Town of Richwood October 19th Minutes

Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, October 19, 2017
7:00 P.M.
Members in Attendance:
Alderperson Simeon Profit Alderperson Donald Richard Alderperson Leola Keys Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland arrived @ 7:19 P.M.
The Town of Richwood met for a Regular Meeting held October 19, 2017 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 7:00p.m.
II. Prayer- was offered by Alderperson Simeon Profit
III. Pledge of Allegiance – recited in unison
IV. Roll Call- Mayor Gerald Brown called roll with the following results:
* The record shall reflect (3) Alderpersons present at time of roll call:
Present:
Alderperson Simeon Profit Alderperson Donald Richard Alderperson Leola Keys

V. Adoption of the Agenda-

Mayor Gerald Brown- advised before the adoption of the agenda takes place, he wanted to mention that Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland had come to his office yesterday and he wanted to add an item to the agenda regarding taxes on trailers in the Town of Richwood; and at this time, I would like to entertain a motion to add this item to the agenda.

* It was then motioned by Alderperson Donald Richard and seconded by Alderperson Simeon Profit to add this item to the agenda.

A vote was taken with the following results:
Alderperson Simeon Profit yes Alderperson Donald Richard yes Alderperson Leola Keys yes

* The record shall reflect all (3) Alderpersons voted yes to add as Item # X. Taxes on Trailers in Richwood to the agenda.

Alderperson Simeon Profit yes Alderperson Donald Richard yes Alderperson Leola Keys yes

VI. Adoption of September 21, 2017 Minutes –

* It was moved by Alderperson Simeon Profit seconded by Alderperson Donald Richard to adopt the September 21, 2017 Minutes.
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* A vote was taken with the following results: The record shall reflect all (3) Alderpersons present voted Yes to Adopt the September 21, 2017 Minutes.
Alderperson Simeon Profit yes Alderperson Donald Richard yes Alderperson Leola Keys yes

VII. Financial Reports:

It was moved by Alderperson Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderperson Donald Richard to adopt the Financial Reports.

VIII. Public Comments (As they Relate to Items on the Agenda)

Mayor Gerald Brown- opened the floor for public comments and advised the forum comments would be accepted for items on the agenda and limited to no more than (5) five minutes or less per comment.

Mrs. Linda Clark (Public Attendee)- advised the Concerned Citizens of Richwood, wanted to thank Mayor Brown for the handling of the Shamlin Sewer Station.

Mayor Gerald Brown- stated thank you, for those comments, and he wanted to actually convey those thanks to the Public Works Department for their quick deduction of the situation but in his comments, he would address that and some other additional issues

IX. Mayor’s Dialogue:

Mayor Gerald Brown- advised the forum the first thing he wanted to address was the election which occurred on October 14, and the reason he is bringing this up is because one of the 1220 registered voters only 53 persons went to the pole, and the reason he was bringing this up was because one of the items voted on was for State Treasurer, and the State Treasurer is responsible for passing monies out to places like us and a lot of times if politicians on that scale does not listen to you if it appears you do not have voting power.
Mayor Gerald Brown- also reminded the forum about the partnership with the food bank and the distribution of food which occurs the 3rd Monday of each Monday.
Mayor Gerald Brown- advised on October 31, 2017 there would be an event for the kids on the grounds to provide a safe controlled environment for the kids to have fun, which is the Trick or Trunk Event.
Mayor Gerald Brown- thanked Mrs. Clark for mentioning the Shamlin Lift Station issue, and advised the forum in case they did not know about it, there were some individuals which thought there may have been a sewer leak, and of course there was a report on the news which indicated there was a sewer water leak, however we had the Health Department and DHQ come out and examine it, and it was determined it was not a sewer leak, but rather was just water from some water leaks which were filling the ditch adjacent from the station, and some of those leaks have already been fixed, and the others are on the schedule to be fixed by Greater Ouachita/ Severn Trent Services, and they will take care of the rest of those leaks shortly.
Mayor Gerald Brown- advised there were somethings brought to their attention, we do not have a Level 3 Waste Water Person on Staff and that is something that a Town of our size is required to have, and he would like the Board at some time in the near future to have a Special Meeting, where certain individuals which have the certification can present this information to the Board and answer any questions they may have.
Mayor Gerald Brown- inquired if there were any questions, and with no questions the agenda proceeded.
X. Property Taxes on Trailers:
Mayor Gerald Brown- advised he was not 100% sure of what Mr. Cleveland intended for this topic, however he would provide the basics of how tax assessment work.

Mayor Gerald Brown- advised if you have vacant property and you add or improve this property or do something that requires them to reassess the property, then they will come out and reassesses the property.

Attorney Jay Nolen- advised the way the property is assessed is based on the law requirement that the property in the parish is reassessed every 4 years; and at the time the property is reassessed if there are any noted changes then the owner is assessed taxes on that value.

** The Mayor noted Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland’s Arrival Time: 7:19 p.m. **

Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland- inquired how long has the parish been over the collection of the Town’s property taxes?

Attorney Jay Nolen- advised he believed in 2011 is when they started collecting for everyone.

Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland- asked if someone had been on the property for example 10 years how would the collecting of our taxes by the Parish affect that?

Attorney Jay Nolen- advised although the tax assessor may not have adjusted the tax amount of the reassessment at the time assessment occurred, the tax would be adjusted and collected on the upcoming year.

Mr. Ward- stated that he felt his taxes should not have increased just because he put a new roof on his trailer, his taxes had increased from $58 per year to $178 per year.
Attorney Jay Nolen- advised Mr. Ward to see him after the meeting and he would tell him what he needs to do.

XI. Michael Caster (Presentation on Business Development for the Town of Richwood)
Mr. Michael Caster- stated, he is trying to get business here, but it is getting harder and harder, and let me tell you why, they say we are not functioning, the Board fighting with each other, and all this is public record. It is all right for us to agree to disagree, but we must be careful of what we are putting out in public, because it is hurting us and hurting us bad, and these programs we are trying to bring here, it is hurting them too, because in the Town of Richwood the majority of people don’t even know we are doing the food bank, in the Town of Richwood the half of the them don’t know (inaudible comment)we got to get this word out and get people to vote, like the Mayor said 50 something people voting, and you want money for things? You want to get your tax base up? You are talking about things on the side of the road in Monroe it stays there from month to month, it’s time we work together, we’ve got to participate, let’s get it done.

XII. Adoption of Resolution 2017-09 (A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and Staff to Complete the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire)
Mayor Gerald Brown – advised this is a questionnaire we must complete each year as a part of our annual audit. Me and the staff has to complete this and send it in; I think all of you should have received by now a questionnaire to turn in to the audit firm as well, that is separate from this you.
Mayor Gerald Brown- requested a motion to adopt Resolution 2017-09.
* It was motioned by Alderperson Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderperson Donald Richard to adopt Resolution 2017-09 (A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and Staff to Complete the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire)

* A vote was taken with the following results: The record shall reflect (3) Alderpersons voted Yes and (1) Voted No to Adopt Resolution 2017-09 (A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and Staff to Complete the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire)

Alderperson Simeon Profit yes Alderperson Donald Richard yes Alderperson Leola Keys no Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland yes

XIII. Adoption of Resolution 2017-10 (A Resolution Accepting and Adopting the Hazard Mitigation Plan for Ouachita Parish, Louisiana)

Mayor Gerald Brown- stated, what this will do is allow us to receive grants and benefits from the Department of Homeland Security, by adopting into Ouachita Parish’s existing Hazard Mitigation Plan, and this will position us to receive things from Homeland Security.

Question from the Floor- what does this do?

Mayor Gerald Brown- advised in most cases a lot of things concerning security for our police department, they do grants in dollar amounts or in items for things that they need.

Alderperson Donald Richard- inquired if the meeting they have in October?

Mayor Gerald Brown- stated, in September, when they start the first part of it.

Alderperson Donald Richard- stated, we missed that one last year which was about $300 and some thousand?

Mayor Gerald Brown- indicated yes, we missed the one last year, we were not a part of that, this would be the adoption of this would put us in line, but we still have to go to the table and ask for what we want; the Chief has already put part of that application together to begin asking for some things, but we have to be adopted into the plan to be eligible.

Mr. Michael Caster- indicated, this gives you money for emergency vehicles to get people out in an emergency.

Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland- stated, we had this before under Mayor Jackson’s administration, and it was people still stuck here, we did this before, and Homeland Security did not respond to us down here in Richwood. we didn’t get any response from Homeland Security, FEMA and Homeland Security.

Mayor Gerald Brown- stated, I am not saying this will automatically put money in our pocket, but I am saying it will make us eligible.

*** Discussion Ensued***

Mayor Gerald Brown- stated, the Chief has already started the application, he has spoken to some other folks who have completed the application in the past and received things from them.

* It was motioned by Alderperson Donald Richard and seconded by Alderperson Simeon Profit to adopt Resolution 2017-10 (A Resolution Accepting and Adopting the Hazard Mitigation Plan for Ouachita Parish, Louisiana)

* A vote was taken with the following results: Let the record reflect all (4) Alderpersons present voted Yes to Adopt Resolution 2017-10 10 (A Resolution Accepting and Adopting the Hazard Mitigation Plan for Ouachita Parish, Louisiana)

Alderperson Simeon Profit yes Alderperson Donald Richard yes Alderperson Leola Keys yes Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland yes

XIV. Introduction of Ordinance 2017-22 (An Ordinance Prohibiting Commercial Trucks on Certain Roads, Streets, and Drives in the Town of Richwood)

Mayor Gerald Brown- advised the forum, the basis behind this is not to infringe on anybody’s business or livelihood, but our streets are beaten up, and a huge reason why a lot of our streets are beaten up is because of the heavy tractor trailers which arrive here, mainly we are talking about Highland, Martin Luther King, Brown, Richwood Road # 2, those streets are heavily beaten up and it’s because those vehicles are too large for those streets.
Alderperson Donald Richard- inquired, are we going to have street signs posted saying a certain limit?

Mayor Gerald Brown- replied, yes once we pass this, before we can post the signs we need something on the books.

Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland- stated he believed they should be paying road tax anyway.

Attorney Jay Nolen- advised the forum that he didn’t believe it would be legal for us to try to impose a road tax on those providing services to the Town of Richwood. What we can do is provide for a fine for those that violate the signs posted restricting access on certain roads, but to assign a road tax would be illegal.

Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland- inquired what streets were they being prohibited?

**Alderperson Cleveland was directed to the listed streets on the ordinance**

** Discussion ensued regarding how many commercial trucks are led into Richwood by faulty directions from GPS devices. **

XV. Adoption of Ordinance 2017-16 (An Ordinance Positioning an Administrative Hearing Officer)

Mayor Gerald Brown- advised the forum the hearing officer which would be Robert Noel, who is currently our Town Magistrate, and would be the person to listen to arguments relative to derelict structures, unkept lots all these types of things the code enforcer would write up and in case these things come to court, he would hear these issues.

Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland- inquired if a requested increase in pay had been voiced?

Mayor Gerald Brown- advised at this time he (Judge Noel) has not requested an increase.

* It was motioned by Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland and seconded by Alderperson Donald Richard to adopt Ordinance 2017-16.

* A vote was taken with the following results: Let the record reflect all (4) Alderpersons present voted Yes to Adopt Resolution 2017-16 (An Ordinance Positioning an Administrative Hearing Officer)
Alderperson Simeon Profit yes Alderperson Donald Richard yes Alderperson Leola Keys yes Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland yes

XVI. Adoption of Ordinance 2017-17 (An Ordinance Amending Health and Sanitation Chapter 5 to Include Derelict Structures)

Mayor Gerald Brown- advised this is the portion that talks about the derelict structures, the houses that have been sitting there since time gone by, which we talked about, and this will take care of those structures.

* It was motioned by Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland and seconded by Alderperson Donald Richard to adopt Ordinance 2017-17. (An Ordinance Amending Health and Sanitation Chapter 5 to Include Derelict Structures)

* A vote was taken with the following results: Let the record reflect all (4) Alderpersons present voted Yes to Adopt Resolution 2017-17 (An Ordinance Amending Health and Sanitation Chapter 5 to Include Derelict Structures)

Alderperson Simeon Profit yes Alderperson Donald Richard yes Alderperson Leola Keys yes Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland yes

XVII. Adoption of Ordinance 2017-18 (An Ordinance Amending Health and Sanitation Chapter 5 to Include Litter & Trash)

Mayor Gerald Brown- advised the title basically speaks for its self, this will allow us to clean up these issues as well.

* It was motioned by Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland and seconded by Alderperson Donald Richard to adopt Ordinance 2017-18 (An Ordinance Amending Health and Sanitation Chapter 5 to Include Litter & Trash)

* A vote was taken with the following results: The record shall reflect all (4) Alderpersons present voted yes to adopt Ordinance 2017-18 (An Ordinance Amending Health and Sanitation Chapter 5 to Include Litter & Trash)

Alderperson Simeon Profit yes Alderperson Donald Richard yes Alderperson Leola Keys yes Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland yes

XVIII. Adoption of Ordinance 2017-19 (An Ordinance Amending Health and Sanitation Chapter 5 to Include Weeds and Obnoxious Growth)

Mayor Gerald Brown- these will allow us to take care of the overgrown weeds that you see.

* It was motioned by Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland and seconded by Alderperson Donald Richard to adopt Ordinance 2017-19 (An ordinance Amending Health and Sanitation Chapter 5 to Include Weeds and Obnoxious Growth)

* A vote was taken with the following results: The record shall reflect all (4) Alderpersons present voted Yes to Adopt Ordinance 2017-19 (An ordinance Amending Health and Sanitation Chapter 5 to Include Weeds and Obnoxious Growth)

Alderperson Simeon Profit yes Alderperson Donald Richard yes Alderperson Leola Keys yes Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland yes

XIX. Adoption of Ordinance 2017-20 (An Ordinance Amending Health and Sanitation Chapter 5 to include requirements and penalties for Fireworks Use)

Mayor Gerald Brown- indicated this is one of the things that we have not had in the past as to requirements for fireworks.

*** Discussion Ensued**

XX. It was motioned by Alderperson Donald Richard and seconded by Alderperson Simeon Profit to Adopt Ordinance 2017-20 (An Ordinance Amending Health and Sanitation Chapter 5 to include requirements and penalties for Fireworks Use)

* A vote was taken with the following results: The record shall reflect all (4) Alderpersons present voted Yes to Adopt Ordinance 2017-20 (An Ordinance Amending Health and Sanitation Chapter 5 to include requirements and penalties for Fireworks Use)

Alderperson Simeon Profit yes Alderperson Donald Richard yes Alderperson Leola Keys yes Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland yes

XXI. Adoption of Ordinance 2017-21 (An Ordinance Amending Health and Sanitation Chapter 5 to include Abandoned Vehicles, Major Appliances, and Other Junk)

Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland- inquired as long as they have title and insurance would it be viewed as abandoned?

Mr. Ward- commented this would be something that would be a problem; that everyone over the town has something they need to get rid of.

Mayor Gerald Brown – stated he agreed, however the ordinance provides the definition for abandoned vehicles as totally inoperable vehicles shall mean any motor vehicle which is totally inoperable, totally or partially dismantled, or unable to perform the functions or purposes for which the vehicle was originally constructed.

* It was motioned by Alderperson Donald Richard and seconded by Alderperson Simeon Profit to adopt Ordinance 2017-21 (An Ordinance Amending Health and Sanitation Chapter 5 to include Abandoned Vehicles, Major Appliances, and Other Junk)

* A vote was taken with the following results: The record shall reflect all (3) Alderpersons voted Yes votes to Adopt and (1) Abstain t Ordinance 2017-21 (An Ordinance Amending Health and Sanitation Chapter 5 to Include Abandoned Vehicles, Major Appliances, and Other Junk)

Alderperson Simeon Profit yes Alderperson Donald Richard yes Alderperson Leola Keys yes Alderperson Wysinger Cleveland Abstain

XXII. Adjournment:

It was motioned by Alderperson Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderperson Donald Richard to adjourn meeting @ 8:14 p.m.