The Madison Parish Port Commission met in a regular session on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at the Madison Parish Port Commission Office. The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Donald Frazier and the roll call was taken as follows:
Commissioners present: Donald Frazier, Isaiah Ross, David Williams and Luther Love
Commissioners absent: Robert Charles Brown, Latasha Griffin, and Curt Collins
Other members present: Kimmeka Sterling, Secretary/Treasurer &Asst. Director
Visitors:
Neil Martin (Terral River Service), Timothy Holdiness (Madison Journal), Jimmy Stewart (The Andersons), Robbie Waxman (Waxman Consultant Services), Johnny Hughes, Dave Wilson and Jerry Hicks (Madison Parish Police Jurors) and Attorney Moses Williams (citizen)
Sterling informed the board of the necessity to increase budget items 4260 & 4654, due to several projects that are underway at the Port. President Frazier questioned if the amount presented will suffice for the current fiscal year. Sterling informed the board that the amount requested will suffice and she wouldn’t have to return to amend the budget before the closing of the fiscal year 2025. Commissioner Williams questioned the months remaining in the fiscal year. Commissioner Love stated five.
On motion given by Commissioner Ross to adjourn the public meeting. Motion carried unanimously!
Secretary Sterling requested an amendment to the agenda adding item F. to accept PA from The Andersons. Item G. Discuss the report from Konecranes at RailCar Co.& discuss the electrical to the cranes. Add to item D. Allow Asst. Director to speak with the Police Jury regarding a collaboration between both entities to construct a turning lane of Hwy 65.
On motion given by Commissioner Ross and Commissioner Williams to allow the amendment to the agenda adding items D, F and G. Motion carried unanimously!
On motion given by Commissioner Williams and Commissioner Ross to approve the previous meeting minutes for Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the minutes were approved with no necessary corrections. Motion carried unanimously.
On motion given by Commissioner Williams and Commissioner Ross to approve the amendment to the fiscal year 2025 budget. Motion carried unanimously.
Roll Call:
Yeas: 4
Nays: 0
Abstain: 0
Absent: 3
Sterling informed the board that the deposits on CD #3 were not deposited. Guaranty is working on correcting the mistake immediately.
The financial reports were approved on a motion by Commissioner Williams, seconded by Commissioner Love, with no necessary corrections. Motion carried unanimously.
Roll Call:
Yeas: 4
Nays: 0
Abstain: 0
Absent: 3
Sterling informed the board of the lease renewal for Helena Agri-Lease renewal. Sterling informed the board that the attorney reviewed and approved the renewal for Helena Agri-.
Helena Agri-Lease was approved on a motion given by Commissioner Ross, seconded by Commissioner Williams. Motion carried unanimously.
Roll Call:
Yeas: 4
Nays: 0
Abstain: 0
Absent: 3
Sterling informed the board that the culvert was installed, and rock was added also. She stated that D&J will come to patch the area. Commissioner Ross questioned the access of the road. Sterling stated that one lane is still closed and working to open it. Juror Hicks indicated that the traffic would pack the rock during access. Neil Martin stated that he spoke with D&J about completing the repairs to Port road and D&J informed that they are tied up. However, D&J will work on completing the area soon.
Sterling informed the board that after speaking with DOT, they informed her that since the Madison Parish Police Jury owns that road, they suggested the two entities work together on getting the turning lane of Hwy 65 together. Juror Hughes questioned the traffic direction. Neil stated that the Governor is trying to get the roads back up to par and Mortenson to help with the cost. Neil stated that he gave D&J a wish list to take back to the Governor (Turning lane off Hwy 65 North, turning lane unto the tank farm, and two additional lanes unto the levee).
Sterling informed the board of the request for the Right of way to allow trucking access behind Delta Southern Railroad. Sterling stated that allowing the access is for loading access only, not for overnight parking,etc. Neil explained the direction of the access for truckers. Five S stated that he would work on the efforts of truckers not parking overnight. Jimmy stated that on an average day The Andersons will have 300 trucks coming to the facility. He stated that allowing that ROW would help tremendously during harvest season. Neil discussed the outbound traffic issues during harvest season. The request for flaggers is a need. Neil stated that Terral would provide the flaggers but has since decided not to provide the flaggers due to liabilities issues. He reached out to Senators and Representatives for assistance. He is working with Sheriff Ezell to have a Deputy on site for traffic control. Juror Hicks stated the best thing to do is to hire an off-duty officer to direct traffic. Juror Hughes questioned the access to the Andersons’ road. Hughes stated that a tank car was used to open the road off Mike Foster land. The main problem is the levee congestion.
Robbie Waxman explained the participation agreement (PA) from The Andersons’. The Andersons’ Group will provide the PA only if the Port will sign a hold harmless agreement removing The Andersons’ from the liability of the terms of the PA. Commissioner Ross questioned the response from the attorney. Sterling replied yes. Commissioner Love questioned the amount of the road project. Waxman explained the terms and the cost.
On motion given by Commissioner Williams and Commissioner Ross, authorizing President Frazier to sign the Hold Harmless Agreement. Motion carried unanimously
Roll Call:
Yeas: 4
Nays: 0
Abstain: 0
Absent: 3
Sterling discussed the report from KoneCranes. After the completion of electrical project at RailCar Co. RailCar Co. reached out to the Port regarding the state of the cranes. Volkert contacted KoneCranes to come out and certify the cranes for continued use. However, the problems were far greater than expected. Two cranes were found to be without electrical power due to damaged wiring, rendering them inoperable. Sterling informed the board that she is working with Volkert and KoneCranes for a solution to the issues.
President Frazier stated that the resumes were received, and the attorney would contact the Commissioners this week to provide guidance on how to proceed with interviews.
Public comments:
There being no further business brought before the board; Chairperson Frazier declared the meeting adjourned.
/s/Kimmeka Sterling,
Secretary/Treasurer
/s/Donald Frazier,
President
Published in the Madison Journal in
Tallulah, Louisiana for a total cost
of $84.59 on September 4, 2025
