Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, July 18, 2024 7:00 P.M.
Members in Attendance at Roll Call:
Alderman Simeon Profit Alderman Janice Fleming Alderman Deneitra Ross Alderman Donald Richard
* Alderman Wysinger Cleveland joined the Meeting after roll call @ 7:10 p.m.
The Town of Richwood met for Regular Meeting held on July 18, 2024 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 7:01 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) Aldermen present at time of roll call.
. Alderman Simeon Profit Alderman Janice Fleming Alderman Deneitra Ross Alderman Donald Richard
V. Adoption of the Agenda-
It was motioned by Alderman Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt the agenda as presented.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt the agenda as presented with the following results: All (4) Aldermen present voted yes to adopt
Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Deneitra Ross Yes Alderman Donald Richard Yes
VI. Adoption of June 20, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes
It was motioned by Alderman Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt the June 20, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt the June 20, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes with the following results. All (4) Aldermen present voted Yes to adopt the June 20, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes.
Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Deneitra Ross Yes Alderman Donald Richard Yes
VII. Adoption of Financial Reports:
It was motioned by Alderman Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt the financial reports as presented.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt tonight s financial reports with the following results: (4) Yes Votes to adopt the financial reports as presented.
Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Deneitra Ross Yes Alderman Donald Richard Yes
VIII. Public Comments as they relate to items on the agenda
Mr. White (Owner of Beaux s Kitchen & Kocktails) addressed the forum and stated he had concerns about Item X on the agenda (Adoption of Ordinance 2024-02 ( An Ordinance amending Ordinance 2023-05 of Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinance with respect to regulate the operation hours back to closing at 2:00 a.m. of all places of business where alcoholic beverages are kept, sold, stored for sale at retail, served or consumed, including food trucks that serve food on the premises where alcohol is kept, sold, stored for sale at retail server or consumed.)
Mr. White advised the forum that this would tremendously hurt his business, that people coming after the 2: 00 a.m. time is about 25% of his business and that they have tried to implement other safety precautions. Mr. White indicated this would be an economic hit they may not be able to come back from.
Mr. Anthony Anderson ( Onyx Lounge) stated to add on to what the other gentlemen had spoken about, he is asking that the Board give them a fair chance, that he had been asking for help a long time and we are working out a deal with the Marshall s office and that is what they are working on now. If we had someone that could arrest the ones acting out, write tickets for about a couple of weeks, that would stop what is going on. If we close at 2 oclock, if we are not there regulating the activity trying to stop things if they rise up, because just because we are not there does not stop this, this is happening regardless of the businesses. People are going to come regardless, if we are open or not, they gone come on the southside and if we are not there to call for help, they still going to do what they been doing.
Alderman Janice Fleming reminded the forum that they had 2 years to get it right and beyond that last month when the ordinance was introduced they still had time to get it right but things have happened since the meeting and in 2 years and last month they still haven t gotten it right.
IX. Mayor s Dialogue:
Mayor Gerald Brown- advised the forum the manhole project was complete, and the street project should be complete by December. Mayor Brown also reminded the forum that the Louisiana Municipal Conference is scheduled for August 1st thru the 3rd, and if any of the Board members intended to attend the conference to please inform Ms. Woods so that arrangements can be made.
Mayor Gerald Brown- advised the Board the Richwood High School was doing a water drive collecting water for the band and football team and if they would like to donate the water could be dropped off at the Richwood Multi-Purpose Center.
Mayor Brown also informed the forum that July 20th was the NAACP Banquet and we had acquired a table for 8 people to attend, and on July 30th he will be attending a State of the Local Government on behalf of Richwood.
X. Adoption of Resolution 2024-03 A resolution appointing the Town s Clerk
It was motioned by Alderman Wysinger Cleveland and seconded by Alderman Deneitra Ross to adopt Resolution 2024-03 reappointing Ms. Woods as Town Clerk.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt Resolution 2024-03 ( A resolution appointing the Town Clerk and (Ms. Woods in specific being named to reappointment as the Town Clerk) with the following results: 5 Yes Votes to adopt and reappoint Ms. Woods as the Town Clerk.
Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Deneitra Ross Yes Alderman Donald Richard Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
XI. Adoption of Resolution 2024-04 (A resolution appointing the Town s Chief of Police)
It was motioned by Alderman Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt Resolution 2024-04 (A resolution appointing the Town s Chief of Police) being in specific a reappointment of Mr. Johnny Cleveland as the Chief of Police.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt Resolution 2024-04 ( A resolution appointing the Chief of Police for the Town of Richwood) and Mr. Johnny Cleveland in specific being named to reappointment as the Chief of Police) with the following results: 5 Yes Votes to adopt and reappoint Mr. Johnny Cleveland as the Chief of Police for the Town of Richwood.
Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Deneitra Ross Yes Alderman Donald Richard Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
XII. Adoption of Resolution 2024-05 A resolution appointing the Town s Attorney
It was motioned by Alderman Wysinger Cleveland and seconded by Alderman Simeon Profit to adopt Resolution 2024-05 (A resolution appointing the Town s Attorney) specifically reappointing Attorney Jay Nolen as the Town s attorney.)
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt Resolution 2024-05 ( A resolution appointing the Town s Attorney for the Town of Richwood) and Attorney Jay Nolen in specific being named to reappointment as the Town of Richwood s Attorney ) with the following results: 5 Yes Votes to adopt and reappoint Attorney Jay Nolen as the Town Attorney for the Town of Richwood.
Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Deneitra Ross Yes Alderman Donald Richard Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
XIII. Adoption of Resolution 2024-06 ( A resolution appointing the Town s Magistrate)
It was motioned by Alderman Wysinger Cleveland and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt Resolution 2024-06 ( A resolution appointing the Town s Magistrate) specifically reappointing Attorney Bobby Manning as the Magistrate for the Town of Richwood.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt Resolution 2024-06 ( A resolution appointing the Town s Magistrate for the Town of Richwood) and specifically naming Attorney Bobby Manning to reappointment as the Town of Richwood s Magistrate) with the following results: (5) Yes Votes to adopt and reappoint Attorney Jay Nolen as the Town Attorney for the Town of Richwood.
Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Deneitra Ross Yes Alderman Donald Richard Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
XIV. Adoption of Resolution 2024-07 ( A resolution appointing the Mayor Pro-Tempore)
It was motioned by Alderman Janice Fleming and seconded by Alderman Wysinger Cleveland to adopt Resolution 2024-07 (A resolution appointing the Mayor Pro-Tempore) naming specifically Alderman Simeon Profit as Mayor Pro-Tempore.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt Resolution 2024-07 ( A resolution appointing the Town s Magistrate for the Town of Richwood) and specifically naming Attorney Bobby Manning to reappointment as the Town of Richwood s Magistrate) with the following results: (5) Yes Votes to adopt and appointing Alderman Simeon Profit as the Mayor Pro-Tempore.
Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Deneitra Ross Yes Alderman Donald Richard Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
XV. Adoption of Resolution 2024-08 (A resolution appointing the Street Commissioner
It was motioned by Alderman Wysinger Cleveland and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt Resolution 2024-08 ( a resolution appointing the Street Commissioner) specifically naming Alderman Doland Richard as Street Commissioner.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt Resolution 2024-08 ( a resolution appointing the Street commissioner with the following results (5) votes Yes to adopt Resolution 2024-08 and name Alderman Donald Richard as Street Commissioner.
Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Deneitra Ross Yes Alderman Donald Richard Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
XVI. Adoption of Resolution 2024-09 ( A resolution adopting the Official Journal)
It was motioned by Alderman Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt Resolution 2024-09 ( a resolution adopting the Official Journal ) specifically naming The Free Press as the official journal.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt Resolution 2024-09 ( a resolution adopting the Official Journal with the following results: (5) votes yes to adopt Resolution 2024-09 and specifically naming The Free Press as the Town of Richwood s official journal.
Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Deneitra Ross Yes Alderman Donald Richard Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
XVII. Adoption of Resolution 2024-10 ( A resolution authorizing the change of signatures on the Bank Card
It was motioned by Alderman Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt Resolution 2024-10 ( A resolution authorizing the change of signatures on the Bank Card and naming specifically Alderman Simeon Profit ( the newly appointed Mayor Pro-Tempore) to be added to the signature card.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt Resolution 2024-10 (A resolution authorizing the change of signatures on the Bank Card and naming specifically the newly appointed Mayor Pro-Tempore Alderman Simeon Profit to be added to the signature card with the following results: (4) Votes Yes and (1) Abstain vote.
Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Deneitra Ross Yes Alderman Donald Richard Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Abstain
XVIII. Resolution 2024-11 ( A resolution levying millage taxes for the Town of Richwood, Louisiana)
It was motioned by Alderman Wysinger Cleveland and seconded by Alderman Donald Richard to adopt Resolution 2024-11 ( A resolution levying millage taxes for the Town of Richwood, Louisiana.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt Resolution 2024-11 (A resolution levying millage taxes for the Town of Richwood) with the following results: (5) Yes Votes to Adopt.
Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Deneitra Ross Yes Alderman Donald Richard Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
XIX. Adoption of Ordinance 2024-02 ( An Ordinance amending Ordinance 3032-05 of Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinance with respect to regulate the operation hours back to closing at 2:00 a.m. of all places of business where alcoholic beverages are kept, sold, stored for sale at retail, served or consumed, including food trucks that serve food on the premises where alcohol is kept, sold, stored for sale at retail server or consumed.)
It was motioned by Alderman Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt Ordinance 2024-02 ( An Ordinance amending Ordinance 2023-05 of Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinance with respect to regulate the operation hours back to closing at 2:00 a.m. of all places of business where alcoholic beverages are kept, sold, stored for sale at retail, served or consumed, including food trucks that serve food on the premises where alcohol is kept, sold, stored for sale at retail server or consumed.)
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt Ordinance 2024-02 with the following results: (4) Yes and (1) No vote Ordinance was adopted and will be effective at 12:01 a.m. on July 31st, 2024.
Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Deneitra Ross Yes Alderman Donald Richard Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland No
XX. Adjournment :
It was motioned by Alderman Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adjourn meeting @ 8:14 p.m.
