourism

COL Carl Thompson,         Webster Parish Assessor’s Office

John Stanley,                       WP Homeland Security/OEP

JUROR REPORTS:

Mr. Allen Gilbert wished all a happy and safe Labor Day Holiday.

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

Mr. Steve Ramsey then welcomed all to attend the Sawmill Festival in Heflin, LA.

Mr. Charles Odom expressed his appreciation that Patrick Jackson had secured the services of Civicsource to handle the adjudicated property for the Police Jury.

Ms. Vera Davison moved, seconded by Mrs. Jerri Lee to approve the action taken at the Administrative Committee Meeting held earlier today.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Randy Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Perry Kirkland to approve the action taken at the Buildings and Grounds Committee Meeting held earlier today.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mrs. Jerri Lee report to the Jury that the Strike Force meeting on Thursday, August 27^thwas a success for the community and the Police Jury.  Mr. Ellzey Simmons of Trailblazer RC&D stated that this Strike Force Meeting was the best attended in 2014 and 2015 in the State of Louisiana.  Mr. Ramsey also stated that he wanted to recognize the Valero (Restaurant of Minden) for providing most of the food and to the participating Jurors that also contributed to make this such a success.  Jurors participating were:  Jerri Lee, Vera Davison, Steve Ramsey, and Steve Lemmons.

Audience Comments: 

Mr. Bonsall recognized Mr. Nick Cox and Mr. Harper Edwards prospective candidates for the Webster Parish Police Jury were in attendance.

Mr. Nick Cox stated that he appreciated the work done by the Jury and looks forward to a good race with Mr. Edwards.

Ronda Carnahan, Secretary-Treasurer reported that Police Jurors Bruce Blanton and Randy Thomas with wife Mitzi attended the Police Jury Association Region 4 Annual Meeting at Cypress Bend Resort in Sabine Parish.  Lisa Balkom, Kacheryl Jones, Ronda Carnahan and husband Robert also attended the event.  The Region 4 meeting will be held in Webster Parish in 2016. 

Mr. Bonsall took the opportunity to again thank all Jurors and friends for the support and prayer for him and his wife Cathy during her recovery in Houston.  Mr. Bonsall then reminded the Jurors that the Webster Parish Fair will be held in October and to remember to contribute to the purchase of an animal from the local 4-H students.  There being no further business to bring before the Jury, the meeting adjourned.

Ronda C. Carnahan                                                                   Jim Bonsall

Secretary-Treasurer                                                                   President