Tallulah, Louisiana
February 22, 2022
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
The Madison Parish Police Jury met in Regular Session and convened at the Courthouse Building, Tallulah, Louisiana on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at 4:00 p.m.
President Sanders called the meeting to order and gave the invocation.
The roll call followed the announcement of a quorum. The following members were present at roll call:
District 1 Mr. Preston Walker
District 2 Mr. Stanley Ogden
District 3 Mr. Dave Wilson
District 4 Mr. Johnny Hughes
District 5 Mrs. Jane Sanders
Visitors: None
REGULAR MEETING
There were no public comments on agenda items.
President Sanders requested the approval of the Consent Agenda. A motion was made by Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Walker to approve the Consent Agenda (January 4, 2022 minutes and January 31, 2022 minutes, January Financial Report and Garbage Report, also the Outstanding Invoice Report. No discussion. Motion passed.
The President read a letter she received from Travis Johnson stating that he would like to know if the Madison Police Jury would be willing to put in $70,000 to help construct a Madam C.J. Walker statute out at Delta. He then later stated at the Madison Courthouse. She inquired about the cost of the statue that was unavailable. The matter was tabled by the jurors until further information is obtained.
The Secretary requested to pay outstanding invoices with available funds or as funds become available. A motion was made by Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Ogden to pay outstanding invoices with available funds or as funds become available. No discussion. Motion carried.
Ms. Dew requested authorization for the President to sign the agreement with Richmond entering into a commercial lease to use their facility to hold court until the courtroom renovations are complete. A motion was made by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Hughes to authorize the President to sign the agreement with Richmond. No discussion. Motion carried. Ms. Dew reminded the Jurors that payment for guests attending the Police Jury Conference is due.
The Secretary stated that DOTD has provided the Jury with a copy of the 2021 Compliance Review for Madison. The Jury was in compliance 2021 vs 2020 non-compliance report.
Ms. Dew informed the Jury that sidewalk on the eastside of the courthouse from north to south are still in the plans, only when the electrical work is complete on the courtyard.
The Secretary informed the Jury that there are plans to replace all windows but not until the electrical is completed. The windows will be spec windows and doubled paned.
She reported that exterior doors are being adjusted.
Secretary/Treasurer told the Jury that checks need to be ordered for the Love Louisiana Outdoors Grant. She is asking to transfer $168, from the building fund to Love Louisiana Outdoors account to cover the cost of the checks. A motion was made by Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Walker to give permission to the Secretary/Treasurer permission to purchase checks for the Love Louisiana Outdoors Grant. Funds will come from the Building Fund. No discussion. Motion carried.
The Jury discussed the COVID money that was received if it could be distributed to employees. The President asked that Ms. Roach look into the matter.
Ms. Dew informed the Jurors that Atkins Road Bridge is at the process where they need to rate the bridge to reopen. It will cost about $15,000 for the rating and it will come out of Public Works. A motion was made by Mr. Ogden, seconded by Mr. Walker to pay $15,000 to rate the Atkins Road Bridge. No discussion. Motion carried.
Ms. Dew informed the Jurors that Sabrina Shoulders transferred from the library over to Police Jury Office to replace Ms. Thompson who will be retiring on the 28th. She asked that her starting salary would be at a rate of $12.40.
There was a brief discussion regarding health insurance if waived should employee’s salary be increased, therefore the benefit would be equal. The subject would be revisited in 3 months.
Mr. Hughes talked about garbage dumpsters and placing one on Adams (Railroad) Street and one down by Cable Street down by Senior High. Ms. Dew read a letter received talking about the waste receptacles. A motion was made by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Ogden to have one rotating dumpster per month, 2 pulls. No discussion. Motion carried.
Mr. Hughes asked if lawyers had been talked to concerning the drainage problem. Mr. Walker stated that they to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement with Mr. Kennedy. He has to get the engineer to go out and look and see the job that’s been done and state the cost.
A motion was made by Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Ogden to advise the Tallulah Fire Chief to do further research on the proposal of a parish wide fire district. No discussion. Motion carried.
Appointments to Bear Lake Fire Protection District: A motion was made by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Ogden to accept the recommendation of appointments to the Bear Lake Fire Protection District. Mr. Jeff Marsh will replace Mr. Tommy Hendrix and Mr. Lloyd Erwin will be re-appointed to the board for another 4-year term. No discussion. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Wilson to accept the Tourism Annual Report. No discussion. Motion carried.
Ms. Dew spoke to the Jurors regarding annexation and was asked to delve further into when the City annexed the area near the Compress.
Mr. Ogden made a motion to adjourn.
/s/ Margarett Dew
Secretary/Treasurer /s/ Jane Sanders
President
Tallulah, Louisiana
February 28, 2022
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
The Madison Parish Police Jury convened at the Courthouse Building, Tallulah, Louisiana on February 28, 2022 to hold a Public Hearing at 4:00 p.m. and Regular Session at 4:15 p.m.
President Sanders called the meeting to order and gave the invocation.
PUBLIC HEARING
The President declared that the 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 were no comments from the public regarding the creation of the railroad district.
Mr. Author Lee of the Madison Parish Economic Development addressed the Jury to make them aware that the Board has not had an opportunity to come before Jury to give a status report. He did inform the Jury that the Board is working with the Delta Southern Railroad. He said with the Jury’s permission he would like to introduce them to the CEO of the Delta Southern Railroad and have him share their vision and what they are doing together and their vision for development opportunities for Madison Parish.
The President asked for a motion to adjourn the Public Hearing. A motion was made by Mr. Hughes to close the Public Hearing.
REGULAR MEETING
The roll call followed the announcement of a quorum. The following members were present at roll call:
District 1 Mr. Preston Walker
District 2 Mr. Stanley Ogden
District 3 Mr. Dave Wilson (arrived late)
District 4 Mr. Johnny Hughes
District 5 Mrs. Jane Sanders
Visitors: J. Ryan, A. Lee, B. Killen, R. Frazier, T. Mitchell
There were no comments from the public regarding agenda items.
The President asked for a motion to amend the agenda to add discussion of E-911. A motion was made by Mr. Ogden, seconded by Mr. Hughes to amend the agenda to add E-911. A roll call vote resulted in the following vote:
District 1 Yea
District 2 Yea
District 3 Yea
District 4 Yea
District 5 Yea
President Sanders requested the approval of the Consent Agenda. A motion was made by Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Ogden to approve the Consent Agenda (January Building Report and the Outstanding Invoice Report.) No discussion. Motion passed.
The County Agent of Madison Parish from LSU Extension Office updated the Board on the program highlights and plans for this year.
Bryant Killen, Deputy Director of Lake Providence and Tensas Port Commissions addressed the Jury regarding the proposal to create a railroad district that were previously presented to the Jury. (A Board would be created of two members from each parish, East Carroll, Madison, Tensas and Concordia. And a ninth person would be voted in by the eight.) The President informed him that Attorney Moberley wanted to meet with them and go over a few things and they will get back to him. The matter will be tabled. The President asked for a motion to table the matter until the next meeting on the 14th. A motion was made by Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Walker to table the Railroad Development District until the next meeting. No discussion. Motion carried.
The President asked for a motion to allow the Sheriff to take over 911. Sheriff Byrd addressed the Jury regarding the Sheriff’s Office taking over 911 and abolishing or dissolving the present Board. The Sheriff requested that the E-911 undergo an audit before the current Board is dissolved and they would consider taking over E-911 once it has been determined that all the financials are in order. The Jury agreed with this process.
Mr. Arthur Lee, board member of Madison Parish’s Economic and Industrial Development Board introduced Jon Ryan, CEO of Delta Southern Railroad who addressed the Jury and informed them that they are currently providing short line integrated services to the local area. Their goal is to help local businesses grow and change the way they move their businesses.
Mr. Hughes/Wilson made a motion to adjourn at 4:45 p.m.
/s/ Margarett Dew /s/ Jane Sanders
Secretary/Treasurer President
