St. Landry Parish Council agenda

AGENDA
ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 18, 2015 @ 6:00 P.M.
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W. BELLEVUE ST.
OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & INVOCATION
By Councilman Hurlin Dupre

III. ROLL CALL

IV. CONDOLENCES

V. PERSONS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL
• Erica Williams; Red Cross Presentation of a Proclamation
• Connie Castille; Teche Program

VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Regular Meeting: Special Meeting:
February 19, 2015 February 11, 2015
March 4, 2015

VII. PARISH PRESIDENT’S REPORT

VIII. NEW BUSINESS:
*Items passed through committee.

• Accept as Substantially Complete Parishwide Drainage Improvement (Area 6) Project #49PARA3401 relative to the Gustav/Ike Disaster Relief Program and authorize the Parish President to sign all documents associated with the substantial completion.

• Vote on one appointment to Fire District No. 3 to fulfill the remaining term of Pamela Jackson; set to expire 01-01-2016. Applicants are Eddie Thibodeaux and Wilfred Kinnerson Jr.

• Vote on two appointments to Ward Two Gravity Drainage District No. 1. This is a four year term from 03-05-2015 to 03-05-2019. Seeking reappointment Ronald Dugas and Robert Fox. New applicant is Joseph Burleigh.

• Discuss the enforcement of stricter penalties for damaging roads in St. Landry Parish.

• Request Parish Administration place Longwood Drive on list to have asphalt laid and paid out of Road District 1 of 11A fund.

• Discuss enhancing the Parish Ordinance regarding salvage yards in St. Landry Parish.

• Authorize Council Clerks to advertise for one appointment to the St. Landry Economic Development (SLED) to serve a three year term from 12-31-2014 to 12-31-2017.

• Request Parish President Bill Fontenot submit an applicant for an appointment to the St. Landry Parish Communications District E-911. This appointment is held by St. Landry Parish Government representative.

• Request Parish President Bill Fontenot to provide a list of all donations made to the Delta Grand.

• Request Parish President Bill Fontenot to provide a list of all employees and professional fees that are paid out of the St. Landry Parish Historical Development District Fund No. 1.

• Request Parish Administration itemize in the budget the St. Landry Parish Historical Development District Fund No. 1.

• Increase the salary of Council Clerk Laycie Alfred by $2.00 more an hour.

IX. SPECIAL BUSINESS:
*Items not passed through committee.

• Authorize Council Clerks to advertise for one appointment to the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission to fulfill the remaining term of Linda Taylor who has resigned. The term expires 2-19-2016.

X. ORDINANCES TO BE INTRODUCED:

None.

XI. ORDINANCES TO BE ADOPTED:

None.

XII. RESOLUTIONS TO BE ADOPTED:

• RESOLUTION NO. 2015-001
A resolution authorizing the President to execute an Agreement with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) for improvements at the St. Landry Parish Ahart Field Airport.

WHEREAS, Act 451 of the 1989 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature authorized the financing of certain airport improvements from funds appropriated from the Transportation Trust Fund; and

WHEREAS, the St. Landry Parish Government has requested funding assistance from the LA DOTD to rehabilitate the mandatory signage system at the airport; and

WHEREAS, the stated project has been approved by the Louisiana Legislature and the LA DOTD is agreeable to the implementation of this project and desires to cooperate with the St. Landry Parish Government according to the terms and conditions identified in the attached Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the LA DOTD will provide the necessary funding for the rehabilitation of the mandatory signage system at the airport and reimburse the sponsor up to $50,000.00 of project cost.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the St. Landry Parish Government that it does hereby authorize the President to execute an Agreement for the project identified as SPN H.011432, more fully identified in the Agreement attached hereto, and to execute any subsequent related documents, including, but not limited to, amendments to said agreement.

This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption.

• RESOLUTION NO. 2015-002
BE IT RESOLVED, that the following millage(s) are hereby adopted on the 2015 tax roll on all property subject to taxation by St. Landry Parish Council:

MILLAGES

General Alimony 3.780 mills
Exempted Municipalities 1.890 mills
Health Units 2.170 mills
Road Dist No 11A Sub 2 8.390 mills
Road Dist No 1 Ward 3 10.300 mills
Road Dist No 3 Wd 1 Sub 1 9.570 mills
Road Dist No 12 Ward 2 5.070 mills
Road Dist No 11A Sub 1 9.560 mills
Jail Parish Wide 1.000 mills

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the proper administrative officials of the Parish of St. Landry, State of Louisiana, be and they are hereby empowered, authorized, and directed to spread said taxes, as hereinabove set forth, upon the assessment roll of said Parish for the year 2015, and to make the collection of the taxes imposed for and on behalf of the taxing authority, according to law, and that the taxes herein levied shall become a permanent lien and privilege on all property subject to taxation as herein set forth, and collection thereof shall be enforceable in the manner provided by law.

XIII. COMMITTEE MINUTES

ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY MARCH 4, 2015 @ 6:00 P.M.
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W BELLVUE ST
OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA

MINUTES
The meeting was called to order by Councilman Ronald Buschel in the absence of Public Works Chairman Gary Courville.

Roll call: PRESENT: Jerry Red, Fekisha Miller Matthews, Ronald Buschel, Timmy Lejeune, Dexter Brown and Leon Robinson, EX-Officio
ABSENT: Gary Courville

• Person to address the Committee:
• Jason Meche; 166 Santa Marie Drive, Opelousas; addressed the committee regarding Royal Gardens issues with holes in residents yards. He stated the parish hired engineers to come out to find the reason for the holes; they are not small he has measured one of these holes which is seventeen inches wide by nineteen inches deep. He said there is erosion from underneath the top layer of the ground and is waiting for a person to fall into one of these holes; it is very dangerous for anyone who is walking on the property. He stated another homeowner had an issue with his equipment falling into a hole but did not get injured. He asked what the engineers found out; what is the problem and what will the parish do before someone gets hurt or killed.
Parish President Bill Fontenot stated certainly your councilmember is a good start to contact but he is the operations manager of the parish and provided his contact information. He said since Mr. Meche contacted Mr. Ardoin the engineers have contacted him and will certainly be looking at it together. He does know the engineer is familiar with it and will try to come up with some evaluations of what the remedy would be and the cost within the next sixty days. He questioned if this was placed by the parish initially.
Jason Meche stated that was not installed by the parish however the parish has done work on the culverts which did not help in fact it is causing erosion that is very dangerous.
Bill Fontenot asked if this has been a long standing issue.
Jason Meche stated a long issue and is not doubting the comment made about contacting Mr. Fontenot but he thought he was going through the chain of command and asked when the first time Mr. Ardoin informed him about the problem.
Bill Fontenot responded he is not aware when Mr. Ardoin told him but that is not the chain of command because he does not work for Mr. Ardoin; he works for the residents and was elected by the people but he can bring the issues to him or they may call him direct. He does not nor do his people take any instructions from Mr. Ardoin. He stated he is the CEO and President of the Parish his number is 280-8982 and is the one that directs the work based on the severity or necessity of the work and good engineering evaluation; that is the proper process. He said this is not the police jury anymore the President is responsible for answering what needs to be done, how much is should cost and rather or not to initiate or do the work at all.
Jason Meche questioned the reason why the engineers came out to find what the problem was initially.
Bill Fontenot stated he did not initiate any of that and that might have been a conversation between Mr. Ardoin and the engineers which he took on himself but the engineers did fill him in since they know he is the one that has to authorize it. He said he will give a timely answer if it is within their purview responsible to remedy it; they will certainly do that.
Jason Meche thanked him and asked that it be expedited because the summer is near which means the grass will need to be cut and it is very dangerous.
Councilman Timmy Lejeune questioned if this is on parish right away or was that an established subdivision or a private subdivision.
Jason Meche stated it is an easement and most of the water in the subdivision is going through the culverts.
Councilman Lejeune asked if the contactors put this up when the subdivision was built.
Jason Meche said when he moved in it was already there and has paid a certain amount of dollars for the water rights for the city water and sewage.
Councilman Lejeune said it might be a private drain that drains the sewer lines and asked what size the culverts are because he is just wondering if it might be a drainage board problem being it may be on private property; it may not be a parish government issue.
Councilman Ardoin commented this has been an ongoing situations for about twelve years. He said there is a man his last name is Elder who takes photos of the inside of the sewer pipes who went there by the request of Mr. William Jarrell who then advised him that there was nothing wrong with the pipes but was still getting sink holes. He said now there are some places where two by four sheets of plywood have to be placed over the holes. He said Mr. Jarrell said he would set up a meeting with Mr. Meche, Mr. Fontenot and himself. He stated he brought up this matter at a prior meeting and asked for some assistance. He asked Mr. Fontenot to go out to look at this in order to help out these people. He informed the committee it was Ms. Roy would started this subdivision because Mr. Jarrell told him about the history on this; it is a storm drain but in the summer time the residents cannot go outside on their patios because of the smell coming from those man holes. He said there is a right away because there are utilities poles; Mr. Jarrell can show the plat. He questioned Mr. Meche if Mr. Tim Marks met with him about eight or ten years ago and went look at the situation.
Mr. Meche answered yes; they can put dirt in the sink hole but in no time it is gone and his opinion is they will have to change or repair every section of the culverts.
Councilman Dexter Brown commented they did have a similar situation maybe about five years ago in the Hickory Ridge Estates across from the Wildlife and Fishers where there was about six drain pipes running into one big drain pipe but some of the pipes were not sealed correctly.
• Wilfred Kinnerson Jr.; 702 N. Market Street, Opelousas; introduced himself to the Committee as an applicant for the appointment to the Fire District No.3 Board. He informed the Council of his extensive background working for the Opelousas Fire Department and as a business owner in Opelousas.
• Lawrence Richard; 640 Berthaud Street, Opelousas; addressed the Council regarding his horse being taken by St. Landry Parish Animal Control off of his property. He questioned if anyone can just come on your property and take what they want.
Councilman Timmy Lejeune questioned if Mr. Fontenot looked into this matter.
Bill Fontenot stated he spoke with Mr. Richard on Friday and told him probably by the beginning of the following week he would have that resolved but Friday afternoon was late. He has been trying to reach him since Monday. He said he knows Mr. Richard went over to talk to the manager at the animal shelter and he was trying to get him at the office that day and he left messages on one phone but the other phone did not take messages. He told him to come the following day to talk about it and resolve it. He told Mr. Richard there is a law that when a complaint comes from the Sherriff department they go out in cooperation with the Sheriff’s Department and based on what is found by the Sheriff Department and the shelter manager the Sheriff makes the decision to take the horse or leave it. In this case he said to take the horse because the horse was in distress.

• A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilman Dexter Brown to forward to Regular Meeting to accept as substantially complete Parishwide Drainage Improvement (Area 6) Project #49PARA3401 relative to the Gustav/Ike Disaster Relief Program and authorize the Parish President to sign all documents associated with the substantial completion.
Votes Were: YEAS: Jerry Red, Fekisha Miller Matthews, Dexter Brown and Timmy Lejeune. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Gary Courville.
Motion Carried.

• A motion was made by Councilman Jerry Red, seconded by Councilman Dexter Brown to forward to Regular Meeting one appointment to Fire District No. 3 to fulfill the remaining term of Pamela Jackson; set to expire 01-01-2016. Applicants are Eddie Thibodeaux and Wilfred Kinnerson Jr.
Votes Were: YEAS: Jerry Red, Fekisha Miller Matthews, Dexter Brown and Timmy Lejeune. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Gary Courville.
Motion Carried.

• A motion was made by Councilman Jerry Red, seconded by Councilman Timmy Lejeune to forward to Regular Meeting two appointments to Ward Two Gravity Drainage District No. 1. This is a four year term from 03-05-2015 to 03-05-2019. Seeking reappointment Ronald Dugas and Robert Fox. New applicant is Joseph Burleigh.
Votes Were: YEAS: Jerry Red, Fekisha Miller Matthews, Dexter Brown and Timmy Lejeune. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Gary Courville.
Motion Carried.

• Councilman Dexter Brown addressed item seven on the agenda regarding entering into an intergovernmental agreement for a ditch to be reconstructed on the Westside of Colorado Avenue.
Councilman Brown informed Mr. Fontenot Colorado Avenue which goes from 190 to Charles Burr Lane. About midway of the gravel road where the property is by the Yambilee Building they have a ditch that goes to Charles Burr Lane; where Colorado meets with Pujo Street back to 190 there is no ditch. He said the residents are complaining because when it rains the water comes from the field and into the subdivision so he is asking a survey be taken from Bee’s income tax from 190 to the other ditch.
Bill Fontenot responded he could look into that.
Councilman Brown stated Ms. Jackie Martin brought that to his attention and said she would do whatever with the Opelousas City Council and work along with the Mayor to get that done for the constituents in Greenwood.

• Item number eight on the agenda regarding Carrington Place drainage ditch issues.
Councilman Timmy Lejeune stated about a year in a half or two years ago there were problems encountered in that subdivision regarding drainage. He requested the drainage board at the time when Andrea West was the Attorney, they were supposed to fix that drainage problem. He said because it was a lateral that was back fielded by some property owner that brought property outside that area. He does not know the particulars on it but does know they were supposed to clean that drainage canal out to drain that area. He said he received a call informing him this had never happened but did talk to Mr. Lance Pitre about it and he said he would pass that on to the current attorney.
Bill Fontenot stated he is familiar with the problem but does not think he received any paperwork.
Councilman Lejeune asked Attorney Chad Pitre if he received any information regarding the Carrington Place issue.
Attorney Chad Pitre answered he does not think so but has a stack of file that he has been receiving almost every day that it may be in but has no direct knowledge on what is being discussed.
Bill Fontenot stated he thinks the intent was to write a letter citing the law about obstructing drainage and direct them to open the drainage.
Councilman Lejeune commented the letter was already drafted and sent to them and the services were supposed to be taken care of in a joint agreement from what he understands but that service never happened. He said the property owners that are having drainage issues are questioning why the actions have not been taken when it was supposed to be and asked Mr. Pitre to ask Mr. Lance what he has on that issue.
Attorney Chad Pitre stated certainly and asked Mr. Lejeune if his understanding is that we are obligated to do something.
Councilman Lejeune answered yes sir; it has already been settled but the services have not been done and wants to make sure that the settlement is correct.
Bill Fontenot stated usually a letter is written where the law is cited about obstructing drainage and the owner is directed to remedy the situation or come up with another alternative. He said he will review the file and see where they need to go.
Attorney Pitre confirmed that the owner is directed and not the parish.

• Discussion of the subdivision where the rehabilitation facility will be located.
Councilman Timmy Lejeune stated he received a phone call from individuals saying there is a rehabilitation center and some type of resolution was passed regarding this.
Bill Fontenot answered there was an ordinance passed to prevent the rehabilitation center. He said it laid dormant for a while because from what he understands they purchased land for quite a bit of money and the only thing he has heard since the ordinance was passed is that Lance Pitre and himself got a phone call from two attorneys who represented the center and asked them to meet in his office. He stated the meeting was more lawyer talk regarding whether or not the ordinance was proper and was looking for the attorney to provide them an appropriate time to come visit so hopefully it could be amicably resolved. He said it does look like they are facing an ordinance that if they come here he will certainly not sign a permit for them to be there because the ordinance says they can’t. He said they feel the ordinance is inappropriate and is not legal but from what he understood was that Lance Pitre would get with the attorneys that help him with the ordinance and get back with them with some advice on if they should come and explain or modify, appeal, or repeal the ordinance. He thinks they had their plans in motion where they brought the property and that the ordinance was after the fact but Mr. Pitre took it under advisement and said he would get back with them.
Councilman Lejeune commented we no longer have Lance Pitre representing the Council as the attorney we now have Chad Pitre what will happen to the things that were already on the table.
Bill Fontenot said basically he has briefed Mr. Chad slightly and he will get with Lance or look through the files to see if he has anything.
Attorney Chad Pitre stated from his understanding it is not direct treats but it is a tacit treat of litigation as the ordinance is written today but has never reviewed the ordinance. He said nothing is pending; the Council passed an ordinance on its face it has to be considered constitutional until it is challenged but thinks these lawyers will do just that if something can’t be worked out. He asked Mr. Fontenot if that is where we are now.
Bill Fontenot answered yes, that is right they were trying to work something out so they were just briefing Mr. Lance Pitre on their position and hopeful get some feedback to allow them to come and work something out.

• Councilman Timmy Lejeune addressed item ten regarding the laws pertaining to damaging parish roads. He commented there are several roads in the parish one being Lost Cayou Road also one in the Port Barre area and in District 3 where they are taking four wheel drive trucks mud riding and messing these roads up. He said he knows they do have laws in place that state they can’t destroy public property and asked if the Council can increase the fines in the capacity of unaffordable act such as a tremendous amount of money to try to prevent them from doing this. He said it is costing the taxpayer an enormous amount of money to keep the road passable and asked if that penalty can be increased.
Attorney Pitre advised the Council could do whatever they would like such as stiffen the penalty that may or may not help but is an option but what seems to get people in this society today to comply with laws is usually a criminal law. He said when they are threaten with losing their freedom and going to jail which is the toughest law; criminal laws then you have civil rule where it says if you do this or that they can fine them but it is hard to collect. He said the criminal statutes are probably the best bet to try and change people’s attitudes and behavior but it is on the books.
Councilman Lejeune stated if they get caught duck hunting they take the boat so if you get caught destroying a public road in the capacity that they do maybe they should take a truck.

• A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilman Jerry Red to forward to Regular Meeting the discussion of stricter penalties for damaging roads in St. Landry Parish.
Votes Were: YEAS: Jerry Red, Fekisha Miller Matthews, Dexter Brown and Timmy Lejeune. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Gary Courville.
Motion Carried.

• Councilman Wayne Ardoin asked the item be placed regarding Longwood Drive being on the list to have asphalt laid and paid out of Road District 1 of 11A Fund.
Councilman Ardoin requested Administration look into this because that road is a limestone road and is a parish road. He asked to get a price to have this road overlaid.
Bill Fontenot stated he will be glad to look into that.
Councilman Jerry Red questioned if this is a limestone road or paved road.
Councilman Ardoin stated it is a limestone road on 182 before you get to Meghan Drive and has been accepted into the parish road system.
Councilman Red asked if it would be feasible to place their roads on that list; might as well put every road on the list.
Councilman Ardoin commented he is asking that it be paid out of the taxing district in that area.
Councilman Lejeune questioned if this is the same taxing district that is shared between Districts 8, 9, and 11.
Councilman Ardoin answered no sir; that is a separate taxing district.

• A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilman Jerry Red to forward to Regular Meeting requesting Parish Administration place Longwood Drive on the list to have asphalt laid and be paid out of Road District 1 of 11A Fund.
Votes Were: YEAS: Jerry Red, Fekisha Miller Matthews, Dexter Brown and Timmy Lejeune. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Gary Courville.
Motion Carried.

• Agenda item number twelve regarding the salvage yard located on JM Lafleur Drive was discussed.
Councilman Jerry Red commented this issue has been going on for two months and has been speaking with Mr. Credeur who has been the lead person on this matter. He said state police did go look at this location and the problem is that they have tankers in a so called wrecker yard which is the same wrecker yard that was on the Washington Road. He suggested looking at the pictures where they have about four tankers that are very close to homes. The problem he has is if that it is a wrecker yard it should not be a salvage yard. He said to his understanding it is totally different being a wrecker yard and a salvage yard and thinks the problem is that they have tankers. He said he did receive information that it was safe for the tankers to be there but he begs to differ that having tankers in a wrecker yard is safe for the people living near. He voiced frustration with ongoing problem with the same person since being elected to office for two terms. He stated the code enforcement person said she looked up all information and that the person was in compliance and was legal but he thinks the tankers being that close residences is unsafe.
Councilman Lejeune questioned if the fence shown in the pictures is adequate and what happens to the homeowner right next door with that type of fence.
Councilman Red stated it was the same issue on the Washington Road where it had to be a certain type of fencing but looking at that fencing it is just metal tin. He and Mr. Bill went to this location and he feels it is uncomfortable and unsafe having tankers in a residential area. He said after talking with Mr. Credeur the problem is no zoning laws and that there are no restrictions in that subdivision; not much can be done about it. He asked Mr. Pitre if there is anything where the people have protection against having tankers or anything of that nature close to their residence.
Attorney Pitre stated none that he knows of but that does not mean there isn’t. He said generally speaking he has never seen a prohibition other than subdivision restrictions that state you cannot have an 18wheeler parked in the front yard. He advised if there are no restrictions that would be between neighbors; if it is a nuisance to the neighbor than it can be a civil matter. He said as far as a governing body if you would wish to pass an ordinance regulating how and where you can park your trailers would be a big and complicated matter.
Councilman Red informed the Council there is already a petition where all the residents in this area have signed saying they are against this matter and asked if anything can be done with that petition.
Attorney Pitre advised yes; the Council could make any law they would like as long as it is constitutional which will have to apply parish wide; that would be the problem with regulating where you can park vehicles. He does understand it is a commercial deal but it is more or less a civil matter between the neighbors.
Councilman Red stated the Council took action to make the ordinance stricter as far as the problems with the same person which was the fencing.
Councilman Ronald Buschel asked Mr. Fontenot if this person was issued a business license.
Bill Fontenot answered he had to get a license.
Councilman Buschel requested information on what the license was for whether it is a salvage yard, storage yard, or what it was for.
Bill Fontenot stated he will also look into the fencing requirements because it does look pretty shabby so he will need to look at the code enforcement reports.

• A motion was made by Councilman Jerry Red, seconded by Councilman Timmy Lejeune to forward to Regular Meeting to begin enhancing the Ordinance regarding salvage yards in St. Landry Parish.
Votes Were: YEAS: Jerry Red, Fekisha Miller Matthews, Dexter Brown and Timmy Lejeune. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Gary Courville.
Motion Carried.

• Discussion of the last appointment made to the SLED Board.
Councilman Jerry Red stated from his understanding the last person placed on that board may be in violation because it is unethical for a person to serve on a commission as well as being an elected official. He offered a motion to forward to regular meeting to begin advertisement for this position. He also stated in the bylaws of the SLED Board when a person was taken off of the board the SLED Board would give fifteen days then after those fifteen days they have forty five days to place a person on that board. It was not this Council last time to make that appointment it was done by the SLED Board. He said he thinks that since the Council made that appointment they should be the one to put that appointment back on because last time they appointed a person this Council was not aware until after the fact. He asked that a letter be sent to SLED Board requesting the Council place the appointment rather than the SLED Board.
Attorney Pitre advised they must follow their bylaws and asked Mr. Red if his understanding is if the position is vacated by the Full Council than this Council would have fifteen days in which to make the reappoint or appointment.
Councilman Red answered the Council would make a suggestion to the SLED Board because last time they did not have the opportunity to make a suggestion; they made the suggestion and the appointment.
Attorney Pitre advised he will review the bylaws in detail and report back to the chairman within twenty four or forty eight hours.
Councilwoman Pam Gautreau commented SLED is fully aware of their bylaws because they create their bylaws and adopt them. She stated it is amusing that the Council did not get a copy of the amended bylaws but yet when the Council goes to make appointments they come after the fact with their information stating that this is illegal or unethical. She said SLED Board was well aware of the application that were coming before the Council and even had some SLED Board members present at the meeting when the vote was taken and not one of them spoke up and said this particular gentleman applications should be pulled from the process. She requested that the SLED Board send any amendments that they make in their bylaws to the Parish Council so that the Parish Council can be on the same playing field as they are.
Councilman Ronald Buschel stated the Police Jury and the municipalities through their association appointed everyone to the board but apparently someone in reference to that board has more political pull then they do because they rewrote it the way they wanted it and took out the amount of people they did not like. He said as far as the business of bylaws they have a State Statute to abide by which is very descriptive. He stated it is no misunderstanding and very simple because a simple man wrote it which is himself and he wrote it for people to understand it of course SLED completely disregarded it.
Attorney Pitre advised he will have the information regarding this matter and report back to full council.

• Discuss any other business properly brought before this committee:
• Councilman Jerry Red questioned Mr. Fontenot regarding material on Standberry Road; it has been about two month they have been waiting.
• Councilwoman Pam Gautreau informed Mr. Fontenot on Menard Road in Cankton no one has been going out to maintain the road and there is an extreme washout and also a lack of material. She said she called into Public Works as usual when she receives phone calls and now it is in a public meeting.
Councilman Buschel suggested passing a resolution to look into this matter.
Councilwoman Gautreau responded the Council cannot direct any work but just wanted to bring it out that the complaint is there on her constituent’s behalf.
• Councilwoman Fekisha Miller Matthews informed the Council of how well the tutoring program is going at Community Action. She said there is an average about forty five students attending each day but over a hundred are registered. She said this program is really helping out the parents and kids which is making a big difference.
• Councilman Alvin Stelly questioned the status on Seven Arpents Road.
Bill Fontenot responded he will follow up on this matter because something should have been done.
• Councilman Huet Dupre informed Mr. Fontenot on Pointe Verte Road the ditches were filled with leaves and branches because of the weather. He said he did contact Tim Marks who said he would send someone out because it also has limestone in the ditch.
• Councilman Dexter Brown asked how many work crews does the Sheriff have.
Attorney Pitre informed Mr. Brown that would be litter abatement which is done through solid waste and thinks they have two full time crews but it depends if there are enough inmates on work release.
Councilman Dexter Brown commented on Beverly Road where trees are on each side and the branches just fall in the ditch; that needs to be cleaned out.
• Councilman Ronald Buschel stated he has a problem in reference to an area that is not in a drainage district on Kim Drive west of the Atchafalaya levee about three miles north of Krotz Springs. He said some people have put metal over the pipes to keep it from draining because they don’t want any duck weed and have blocked the people north of it.

• A motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilman Fekisha Miller Matthews.
Votes Were: YEAS: Jerry Red, Fekisha Miller Matthews, Dexter Brown and Timmy Lejeune. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Gary Courville.
Motion Carried.

I HEREBY CERTIFY THE FOREGOING TO BE EXACT AND TRUE
LAYCIE ALFRED, COUNCIL CLERK

ADMINISTRATIVE FINANCE COMMITTEE
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

MINUTES

The meeting was called to order by Administrative Finance Committee Chairman Wayne Ardoin.

Roll call: PRESENT: Huet Dupre, Hurlin Dupre, Alvin Stelly, Pam Gautreau, Wayne Ardoin, Jimmie Edwards and Leon Robinson, Ex-Officio

• A motion was made by Councilman Huet Dupre, seconded by Councilman Alvin Stelly to forward to Regular Meeting to adopt a resolution authorizing the President to execute an Agreement with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) for improvements at the St. Landry Parish Ahart Field Airport.
Votes Were: YEAS: Huet Dupre, Hurlin Dupre, Alvin Stelly, Pam Gautreau and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None.
Motion Carried.

• A motion was made by Councilman Alvin Stelly, seconded by Councilman Jimmie Edwards to accept the Parish President’s Report.
Votes Were: YEAS: Huet Dupre, Hurlin Dupre, Alvin Stelly, Pam Gautreau and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None.
Motion Carried.

• A motion was made by Councilman Hurlin Dupre, seconded by Councilman Jimmie Edwards to forward to Regular Meeting to approve a resolution adopting the millage rates for the 2015 year:
General Alimony Adjusted Millage Rate – 3.78
Exempted Municipalities Adjusted Millage Rate – 1.89
Health Units Adjusted Millage Rate - 2.17
Road Dist No 11A Sub 2 Adjusted Millage Rates – 8.39
Road Dist No 1 Ward 3 Adjusted Millage Rate – 10.30
Road Dist No 3 Wd 1 Sub 1 Adjusted Millage Rate – 9.57
Road Dist No 12 Ward 2 Adjusted Millage Rate – 5.07
Road Dist No 11A Sub 1 Adjusted Millage Rate – 9.56
Jail Parish Wide Adjusted Millage Rate – 1.00

Votes Were: YEAS: Huet Dupre, Hurlin Dupre, Alvin Stelly, Pam Gautreau and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None.
Motion Carried.

• Item number five on the agenda regarding the appointment to the St. Landry Parish Communications District E-911 held by St. Landry Parish Government Representative.
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated he asked this matter be placed on the agenda because he spoke to Ms. Candace Elkins who informed him a representative was still not appointed. He asked Mr. Bill Fontenot if he had anyone to submit.
Parish President Bill Fontenot stated if he remembers right it was in the committee and forwarded to full council for action but was never placed on the agenda but he would have that at next full council.

• A motion was made by Councilman Hurlin Dupre, seconded by Councilman Jimmie Edwards to forward to Regular Meeting to have Parish President Bill Fontenot submit a name for an appointment to the St. Landry Parish Communications District E-911.
Votes Were: YEAS: Huet Dupre, Hurlin Dupre, Alvin Stelly, Pam Gautreau and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None.
Motion Carried.

• Chairman Wayne Ardoin addressed item number six on the agenda; a list of all donations made to the Delta Grand. He said a comment was made by Mr. Fontenot at the last meeting that there was donations made to the Delta Grand and asked if those donations are listed in the Finance reports.
Bill Fontenot responded they are included in the finance reports listed under donations and the donors are listed on the website of the Delta Grand, facebook page, and any events given. He said if a specific list is needed just for members; he could generate that if they would like.
Councilman Ardoin stated he was not aware they were receiving donations and asked if this will be put on a monthly report.
Bill Fontenot answered whenever a donation is received it is place in the reports and listed in the budget also but if they would like a list of donors then he can go back to 2014 and 2015 to get that. He said he wants the donors to be recognized because they do list them on facebook, website and all the events.

• A motion was made by Councilman Hurlin Dupre, seconded by Councilman Alvin Stelly to forward to Regular Meeting requesting Parish President Bill Fontenot provide a list of all donations made to the Delta Grand.
Votes Were: YEAS: Huet Dupre, Hurlin Dupre, Alvin Stelly, Pam Gautreau and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None.
Motion Carried.

• Agenda item number seven on the agenda concerning a credit card being issued to the Parish Council’s Office was addressed.
Chairman Wayne Ardoin stated this was place on the agenda after speaking to Clerk Laycie Alfred because the last time rooms were booked for the Police Jury Convention there was a problem and asked if that would be possible to have a credit card issued to the Council’s Office.
Bill Fontenot stated he would suggest doing it the same way it is done for other things such as going to the Parish Government’s Office and using one of the credit cards that they have that are not issues to any specific department. He said they do not issue the credit cards to carry around.
Councilwoman Pam Gautreau asked Mr. Fontenot if he is saying the ladies can go use the credit card for telephone purposes to make reservations or is he saying the clerks or councilmembers can take the card when they are traveling to Police Jury Conferences and other conferences they attend.
Bill Fontenot state he will not issue any credit cards.
Councilwoman Gautreau stated this is the problem; while the members were at the convention trying to check into the hotel the Parish Government’s Office could not be reached. She said not one person answered their phone that had access to the credit card so there were several councilmembers who were there attempting to check into a room in which the parish government’s credit card was on file at one hotel but not on file with the other hotel which created quite a commotion. She said the fact that no one was responding from parish government to the council clerks phone calls was a problem and thinks the Council should have a credit card that they can travel with and have the council bring the credit card back.
Bill Fontenot stated he will not do that but will work with them and make sure they are available that whenever reservations are made a credit card will be on file.
Councilman Jerry Red commented the problem he has with that matter is the pervious Council Clerk placed the rooms on her personal credit card which is unacceptable but she can only speak for herself. He said normally if they do purchase anything out of their pockets if they have receipts parish government will reimburse them. He stated he thinks the only problem was and had been a problem since he has been here and that problem was when they open the date for reservations to be made the rooms are already blocked and people from other parishes already have the rooms. He said he believes in this case the fault was from a clerk by putting it on her own personal credit card.
Councilman Ardoin asked Clerk Laycie Alfred for her input on what problems occurred at the convention.
Council Clerk Laycie Alfred stated a credit card authorization form from Parish Government was sent to one hotel but we needed it at another hotel so had to wait hours and tried contacting the government office but couldn’t get anyone because it was lunch. She said the same problem occurred the next day because the hotel needed another authorization form and it was on a Saturday which the government office was closed.
Councilman Ardoin asked if members are still waiting on reimbursement checks from the expenses they had to pay because of this situation.
Council Clerk Laycie Alfred answered yes sir.

• A motion was made by Councilwoman Pam Gautreau, seconded by Councilman Alvin Stelly to forward to Regular Meeting requesting Parish President Bill Fontenot to provide a list of all employees and professional fees that are paid out of the St. Landry Parish Historical Development Fund No. 1.
Votes Were: YEAS: Huet Dupre, Hurlin Dupre, Alvin Stelly, Pam Gautreau and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None.
Motion Carried.

• Discussion on how to create a separate fund for the St. Landry Parish Historical Development Fund No. 1 in the budget.
Councilman Ardoin commented he does not think this Fund No. 1 is all in the budget and asked if Mr. Fontenot will be giving the Council an extra copy in order to have this fund broke down.
Bill Fontenot answered it is the Delta Grand Fund so he will provide everything that is related to it.
Councilman Ardoin questioned if it is listed as the Delta Grand Fund or Fund No. 1.
Bill Fontenot stated it is listed as the Delta Grand Fund because it is a Delta Grand Fund Historical Development Fund No. 1.
Councilman Ardoin questioned if this fund is exclusively used for the Delta Grand.
Bill Fontenot answered the Delta Grand and the Council’s building.
Councilwoman Pam Gautreau asked when the check is issued by the State is it made out to the Delta Grand Fund.
Bill Fontenot answered he has never seen the check but he doubts that is does because they seldom write it that way but the law amended for Historical Development District Fund No. 1 for St. Landry Parish which State Law defines that it is for the Delta Grand.
Councilwoman Gautreau stated and other choice related buildings and offered a motion that the St. Landry Parish Historical Development Fund No. 1 be itemized in the budget because it is not listed or treated as a separate fund which it should be.

• A motion was made by Councilwoman Pam Gautreau, seconded by Councilman Alvin Stelly to forward to Regular Meeting requesting Parish Administration itemize in the budget the St. Landry Parish Historical Development Fund No. 1.
Votes Were: YEAS: Huet Dupre, Hurlin Dupre, Alvin Stelly, Pam Gautreau and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None.
Motion Carried.

• Item number ten requesting Parish Administration provide the Amended Budget for the 2014 year to the Council.
Bill Fontenot provided the budget at the present meeting.

• Chairman Wayne Ardoin informed the Committee he requested the next item be placed on the agenda regarding credit card charges in the amount of thirty two thousand dollars because at a prior meeting Councilman Ronald Buschel made a statement that thirty two thousand dollars was charged on an American Express Card. He asked Councilman Buschel to elaborate on this matter because he did not see those charges.
Councilman Ronald Buschel stated he does not have those charges with him at the present meeting but could bring it at the next meeting.
Councilwoman Gautreau questioned Mr. Fontenot on the travel expense for Mr. Bellard that was supposed be provided a few months ago which was attached to the Delta Grand Fund. She said they never received the answers as to why Mr. Bellard was traveling on the St. Landry Parish Historical District Fund attending Broadway plays. She stated Mr. Fontenot said he had one other person to check with so is hoping that he had the opportunity in the last few month to ask that one person that question so do we have an answer as to why Mr. Bellard was traveling under that fund and attending Broadway plays.
Bill Fontenot stated it was for the purpose of recruiting Broadway shows and thinks there was a training session or two at the same conference so it was cleared through the auditors.
Councilwoman Gautreau questioned if it was necessary for Mr. Bellard to attend; that was thousands of dollars of that fund for three people to travel.
Bill Fontenot stated it was their decision at that time but it was not thousands and it was something necessary to do in order to get shows like were there last week that filled the auditorium.

• A motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Jimmie Edwards, seconded by Councilman Hurlin Dupre.
Votes Were: YEAS: Huet Dupre, Hurlin Dupre, Alvin Stelly, Pam Gautreau and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None.
Motion Carried.


I HEREBY CERTIFY THE FOREGOING TO BE EXACT AND TRUE
LAYCIE ALFRED, COUNCIL CLERK

XIV. LITIGATION REPORT
• Lawsuit by Acadian Addiction Center v. Parish

XV. ADJOURNMENT