Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, May 16, 2019
7:00 P.M.
Members in Attendance at Roll Call:
Alderman Simeon Profit
Alderperson Leola Keys
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland
* Alderperson Janice Fleming arrived @ 7:25 p.m.
* Absent: Alderperson Donald Richard
The Town of Richwood met for Regular Meeting held May 16, 2019 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 7:15 P.M.
II. Prayer- was offered by Alderman Simeon Profit
III. Pledge of Allegiance – recited in unison
IV. Roll Call- Mayor Gerald Brown called roll with the following results: (4) Alderpersons present at time of roll.
Present:
Alderman Simeon Profit Alderperson Leola Keys Alderman Wysinger Cleveland
* The record shall reflect at the time of roll call there were(3) Alderperson’s present and two (1) absent as noted above.
(Mayor Gerald Brown commented Alderperson Fleming had called earlier and advised she would be late.)
V. Adoption of agenda:
* It was motioned by Alderman Wysinger Cleveland and seconded by Alderman Simeon Profit to adopt the agenda; (there was a request from Mayor Gerald Brown to add the Hot Spot to the agenda as #XIV (14).)
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to add the Hot Spot as Item # 14, with the following results: 3 Votes Yes to add Hot Spot to the Agenda.
Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderperson Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
* It was then motioned by Alderman Wysinger Cleveland and seconded by Alderman Simeon Profit to adopt the amended agenda.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt the amended agenda to include the Hot Spot with the following results: All (3) Alderpersons present voted Yes to Adopt.
Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderperson Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
VI. Adoption of the April 18, 2019 Minutes:
It was motioned by Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland and seconded by Alderman Simeon Profit to adopt the April 18, 2019 Minutes as presented.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to Adopt the April 18, 2019 Minutes as presented with the following results: All (3) Alderpersons present voted yes to adopt.
Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderperson Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
VII. Adoption of Financial Statements
It was motioned by Alderman Cleveland and seconded by Alderman Simeon Profit to adopt the Financial Statements as presented.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to Adopt the Financial Statement as presented with the following results:
* Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderperson Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
VIII. Public Comments As They Relate to Items On the Agenda:
Attorney Louis Scott( as representing the Hot Spot)
Attorney Scott- stated he wrote the Town a letter relating to the fact at the time Hot Spot received their license as a restaurant they were allowed to stay open all night, however receiving the license the laws have changed and after making various changes to make this a restaurant now the closing time has changed and they are asking that the hours they were previously afforded with the license they purchased be reinstated to them .
Public Attendee( inquired if item # XII referring to authorizing the Mayor and RCC personnel to sign on all checks refers to a joint account, and if so if this would be an interest-bearing account?
Mayor Gerald Brown- advised he was not aware at this time.
IX. Mayor’s Dialogue:
Mayor Gerald Brown – advised the Police Department has asked that he remind the public to stay hydrated with the upcoming summer months coming.
X. Introduction of Ordinance 2019-02( An Ordinance Adopting the Town’s Expenditures for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020).
Alderperson Leola Keys- stated she had a lot of concerns about this. In particular the page/ section Town of Richwood schedule of services.
Alderperson Keys- stated as she looked at the $ 9300 for the amount allotted for the Boards salary shown and if divided out it is approximately $ 775 per month, and they are currently making $ 750, and that is reflective of a $25 raise, and being the legislative body and responsibilities that is not considered worthy, and due to that she is willing to motion that sum be increased, and she will author an ordinance asking that sum be raised.
* It was motioned by Alderperson Leola Keys and seconded by Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland that amount be increased.
Fiscal Officer/ Tanisha Jolla- stated she was not certain but believed this could not be increased during an election year.
Alderperson Leola Keys- requested a little explanation on the Youth Summer Program ..
Mayor Gerald Brown- indicated this program is to employ (3) teenagers ages 16-18years old for approximately 6 weeks during the summer. They would be paid minimum wage, and their responsibilities would be picking up trash, and other light jobs.
The requirements are they must be a resident of the Town of Richwood, bring a copy of their report card, (not to necessarily peruse their grades but rather to check their attendance),be available for possible drug testing.
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- questioned as to why Attorney Nolan’s salary was not listed?
Mayor Gerald Brown- advised Attorney Nolan is not paid a salary.
XI. Introduction of Ordinance 2019-03 (An Amendment to ordinance 2018-04 Allowing Existing Establishments that Serve, Sell or Allow the Consumption of Alcohol to Apply for extended Hours Permit)
Alderman Simeon Profit- stated the only thing he had to say is he purpose the closing be 3:00 a.m. not 3:30 a.m.
Mayor Gerald Brown- advised, as the Boards requested, a committee was formed including himself, Alderman Donald Richard and Alderperson Janice Fleming did review this issue and it was requested by the Alderpersons that these not be issued for (3) consecutive nights.
Mayor Gerald Brown- stated to clarify some of the constraints of the ordinance they establishment owner would have approximately 20 times a year to stay open longer, and they must apply to our offices for these permits, and other portion is in regard to the restaurant type of establishment if they do not already have, they would need some type of walk up or drive through for hours after 2:00 a.m. .
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- stated his issue deals with the requirements for the restaurant, as to why they should be allowed to stay open all hours as long as they are serving food, now the bars 3:00 a.m.
** Discussion ensued*** .
XII. Adoption of Resolution 2019-07 (A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and Richwood correctional Center Personnel to Sign on All checks and Business Matters Concerning Inter-Government Agreement between Ice and the Town of Richwood at Regions Bank).
* The record shall reflect the amendment of Resolution 2019-07 to include Alderperson Janice Fleming as an authorized second signee on the account dealing with the Inter-Government Agreement between Ice and the Town of Richwood.
It was motioned by Alderman Wysinger Cleveland and seconded by Alderperson Janice Fleming to add Alderperson Janice Fleming as the second signee on the checks with Mayor Brown regarding account on the account.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken with the following results: All (4) Alderpersons voted Yes to Adopt Resolution 2019-07 with the amendment as stated.
* Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderperson Janice Fleming Yes Alderperson Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
XIII. Adoption of Resolution 2019-08 (A Resolution for levying Millage Taxes for the Town of Richwood)
Mayor Gerald Brown – advised the forum it is that time a year again to levy our millage tax and in order to collect those funds we must adopt and approve this resolution.
Alderperson Leola Keys- commented they are requesting a senior schedule when they can use the gym for walking.
Mayor Gerald Brown- stated just get us the names of the individuals, and we will be glad to set this up for them.
* It was motioned by Alderman Wysinger Cleveland and seconded as Alderman Simeon Profit to adopt Resolution 2019-08.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken with the following results: All (4) Alderpersons voted Yes to Adopt Resolution 2019-08. .
* Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderperson Janice Fleming Yes Alderperson Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
XIV. The Hot Spot:
Mayor Gerald Brown- stated they should have received a copy of their adjudication of the prior inspection they received earlier this year and would be eligible for a ruling on their license.
Alderperson Janice Fleming- stated she had a concern, as to the report findings and ruling pertaining to the selling of food.
Hot Spot Owner- addressed the forum and advised she was put on a 6 month probation period, but her license were not revoked, she has completed the required training classes.
* It was motioned by Alderman Wysinger Cleveland and seconded as Alderman Simeon Profit to grant
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to grant Hot Spot their permanent occupational license with the following results: All (4) Alderpersons voted Yes to issue the Hot Spot their permanent occupational license.
* Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderperson Janice Fleming Yes Alderperson Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
XV. Adjournment:
It was motioned by Alderman Wysinger Cleveland and seconded by Alderman Simeon Profit to adjourn meeting @ 8:16 P.M.
