PROCEEDINGS OF THE POLICE JURY, PARISH OF OUACHITA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON, MONDAY, MAY 20, 2024 AT 5:35 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 Monday, May 20, 2024, at 5:35 p.m., and was duly convened by Mr. Shane Smiley, President.
Mr. Thompson 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. Mr. Bratton asked to move the Sterlington High School softball team proclamation under the visitors section. Mr. Mitchell asked to add a request to terminate for Public Works under Mr. Murray’s name. The president asked to add the Fourth Judicial District Judges Office payments for payroll and benefits to the agenda under his name. The president asked to add Bill Land with Land 3 Architect as a visitor. These items were received after the agenda was published and action was needed before the next meeting of the Jury. Motion offered by Mr. Thompson, 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. 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 May 6, 2024 was offered by Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Hudson. Motion passed without opposition.
VISITORS:
The president recognized the Sterlington High School softball team. Mr. Bratton, seconded by Mr. Thompson offered the following proclamation.
PROCLAMATION
A PROCLAMATION COMMENDING THE STERLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL LADY PANTHERS FOR WINNING THE 2024 LOUISIANA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION III NON-SELECT SOFTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP; AND, FURTHER PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.
WHEREAS, on April 27, 2024, first-year Head Coach Brian West and the Sterlington High School Lady Panthers capped a near-perfect season by defeating Doyle High School for the 2024 LOUISIANA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION III NON-SELECT SOFTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP;
WHEREAS, the Lady Panthers’ State Championship Season was punctuated by the Lady Panthers taking tension-filled, last-inning victories in both the Semi-final and Championship games; and,
WHEREAS, the Sterlington Lady Panthers’ 2024 LOUISIANA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION III NON-SELECT SOFTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP follows three consecutive appearances in the State Semi-finals and a Runner-up finish in 2023, a truly remarkable legacy of success for the team.
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT PROCLAIMED that, by these presents, the Ouachita Parish Police Jury does hereby congratulate and commend Coach West, the Lady Panthers, and the Sterlington High School Community for winning the 2024 LOUISIANA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION III NON-SELECT SOFTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
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The president recognized Bill Land, Land 3 Architect. Mr. Land updated the Jury on various building projects.
ENGINEERING REPORT:
The president recognized Mr. Ellingburg, Lazenby & Associates. Mr. Ellingburg spoke regarding Change Order No. 1 for Hodge Watson Road and recommended approval. Motion offered by Mrs. Bacon, seconded by Mr. Hudson to approve Change Order No. 1. Motion passed without opposition.
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Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Smiley 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 6:05 p.m.
The chair recognized Mr. Cammack, Treasurer. Mr. Cammack presented the claim statement for the period of April 12, 2024 through May 16, 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.
Mr. Cammack presented budget versus actual statements to the Jury. No action was needed.
Mr. Cammack spoke regarding the payment solution for cellular cameras the Police Jury had obtained for use in controlling illegal dumping and stated that the bank can issue a virtual credit card. Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Smiley to approve the use of a virtual credit card for these cellular cameras. Motion passed without opposition.
The item concerning the Homeland Security EMPG regional grant funds was deferred to the next meeting of the Jury.
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. Bratton. Motion passed without opposition. The finance committee meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
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The president reconvened the regular Police Jury meeting.
Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, 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, seconded by Mr. Thompson offered the following proclamation.
PROCLAMATION
A PROCLAMATION COMMENDING THE WEST MONROE HIGH SCHOOL REBELS FOR WINNING THE 2024 DIVISION 1 NON-SELECT BASEBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP; AND, FURTHER PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.
WHEREAS, on May 11, 2024, the West Monroe Rebels finished an outstanding season by soundly defeating Barbe High School to win the 2024 LOUISIANA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION 1 NON-SELECT BASEBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP;
WHEREAS, in the State Championship Game the Rebels demonstrated those traits that have marked their amazing season: clutch hitting, outstanding pitching, and stellar defensive play; and,
WHEREAS, in winning the 2024 State Championship, coupled with the 2022 State Championship and three straight appearances in the State Championship Game, Coach Wade Simoneaux and the West Monroe Rebels have established themselves as one of the all-time great teams in the history of Louisiana High School Baseball;
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT PROCLAIMED that, by these presents, the Ouachita Parish Police Jury does hereby congratulate and commend Coach Simoneaux, the Rebels Baseball Team, and the entire West Monroe High School community in recognition of the Rebels’ achievement in winning the 2024 LOUISIANA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION 1 NON-SELECT BASEBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
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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 spoke regarding the site development standards for solar facilities and asked that he, Mrs. Bacon, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Murray, Mr. Crosby, Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Cammack and Ms. Richardson meet to create an ordinance for solar facilities.
The president recognized Mr. Thompson.
MR. MICHAEL THOMPSON, DISTRICT D:
Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mrs. Bacon introduced the following ordinance.
ORDINANCE NO. 9486
AN ORDINANCE SUPPLEMENTING AND AMENDING CHAPTER 8 OF THE COMPILED ORDINANCES OF OUACHITA PARISH, LOUISIANA, TO ESTABLISH A CITIZEN’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL; AND, FURTHER PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.
WHEREAS, issues related to the disposal of solid waste are important to the citizens of the unincorporated area of Ouachita Parish, including, but not limited to, reducing the burden the community experiences as a result of the improper disposal of solid waste; and,
WHEREAS, the Ouachita Parish Police Jury (“OPPJ”) finds that it would benefit from the input of a citizens’ advisory committee that could direct its attention to the issues related to solid waste disposal in the unincorporated area of Ouachita Parish and make suggestions and recommendations to the OPPJ concerning solid waste disposal and related matters;
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT ORDAINED by the Ouachita Parish Police Jury in legal and Regular Session that Article I of Chapter 8 of the Compiled Ordinances of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, governing “Garbage and Trash” be supplemented and amended to add Sections 8-6 through 8-11 as follows:
Sec. 8-6. –Citizen’s Advisory Committee on Solid Waste Disposal.
In order to advise the Ouachita Parish Police Jury (“OPPJ”) with respect to issues concerning solid waste disposal, particularly in the unincorporated area of Ouachita Parish, and related matters, there is hereby created the Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Solid Waste.
Sec. 8-7. – Same—Members, terms and officers.
The Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Solid Waste shall be made up of seven (7) members appointed by the Ouachita Parish Police Jury. One member shall be nominated by the juror representing each of the six (6) Police Jury districts. The seventh member shall be an “at large” member and shall be nominated by the OPPJ President.
Four (4) members would serve initial terms of two (2) years and three (3) members would serve initial terms of four (4) years, with said initial terms to be allocated by the drawing of lots at the committee’s initial meeting. After these initial terms, all members would serve terms of four (4) years.
At its initial meeting the committee shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman who shall serve one-year terms in such offices. The Parish Treasurer shall designate an employee to serve as the secretary of the committee. Said secretary shall be responsible for the keeping of minutes, preparation of agendas, posting of notices, and similar clerical matters.
Sec. 8-8. – Same—Meetings.
The committee shall meet quarterly and otherwise upon the call of the chairman. Meetings shall be held at the OPPJ Office in the Ouachita Parish Police Jury Administrative Building or at such other location as selected by the chairman. The committee is encouraged to specifically notify representatives of Ouachita Green and Keep Ouachita Parish Beautiful of its meetings.
Sec. 8-9. – Same—Scope of duties.
The committee shall consider issues related to the disposal of solid waste in Ouachita Parish, and matters related thereto, with a focus on such issues affecting the unincorporated area of Ouachita Parish. The committee shall make recommendations to the Ouachita Parish Police Jury regarding same. The committee is encouraged to involve representatives of Ouachita Green and Keep Ouachita Parish Beautiful in it.
Sec. 8-10. – Same—Report to police jury.
The chairman or his designee shall appear at a meeting of the Ouachita Parish Police Jury at least quarterly to inform the police jury regarding matters considered by the committee and its recommendations, if any.
Sec. 8-11. – Same—Open meetings.
The meetings of the committee shall be considered to be meetings of a public body subject to the provisions of the Open Meetings Law (R.S. 42:4.1 et seq.) that apply to such citizens’ advisory committees. Written minutes of its meetings shall be kept as public records.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the supplemental and amending provisions set forth above shall become effective upon the adoption of this Ordinance.
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MR. SHANE SMILEY, DISTRICT E:
Motion offered by Mr. Smiley, seconded by Mr. Hudson to approve the amendment to the contract with Waxmans III for assistance with the portable pump project right-of-way acquisitions. Motion passed without opposition.
Motion offered by Mr. Smiley, seconded by Mr. Hudson to authorize Mr. Mitchell to correspond with the Fourth Judicial District Judges Office legal team to ask for reimbursement of approximately $500,000.00 for payroll and benefit expenses to be paid before the next payroll. Motion passed without opposition.
The president recognized Mr. Hudson.
MR. LONNIE HUDSON, DISTRICT F:
Mr. Hudson stated that he did not have any items.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
The president recognized Mr. Cammack, Treasurer. Mr. Cammack stated that he did not have any items.
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 updated the Jury on the Police Jury’s Facebook page and stated that the page would be active on May 21.
The president recognized Mr. Murray, Public Works. Mr. Murray requested to terminate Mark Gonzales and Matthew Alford Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Thompson to approve the terminations. Motion passed without opposition.
The president recognized Mr. Smart, Green Oaks. Mr. Smart requested to promote Guy Zachary to Juvenile Detention Officer II full-time. Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Thompson to approve the promotion. Motion passed without opposition.
Mr. Smart requested to hire Dravan Robinson and Jessica Goins as Juvenile Detention Officer II part-time. Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Thompson to hire Dravan Robinson and Jessica Goins. 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 Mr. Bratton. The meeting adjourned at 6:34 p.m.
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Shane Smiley, President Karen Cupit, Recording Secretary
