Washington Parish Council

Scheduled Public Hearing of the Washington Parish Council on Monday, February 24, 2014 at 5:45 P.M. at the Washington Parish Courthouse Council Chambers, Franklinton, Louisiana -

Washington Parish Council Minutes February 24, 2014 Regular Meeting -6:00 PM Washington Parish Courthouse Council Chambers

Item No. 1– Call to Order – Chairman Fussell called the meeting to order.

Item No. 2 – Invocation – The Pastor Jimmy Oalmann from the Richardson Baptist Church gave the invocation.

Item no. 3– Pledge of Allegiance – Chairman Fussell called for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Item No. 4– Roll Call – Council Clerk Sharon Lyons, called the roll. Present were Kenneth Wheat, Michael Fussell, Charles Nassauer, Andre’ Johnson, Pete Thomas, Greg Route and Aubrey Posey.

Item No. 5 - Approval of Minutes – Councilman Posey offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Johnson to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 10, 2014.

Roll call vote as follows:

YEAS: (7) Fussell, Nassauer, Johnson, Thomas, Route, Posey and Wheat

NAYS: (0)

ABSENT: (0)

ABSTAIN: (0)

Item No. 6 – Introduction of Ordinance No.14-581 –An ordinance establishing No Thru Truck Routes on Certain Parish Roads

Chairman Fussell read the list of roads and was asked by the transportation director to correct the following:

Inventory Rd. #1-031-- Smith Wallace Rd. -- Location between Hwy. 16 to Hwy.450

Chairman Fussell announced a public hearing would be held on March 10th at 5:45 PM. in consideration of adopting the above ordinance.

Item No. 7 – Introduction and Consideration of Proposed WP Resolution No. 14-644 - Resolution by the Washington Parish Council to accept participation in the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Road Transfer Program

Councilman Posey offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Thomas to adopt Resolution 14-644.

Chairman Fussell displayed a map of the roads that will be constructed under the Resolution.

1 Items listed as follows:  Portion of LA 3124 from its intersection with LA 21 south of Bogalusa proceeding north to its intersection with the Bogalusa city limits  Portion of LA 438 from its intersection with LA21 in Angie proceeding northeast to its intersection with Old Columbia Road  Above roads will be repaired and upgraded to state standards prior to the transfer  Parish will accumulate $1.4 million in highway credits  After transfer will no longer have state highway number – renamed by Parish  State of Louisiana – will design, repair and complete the Choctaw and Dummyline roads

President Thomas stated if there is money remaining, then the parish hopes to be able to designate another road. He said this is a good thing for the parish.

Chairman Fussell called for a roll call vote:

NAYS: (0)

ABSENT: (0)

ABSTAIN: (0)

Item No. 8 – The Red Cross Presentation - President Thomas presented a proclamation declaring the month of March 2014 as American Red Cross Month. Representing the Red Cross was Ms. Versie Mingo, Paul Thibodaux and Marsha Thibodaux. He encouraged all Washington Parish residents to support this organization and its noble humanitarian mission.

Spokesman for the Red Cross, Paul Thibodaux, stated it is a great honor to serve the community, which he is a resident. He thanked the public for its contributions to Red Cross.

Item No. 9 - Public Participation – Mrs. Joann Miller from the Mt. Hermon area announced the annual Museum of Cassidy Park Cook-off and BBQ will be held on March 15th.from 3:00PM to 6:00PM. The charge at the gate will go to promote and support the park.

There were no further comments during public participation.

Councilman Route offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Johnson to close public participation.

NAYS: (0)

ABSENT: (0)

ABSTAIN: (0)

2 Item No. 10 - President’s Report – President Thomas recognized Taylor Fontenot a young and upcoming journalism student in a mentoring program. His mentor is Reporter Lucy Parker from the Daily News who covers the council meetings each month.

Also, President Thomas welcomed Mr. Bill Jenkins, a timber man of 55 years, and thanked him for being the liaison with the timber industry throughout the years.

A letter of resignation was submitted by Mr. Scott Brumfield from the Washington Parish Planning Commission Board. The board asked for the resignation to be approved.

Councilman Posey offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Route to approve the above resignation.

NAYS: (0)

ABSENT: (0)

ABSTAIN: (0)

President Thomas announced Washington Parish Government will be close on March 4th in celebration of Mardi Gras Day.

Finance Report:  Close books on Choctaw Landfill  Close books end of March – Parish Government  Last week of March – start audit Public Work’s Report:  Observe river – log jams and flooding  98,000 – FEMA reimbursement – repair Ben Ford Bridge Transportation Report:  Installing culverts  Maintenance roads continues

President Thomas invited the Council members to a “Heart Smart” program scheduled for Tuesday, March 11, 2014 in the council chambers. A heart research documentary, filmed on location in the City of Bogalusa, will be presented. Also, ADAPT will jointly participate in the program.

Item No.11- Council Discussion – Councilman Route commended the Red Cross and said he had seen first hand the valuable assistance that was given to the Parish with Hurricane Isaac through this organization. He recognized the fact that these volunteers assist in areas wherever they are needed in emergency situations.

Chairman Fussell addressed the continuing problem the parish is having with litter. He said a concern citizen had called him and had submitted some suggestions to help resolve the litter problem. Maybe, some of these suggestions can assist in eliminating the problem. Also, he had residents who had commended the Department of Public Works for the excellent work they have implemented on various projects. He announced the Washington Parish Planning Commission will meet on March 18th. The Director of the LMHA has been asked to speak concerning mobile homes. The Chairman invited the infrastructure committee members to attend.

Item No. 12 – Adjourn - No further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned on motion by Councilman Posey, seconded by Councilman Route.

3 Roll call vote as follows:

NAYS: (0)

ABSENT: (0)

ABSTAIN: (0)

__SIGNATURE______Michael Fussell, Chairman Washington Parish Council

_SIGNATURE______Sharon Lyons, Clerk to the Council Washington Parish

(All Ordinances, Resolutions and Attachments in its entirety are available at the office of Clerk of the Council at 909 Pearl Street, Franklinton, Louisiana or wpgov.org.)

This meeting was held in accordance with the Americans Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance, please contact Sharon Lyons, Clerk to the Council at 985-839-0105 describing the assistance that is necessary.