PAGE 079-2019

MINUTES OF THE ROAD COMMITTEE

WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

December 3, 2019

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

Mr. Steve Ramsey called the meeting to order and asked Mr. Nick Cox to open with prayer.  Mr. Ramsey then asked for additions to the agenda.

Mr. Dustin Moseley moved, seconded by Mrs. Jerri Lee to add to the agenda- Mr. David Greene with Republic Waste.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Steve Lemmons moved, seconded by Ms. Vera Davison to approve the 2020 bid tabulation as presented upon legal review.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mrs. Jerri Lee moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Lemmons to approve the Christmas Vacation for the Public Works Department:  Annual Leave December 23, 26, 27, 30, and 31, 2019 and Holiday- December 24, 25, 2019 and January 1, 2020.  The Public Works Offices and Barns will be closed December 23- January 1, 2020.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Steve Ramsey had discussion concerning Permits for Logging on Webster Parish Roads.  There followed extensive discussion.  Mr. Ramsey requested a review of the current ordinances that cover requirements, cost, penalties, etc. for contractors doing logging in the parish.  He asked that the ordinance and a revised Permit Application be implemented to assure that the logging contractors know up front the requirements which include: A pipe in the ditch for Temporary Access covered with rock or mats; A pipe n the ditch for Permanent Access covered with asphalt, Mud and/or other obstructions must be removed from the Parish Road during and after the harvesting of timber by the contractor, and if not the contractor will be invoiced for the cost of clean-up; no equipment can be left on the roadway or the right of way; and to include a large fine for non-compliance.  Mr. Dustin Moseley moved, seconded by Mr. Daniel Thomas to approve the above stated compliance to logging ordinances and permit application pending legal review.  This will be effective January 1, 2020.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Randy Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Allen Gilbert to post “No Thru Trucks” on Sandhill Road to direct traffic, specifically heavy weight  to use State highways instead of Sandhill Road.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Nick Cox moved, seconded by Mr. Randy Thomas to approve the use of remaining municipality funds for the Village of Heflin, specifically loads of rock to be delivered to their site, pending paperwork.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. David Greene, with Republic Waste discussed Webster Parish Landfill issues and concerns with the Jury.  He updated the Jury on new revenue streams that Republic is utilizing, the current issue with tires from Benson Environmental, this has been resolved; and then Mr. Greene took questions from the Committee.  No action taken.

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

            /s/                                                                                 /s/                                            

Ronda C. Carnahan                                                       Steve Ramsey

Secretary-Treasurer                                                      Chairman

PAGE 080-2019

MINUTES OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE

WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

December  3,  2019

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Vera Davison, Chairman; Jerri Lee, Vice-Chairman, Daniel Thomas, Steve Ramsey, Nick Cox, Bruce Blanton, Dustin Moseley, and Jim Bonsall, President.

Ms. Davison called the meeting to order and asked for additions to the agenda. 

Mrs. Davison told the Committee that she had gone over the discussion from the October meeting regarding the policy for Habitual non-attendance fine for Webster Parish Jurors to be included in the Policy Manual.  Mrs. Davison then read the motion to set the guidelines for Juror absence:

To add to the Formal Operations and Policies of the Webster Parish Police Jury:

In Reference to:  RS 33:1233, A (iii) and (iv)

Jurors that are habitually tarty or absent from regular, special, or committee meetings of the Police Jury may be required to forfeit the sum of  $50.00 (fifty dollars) of the salary for each nonattendance without reasonable excuse.

Reasonable Excuse is limited to the following:

1. Illness (employee and/or employee immediate family. )
2. Death  (immediate family- mother, father, sibling, child, spouse, mother-in-law, father-in-law.
3. Military Duty
4. Police Jury business
5. Other excuse must be approved by a vote of the Jury.

Jurors that notify the President and/or the Secretary-Treasurer of absence prior to the meeting is excused.

All Jurors will be notified of the Policy for habitual tarty and absence.

Mr. Steve Ramsey seconded the motion and the motion passed with 1 No vote – Blanton. 

Mr. Jim Bonsall moved, seconded by Mrs. Jerri Lee to approve the Police Jury Office Christmas Holiday:

Annual Leave: December 23, 26, and 27, 2019  Holiday: December 24 & 25, 2019.  The Police Jury Office will be closed the week of December 23 – 27, 2019, Return on December 30, 2019.  The office will be closed on Wednesday, January 1, 2020.  Motion carried unanimously.

Policy changes were presented for the GOSEP/ FEMA review/audit.  These are required policies to be included in the Webster Parish manual prior to close out.  Also, an additional response to the 2018 finding of the WPPJ audit reference # 2019-001 CDBG allowable cost was presented for the committee to approve and is included with the new policies:  Surplus Assets; Record Retention Policy/Schedule; Segregation of Duties in the WPPJ Office.  Mr. Dustin Moseley moved, seconded by Mrs. Jerri Lee to approve the policies and the additional audit response as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.

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

            /s/                                                                                             /s/                                            

Ronda C. Carnahan                                                                   Vera Davison

Secretary-Treasurer                                                                  Chairman

 PAGE 081-2019

MINUTES OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

 December 3, 2019

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

Mr. Jim Bonsall called the meeting to order and asked for additions to the agenda.  No additions.

Mrs. Jerri Lee moved, seconded by Mr. Bruce Blanton to approve the October 2019 Financial Statement, Check Register, and Bank Reconciliation.  The October Bank Reconciliation includes the LCDBG Account and the Retired Employees Accounts.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Bonsall presented the Financial Reports for the Month of November, 2019.  The reports will be approved at the  Finance Committee Meeting. 

Budget amendments were presented to the Committee for consideration.  The budget amendments will be approved at the Regular Meeting this morning.

The 2020 Financial Budget for the Webster Parish Police Jury is presented for consideration.  Budget Workshops were held in November and the budget by line item was presented.  The Budget Notes include any changes to the published budget and explain the salary changes for the Juror compensation, Police Jury Office changes, Public Works Department changes, and the 2.5% COL increase for 2020.  Copy is attached to and made a part of the minutes.  Discussion followed.  The budget will be presented for approval at the Regular Meeting later this morning. 

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

            /s/                                                                                             /s/                                            

Ronda C. Carnahan                                                                   Jim Bonsall

Secretary-Treasurer                                                                  Chairman

PAGE 082-2019

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

December 3, 2019

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

And Allen Gilbert

PUBLIC HEARING:  To hear comments concerning the proposed 2020 Budget of the Webster Parish Police Jury.  There were no comments or concerns concerning the proposed 2020 Budget of the Webster Parish Police Jury.

REGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER:

Mr. Jim Bonsall called the meeting to order and asked Mr. Nick cox to open the meeting with prayer.  Juror Bernard Hudson led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mr. Steve Lemmons moved, seconded by Mrs. Jerri Lee to add to the agenda a request to purchase adjudicated property by an adjacent landowner - #13.  Motion carried unanimously.

There were no comments from the audience concerning the agenda.

Ms. Vera Davison moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Lemmons to approve invoices for payment by Juror Steve Lemmons on December 9, 2019.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Bruce Blanton moved, seconded by Mrs. Jerri Lee to approve the minutes of the November 5, 2019 Committee Meetings and the November 5, 2019 Regular Meeting.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved, seconded by Mr. Allen Gilbert to approve the proposed 2020 Financial Budget of the Webster Parish Police Jury as presented with Budget Notes.  Motion carried unanimously.

The Webster Parish Library Board of Control appointments were presented for approval.  To approve the re-appointment of Mrs. Linda Watson to be reappointed to a 5-year term to expire on 12/31/2024 and to approve the appointment of Ms. Laura Evans to fill the vacant position of Lyda Madden whose term would expire on 12/31/2020.  Mrs. Jerri Lee moved, seconded by Mr. Daniel Thomas to approve the appointments as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Bernard Hudson moved, seconded by Ms. Vera Davison to approve the re-appointment of Mrs. Melinda Davidson as Director of the Webster Parish Police Jury Office of Community Services for the year 2020.  Motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Vera Davison moved, seconded by Mrs. Jerri Lee to approve the Signature Resolution authorizing Mrs. Melinda Davison, Director of the WPPJ OCS to sign documents on behalf of the organization.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Bruce Blanton moved, seconded by Mrs. Jerri Lee to approve the use of 2019 Recreational funding for the following:

a- District #8              Dorcheat Historical Museum                       $800.00 for Computer system

b- District #8             Sparta                                                           $1,000.00 for support.  

       c- District #9             WPPJ OCS                                                     Not to exceed $873.00 for a Printer.

       d- District #6             Trailblazer RC&D                                           $1,375.00 for support

       e- District #4             LSU Ag- Shooting Sports                               $1,375.00 for rock, misc. expense

       District #4                  WPPJ Office                                                   $500.00 holiday supplies

Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Randy Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Allen Gilbert to approve the end of the year 2019 budget amendments as presented for the WPPJ.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Lemmons to approve the Policy Revisions for compliance with GOSEP/FEMA for closeout of FEMA projects.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Nick Cox moved, seconded by Mrs. Jerri Lee to approve the Change of the January 2020 Regular Meeting.  The Regular Meeting for January 2020 will be held on January 13, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. with all Jurors being sworn in for their new term of office beginning January 13, 2020 and ending December 31, 2024.

PAGE 083-2019

REGULAR MEETING

DECEMBER 3, 2019 – CONTINUED:

Mr. Allen Gilbert moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Lemmons to approve the purchase of adjudicated property, specifically a lot located at 316 Pine Street, Minden, LA   71055- Assessment #112244 by adjacent landowner LaShunda Gill who has maintained the vacant lot in accordance with all relevant state and local laws for a period of one year as verified by neighbors.  Motion carried unanimously.

COMMENTS:

Melinda Davison                                 WPPJ Office of Community Services

Wanda Finley                                       WPPJ Head Start

Serena Gray                                          Webster Parish Convention and Visitor’s Bureau - Tourism

Report                                                    Webster Parish Coroner, Dr. Max Stell

Carl Thompson                                    W.P. Assessor, Morris Guin

Brian Williams                                     WPPJ OEP/HS Director

Lee Faulk                                              LSU Ag Center

Jason Parker                                         Webster Parish Sheriff Elect

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

All Jurors extended their wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy, and Blessed New Year.

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. Nick Cox expressed his appreciation to Dustin Moseley and to Mrs. Jerri Lee for all they did for Webster Parish and for himself personally. 

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.

Ms. Vera Davison moved, seconded by Mr. Nick Cox to approve the action taken at the Finance Committee Meeting held earlier today.  Motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Davison then told the Jury that she would miss Mrs. Jerri Lee and all the events and meetings that they had traveled to together representing the Police Jury, she will miss her travel partner. 

Mr. Daniel Thomas updated the Jury on former LSU AG Director Buddy Thomas.

Mr. Jim Bonsall then gave Presidents’ closing remarks, Mr. Bonsall then presented to Mrs. Lee and to Mr. Moseley Certificates of Appreciation for their years of service to the citizens of Webster Parish.

Mrs. Lee told the Jury that it has been an honor to serve District #9 and appreciated the experiences and the service.  Feliz Navidad .  

Mr. Dustin Moseley also expressed his appreciation for his service to District #12.  Mr. Moseley introduced his successor, Mr. Benjamin “Ed” Jordan.

Mr. Jordan then said a few words to the Jury.

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

            /s/                                                                                             /s/                                            

Ronda C. Carnahan                                                                   Jim Bonsall

Secretary-Treasurer                                                                  President