The Madison Parish Port Commission met in a regular session on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at the Madison Parish Port Commission Office. Chairperson Donald Frazier opened the meeting and proceeded with the roll call as listed below:
Commissioners present: Donald Frazier, David Williams, Curt Collins and Luther Love
Commissioners absent: Isaiah Ross and Latasha Griffin
Other members present: Kimmeka Sterling, Secretary/Treasurer & Exe. Director
Visitors: Neil Martin (Terral RiverService) &
Timothy Holdiness (Madison Journal)
Secretary Sterling requested an amendment to the agenda. To add items H. Bid for Port Truck and I Cherry Ridge Property. -to add the items as presented.
Commissioner Williams motioned to amend the agenda by adding items H&I Bid for Port Truck and Discussion of Cherry Ridge Property. Commissioner Love seconded, modifications made, and the motion passed unanimously.
Upon a motion presented by Commissioner Collins and Commissioners Williams, the minutes of Tuesday, December 16, 2025, meeting minutes were approved without any corrections required. Motion carried unanimously.
Upon a motion presented by Commissioner Williams and Commissioners Love, the minutes of Tuesday, December 23, 2025, meeting minutes were approved without any corrections required. Motion carried unanimously.
Sterling provided the board with the closing financial report for FY 2025. Sterling informed the board that the Bond Attorney is working on the millage request to increase for 2027. In addition, she added that she is speaking with the Bond Attorney on future grants for match monies. Commissioner Collins questioned the Workers compensation cost. Sterling stated that in 12 years that is the rate provided. Commissioner Love stated possibly due to the job titles. Commissioner Collins suggested having the item reviewed for accuracy of job descriptions for the Port.
Commissioner Collins moved to approve the financial reports, with Commissioner Williams seconding; no corrections were needed. Motion carried unanimously.
Sterling informed the board of the request of Terral RiverService to remove the buildings on Terral lease property. Neil stated that the buildings were used mainly for storage of cotton seed. He stated that in the last couple of years they have not stored any cotton seed in the storage areas. Commissioner Collins stated that dismantling the buildings would not be feasible. Martin stated that allowing the dismantling would create more storage. Sterling added that she provided Terral with an option to lease the location beside the property. Commissioner Frazier questioned the option to Neil to lease the property adjacent to the current lease of Terral. Neil stated that leasing the adjacent property was option for Terral.
Commissioner Williams moved to table the discuss of removing the storage building on Terral leased property to another date, with Commissioner Collins seconding; no corrections were needed. Motion carried unanimously.
Sterling provided the board with information that Attorney Jacobs suggested the resending of Executive Order BJ 08-64 as the employee policy. Jacob stated that legally the Port should not operate under that Executive Order because the Port is not a Civil service agency. Commissioner Collins questioned how long the Port has been under the EO? Sterling indicated that the policy was formally adopted through a vote in 2015. Sterling stated if the board wants to use items from each policy to build its handbook that can be done. Commissioner Collins questioned the firm that would handle the policy for the Port. The board agreed to continue the efforts of reviewing the EO before resending.
Commissioner Collins moved to table the discuss of resending Executive Order BJ 08-64 as the employee policy to another date, with Commissioners Williams & Love seconding; no corrections were needed. Motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Collins moved to table the adopting the employee handbook of the Police Jury as the employee policy to another date, with Commissioners Williams & Love seconding; no corrections were needed. Motion carried unanimously.
Sterling informed the board that the repairs of rail, rail crossing and pump repairs were completed. However, she informed that additional repairs are required to secure the rail crossing due to excessive use and weight of dump trucks. A pinhole was identified in the galvanized section during pump repairs, likely caused by prolonged submersion of the pump.
Sterling provided dates of future board meetings.
Commissioner Williams moved to approve the board meeting dates as presented. Commissioner Love seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Sterling provided information on the grant progression of the sewer, dredging and road project. Commissioner Collins questioned the process of road project. Sterling explained the use of the road during the project. Sterling meet with the USACE regarding the dredging project which no answers were provided, just that they will investigate it. Sterling informed the board that she is working on the 404 Permit that is required. Commissioner Frazier stated that the USACE has placed the sediments on Port property before and in the recent years they stopped. Commissioner Frazier questioned the timeframe of the dredging. Sterling stated that no time frame was provided by the UASCE.
Sterling provided information of the bid for a new Port truck. She stated that any information can be modified that she received the specs from the Police Jury. Commissioner Collins suggested changing the wheelbase to the specs.
Commissioner Williams made a motion to approve the truck bid with the modifications suggested, which was seconded by Commissioner Love. The motion passed unanimously.
Sterling informed the board that the survey was completed on the Cherry Ridge property. Commissioner Collins questioned the timeframe of purchase of the property. Sterling informed the board that she should have the paperwork in days.
Public comments: N/A
Commissioner Love made a motion to enter executive session, Commissioner Williams seconded.
Commissioner Williams made a motion to exit executive session, Commissioner Love seconded to return to regular session.
There being no further business brought before the board; Chairperson Frazier declared the meeting adjourned.
/s/ Kimmeka Sterling, Secretary/Treasurer
/s/ Donald Frazier, Chairman
