MINUTES
Of the Regular Meeting of
The Claiborne Parish Police Jury
August 6, 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 sixth day of August 2008. On being called to order by the President Roy Mardis, the following jurors were present:
Roy Mardis, Scott Davidson, Lavelle Penix, Roy Lewis, Rev. Willie Young, Robert “Bob” McDaniel, Mark Furlow, Jerry Adkins and Joe Sturges.
Brian “Butch” Bays was absent
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 Scott Davidson, duly seconded by Mark Furlow, the Jury unanimously adopted the agenda as presented.
Upon motion by Lavelle Penix, duly seconded by Joe Sturges, the Jury unanimously approved to amend the agenda and add the following items at the end of the presented and adopted agenda.
PROPOSED CHANGES TO AGENDA – August 6, 2008
National Guard Armory for use as an educational facility and place of worship.
Upon motion by Scott Davidson, duly seconded by Rev. Willie Young, the Jury unanimously approved the minutes from the July 9, 2008 regularly scheduled meeting of the Police Jury.
Upon motion by Joe Sturges, duly seconded by, Lavelle Penix, the Jury unanimously approved payment of the July 2008 bills, pending approval by the Claims Committee.
President Roy Mardis welcomed Dr. John Fleming, a candidate for the 4th Congressional District of the U.S. of Representatives. Dr. Fleming gave a brief description of his up bringing and the qualifications he feels that he possesses that will make him the right choice for this office. Dr. Fleming was born in Mississippi and was educated at the University of Mississippi. He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and a business owner.
President Roy Mardis welcomed Mrs. Joan Almond from the Webster Parish 4-H Extension Office – who was asked to temporarily work in Claiborne Parish. Mrs. Almond formally introduced Mr. Robin Bridges as the new Parish Chair of Claiborne Parish 4-H.
President Roy Mardis formally opened the Public Hearing concerning levying millage for 2008 tax roll. The floor was opened to responses and/or comments concerning the proposed millages for the 2008 levy, either oral or written. No responses, either oral or written, were received so the public hearing section was closed.
Upon motion by Scott Davidson, duly seconded by Roy Lewis, the Jury unanimously approved
Resolution 2008-014.
RESOLUTION 2008-014
A RESOLUTION LEVYING MILLAGE FOR 2008 TAX ROLL FOR THE CLAIBORNE PARISH POLICE JURY
BE IT RESOLVED, that the following millage is levied on all property subject to taxation by the Claiborne Parish Police Jury:
|
GENERAL FUND |
PARISH WIDE |
MILLAGE LEVIED |
|
1. Parish Tax |
Outside Municipalities |
_3.950____ Mills |
|
2. Parish Tax |
Inside Municipalities |
_1.970____ Mills |
|
|
|
|
|
MAINTENANCE FUND |
PARISH WIDE |
|
|
1. Claiborne Parish Library |
|
_5.180 ___ Mills |
|
2. Building Maintenance |
|
_2.300 ___ Mills |
|
|
|
|
|
PARISH ROAD FUND |
PARISH WIDE |
|
|
1. Parish Road Fund |
|
_7.000____ Mills |
|
|
|
|
|
EQUIPMENT FUND |
PARISH WIDE |
|
|
1. Equipment Fund |
|
_2.000____ Mills |
BE IT RESOLVED that the proper administrative officials of the Parish of Claiborne, State of Louisiana, be and they are hereby empowered, authorized and directed to spread said taxes, as hereinabove set forth, upon the assessment roll of said Parish for the year 2008, and to make the collection of the taxes imposed for and on behalf of the District according to law, and that the tax herein levied shall become a permanent lien and privilege on all the property subject to taxation as herein set forth, and the collection thereof shall be enforceable in the manner provided by law.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the foregoing resolution was read in full and the resolution was adopted.
Upon a motion by Scott Davidson and duly seconded by Roy Lewis this motion was carried and officially adopted by the Claiborne Parish Police Jury meeting in regular session convened on Wednesday, August 6, 2008.
Yeas: 9 – Mardis, Davidson, Penix, Lewis, Young, McDaniel, Furlow, Adkins, Sturges
Nays: 0
Abstain: 0
Absent: 1 - Bays
/s/ Dwayne R. Woodard /s/ Roy Mardis
Secretary-Treasurer President
Secretary-Treasurer Woodard reminded the Jury that the tax rolls will be open from 9/9/08 through 9/23/08 and that the Jury will be setting as a of Board of Review for 2008 tax roll during a special called meeting on September 18, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. here at the Police Jury Complex.
Upon motion by Roy Lewis, duly seconded by Rev. Willie Young, the Jury unanimously approved request from First Baptist Church of Homer, in a letter dated July 28, 2008, for use of the Court House lawn on Sunday August 10, 2008, at 6:45 p.m. for a Prayer Walk. This was approved by the Judge’s Office on July 28, 2008.
Upon motion by Scott Davidson, duly seconded by Joe Sturges, the Jury unanimously approved the recommendation from the Personnel Committee Chair Mark Furlow, to hire Mr. Gerald Lee for the open position of Mechanic-Helper at a starting rate of $8.50 per hour within the Claiborne Parish Highway Department.
Upon the recommendation of Personnel Committee Chair Mark Furlow, the interview date for the posted job opening of Truck Driver within the Claiborne Parish Highway Department was set for Thursday, September 4, 2008 at 4:00 p.m.
Upon motion by Scott Davidson, duly seconded by Mark Furlow, the Jury unanimously approved recommendation from the Garage Committee Chair Lavelle Penix and awarded the lowest bids for the purchase of road materials (iron ore) for the period August 7, 2008 to August 5, 2009 in the following areas to:
AREA #1
No bid received
AREA #2 - $0.98/yd
Frances H. Bays
Jeanne H. Atkins
Patricia H. Bryan
701 West Main St.
Homer, LA 71040
AREA #3 - $1.00/yd
James W. “Buzzy” Buckner
P.O. Box 34
Athens, LA 71003
AREA #4 - $1.00/yd
Mark Milam
1525 Cambridge
Shreveport, LA 71105
AREA #5 - $1.00/yd
Thomas G. Whitman
P.O. Box 156
Lisbon, LA 71048
AREA #6 - $1.00/yd
W.C. Smith, Jr.
2989 Hebron Road
Bernice, LA 71222
AREA #7
No bid received
AREA #8 - $0.75/yd
Bridgman M. Thomas
1311 Jefferson St
Homer, LA 71040
Upon motion by Roy Lewis, duly seconded by Scott Davidson, the Jury unanimously approved the request from Road Superintendent Tommy Durrett, to continue the 4-10’s work program for Highway Department personnel for one more month to September 10, 2008, or until the summer work program is over, which ever comes first.
Upon motion by Mark Furlough, duly seconded by Joe Sturges, the Jury unanimously approved request from Town of Haynesville, in a letter dated July 29, 2008, concerning the location of a permanent dumpster on Burnham Drive for use by residents in that area of the Parish. The dumpster will be placed as soon as dirt work is done on the sight to make it suitable for placement of the dumpster.
President Roy Mardis expressed a concern with Roy Walters of Allied Waste of a particular resident in his area regarding garbage collection, especially within the “Hardship Policy” concerning a handicapped individual. Juror Scott Davidson, pointed out he has had several complaints in his area, brought it to Mr. Walters attention and has since been resolved. Rev. Young brought it to the Jury’s attention that we have had issues like this on a consistent basis for the past year or so.
Upon motion by Roy Lewis, duly seconded by Jerry Adkins, the Jury unanimously approved the request from the Claiborne Parish Watershed District, in a letter dated July 24, 2008, to add payroll function of Clerk (part-time) under the Police Jury’s administrative payroll function on a reimbursement basis. The Police Jury as a similar agreement with the Second Judicial Criminal Court System for the administration of the Criminal Court Fund.
Upon motion by Rev. Willie Young, duly seconded by Jerry Adkins, the Jury unanimously approved request from Claiborne Parish Watershed District, in a letter date July 29, 2008, requesting funds in the amount of $250.00 for use in hosting the Parish Water Supply Seminar on August 28, 2008 at the Claiborne Electric Co-Op Meeting Room.
Upon motion by Roy Lewis, duly seconded by Scott Davidson, the Jury unanimously approved the request from Secretary-Treasurer Woodard for the Jury to enter into a Business Guarantor Agreement with Homer Memorial Hospital which will insure that the Police Jury will receive a 30% discount on all charges in which the Police Jury is the guarantor.
Upon motion by Mark Furlow, duly seconded by Scott Davidson, the Jury unanimously approved quote the quote of $1,850.00 from Dubach Air & Heat for replacing the failed A/C compressor that services the Big Room and the connecting main hall of the Police Jury Complex.
Upon motion by Scott Davidson, duly seconded by Roy Lewis, the Jury unanimously approved the quote of $2,915.00 from Mar-Telco (Jerry Marcantel) of Homer, LA for the installation of a new 5 line system for the Police Jury administrative offices. The price includes installation and training; the monies are to be paid out of LSUCCC Grant monies - $ 10,000 of which is budgeted for new office equipment and furniture.
Secretary-Treasurer Woodard reported that he has received the 08-09 ($100,000) Local Government Assistance application and it is due on September 12, 2008.
Juror Robert “Bob” McDaniel reported that the Police Jury has been issued the DOTD permit for construction of the proposed concrete ramps at the Courthouse.
Secretary-Treasurer Woodard reported that the Parish has received the tree seedling order forms for the 2008-2009 planting season from the LA Dept of Agriculture & Forestry and they can be picked up at the Ag Center Extension office located in the Police Jury Complex.
Upon motion by Scott Davidson, duly seconded by Mark Furlow, the Jury unanimously approved Resolution 2008-015- A Resolution Calling For Public Input Concerning the Police Jury’s 2009 Housing Assistance Programs Annual Plan.
______________________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION 2008-015
A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A HEARING FOR PUBLIC INPUT CONCERNING THE POLICE JURY’S 2009 HOUSING ASSISTANCE PORGRAMS ANNUAL PLAN
WHEREAS, HUD, according to the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 (QHWRA), all Public Housing Agencies (including the Claiborne Parish Police Jury) shall develop an Annual Plan with a Statement of Mission, Goals and Objectives. The PHA (Claiborne Parish police Jury) shall prepare a plan and call a hearing to request comments and input from the community about said plan and then submit the completed plan to HUD;
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the Claiborne Parish Police Jury shall call a hearing in the official newspaper. The hearing shall be to ask for comments from the public about input into the annual plan to discuss the Mission, Goals and Objectives of the Section 8 Housing Assistance programs administered by the Police Jury. And, in addition, the hearing shall attempt to address the housing needs of the lower income population of the Parish. Copies of the proposed annual plan shall be displayed at the hearing to be held at the Claiborne Parish Police Jury Complex located at 507 West Main Street, Homer LA on Friday October 3, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. The hearing shall be open to the public.
Upon a motion by Scott Davidson and duly seconded by Mark Furlow this motion was carried and officially adopted by the Claiborne Parish Police Jury meeting in regular session convened on Wednesday, August 6, 2008.
Yeas _9_ Nays _0_ Absent _1_ Abstain _0_
/s/ Dwayne R. Woodard /s/ Roy Mardis
Secretary-Treasurer President
______________________________________________________________________________
Upon motion by Scott Davidson, duly seconded by Roy Lewis, the Jury unanimously approved the recommendation from the Personnel Committee to adjust the salary for Secretary-Treasurer Woodard from $50,000 annually to $60,000 annually effective immediately.
Upon motion by Scott Davidson, duly seconded by Rev. Willie Young, the Jury unanimously approved the recommendation from the Building & Grounds Committee to establish a Parish Emergency Operations Center at the CPSO CID Building (old Claiborne Electric Co-op Building).
Upon motion by Rev. Willie Young, duly seconded by Jerry Adkins, the Jury unanimously agreed to table the request from Rev. Lester R. Scott, in a letter dated July 25, 2008, to rent the old National Guard Armory for use as an educational facility and a place of worship.
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ITEM #27 – AUGUST 6, 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 – contract signed and returned to DOTD via letter dated July 23, 2008.
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.
Status – 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 June 08 – $71,722.57 – increase $33,950.19 (47.34%)
Net sales tax collections for June 07 - $93,410.28 – increase $12,262.48 (13.12%)
Net cash collections for 2008 - $553,160.73 as compared to 2007 $462,139.38 - inc (19.69%)
Net taxable sales for 2008 - $52,149,373 as compared to 2007 $45,671,671 – inc (14.18%)
Cash position at June 30, 2007 - $4,095,623.74 (increase of $765,221.55)
Cash position at June 30, 2008 - $5,459,645.13 (decrease of $-598,799.84)
Cash on deposit at July 31, 2008 –
First Guaranty - $2,444,770.650
LAMP - $1,915,955.47
Citizens Bank - $200,000.00
Gibsland Bank - $100,119.17
Capital One - $100,000.00
Regions Bank - $100,000.00
None presently scheduled –
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PUBLIC COMMENT -
Dr. Alice Stewart reminded everyone about the upcoming water system meeting at Claiborne Electric on August 28.
Scott Greeson with Claiborne Parish reported that the Parish was awarded a grant for the rehabilitation of Lisbon Landing on Lake Claiborne and that we scored 2nd highest of the 19 applications were submitted. He also thanked the people involved in preparing the grant application - Secretary-Treasurer Woodard, Road Superintendent Tommy Durrett, Dr. Robert Haynes, Ms. Lauren Tichenor, and the Watershed District commissioners. Scott Greeson also reported that E-911 held a course for CPR/First Aid had a great turn out.
Clyde C. Hightower, Claiborne Parish Tax Assessor thanked the Jury for their action in passing the resolution that levied the millage for the 2008 tax roll, and reminded the Jury that there will be a special called meeting on September 18 for them to Sit as a Board of Review for the 2008 tax roll.
Cathy Greeson of Claiborne Parish O.E.P. gave an update on the status of the grant for the Emergency Generator Project; it has been awarded, signed and mailed back. This should allow the Parish to have generator back up for each water system in the Parish in addition to emergency power here at the Police Jury Complex.
Road Superintendent Tommy Durrett reported that the Parish “black topping” is complete and as of August 5, 2008, they completed 20 and 6/10 tenths miles of Parish road. There should be approximately $30,000 remaining in this year’s budget and Road Superintendent Durrett plan’s to use it to purchase rock for next year’s program at this year’s bid price. Juror Scott Davidson asked for a report on the bush hogging program, Durrett reported that they are running (6) six bush hogs they are on the 2nd round and he hopes to do one more round for this season. Juror Mark Furlow voiced a concern of the amount of signs that are being knocked down by the mowing crews during the bush hog season. Juror Scott Davidson asked Road Superintendent Tommy Durrett if there is a possibility of changing the bush hogging route for next year. The same route has been used for years and he would like to see if there is a more efficient route that could be used.
Mrs. Jean Reynolds, Executive Director of Claiborne Parish OOCS stated that her program uses the Armory Building every other month for the “Food for Seniors” program. She stated that the North Louisiana Food Bank wants her office to join their “Food Pantry Program” in which the food will arrive packaged and will then be separated and boxed individually before it is distributed to the recipients. Mrs. Reynolds was given assurance that any leasing of the Armory Building would not interfere with her programs.
Juror Lavelle Penix asked Secretary-Treasurer Woodard for an update on the purchase of new chairs for the jury box at the Court House. Secretary-Treasurer Woodard has given the Judge’s office the approval to select the style and type of chair that they felt comfortable with.
Rev. Willie Young praised Scott Greeson and the Watershed District for the excellent grant package that was submitted for the Lisbon Landing project, he also gave a brief update on the Bypass and praised Secretary-Treasurer for his hard work.
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Upon motion by Mark Furlow, duly seconded by Roy Lewis, the meeting was adjourned.
__________________________ ________________________
Dwayne R. Woodard Roy Mardis
Secretary – Treasurer President