MINUTES
Of the Regular Meeting of
The Claiborne Parish Police Jury
October 8, 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 eight day of October 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, Robert “Bob” McDaniel, Jerry Adkins, Joe Sturges and Mark Furlough.
Rev. Willie Young was absent.
Others in attendance were Chic Hines of the Claiborne Parish Watershed District, Teresa Price of Claiborne Parish 4-H, J.T. Taylor of the Claiborne Chamber of Commerce), Constable William Maddox, Claiborne-Bienville-Jackson Parish D.A. Candidate Darrell Avery, Justice of Peace Chuck Clawson, Scott Greeson with Claiborne Parish E-911, Mrs. Robert McDaniel, Janelle Brown of Haynesville, Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey, Michelle Bates of the Guardian Journal and Jackie Roberts of the Haynesville News.
The meeting was opened with a word of Prayer led by Mark Furlow, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Scott Davidson.
Upon motion by Scott Davidson, duly seconded by Lavelle Penix, the Jury unanimously adopted the agenda as presented.
Upon motion by Mark Furlow, duly seconded by Joe Sturges, the Jury unanimously approved to amend the agenda and to add the following additional items to the original agenda.
PROPOSED CHANGES TO AGENDA – October 8, 2008
Upon motion by Lavelle Penix, duly seconded by Scott Davidson, the Jury unanimously approved the minutes from the September 10, 2008 regularly scheduled meeting of the Police Jury.
Upon motion by Scott Davidson, duly seconded by Joe Sturges, the Jury unanimously approved the minutes from September 18, 2008 special called meeting of the Police Jury.
Upon motion by Lavelle Penix, duly seconded by Scott Davidson, the Jury approved payment of the September 2008 bills, pending approval of the Claims Committee.
Mr. Darrell Avery, candidate for the District Attorney of Claiborne, Bienville and Jackson Parishes, gave a brief update on his candidacy for the office of District Attorney.
Upon motion by Lavelle Penix, duly seconded by Scott Davidson, the Jury approved the request from Mr. Lee Frye, Jr. for a load of gravel to repair the driveway at the polling place of precincts # 41 & # 42 (the Harris Polling Place).
Upon motion by Jerry Adkins, duly seconded by Joe Sturges, the Jury unanimously approved the request from DART, in a letter dated September 22, 2008, to display silhouettes of victims of domestic violence on the Court House lawn in observance of October being “domestic Abuse Awareness Month”. In addition, the group wishes to hold a small vigil tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, October 29, to remember and pay tribute to these victims. The request has been pre-approved by Judge Clason’s office on September 24, 2008.
Upon motion by Joe Sturges, duly seconded by Scott Davidson, the Jury unanimously approved the verbal request from Lighthouse Family Worship Center, Ben Booth – Pastor, on September 19, 2008, to use the Court House lawn on September 21, 2008, from three (3) p.m. to six (6) p.m.
The request has been pre-approved by Judge Clason’s office on September 19, 2008.
Upon motion by Mark Furlow, duly seconded by Scott Davidson, the Jury unanimously approved a request for a letter of support for Lane Merritt of Cotton Valley, LA, concerning encroachments upon Bayou Dorcheat which is part of the Louisiana WLF’s Scenic Stream Program.
Upon motion by Scott Davidson, duly seconded by Roy Lewis, upon recommendation from the Building & Grounds Committee, the Jury unanimously agreed to formally deny the request for the rental of the “old armory building” to Rev. Lester R. Scott , dba The House of Refuge, upon advice from the Parish’s legal counsel.
A short presentation was made by Justice of Peace Chuck Clawson and Constable William Maddox regarding their new camera surveillance program that will be implemented in the near future to help combat littering and illegal dumping in Claiborne Parish.
Upon motion by Jerry Adkins, duly seconded by Roy Lewis, the Jury unanimously approved the request from Trailblazer RC&D, in a letter dated September 16, 2008, requesting that they be included in the 2009 CPPJ budget in the amount of $1,200 for sponsor support. The amount for 2008 was $1,200.
Announcement – effective January 1, 2009 – the employer rate (Parish’s portion) of the retirement contribution through the Parochial Employee’s Retirement System (PERS) will be 12.25%. This is a DECREASE of .50% from 12.75% in 2008.
.Upon motion by Scott Davidson, duly seconded by Mark Furlow, the Jury unanimously approved Resolution 2008-018 – Resolution for Off-System Bridges for Fiscal Year 2008-2009 as requested by DOTD.
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RESOLUTION 08-018
RESOLUTION FOR OFF-SYTEM BRIDGES FOR FISCAL YEAR 08/09
WHEREAS, the Code of Federal Regulations as enacted by the United States Congress mandates that all structures defined as bridges located on all public roads shall be inspected, rated for safe load capacity and posted in accordance with the National Bridge Inspection Standards and that an inventory of these bridges be maintained by each State, and
WHEREAS, the responsibility to inspect, rate and load post these bridges under the authority of Claiborne Parish in accordance with those standards is delegated by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to Claiborne Parish.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the governing authority of Claiborne Parish(herein referred to as the Parish) that the Parish in regular meeting assembled does hereby certify to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (herein referred to as the DOTD) that for the period beginning October 1, 2008, and ending September 30, 2009
These stipulations are prerequisites to participation by the Parish in the Off-System Bridge Replacement Program.
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, October 8, 2008.
Yeas _9_ Nays _0_ Absent _1_ Abstain _0_
/s/ Dwayne R. Woodard /s/ Roy Mardis
Secretary-Treasurer President
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Upon motion by Joe Sturges, duly seconded by Scott Davidson, the Jury unanimously approved Resolution Approving the Police Jury’s 2009 Housing Assistance Programs Annual Plan and Administration Plan – as required by HUD for the Section 8 Housing Programs administered by the Jury as advertised and presented in the Public Meeting held on October 3, 2008.
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RESOLUTION 2008-019
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE POLICE JURY’S 2009 HOUSING ASSISTANCE PORGRAMS ANNUAL PLAN AND ADMINISTATIVE PLAN
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the Claiborne Parish Police Jury APPROVED the final Annual Plan and the Administrative Plan (2009) for Section 8 Housing Programs administered by the Police Jury.
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, October 8, 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 Jerry Adkins, the Jury unanimously approved Resolution 2008-020 – Resolution Accepting the Ownership, Maintenance and Liability of LA Spur 534 Which Will Be Closed Due to the Construction of the I-69 Project in Claiborne Parish – as requested by DOTD in a letter dated September19, 2008.
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RESOLUTION 2008-020
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE OWNERSHIP, MAINTENANCE AND LIABILITY OF LA SPUR 534 WHICH WILL BE CLOSED DUE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE I-69 PROJECT IN CLAIBORNE PARISH
WHEREAS, the Parish of Claiborne has received a request from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development in a letter dated September 19, 2008, for a resolution accepting the ownership, maintenance and liability of LA Spur 534 which will be closed due to the construction of the I-69; and
WHEREAS, the Claiborne Parish Police Jury has previously passed a resolution dated December 5, 2007, accepting the closure of all or part of certain local Parish roads that are designated to be within the I-69 project; and
WHEREAS, the closure of LA Spur 534 would create two “dead end” installations on a state highway which is inappropriate; and
WHEREAS, the incorporation of LA Spur 534 into the Parish Road System would also ultimately serve to offset an equivalent mileage of I-69 that will be necessarily added to the DOTD inventory for Claiborne Parish upon actual construction; and
WHEREAS, LADOTD District 04 has no objection to the closure of LA Spur 534; and
NOW THERE FOR BE IT RESOLVED, by the Claiborne Parish Police Jury in due, legal and regular session convened, that the Parish of Claiborne does hereby accept the full ownership, maintenance and liability of LA Spur 534 into the Parish Road System upon its closure due to the construction of the I-69 project in Claiborne Parish.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if any provision or item of this resolution or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions; items or applications which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items or applications, and to its end, the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared severable.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution shall take effect immediately.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
Upon a motion by Scott Davidson and duly seconded by Jerry Adkins this motion was carried and officially adopted by the Claiborne Parish Police Jury meeting in regular session convened on Wednesday, October 8, 2008.
Yeas _9_ Nays _0_ Absent _1_ Abstain _0_
/s/ Dwayne R. Woodard /s/ Roy Mardis
Secretary-Treasurer President
Upon motion by Jerry Adkins, duly seconded by Mark Furlow, the Jury unanimously approved Resolution 2008-21 Resolution Endorsing and Supporting Proposed Constitutional Amendment
No. 4 on the November 4 Ballot – relating to the raising of maximum amount of the oil and gas severance taxes remitted to the local parishes in which it was derived from $850,000 to $2,850,000.
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RESOLUTION 2008-021
A RESOLUTION ENDORSING AND SUPPORTING AMENDMENT NO. 4 ON THE NOVEMBER 4 BALLOT WHICH RAISES OF THE SEVERANCE TAX BASE FROM $850,000 TO $2,850,000 FOR THE PARISHES WHO ARE CURRENTLY CAPPED UNDER THE STATE DISBURSEMENT STRUCTURE OF OIL AND GAS SEVERANCE TAXES
WHEREAS, the Claiborne Parish Police Jury sought the help of State Representative Rick Gallot to pen legislation calling for the raising of the maximum amount remitted to the parishes of oil and gas severance taxes from $850,000 to $2,850,000 annually; and
WHEREAS, Representative Gallot was the primary author on House Bill 420 which addressed said issue; and
WHEREAS, House Bill 420 was passed in both the House (100-0) and the Senate (35-0) by a unanimous vote; and
WHEREAS, the final enactment House Bill 420 is dependent upon the passage of Proposed Constitutional Amendment No. 4 on the November 4, 2008 ballot; and
WHEREAS, a majority vote by the people for Amendment No. 4 will translate into an increase of additional revenue to Claiborne Parish of $2,000,000 which is vital to the economic health of the Parish;
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the Claiborne Parish Police Jury does hereby endorse and support the passage of Proposed Constitutional Amendment No.4 on the November 4, 2008 ballot; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Claiborne Parish Police Jury hereby encourages and implores its neighboring Parishes and municipalities to support and endorse the passage of Amendment No. 4 during the upcoming election.
Upon a motion by Jerry Adkins 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, October 8, 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 Lavelle Penix, the Jury unanimously approved recommendation from the Garage Committee to declare the following equipment surplus.
BIDS FOR SALE OF SURPLUS EQUIPMENT
The Claiborne Parish Police Jury has declared the following list of equipment to be surplus.
Work Vehicles –
2001 Dodge 3500 1-ton work bed pick-up truck VIN #2B6HC36571M281231
1997 Ford 800 8 yd dump truck VIN #1FDYF80C5VVA03914
1997 Ford 800 8 yd dump truck VIN #1FDYF80C9VVA03916
Equipment –
920 CAT Loader VIN #62K8395
Upon motion by Mark Furlow, duly seconded by Jerry Adkins, the Jury unanimously approved request from Mrs. Jean Reynolds, Executive Director of OOCS, to include the following vehicle in the surplus sale with a minimum bid of $ 3,500 – ’99 Ford Crown Victoria VIN#1613.
The vehicles and equipment may be seen at the Claiborne Parish Highway Department, located at 4070 Hwy 79, Homer, LA 71040, between the hours of 7:00 am and 3:00 pm Monday - Friday. Sealed bids will be received at the Claiborne Parish Police Jury Complex, located at 507 West Main, Homer, LA 71040, between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm Monday – Friday. Said bids will be received until 8:00 am on Wednesday November 5, 2008, at which time they will be opened and read aloud. The said bids will be acted on at the regular Police Jury meeting on November 5, 2008 at 9:00 am. The Claiborne Parish Police Jury reserves the right to reject any and all bids. Publication will appear in the official journal of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury – The Haynesville News – on October 16th, 23rd and 30th, 2008.
Upon motion by Scott Davidson, duly seconded by Mark Furlow, the Jury unanimously approved to table the request from Mrs. Jeanie Herring of 128 McDaniel Road in Haynesville, in a letter dated September 20, 2008, – requesting the reduction of the speed limit on McDaniel Rd. to 20 MPH and the installation of speed limit signs posting said speed limit.
Upon motion by Joe Sturges, duly seconded by Mark Furlow, the Jury unanimously approved request from Town of Haynesville, in a letter dated September 23, 2008, requesting the deliver of two loads of pit run to the city shop on Spring Street. The work is to be performed on a reimbursement basis.
Upon motion by Mark Furlow, duly seconded by Scott Davidson, the Jury unanimously approved request from Road Superintendent Tommy Durrett for merit raises for the following Hwy Dept employees (end of six month probationary period) – Jim Gardner for $0.25 per hour to $10.75 per hour and Eddy Monk for $0.25 per hour to $10.75 per hour – this is within the Parish’s adopted wage scale for the Highway Department.
Upon motion by Mark Furlow, duly seconded by Scott Davidson, the Jury unanimously approved request from Road Superintendent Tommy Durrett for merit raises for the following Hwy Dept employees (annual evaluation) – Joe Buggs for $0.33 per hour to $11.66 per hour and Charles Hoof for $ 0.25 per hour – this is within the Parish’s adopted wage scale for the Highway Department.
Upon motion by Mark Furlow, duly seconded by Scott Davidson, the Jury unanimously approved request from Road Superintendent Tommy Durrett to change Operator 1 Jimmy White’s Class from A to Class B. Mr. White has 23 years of service with the Highway Department and was incorrectly classified as Class A when the wage scale was adopted. Due to the change in class, Mr. White’s base hourly wage will increase by $0.25 per hour (to $13.50) and his class anniversary date will change to 3/1/2010.
Upon motion by Mark Furlow, duly seconded by Scott Davidson, the Jury unanimously approved request from Road Superintendent Tommy Durrett to change Road Foreman Dan Pruitt’s Class from A to B. Mr. Pruitt has 26 years of service with the Highway Department and was incorrectly classified as Class A when the wage scale was adopted. Due to the change in class, Mr. Pruitt’s base hourly wage will increase by $0.25 per hour (to 15.50) and his class anniversary date will change to 3/1/2010.
Upon motion by Scott Davidson, duly seconded by Mark Furlow, the Jury unanimously approved recommendation from the Personnel Committee concerning the current job opening of Truck Driver within the Claiborne Parish Highway Department. The Parish will post the job opening for ten (10) days within the Claiborne Parish Highway Department for any interested current employee, if no interest is shown the job will then be posted and advertised as open to the general public for the regular amount of time through the local papers.
Upon motion by Scott Davidson, duly seconded by Mark Furlow, the Jury unanimously approved request from Jamie Williams of the US Forest Service for the annual maintenance at the “Tech Forestry Camp” and asked Road Superintendent to over see the request.
Upon motion by Joe Sturgis, duly seconded by Roy Lewis, the Jury unanimously approved to table the status of the special use permit for the “Tech Forestry Camp” located on Corney Lake and to forward request to the Building & Grounds Committee for further discussion.
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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.
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 July 08 – $78,895 – increase $437 (00.55%)
Net sales tax collections for August 07 - $56,211 – increase $23,121 (41.13%)
Net cash collections for 2008 - $711,387 as compared to 2007 $575,818 - inc (23.54%)
Net taxable sales for 2008 - $67,919,757 as compared to 2007 $56,650,056 – inc (19.89%)
Cash position at September 30, 2007 - $3,709,096 (increase of $759,728)
Cash position at August 31, 2008 - $4,382,767 (increase of $86,057)
Cash on deposit at September 30, 2008 –
First Guaranty - $2,043,137
LAMP - $1,923,216
Citizens Bank - $201,508
Gibsland Bank - $100,366
Capital One - $100,292
Regions Bank - $100,305
None scheduled at this time.
Secretary – Treasurer Woodard announced an invitation to the Police Jury as a whole to a fish and chicken dinner sponsored by Allied Waste catered by Shane’s between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at the Webster Parish Landfill’s Open House on October 15, 2008.
Secretary – Treasurer also reminded the Jurors that it is budget time again and that he plans to schedule a Finance Committee Meeting concerning the new 2009 Budget and 2008 Budget amendment prior to the December 10, 2008 regularly scheduled meeting.
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PUBLIC COMMENT –
Chic Hines with the Claiborne Parish Watershed District gave an update on the grant for the permanent channel markers for Lake Claiborne. All the paper work with the federal government is now complete and hopefully the Watershed District will be advertising the project for bid before the end of the year.
Teresa Price with Claiborne Parish 4-H thanked the Claiborne Parish Police Jury as a whole for their continued support and gave a brief update on the 4-H programs presently under way in the parish.
Road Superintendent Tommy Durrett gave an update on LTAP Parish Road Sign Improvement Grant and the status of the bush hogging program. The Parish is presently running 5 tractors and two crews working for an average of 10 to 11 prisoners each week.
Juror Lavelle Penix asked that Secretary-Treasurer Woodard check into the possibility of the Parish Police Jury joining the Claiborne Parish Chamber Commerce so that they can use the Chamber’s resources and help in getting local legislation passed like Amendment No. 4.
Juror Bob McDaniel reminded everyone of the importance of a FOR vote on Amendment No. 4 on the upcoming election and that it is a statewide vote not a parish by parish vote.
President Roy Mardis announced that Juror Lavelle Penix had been placed on the Police Jury Association Region 4 Agricultural Committee to represent Claiborne Parish.
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Upon motion by Scott Davidson, duly seconded by Mark Furlow, the meeting was adjourned
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Dwayne R. Woodard Roy Mardis
Secretary – Treasurer President