The Public Facilities/Building & Grounds Committee of the Acadia Parish Police Jury met in public session at 6:30 P.M. on Wednesday, April 12, 2006, 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
ABSENT: JIMMIE PELLERIN
The Committee included to the agenda an authorization to solicit proposals for debris management in cases of emergencies.
Mr. Joseph W. Freeland, representing the Crowley Rotary Club, explained to the Committee the Rotary Club’s plan to make-over the homeless shelter known as the Welcome House. Mr. Freeland noted that the Welcome House has served the area for 29 years under the direction of Rev. Roy J. Kibodeaux, Jr., and is located approximately 6 miles north of the City of Crowley. Currently the Welcome House has a capacity of 41 and is divided into buildings for women, children and men. The objective of the Rotary Club is to develop a plan with the assistance of Rev. Kibodeaux and others to secure long term security needs and financial stability. He indicated that a primary fund drive would take place May 14-20, 2006 with a goal of $500,000.00. Mr. Freeland also indicated that the Rotary Club wished that the Parish would proclaim the week of May 14-20, 2006, as Homeless Awareness Week. It was suggested that the item be placed on the agenda at the upcoming meeting.
Dennis Riordan from the NOAA Agency along with Engineer Tim Mader with Mader Engineering gave a presentation on elevation benchmarks and flood certificates in Acadia Parish. His information centered around the fact that the National Geodeic Service reported to the U. S. Congress that all benchmarks in South Louisiana are now inaccurate and obsolete otherwise known as stale due to subsidence. He noted that a benchmark is defined as stale when its elevation changes more than 3/4 inch from its last published elevation. Mr. Mader advised that benchmarks at locations in Acadia Parish have changed at a rate of one inch per year on the average. Mr. Mader gave general information regarding subsidence including the causes further advising that Acadia Parish was one of the greatest affected areas. He noted that the immediate effects of subsidence ruins all existing vertical benchmarks in Acadia Parish and that newly surveyed vertical benchmarks will only be good for one year and thereafter become stale and subject to resurvey. Mr. Mader recommended that the Parish’s flood certificate process be amended to require any surveyor/engineer who issues flood certificates to issue a separate statement providing a manifest to prove that the elevations presented are based on a benchmark which reference a valid NAVD 88 datum and that the Parish officials should be required to carefully review and approve the manifest to confirm that each benchmark used is established from a valid NAVD 88 datum.
No action was recommended by the Committee.
Architect Mark Lalande provided a brief update to the Correctional Center Construction Project.
Mr. Lee Hebert, Director of Emergency Management, advised with the upcoming hurricane season, that the Parish should consider renewing or receiving proposals for debris management.
The Committee recommended authorizing the Director of Emergency Preparedness to solicit proposals for debris management.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMITTEE, THE CHAIRMAN ADJOURNED THE MEETING UNTIL THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETING.
The Personnel Committee of the Acadia Parish Police Jury met immediately following the Public Facilities/Building & Grounds Committee Meeting on Wednesday, April 12, 2006, 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
ALTON STEVENSON
A J BROUSSARD
ABSENT: CADE BENOIT
Member A. J. Broussard convened the Personnel Committee Meeting.
Without objection the Committee amended the agenda to include a request for over-time pay for the Registrar of Voters.
Juror Broussard advised that interviews were conducted for the position of Landfill Equipment Operators earlier that afternoon.
It was motioned and duly seconded that Mr. Clayton Smith and Michael Solomon be considered for hire as Landfill Heavy Equipment Operators at a starting pay of $9.00 per hour. Motion carried.
Discussion on the Personnel Policy update was deferred until a later meeting.
Mr. Robert Bergeaux, Parish Road Manager, requested the hiring of Mr. Don Touchet, as Truck Driver Maintenance Tech Level D at $8.00 per hour and Mr. Cory Broussard at $7.50 per hour as Maintenance Tech Level D as a Mower Operator.
The Committee recommended same.
Juror Broussard offered for consideration Mr. John Jack Walker as an Economic Development Consultant advising that Mr. Walker could provide assistance by developing an economic development plan over a six month period for $30,000.00. Juror Broussard and others requested what funds may be made available and further suggested that money be transferred from Industrial District #1 in the amount of $15,000.00 to supplement the work.
Juror Stevenson advised that he was not ready for hiring an economic development consultant at this time. He further referenced the cost associated with such a position and did not expect that an individual could do much in a six month period.
Mr. John Walker took time to outline how he would spend six months developing a plan to address the structure of economic development in Acadia Parish by preparing a road map to address deficiencies. He suggested that there may need to be expense money involved in order to host economic development officials from outside the Parish.
President Chambers added the Parish should be more active in the area of economic development.
Juror Humble expanded on the issue of taxes paid or not paid by certain business enterprises coming into the Parish.
Juror Broussard, acting chairman, offered a motion to transfer $15,000.00 from the Industrial District #1 account to Economic Development to hire Mr. Walker for a six month period for $30,000 to do economic development work.
Juror Stevenson requested that the matter be referred to Finance for consideration.
Juror Broussard advised that the Finance Committee did not have a quorum to meet and asked that Mr. Stevenson agree to submit for consideration to the Jury the matter of economic development consultant.
Juror Stevenson indicated that he was confused on the matter but did agree that the matter be placed on the agenda for the full Jury to consider.
No recommendation was made by the Committee.
Without objection the Committee revised the agenda to consider the hiring of an Assistant Secretary-Treasurer.
The Secretary was asked to offer a recommendation for the position and advised that his recommendation would be Ms. Jackie Babineaux, a native of Acadia Parish and currently serving in a municipal government capacity. Secretary Martin also suggested that Ms. Babineaux receive the same rate of pay as she currently makes with the City of Crowley.
The Committee recommended the hiring of Ms. Jackie Babineaux as Assistant Secretary-Treasurer at her current rate of pay.
The Committee was advised that Ms. Babineaux would be able to work in a part-time capacity until June 1 when she will be working full-time.
The Committee recommended authoring over-time pay for the Registrar of Voters within the limits of her existing budget.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMITTEE, THE CHAIRMAN ADJOURNED THE MEETING UNTIL THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETING.
The Public Works/Road & Bridge Committee of the Acadia Parish Police Jury met immediately following the Personnel Committee on Wednesday, April 12, 2006, 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
FELTON MOREAU
ABSENT: CADE BENOIT
Without objection the Committee amended the agenda to include a report on Standard Mill Road Improvements.
Engineer Karl Aucoin reported on the plan to construct surface treatment improvements as part of the next phase of major road work. He indicated there were approximately 90 miles of phase I roads that remained that would need to be surface treated at an estimated cost of $30,000 per mile. He further advised that there was reconstruction work needed to be done on L. Boudreaux and Ellis Road at an estimated cost of $600,000.00. This would also include the removal of an unsafe canal crossing on Benton Road and partial overlay of Fournerat Road.
The Committee discussed the validity of doing new construction as opposed to surface treatments indicating that the Parish authorized, received and adopted a priority list of roadways in the event that funding could be provided to convert gravel roads into hardsurfaced.
The Committee recommended authorizing Aucoin & Associates to prepare plans and specifications for new construction as part of Phase III B priority road improvements and further prepare plans to include reconstruction and improvements to Ellis, L. Boudreaux and Benton Roads.
The Committee recommended the approval of the Emergency Work Report for March.
Approval of McManus Subdivision was deferred until the new road construction was complete.
Parish Attorney Doug Wimberly presented to the members of the Committee a preliminary plan relative to railroad crossings in the Estherwood, Midland and Mermentau areas. The plan submitted and prepared with assistance of the Juror in that area included the closing of a crossing near Estherwood and Midland and opening crossings in the vicinity of Hamic and Night Hawk Roads. It also included requesting the DOT and the railroad company improve signaling at other crossings.
The Committee recommended that the Police Jury authorize the calling of a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed plan to alter and improve railroad crossings in the vicinities of Estherwood, Midland and Mermentau.
The Committee recommended approving Drainage Projects 2006-7 & 8 on Oran and Paul Roads at an estimated cost of $3,077.00.
Juror Felton Moreau reported that the road known as Jacob Road located at the boundary of Acadia-St. Landry Parish was in need of significant repair. He requested that the Parish consider an arrangement with St. Landry to cover half of the cost of the needed repair.
The Committee recommended authorizing the President to execute an Intergovernmental Agreement with St. Landry Parish to share equally in the expense to repair Jacob Road as part of Phase III Part B for the upcoming road improvements.
The Committee recommended approving Change Order #1 and a Resolution of Termination for repairs to Istre Road Bridge with E. B. Feucht & Sons.
The Committee recommended authorizing the final acceptance of the Parishwide Surface Treatment Project with W. R. Core.
Road Manager Robert Bergeaux stated that work on the revetment project along Standard Mill Road would begin on Tuesday, April 18th. The plan would be to close the road for a period of two to four days depending on the time of construction.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMITTEE, THE CHAIRMAN ADJOURNED THE MEETING UNTIL THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETING.
The Legislative Committee of the Acadia Parish Police Jury met immediately following the Public Works/Road & Bridge Committee on Wednesday, April 12, 2006, 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 BROUSSARD
A J CREDEUR
The agenda was revised without objection to consider a matter related to the contingency planning for drilling operations.
The Chairman advised that the first Legislative Report was out on the current Legislative Session. Of primary importance was the topic of eminent domain. He indicated that the Senate Judiciary Committee A, without hearing testimony from opponents, passed Senate Bill 1 that would dramatically restrict the authority of state and local governments from using expropriation for economic development.
The Police Jury Association urged that the Parish oppose Senate Bill 1.
The Chairman further explained the subject of eminent domain and the Committee recommended the Jury consider adopting a resolution opposing any effort by the Congress of the United States or the Louisiana Legislature to limit or strip the authority of local governments from using economic development as the public purpose for the exercise of power of eminent domain.
The Secretary advised that a request was made by the Parish Planning Commission on the matter of lots being donated to either family or non-family members indicating that the Planning Commission had determined that the donation of lots should be considered in a count of lots to determine whether the division of property should be reviewed under the Ordinance.
The Legislative Committee was split on the matter.
No recommendation was made and the members of the Committee would be attendance at the next Planning Commission Meeting to further discuss the matter.
The Chairman advised the Committee that he attended the meeting with the representatives of law enforcement and animal control concerning the issue of loose livestock on public right-of-ways.
Those in attendance suggested the Parish consider updating the ordinance to provide for the recovery of the costs incurred either by those who impound loose livestock or engaged in the capture.
The Committee recommended that the Jury authorize the drafting of amendments to the Parish Code of Ordinances that would provide for reimbursement of costs incurred when loose livestock are impounded.
The Solid Waste Supervisor advised that House Bill 843 being taken up by the Legislature, if passed, would allow the Department of Environmental Quality to impose fees on the disposal of solid waste in the Parish Landfill. The fee could cost the Parish as much as $80,000.00.
The Committee recommended a Resolution opposing House Bill 843 relative to solid waste that would provide for fees collected from certain solid waste facilities.
Emergency Management Director Lee Hebert advised the Committee that in Acadia Parish people who conduct oil drilling activities are not required to provide emergency plans in the case of a disaster or an incident at the site. He noted that other parishes in the vicinity required that contingency plans be made part of the permit process and strongly urged the Committee to consider a recommendation to the Police Jury.
The Committee recommended the Jury amend the Parish Code of Ordinances pursuant to the permitting of oil field activities that would require an emergency contingency plan be provided as part of the permit process.
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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