Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, February 15, 2018
Members In Attendance (When meeting called to order) Alderperson Simeon Profit Alderperson Donald Richard Alderperson Leola Keys
* Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland entered after roll call.
The Town of Richwood met for a Regular Meeting held February 15, 2018 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 Alderperson Donald Richard
III. Pledge of Allegiance – recited in unison
IV. Roll Call- Mayor Gerald Brown called roll with the following results:
Present:
Alderperson Simeon Profit Alderperson Donald Richard Alderperson Leola Keys
* The record shall reflect (3) Alderpersons present at time of roll call.
V. Adoption of the Agenda-
Mayor Gerald Brown- requested the agenda be amended to include Resolution 2018-03 (A Resolution Adopting the Plans & Policies, Appointments and Authorization of Individuals for Compliance with the LCDBG Regulations)
Mayor Gerald Brown- advised this resolution was in connection with the Street Project which had been discussed in last month’s meeting.
Mayor Gerald Brown – advised the forum this resolution is needed to comply with LCDBG regulations regarding procedures relating to plans, policies, appointments, and the authorization of individuals that will handle the signing of the necessary forms and checks related to this project.
Mayor Gerald Brown- advised the Board this is something the other participants in this grant has already done, he stated upon his trip to Baton Rouge several of the other participants mentioned they had already taken care of this.
* It was motioned by Alderperson Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderperson Donald Richard to amend the agenda to include Resolution 2018-03
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken of alderpersons present and resulted in all (3) Alderpersons voting yes to amend the agenda to include Resolution 2018-03.
* Alderperson Simeon Profit Yes Alderperson Donald Richard Yes Alderperson Leola Keys Yes
Mayor Gerald Brown requested a motion to adopt the agenda with the noted amendment.
* It was motioned by Alderperson Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderperson Donald Richard to adopt the amended agenda.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken of Alderpersons present and resulted in all (3) Alderpersons voting yes to adopt the agenda with the amended request of Resolution 2018-03 added.
* Alderperson Simeon Profit Yes Alderperson Donald Richard Yes Alderperson Leola Keys Yes
VI. Adoption of January 18, 2018 Minutes:
It was motioned by Alderperson Donald Richard and seconded by Alderperson Simeon Profit to adopt the January 18, 2018 minutes.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken with all (3) Alderpersons voting yes to adopt the January 18, 2018 Minutes as presented.
Alderperson Simeon Profit Yes Alderperson Donald Richard Yes Alderperson Leola Keys Yes
VII. Financial Report:
* It was motioned by Alderperson Donald Richard and seconded by Alderperson Simeon Profit to accept the financial report as presented.
The record shall reflect a vote was taken with all (3) Alderpersons voting yes to accept the financial report.
* Alderperson Simeon Profit Yes Alderperson Donald Richard Yes Alderperson Leola Keys Yes
VIII. Mayor Dialogue:
Mayor Gerald Brown – reminded the Board about the upcoming meeting in Baton Rouge.
Mayor Gerald Brown- advised the Board, Mrs. Linda Clark had submitted a request for the Town of Richwood to purchase a table at an upcoming banquet for the NAACP.
Mayor Gerald Brown- advised unfortunately he did not have more information on the request to provide to the Board at this time, however upon the arrival of Mrs. Clark at the meeting she would provide the information.
Mayor Gerald Brown- addressed the forum and explained that when a project is presented through the Block Grants, you must adhere to the streets submitted for the project, that we cannot just change the streets after the approval of the project.
Mayor Gerald Brown- stated that an alderperson had called Baton Rouge requesting one of the streets submitted be removed and another street take its place in the project, and the caller had indicated the street he was requesting removed had already been done.
Mayor Gerald Brown- advised the forum although some work had been done on the particular street in question, still needs additional work and is not complete.
Mayor Gerald Brown – advised the call placed by the alderperson had created a problem which almost disqualified us and would have taken us off the board from receiving the grant.
Mayor Gerald Brown- advised because of the call that took place, the Town’s engineer had to call and attest that the work was indeed need on the street, and we or we had to take pictures showing we hadn’t completed the street, but had tried to get in front of it so we could apply as much money as possible to the other street as possible.
Mayor Gerald Brown- stated, that it was good they were able to get this resolved, but what he would ask in the future if you want to do something like that, that they get together, because you may not have all the specifics and may be doing the Town more harm than good, just jumping into it like that.
Mayor Gerald Brown- stated, he was not saying they did not have a voice, because most assuredly they do, but we don’t want to create any undo hardships for the Town.
IX. Public Comments (As They Relate to Items on the Agenda)
** There were no comments. **
X. Clifford Thomas: Update on Status of Settlement
Mr. Clifford Thomas- stated the last time he had come to the Board was around this time last year, and at that time it was indicated the Town unable to settle this issue at that time.
Mr. Clifford Thomas- indicated he had spoken with Attorney Nolen concerning this matter and was now addressing the Board again because this issue has been ongoing for over 7 years through Mayor Hunter, the late Mayor Jackson and now Mayor Brown.
Attorney Jay Nolen- addressed the Board and advised as far as Mr. Thomas’s request goes, he had been contacted by Mr. Thomas early this week, and he told Mr. Thomas since the last meeting they had, where Mr. Thomas was present, neither the Board or the Mayor had discussed with me about paying him, and if they asked him right now, his answer right now would be no, because the financial situation of the Town, and he doesn’t know the pleasure of the Mayor or the Board at this time.
Attorney Jay Nolen- inquired of Mr. Thomas if that was correct?
Mr. Clifford Thomas- indicated, yes, yes, that’s correct.
Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland- inquired if this had a statute of limitations?
Attorney Jay Nolen- indicated the judgment does not expire, and Mr. Thomas has the right to address the Board each year on this issue.
*** The Mayor and Board – indicated they would schedule a Special Meeting to discuss this issue before the next regular meeting. ***
** Mrs. Linda Clark- arrived at meeting and informed the Board of the NAACP Banquet and the cost of purchasing a table is $ 250.
* It was motioned by Alderperson Donald Richard and seconded by Alderperson Simeon Profit for the Town to purchase a table for the NAACP upcoming banquet on April 7, 2018.
* Let the record reflect, A vote was taken with the following results:
Alderperson Simeon Profit Yes Alderperson Donald Richard Yes Alderperson Leola Keys Yes Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland Yes
XI. Ordinance 2018-01 (An Ordinance Amending the Town of Richwood Code of Ordinances / Chapter 10 Entitled Taxes and Licenses to include Section 10:15 to be entitled Mobile Food Vendors)
Mayor Gerald Brown- indicated at this time there is nothing on the books concerning this item, and viewing what is going on in Monroe, he felt there is a need to now revise the laws to include this issue.
*** INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE** NO MOTION ACCEPTED ON THIS ITEM
XII. Adoption of Resolution 2018-02 (A resolution Authorizing the Town to amend the Purchases and Procedures Policy, and Employee Handbook)
Mayor Gerald Brown- advised the forum, this is something that came up when going through the audit, and this is something we need to have in added to our policies and procedures.
Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland- inquired if this resolution could be tabled for now?
Mayor Gerald Brown- advised the only thing he would say about tabling the issue is it would result in a finding on our audit, because by the time we meet again it would be too late.
It was motioned by Alderperson Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderperson Donald Richard to adopt Resolution 2018-02.
* A vote was taken to adopt Resolution 2018-02 with the following results: PASSED The record shall reflect (3) yes votes and (1) No vote
Alderperson Simeon Profit Yes Alderperson Donald Richard Yes Alderperson Leola Keys Yes Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland No
XIII. Resolution 2018-03 (A Resolution Adopting the Plans and Policies, Appointments and Authorization of Individuals for Compliance with the LCDBG)
Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland- stated he wanted one of the Board Members to be one of the signors on this project, instead of Ms. Woods; he thinks that one of the Board members should be on the signors because they are responsible for what happens with the money.
Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland- indicated Ms Woods has six titles here and he recommends Mrs. Keys be added as one of the signers.
It was then motioned by Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland and seconded by Alderperson Leola Keys.
The record shall reflect: A vote was taken to add Alderperson Leola Keys as one of the signors with the following results:
Alderperson Simeon Profit No Alderperson Donald Richard No Alderperson Leola Keys Yes Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland Yes
* The vote resulted in a two (2) to two (2) vote which would require a tie-breaking vote cast.
Mayor Gerald Brown- advised he cannot cast a tie breaking vote on this issue.
* It was further suggested by Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland that Mrs. Fleming could also be the alternate.
Mayor Gerald Brown- suggested there be three (3) signors in the event they cannot reach Mrs. Keys, it would not prevent the signing of the needed items.
Alderperson Simeon Profit- stated he doesn’t see why we are going through this, that it is fine the way it is currently setup and why is this being reviewed, we are currently in an audit and if there is any mis-appropriations it would show.
Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland – stated not to put words in his mouth, that was not what he was saying.
Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland- indicated this is being addressed because he requested Mrs. Keys be added as a signer.
Mayor Gerald Brown- stated, to get past this impasse, he again suggests what he suggested before, that we have the (3) (the Mayor, Ms. Woods and Mrs. Keys) listed as signors, where if Mrs. Keys cannot be reached, Ms. Woods would sign for Mrs. Keys, but delaying this vote could result in us losing the grant and the Board would have to explain this to the community.
Alderperson Leola Keys- stated she withdrew her motion that she be one of the signors and that they could go ahead and vote on the resolution.
Alderperson Cleveland- stated he would like to have the Town’s Attorney, Mr. Nolen go through all the paperwork to make sure of the contents.
Attorney Jay Nolen- advised he had already reviewed the necessary documents, and everything looked fine.
* It was motioned by Alderperson Donald Richard and seconded by Alderperson Simeon Profit to adopt Resolution 2018-03 (A Resolution Adopting the Plans and Policies, Appointments and Authorization of Individuals for Compliance with the LCDBG) as presented with Mayor Gerald Brown and the Town Clerk as signors for the Town.
* The record shall reflect: A vote was taken with the following results: PASSED
Resolution 2018-03 with three (3) Yes and 1 Abstain votes.
Alderperson Simeon Profit Yes Alderperson Donald Richard Yes Alderperson Leola Keys Yes Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland Abstain
* The record shall reflect per Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland, Ms. Woods is always saying she has a lot to do Code Enforcer etc., and he feels Mrs. Keys should have been one of the signors.
XIV. Adjournment:
It was motioned and seconded that the meeting should be adjourned @ 7:45 p.m.
