Tallulah, Louisiana
April 11, 2022
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
President Sanders gave the invocation.
PUBLIC HEARING
A public hearing was conducted for the purposes of affording the public an opportunity to voice opinions on the consideration being given to creating a railroad development district.
There being no questions or comments the public hearing was adjourned.
REGULAR MEETING
The Madison Parish Police Jury convened in Regular Session at the Courthouse Building, Tallulah, Louisiana on April 11, 2022.
The roll call followed the announcement of a quorum. The following members were present at roll call:
District 1 Mr. Preston Walker (absent)
District 2 Mr. Stanley Ogden (absent)
District 3 Mr. Dave Wilson
District 4 Mr. Johnny Hughes
District 5 Mrs. Jane Sanders
There were no comments on any of the agenda items.
The president asked for a motion to amend the agenda to add discussion of garbage collection by Guy’s Waste & Disposal. A motion was made Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Wilson to add Guy’s Waste & Disposal to the agenda. No discussion. A roll call vote resulted in the following votes:
District 1 (absent)
District 2 (absent)
District 3 yes
District 4 yes
District 5 yes
Motion passed.
President Sanders requested the approval of the Consent Agenda (March 14th minutes, March Building, Financial and Garbage Reports). A motion was made by Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Wilson to approve the consent agenda. No discussion. Motion passed.
Mr. Walker arrived at 4:10 p.m.
The Secretary requested permission to pay outstanding invoices with available funds or as funds become available. A motion was made by Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Wilson to pay outstanding invoices with available funds or as funds become available. No discussion. Motion carried.
The Secretary reported as a reminder to the Jury that LGAP and CWEF applications are now being accepted. It was agreed that the first option would be a Paver. And the second option would be roads. A motion was made by Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Wilson that the 1st choice for the application would be a paver and the 2nd option would be roads. No discussion. Motion passed.
Ms. Dew reported to the Jury that the Office of Motor Vehicle Reports can be longer be obtained for free. The fees are $16 plus a $2 service charge to obtain a report. The Secretary asked if the Board wished to acquire the reports by paying the fees. A motion was made by Mr. Wilson, seconded by Mr. Hughes to pay the $16 fee plus a $2 service charge to obtain the Office of Motor Vehicle Reports. No discussion. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Wilson to sponsor the Summer Work Program for Youth beginning June 1st, 2022 and employ 20 youth, 4 from each district. No discussion. Motion passed.
The Secretary informed the Jury two proposals had been received for the Love Louisiana Outdoors Program. Ms. Dew needs two volunteers to meet with her to evaluate the proposals on tomorrow or Wednesday at 2 p.m. Mr. Hughes and Mr. Wilson will meet with the Secretary.
Ms. Dew reported to the Jury that she has received a proposal to repair the flat roof on the courthouse that is leaking. Ms. Sanders needs authorization to sign the proposal. A motion was offered by Mr. Wilson, seconded by Mr. Hughes to authorize Ms. Sanders to sign the proposal in reference to the repair of the flat roof on the courthouse. No discussion. A roll call vote resulted in the following votes:
District 1 yes
District 2 (absent)
District 3 yes
District 4 yes
District 5 yes
Motion passed.
Mr. Moberley reported to the Jury that he was tasked by Judges Brister and Claxton to ask about painting the courtroom once the roof is repaired. Ms. Dew told him that she had two possible prospects that could possibly give a quote. Mr. Moberley informed the Jury that the contract with the Village of Richmond is set to expire this month. The Judges wanted to wait until all repairs to the roof and painting were done before they re-conducted court upstairs again. Mr. Moberley stated that he believes they can work around painting once the roof is. He also recommended that there be a month-to-month negotiation with the Village of Richmond. A motion was offered by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Wilson that the Police Jury will agree to a month-to-month rental agreement with the Village of Richmond for use of their civic center as a courtroom. No discussion. Motion passed.
Mr. Moberley issued a statement to the Jury on behalf of DA James Paxton in reference to a letter of request from the State Criminal Lab regarding the 6th Judicial District which encompasses East Carroll, Madison and Tensas Parishes. There were questions as to why Madison was paying the line share of the criminal lab project. Mr. Moberley informed the Jury that the payments are based upon the tax roll. It’s based on each parish’s prorated share. Madison’s portion is $5102.04 to the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory. A motion was made by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Wilson to pay $5102.04 to the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory. No discussion. Motion passed.
Mr. Moberley discussed with the Jury the railroad project. He stated if they were going to have legal questions before they vote to allow the creation of the Northeast Louisiana Railroad Development District, they should go into executive session for discussion. A motion was offered by Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Wilson to become a member of the Northeast Louisiana Railroad Development District. No discussion A roll call vote resulted in the following votes:
District 1 yes
District 2 (absent)
District 3 yes
District 4 yes
District 5 yes
Motion passed.
Mr. Moberley discussed the annexation of a portion of the compress the City may have added or attempting to add, he’d like permission to look into that to make sure that the annexation was done according to Louisiana State law, and report back.
Mr. Walker discussed Old Highway 80 East that connects to Byson Road. That culvert is about to fall in. It has to get fixed. The president suggested something be drafted and notarized. A motion was offered by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Wilson to have the attorney draft an ordinance regarding disturbance of soil from center of the road to 30 feet out of parish right-of-way. No discussion. Motion carried.
Each juror discussed concerns in their district.
Superintendent reported that a couple of weeks ago he lost a truck driver and he needs to hire one. He asked permission from the Jury to advertise for a truck driver. He also talked about Afton Bridge and the need for rift raft.
The President told Mr. Epps to inform his workers that the Jury is thinking very seriously about returning to a Friday workday.
Whitaker Water Consulting, LLC: Mr. Whitaker addressed the Jury in reference to his certifications and he asked for a $100 more per month extra due to all the things that he has to do. A motion was made by Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Wilson to increase Mr. Whitaker’s fee by $100 per month. No discussion. Motion carried.
Act 120 CEA: Mr. Epps addressed the Jury in reference to graveling five roads - Busby, Hopkins, Wyatt, Bailey and Steve Ogden. It will take 1800 tons to gravel the five roads. He informed the Jury that he had to buy gravel out of his funds to do some of the job. Mr. Epps asked for permission to go ahead and do the project. It’s $55,000. He asked if he could add some more roads since it might not take 1800 tons to gravel the five roads. Ms. Dew informed him that she would have to get that information. A motion was made by Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Wilson to give Mr. Epps permission to use ACT 120 funds to gravel the five roads. No discussion. Motion carried.
A motion was offered by Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Wilson to support and/or announce April April 11-15, 2022 as National Community Development Week. No discussion. Motion carried.
Walnut Bayou ARPA Request was discussed. Mr. Walker addressed the Jury concerning the matter. Ms. Roach addressed the Jury regarding the funds too. The matter will be tabled until April 25th, 2022.
U.S. Dept RAISE Grants: Deadline has been missed due to the fact that information was not received timely.
Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire: A motion was offered by Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Wilson to complete the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire for the audit and submit a resolution. No discussion. Motion passed.
At the request of Mr. Guy, the jury discussed the increase in fuel cost and its effect on the cost of waste collection. The President asked for a motion for an increase for Guy’s Waste and Disposal. A motion was made by Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Wilson to pay Guy’s Waste and Disposal an extra $1000 per month due to the increase in fuel and if fuel price go down, the fee will be decreased. No discussion. Motion passed.
Mr. Hughes made a motion, seconded by Mr. Wilson to adjourn.
/s/ Margarett Dew /s/ Jane Sanders
Secretary/Treasurer President
