PAGE 001-2024

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

January 8, 2024

10:00 A.M.      Honorable Holli Vining, Clerk of Court administered the Oath of Office to the incoming Jurors for the term of office beginning January, 2024 and ending January, 2028:

Jim Bonsall, Steve Ramsey, Steve Lemmons, LaTanya Grigsby, Nancy Hines, Randy Thomas, Mike Griffith, Bruce Blanton, Daniel Thomas, Allen Gilbert, Beverly ”Debbie” Kennon, and Adam Lee

10:30 A.M.

PUBLIC HEARING: To hear comments concerning the proposed abandonment of a right of way of the Webster Parish Police Jury Road Maintenance Department, listed as Ridgeway Road PR-10A, 816 feet long and 16 feet wide, which is located off of Louisiana Hwy 371, 32.63876N/93.36557W. Parcel listing 108274, Webster Parish, Louisiana.

Byron Patterson was in attendance and was in favor of the abandonment.

No other comments

Public Hearing closed

REGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER:

PRAYER:  Steve Lemmons

PLEDGE:  Mike Griffith

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved to nominate Mr. Jim Bonsall for President for the year 2024.  There were no other nominations, Mr. Bonsall is elected by acclamation.

Mr. Steve Lemmons nominated Mr. Steve Ramsey for Vice President for the year 2024. There were no other nominations, Mr. Ramsey is elected by acclamation.

Mr. Mike Griffith moved, seconded by Mr. Randy Thomas to add Recreation Funding for Webster Parish Fire District #7 and to Abandon Ridgeway Road PR-10A. Motion carried unanimously.

There were no audience comments

Mr. Allen Gilbert moved, seconded by Mr. Bruce Blanton to approve invoices for payment pending review by juror Allen Gilbert.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved, seconded by Ms. Beverly Kennon to adopt the minutes of the December 5, 2023 Road Committee, Finance Committee, and Regular Meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Daniel Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Adam Lee to appoint Lisa C. Balkom, Secretary-Treasurer, and to appoint Alicia Owens, Asst. Secretary-Treasurer to a two-year term.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Bruce Blanton moved, seconded by Mr. Randy Thomas to approve Webster Parish Police Jury Resolution #001-2024 Signature Authorization Resolution.  Motion carried unanimously.

Ms. LaTanya Grigsby moved, seconded by Mr. Mike Griffith to approve Resolution # 002-2024 to set the date and time for the Police Jury Regular meetings, on the first Tuesday of the month at 10:30am with the exception of November 5, 2024 (Election Day) and it will be moved to Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at the Webster Parish Courthouse Annex located at 401 Main Street West Entrance, Minden, LA.  Motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Nancy Hines moved, seconded by Ms. LaTanya Grigsby to approve the Proposed 2024 Budget and Amended 2023 Budget for the operation of the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory Commission. Motion carried unanimously.

                                                                                          PAGE 002-2024

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved, seconded by Ms. Nancy Hines to approve the 2024 Budget with actual brought forward figures from 2023 and End of Year Budget Amendments to include brought forward figures from 2023. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Bruce Blanton moved, seconded by Ms. Beverly Kennon to approve the following financial reports of the Webster Parish Police Jury:

1. Financial Statement, Check Registers, and Bank Recon. for the month of November, 2023.
2. Jury/Witness Fee Bank Recon, Retiree Account Bank Recon and LCDBG Bank Recon for July-December 2023.

Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Jim Bonsall presented the December 2023 financials to be approved in February.

Mr. Allen Gilbert moved, seconded by Mr. Mike Griffith to approve the change order for North/South Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $2,909.18 for the Cullen Senior Center located at 103 Murria Street in Cullen, LA. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Randy Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Ramsey to approve the 2024 Beer & Video Poker Renewals:

Video Poker:

*Pot O’ Gold                                              230 Goodwill Rd. Minden, LA 71055

*Minden Truckstop & Casino                    1629 LA Hwy 531 Minden, LA 71055

*Timberland Truckstop, LLC                     26026 Hwy 371 Sarepta, LA 71071

*Shongaloo Crossroad Lounge                13529 Hwy 159 Shongaloo, LA 71072

*Shongaloo Crossroad Deli                      13531 Hwy 159 Shongaloo, LA 71072

Beer:

*E-Z Mart                                                   26545 Hwy 371 Sarepta, LA 71071

*Shongaloo Crossroad Lounge                 13529 Hwy 159 Shongaloo, LA 71072

*Shongaloo Crossroad Deli                       13531 Hwy 159 Shongaloo, LA 71072

*Sawmill Lounge                                        26026 Hwy 371 Sarepta, LA 71071

*Timberland Truckstop, LLC                       26026 Hwy 371 Sarepta, LA 71071

*Springhill Country Club                             26746  Hwy 371 Cullen, LA 71021

High Alcohol Content:

*Shongaloo Crossroads Lounge                13529 Hwy 159 Shongaloo, LA 71071

*Springhill Country Club                             26746 Hwy 371 Cullen, LA 71021

Motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Nancy Hines moved, seconded by Ms. LaTanya Grigsby to approve the Board Appointments for the Pine Country Education District:Reappoint Brian Williams, Chairman term to end 12/31/2025, Reappoint Lisa C. Balkom, Secretary-Treasurer term to end 12/31/2024, Reappoint Butch Ford term to end 12/31/2025, Reappoint Jim Bonsall term to end 12/31/2024 and Reappoint COL. Carl Thompson term to end 12/31/2024. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Mike Griffith moved, seconded by Mr. Randy Thomas to approve the Board Appointment for the Webster Parish Fire District #7 to reappoint Gary Greene to a two-year term ending 12/31/2025. Motion carried unanimously.

The jury discussed to amend Webster Parish Ordinance #982. It will be voted on at a later time.

Mr. Mike Griffith moved, seconded by Mr. Allen Gilbert to approve Recreation Funding to expend $500 to the Webster Parish Fire District #7 on gloves for the department. Motion carried unanimously.

PAGE 003-2024

Mr. Mike Griffith moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Lemmons to approve to Abandon Ridgeway Road, PR-10A in Webster Parish. Motion carried unanimously.

COMMENTS:

Melinda Davidson                    WPOCS Director

Wanda Finley                           HeadStart Director

Savannah Jones                      WP Library Director

Serena Gray                            WP C.V.B. (Tourism)

Allen Mosley                            WP Coroner

Col. Carl Thompson                 Denise Edwards/Assessor

Shakera Williams                     LSU Ag/Extension Service

Brian Williams                          OHSEP Director

John Barr                                 Congressman Mike Johnson

Angie Chapman                        E911 Director

Jessica Gorman                        Parish Historian

Mr. Jim Bonsall then gave Presidents’ closing remarks.

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

/s/                                                                                                                            /s/                                                           

Lisa C. Balkom Secretary-Treasurer                                                      Jim Bonsall      President

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