JACKSON PARISH POLICE JURY SPECIAL SESSION MEETING MINUTES
The Jackson Parish Police Jury met in Special Session, Friday, October 30, 2020 at 12:00 PM in the Police Jury Meeting Room of the Jackson Parish Courthouse, 500 E. Court Street, Room 301, Jonesboro, Louisiana. Members present: Mr. Todd Culpepper, Ms. Amy Magee, Ms. Tarneshala Cowans, Ms. Regina Rowe, and Mr. Lynn Treadway. Absent: Mr. Lewis Chatham and Mr. John McCarty.
The meeting was called to order by the President, Ms. Magee. Mr. Culpepper gave the invocation and Mr. Treadway led in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
There were no public comments.
The Jury discussed the 2020 Veterans Event. Ms. Cowans arrived at the meeting. Ms. Rowe stated that she had talked to veterans in her district and they had concerns about an event in the midst of a pandemic. They Jury discussed the rising cases of COVID-19 in Jackson Parish. Ms. Magee stated that most of the local veterans are in the high-risk age group. No action was taken for the 2020 event.
Motion Ms. Cowans, seconded Ms. Rowe to enter into Executive Session to discuss the Office of Emergency Preparedness Director and the pending litigation vs. Giambrone. Motion carried unanimously. Motion Mr. Culpepper, seconded Ms. Rowe to exit Executive Session with no action being taken. Motion carried.
Motion Ms. Rowe, seconded Mr. Treadway to re-classify Mr. Mark Treadway as a salaried Police Jury employee effective immediately with his pay remaining unchanged and to modify the current EMPG grant to request reimbursement for the items needed to set up a new Emergency Operating Center (EOC) at the Police Jury Administrative Building. Motion carried with Mr. Culpepper voting “Nay” due to his request that the Police Jury receive written notification from GOHSEP that the changes would be approved.
Motion Mr. Culpepper, seconded Ms. Rowe to affirm the settlement offer of the pending litigation with Ms. Giambrone with the request that the insurance agency try to negotiate a reduced amount. Motion carried.
Motion Ms. Cowans, seconded Mr. Culpepper to adjourn. Motion carried.
Jackson Parish Police Jury Operations Committee meeting minutes
The Operations Committee met Thursday, October 29, 2020 at 2:00 PM in the Police Jury Meeting Room of the Jackson Parish Courthouse, 500 E. Court Street, Room 301, Jonesboro, Louisiana. Members present: Ms. Amy Magee, Mr. Lewis Chatham, and Mr. Lynn Treadway. Absent: none. Also in attendance: Mr. Robin Sessions, Solid Waste Superintendent.
The meeting was called to order by the Chair, Ms. Magee. Mr. Treadway gave the invocation and Mr. Chatham led in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
There were no public comments.
The Committee reviewed the proposed agreement with Union Parish for dumping fees. Ms. Magee stated that they kept the cost per ton the same as 2020 and there were no other changes from the existing contract. Mr. Treadway stated the contract is for 3 years with a two year extension. Motion Mr. Treadway, seconded Mr. Chatham to recommend the Jury authorize the President to execute the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Union Parish for dumping fees. Motion carried.
The Committee reviewed the recommendations from the Finance Committee. Ms. Magee stated that she would like to see the Finance Committee meeting with the municipalities as soon as possible so that all involved parties understand the financial impacts of the department programs.
Motion Mr. Treadway, seconded Mr. Chatham to adjourn. Motion carried.
Jackson Parish Police Jury Business Session Meeting Minutes
The Jackson Parish Police Jury met in Business Session Monday, November 2, 2020 at 5:15 PM at the Dr. Charles H. Garrett Community Center, Jonesboro, Louisiana. Members present: Ms. Amy Magee, Mr. John McCarty, and Mr. Lynn Treadway. Absent: Mr. Todd Culpepper, Mr. Lewis Chatham, Ms. Tarneshala Cowans, and Ms. Regina Rowe. Also in attendance: Mr. Darrell Avery, Assistant D.A.
There being no quorum, no action was taken for the meeting, but the members present proceeded with the following discussion:
The meeting was called to order by the President, Ms. Magee. Mr. Treadway gave the invocation and Mr. McCarty led in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
There were no public comments.
The President invited Mr. Chad Parker with Inspections Unlimited to present to the Police Jury regarding the building permit process in Jackson Parish.
Mr. Parker explained his role as Certified Building Official for Jackson Parish. He updated the Jury on issues with other inspectors in the parish not following the state regulations according to the Uniform Building Code. He requested that the Jury amend the Building Code Ordinance to include a section that states that any inspector found to be in violation of the state uniform building code three times (including for error or falsifying a document), they will no longer be allowed to inspect in Jackson Parish. The President thanked Mr. Parker for sharing the information and requested that the amendment be presented to the Policy & Personnel Committee.
The President called for Committee Reports.
Ms. Magee, Chairman of the Operations Committee, provided a summary of the October 21st and 29th meetings.
The Jury reviewed the Committee recommendations for Canard, Ironwood, Mary West, Burney, Culpepper, Cypress Branch, Bill Cole Loop, Branch Creek, Tree Lane, Jade, and Thunder roads. No changes were made to these recommendations.
The Jury reviewed the 2021-2023 Road Priority Lists with no changes or comments.
The Jury reviewed the schedule for traffic counters to be used for one week on all parish roads over the next three years.
The Jury reviewed the information regarding debris cleanup on private roads and discussed the new information from FEMA regarding the 100% match for 30 days of the cleanup.
The Jury reviewed the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Union Parish for dumping fees. Ms. Magee noted that they did not increase their prices.
The Secretary-Treasurer gave a summary of the October 22nd and 29th Finance Committee meetings.
The Secretary-Treasurer reviewed the proposed budgets for the Road, Asphalt, Sales Tax, and Current Year Road Project funds.
The Jury reviewed the proposed 2020 Recreation Department budget and the proposed 2020 Library budget.
The Jury reviewed the recommendations regarding the Solid Waste Department.
The Secretary-Treasurer stated that the bonding attorney confirmed that the Police Jury has authority to levy an additional 1% sales tax if approved through an election.
With the conclusion of Committee Reports, the President moved on to Continued Business.
The Jury reviewed the status of committee assignments. Ms. Magee requested that the Policy & Personnel Committee meet to review the Building Code Ordinance, the Personnel Policy, the Sandbag Policy, the Setup Policy, the Community Center Rental Contract, and the Municode ordinance review.
The Jury reviewed the nominees and actions needed for parish board appointments.
The President moved to New Business.
The Jury reviewed the letter of request from the School Board for labor and equipment to make repairs for the Quitman parking lot.
The President opened the floor for discussion of other topics.
The President opened the floor for announcements and notifications.
Ms. Magee announced that due to the current rise in COVID cases in Jackson Parish and because of the safety concerns for the high-risk age group of most veterans, the Police Jury would not be hosting their annual Veterans Event this year.
Ms. Magee announced that the Police Jury will host a Disaster Recovery Event for the Solid Waste, Road, Maintenance, and Administration departments on December 2nd and they will have a speaker to discuss actions, mindsets, and attitudes during disasters.
Ms. Magee requested that Mr. Sessions gather comparison pricing for commercial garbage fees so that they can send the information in a notice to the customers.
Mr. McCarty stated that he would like to get a head start for 2021 for cleanup programs for the parish.
Ms. Magee announced that DEQ had visited the Jackson Parish Landfill and that the regional director stated he would like to use our landfill as a model C&D landfill for the state.
Motion Mr. McCarty, seconded Mr. Treadway to adjourn. Motion carried.
Town of Jonesboro Board of Alderman Meeting Minutes
Thursday, October 15, 2020
Call of order: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Leslie Thompson at 11 A. M.
Roll Call: Johnson-Present, Flowers-Present, Ginn-Present, Siadek-Absent, and Stringer-Present.
Invocation was conducted by Ginn. Pledge of Allegiance was conducted by Stringer.
Public Comments: There were no comments made.
Adoption of Ordinance #2020-012: Flowers made a motion to adopt Ordinance #2020-012, Ginn seconded. After brief discussion a vote was taken. Johnson-Yes, Ginn-No, Stringer-Yes, and Flowers-Yes. Motion carried.
705 Leon Dr.: Mayor Thompson read over the lawsuit regarding 705 Leon Dr. and the settlement the Town had made. James Bradford came forward and expressed his concerns with this matter. Johnson asked the Town Attorney many questions about the lawsuit. The Town Attorney gave his opinion to the Council and the Mayor as to what the Town should do next in this matter.
Council Comments: Comments were expressed.
Mayor Comments: Comments were expressed.
Adjournment: Flowers made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Stringer. Motion carried.
Town of Jonesboro Board of Alderman Meeting Minutes
Thursday, October 13, 2020
Call of order: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Leslie Thompson at 5:45 P.M for the public hearing. Roll Call: Johnson-Present, Flowers-Present, Ginn-Present, Siadek-Present, and Stringer-Present.
Invocation was conducted by Flowers. Pledge of Allegiance was conducted by Stringer.
Ordinance #2020-012 Hazard/Comp. Pay Salary Employees’: Mayor Thompson read the Ordinance to inform the public. There were no comments made regarding the ordinance.
Mayor Thompson called the regular meeting to order at 6 P.M.
Public Comments: There were no comments made.
Katrina Branson briefly went over all the programs and events that the new Out Reach Center on Leon Drive would be offering the town.
Presentation: Johnson presented Ciera Murphy with a “Life Saving” award. She received this award for her life saving measures she showed during a shooting in August.
Approval of September 8th and 17th minutes: Flowers made a motion to approve the minutes for September 8th and 17th, seconded by Johnson. Motion carried.
Approval of September Bills: Stringer made a motion to approve September bills, seconded by Flowers. Motion carried.
Approval of September Financials: A motion by Stringer was made to approve September financials, seconded by Flowers. Motion carried.
Mayor’s update: Mayor Thompson discussed burning of abandoned houses, Christmas lights, the lawsuit with 705 Leon Drive, and the zoning issue with 705 Leon Drive.
Department head reports: Police Chief Harris, Public works director Mr. Wortham, and Fire Chief Brown gave updates on each department.
Police-Resignations: Chief Harris informed the Council that two of his officers had resigned: Dustin Davis and Warren Johnson.
Police-New Hire: Chief Harris said at this time he has not found a new hire.
Approval of Department head reports: Flowers made a motion to approve the reports given, seconded by Siadek.
Adoption of Ordinance #2020-012: Flowers made a motion to table Ordinance #2020-012 until the Town Attorney could further his research into this matter.
Resolution #2020-024 DOTD: Flowers made a motion to adopt Resolution #2020-024 DOTD, Ginn seconded. Motion carried.
Burning of abandoned houses/operation Clean-up: The Town Attorney explained in depth the procedure per the Town ordinance, as to which the Town will have to follow in regards to assessing and burning abandoned houses.
Council Comments: Comments were expressed.
Mayor Comments: Comments were expressed.
Adjournment: Flowers made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ginn. Motion carried.