CROWLEY, LOUISIANA
MAY 18, 2004
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 led by the Notre Dame Lady Pioneers Softball Team. 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. A. J. Credeur, seconded by Mr. Jimmie Pellerin, to amend the agenda to consider discussion on Economic Development Funding, appointment to the Planning Commission, repairs to the bridge on Vie Terre Beau Road and to receive an update on the Parish Emergency Declaration relative to the recent floods. Motion carried.
A motion was offered by Mr. Jimmie Pellerin, seconded by Mr. Alton Stevenson, to approve the Minutes of the April 29, 2004, Special Police Jury Meeting and the May 4, 2004, Regular Police Jury Meeting. Motion carried.
The Parish President recognized the Notre Dame Lady Pioneers High School Softball State Champions. Participants were presented copies of a Resolution of recognition.
The following Resolution was offered:
RESOLUTION
BY MESSRS: ALTON STEVENSON AND A J BROUSSARD
WHEREAS, the Notre Dame High School Lady Pioneers were successful in their bid to capture the State AAA High School Softball Championship, and
WHEREAS, residents of the Parish of Acadia and surrounding Parishes were in full support of the courageous efforts of the Notre Dame Lady Pioneers, and
WHEREAS, as a result of their dedication, courage, hard work and sportsmanship the participating youths, coaches, parents and friends garnished the title of State Class AAA High School Softball Championship.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Acadia Parish Police Jury in regular session duly convened on this the 18th day of May, 2004, does hereby acknowledge, congratulate and commend the team members, parents, coaches, staff, friends and supporters of the Notre Dame High School Lady Pioneers for their successful season and profound achievements.
ADOPTED: MAY 18, 2004
ATTEST:
/s/ Katry Martin /s/ Cecelia S. Broussard
KATRY MARTIN CECELIA S. BROUSSARD
SECRETARY-TREASURER PRESIDENT
APPOINTMENTS
RESOLUTION
BY MESSRS: FELTON MOREAU AND A J BROUSSARD
BE IT RESOLVED: by the Acadia Parish Police Jury in regular session duly convened this 18th day of May, 2004, does hereby appoint MR. TROY LANTZ to fill the unexpired term of MR. JOHN LEONARDS to the Iota Long-Point Gravity Drainage District.
ADOPTED: MAY 18, 2004
ATTEST:
/s/ Katry Martin /s/ Cecelia S. Broussard
KATRY MARTIN CECELIA S. BROUSSARD
SECRETARY-TREASURER PRESIDENT
MOSQUITO CONTROL
RESOLUTION
BY MESSRS: JOHN HUMBLE SR AND ALTON STEVENSON
BE IT RESOLVED: by the Acadia Parish Police Jury in regular session duly convened this 18th day of May, 2004, does hereby empower, authorize & direct the President to execute a contract with T & M Aviation for aerial insecticide services at a hourly rate of $1,195.00.
ADOPTED: MAY 18, 2004
ATTEST:
/s/ Katry Martin /s/ Cecelia S. Broussard
KATRY MARTIN CECELIA S. BROUSSARD
SECRETARY-TREASURER PRESIDENT
PERSONNEL
A motion was offered by Mr. Cade Benoit, seconded by Mr. Alton Stevenson, to concur with the Road Manager’s decision to reassign Mr. Michael Boudreaux from his position as Herbicide Applicator to Equipment Operator. Motion carried with one opposing vote Mr. Jimmie Pellerin.
Juror A. J. Broussard and President Broussard acknowledged their preference to having licensed employees applying roadside chemicals.
Mr. Michael Boudreaux’s request for an executive session relative to other personnel matters was referred to the Personnel Committee.
PUBLIC FACILITIES/BUILDING & GROUNDS
Legal Counsel André Doguet explained the conditions of the proposed sale of Industrial Park Property to Interco Tire Co. He suggested that the matter be presented at the next meeting.
No action was taken.
PUBLIC SAFETY
RESOLUTION
BY MESSRS: JOHN HUMBLE SR AND FELTON MOREAU
BE IT RESOLVED: by the Acadia Parish Police Jury in regular session duly convened this 18th day of May, 2004, does hereby authorize the President to execute an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Village of Estherwood to provide animal control.
ADOPTED: MAY 18, 2004
ATTEST:
/s/ Katry Martin /s/ Cecelia S. Broussard
KATRY MARTIN CECELIA S. BROUSSARD
SECRETARY-TREASURER PRESIDENT
Director of Emergency Preparedness John Quebodeaux reported on the state of the Parish following the recent heavy rains. Mr. Quebodeaux noted the rainfall amounts throughout the Parish ranged from a high of 23.2 inches to a low of 5.13 inches. An estimated 100 homes were inundated with water. Representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Red Cross would be in the area to access damages.
PUBLIC WORKS/ROAD & BRIDGE
RESOLUTION
BY MESSRS: A J CREDEUR AND JIMMIE PELLERIN
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Department of Transportation under the Federal Off-System Bridge Rehabilitation Program funded improvements to the bridge located on Tanner Road State Project No. 713-01-0114, and
WHEREAS, a final inspection of the project was conducted on May 10th 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 18th day of May, 2004, does hereby accept, as complete, bridge improvements constructed on Tanner Road SP #713-01-0114.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Police Jury hereby assumes future maintenance responsibilities of said bridge.
ADOPTED: MAY 18, 2004
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 18th day of May, 2004, does hereby authorize Mader Engineering to survey the drainage conditions along Uniform Road.
ADOPTED: MAY 18, 2004
ATTEST:
/s/ Katry Martin /s/ Cecelia S. Broussard
KATRY MARTIN CECELIA S. BROUSSARD
SECRETARY-TREASURER PRESIDENT
ORDINANCE #871
AN ORDINANCE MAKING IT UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON
TO OPERATE OR DRIVE A MOTOR VEHICLE UPON COTEAU
ROAD (PARISH ROAD 7-102) IN ACADIA PARISH,
LOUISIANA, AT A SPEED IN EXCESS OF TWENTY-FIVE
MILES PER HOUR, AND, PROVIDING FOR THE PENALTIES
FOR THE VIOLATION THEREOF.
SECTION 1. BE IT ORDAINED by the Police Jury of Acadia Parish, Louisiana, that it shall be unlawful for any person to operate or drive a motor vehicle in excess of twenty-five miles per hour on the following described Parish Road:
Coteau Road (Parish Road 7-102)
SECTION 2. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that any person found guilty of operating or driving a motor vehicle in excess of twenty-five miles per hour on the Parish road described above, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction therefore, shall be fined not more than Fifty Dollars ($50) or be imprisoned not more than ten (10) days or both.
SECTION 3. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that any laws or parts of laws in conflict are hereby repealed.
The Ordinance was offered by Mr. Felton Moreau, and seconded by Mr. A. J. Credeur, after being read and considered section by section, was adopted as a whole by the following vote:
YEAS: Alton Stevenson, A. J. Broussard, John Humble, Sr., Cecelia
Broussard, Jimmie Pellerin, A. J. Credeur, Thomas Benoit and
Felton Moreau.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
ADOPTED: MAY 18, 2004
ATTEST:
/s/ Katry Martin /s/ Cecelia S. Broussard
KATRY MARTIN CECELIA S. BROUSSARD
SECRETARY-TREASURER PRESIDENT
SOLID WASTE/ENVIRONMENTAL
RESOLUTION OF TERMINATION
The following resolution was offered by Mr. John Humble, Sr., duly seconded by Mr. A. J. Broussard, and duly resolved and adopted on May 18, 2004.
A resolution authorizing and directing the President to execute for and on behalf of the Acadia Parish Police Jury, a Notice of Termination from Shaw EMCON/OWT, Inc., Contractor, pertaining to the completion of the contract for “Tier 2 Air Sampling” in accordance with the plans and specifications contained in the contract documents pertaining thereto.
WHEREAS, Shaw EMCON/OWT, Inc., as Contractor, has substantially completed the “Tier 2 Air Sampling” 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 a Notice of Termination for and on behalf of the Acadia Parish Police Jury accepting the work as being substantially completed, and that he 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: MAY 18, 2004
ATTEST:
/s/ Katry Martin /s/ Cecelia S. Broussard
KATRY MARTIN CECELIA S. BROUSSARD
SECRETARY-TREASURER PRESIDENT
LITIGATION
A motion was offered by Mr. A. J. Credeur, and A. J. Broussard, to adjourn into executive session to consider matter relative to pending litigation with the following members of the Acadia-St. Landry Hospital Board of Directors: Paul Matte, Francis Mouillé and Marilyn Scott, Docket #81,710. The following roll call vote was cast: Yeas: A. J. Broussard, Jimmie Pellerin, A. J. Credeur, Cade Benoit, Felton Moreau and Cecelia Broussard. Nays: Alton Stevenson and John Humble, Sr. Motion carried.
Although majority roll call vote favored adjourning into executive session the Jury, on advice of Legal Counsel, did not adjourn into executive session and addressed all issues relative to the pending litigation in open session.
Special Counsel Doug Wimberly reported that based on information submitted to the Jury on previous occasions there does exist sufficient cause to remove one or more of the Commissioners from the Acadia-St. Landry Hospital Board.
Mr. Wimberly stated that Commissioners of the Hospital Board violated Louisiana’s Open Meetings Law by conducting phone votes and secret meetings. He also indicated that Commissioners of the Hospital Board have engaged in a pattern of behavior in violation of the laws governing hospital service districts including the refusal to discuss decisions regarding Critical Access with members of the Police Jury and/or preventing Jurors from attending executive sessions. He further said the Board engaged in repeated efforts to stall Critical Access despite an ever mounting financial loss, a pattern of behavior that has weakened the public’s trust and the ability of the board to manage the Hospital.
A motion was offered by Mr. Alton Stevenson, seconded by Mr. A. J. Credeur, does hereby rescind appointments of Mr. Paul Matte and Ms. Marilyn Scott to the Acadia-St. Landry Hospital Board of Commissioners.
Attorney for the members of the board Mr. Lee Wimberly responded to the claims relative to the cause for removal of the board members. He reminded of the statute governing violations to the open meetings law.
Mr. Wimberly also commented on the alleged breach of confidentiality relative to pass executive sessions of the hospital board where members of the Police Jury were in attendance.
President Broussard revealed suggestions made from research that she had conducted. She encouraged the change in the hospital board and the re-designation of the hospital to Critical Access.
Dr. Hargroder, a Church Point Physician, explained emergency room procedures to the Jury.
Juror John Humble, Sr., expressed his concern over the possibility of losing jobs should the physc unit at the hospital close.
Additional comments were received by others in attendance.
The following roll call vote was cast on the motion:
Yeas: Alton Stevenson, Cecelia Broussard, A. J. Credeur, Cade Benoit
and Felton Moreau.
Nays: John Humble, Sr. and Jimmie Pellerin.
Abstained: A. J. Broussard.
A two-third vote of the membership was required. Motion failed.
A motion was offered by Mr. A. J. Credeur, seconded by Mr. John Humble, Sr., to authorize the Secretary to solicit resumes for the position of Legal Counsel for the Police Jury. Motion carried.
The President presented a request made by the Acadia Economic Development Corporation for funding for Fiscal Year 2004.
Juror John Humble, Sr., strongly urged members to delay funding for economic development until the jail expansion project was complete.
A motion was offered by Mr. A. J. Credeur, seconded by Mr. A. J. Broussard, to provide $15,000.00 per quarter to the Acadia Economic Development Corporation for economic development services. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION
BY MESSRS: JOHN HUMBLE SR AND A J CREDEUR
BE IT RESOLVED: by the Acadia Parish Police Jury in regular session duly convened this 18th day of May, 2004, does hereby appoint MR. BLANE FAULK to the Acadia Parish Planning Commission to fill the unexpired term of Mrs. Florette Bergeron effective May, 2004.
ADOPTED: MAY 18, 2004
ATTEST:
/s/ Katry Martin /s/ Cecelia S. Broussard
KATRY MARTIN CECELIA S. BROUSSARD
SECRETARY-TREASURER PRESIDENT
A motion was offered by Mr. Felton Moreau, seconded by Mr. John Humble, Sr., to authorize the Parish Engineer to prepare plans and solicit bids to repair the bridge on Vie Terre Beau Road and further authorize an amendment to the Bridge Construction Budget in the amount of $72,000.00 to cover the needed costs of said repair. Motion carried.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
The Secretary announced the awards of $52,000.00 of Rural Development Grant Funds from the Governors Office for fire protection and drainage improvements throughout the Parish.
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 JUNE 1, 2004, AT THE HOUR OF 6:30 P.M.
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