PROCEEDINGS OF THE POLICE JURY, PARISH OF OUACHITA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 AT 5:34 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, September 18, 2023, at 5:34 p.m., and was duly convened by Mr. Shane Smiley, President.
The president gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members Present (6)
Scotty Robinson District A
Jack Clampit District B
Larry Bratton District C
Shane Smiley District E
Michael Thompson District D
Lonnie Hudson District F
Members Absent (0)
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
The president asked if there were any additions or amendments to the agenda. There were none. Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Thompson to approve the agenda as published. 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 September 5, 2023 was offered by Mr. Clampit, seconded by Mr. Robinson. Motion passed without opposition.
PUBLIC HEARING:
The president convened a public hearing on Ordinance No. 9465 An Ordinance creating Road District No. 1 of the Parish of Ouachita, State of Louisiana to also be known as the Millhaven Estates Road District ; and, further providing with respect thereto. No one appeared to speak in favor of or against the ordinance. Motion offered by Mr. Clampit, seconded by Mr. Bratton to close the public hearing. Motion passed without opposition.
VISITORS:
There were none.
ENGINEERING REPORT:
The president recognized Mr. Crosby, Engineer. Mr. Crosby presented Change Order No. 2 for the Cypress Street drainage project and recommended approval. Motion offered by Mr. Clampit, seconded by Mr. Hudson to approve Change Order No. 2. Motion passed without opposition.
Mr. Crosby requested authorization to advertise cross-drains, pavement patching and leveling on the Public Works road program for bids. Mr. Crosby stated that the cost estimate is $3,300,000.00. Discussion ensued. Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Thompson to approve advertising the project for bids.
Substitute motion offered by Mr. Clampit, seconded by Mr. Hudson to approve the Public Works Department to resume the work on the seventeen roads that were already started. Substitute motion passed with Mr. Bratton opposing.
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Motion offered by Mr. Smiley, seconded by Mr. Clampit to recess the regular meeting in favor of the Finance Committee meeting. Motion passed without opposition.
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
The chair, Mr. Robinson, called the Finance Committee meeting to order at 6:25 p.m.
The chair recognized Mr. Cammack, Treasurer. Mr. Cammack presented the claim statement for the period of August 18, 2023 through September 14, 2023 and recommended approval. Motion offered by Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Clampit to approve payment of the claims for the period stated as recommended by the assistant treasurer. Motion passed without opposition.
Mr. Cammack presented budget versus actual statements to the Jury. No action was needed.
The chair recognized Mr. McConnell, Homeland Security. Mr. McConnell recommended accepting the regional EMPG funds. Motion offered by Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Hudson to accept the regional EMPG funds. Motion passed without opposition.
Mr. McConnell requested approval to advertise the purchase a 2023 one-ton dual rear wheel pickup truck with the regional EMPG funds for bids. Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Thompson to approve the vehicle purchase. Motion passed without opposition.
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. Thompson. Motion passed without opposition. The finance committee meeting was adjourned at 6:28 p.m.
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The president reconvened the regular Police Jury meeting.
Motion offered by Mr. Clampit, seconded by Mr. Bratton to ratify and adopt all actions taken in the committee meeting. Motion passed without opposition.
MOTIONS * ORDINANCES * RESOLUTIONS:
The president recognized Mr. Robinson, District A.
MR. SCOTTY ROBINSON, DISTRICT A:
Mr. Robinson asked to defer the matter concerning Hodge Watson Road to the next meeting.
Mr. Robinson asked to defer the matter concerning Standard Reed Road to the next meeting.
The president recognized Mr. Clampit, District B.
MR. JACK CLAMPIT, DISTRICT B:
Motion offered by Mr. Clampit, seconded by Mr. Robinson to accept the proposal from Professional Services Industries of West Monroe for the Cheniere Lake Area 1 geotechnical reports subject to concurrence from Capital Outlay. Motion passed without opposition.
Motion offered by Mr. Clampit, seconded by Mr. Bratton to approve a cooperative endeavor agreement with the Calhoun Civic Club for the Police Jury to be the fiduciary for state appropriation funds and, in that capacity to authorize the president to execute such agreements and other documents required by the State of Louisiana in connection with such state appropriation. Motion passed without opposition.
Mr. Clampit, seconded by Mr. Robinson offered the following resolution for adoption.
RESOLUTION NO. 23-30
A RESOLUTION APPROVING DESIGN EXCEPTIONS FOR BRIDGES ON RED CUT ROAD AND CHARLES RAWLS ROAD –STATE PROJECT NO. H.13130 (SITES 1 & 2); AND FURTHER PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.
WHEREAS, in conjunction with State Project No. H.013130 ( Red Cut Road Bridge over Watson Branch and Charles Rawls Road over Prairion Bayou ) La. DOTD has requested that certain design exceptions be approved by the parish; and,
WHEREAS, the Ouachita Parish Police Jury finds that the new, improved bridges to be constructed as part of the above-identified project will be safer than the existing bridges and that in order to facilitate the construction of these new bridges the approval of the requested design exception is appropriate;
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Ouachita Parish Police Jury does hereby approve the requested design exceptions for State Project No.: H.013130 related to design speed for the Red Cut Road Bridge over Watson Branch, and related to superelevation, and horizontal curve radius for the Charles Rawls Road over Prairion Bayou, all as set forth more fully in the La. DOTD Design Exception Request prepared by William C. Monroe, P.E.and signed 12/1/2020;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution and recommendation be forwarded to LA DOTD for consideration.
The resolution was adopted the 18th day of September, 2023.
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The president recognized Mr. Bratton, District C.
MR. LARRY BRATTON, DISTRICT C:
Mr. Bratton gave an update on broadband.
Motion offered by Mr. Bratton, seconded by Mr. Thompson to declare the office partitions in the Oliver Road library building surplus and allow for sale or disposal in accordance with the law. Motion passed without opposition.
The president recognized Mr. Thompson, District D.
MR. MICHAEL THOMPSON, DISTRICT D:
Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Robinson offered the following ordinance for adoption.
ORDINANCE NO. 9465
AN ORDINANCE CREATING ROAD DISTRICT NO. 1 OF THE PARISH OF OUACHITA, STATE OF LOUISIANA TO ALSO BE KNOWN AS THE MILLHAVEN ESTATES ROAD DISTRICT ; AND, FURTHER PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.
WHEREAS, property owners and residents of the residential areas sometimes referred to collectively as Millhaven Estates have requested that the Ouachita Parish Police Jury empower them to fund and direct the improvement of the public roads and related infrastructure in their own neighborhood;
WHEREAS, the laws of the State of Louisiana authorize parish governing authorities to create Road Districts comprised of specific territory within the parish and having the authority to do and perform all acts necessary and proper for the purpose of constructing, maintaining, and improving public roads, highways, and bridges within the territorial limits of the district including ditching and draining thereof.
WHEREAS, the Ouachita Parish Police Jury has heretofore given notice as required by law of its intent to create a Road District for the Millhaven Estates area in accordance with La. R.S. 48:571, et. seq., said District to encompass the following property:
That portion of Lot No. 5 of Killoden Subdivision as shown on the plat filed September 17, 1935, in Plat Book 5, Page 19 of the records of the Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court, that lies in Section 30, T18N, R5E and east of Bennett s Bayou, including, but not limited to, Willet Place Square, Willet Place Square Unit 2, and Millhaven Estates Units 1 10.
WHEREAS, the public roads in the Millhaven Estates area serve only the Millhaven Estates area and do not carry traffic travelling to or from other residential or commercial areas, making this the Millhaven Estates area particularly suited to the use of a Road District to undertake the maintenance and improvement of such roads; and,
WHEREAS, after a public hearing the Ouachita Parish Police Jury finds that the creation of a Road District in the area known generally as Millhaven Estates is in the public interest.
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT ORDAINED that the Ouachita Parish Police Jury does by these presents create Road District No. 1 of the Parish of Ouachita, State of Louisiana, said District to also be known as the Millhaven Estates Road District to include and encompass the following property:
That portion of Lot No. 5 of Killoden Subdivision as shown on the plat filed September 17, 1935, in Plat Book 5, Page 19 of the records of the Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court, that lies in Section 30, T18N, R5E and east of Bennett s Bayou, including, but not limited to, Willet Place Square, Willet Place Square Unit 2, and Millhaven Estates Units 1 10.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, the boundary of this Road District is described as follows:
Begin at the northeast corner of Lot No. 5 of Killoden Subdivision as shown on the plat filed September 17, 1935, in Plat Book 5, Page 19 of the records of the Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court; thence run westerly along the north line of said Lot No. 5 to its intersection with the west line of Sec. 30, T18N, R5E; then run southerly along said west line of Sec. 30 to the centerline of Bennett s Bayou; thence run southerly along the centerline of Bennett s Bayou to its intersection with the south line of the above-described Lot No. 5 of Killoden Subdivision; thence run easterly along the south line of Lot No. 5 of Killoden Subdivision to the east line of said Lot No. 5; thence run northerly along the east line of the above-described Lot No. 5 of Killoden Subdivision to the northeast corner of said Lot No. 5 and the Point of Beginning;
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, this District shall have all power and authority afforded Road Districts under the laws of the State of Louisiana, including but not limited to La. R.S. 48:571, et seq. and shall be governed in the manner prescribed by such laws; and,
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that Notice of the Formation of this District be given by publication in accordance with law.
The above ordinance was introduced on the 7th day of August, 2023.
The ordinance was submitted to a roll call vote, and the vote thereon was as follows:
YEAS: (6) Mr. Scotty Robinson, District A; Mr. Jack Clampit, 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 18th day of September, 2023.
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MR. SHANE SMILEY, DISTRICT E:
Motion offered by Mr. Smiley, seconded by Mr. Robinson to accept the state appropriation and to approve the cooperative endeavor agreement for the pump storage facility. Motion passed without opposition.
Motion offered by Mr. Smiley, seconded by Mr. Thompson to accept the state appropriation and to approve the cooperative endeavor agreement for the purchase of a culvert cleaner. Motion passed without opposition.
Motion offered by Mr. Smiley, seconded by Mr. Robinson to approve the vehicle allowance for the animal control director. Motion passed without opposition.
The president recognized Mr. Hudson, District F.
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 Mr. Moore, Fire Department. Mr. Moore requested approval to purchase two Ford F-350 trucks off the state contract. Motion offered by Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Robinson to approve the vehicle purchase. Motion passed without opposition.
Mr. Moore requested approval to purchase one Ford Transit Connect van from the vendor who provided the lowest quote. Motion offered by Mr. Clampit, seconded by Mr. Thompson to approve the vehicle purchase. Motion passed without opposition.
Mr. Moore requested approval to advertise the Station No. 3 district chief housing project for bids. Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Robinson to approve advertising the project for bids. Motion passed without opposition.
The president recognized Mr. Mitchell, Assistant District Attorney. Mr. Mitchell presented a request from Vixen Water System that Ouachita Parish Public Works repair damage to a section of Pine Bluff Road damaged by Vixen Water System and Vixen Water System would pay the cost of repairs. Mr. Mitchell explained that the Police Jury s normal practice was to require the utility company to hire a contractor to repair such damages to parish specifications. Mr. Mitchell stated that to proceed as requested by Vixen Water System would require a cooperative endeavor agreement and recommended against such an agreement. Motion Mr. Clampit, seconded by Mr. Hudson to approve the cooperative endeavor agreement. Motion passed without opposition.
Mr. Mitchell spoke regarding the cooperative endeavor agreement for Pine Lake Road. Discussion ensued. This item was deferred to the next meeting.
The president recognized Mr. Murray, Public Works. Mr. Murray stated that he did not have any items.
The president recognized Mr. Smart, Green Oaks. Mr. Smart requested to reclassify Darryl Calhoun and Rodney Orange to Juvenile Detention Officer II full-time. Motion offered by Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Hudson to approve the reclassifications. Motion passed without opposition.
Mr. Smart requested to hire Isiah Chase, Nykessia Knight, Jordan Powell and Henry Pleasant as Juvenile Detention Officer II part-time. Motion offered by Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Robinson to hire Isiah Chase, Nykessia Knight, Jordan Powell and Henry Pleasant. Motion passed without opposition.
BEER AND WHISKEY APPLICATIONS:
Mr. Mitchell spoke regarding the following beer and whiskey special event applications. Motion offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Robinson to approve the applications as recommended. Motion passed with Mr. Smiley opposing.
KHADKA, SUBASH WEST MONROE POOL THEATER LLC DBA ARENA BILLIARDS, 1411 THOMAS ROAD, WEST MONROE, LA 71291, SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT FOR OCTOBER 1, 2023
KHADKA, SUBASH WEST MONROE POOL THEATER LLC DBA ARENA BILLIARDS, 1411 THOMAS ROAD, WEST MONROE, LA 71291, SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT FOR NOVEMBER 5, 2023
OTHER BUSINESS:
There being no other business to come before the Jury, a motion to adjourn was offered by Mr. Hudson, seconded by Mr. Robinson. The meeting adjourned at 7:11 p.m.
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Shane Smiley, President Karen Cupit, Recording Secretary
