Washington Parish Council
Minutes
November 25, 2013
Regular Meeting -6:00 PM
Washington Parish Courthouse
Council Chambers
Item No. 1– Call to Order – Chairman Route called the meeting to order.
Item No. 2 – Invocation – The Councilman Johnson gave the invocation.
Item no. 3– Pledge of Allegiance – Councilman Johnson 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 Fussell to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 4, 2013.
Roll call vote as follows:
YEAS: (7) Nassauer, Johnson, Thomas, Route, Posey, Wheat and Fussell
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (0)
ABSTAIN: (0)
Item No. 6 – Public Hearing on Proposed WP Ordinance No.13- 578 – An Ordinance to amend the 2013 Annual Operating Budget for the Washington Parish Government
There were not comments during the public hearing.
Councilman Fussell offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Wheat to close the public hearing.
Roll call vote as follows:
YEAS: (7) Nassauer, Johnson, Thomas, Route, Posey, Wheat and Fussell
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (0)
ABSTAIN: (0)
Councilman Posey offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Thomas to adopt Ordinance No. 13-578.
Roll call vote as follows:
YEAS: (7) Nassauer, Johnson, Thomas, Route, Posey, Wheat and Fussell
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (0)
ABSTAIN: (0)
Item No. 7 – Introduction of Ordinance No.13-580 – An Ordinance to adopt the 2014 Annual Operating Budget and the Capital Outlay Budget for the WP Government.
Item No. 8 – Introduction and Consideration of Proposed WP Resolution No.13-634 – A resolution approving the holding of an election in Washington Parish Fire Protection District No. 8, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, April 5, 2014, to authorize the levy of a special tax therein.
Councilman Fussell asked the members of Fire District 8 how many mills are asked for and he was told it would be a renewal of 6 mills.
Councilman Fussell offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Posey to adopt Resolution No.13-634.
Roll call vote as follows:
YEAS: (7) Nassauer, Johnson, Thomas, Route, Posey, Wheat and Fussell
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (0)
ABSTAIN: (0)
Councilman Fussell stated Fire District No. 8 came before the Finance Committee and explained the situation; therefore the Council was aware of the matter.
Item No. 9 – Introduction and Consideration of Proposed WP Resolution No.13-635 - A resolution approving the holding of an election in Washington Parish Fire Protection District No. 4, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, April 5, 2014, to authorize the levy of a special tax therein.
Chairman Route asked about the millage and was told it was a renewal, also.
Councilman Thomas offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Fussell to adopt Resolution No.13-635.
Roll call vote as follows:
YEAS: (7) Nassauer, Johnson, Thomas, Route, Posey, Wheat and Fussell
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (0)
ABSTAIN: (0)
Item No. 10 - Introduction and Consideration of Proposed WP Resolution No.13-636 – Resolution to accept Poplas Street Bridge, Bogalusa, LA. and Nobles Cemetery Road Bridge, Pine, LA.- Bridge Replacement Program;
Project No. 713-59-0221 & 713-59-0222
Public Works Director Lucchesi stated under the bridge program these projects have been completed and released by the State of Louisiana stipulations.
Councilman Johnson offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Posey to adopt Resolution No.13-636.
Roll call vote as follows:
YEAS: (7) Nassauer, Johnson, Thomas, Route, Posey, Wheat and Fussell
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (0)
ABSTAIN: (0)
Item No. 11 – Introduction and Consideration of Proposed WP Resolution No.13-637 –
Resolution Establishing a Special Revenue Fund to Administer and Account for the Proceeds of a One-Third (1/3rd) of One Cent Sales Tax Approved on October 19, 2013, Commencing January 1, 2014
The Finance Director explained this is for establishing a new accounting fund to account for the proceeds of recent adopt sales tax. It will be fund number two entitled “Civil, Juvenile and Criminal Justice System.
Councilman Fussell stated this is a dedicated fund the voters have adopted.
Chairman Route stated the Council would like the public to understand this is clearly a separate dedicated fund strictly for Criminal Justice Fund.
Councilman Posey offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Wheat to adopt Resolution No.13-637.
Roll call vote as follows:
YEAS: (7) Nassauer, Johnson, Thomas, Route, Posey, Wheat and Fussell
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (0)
ABSTAIN: (0)
Item No. 12 – Public Participation – Donald Westmoreland a resident of Turkey Road and Washington Parish Library Director Barron commended the council for the resolution just adopted. Also, they stated this gives the public a wonderful opportunity to evaluate what the parish government is doing with the recent adopted dedicated fund. The council and administration did a great job explaining to the public what would be covered under the new sales tax. Also, he thanked the Finance Director for her support in assisting the library board in putting their 2014 budget together.
There was no further public participation.
Councilman Johnson offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Fussell to close public participation.
Roll call vote as follows:
YEAS: (7) Nassauer, Johnson, Thomas, Route, Posey, Wheat and Fussell
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (0)
ABSTAIN: (0)
Item No.13 - President’s Report - President Thomas announced the government offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 28th and 29th for Thanksgiving. He wished everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. He encouraged everyone to ‘SHOP AT HOME’ to support the local businesses. The next few weeks there will be rotary calls encouraging citizens to support this program.
Public Works Report:
· Government crews moving forward construction Harvey Road Bridge
Transportation Department Report:
· Continue to replace signs
· Continue to be a problem – cost decreased some
President Thomas addressed the issue of the problem with litter. He stated this continues to be a serious problem. He asked for the public and newspapers to promote “Keep Washington Parish Beautiful.
Councilman Nassauer stated he had talked to several of the Justice Of The Peace and they were in total cooperation in assisting with the litter problem and he appreciated their readiness to assist with the problem. He stated, it is his belief, if the litter court should be held in the courthouse, then this problem would get more exposure.
President Thomas stated he would schedule a meeting with everyone involved and try to move forward with the plan.
Chairman Route stated he felt if this type of court is held, then people would have second thoughts about throwing litter out in the parish. Also, he reminded the public that local business creates jobs for people here at home, so please support the ‘SHOP AT HOME’ Program.
David Miller from Mt. Hermon Web-TV stated he had observed the construction of the Harvey Road Bridge and he was very impressed by the work that was being accomplished. Also, he stated he had recently visited with the State Park employees, and was told that over a 100 thousand people had visited the park. He said the park is a positive feature to Washington Parish.
Councilman Fussell asked for an update on the replacing the speed limit signs on the access road of the parish to the Louisiana State Park road and was told the signs had been recently installed.
Item No. 14 - Council Discussion – Councilman Johnson asked the Public Works Director if drainage issues for construction will move forward during the winter season and was told yes, as the weather permits.
Councilman Thomas wished everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.
Councilman Posey asked each Councilman to turn in their list for the “No Thru Trucks Routes” and also, for the blacktop road list program.
Councilman Wheat stated his prayers and wishes were for all citizens to have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.
Councilman Fussell wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and reinforced the importance of being safe when driving by not texting or talking on the phone.
Councilman Route stated he was asked by a local resident if rumble stripes could be installed on Highway 16 where it ends abruptly at Highway 25. He asked the Transportation Director if he could send a letter concerning the issue and was told by the director that he would contact DOTD. Also, Councilman Route commended the administration on their excellent work and wished all the public a Happy Thanksgiving.
Item No. 15 – Adjourn - No further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned on motion by Councilman Posey, seconded by Councilman Fussell.
Roll call vote as follows:
YEAS: (7) Nassauer, Johnson, Thomas, Route, Posey, Wheat and Fussell
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (0)
ABSTAIN: (0)
SIGNATURE____________
Greg Route, 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.
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