MINUTES OF THE ROAD COMMITTEE

WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

December 3, 2024

MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Ramsey, Chairman; Jim Bonsall, Mike Griffith, Steve Lemmons, Randy Thomas, Bruce Blanton, Nancy Hines, Daniel Thomas and LaTanya Grigsby

Absent: Beverly Kennon, Allen Gilbert and Adam Lee

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

Mr. Randy Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Mike Griffith to add municipality funding to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.

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

Mr. Daniel Thomas moved, seconded by Ms. Nancy Hines to approve the Vacation and Holidays for the Road, Office and Courthouse Maintenance Department. The Road Dept will be off December 23-January 5, 2025. Office will be closed December 26-27 in addition to the Police Jury holidays and Maint. Staff will be off 2 days as well. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Daniel Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Jim Bonsall to approve Road Material Bids for 2025 after legal review. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Daniel Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Mike Griffith to approve a Resolution from the Town of Sarepta to repair a backhoe, lawn mower and deliver one load of SB2 and purchase a new leaf blower for the town using Municipality Funding. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Steve Lemmons moved, seconded by Mr. Daniel Thomas to approve a Resolution from the Town of Sibley for one load of SB2 and purchase a new lawn mower for right of way mowing using Municipality Funding. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Bruce Blanton moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Lemmons to approve a Resolution for the Village of Dixie Inn to purchase a lawn mower for right of mowing for the village using Municipality Funding. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Jim Bonsall moved, seconded by Mr. Daniel Thomas to add Goodwill Frontage Road to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Jim Bonsall moved, seconded by Mr. Daniel Thomas to enter into a CEA with LADOTD for 750 yards of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) for Goodwill Frontage Road. The Parish will spread the Rap and haul from the DOTD location. Motion carried unanimously.

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

            /s/                                                                               /s/                                          

Lisa C. Balkom                                                                                   Steve Ramsey

Secretary-Treasurer                                                                           Chairman

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 MINUTES OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

December 3, 2024

Members Present: Jim Bonsall, Vice Chairman, Steve Ramsey, Steve Lemmons, Nancy Hines, Randy Thomas, Daniel Thomas, Mike Griffith, LaTanya Grigsby and Bruce Blanton

Absent: Beverly Kennon, Allen Gilbert and Adam Lee

Mr. Jim Bonsall called the meeting to order at (9:45A.M.) and asked for additions to the agenda. 

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved, seconded by Mr. Daniel Thomas to add the recreation funding for District 1 and District 3 to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Nancy Hines moved, seconded by Mr. Bruce Blanton to approve the October 2024 Financial Statement, Check Register and Bank Reconciliation.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Jim Bonsall presented the Financial Reports for the month of November 2024 to be approved at the January 2025 Meeting.

Mr. Brian Williams, City of Minden Fire Chief spoke on behalf of the Minden Rescue Squad. After a lengthy discussion, jury decided to table the budget request. It will stay at same rate for now.

Ms. Mary Ann Taylor with LAMA Animal Rescue gave a report for the year on what the organization has been doing. Discussion followed. The jury invited her to the February 2025 committee meeting.

Mr. Daniel Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Bruce Blanton to approve the low bid of $5,120,000,000. to Testament Construction after legal review. Motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Lisa C. Balkom spoke to the jury explaining that Pine Country Education District had a $70,000 check sent to the Webster Parish Police Jury from the Louisiana State Fire Marshall’s Office. This is a pass- through check only. Pine Country Education District was funded by LSU Fire Training and is now by the State Fire Marshall. This is a one-time occurrence.

Ms. Lisa C. Balkom asked if there was any discussion on the proposed 2025 budget. No discussion.

Mr. Daniel Thomas moved, seconded by Ms. LaTanya Grigsby to approve Recreation Funding for District #3 for $1000 of rock for Rainey Wells Road in Webster Parish. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Bruce Blanton moved, seconded by Mr. Randy Thomas to approve Recreation Funding for District #1 for the Webster Council on Aging to purchase a freezer for $1000. Motion carried unanimously.

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

______________________                                    _________/s/___________

Lisa C. Balkom                                                           Jim Bonsall

Secretary-Treasurer                                                   Parish President

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                                        MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

                              WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

                               December 3, 2024

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Jim Bonsall, President; Steve Ramsey, Vice President; Mike Griffith, Steve Lemmons, Nancy Hines, Randy Thomas, Daniel Thomas, Bruce Blanton, LaTanya Grigsby

Absent: Allen Gilbert, Beverly Kennon and Adam Lee

PUBLIC HEARING: 10:30AM To hear comments concerning the proposed 2025 Budget with Budget Notes of the Webster Parish Police Jury.

No Public Comments

Mr. Jim Bonsall called the meeting to order and asked

Mr. Steve Lemmons to open the meeting with prayer and asked

Mr. Mike Griffith to lead in the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

There were no comments from the audience concerning the agenda.

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

Mr. Bruce Blanton moved, seconded by Ms. Nancy Hines to adopt the minutes of the November 6, 2024 Road Committee, Finance Committee, and Regular Meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved, seconded by Ms. LaTanya Grigsby to approve the 2025 Proposed Budget of the Webster Parish Police Jury with Budget Notes as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Mike Griffith moved, seconded by Ms. LaTanya Grigsby to approve the appointment of Melinda Davidson as Director of the Webster Parish Police Jury Office of Community Services for the year 2025. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Mike Griffith moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Lemmon to approve Signature Resolution007-2024 authorizing Melinda Davidson, Director of WPPJOCS to sign documents on behalf of the organization. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Lemmons to approve Board Appointments for Pine Country Education District:

 Reappoint Lisa C. Balkom, Secretary-Treasurer Term 01/01/2025-12/31/2026

 Reappoint Jim Bonsall, Term 01/01/2025-12/31/2026

 Reappoint COL Carl Thompson 01/01/2025-12/31/2026

Motion carried unanimously

Ms. LaTanya Grigsby moved, seconded by Mr. Randy Thomas to approve Board Appointments for Webster Parish Communications District:

Reappoint Brian Williams to a 4- year term to expire December 2028

Reappoint Tynesa Grigsby to a 4-year term to expire December 2028

Motion carried unanimously

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved, seconded by Mr. Randy Thomas to approve Webster Parish Resolution 008-2024 to approve the holding of an election in Fire Protection District No. 2 (Sibley) of the Parish of Webster, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, March 29, 2025, to authorize the renewal of a special tax therein. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Mike Griffith moved, seconded by Mr. Randy Thomas to approve Board Appointment for Webster Parish Fire District #7:

Appoint Mickey Chandler to a 2-year term to expire December 31, 2026. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Bruce Blanton moved, seconded by Mr. Mike Griffith to approve Board Appointments for the Webster Parish Convention & Visitors Commission:

 Sara McDaniel 01/01/2025-12/31/2027

 Kyle Robertson 01/01/2025-12/31/2027

 Rachel Longfellow Miller 01/01/2025-12/31/2027.

Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Daniel Thomas moved, seconded by Ms. Nancy Hines to approve to add Webster Parish Library Board of Control Board Appointments to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved, seconded by Mr. Bruce Blanton to approve Board Appointments for the Webster Parish Library Board of Control:

Reappoint Linda Watson to a 5-year term to expire 12/31/2029 and replace member Jim Bonsall with Juror Nancy Hines. Motion carried unanimously.  

COMMENTS:

 Melinda Davidson                                                            WPOCS Director

 Savannah Jones                                                              Webster Parish Library                                 

 Allen Mosley                                                                     WP Coroner

Carl Thompson                                                                  WP Assessor, Denise Edwards

Shakera Williams                                                               LSU Ag/Extension Office

Brian Williams                                                                    WPPJ    OEP/HS Director

Angie Chapman                                                                 E911 Director

Adam Bass                                                                         Senator

Jessica Gorman                                                                 Dorcheat Historical Museum

Dean Baugh                                                                       NLEP

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 moved, seconded by Ms. LaTanya Grigsby 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

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