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MINUTES OF THE BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE MEETING

WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

FEBRUARY 2, 2016 – 9:00 a.m.

MEMBERS:  Randy Thomas, Chairman; Bruce Blanton, Vice Chairman; Jim Bonsall, President; Vera Davison; Jerri Lee; Nick Cox; Dustin Moseley; Allen Gilbert.

Mr. Randy Thomas called the meeting to order and asked Nick Cox to lead in the prayer.  Mr. Thomas then asked for additions to the agenda.

Ms. Vera Davison moved, seconded by Mr. Jim Bonsall to add to the agenda #5. Dogwood Trail, an 80 acre tract owned by the Jury.  Motion carried unanimously.

The first item on the agenda is the Courthouse Annex Renovation project.  The firm of Mike McSwain Architect had been asked to make an evaluation of the Annex and present a proposal for possible renovation of the first floor to be used for the Police Jury Offices and Meeting Rooms.  Mr. McSwain has made preliminary plans and submitted a proposal to consider for this project.  Mrs. Jerri Lee moved, seconded by Mr. Allen Gilbert to move forward with securing the services of Mike McSwain Architect for the Courthouse Annex Renovation for the first floor.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Ron Hudson, District Ranger for the U.S. Forest Service presented a Forest Road Project Agreement for the Jury’s consideration.  The Agreement is a form of a Cooperative Endeavor between the Forest Service and the Police Jury to maintain certain roads within the Kisatchie National Forest, Caney Ranger District that lay within Webster Parish.  Mr. Jim Bonsall moved, seconded by Ms. Vera Davison to enter into the Agreement.  Motion carried unanimously.

The U.S. Forestry Service also requested the Jury to make the Parish provisions concerning alcohol to be in line with the Kisatchie National Forest Prohibitions.  Currently the WPPJ has an ordinance prohibiting alcohol totally at the Caney Lake Preserve.  The Forestry Serves also prohibits alcohol in Day Use Areas.  Alcohol is allowed at a person’s camp area for personal consumption only.  After discussion, and advice from Patrick Jackson, ADA, Mr. Jim Bonsall moved, seconded by Mr. Dustin Moseley to abolish Webster Parish Police Jury Ordinance # 659.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Randy Thomas brought the committee up to date on the Penal Farm Property.  The Warden’s House has been abandoned, and he will do a walk through to look at the options for this property.  Any Jurors that would like to look at the site please contact Mr. Thomas before the March meeting.

The 80 acre tract of land on the Dogwood Trail that was obtained in the land swap agreement with Benson Environmental was discussed for possible land sale.  Mr. Bonsall suggested that the funds derived from the sale of this property could possibly offset some of the renovation cost of the Courthouse Annex.  There followed discussion of how a possible sale would be handled as far as mineral rights and Mr. Nick Cox stated that he would not like to see the Jury sell any property.  No action was taken.

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

Ronda C. Carnahan                                                                   Randy Thomas

Secretary-Treasurer                                                                   Chairman

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MINUTES OF THE ROAD COMMITTEE MEETING

WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

FEBRUARY 2, 2016 – immediately following Buildings & Grounds

MEMBERS:  Steve Ramsey, Chairman; Steve Lemmons, Vice Chairman; Jim Bonsall, President; Randy Thomas; Daniel Thomas; Vera Davison; Jerri Lee; Bruce Blanton; Allen Gilbert; Nick Cox; Dustin Moseley; and Bernard Hudson.

Mr. Steve Ramsey called the meeting to order and asked for additions to the agenda:  Mr. Randy Thomas moved, seconded by Mrs. Jerri Lee to add to the agenda the following items:

6.  Resolutions (2) for Cotton Valley.

7.  Resolution for Doyline

8.  Mr. Ken Tripp discussion of abandonment of Right of Way on the Wallace Road in District #3.

9.  Speed limit on Shadow’s Lane

10.  To enter into Executive Session to discuss Nelson Energy and possible litigation.

Motion Carried unanimously.

Mr. Jim Bonsall moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Lemmons to approve a Resolution from the town of Sibley to allow for the installation of culverts within the Town of Sibley for 2016.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Teddy Holloway presented a letter with municipality information that will be sent out to all Municipalities to urge the towns to send their request in as soon as possible so that Public Works can order stock pile materials and schedule the request in a timely manner. 

The next item on the agenda is Litter on Parish Roadways.  This item will be passed until the Regular meeting at 10:30 a.m.  Sheriff Gary Sexton is planning to update the Jury on efforts his office is making to help alleviate this problem.

Mrs. Jerri Lee moved, seconded by Mr. Randy Thomas to approve a request from Mr. Ronnie Compton, a Public Works employee out of the Sarepta Barn to take his remaining accumulated annual leave prior to his retirement.  The leave will be February 4 – March 16, 2016 with a retirement date of March 16, 2016.  WPPJ Personnel Policy requires this action.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mrs. Ronda Carnahan presented a Personnel Policy Change.  The change will remove all reference to 11 month employees; this will make our policy in compliance with the Affordable Care Act. Ms. Vera Davison moved, seconded by Mrs. Jerri Lee moved to make this Personnel Policy Change effective and retroactive to January 1, 2016.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Bernard Hudson moved, seconded by Mr. Allen Gilbert to approve two Resolutions from the Town of Cullen:

To order a street sign for Simmons Trail including post,  and to order two (2) Speed Limit School Sign with Post all to be paid through annual municipality funding.  Motion carried unanimously.

Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Dustin Moseley moved, seconded by Mr. Bruce Blanton to approve installation of culverts within the Village of Doyline for the year 2016 with funding from municipality funding.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Steve Lemmons moved, seconded by Mr. Randy Thomas to reduce the speed limit to 35 MPH from end to end on the Shadow’s Lane.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Ken Tripp requested that the undeveloped section of the Walker Road be abandoned.  This would be the part of the right of way past the hard surface portion that is 1644 feet from the intersection of Porterville Road.  This section was never developed nor was it accepted into the Parish Road Maintenance System.  Mr. Daniel Thomas moved, seconded by Mrs. Jerri Lee to declare this portion of undeveloped right of way at the end of Walker Road (paved section) abandoned and to hold a Public Hearing at the March meeting to hear comments concerning this abandonment.  Notice requirements will be made prior to the Public Hearing.  Motion carried unanimously.

There being no further business to bring before the Committee, Mr. Jim Bonsall moved, seconded by Mr. Dustin Moseley adjourn the Committee meeting and to enter into Executive Session to discuss Nelson Energy and possible litigation issues.  Motion carried unanimously.

Ronda C. Carnahan                                                                   Steve Ramsey

Secretary-Treasurer                                                                   Chairman

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

FEBRUARY 2, 2016 – 10:30 a.m.

MEMBERS:  Jim Bonsall, President; Vera Davison, Vice President;  Jerri M. Lee; Dustin Moseley; Randy Thomas; Daniel Thomas; Bruce Blanton; Nick Cox; Steve Lemmons; Bernard Hudson; Steve Ramsey; and Allen Gilbert

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

Mrs. Ronda Carnahan introduced Ms. Jackie Holloway.  Jackie is a Senior at North Webster High School and she is spending the day with the Police Jury as part of her Career Day activities.  She will tour all the Courthouse and Annex offices to see how Parish government works in Webster.

Mr. Randy Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Allen Gilbert moved to add to the agenda #12- Sheriff Gary Sexton to discuss the parish litter issues.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Daniel Thomas moved, seconded by Mrs. Jerri Lee to approve the minutes of the January 11, 2016 Regular Meeting.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Bruce Blanton moved, seconded by Ms. Vera Davison to approve invoices for payment pending review of the committee.  Motion carried unanimously.

The next item on the agenda is the Cullen Railroad Museum discussion.  Mr. Ray Mills, Mayor for the Town of Cullen spoke on behalf of the Cullen Railroad Museum.  Mr. Mills stated that the Cullen RR Museum is in disrepair with many issues including the roof is damaged and leaks.  He stated that they are just presenting this to the Jury, and will come back at a later date with a more detailed request.  There followed lengthy discussion.  No action was taken.

Ms. Vera Davison moved, seconded by Mr. Randy Thomas to ratify the action taken at the Buildings and Grounds Committee meeting to secure the services of Architect firm, Mike McSwain Architect to go forward with plans for the Courthouse Annex Renovation of the first floor.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Allen Gilbert moved, seconded by Mr. Bernard Hudson to approve the following Board Appointments:

a- The Cullen Fire Protection District #6 request the reappointment of Mr. Michael S. Lawler.

b- The WP Fire District #4 requests the reappointment of Mr. Paul Donaubauer for a 2 year term.

Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Allen Gilbert moved, seconded by Mr. Bruce Blanton to approve Recreational funds for the following:  District #2-$316 to purchase a TV Stand, Microwave, and refrigerator for the Cullen Senior Center and for $600.00 to purchase a Cut off Saw for the Springhill Fire Department.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Bruce Blanton moved, seconded by Mr. Allen Gilbert for District #1 - $600.00 to purchase a Cut off Saw for the Springhill Fire Department.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Randy Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Nick Cox to approve a Cooperative Forest Road Agreement between the Webster Parish Police Jury and the USDA Forest Service, Kisatchie National Forest for maintenance of certain forest roads within the Kisatchie National Forest.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mrs. Jerri Lee moved, seconded by Ms. Vera Davison to ratify action taken to approve the 2016 Budget of the Webster Parish Police  Jury Office of Community Services.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Dustin Moseley moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Ramsey to approve the engagement of Allen Green and Williamson to perform audit of the 2015 financials of the Webster Parish Police Jury Office of Community Services.  Motion carried unanimously.

Webster Parish Sheriff, Gary Sexton spoke to the Jury concerning the increasing litter problem within the Parish.  Sheriff Sexton has spoken to the State and he has an agreement that the state crews will come by and pick up bags of trash that have been collected and left in the ditches by the Parish crews.  The State is not picking up trash on State highways.  Sheriff Sexton said that he is trying to send out weekend litter crews.  Dare Officers are going to encourage students to help with litter education.  There was extensive discussion on ways to alleviate the problem.  Individually taking responsibility for their roads and in front of their homes would be very helpful.  No action taken.

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WPPJ Regular Meeting continued:

Mr. Daniel Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Bruce Blanton to add to the agenda to abandon an undeveloped portion of the Wallace Road and to call for a public hearing to hear comments concerning this abandonment at the March 1, 2016 Police Jury Meeting.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Daniel Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Dustin Moseley to abandon the undeveloped portion of Wallace Road reserving the mineral rights to this right of way and to advertise for a public hearing to hear comments concerning this matter.  Motion carried unanimously.

COMMENTS:

Mary Whitaker,                                  WPPJ OCS

Wanda Finley                                     Webster Parish Head Start

Beverly Hammett                               Webster Parish Library

Lynn Dorsey                                       Webster Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau

Joan Almond                                      Webster Parish Office of LSU Ag

COL Carl Thompson                          Webster Parish Assessor’s Office – Morris Guin Assessor

John Stanley                                       WP Office of Homeland Security and OEP

AUDIENCE COMMENTS

JUROR COMMENTS:

Mr. Allen Gilbert recognized Mayor Mills of Cullen and thanked him for attending the meeting.

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

Mr. Nick Cox expressed his appreciation to Sheriff Sexton for assisting with the Parish litter problem.  Mr. Cox also expressed his appreciation to Mayor Mills for having the tour of the Cullen Railroad Museum on Monday and inviting the Jurors.

Mr. Randy Thomas moved, seconded by Mrs. Jerri Lee to approve the action taken at the Buildings and Grounds Committee Meeting held earlier today – specifically the action taken to abolish Webster Parish Ordinance # 695 to make the policy at Caney Lake in line with the Kisatchie National Forest Prohibitions.

Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Randy Thomas also reminded everyone that this weekend February 5 – 7^this the St Jude Auction to benefit St. Jude Hospital and to help save the children of St. Jude suffering from Childhood cancer.

Mrs. Jerri Lee told Mr. Mills that he should talk to Mrs. Lynn Dorsey with the WP Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.  Mrs. Dorsey may have good ideas for the Railroad Museum..

Mr. Jim Bonsall then gave his closing remarks and there being no further business to bring before the Jury, the meeting adjourned.

Ronda C. Carnahan                                                                   Jim Bonsall

Secretary-Treasurer                                                                   President