July 13, 2010

The Avoyelles Parish Police Jury met in regular session on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 6:30 PM in the Police Jury Meeting Room of the Parish Courthouse, Marksville, Louisiana with the following members present:

Larry Sayes, Mark Borrel, Louie Laborde, George Romano, Anthony Desselle, Francis Keller, Gary Plauche, Wade Ducote and George Mayeaux.



The meeting was called to order by President George M. Romano.

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America led by Anthony Desselle, followed by an opening prayer led by Francis Keller.

On motion by Louie Laborde, seconded by Gary Plauche, the

Avoyelles Parish Police Jury does hereby adopt the minutes of the Regular Meeting held June 8, 2010 as printed in the “Weekly News,” Official Journal of the Parish and mailed to all Jurors. Motion carried.

On motion by Francis Keller, seconded by George Mayeaux, the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury does hereby adopt the minutes of the Avoyelles Parish Commission of Tourism held on June 28, 2010.

Motion Carried.

President Romano announced upcoming meetings and events.

Kristen Dauzat, Kolder, Champagne, Slaven and Company, LLC presented a summary review of the audit report for the 2009 financial year. The report indicates a Police Jury Fund Balance of $5,698,469 as of December 31, 2009 which includes all accounts.

Representative Robert Johnson presented an overview of the 2009

Legislative Session.

President Romano reported on a public hearing held earlier

regarding the closing of a portion of Herbert Juneau Lane in which

there were no objections.

On motion by Mark Borrel, seconded by Wade Ducote, the Avoyelles

Parish Police Jury does hereby close approximately 400 feet

beginning at the cattle gap east of the levee to the end of Herbert

Juneau Lane. Motion carried.

President Romano reported on a public hearing held earlier

regarding decreasing the speed limit on a portion of River Road,

Fifth Road in which there were no objections.

On motion by Anthony Desselle, seconded by George Mayeaux, the

Avoyelles Parish Police Jury does hereby reduce the speed limit from

35 MPH to 15 MPH on River Road, Fifth Ward from the end of the

blacktop, east, for approximately one (1) mile. Motion carried.

Tammy Lucas, Permit Official, reported that the Planning

Commission recommends that Mr. Avrel Jeansonne be allowed to

convert his residential permit to a recreational permit provided

Homestead Exemption is not claimed on the structure, that he

complete and file the proper paperwork required and the structure

not be used as a permanent home. In addition, if the structure is

ever used as a permanent home or if Homestead Exemption if filed

on the property, the structure must comply with residential codes.

On motion by Gary Plauche, seconded by Wade Ducote, the Avoyelles

Parish Police Jury does hereby approve the conversion of Mr.

Jeansonne’s permit from residential to recreational provided all

conditions are met and maintained. Motion carried.

On motion by Mark Borrel, seconded by Wade Ducote, the Avoyelles

Parish Police Jury does hereby accept the low proposal of

$79,785.00 from Scallan Contractors to complete the Avoyelles

Interpretive Plaza project contingent upon the concurrence by the

State. Motion carried.

On motion by Anthony Desselle, seconded by Francis Keller, the

Avoyelles Parish Police Jury does hereby approve to enter into an

Intergovernmental Agreement with the Town of Mansura for

drainage work in Mon-Borde Subdivision and to grade Sewer Pond

Road. Motion carried.

George Mayeaux requested an item regarding an Intergovernmental

Agreement with the Town of Simmesport be added to the agenda.

On motion by Gary Plauche, seconded by Mark Borrel and with no

objection from the audience, the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury does

hereby approve to add the item to the agenda. Motion carried.

On motion by George Mayeaux, seconded by Louie Laborde, the

Avoyelles Parish Police Jury does hereby approve to enter into an

Intergovernmental Agreement with the Town of Simmesport to clean

four drainage ditches within town limits provided the town would be

responsible for obtaining any wetland permits that may be required.

Motion carried.

On motion by Anthony Desselle, seconded by Francis Keller, the

Avoyelles Parish Police Jury does hereby authorize President

Romano to execute the agreement with Kisatchie Delta for the

completion of the Avoyelles Parish Hazard Mitigation Plan update.

Motion carried.

On motion by Francis Keller, seconded by Wade Ducote, the

Avoyelles Parish Police Jury does hereby adopt the Council on Aging

Resolution for Application for Rural Public Transit Operating/Capital

Assistance. Motion carried.

On motion by Francis Keller, seconded by Anthony Desselle, the

Avoyelles Parish Police Jury does hereby authorize President

Romano to execute an agreement with DOTD for the Public

Transportation Capital Assistance Program for the Council on Aging.

Motion carried.

Francis Keller requested an item regarding an Intergovernmental

Agreement with the Town of Evergreen. On motion by Francis

Keller, seconded by Wade Ducote and with no objection from the

audience, the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury does hereby approve to

add the item to the agenda. Motion carried.

On motion by Francis Keller, seconded by Wade Ducote, the

Avoyelles Parish Police Jury does hereby approve to enter into an

Intergovernmental Agreement with the Town of Evergreen to clean a

drainage canal. Motion carried.

On motion by Larry Sayes, seconded by Louie Laborde, the Avoyelles

Parish Police Jury does hereby approve to place the Millage Renewal

Election for Southwest Avoyelles Waterworks District on the

November 2, 2010 ballot. Motion carried.

On motion by Louie Laborde, seconded by Larry Sayes, the Avoyelles

Parish Police Jury does hereby appoint Mr. “Woody” Reed to the

Avoyelles Commission of Tourism for the unexpired term of Mrs.

Sherian Reed. Motion carried.

On motion by Wade Ducote, seconded by Francis Keller, the

Avoyelles Parish Police Jury does hereby approve to request an

Attorney General opinion regarding the installation of culverts on

private property for a fee of $50. Motion carried.

On motion by Larry Sayes, seconded by Mark Borrel, the Avoyelles

Parish Police Jury does hereby approve to increase the Avoyelles

Veterans Affairs Office budget by $168 per year. Motion carried.

Wade Ducote discussed a motion passed at the June 8, 2010 meeting

regarding accepting Emeline Road into the Parish road system. The

item was tabled to obtain further information and clarify legal

counsel advice.

Wade Ducote discussed the current policy in place regarding

Courthouse employees’ work hours and lunch breaks. On motion by

Larry Sayes, seconded by Mark Borrel, the Avoyelles Parish Police

Jury does hereby approve to maintain the current policy with the

following vote:

Yea: Larry Sayes, Mark Borrel, Louie Laborde, George Romano,

Anthony Desselle, Gary Plauche, George Mayeaux

Nay: Wade Ducote, Francis Keller

Terryl St. Romain, Parish Superintendent, discussed requesting

assistance from Rapides Parish in the eradication of beaver dams in

the Parish using explosives. After Jury discussion, Francis Keller

requested that pricing information be obtained before a decision is

made.

Committee Reports

Road/Bridge:

On motion by George Mayeaux, seconded by Larry Sayes, the

Avoyelles Parish Police Jury does hereby approve to hire Myron

Wilkerson as a beaver trapper. Motion carried.

On motion by George Mayeaux, seconded by Gary Plauche, the

Avoyelles Parish Police Jury does hereby approve to purchase a

utility truck at the cost of $4,500. Motion carried.



Finance:

On motion by Larry Sayes, seconded by George Mayeaux, the

Avoyelles Parish Police Jury does hereby approve to change the

payroll periods so payroll checks are issued after the payroll period

has ended as recommended by Kristin Dauzat, Auditor. Motion

carried.

On motion by Larry Sayes, seconded by Louie Laborde, the Avoyelles

Parish Police Jury does hereby approve to release employee payroll

checks at the end of the working day and that payroll checks be

distributed by the Supervisors as recommended by Kristin Dauzat,

Auditor. Motion carried.

On motion by Gary Plauche, seconded by Louie Laborde, the

Avoyelles Parish Police Jury does hereby approve the resolution to

advertise to accept bids for the renovation of the Moreauville

Evacuation/Community Center. Motion carried.

On motion by Anthony Desselle, seconded by Francis Keller, the

Avoyelles Parish Police Jury does hereby grant authority to the

Secretary-Treasurer to pay all bills and to waive a reading of the

whole. Motion carried.

There being no further business, on motion by Anthony Desselle,

seconded by Francis Keller, the meeting adjourned. Motion carried.

________________________ _________________________

George M. Romano Tina R. Lemoine

President Secretary-Treasurer