PROCEEDINGS OF THE POLICE JURY, PARISH OF OUACHITA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2024 AT 5:36 P.M.
The Police Jury of the Parish of Ouachita, State of Louisiana met in a regular session in the Ouachita Parish Police Jury Meeting Room, Police Jury Administrative Building, Monroe, Louisiana on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at 5:36 p.m., and was duly convened by Mr. Shane Smiley, President.
Mrs. Bacon gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members Present (5)
Toni Bacon District A
Jimmy Tyson District B
Larry Bratton District C
Shane Smiley District E
Lonnie Hudson District F
Members Absent (1)
Michael Thompson District D
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
The president asked if there were any additions or amendments to the agenda. Mr. Mitchell asked to add an item to declare a vehicle as surplus. This item was received after the agenda was published and action was needed before the next meeting of the Jury. Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Bratton to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed without opposition.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:
The president asked for public comments concerning any matters on the approved agenda. William Mason stated there was an item on the agenda to terminate his employment at Green Oaks and stated his reasons as to why he should not be terminated. No one else appeared or came forth to speak during this time.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES:
A motion to adopt the minutes of the regular Police Jury meeting including the committee meetings held on February 5, 2024 was offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mrs. Bacon. Motion passed without opposition.
VISITORS:
The president recognized Bill Land with Land 3 Architect. Mr. Land spoke regarding the Registrar of Voters and Coroner s buildings renovation project, presented the change order for the ceiling replacement, and stated the updated cost is $14,800.00. Mr. Land stated the Fire Marshall requested changes to the plans for the fire wall for the Coroner s building and the drinking fountains in both buildings. These changes were also included in the change order. Motion offered by Mr. Bratton, seconded by Mr. Hudson to approve the change order. Motion passed without opposition.
Mr. Land spoke regarding the Health Unit access control door and stated that the director decided they do not need the door. Motion offered by Mr. Bratton, seconded by Mrs. Bacon to accept the director s decision. Motion passed without opposition.
Mr. Land presented the proposals for the stairs and ramp for the Public Works modular office building and recommended accepting the lowest proposal from Achievers of Louisiana West Monroe for $32,451.00. Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mrs. Bacon to accept the proposal from Achievers of Louisiana West Monroe. Motion passed without opposition.
The president recognized Celine Flores-Robinson with North Delta Regional Planning. Mrs. Flores-Robinson updated the Jury on the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant.
ENGINEERING REPORT:
The president recognized Mr. Crosby, Engineer. Mr. Crosby presented Change Order No. 1 for Bayou Bank Road cross drain repair and recommended approval. Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Bratton to approve Change Order No. 1. Motion passed without opposition.
Mr. Crosby presented the substantial completion for Bayou Bank Road cross drain repair and recommended approval. Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Bratton to accept the substantial completion. Motion passed without opposition.
Mr. Crosby requested approval to advertise the Magnolia Drive/Woodale Drive intersection project for bids using Public Works funds. Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Smiley to authorize Lazenby & Associates to advertise the project for bids. Motion passed without opposition.
Mr. Crosby requested approval to advertise the River Styx discharge pipe project for bids with funding from HMGP and matching funds from the east side sales tax. Motion offered by Mr. Bratton, seconded by Mrs. Bacon to authorize Lazenby & Associates to advertise the project for bids. Motion passed without opposition.
Mr. Crosby spoke regarding the Wall Williams Road project and stated that the current pay estimate has been held up with the state due to needing approval of additional funds for the project. Mr. Crosby stated that this program is a disbursement process and that he was requesting approval to vary the Police Jury s policy and make this payment to the contractor prior to receiving disbursement of the funds from the state. Mr. Mitchell asked that the approval of Mr. Crosby s request be given subject to confirmation from the state that this will not compromise the reimbursement due to the parish. Motion offered by Mrs. Bacon, seconded by Mr. Bratton to approve the payment subject to the confirmation from the state that the parish will be reimbursed. Motion passed without opposition.
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Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Bratton to recess the regular meeting in favor of the Finance Committee meeting. Motion passed without opposition.
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
The chair, Mrs. Bacon, called the Finance Committee meeting to order at 6:17 p.m.
The chair recognized Ms. Cupit, Assistant Treasurer. Ms. Cupit presented the claim statement for the period of January 20, 2024 through February 15, 2024 and recommended approval. Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Smiley to approve payment of the claims for the period stated as recommended by the treasurer. Motion passed without opposition.
Ms. Cupit presented budget versus actual statements to the Jury. No action was needed.
There being no further business to come before this committee, a motion to adjourn and reconvene the regular meeting was offered by Mr. Smiley, seconded by Mr. Hudson. Motion passed without opposition. The finance committee meeting was adjourned at 6:18 p.m.
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The president reconvened the regular Police Jury meeting.
Motion offered by Mr. Bratton, seconded by Mrs. Bacon to ratify and adopt all actions taken in the committee meeting. Motion passed without opposition.
MOTIONS * ORDINANCES * RESOLUTIONS:
The president recognized Mrs. Bacon.
MRS. TONI BACON, DISTRICT A:
Mrs. Bacon stated that she did not have any items.
The president recognized Mr. Tyson.
MR. JIMMY TYSON, DISTRICT B:
Motion offered by Mr. Tyson, seconded by Mrs. Bacon to authorize Lazenby & Associates to begin the survey and design of Camp Road from I-20 to Highway 80 with funding from the west side sales tax. Motion passed without opposition.
The president recognized Mr. Bratton.
MR. LARRY BRATTON, DISTRICT C:
Mr. Bratton stated that he did not have any items.
The president stated that Mr. Thompson was not at the meeting and that he did not have any items.
MR. SHANE SMILEY, DISTRICT E:
Motion offered by Mr. Smiley, seconded by Mrs. Bacon to approve a letter of support for the Convention & Visitors Bureau. Motion passed without opposition.
Motion offered by Mr. Smiley, seconded by Mr. Hudson to approve an additional $70,000.00 in ARPA funding for the NELA Manufacturing Alliance Consortium. Motion passed without opposition.
Mr. Smiley, seconded by Mrs. Bacon offered the following resolution for adoption.
RESOLUTION NO. 24-18
RESOLUTION APPOINTING AMY SAWYER TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD OF OUACHITA PARISH, LOUISIANA, INC.; AND FURTHER PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.
WHEREAS, there exists a vacancy on the Board of Directors of the Industrial Development Board of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, Inc.; and,
WHEREAS, Amy Sawyer, a resident of said District E, has expressed a willingness to serve and her background and experience make her well-suited for the position;
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Ouachita Parish Police Jury in legal and regular session that Amy Sawyer be, and hereby is, appointed to the Board of Directors of the Industrial Development Board of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, Inc., to serve for a period of six years, said term beginning on February 20, 2024, and ending on February 20, 2030, said appointment being made by nomination of the juror representing District E.
The following resolution adopted on the 20th day of February 2024.
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The president recognized Mr. Hudson.
MR. LONNIE HUDSON, DISTRICT F:
Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Bratton offered the following resolution for adoption.
RESOLUTION NO. 24-19
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND SUPPORTING AN APPLICATION FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER THE FY 2023-2024 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY THE LOUISIANA DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATION, OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT; AND FURTHER PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.
WHEREAS, the Ouachita Parish Police Jury is desirous of submitting an application to the Louisiana Division of Administration, Office of Community Development, for funding assistance under the FY 2023-2024 Local Government Assistance Program;
NOW THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Ouachita Parish Police Jury in legal and regular session convened on the 20th day of February, 2024 that the Ouachita Parish Police Jury hereby authorizes and supports an application for assistance by the Louisiana Division of Administration, Office of Community Development, for the following project located in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana:
Tanglewood Subdivision Emergency Response Staging Area
The resolution was adopted on the 20th day of February, 2024.
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ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
The president recognized Chief Hemphill, Fire Department. Chief Hemphill stated that he did not have any items.
The president recognized Mr. Mitchell, Assistant District Attorney. Mr. Mitchell requested approval of a lease to Ray Coker for the FEMA properties at 1015 and 1017 North 11th Street, Monroe subject to the standard terms for such leases. Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Bratton to approve the lease with Ray Coker. Motion passed without opposition.
Mr. Mitchell requested to declare the Dodge Nitro, Asset No. 15260, at the health unit as surplus and allow it to be sold at a public auction. Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mrs. Bacon to declare the vehicle surplus and allow it to be sold at a public auction. Motion passed without opposition.
The president recognized Mr. Murray, Public Works. Mr. Murray requested to hire Trayveon Marshall as an Equipment Operator I and to hire Clinton Richardson as a general laborer. Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Bratton to hire Trayveon Marshall and Clinton Richardson as requested. Motion passed without opposition.
The president recognized Mr. McConnell, Homeland Security. Mr. McConnell requested to declare a Ford F-250 truck, Asset No. 15319, as surplus and allow it to be transferred to Public Works for $20,975.00. Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mrs. Bacon to declare the vehicle as surplus and to be transferred to Public Works as requested. Motion passed without opposition.
The president recognized Mr. Gabb, 911 Office. Mr. Gabb requested to hire Letrice Dennis as an Emergency Call Specialist I and to hire Sarah Smith and Rebecca Kaase as Emergency Call Specialist I supervisors. Motion offered by Mr. Bratton, seconded by Mrs. Bacon to hire Letrice Dennis, Sarah Smith and Rebecca Kaase as requested. Motion passed without opposition.
The president recognized Mr. Smart, Green Oaks. Mr. Smart requested to hire JaQuicia Leonard and Adrien Coats as Juvenile Detention Officer II part-time. Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Bratton to hire JaQuicia Leonard and Adrien Coats as requested. Motion passed without opposition.
Mr. Smart requested to hire Brianna Thompson as a social services counselor. Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Bratton to hire Brianna Thompson as requested. Motion passed without opposition.
Mr. Smart requested to terminate Marquel Cage and William Mason. Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Smiley to terminate Marquel Cage and William Mason. Motion passed without opposition.
BEER AND WHISKEY APPLICATIONS:
There were none.
OTHER BUSINESS:
There being no other business to come before the Jury, a motion to adjourn was offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mrs. Bacon. The meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m.
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Shane Smiley, President Karen Cupit, Recording Secretary
