PROCEEDINGS OF THE POLICE JURY, PARISH OF OUACHITA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON, MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2024 AT 5:37 P.M.
The Police Jury of the Parish of Ouachita, State of Louisiana met in a regular session in the Ouachita Parish Police Jury Administrative Building, Monroe, Louisiana on Monday, March 4, 2024, at 5:37 p.m., and was duly convened by Mr. Shane Smiley, President.
Mr. Hudson gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members Present (6)
Toni Bacon District A
Jimmy Tyson District B
Larry Bratton District C
Michael Thompson District D
Shane Smiley District E
Lonnie Hudson District F
Members Absent (0)
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
The president asked if there were any additions or amendments to the agenda. The president asked to add representatives from the Ouachita Parish Youth Commission as visitors. These students were present at the meeting and had requested an opportunity to inform the Police Jury of their group s activities. Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Thompson to approve the agenda with the addition. Motion passed without opposition.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:
The president asked for public comments concerning any matters on the approved agenda. No one 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 20, 2024 was offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Bratton. Motion passed with Mr. Thompson abstaining.
SERVICE AWARDS FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH:
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Joseph Costa 10 years
Jason Ditta 10 years
Harrison Givens 10 years
Robert Gole 10 years
Caleb Hibbard 10 years
Cody Jones 10 years
Carl Knighten 10 years
Lucas Nolan 10 years
Jeremy Stone 10 years
GREEN OAKS
Neal Schooley 30 years
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
The following department heads presented monthly reports.
TREASURER: Mr. Brad Cammack
Mr. Cammack requested approval to update the parish vehicle policy to include, inter alia, the language from the state statue regarding decals on parish vehicles. Motion offered by Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Hudson to amend the parish vehicle policy to include the requested language. Motion passed without opposition.
Mr. Cammack presented the updated parish vehicle decal and requested clarification on the lettering. Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Thompson to approve the updated vehicle decals to include the department name under the emblem. Motion passed without opposition.
ANIMAL CONTROL: Ms. Stephanie Mullins
Ms. Mullins stated that she did not have any items to add to her written report.
FEDERAL PROGRAMS: Ms. Doretha Bennett
Ms. Bennett stated that she did not have any items to add to her written report.
FIRE DEPARTMENT: Chief Patrick Hemphill
Chief Hemphill stated that he did not have any items to add to his written report.
HOMELAND SECURITY &
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: Mr. Rodger McConnell
Mr. McConnell stated that he did not have any items to add to his written report.
LIBRARY: Ms. Nancy Green
Ms. Green stated that she did not have any items to add to her written report.
911 OFFICE: Mr. Jade Gabb
Mr. Gabb stated that he did not have any items to add to his written report.
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VISITORS:
The president recognized Akina Travis, 134 Topic Street, Monroe. Ms. Travis updated the Jury on the Ouachita Parish Youth Commission events and activities.
A motion to recess the regular meeting in favor of the Personnel Committee meeting was offered by Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mrs. Bacon. Motion passed without opposition.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE MEETING
The chair, Mr. Bratton, called the Personnel Committee meeting to order at 5:57 p.m.
The chair recognized Chief Hemphill, Fire Department. Chief Hemphill recommended approval of the following personnel actions.
Sick Leave
Name Action Effective Date
Turner, Nicholas Termination of Sick Leave 02/15/2024
Obed, John Sick Leave 01/31/2024
Peeples, Stephanie Sick Leave 02/07/2024
Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Thompson to approve the sick leave as recommended. Motion passed without opposition.
Promotion
Name From To Effective Date
Martin, Jacob Perm. Firefighter Prob. Driver 03/04/2024
Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Smiley to approve the promotion as recommended. Motion passed without opposition.
Resignations
Name Action Effective Date
Freeman, Hunter Resignation/Firefighter 02/14/2024
McClain, Cole Resignation/Recruit 02/22/2024
O Donovan, Tiernan Resignation/Driver 02/26/2024
Copeland, Christian Resignation/Recruit 03/01/2024
Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Smiley to approve the resignations as recommended. Motion passed without opposition.
The chair recognized Ms. Mullins, Animal Control. Ms. Mullins requested to promote Elizabeth Schoenbaum to kennel worker full-time. Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Thompson to approve the promotion. Motion passed without opposition.
There being no further business to come before this committee, a motion to adjourn and enter into the Public Works Committee meeting was offered by Mr. Smiley, seconded by Mrs. Bacon. Motion passed without opposition.
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PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING
The chair, Mr. Hudson, called the Public Works Committee meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
The chair recognized Mr. Murray, Director. Mr. Murray stated that he did not have any items.
The chair recognized Mr. Crosby, Engineer. Mr. Crosby presented the bid results for Connie Lynn Drive and stated that the lowest conforming bid was from Amethyst Construction, Inc. for $1,280,308.80. Motion offered by Mr. Smiley, seconded by Mr. Bratton to award the project to Amethyst Construction, Inc. and authorize the president to sign all necessary contract documents. Motion passed without opposition.
Mr. Crosby requested approval to advertise the FY 2023 LCDBG street project for bids. Motion offered by Mr. Bratton, seconded by Mr. Smiley to approve advertising the project for bids. Motion passed without opposition.
There being no other business to come before this committee at this time a motion to adjourn and reconvene the regular meeting was offered by Mr. Smiley, seconded by Mr. Bratton. Motion passed without opposition.
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The president reconvened the regular Police Jury meeting at 6:03 p.m.
Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mrs. Bacon to ratify and adopt all actions taken in the committee meetings. Motion passed without opposition.
MOTIONS * ORDINANCES * RESOLUTIONS:
The president recognized Mrs. Bacon.
MRS. TONI BACON, DISTRICT A:
Mrs. Bacon, seconded by Mr. Hudson offered the following resolution for adoption.
RESOLUTION NO. 24-20
A RESOLUTION REAPPOINTING KEVIN CROSBY TO THE MONROE-WEST MONROE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU TO SERVE FOR A TERM OF THREE (3) YEARS BEGINNING MARCH 4, 2024 AND ENDING MARCH 4, 2027; AND FURTHER PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.
WHEREAS, Kevin Crosby s term has expired as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Monroe-West Monroe Convention & Visitors Bureau; and
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Ouachita Parish Police Jury in legal and regular session that Kevin Crosby be and hereby is reappointed to the Monroe-West Monroe Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Commissioners, said term to be for a period of three (3) years beginning March 4, 2024 and ending March 4, 2027.
The above resolution was adopted the 4th day of March, 2024.
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The president recognized Mr. Tyson.
MR. JIMMY TYSON, DISTRICT B:
Mr. Tyson stated that he did not have any items.
The president recognized Mr. Bratton.
MR. LARRY BRATTON, DISTRICT C:
Mr. Bratton stated that he did not have any items.
The president recognized Mr. Thompson.
MR. MICHAEL THOMPSON, DISTRICT D:
Mr. Thomspon spoke regarding litter in the parish. Motion offered by Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mrs. Bacon to request the Ouachita Parish Sheriff s Office to put out cameras in areas with illegal dumping and to report back with any additional costs needed. Motion passed without opposition.
MR. SHANE SMILEY, DISTRICT E:
Mr. Smiley stated that he did not have any items.
The president recognized Mr. Hudson.
MR. LONNIE HUDSON, DISTRICT F:
Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Bratton offered the following ordinance for adoption.
ORDINANCE NO. 9481
AN ORDINANCE CHANGING THE POLLING PLACE FOR PRECINCTS 11 AND 22 OF OUACHITA PARISH FROM CLARA HALL LOWER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BACK TO JEFFERSON UPPER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL; AND, FURTHER PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.
WHEREAS, Jefferson Upper Elementary School located at 1001 Pecan Street, Monroe, LA, 71202 served as the polling place for Precincts 11 and 22 of Ouachita Parish for many years;
WHEREAS, in 2021 Jefferson Upper Elementary School suffered extensive damage during a spring storm and necessitating that the school s operations be relocated to another facility to allow for extensive repairs;
WHEREAS, the scope of construction/repair activities prevented using Jefferson Upper Elementary School as a polling place, so the Ouachita Parish Police Jury moved the polling place for Precincts 11 and 22 to the nearby Clara Hall Elementary School, 1000 Plum Street, Monroe. LA 71202; and,
WHEREAS, all construction/repairs having been completed and the facility having been restored to normal operations, school administration has asked that this polling place be moved back to its traditional location at Jefferson Upper Elementary School;
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT ORDAINED by the Ouachita Parish Police Jury in legal and regular session that in accordance with La. R.S. 18:531, et seq. the polling place for Precincts 11 and 22 of Ouachita Parish be and hereby is changed from Clara Hall Elementary School, 1000 Plum Street, Monroe. LA 71202, back to Jefferson Upper Elementary School located at 1001 Pecan Street, Monroe, LA, 71202 to
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that notice of this change be made in accordance with law.
Introduction of the above Ordinance was waived on the 4th day of March 2024; the Ordinance was submitted to a rollcall vote, and the vote thereon was as follows, to-wit:
YEAS: (6) Mrs. Toni Bacon, District A; Mr. Jimmy Tyson, District B;
Mr. Larry Bratton, District C; Mr. Michael Thompson, District D; Mr. Shane Smiley, District E; and Mr. Lonnie Hudson, District F.
NAYS: (0)
ABSTAIN: (0)
ABSENT: (0)
The above ordinance was adopted on the 4th day of March 2024.
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ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
The president recognized Mr. Cammack. Mr. Cammack stated that he did not have any items.
The president recognized Chief Hemphill. Chief Hemphill stated that he did not have any items.
The president recognized Mr. Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell spoke regarding the professional services agreements with Ochsner LSU Physician Group for Green Oaks and the Ouachita Correctional Center and recommended approval. Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Bratton to approve the professional services agreements. Motion passed without opposition.
The president recognized Mr. Murray. Mr. Murray stated that he did not have any items.
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 6:16 p.m.
Motion offered by Mr. Smiley, seconded by Mr. Bratton to re-open the regular meeting. Motion passed without opposition.
The regular meeting resumed at 6:17 p.m.
The president recognized Alisha Lawson, 45 West Elmwood Drive, Monroe. Ms. Lawson stated her concerns with a new convenience store that is being built on Old Sterlington Road next to Jack Hayes Elementary School.
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 6:24 p.m.
____________________________ ____________________________
Shane Smiley, President Karen Cupit, Recording Secretary
