CROWLEY, LOUISIANA
MAY 2, 2006
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 Vice President, A. J. Broussard, presiding. At the request of the Vice 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
JIMMIE PELLERIN
A J CREDEUR
CADE BENOIT
FELTON MOREAUABSENT: CECELIA B. CHAMBERS
A motion was offered by Mr. John Humble, Sr., seconded by Mr. Jimmie Pellerin, to revise the agenda to consider a speed limit on Stage Coach Road, a resolution in support of railroad improvements in Mermentau and discussion on the Assistant Secretary-Treasurers’ position. Motion carried.
A motion was offered by Mr. John Humble, Sr., seconded by Mr. Jimmie Pellerin, to approve the Minutes of the April 18, 2006, Regular Police Jury Meeting. Motion carried with a descending vote cast by Juror Alton Stevenson.
Juror A. J. Broussard asked that the Minutes of April 18, 2006 be changed to show he abstained on the vote to hire an Assistant Secretary-Treasurer.
Legal Counsel advised that the minutes could not be altered.
COMMUNITY/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTRESOLUTION
BY MESSRS: JOHN HUMBLE AND JIMMIE PELLERIN
ENDORSEMENT RESOLUTION FOR A COMPANY TO PARTICIPATE
IN THE ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAMRESOLUTION STATING THE ACADIA PARISH POLICE JURY'S ENDORSEMENT OF WALGREEN LOUISIANA COMPANY INC., TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BENEFITS OF THE LOUISIANA ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Enterprise Zone act of 1981, Act 901 was enacted by the Louisiana State Legislature, and Act 337 was enacted by the 1982 Legislature, Act 433 was enacted by the 1987 Legislature and Act 581 was enacted by the 1995 Legislature, and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Enterprise Zone Program offers significant incentives for economic development to some of the most distressed areas in the Parish of Acadia,
andWHEREAS, the Louisiana Department of Economic Development designated Census Tract 9608 , Block Group 001 or Economic Development Zone in Acadia Parish as an "Enterprise Zone or Economic Development Zone" eligible based on enabling legislation (R.S.51.21.1787-1791),
andWHEREAS, the Acadia Parish Police Jury states this endorsement is in agreement with the Overall Economic Development Plan for the Parish of Acadia,
andWHEREAS, the attached Enterprise Zone map has been marked to show the location of the business being endorsed,
andWHEREAS, in accordance with the Louisiana Enterprise Zone Program requirements the Acadia Parish Police Jury agrees:
1. To participate in the enterprise zone program.
2. To assist the Department in evaluating progress made in any
enterprise zone within its jurisdiction.BE IT RESOLVED by the Acadia Parish Police Jury in due, regular and legal session convened this 2nd day of May, 2006, that Walgreen Louisiana Company, Inc., and their project, pharmacy and retail store, State Application #060332-0 is endorsed to participate in the Louisiana Enterprise Zone Program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any provision or item of this resolution or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this resolution which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items or applications and to this end the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared severable.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
YEAS: Alton Stevenson, A. J. Broussard, John Humble, Sr., Jimmie
Pellerin, A. J. Credeur, Cade Benoit and Felton Moreau.NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Cecelia B. Chambers.
ABSTAINED: None.
ADOPTED: MAY 2, 2006
ATTEST:
/s/ Katry Martin /s/ Cecelia B. Chambers
KATRY MARTIN CECELIA B. CHAMBERS
SECRETARY-TREASURER PRESIDENT
PERSONNEL
A motion was offered by Mr. Cade Benoit, seconded by Mr. Alton Stevenson, to approve the hiring of Ms. Amanda Augustus at the Community Clinic at $7.50 per hour provided all hiring requirements are met. Motion carried.
A motion was offered by Mr. Alton Stevenson, seconded by Mr. Felton Moreau, to promote Mrs. Kristi Faulk, RN, to full-time status at 32 hours per week with full-time benefits at a pay of $17.85 per hour and further authorize the hiring of Ms. Lisa McNeely as a part-time RN at a starting pay of $17.33 per hour at the Community Clinic provided all hiring requirements are met. Motion carried.
PUBLIC WORKS/ROAD & BRIDGE
Engineer Tim Mader proposed an agreement with the Jury to provide consulting associated with the new road improvement project that would result in a savings to the Jury. Mr. Mader suggested that the Secretary-Treasurer meet with he and Aucoin & Associates to determine an equitable arrangement between firms.
A motion was offered by Mr. Alton Stevenson, seconded by Mr. John Humble, Sr., to authorize payment for work done to Aucoin & Associates and to reallocate consulting work with Aucoin & Associates and Mader Engineering for the remainder of the major road improvements. The following roll call vote was cast: Yeas: Alton Stevenson and John Humble, Sr. Nays: A. J. Broussard, Jimmie Pellerin, A. J. Credeur, Cade Benoit and Felton Moreau. Motion failed.
SOLID WASTE/ENVIRONMENTAL
RESOLUTION
BY MESSRS: ALTON STEVENSON AND JIMMIE PELLERIN
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section III-D, Article 9-B (page 34) of the Contract for Collection and Disposal of Solid Waste between BFI and Acadia Parish Police Jury a comparative statement reflecting an increase in Base Residential Rate effective March 1, 2006 (Rate Modification Date) was presented, and
WHEREAS, calculation was provided to and inspected by Mr. L. Charles Abshire with Broussard, Poché, Lewis & Breaux as outlined in Article 9-B Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers for "all items" and "gasoline".
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Acadia Parish Police Jury in regular session duly convened on this the 2nd day of May, 2006, does hereby approve the new Residential Rate effective March 1, 2006, to be increased to $5.11 per service unit per month as provided.
ADOPTED: MAY 2, 2006
ATTEST:
/s/ Katry Martin /s/ Cecelia B. Chambers
KATRY MARTIN CECELIA B. CHAMBERS
SECRETARY-TREASURER PRESIDENT
ORDINANCE #911AN ORDINANCE MAKING IT UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON TO OPERATE OR DRIVE A MOTOR VEHICLE UPON STAGE COACH ROAD 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:
Stage Coach Road
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. John Humble, Sr., and seconded by Mr. Felton Moreau, 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., Jimmie
Pellerin, A. J. Credeur, Cade Benoit and Felton Moreau.NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Cecelia B. Chambers.
ADOPTED: MAY 2, 2006
ATTEST:
/s/ Katry Martin /s/ Cecelia B. Chambers
KATRY MARTIN CECELIA B. CHAMBERS
SECRETARY-TREASURER PRESIDENTRESOLUTION
BY MESSRS: JOHN HUMBLE AND A J CREDEUR
WHEREAS, considerable attention has been given to railroad safety throughout the State of Louisiana and in particular in Acadia Parish, and
WHEREAS, a recent accident involving an Amtrack Passenger Train and a truck sparked serious interest in local rail safety at the intersection of the BNSF Railroad and South 13th Street, Acadia Parish, and
WHEREAS, there exists extremely high volumes of both truck and vehicular traffic crossing at that major intersection, and
WHEREAS, the Acadia Parish Police Jury is undergoing a study to develop a comprehensive plan for rail safety improvements.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Acadia Parish Police Jury in regular session duly convened on this the 2nd day of May, 2006, does hereby strongly urged the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Railway Safety Division and the Burlington-Northern Santa Fe Railroad to provide funding and installation of protective cross bars including up-to-date safety lights at the intersection of South 13th Street, Acadia Parish and the Burlington-Northern Santa Fe Railroad.
ADOPTED: MAY 2, 2006
ATTEST:
/s/ Katry Martin /s/ Cecelia B. Chambers
KATRY MARTIN CECELIA B. CHAMBERS
SECRETARY-TREASURER PRESIDENTVice President Broussard commented on alleged conversations relative to Assistant Secretary-Treasurer interviews.
The Sales Tax Report was presented for the month of March, 2006. The report indicated a gross receipt of $562,137.91 an increase of $90,476.95 from March, 2005.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
The following letter was read as part of the official records:
Honorable Members:
Thank you for at least beginning the process of correcting the problems caused by violations of state law committed by individuals placing obstructions in Parish Road 5-99, also known as Huntington Street in Midland, La. Your attorney, Mr. Wimberly, has advised that the public is the owner and the street is being obstructed contrary to law. When Mr. Wimberly sent a demand letter to one of the violators, Ms. Kathy Quebodeaux, it resulted in the removal of the shack in the street fronting my house. Ms. Quebodeaux then indicated her contempt for the Police Jury by placing posted signs where the shack had stood, claiming that she owns that section of the street. She then proceeded to erect an above ground swimming pool and a large swing set in the street. Juror Humble has publicly stated that he will never vote to have this violation of state law corrected. But then, John Humble has demonstrated more than once that he considers himself above the law. John Humble, the great actor, should be on stage. He put on a great performance for you at a recent Police Jury meeting when he told you that should you vote to uphold the law in this case, it would make people as homeless as hurricane victims. Hog wash. No one has proposed dispossessing these people of their property. To comply with the law, Ms. Quebodeaux would simply have her house moved a few feet, clear of the Parish road, on to the property that she owns. The same applies to the small, movable items in the road. No big deal. When my mother first purchased property in Midland from the railroad, she located her home on the wrong lot. When a survey revealed the error she simply had her home moved a few feet on to the correct site. Mr. Borell would not have to move his house. Just clear the street of sheds and bird houses and move them on to his own yard. I own property fronting on Huntington Street, a Parish owned road. Because squatters have illegally taken possession of and obstructed one block of this street fronting my property, I am denied free access to my property. I am also denied access to proper drainage. This seriously effects my family’s quality of life and also impacts property values. I do not seek favored treatment. But I do demand equal protection under the law. Who among you, upon finding the street fronting your property blocked by squatters, would settle for less? It will be interesting to see how many of you Honorable Members have the courage to abide by your oath of office by voting to take action to correct this long standing violation of state law. /s/ Carla Coates
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 MAY 16, 2006, AT THE HOUR OF 6:30 P.M.
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