CROWLEY, LOUISIANA
MARCH 15, 2005
THE ACADIA PARISH POLICE JURY met on the above date at 6:30 p.m., in the Police Jury Meeting Room, Courthouse Building, Crowley, Louisiana, in regular session with the President, Cecelia Broussard, presiding. At the request of the President, a moment of silence was offered and the Pledge to the Flag was recited in unison. The roll was called and final attendance was recorded as follows:
ALTON STEVENSON
A J BROUSSARD
JOHN HUMBLE SR
CECELIA BROUSSARD
JIMMIE PELLERIN
A J CREDEUR
THOMAS BENOIT
FELTON MOREAU
A motion was offered by Mr. John Humble, Sr., seconded by Mr. Alton Stevenson, to revise the agenda to consider public solicitation and matters related to the regulating of loud and unusual noises. Motion carried.
A motion was offered by Mr. Jimmie Pellerin, seconded by Mr. Cade Benoit, to approve the Minutes of the March 1, 2005, Regular Police Jury Meeting. Motion carried.
Ms. Sarah Hebert, Director of the Crowley Chamber of Commerce, announced the completion of the Economic Development Profile for Acadia Parish. The Chamber with the help of Positive Results compiled over 70 pages of data for the Parish and Municipalities. The Profile contained economic data for potential businesses looking to locate in the area.
President Broussard invited Emergency Management Directors from outside Acadia Parish to provide information on the subject of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
Representing outside agencies included Mr. Jim Anderson, Homeland Security Director of Iberia Parish, Mr. Chris Guilbeau from St. Martin Parish and Tony Credeur representing the Red Cross. Each explained the importance of the position and the amount of money involved in its operation. They expanded on FEMA experiences, events and critical areas including mutual aid and training.
Members of the Jury raised questions of salary and job responsibilities.
The visitors stated the importance of having a full-time Director.
APPOINTMENTS
RESOLUTION
BY MESSRS: A J CREDEUR AND CADE BENOIT
BE IT RESOLVED: by the Acadia Parish Police Jury in regular session duly convened this 15th day of March, 2005, does hereby appoint DR. MIKE WILLIAMS to the Acadia-St. Landry Hospital Service District to fill the unexpired term of Dr. Marcelo Polanco effective March, 2005.
ADOPTED: MARCH 15, 2005
ATTEST:
/s/ Katry Martin /s/ Cecelia S. Broussard
KATRY MARTIN CECELIA S. BROUSSARD
SECRETARY-TREASURER PRESIDENT
COMMUNITY/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
* * * PROCLAMATION * * *
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program has operated since 1982 to provide local governments with the resources required to meet the needs of persons of low-and moderate income; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program has had a significant impact on our local economy through either job creation and retention, public infrastructure improvements and/or improved housing; and
WHEREAS, the Acadia Parish Police Jury and other local governments have clearly demonstrated the capacity to administer the CDBG program to identify, prioritize and resolve pressing local problems, such as housing rehabilitation and relocation, neighborhood centers, job creation and retention, and public infrastructure; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Cecelia S. Broussard, by virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the Acadia Parish Police Jury, do hereby proclaim the week of March 28 - April 3, 2005, as
NATIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WEEK
in the Parish of Acadia, and urge all citizens to join us in recognizing the Louisiana Community Development Block Grant Program and the important role it plays in our community.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the seal of the Parish of Acadia, LA on this 15th day of March, 2005.
ATTEST:
/s/ Katry Martin /s/ Cecelia S. Broussard
KATRY MARTIN CECELIA S. BROUSSARD
SECRETARY-TREASURER PRESIDENT
FINANCE
A motion was offered by Mr. A. J. Credeur, seconded by Mr. Cade Benoit, to award $5,400.00 refunded by the Church Point Chamber of Commerce to the Town of Church Point for Tourism Development. Motion carried.
Mayor Roger Boudreaux additionally requested that $5,500.00 be appropriated for the same use once the remaining funds from NADCO were returned to the Police Jury.
PERSONNEL
A motion was offered by Mr. Cade Benoit, seconded by Mr. Felton Moreau, to authorize the hiring of Mrs. Gwen LaCombe as part-time Custodian for the Crowley Health Unit at a starting salary of $6.00 per hour provided all hiring requirements are met. Motion carried.
A motion was offered by Mr. Cade Benoit, seconded by Mr. Alton Stevenson, to request local university assistance with review and update to the Personnel Policy Manual. Motion carried.
A motion was offered by Mr. Cade Benoit, seconded by Mr. Alton Stevenson, to establish a Flood Plain Administration under the authority of the Building Permit Clerk with the support of the Assistant Homeland Security Director. Motion carried.
A motion was offered by Mr. Cade Benoit, seconded by Mr. Felton Moreau, to establish the Off-System Bridge Administration and Obnoxious Weed Ordinance enforcement under the authority of the Parish Road Manager and Staff. Motion carried.
Legal Counsel Doug Wimberly reviewed the statute regarding the appointment of Homeland Security Director.
Nursing Home Administrator Jude Sittig expressed the importance of the Office of Emergency Preparedness and shared his personal experiences during the last Hurricane event.
A motion was offered by Mr. Cade Benoit, to table action relative to the advertising for the position of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Motion died for lack of a second.
A motion was offered by Mr. A. J. Credeur, seconded by Mr. Felton Moreau, to authorize the advertising for the position of part-time Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director at 20 hours per week with a pay ranging from $7.00-$10.00 per hour depending on experience. Motion carried with one opposing vote cast by Cecelia Broussard.
PUBLIC FACILITIES/BUILDING & GROUNDS
RESOLUTION
BY MESSRS: JOHN HUMBLE SR AND JIMMIE PELLERIN
BE IT RESOLVED: by the Acadia Parish Police Jury in regular session duly convened this 15th day of March, 2005, does hereby empower, authorize and direct the President to execute a Right-of-Way Instrument to Entergy Gulf States, Inc., (Louisiana) 20 feet in width for the construction and maintenance of electric power and communication facilities on that certain parcel of land situated in Section 21, Township 10 South, Range 1 West located in Acadia Parish, Louisiana.
ADOPTED: MARCH 15, 2005
ATTEST:
/s/ Katry Martin /s/ Cecelia S. Broussard
KATRY MARTIN CECELIA S. BROUSSARD
SECRETARY-TREASURER PRESIDENT
Mr. Roy Geesey, representing the ownership of property near the Parish Court Circle, proposed the development of said property for potential parking. He explained both lease and purchase options.
Juror John Humble, Sr., reminded that the Parish was in the process of constructing a new Correctional Center and the Jury should be careful how money is spent.
Mr. Geesey explained the value of the improvements.
No formal action was taken.
RESOLUTION
BY MESSRS: ALTON STEVENSON AND JIMMIE PELLERIN
BE IT RESOLVED: by the Acadia Parish Police Jury in regular session duly convened this 15th day of March, 2005, does hereby retain the services of Louisiana Testing and Inspection, Inc., to provide quality control services during construction of the Parish Correctional and Law Enforcement Centers.
ADOPTED: MARCH 15, 2005
ATTEST:
/s/ Katry Martin /s/ Cecelia S. Broussard
KATRY MARTIN CECELIA S. BROUSSARD
SECRETARY-TREASURER PRESIDENT
RESOLUTION
BY MESSRS: A J CREDEUR AND FELTON MOREAU
BE IT RESOLVED: by the Acadia Parish Police Jury in regular session duly convened this 15th day of March, 2005, does hereby empower, authorize and direct the President to execute on behalf of the Parish a Property Lease for agricultural purposes to Matthew Lambousy, resident of Acadia Parish, approximately 15.6 acres situated in Section 37, Township 10 South, Range 1 East, Acadia Parish, LA.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary be authorized to advertise for future lease of said tract for farming purposes.
ADOPTED: MARCH 15, 2005
ATTEST:
/s/ Katry Martin /s/ Cecelia S. Broussard
KATRY MARTIN CECELIA S. BROUSSARD
SECRETARY-TREASURER PRESIDENT
PUBLIC WORKS/ROAD & BRIDGE
RESOLUTION
BY MESSRS: FELTON MOREAU AND A J CREDEUR
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Department of Transportation under the Federal Off-System Bridge Rehabilitation Program funded improvements to the bridge located on Roller Road State Project No. 713-01-0113, and
WHEREAS, a final inspection of the project was conducted on August 16, 2004, with representatives of the Police Jury in attendance, and
WHEREAS, all conditions set forth in the plans and specifications were completed and all issues regarding adjacent property owners were resolved.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Acadia Parish Police Jury in regular session duly convened on this the 15th day of March, 2005, does hereby accept, as complete, bridge improvements constructed on Roller Road SP #713-01-0113.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Police Jury hereby assumes future maintenance responsibilities of said bridge.
ADOPTED: MARCH 15, 2005
ATTEST:
/s/ Katry Martin /s/ Cecelia S. Broussard
KATRY MARTIN CECELIA S. BROUSSARD
SECRETARY-TREASURER PRESIDENT
A motion was offered by Mr. A. J. Credeur, seconded by Mr. Alton Stevenson, to approve the Emergency Work Report for the month of February, 2005. Said expenditures to be in the amount of $141.60. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION OF ACCEPTANCE
The following resolution was offered by Mr. Felton Moreau, duly seconded by Mr. A. J. Credeur, and duly resolved and adopted on March 15, 2005.
A resolution authorizing and directing the President to execute for and on behalf of the Acadia Parish Police Jury, an Act of Acceptance for E. B. Feucht & Sons, Inc., Contractor, pertaining to the substantial completion of the contract, Petry Road Bridge Repairs, in accordance with the plans and specifications contained in the contract documents pertaining thereto.
WHEREAS, E. B. Feucht & Sons, Inc., as Contractor, has substantially completed the Petry Road Bridge Repairs, in accordance with the plans and specifications contained in the contract documents pertaining thereto; and
WHEREAS, the Acadia Parish Police Jury desires to accept the completed work;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Acadia Parish Police Jury that the President of said Acadia Parish Police Jury be, and is hereby empowered, authorized and directed to execute an Act of Acceptance for and on behalf of the Acadia Parish Police Jury accepting the work as being substantially completed, and that she be authorized and directed to have a copy of said acceptance recorded in the Conveyance Records of the Parish of Acadia, State of Louisiana.
ADOPTED: MARCH 15, 2005
ATTEST:
/s/ Katry Martin /s/ Cecelia S. Broussard
KATRY MARTIN CECELIA S. BROUSSARD
SECRETARY-TREASURER PRESIDENT
A motion was offered by Mr. John Humble, Sr., seconded by Mr. Felton Moreau, to authorize the calling of a public hearing for April 19, 2005, at 6:30 P.M., in the Police Jury Meeting Room, to receive comments relative to the partial abandonment of Stanford Road in Midland. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION
BY MESSRS: A J CREDEUR AND FELTON MOREAU
BE IT RESOLVED: by the Acadia Parish Police Jury in regular session duly convened this 15th day of March, 2005, does hereby authorize the use of Vegetative Management Consultants, Inc., to provide roadside management consulting for fiscal year 2005.
YEAS: Alton Stevenson, A. J. Broussard, John Humble, Sr., Jimmie
Pellerin, A. J. Credeur, Cade Benoit and Felton Moreau.
NAYS: Cecelia Broussard.
ABSENT: None.
ADOPTED: MARCH 15, 2005
ATTEST:
/s/ Katry Martin /s/ Cecelia S. Broussard
KATRY MARTIN CECELIA S. BROUSSARD
SECRETARY-TREASURER PRESIDENT
RESOLUTION
BY MESSRS: A J CREDEUR AND CADE BENOIT
BE IT RESOLVED: by the Acadia Parish Police Jury in regular session duly convened this 15th day of March, 2005, does hereby authorize Aucoin & Associates to prepare plans and specifications to construct Parishwide patching improvements for 2005.
ADOPTED: MARCH 15, 2005
ATTEST:
/s/ Katry Martin /s/ Cecelia S. Broussard
KATRY MARTIN CECELIA S. BROUSSARD
SECRETARY-TREASURER PRESIDENT
Mrs. Earline Oliver, resident of the Egan area, raised questions relative to the use of Solid Waste Funds. She also commented on Intergovernmental Agreements with Drainage Districts for drainage improvements.
Legal Counsel Doug Wimberly offered brief comments relative to 1993 AG Opinions involving the installation and changing of culverts in Parish roadways.
Juror John Humble, Sr., expressed his concern over the legality of providing culverts for drainage improvements under private driveways.
The matter relative to the use of Landfill Equipment and drainage improvements was referred to Legal Counsel for review.
A motion was offered by Mr. Alton Stevenson, seconded by Mr. A. J. Broussard, to set all meeting times at 5:00 P.M. The following roll call vote was cast: Yeas: Alton Stevenson, A. J. Broussard, Cecelia Broussard. Nays: John Humble, Sr., Jimmie Pellerin, A. J. Credeur, Cade Benoit and Felton Moreau. Motion failed.
A motion was offered by Mr. Alton Stevenson, to change meeting times to 10:00 A.M. Motion died for lack of a second.
Warden Eby Henry, representing the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office, requested assistance with the soliciting of charitable donations on the busy highway intersections in the Parish. He explained that there were issues of safety and matters relative to complaints by local residents.
A motion was offered by Mr. A. J. Credeur, seconded by Mr. Felton Moreau, to authorize Legal Counsel to research the possibility of enacting legislation to regulate solicitation in public streets and roadways. Motion carried.
President Broussard shared concerns of residents in the Iota area by reading from a letter presented March 15, 2005. Harold & Diane Miller, residents of 399 Mamou Prairie Road, purchased land and built a home 23 years ago at that address. They indicated that approximately four years ago modifications to an irrigation pump near their home began to create problems with noise. They further indicated that the sound readings taken near the home while the pump engine was running showed to be well in excess of the levels set forth in the Parish’s Noise Ordinance. The Millers noted that the Sheriff, District Attorney and local Legislators were involved in the investigation. The Miller’s also stated that in November when the Police Jury changed the definition of Residential Districts in the Noise Ordinance they were no longer protected from the next door sound. The Millers requested that the recent change in the Ordinance be rescinded in order that they receive protection under the previous Ordinance.
Some members of the Jury have admitted to having communicated with the Millers relative to the Noise Ordinance.
Juror A. J. Broussard indicated that he offered the motion to enact the change in the Ordinance and suggested that the change be revisited.
A motion was offered by Mr. A. J. Broussard, seconded by Mr. John Humble, Sr., to authorize the calling of a public hearing for 6:00 P.M., on April 5, 2005, to receive comments on recent changes made to the Noise Ordinance by redefining a Residential District. Motion carried.
Juror Felton Moreau indicated that he had not been contacted by the Millers on the matter.
The Sales Tax Report was presented for the month of February, 2005. The report indicated a gross receipt of $464,649.56 an increase of $34,013.53 from February, 2004.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
The President reported on the recent grant audit held and commended Grant Writer Peggy Romero for a good job.
The Secretary announced the upcoming Leadership Excel Workshop on local government scheduled for March 16th and the April 5th social to be provided by Acadiana Ambulance.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING, THE MOTION WAS OFFERED DULY SECONDED, THAT THE MEETING ADJOURN UNTIL THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF APRIL 5, 2005, AT THE HOUR OF 6:30 P.M.
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