MINUTES
Of the Regular Meeting of
The Claiborne Parish Police Jury
September 10, 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 tenth day of September 2008. On being called to order by the President Roy Mardis, the following jurors were present:
Roy Mardis, Scott Davidson, Lavelle Penix, Danny “Roy” Lewis, Brian “Butch” Bays, Rev. Willie Young, Robert “Bob” McDaniel, Jerry Adkins, and Joe Sturges.
Mr. Mark Furlow was absent due to a death in the family.
Others in attendance were Chic Hines, J.T. Taylor, Clerk of Court Pat Gladney, Robin Bridges, Ellzey Simmons, Gene Coleman, Janelle Brown, Sheriff Ken Bailey, Scott Greeson, Tommy Durrett, Jean Reynolds, Dr. Alice Stewart, Michelle Bates, Jackie Roberts, Mayor David Newell, Rev. Lester Scott, William Maddox and Raymond Sanders.
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 Joe Sturges, 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 additional items (1 & 2) at the end of the original agenda and to add additional item # 3 between original items #12 & #13.
PROPOSED CHANGES TO AGENDA – September 10, 2008
Upon motion by Scott Davison, duly seconded by Rev. Willie Young, the Jury unanimously approved the minutes from the August 6, 2008 regularly scheduled meeting of the Police Jury.
Upon motion by Jerry Adkins, duly seconded by Joe Sturges, the Jury unanimously approved payment of the August 2008 bills, pending approval by the Claims Committee.
President Roy Mardis welcomed Mr. Jeff Thompson, a candidate for the 4th Congressional District of the U.S. of Representatives.
President Roy Mardis welcomed Mr. Ellzey Simmons of Trailblazer RC&D. Mr. Simmons presented a nine (9) minute educational video to the Police Jury concerning preserving the Sparta Aquifer. This DVD was distributed to our surrounding schools. In closing, Mr. Simmons thanked the Police Jury for their continued support of Trailblazer and its projects.
Upon motion by Jerry Adkins, duly seconded by Scott Davidson, the Jury unanimously approved the request from James Patrick Gladney, Claiborne Parish Clerk of Court, in a letter dated August 1, 2008, asking that the Police Jury take the appropriate steps to renounce its claims to funds due from the Clerk’s Office under R.S. 13:785 for the 2004-2008 term of the Clerk.
Upon motion of Scott Davidson, duly seconded by Roy Lewis, the Jury unanimously approved to table the request for a letter of support for Lane Merritt of Cotton Valley, LA concerning the encroachments upon Bayou Dorcheat, which is a part of the LA Wildlife and Fisheries’ Scenic Stream Program until the October 8, 2008 meeting.
Upon motion by Scott Davidson, duly seconded by Joe Sturges, the Jury unanimously approved the request of Ms. Brandi White, the Veterans Assistance Counselor for Claiborne Parish, in a letter dated August 13, 2008, requesting the installation of privacy blinds for the Veterans Service Office.
Upon motion by Lavelle Penix, duly seconded by Scott Davidson, the Jury unanimously approved the recommendation of the Garage Committee to purchase a Caterpillar CB24 47” roller packer from Louisiana Machinery under state contract for the price of $36,105.45. This machine has a 36 month or 5,000 hour warranty.
Upon motion by Jerry Adkins, duly seconded by Scott Davidson, the Jury unanimously approved the recommendation from the Personnel Committee to hire Will C. Wafer for the advertised position of Truck Driver within the Claiborne Parish Highway Department with a starting wage of $10.50 per hour for a probationary period of six (6) months.
Upon motion by Jerry Adkins, duly seconded by Joe Sturges, the Jury unanimously approved the recommendation from the Personnel Committee to hire the 2nd highest scoring interview applicant, Mr. James B. Green, for the open position of Truck Driver within the Highway Department due to the recent resignation of a truck driver. Mr. Green will be hired at a starting wage of $10.00 per hour for a probationary period of six (6) months.
Upon motion by Jerry Adkins, duly seconded by Scott Davidson, the Jury unanimously approved the recommendation from the Personnel Committee to hire Gerald Lee for the advertised position of Mechanic/Helper within the Claiborne Parish Highway Department with a starting wage of $8.50 per hour for a probationary period of six (6) months.
Upon motion Jerry Adkins, duly seconded by Scott Davison, the Jury unanimously approved the recommendation of the Personnel Committee for a wage adjustment of $0.12 per hour for Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Ms. Desiree L. Goss effectively immediately. This is an increase in base wage from $13.23 to $13.35 per hour and is based on the recommendation of Secretary-Treasurer Woodard after he performed the employee’s annual evaluation.
Upon motion by Jerry Adkins, duly seconded by Joe Sturges, the Jury unanimously approved the recommendation from the Personnel Committee for a wage adjustment of $0.29 per hour for Administrative Assistant Mrs. Shelia Washington effective immediately. This is an increase in base wage from $12.71 to $13.00 per hour and is based on the recommendation of Secretary-Treasurer Woodard after he performed the employee’s annual evaluation.
Upon motion by Jerry Adkins, duly seconded by Scott Davidson, the Jury unanimously approved the recommendation from the Personnel Committee to change the wording in the job description of Mechanic/Helper to require that the individual hold a Chauffer’s license instead of a CDL license. This change has been cleared with the Parish’s insurance company.
Upon motion by Joe Sturges, duly seconded by Scott Davidson, the Jury unanimously approved the request from the Claiborne Parish Library, in a letter dated August 22, 2008, to construct a parking lot adjacent to the library complex, the cost of which will be paid by the Claiborne Parish Library.
Upon motion by Lavelle Penix, duly seconded by Roy Lewis, the Jury unanimously approved request from Road Superintendent Tommy Durrett to continue the 4-10’s work program for Highway Department personnel until September 18, 2008.
Upon motion by Scott Davidson, duly seconded by Rev. Willie Young the Jury unanimously approved to table Resolution 2008-016 – Resolution of Support for Local Government Assistance Program (LGAP) Grant Due September 26, 2008 - until after the Grants Committee meets on September 18, 2008 at 3:00 pm. This resolution will be included on the agenda for the Special Called Meeting later that day at 5:30 p.m.
Upon motion by Joe Sturges, duly seconded by Scott Davidson, the Jury unanimously approved Resolution 2008-017 – Resolution Authorizing the President to sign documents in relation to application for a LA Workforce Commission Community Services Block Grant for the period 10/1/2008 to 9/30/2010.
RESOLUTION 2008-017
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT TO SIGN DOCUMENTS ON BEHALF OF CLAIBORNE PARISH CONCERNING THE 2010 CENSUS
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 upcoming 2010 Census.
Upon a motion by Joe Sturges and duly seconded by Scott Davidson this motion was carried and officially adopted by the Claiborne Parish Police Jury meeting in regular session convened on Wednesday, March 5, 2008.
Yeas 9 Nays 0 Abstain 0 Absent 1
/s/ Dwayne R. Woodard /s/ Roy Mardis
Secretary-Treasurer President
Road Superintendent Tommy Durrett informed the Jury that the LPESA Fall Conference in West Monroe on September 25-26 has been rescheduled until the later part of October 2008. Mr. Durrett, along with Road Foremen Jim Morgan and Chad Verdin still plan to attend the conference.
Road Superintendent Tommy Durrett reminded the Jurors about an equipment demonstration (Asphalt Zipper Company) at 12:00 noon today for those who are interested in seeing it. Immediately after the video presentation in the Jury Room, they will head to the Red Adams Road for a field demonstration of the Asphalt Zipper machine.
Upon motion by Joe Sturges, duly seconded by Rev. Willie Young, the Jury unanimously approved the request from the Town of Haynesville for two loads of cold-mix to be delivered to the city shop on Spring Street on a reimbursement basis.
ITEM #22 – SEPTEMBER 10, 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.
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 partial from the State has been received.
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 – $105,672.76 – decrease $26,778.15 (-25.34%)
Net sales tax collections for July 07 - $57,467.06 – increase $21,427.55 (37.29%)
Net cash collections for 2008 - $632,055.34 as compared to 2007 $519,606.44 - inc (21.64%)
Net taxable sales for 2008 - $60,215,893 as compared to 2007 $51,239,063 – inc (17.52%)
Cash position at August 31, 2007 - $4,042,837.45 (increase of $339,929.25)
Cash position at July 31, 2008 - $4,860,845.29 (decrease of $-478,078.59)
Cash on deposit at August 31, 2008 –
First Guaranty - $1,962,280.23
LAMP - $1,919,647.46
Citizens Bank - $200,000.00
Gibsland Bank - $100,242.47
Capital One - $100,291.88
Regions Bank - $100,304.86
9/12/08 – LRPIC Board Meeting in Monroe
Mr. Lester R. Scott with the House of Refuge gave a brief presentation to the Jury about a potential use for the “old armory building”. Upon the request of President Roy Mardis, this issue was referred to the Buildings & Grounds Committee (possibly September 18) and then placed on the agenda for the October 8, 2008 regularly scheduled Jury meeting.
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PUBLIC COMMENT –
Homer Mayor David Newell thanked the Police Jury and the Highway Department with their involvement with work on several roads within the town of Homer.
Mr. Robin Bridges, Claiborne Parish 4-H Chair, thanked the Police Jury for their support, and reminded everyone that the Claiborne Parish Fair is upon us and is scheduled for September 21-27, 2008.
Mr. Gene Coleman gave an update on the work of the Sparta Commission and the need for continued education on water consumption and its affect on the Sparta.
Road Superintendent Tommy Durrett thanked the Police Jury for the new equipment that the Highway Department has been authorized to purchase.
Dr. Alice Stewart gave an update on the parish-wide Water Conference that was held at Claiborne Electric on August 28.
Juror Lavelle Penix encouraged everyone to purchase a cookbook from the Athens Garden Club to help support them with their annual project, which this year is to place exterior accent lighting at the Claiborne Parish Courthouse.
Juror Rev. Willie Young thanked Ms. Desiree L. Goss and Mrs. Shelia Washington, under the supervision of Secretary-Treasurer Woodard, for a job well done. Rev Young also commended President Mardis on his leadership provided to the Jury and the ability of the Jury as a whole to work well together over the past few years.
Juror Robert “Bob” McDaniel gave an update on the access ramps at the Courthouse and DA’s office and that construction should start sometime in October. He also asked for support from the two local newspapers for help with getting proposed constitutional concerning the raising of the severance tax cap during the upcoming election.
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Upon motion by Scott Davidson, duly seconded by Roy Lewis, the meeting was adjourned.
__________________________ ________________________
Dwayne R. Woodard Roy Mardis
Secretary – Treasurer President