Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, September 21, 2023 7:00 P.M.
Members in Attendance at Roll Call:
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Alderman Simeon Profit Alderman Janice Fleming Alderman Leola Keys Alderman Wysinger Cleveland
The Town of Richwood met for Regular Meeting held on September 21, 2023 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 7:06 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 all (5) Aldermen present at time of roll call.
Present: Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Alderman Simeon Profit Alderman Janice Fleming Alderman Leola Keys Alderman Wysinger Cleveland
V. Adoption of the Agenda-
It was motioned by Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. and seconded by Alderman Wysinger Cleveland to adopt the agenda for September 21, 2023.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt the September 21, 2023 agenda with the following results: (5)- Yes Votes to adopt the agenda.
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr Yes . Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
VI. Adoption of August 17, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes & August 29, 2023 Special Meeting Minutes:
August 17, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes:
It was motioned by Alderman Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt the August 17, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt the August 17, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes with the following results: ( 2) Yes and (3) No votes. Minutes were not adopted.
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr No Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys No Alderman Wysinger Cleveland No
August 29, 2023 Special Meeting Minutes:
* For the Record: Per Alderman Wysinger Cleveland – For the record the meeting date showing as the 29th is an error and should show as August 31st, 2023.
It was motioned by Alderman Wysinger Cleveland and seconded by Alderman Leola Keys to adopt the Special Meeting Minutes show the date change to August 31, 2023.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt Special Meeting Minutes August 31,2023 with the following results: (4) Yes and (1) Abstain vote
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr Yes Alderman Simeon Profit Abstain Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
VII. Adoption of Financial Reports:
Alderman Simeon Profit inquired on an item showing on the first page of the Profit & Loss sheet showing a reimbursement.
Fiscal Officer/ Ms. Sims- informed the forum to look on pg.1 of the General Ledger, there were 5- disbursements for that amount and the reimbursements were for the Alderman traveling expenses pertaining to funds disbursed to Alderman Cleveland.
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- inquired about the Community Events Account.
Mayor Gerald Brown- advised we received a $ 10,000 grant from JRF Outreach and a $ 1,000 donation from HAMPCO especially for Community Events. Mayor Brown advised the forum the funds were deposited in the account to alleviate any confusion or mix-ups in the funds being disbursed .
Alderman Leola Keys- inquired why the lawyer is not showing being paid, what was going on?
Mayor Gerald Brown- advised the lawyer is paid upon receipt of his invoice.
Alderman Leola Keys- inquired as to the statement the fiscal officer is not a salaried person.
Mayor Gerald Brown- stated, she is an independent free lance worker she is not a salaried employee.
It was motioned by Alderman Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt the Financial Reports.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt the Financial Reports with the following results: (2) Yes and (3) No Votes .
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr No Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys No Alderman Wysinger Cleveland No
VIII. Public Comments as they relate to items on the agenda
** No Comments** Agenda proceeded as presented.
IX. Mayor s Dialogue:
Mayor Gerald Brown- advised the forum that Entergy is partnering with several local agencies where customers can apply for a 1 time only $ 200 credit on their bill and provided the website and information required to apply.
Secondly, there is a cleanup event on October 14, 2023 which is our fall event, we will accept volunteers for this event.
Also on September 27th we will be having our State of the Town Event at 10:00 a.m.; we will be providing updates on what is going on in the Town as well as recognizing our Community Partners.
X. Deterise Addison: Representative from My Community Cares
Ms. Addison -greeted the forum and thanked Mayor Brown for allowing her to speak to the forum.
Ms. Addison shared the purpose of Community Cares. It brings a neighborhood-based approach to reduce the number of children who experience abuse or neglect, keep children and parents together, and connect families to available resources services which Community Cares provide to those in need, whether it be feeding people, counseling, providing access to allow a safe place.
XI. Jacob Chisholm: Representative from Sewer Sentry:
Jacob Chisholm- advised the forum of the inspection of the manholes indicated several issues. Area 1 repairs would be approx.. $ 121,000 and to repair Area 3 it would be $ 129,000, a total of $ 250,000.
XII. Kevin Washington: Asking permission to place a 2000 mobile home to 5223 Brown Road:
It was motioned by Alderman Wysinger Cleveland and seconded by Alderman Leola Keys to allow Kevin Washington to place the 2000 Mobile home on 5223 Brown Road.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to allow Kevin Washington to place the 2000 mobile home at 5223 Brown Road with the following results: (5) Votes Yes to Allow the placement of the mobile home.
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Yes Alderman Simeon Profit Yes
Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys Yes
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
XIII. Leadership Council Proposal:
It was motioned by Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to table this item.
XIV. Adoption of Resolution 2023-08: A resolution converting General Fund to Interest Bearing Account
It was motioned by Alderman Janice Fleming and seconded by Alderman Simeon Profit to adopt Resolution 2023-08.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt Resolution 2023-08 (A resolution converting General Fund to Interest Bearing Account) with the following results: (2) Yes and (3) No Votes: Adoption Failed.
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. No Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys No Alderman Wysinger Cleveland No
Alderman Janice Fleming asked if she could as a question? My question is why don t you want to have an interest-bearing account, Mr. Reed? I m asking you that question.
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. responded, and I m not going to answer, I m not gone answer.
Alderman Janice Fleming That s dumb, you re not gone answer.
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. replied, I have the right to vote the way I choose, you have the right to question me, I have the right not to answer.
XV. Adoption of Ordinance 2023-08 ( An ordinance adopting Entergy Franchise Agreement)
It was motioned by Alderman Wysinger Cleveland and seconded by Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. to adopt Ordinance 2023-08.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt Ordinance 2023-08 ( An ordinance adopting Entergy Franchise Agreement) with the following results: All (5) Aldermen Voted Yes to Adopt Ordinance 2023-08. (Ordinance Adopted)
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr Yes Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
XVI. Discussion of Street Improvement Proposal
It was motioned by Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt the committee street proposal.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken with the following results: (5) Votes Yes to Adopt the Street Improvement Proposal.
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr Yes Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
XVII. Adjournment: It was motioned by Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adjourn @ 8:26 p.m.
