The Legislative Committee of the Acadia Parish Police Jury met in public session at 6:30 P.M. on Tuesday, September 13, 2005, in the Courthouse Building, Police Jury Meeting Room, Crowley.
It was motioned and duly seconded that all action items contained in this report were taken, reviewed and discussed by the Legislative Committee and are to be presented as agenda items. Motion carried.
Legislative Committee
KATRY MARTIN-CHAIRMAN
A J CREDEUR
A J BROUSSARD
The Committee considered a draft ordinance prepared by Legal Counsel to regulate the collection of donations on public street corners. The draft contained provisions whereby individuals or groups planning to solicit funds from traveling motorists at intersections in the rural areas of the Parish would be required to apply to the Sheriff’s Office for a permit. In doing so, the individual or group would be required to provide information to the Sheriff upon request.
The Committee recommended authorizing the preparation and introduction of an ordinance regulating solicitation of contribution from persons in motor vehicles.
Public officials and departments from the Parish Courthouse petitioned the Committee to consider an ordinance regulating parking in the Courthouse Parking Lot.
It was noted that although signs are set up designating specific parking, most individuals ignore the signs. It was suggested that a particular spot be designated for members of the Police Jury who are doing day to day business in the Courthouse.
The Committee recommended the preparation of a preliminary ordinance regulating parking in certain areas of the Courthouse lot.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMITTEE, THE CHAIRMAN ADJOURNED THE MEETING UNTIL THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETING.
SECRETARY The Finance Committee of the Acadia Parish Police Jury met in public session immediately following the Legislative Committee Meeting on Tuesday, September 13, 2005, in the Courthouse Building, Police Jury Meeting Room, Crowley.
It was motioned and duly seconded that all action items contained in this report were taken, reviewed and discussed by the Finance Committee and are to be presented as agenda items. Motion carried.
Finance Committee
JIMMIE PELLERIN-CHAIRMAN
CADE BENOIT
JOHN HUMBLE SR
Mr. Charles Abshire, Accountant with the firm of Broussard, Poché, Lewis & Breaux, reviewed the condition of the 2004 Audit submitted to the Finance Committee.
Mr. Abshire noted that the Audit received an unqualified opinion, specified the fund growth and detailed the Audit findings.
Members of the Jury questioned specific areas of both the budget and the current operating statement.
The Committee recommended acceptance of the 2004 Audit Report and authorized the presentation and approval of bills on a monthly basis and further encouraged member participation.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMITTEE, THE CHAIRMAN ADJOURNED THE MEETING UNTIL THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETING.
SECRETARY The Personnel Committee of the Acadia Parish Police Jury met immediately following the Finance Committee on Tuesday, September 13, 2005, in the Courthouse Building, Police Jury Meeting Room, Crowley.
It was motioned and duly seconded that all action items contained in this report were taken, reviewed and discussed by the Personnel Committee and are to be presented as agenda items. Motion carried.
Personnel Committee
CADE BENOIT-CHAIRMAN
A J BROUSSARD
ALTON STEVENSON
The agenda was revised without objection to include discussion on Personnel Policy and a request for additional health insurance premiums.
A request was made by AIG Insurance to solicit the sale of supplemental policies to Parish employees.
Representatives of the company explained the product availability.
It was suggested that the Insurance Committee review the supplemental insurance option.
No action was taken.
Upon request of the Parish Road Manager, the Committee authorized 30 days of meritorious sick leave for Mr. Oran Senegal as provided for in the Personnel Policy.
The Committee recommended authorizing the hiring of Professional Services to review and update Personnel Policies.
Upon recommendation of the Parish Road Manager, the Committee authorized the payment of employee portion of health coverage for Mr. Herman Robinson for a period of two months.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMITTEE, THE CHAIRMAN ADJOURNED THE MEETING UNTIL THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETING.
SECRETARY The Public Facilities/Building & Grounds Committee of the Acadia Parish Police Jury met immediately following the Personnel Committee on Tuesday, September 13, 2005, in the Courthouse Building, Police Jury Meeting Room, Crowley.
It was motioned and duly seconded that all action items contained in this report were taken, reviewed and discussed by the Public Facilities/Building & Grounds Committee and are to be presented as agenda items. Motion carried.
Public Facilities/Building & Grounds Committee
ALTON STEVENSON-CHAIRMAN
FELTON MOREAU
JIMMIE PELLERIN
The Committee without objection amended the agenda to consider a discussion of mobile home land banks and a request from the USDA pursuant to evacuee housing.
The Secretary advised of certain concerns relative to the potential increase in cost to construct the expansion to the Cooperative Extension Facility. He advised that further discussions be held with the architectural firm and the bonding attorney prior to a final decision.
The Committee did authorize the President execute a Standard AIA Contract with Don Breaux, Architect, to construct Cooperative Extension Facility expansion and provide excess revenue in the 2005 Budget to facilitate the same.
The Committee did authorize the incurring debt issuance of bonds in the amount of $700,000 to fund construction of the Cooperative Extension Facility expansion provided all parties were in concurrence.
The Committee approved the sale of a two acre tract of land in the Crowley/Rayne Industrial Park for a small business enterprise to J.B.A. Properties, LLC., in the amount of $10,000.00 per acre and further require buyer to bear the cost of surveying.
The Secretary advised that requests were made by both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for possible sites to locate hurricane evacuees.
The Committee did authorize the evaluation of preliminary requests to use Parish property to establish evacuee housing pursuant to Hurricane Katrina.
Juror A. J. Broussard explained the situation where he planned to hang special ribbons on the Courthouse Clock Tower in support of the return of local troops from Iraq. He expressed some dissatisfaction that there were some objection to the plan. He noted that ribbons that were prepared were subsequently delivered to businesses down main street.
Juror Alton Stevenson advised that he would have preferred to discuss the matter at least in Committee prior to making any decisions on the hanging of such ribbons.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMITTEE, THE CHAIRMAN ADJOURNED THE MEETING UNTIL THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETING.
SECRETARY The Public Works/Road & Bridge Committee of the Acadia Parish Police Jury met immediately following the Public Facilities/Building & Grounds Committee on Tuesday, September 13, 2005, in the Courthouse Building, Police Jury Meeting Room, Crowley.
It was motioned and duly seconded that all action items contained in this report were taken, reviewed and discussed by the Public Works/Road & Bridge Committee and are to be presented as agenda items. Motion carried.
Public Works/Road & Bridge Committee
A J CREDEUR-CHAIRMAN
CADE BENOIT
FELTON MOREAU
The agenda was revised to discuss the installation of culverts, to improve the signage on Hensgens Road, expand drainage projects on Bertrand Road and to consider a request from Mr. Bobby Foreman relative to the abandonment and the cleanup of Palm Road.
Parish Engineer Karl Aucoin provided an update on the Parishwide patching project.
The Committee was informed that the current overrun to-date in Districts 2, 3 & 4 amounted to $161,000.00.
The Committee approved the additional cost overrun estimated at $161,000.00 of the asphalt patching project now concluded in Districts 2, 3 & 4.
The Parish Engineer provided a cost estimate to repair Sonnier Road Bridge estimated at $140,000.00. He indicated that the cost to replace the bridge with concrete deck rails and caps on concrete piles was estimated at $229,000.00.
The Parish Road Manager Robert Bergeaux was advised to monitor the condition of Sonnier Road Bridge until January 1, 2006, to update the Committee on its condition.
Representatives of the United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services explained the process by which beavers were controlled in the Parish of Vermilion and the surrounding areas. It was noted that a budget of $47,000.00 was established in Vermilion Parish to cover the cost of trapping activities.
Members of local drainage districts were in attendance to comment on the problems throughout Acadia Parish.
It was also pointed out that the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry provided some services for that purpose.
The Committee authorized a Cooperative Service Agreement with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services to control the beaver population in Acadia Parish and further allocate $30,000.00 of Road & Bridge Funds to establish the program.
The Committee recommended approving the Emergency Work Report for August.
The Parish Road Manager presented a report that included traffic counts on certain asphalt or hardsurfaced roads for the purpose of determining priority for possible stripping projects.
Some members of the Jury were concerned about ongoing liabilities relative to such improvements.
The Committee authorize Parish Engineer Karl Aucoin and Parish Attorney Doug Wimberly advised on liabilities relative to stripping improvements.
Mr. Don Rosa, a resident of the Egan area, strongly encouraged the stripping of a portion of the Iota Highway as it is a very dangerous strip of road particularly when driving at night.
The Parish Road Manager Robert Bergeaux presented specifications on roadside mowing equipment. It was suggested that additional equipment be considered in the 2006 Proposed Budget.
The Parish Road Manager reported on the current Off-System Bridge plan for construction. The information provided indicated that status of the four bridges scheduled for be changed.
The Parish Road Manager also indicated the need for roadside drainage improvements on West Plaquemine and Bertrand Roads. He indicated that the total cost of said improvements was in the neighborhood of $1,200.00.
The Committee authorized the approval of drainage projects 2005-6 & 7 located on West Plaquemine & Bertrand Roads.
The Parish Road Manager presented estimated costs of fuel used for Parish employees to drive back and forth to work in Parish vehicles.
Committee members Cade Benoit noted the importance of proper installation of culverts along any portion of Parish roadway. He pointed out that long term benefits could be derived with proper installation.
The Committee recommended the Road Manager be authorized to install culverts where long term benefits would be derived by protecting the integrity of the roadway resulting from improved drainage.
Requests from residents in North Gent Subdivision were considered by the Committee. The request centered around the installation of traffic control signs along Hensgens Road.
The matter was referred to the Road Manager for review.
Mr. Bobby Foreman requested assistance with the cleanup of trash, the removal of bridge and the abandonment of a portion of Palm Road. Mr. Foreman indicated that quite often people came in an dumped debris due to the fact that the bridge was closed and the road dead ended.
The Committee authorized the Road Manager to develop a plan to remove bridge debris situated within the drainage canal on Palm Road and investigate the possible abandonment of portions of roadway in the same area.
Juror A. J. Broussard advised of a situation that was brought to his attention relative to the use of equipment in the Crowley Maintenance area.
The Road Manager advised that he would look into the matter concerning the complaint.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMITTEE, THE CHAIRMAN ADJOURNED THE MEETING UNTIL THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETING.
SECRETARY The Solid Waste/Environmental Committee of the Acadia Parish Police Jury met immediately following the Public Works/Road & Bridge Committee on Tuesday, September 13, 2005, in the Courthouse Building, Police Jury Meeting Room, Crowley.
It was motioned and duly seconded that all action items contained in this report were taken, reviewed and discussed by the Solid Waste/Environmental Committee and are to be presented as agenda items. Motion carried.
Solid Waste/Environmental Committee
A J BROUSSARD-CHAIRMAN
A J CREDEUR
FELTON MOREAU
The agenda was revised to consider the use of Parish rights-of-way for Solid Waste Collection and an update on the GIS Mapping System.
The Committee was informed of the holiday schedule relative to the collection and disposal of garbage.
Solid Waste Supervisor Raymond Breaux advised that a Intergovernmental Agreement with St. Landry Parish was in place and prior to soliciting bids or marketing recyclables outside of that contract, he suggested the Committee authorize the termination of the agreement.
Therefore the Committee recommended the termination of the Intergovernmental Agreement with St. Landry Parish to purchase recyclables and authorize the Solid Waste Supervisor to solicit bids as needed to market same.
Juror Cade Benoit advised of a problem with permits being issued for sewer treatment facilities in the north end of Acadia Parish. He pointed out that the ordinance regulating individual sewage disposal systems was ambiguous and the enforcement conflicted with the intent of the change recently made to the ordinance.
Representatives of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals advised that an extension would be granted to individuals situated in a home on property owned by Barry Frey until the matter could be resolved.
The Committee authorized the collection of neighboring ordinances regulating individual sewage disposal systems prior to any further discussion.
The Committee reviewed a response from the Parish Attorney relative to designating solid waste collection points in areas noted located immediately in front residential or commercial units.
The Attorney advised that they should establish written policy relative to the activity.
The Committee authorized the installation of culverts and designate a solid waste collection point at the intersection of Speech and Meche Roads.
The Secretary advised that the GIS Mapping System was well under way and that the demographer preparing the program was currently meeting with the Acadia Parish Tax Assessor to gather mapping data.
He also advised that there was a delay in completing work originally scheduled to be done by the Communications District to establish mapping accuracy.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMITTEE, THE CHAIRMAN ADJOURNED THE MEETING UNTIL THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETING.
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