Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, July 16, 2020 7:00 P.M.
Members In Attendance: Alderman Donald Richard Alderperson Janice Fleming Alderperson Leola Keys Alderman Wysinger Cleveland
The Town of Richwood met for a Regular Meeting held July 16, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at the Richwood Multi-Purpose Center, 2710 Martin Luther King Drive, Richwood, Louisiana to consider the following business:
I. Meeting Called to Order by Mayor Gerald Brown at 7:00 p.m.
II. Prayer- was offered by Mayor Gerald Brown
III. Pledge of Allegiance – recited in unison
IV. Roll Call- Mayor Gerald Brown called roll with the following results:
* The record shall reflect (4) Alderpersons present at roll call.
Alderman Donald Richard Alderperson Janice Fleming Alderperson Leola Keys Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland
V. Adoption of the Agenda
It was motioned by Alderman Donald Richard and seconded by Alderperson Janice Fleming to adopt the agenda as presented.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken with the following results: (4) Yes votes to adopt the agenda as presented.
Alderman Donald Richard Yes Alderperson Janice Fleming Yes Alderperson Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
VI. Adoption of June 18, 2020, June 29, 2020, and July 7, 2020 Minutes
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland – stated he had a question about the minutes, that comments or input that is given under some of the items does not reflect the input given, and he is wanting whatever statements are made to be included in the minutes.
Mayor Gerald Brown- stated, that is why when I say something that I want on the record you will hear me say …. “for the record.” If we don’t say for the record, then that is something she does not have to put in the physical annotated minutes. It is on the recording, but she does not have to include it in the physical minutes.
It was motioned by Alderperson Leola Keys and seconded by Alderperson Janice Fleming to adopt the June 18, 2020, June 29, 2020 and July 7, 2020 Minutes as presented.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken with the following results: (4) Yes votes to adopt the June 18, 2020, June 29, 2020 and July 7, 2020 minutes as presented.
Alderman Donald Richard Yes Alderperson Janice Fleming Yes Alderperson Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
VII. Adoption of Financial Statements:
It was motioned by Alderman Janice Fleming and seconded by Alderman Donald Richard to adopt the financial statements as presented.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken with the following results: (4) Yes votes to adopt financial statements as presented.
Alderman Donald Richard Yes Alderperson Janice Fleming Yes Alderperson Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
VIII. Public comments as they Relate to Items on the Agenda: (There were none and the agenda proceeded)
IX. Mayor’s Dialogue:
Mayor Gerald Brown- informed the forum of the resignation of our long-standing magistrate Bob Noel who had been with the Town approximately 23 years. The forum was advised the new magistrate, Bobby Manning was in court with our former Bob Noel last night.
*** For the Record *** Magistrate Bob Noel has turned in his resignation.
Mayor Gerald Brown- advised the forum all frontline, essential workers is eligible for a $250 rebate started on July 15, 2020 and encouraged them to complete their application process on the website frontlineworkers.la.gov, and there is also a program which came out today for renters assistance, but he does not have all of the information at this time on this.
Mayor Gerald Brown- advised there was about some 300 people that previously went out to vote of some 1100+ registered voters , and he says what he has always says,” the squeaky wheel gets the grease,” and it is important that we generate higher voting numbers . That he would like to applaud all the candidates that decided to run and congratulate all those that will be returning Alderman Profit, Alderman Fleming, Alderman Keys and Alderman Cleveland, and Mr. Richard will not be returning, but he saw Mr. Reed, which will be joining the board.
X. Presentation from New Thinking No Excuses ( Helen Allen Jackson)
Mrs. Helen Allen Jackson- greeted the forum and expressed her excitement for the opportunity to address them about community nutrition and her exercise program.
Mrs. Helen Allen Jackson – introduced herself as a proud graduate of Richwood High School Class of 1987, a Christian, Wife a Mother, as well as an Author and she holds certifications in Community Nutrition and Group personal training , and for the past 10 years she has taught community nutrition locally and globally, she also instructs a daily exercise boot camp Monday thru Friday.
Mrs. Jackson- stated she is thrilled about the partnership with the Town of Richwood as a certified community coach her desire and goal is to teach, empower and motivate to take control of their health through nutrition and exercise.
Mrs. Jackson- stated I am especially concerned about the health of African Americans as we face the current pandemic. We are told obesity and poor eating habits are some of the leading causes of those critically affected by this deadly virus. Beginning on the 3rd I will be hosting weekly nutrition classes and daily exercise classes here Monday – Friday.
I am proud to announce the citizens of Richwood will be able to attend at a discounted rate, for more information about this program and how I can help you achieve your goals, I can be reached at 318-512-7625, and I also have a handout with additional information.
Mayor Gerald Brown- stated we wanted to be with someone we were able to partner with to put some of these things out there. Mrs. Jackson is someone we felt we could partner with to get this information out there she is from the Town of Richwood, a graduate of Richwood High, and we are definitely proud of the business she has started and the certifications she has achieved, and her willingness of her to come to this site, and provide reduced rates to the citizens of Town of Richwood. We want to get this started to provide the service to our citizens.
One of the reasons that Covid has hit African Americans so hard is due to some of the conditions and pre-existing conditions we have, and some of these conditions exist is because of some of our habits, pertaining to lack of exercise. We want to assure our citizens young and not so young the opportunity to capitalize on a service like this in terms on nutrition, wellness, health and to curve some of those habits and able us better to fight Covid.
There was a question about the time?
Helen Allen Jackson- stated this is actually two programs, the boot camp Monday through Friday 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. , and the nutrition classes are (2) classes a beginners class and advance class Monday 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. and pre- registration is required, and you can register on my website or contact me directly.
XI. Adoption of Resolution 2020-04 ( A Resolution Adopting 2020 Millage Rate(s)
Mayor Gerald Brown- indicated we have to adopt and levy the rates in order to collect and this is part of the process, I think I provided everyone with a copy of last year’s millage rate. Last years millage rate versus this year’s millage levy; there is a minimum and a maximum there, and with a rate adjust in order for us to be able to collect the monetary amount. If you look at the corner on the right hand side showing taxable property evaluation for 2019, and a 2020 reassessment, see that number is about $ 41, 000 less, which means our overall property value for the Town of Richwood decreased by $ 41, 000, and when that happens, the tax and revenues adjusted and that same amount we collected from last year we have the potential to collect this year be that everyone pays their taxes.
Question from floor… does this mean it is going up?
Mayor Gerald Brown – answered, the levy itself is going up the tax amount is staying the same
Alderman Leola Keys- requested the Mayor repeat the statement….
Mayor Gerald Brown – stated we are not increasing the amount of money that is going to be collected, we are increasing the levy so that we can continue to collect the same amount of money for our taxes. The property value of our property has decreased therefore the levy amount we are looking to increase so that we can continue to collect the same amount of money, if we don’t do that it would go backwards. –
Question … why has the property value gone down?
Mayor Gerald Brown- explained when most of the homes are older that tends to happen, but with new homes being built this will help.
Alderperson Leola Keys- inquired if government grants would assist with this.
Mayor Gerald Brown- addressed the comment pertaining to grants and informed we are looking for grant writers to help with this and other projects.
Alderperson Leola Keys- inquired of the funds showing being collected for the General Fund of 6.260 and the Police and Recreation of 20.690
Mayor Gerald Brown- explained the 6.260 showing for general fund can be used to purchase anything, the 20.690 is designated for Police and Recreation
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- inquired could we just table this?
Mayor Gerald Brown- advised a vote to table this would prevent the necessary time to submit this and would be like saying we don’t want to collect property taxes. 0
*** THE RECORD SHALL REFLECT***
Per Alderman Wysinger Cleveland*** Let the record reflect *** The voting at the polls the citizens voted and they are looking for the tax to be 22.696 that’s what they went there and voted on, it just passed. And I just want a little more time …
Mayor Gerald Brown- stated, if we do not pass this resolution it will not allow us the time necessary to file.
It was motioned by Alderman Donald Richard and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt Resolution 2020-04( A Resolution Adopting 2020 Millage Rate(s).
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken with the following results: (3) Yes and (1) No vote to adopt Resolution 2020-04 ( A Resolution Adopting 2020 Millage Rate (s)
Alderman Donald Richard Yes Alderperson Janice Fleming Yes Alderperson Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland No
XII. Adoption of Resolution 2020-05 ( A Resolution Adopting the Free Press as the Official Journal)
Mayor Gerald Brown- stated there are some things we have to do at the turn of the fiscal year, and we have to adopt a resolution to adopt an official journal. We did our research and the rates of the others were too expensive; we had received rate information from the NewsStar and Ouachita Citizen, but their rates were more expensive.
Alderman Janice Fleming- stated she had some concerns based on some of the articles written in the Free Press which were not properly researched and incorrect information was printed which caused individuals to be at odds with one another, divisions within the community, and it should be where accurate information should be printed and not cause divisions.
It was motioned by Alderman Wysinger Cleveland and seconded by Alderman Donald Richard to adopt Re
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken with the following results: (4) Yes votes
to adopt Resolution 2020-05 ( A Resolution Adopting the Free Press as the Official Journal.)
Alderman Donald Richard Yes Alderperson Janice Fleming Yes Alderperson Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
** During Voting Alderperson Keys stated***Let The record reflect she was voting yes but she wants Mr. Wright to be a little more courteous in some of his writing.
XIII. Adjournment:
It was motioned by Alderman Donald Richard and seconded by Alderperson Janice Fleming to adjourn @ 7:57 p.m.
July 16, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 6
