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MINUTES OF THE ROAD COMMITTEE

WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

May 7, 2024

MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Ramsey, Chairman; Jim Bonsall, Adam Lee, Mike Griffith, Steve Lemmons, ,Beverly Kennon, LaTanya Grigsby, Nancy Hines, Daniel Thomas, Allen Gilbert and Randy Thomas

Absent:  Bruce Blanton

Mr. Steve Ramsey called the meeting to order (9:00AM) and asked Mr. Steve Lemmons to open the meeting with prayer. Mr. Steve Ramsey asked for additions to the agenda.

Mr. Steve Lemmons moved, seconded by Mr. Daniel Thomas to add Resolution from the Village of Doyline and resident Steve Crow of Sarepta. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Chris Bagwell, Permit Officer gave a report on the permits issued in April 2024. Discussion followed.

Mr. Richard Sanders of Sanders Road in Minden spoke to the jury. There’s a part of the road in question whether it is a private road or a city road. Mr. Jim Bonsall will look into the matter and speak with the City of Minden for clarification. This will be on the agenda for the June meeting. Discussion followed.

Mr. Steve Lemmons moved, seconded by Ms. Nancy Hines to Approve the Settlement Agreement and Release between Enable Gas Transmission, LLC (Energy Transfer), Larrett Energy Services, Inc. (Contractor) and the Parish of Webster for damages to Lake Road in 2023. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Daniel Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Randy Thomas to approve to remove and replace culverts for residents inside Webster Parish (not commercial). The landowner will be responsible for the culvert, a hold harmless agreement will be signed. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Daniel Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Allen Gilbert to approve to replace a culvert on B&R Drive inside the North Webster Industrial District. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Ron Hagar with Camp Minden Citizens Advisory Group spoke to the jury on the updates at Camp Minden Burn Chamber Disposal Site. Discussion followed.

Mr. Jim Bonsall moved, seconded by Mr. Mike Griffith to approve the Solar Farm Ordinance for Webster Parish, Article VI. Utility Scale Solar Project Facility (Solar Farm) Standards. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Adam Lee moved, seconded by Mr. Daniel Thomas to approve a Resolution from the Village of Doyline to purchase 2 reflective barricades for the Village using Municipality Funding. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Steve Crow resident of Sarepta. Louisiana, spoke to the jury about zoning in the parish. Currently Webster Parish isn’t zoned. Discussion followed. Parish Attorney, Patrick Jackson will have something for the jury at the next meeting. Mr. Crow is having issues with neighbors and property standards.

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

            /s/                                                                               /s/                                          

Lisa C. Balkom                                                                                   Steve Ramsey

Secretary-Treasurer                                                               Chairman

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

  MINUTES OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

May 7, 2024

Members Present: Beverly Kennon, Chairman, Jim Bonsall, Vice Chairman, Steve Ramsey, Adam Lee, Steve Lemmons, LaTanya Grigsby, Nancy Hines, Randy Thomas, Daniel Thomas, Allen Gilbert and Mike Griffith.

Absent; Bruce Blanton

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

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Mr. Jim Bonsall moved, seconded by Ms. Nancy Hines to approve the March 2024 Financial Statement, Check Register and Bank Reconciliation. Motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Beverly Kennon presented the Financial Reports for the month of April 2024 to be approved at the June 2024 Meeting.

Ms. LaTanya Grigsby moved, seconded by Mr. Allen Gilbert to approve to add Fund 031 to the Revenue and Expense Account concerning the Opioid Settlement beginning in 2023. The budget line item will be used for revenue loss for Coroner Expense, Criminal Court Expense and Sheriff Expense. Funds will be moved from the General Fund that was deposited into Refunds in 2023 Budget Year and moved to the Opioid Settlement Fund in 2024 Budget Year. Motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Lisa C. Balkom spoke to the jury on the Webster Parish Council on Aging going out for a millage tax. Upon approval from the jury, they will call for an election in July of 2024. This will be on the June agenda.

Mr. Jim Bonsall moved, seconded by Mr. Allen Gilbert to approve the updated Code of Ethics violations in the Webster Parish Police Jury Manuel:   If an employee is accused of violating the Code of Ethics an investigation will be conducted.  If found guilty the punishment is immediate termination.

Employees will be notified of any changes to the Ethics Policy by memo and will be required to return the signed form acknowledging receipt of the policy change. 

Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Randy Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Mike Griffith to approve to advertise to bid to sell the adjudicated properties in Webster Parish. (list attached) Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved, seconded by Ms. LaTanya Grigsby to approve the updated Travel Policy as of May 7, 2024 as presented:

TRAVEL POLICY

For this policy, the Webster Parish Police Jury may be referred to as WPPJ; Employee(s) is referring to general staff, Jurors, and appointed officials,

Webster Parish Police Jury will reimburse employees for reasonable business travel expenses incurred while on assignments away from the normal work location.  All business travel must be approved in advance by the Secretary-Treasurer.  Travel by elected officials to conventions, seminars, or training sessions must be approved by a majority vote of the Police Jury.

When approved, the actual cost of travel: meals, lodging, parking, and mileage directly related to accomplishing business travel objectives will be reimbursed by WPPJ.  If travel is 30 miles or less you will only be reimbursed for mileage.  Travel expenses are expected to be limited to reasonable amounts.

EXPENSE STATEMENT:

When travel is completed, employees should submit completed travel expense reports within 30 days.  Reports should be accompanied by receipts for all individual expenses.  Abuse of this business travel expenses policy, including falsifying expense reports to reflect costs not incurred by the employee, can be grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

Jurors will fill out a WPPJ Expense statement with all tickets and/or invoices attached.  Mileage will be paid at a rate of $.65 per mile (2023).  Staff with Police Jury issued vehicles will fill the vehicle prior to leaving for the trip and any additional fuel that is bought must have fuel tickets attached for reimbursement.  If needed, arrangements can be made for fuel cost prior to the trip through the Secretary-Treasurers office.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS:

The Secretary-Treasurer’s office will make hotel reservations for Jurors and Staff as approved by the WPPJ.

Reservations will be made at the hotel on the accommodation list that is provided by the event organizer.  Every effort will be made to reserve accommodations at the host hotel.  The rooms will be secured with the WPPJ Credit card.  Payments for the hotel rooms will be made with the WPPJ Credit Card or by WPPJ Check.  If you decide not to go for any reason (except death or sickness) you are required to reimburse the Police Jury for monies owed within 30 days or it will be deducted from your payroll check.

*NOTE:  Most hotels require that the actual occupant of the room provide a security deposit in the form of  cash or by personal credit card.  PLEASE BE PREPARED TO PROVIDE THIS IN THE EVENT IT IS NEEDED.  Any allowable

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“out of pocket” charges that are made to the Juror or the Staff will be taken care of by the Office upon return to Minden, but you must provide receipts for reimbursement. 

NOTE:  The office staff only has the information that is provided by the organizers of the event to which is being attended.  The office normally does not have first-hand knowledge of the location, condition, or policy of the hotels other than what is provided.

FOOD:

Food tickets are reimbursed as follows:

An employee is eligible for reimbursement of actual meal cost up to the applicable maximum published state rates in effect.  See attached the per diem allowance rates.  Juror or Staff expenses only, charges for spouse or other guest must be paid by the Juror or staff member.  If a meal has been provided for you, you are expected to consume that meal.  There should be NO meal tickets turned in for this meal time.

Alcohol is not an allowed expense.

Motion carried unanimously.

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

______________________                                    _________/s/___________

Lisa C. Balkom                                                           Beverly Kennon

Secretary-Treasurer                                                   Chairman

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

                                                              MINUTES OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL

                                                 COMMITTEE MEETING

                                         WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

                                                           MAY 7, 2024

MEMBERS PRESENT: Daniel Thomas, Chairman; Randy Thomas, Vice-Chairman; Mike Griffith, LaTanya Grigsby, Steve Ramsey and Adam Lee

Mr. Daniel Thomas called the meeting to order and asked for additions to the agenda.

Discussion followed on Amended Ordinance 688, Section 7 ½ of the Ordinances of Webster Parish and providing for ratification and confirmation thereof. (Webster Community Action Association)

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

______________________                                    _________/s/___________

Lisa C. Balkom                                                           Daniel Thomas

Secretary-Treasurer                                                

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                                 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

                        WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

                             May 7, 2024

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Jim Bonsall, President; Steve Ramsey, Vice President; Beverly Kennon, Mike Griffith, Steve Lemmons, LaTanya Grigsby, Nancy Hines, Randy Thomas, Daniel Thomas, Allen Gilbert, Bruce Blanton and Adam Lee

Mr. Jim Bonsall called the meeting to order at 10:30am.

 Mr. Steve Lemmons to open the meeting with prayer. 

Mr. Mike Griffith led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mr. Jim Bonsall then asked for additions to the agenda.

Mr. Steve Lemmons moved, seconded by Ms. Nancy Hines to add E911 Board Appointments to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.

There were no comments from the audience concerning the agenda.

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

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved, seconded by Ms. Nancy Hines to adopt the minutes of the April 2, 2024 Road Committee, Finance Committee and Regular Meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Mike Griffith moved, seconded by Mr. Randy Thomas to approve the Multi-Jurisdictional Consortium Agreement for the Seventh Planning District Consortium Workforce Development Board with Coordinating and Development. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Daniel Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Bruce Blanton to approve the Board Appointments for Sarepta Fire District #5 to appoint Scott Boyett to replace Jim Bell and reappoint Roger Schumacher to a 2-year term to expire 12/31/2025. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved, seconded by Mr. Daniel Thomas to approve Amended Ordinance 688, Section 7 ½ of the Ordinances of Webster Parish and providing for ratification and confirmation thereof. (Webster Community Action Association) Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Lemmons to approve Recreation Funding for District 11 for the Town of Sibley for Clean Up Day for $500. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Mike Griffith moved, seconded by Mr. Randy Thomas to approve the E911 Board Appointments to appoint Tynesa Grigsby to replace Drew White for a term to expire December 31, 2024. Motion carried unanimously.

COMMENTS:

Savannah Jones                    WP Library Director

Christie Cox                            Allen Moseley/Coroner

COL Carl Thompson               Denise Edwards/Assessor

Shakera Williams                    LSU Ag/Extension Service

Angie Chapman                      E911 Director

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. Beverly Kennon moved, seconded by Mr. Daniel Thomas to approve the action taken at the Finance Committee Meeting held earlier today.  Motion carried unanimously.  

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