MINUTES
Of the Regular Meeting of
The Claiborne Parish Police Jury
July 9, 2008
Homer, LA 71040
The Claiborne Parish Police Jury met in regular session in the office of the Police Jury, located at 507 West Main Street in Homer, LA at 9:00 A.M. on the ninth day of July 2008. On being called to order by the President Roy Mardis, the following jurors were present:
Roy Mardis, Scott Davidson, Lavelle Penix, Roy Lewis, Brain “Butch” Bays, Rev. Willie Young, Robert “Bob” McDaniel, Mark Furlow, Jerry Adkins and Joe Sturgis.
The meeting was opened with a word of Prayer led by Rev. Willie Young, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Scott Davidson.
Upon motion by Lavelle Penix, duly seconded by Robert “Bob” McDaniel, the Jury unanimously adopted the agenda as presented.
Upon motion by Scott Davidson, duly seconded by Joe Sturges, the Jury unanimously approved to amend the agenda and add the following item at the end of the presented agenda.
PROPOSED CHANGES TO AGENDA – July 9, 2008
Upon motion by Joe Sturges, duly seconded by Scott Davidson, the Jury unanimously approved the payment of the June 2008 bills, pending approval by the Claims Committee. (item considered out of order)
Upon motion by Mark Furlow, duly seconded by Roy Lewis, the Jury unanimously approved the minutes of the June 4, 2008 regularly scheduled meeting of the Police Jury, with the noted correction being made by Secretary-Treasurer Woodard concerning item #2 on page #1 in reference to notification from the State of Louisiana Department of Veteran Affairs – it should read the monthly contribution for the Veteran’s Office will DECREASE (not increase) from $738 per month to $722 per month effective January 1, 2009.
President Mardis introduced Mr. Darrell Avery – candidate for District Attorney of Claiborne, Bienville, and Jackson Parishes. Mr. Avery gave a brief description of his law experience and family history and the qualifications he possessed that he felt would make him a qualified candidate for the office of District Attorney in the upcoming fall elections.
Mr. Roe McCasland gave a brief presentation on a proposal for a Small Log Stud Mill to be located in Claiborne Parish and after some discussion about the feasibility and possibility of such a venture. Upon motion by Rev. Willie Young, duly seconded by Mark Furlow, the Jury unanimously approved the recommendation to turn Mr. McCasland’s proposal over to Mr. Dennis Butcher and the Claiborne Parish Economic Development Board and then act upon the Board’s recommendation.
Upon motion by Mark Furlow, duly seconded by Joe Sturges, the Jury unanimously approved the request from the Town of Haynesville, in a letter dated June 19, 2008, for delivery of one load of cold mix to the city shop on Spring Street. The Town understands that the work is to be done on a reimbursement basis.
Upon motion by Scott Davidson, duly seconded by Mark Furlow, the Jury approved request from Secretary-Treasurer Dwayne R. Woodard to post and advertise for sealed bids for the purchase of road material for a period of one (1) year, beginning August 7, 2008, for the use by the Claiborne Parish Highway Department. Secretary-Treasurer Dwayne R. Woodard reminded the Jury and Road Superintendent Tommy Durrett, there needs to be a bid received in each specified area because the Jury cannot negotiate a price after the fact for an area in which a bid was not received without formally re-bidding that area.
Upon motion by Scott Davidson, duly seconded by Mark Furlow, the Jury unanimously approved request from Road Superintendent Tommy Durrett to allow ALL Highway Department crews to work 4-10’s (four 10 hour days) during the Parish’s Chip & Seal Program starting on July 14, 2008 until August 6, 2008.
Upon motion by Mark Furlow, duly seconded by Jerry Adkins, the Jury approved the recommendation from the Personnel Committee on the filling of the posted job opening (in house) of Inmate Supervisor with Truck Driver Eddie Monk effective immediately starting at $10.50 per hour.
Upon motion by Mark Furlow, duly seconded by Jerry Adkins, the Jury approved recommendation from Personnel Committee on the filling of the posted job opening (in house) of Truck Driver with Mechanic-Helper Jim Garner effective immediately starting at $10.50 per hour.
Upon motion by Mark Furlow, duly seconded by Jerry Adkins, the Jury approved the recommendation from the Personnel Committee to advertise for the vacant position of Mechanic/Helper within the Claiborne Parish Highway Department. The vacant position will run in the local papers advertising July 17, 24, and 31st 2008.
Upon motion by Joe Sturges, duly seconded by Scott Davidson, the Jury approved the recommendation from the Garage Committee to purchase two (2) new Hercules 6’ mowers/cutters for $2,550 each and one (1) new John Deere Tractor # 5303 four wheel drive with front end loader for $20,674 on State Contract from Goldman Equipment.
Upon motion by Mark Furlow, duly seconded by Joe Sturges, the Jury approved the recommendation from the Buildings and Grounds Committee to partner with Claiborne Parish Animal Rescue (Mrs. Tara Hollis) for a 6 month trial period for establish a spaying and neutering program for low income families up to an amount $700.00 per month for vouchers by a vote of 9-1 (Lavelle Penix). This is just an agreement to enter into a spay and neuter program for a 6 month period – at a future date the Jury will be presented for their approval the guidelines and procedures for the implementation of the program.
The Buildings and Grounds Committee recommended that the request for a parish wide animal control officer be tabled until further studies could be done. No action was taken.
After much discussion and upon motion by Scott Davidson, duly seconded by Roy Lewis, the Jury unanimously agreed to table the request for partnership with OEP and Homeland Security in making necessary upgrades to turn the present Jury Room into an Emergency Operations Center and Multi-Media Center – this is part of the master plan for upgrading and improving the existing office/working space within the Police Jury Complex. The Police Jury as a whole suggests that the Building & Grounds Committee, OEP and Sheriff come together to work out the best solution available. Rev. Willie Young and Mark Furlow wanted it noted that the current Jury Room needs to remain administrative in nature.
A motion by Joe Sturges, which was duly seconded by Scott Davidson, to re-appointment of John Wesley Cooper for a two (2) year term ending June 30, 2010 on the Claiborne Parish Economic Development Board. The floor was then opened for nominations for a director to serve a four year term ending June 30, 2012. President Mardis nominated Mr. Joey White with Claiborne Electric to serve. Upon motion by Scott Davidson, duly seconded by Rev. Willie Young the floor was closed for nominations.
Upon motion by Rev. Willie Young, duly seconded by Lavelle Penix, the Jury unanimously approved the reappointed of Mr. Cooper for a two year term and the appointment of Mr. White was unanimously approved to serve a four year term.
Upon motion by Lavelle Penix, duly seconded by Scott Davidson, the Jury unanimously approved to table request from Claiborne Parish Watershed District to consider proposed new ordinance on nuisance vegetation until further information could be gathered.
Upon motion by Jerry Adkins, duly seconded by Robert “Bob” McDaniel, the Jury unanimously approved to table consideration of proposed parish ordinance for abandoned, blighted and/or dilapidated real property, and to refer the proposed ordinance to the Buildings & Grounds Committee and the D.A.
Upon motion by Scott Davidson, duly seconded by Joe Sturges, the Jury unanimously approved Resolution 2008-013-Authorizing the President to sign documents on behalf of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury concerning a $1,000.000 Hazard Mitigation.
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RESOLUTION 2008-013
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT TO SIGN DOCUMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE CLAIBORNE PARISH POLICE JURY CONCERNING A $1,000,000 HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the Claiborne Parish Police Jury, in conjunction with the Claiborne Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness, is applying for and hopes to be awarded up to a $1,000,000 grant monies from FEMA through their hazard Mitigation Grant Program; and
WHEREAS, the due date for the grant application is July 31, 2008;
AND WHEREAS, expediency is a matter of necessity in relation to the application for these funds;
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the Claiborne Parish Police Jury AUTHRORIZES the President, Roy Mardis, to sign and execute documents on behalf of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury relating to the above referenced grant application.
Upon a motion by Scott Davidson and duly seconded by Joe Sturges this motion was carried and officially adopted by the Claiborne Parish Police Jury meeting in regular session convened on Wednesday, July 9, 2008.
Yeas (10) Nays (0) Abstain (0) Absent (0)
/s/ Dwayne R. Woodard /s/ Roy Mardis
Secretary-Treasurer President
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ITEM #20 – JULY 9, 2008 – AGENDA
SECRETARY-TREASURER – UPDATE ON GRANTS AND OTHER ITEMS
Amount – amended amount $191,000
Due Date – October 1, 2006
Project – Parish wide road sign upgrade & rehab
Status – assigned State Project Number (737-14-0102) and Federal Aid Project Number (HRRR-1407(502)) the LRSP and the DOTD via letter dated August 22, 2007 – cooperative agreement signed and returned to DOTD from LTRC.
Amount – amended amount $42,500
Due Date – October 1, 2007
Project – Parish road sign inventory
LRSP/LTAP Project Number – 01-CLAa-070037
Accepted and awarded via letter dated March 28, 2008.
Project manager assigned – Mr. Lyle Savant
Status – Parish completed work on Lewis Way and Morris Lane. Construction contract on Spigener and Stateline is complete and application for reimbursement by the State is currently being processed.
Amount - $72,800
Projects – Norton Shop Water System Emergency Generator $35,000 – Pine Hill Water System Emergency Generator $7,800 – CPPJ Office Complex $30,000
Status – Contract between Parish and State has been executed. The contract for the Norton Shop Generator was awarded in the amount of $24,200 to TGS Contactors and the project is now complete. The Jury is presently working with Parish Engineer Brad Graff on the Pine Hill Water System Generator and the improvements at the Police Jury Complex
Net sales tax collections for April 08 – $93,628.16 – decrease $21,905.59 (-23.40%)
Net sales tax collections for May 07 - $63,315.04 – increase $8,407.53 (13.28%)
Net cash collections for 2008 - $447,487.97 as compared to 2007 $368,729.10 - inc (21.36%)
Net taxable sales for 2008 - $41,388,231 as compared to 2007 $37,196,112 – inc (11.27%)
Cash position at May 31, 2007 - $4,391,548.86 (increase of $1,068,096.27)
Cash position at May 31, 2008 - $5,699,062.07 (decrease of $-239,416.94)
Cash on deposit at June 30, 2008 –
First Guaranty - $3,547,326.20
LAMP - $1,912,318.93
Citizens Bank - $200,000.00
Gibsland Bank - $100,000.00
Capital One - $100,000.00
Regions Bank - $100,000.00
None presently scheduled –
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PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Roe McCasland - would like to thank the Police Jury for their support.
Road Superintendent – Tommy Durrett announces the black topping crew will start on Monday
July 14, 2008 and work four (4) ten (10) hour days. He thanked the Police Jury for the three (3) new pieces of equipment – two (2) bush hogs and one (1) tractor.
Mr. Robert “Bob” McDaniel – reported on the proposed ramps to be built on the Court House square and that we are waiting on the DOTD permit.
Mr. Joe Sturges expressed how he would like to see the Parish work toward a form of “Parish Wide” government in the future.
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Upon motion by Roy Lewis, duly seconded by Mark Furlow, the meeting was adjourned.
__________________________ ________________________
Dwayne R. Woodard Roy Mardis
Secretary – Treasurer President