IBERVILLE PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING, TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 2012 The Parish Council of Iberville Parish, State of Louisiana, met in Regular Session, in the Council Meeting Room, 2 nd Floor, Courthouse Building, 58050 Meriam Street, Plaquemine, Louisiana, on the 17 th day of April, 2012. The Council Chairman, Matthew H. Jewell, called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. followed by the roll call with the following Council Members in attendance: Warren Taylor, District 1; Mitchel J. Ourso, Sr.; District 2; Henry J. Scott, Jr., District 3; Leonard Jackson, Sr., District 4; Edwin M. Reeves, Jr., District 5; Salaris G. Butler, Sr., District 6; Howard Oubre, Jr., District 7; Hunter S. Markins, District 8; Terry J. Bradford, District 9; Louis R. Kelley, Jr., District 10; Timothy J. Vallet, District 11; Matthew H. Jewell, District 12; Bart B. Morgan, District 13. Absent: None. Parish President- J. Mitchell Ourso, Jr., Chief Administrative Officer- Edward Songy and Legal Counsel- Scott Stassi were also in attendance. A quorum was present and due notice had been published in the official journal on the 12 th day of April, 2012. The Pledge of Allegiance followed. Council Chairman Jewell called for anyone wanting to make public comments to register with the Clerk. PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES A) Resolution of Condolence for Mr. William Walker Councilman Oubre passed on this agenda item. He will personally deliver the resolution to the family. B) Presentation for Water Work District No. 4 Board Members Chairman Jewell read the plaques aloud. The plaques were presented by Councilman Vallet to Mr. Eugene Simpson and Mr. Edward Gantt; thanking them for their services as Board Members of Water Work District No. 4. A picture was taken for the newspaper. Councilman Vallet will deliver the plaques to the members that were not present. C) Mr. Greg Lyons- Discuss drainage issues Mr. Greg Lyons, a resident of District 8 came before the Council to discuss drainage issues in his neighborhood. Mr. Lyons stated he came before the Police Jury about 30 years ago with a petition from his neighborhood. Mr. Lyons explained he has been dealing with flooding issues and would like these drainage issues to be addressed. Mr. Lyons came before the Council for a solution to the drainage issue, and has recently contacted his councilman. Councilman Markins stated he has visited Mr. Lyon s residence several times and has had the ditch cleaned of any debris each time to alleviate the flow of the ditch. Mr. Lyons believes the problem for the flooding is due to the 18
APPROVAL OF MINUTES inch culverts that run through the ditch instead of 30 inch culverts. Mr. Lyons explained going from an 18 inch culvert to a 30 inch culvert would double the pipe capacity, flow capacity, and elevation levels, which he believes would alleviate the flooding issues. Upon a motion by Councilman Taylor, and seconded by Councilman Bradford, it was moved to wave the reading of the minutes of March 20, 2012 and approve as written. The motion having been duly submitted to a vote was duly adopted by the following yea and nay votes on roll call: YEAS: Taylor, Ourso, Scott, Jackson, Reeves, Butler, Oubre, Markins, Bradford, Kelley, Vallet, Morgan. The motion was declared adopted by the Chairman. PRESIDENT S REPORT President Ourso reported on the following: President Ourso addressed Mr. Lyon s drainage concerns stating this issue developed long before he came into office but he would look back in the Police Jury minutes and documents to decipher whether the ditch was private property or Parish property. He will report back to the Council and Mr. Lyons with his findings. He thanked the Water Work District No. 4 board members for their services and their genuine care for the water quality in their area. The Council has received invitations to the Council on Aging Senior Luncheon on Thursday, April 26, 2012 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Plaquemine Bayou Waterfront. North Iberville Community Center has numerous quality issues. There is no opening date, no one has been hired, and the rates and regulations have not been established. Monday, April 23, 2012 at 10:30 am the Parish will begin receiving bids on the former Agriculture Building. The time set for the condemnation of the Central Iberville Community Complex has expired. Councilman Butler stated a contractor has stopped the permit process due to the weather. President Ourso stated he will take this under consideration, and the project will start within the next 10 days. On May 1, 2012 a contractor from the Head Start Regional Office is coming to the Parish to meet with Head Start employees. Mr. Songy explained the contractor with Community Development Institute Head Start has agreed to come to the Parish from May 1-3, 2012. They will return for a Job Fair and the current Head Start employees will need to attend the job fair and see if they qualify to keep their jobs and benefits with the new provider. They want employees hired by May 31, 2012 so there is no interruption and there will be a total separation from the Parish Council on May 30, 2012. The Federal
Government will advertise that the Head Start Program is up for a grantee and the Federal Government will determine who the new grantee will be as the provider for the program. Councilman Oubre asked if the employees will be safe; Mr. Songy stated they must attend the job fair put on by the interim grantee and must meet their qualifications. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPORT Mr. Hank Grace reported on the following projects. The Biodiesel project at the former Poly-One site is moving forward, and construction is expected to begin soon. The other biodiesel project in the St. Gabriel area has not had any activity as of yet but they are also hoping to see activity soon. In St. Gabriel sites are being looked at by a potential company to possibly build in that area, they are looking for a 150-200 acre site on or near the railroad. Mr. Grace explained they are also working hard on site certifications for economic development for the state. The sites are as large as 700-1,000 acres for potential use in the future. The process of identifying sites for site certification is of no cost to the land owners. FINANCIAL REPORT Mr. Randall Dunn stated the Council has been presented a letter from the Assessor s office stating the values have gone up slightly which did not affect the millages, so there will be no need for a roll forward for the next four years. Mr. Dunn proposed introducing an ordinance at the next council meeting for the millages to stay as they are. He also discussed the financial statements that were recently sent out. The sales taxes are lower than expected but still remain within the budget. RESOLUTION COMMITTEE REPORT The Resolution Committee met on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at 6:10 p.m., followed by the roll call with the following Resolution Committee Members only in attendance: Reeves, Vallet, Butler, Oubre, Kelley, Markins, Jackson, Morgan. Absent: None. The following resolutions were read aloud by Mr. Songy: A) Resolution in support of Senate Bills 456 & 462 in regards to the St. James Youth Detention Center in St. James Parish Councilman Vallet made a recommendation to forward the resolution to the regular meeting, seconded by Councilman Kelley. The recommendation having been duly submitted to a vote was duly adopted by the following yea and nay votes on roll call by Resolution Committee Members only: YEAS: Reeves, Vallet, Butler, Oubre, Kelley, Markins, Jackson, Morgan.
The recommendation was declared adopted by the Chairman to forward this item to the regular meeting. During the Regular Meeting: RESOLUTION IPC# 2012-011 RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF SENATE BILLS 456 & 462 IN REGARDS TO THE ST. JAMES YOUTH DETENTION CENTER IN ST. JAMES PARISH The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Vallet, seconded by Councilman Bradford. WHEREAS, in August of 2010, the Louisiana Legislature passed House Bill 1477, which mandated the creation of juvenile standards for juvenile detention centers statewide. In September 2010 a task force was created comprising of several entities related to juvenile detention, as well as administrators and directors of all juvenile detention facilities. The goal of this task force was to compile and analyze data, research, and current practices nationwide to develop "best practice" standards for juvenile detention facilities: and, WHEREAS, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) was chosen to promulgate these standards when they were completed by the task force: and, WHEREAS, on July 1, 2011, the task force finalized and submitted the detention standards to DCFS and, these standards are great for youth detention as they will elevate the care for youth detention to new heights, but some of the standards are not practical or attainable in the time frame set (January 2013): and, WHEREAS, currently it is costing St. James Parish approximately $160.00 per day to house a juvenile at the facility and are estimating our daily housing cost to increase to approximately $250-$280.00 per day if the new rules for licensing remain in effect: and, WHEREAS, the St. James Youth Center provides detention essentially to most parishes within the state of Louisiana and a large number of juveniles come from the parishes of Ascension, Assumption, St. John, St. Charles, Iberville, Pointe Coupee, West Baton Rouge, and others. And, we have recently seen an increase of juveniles from Iberia Parish due to the recent closing of the St. Martinville detention center: and, WHEREAS, the St. James Youth Center has become a vital part of the manner in which local law enforcement agencies handle cases with juvenile offenders and without this facility judges and local law enforcement agencies will be forced to use alternative methods of handling juvenile offenders. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Iberville Parish President and Council are petitioning the Louisiana Legislature to enact legislation (SB 462) towards the delay or waiving of the rule for implementation for licensing of the juvenile detention center for St. James parish for at least two (2) years. And, also requesting support by the legislation (SB 256) for the creation of a multijurisdictional board with the authority to levy taxes, if passed by the voters,
comprising of neighboring parishes, to promote the operation of the St. James Youth Center. The above resolution was duly adopted in regular session this 17 th day of April, 2012 by the following vote on roll call: YEAS: Taylor, Ourso, Scott, Jackson, Reeves, Butler, Oubre, Markins, Bradford, Kelley, Vallet, Morgan. The resolution was declared adopted by the Chairman. B) Resolution to declare former Waterworks District No. 4 Office Building as surplus property to be sold in accordance with Louisiana Law Councilman Vallet made a recommendation to forward the resolution to the regular meeting, seconded by Councilman Kelley. The recommendation having been duly submitted to a vote was duly adopted by the following yea and nay votes on roll call by Resolution Committee Members only: YEAS: Reeves, Vallet, Butler, Oubre, Kelley, Markins, Jackson, Morgan. The recommendation was declared adopted by the Chairman to forward this item to the regular meeting. During the Regular Meeting: RESOLUTION IPC# 2012-012 RESOLUTION TO DECLARE FORMER OFFICE BUILDING LOCATED AT 21553 HIGHWAY 77 FOR IBERVILLE PARISH WATERWORKS DISTRICT NO. 4 AS SURPLUS PROPERTY MOVABLE PROPERTY TO BE OFFERED FOR SALE IN ACCORDANCE WITH LOUISINA LAW The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Vallet, seconded by Councilman Bradford. WHEREAS, the Iberville Parish Council owns the former office building for Iberville Parish Waterworks District No. 4, which is no longer needed for a public purpose and the building can be moved off of the parcel of immovable property. The movable property to be sold at public bid is described as follows: A portable wooden frame building on concrete piers located within the fenced property housing the water tower located at 21553 Highway 77, Grosse Tete, LA 70740, a copy of said portable building is attached hereto and incorporated by reference.
WHEREAS, La. R.S. 33:4711 provides that police juries may sell property owned by the police jury or parish when such property is no longer needed for a public purpose. WHEREAS, the portable building above described above is no longer needed for a public purpose and should be sold in accordance with Louisiana law at a public sale or through sealed bids after being duly advertised in the official journal of the Iberville Parish Council, namely, Post-South newspaper. WHEREAS, the successful bidder on said portable building shall agree to remove and reinstall the chain link fence surrounding the building and post a bond in the amount of cost to remove/reinstall said fencing. WHEREAS, the successful bidder shall either remove the building by hauling it off the property through a licensed and authorized mover or demolishing said building and hauling off all materials and debris. WHEREAS, the successful bidder shall provide the Iberville Parish Council with all necessary certificates of liability insurance and worker s compensation insurance prior to removal of the building, if necessary. WHEREAS, if there is no responsible bid to the public advertisement, the Iberville Parish Council, Department of Public Works, is hereby authorized to demolish said portable building and remove all materials and debris from the property. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED AS FOLLOWS: That the above described portable building is declared to be surplus property and no longer needed for a public purpose and that after publication of notice in the Parish s official journal in accordance with law, that the portable building be sold to the highest bidder upon said bidder complying with the requisites of Louisiana law. The above resolution was duly adopted in regular session this 17 th day of April, 2012 by the following vote on roll call: YEAS: Taylor, Ourso, Scott, Jackson, Reeves, Butler, Oubre, Markins, Bradford, Kelley, Vallet, Morgan. The resolution was declared adopted by the Chairman. ADDENDUM A) Resolution of Support for including Derrick Road Bridge in Federal Off Road Bridge Program Upon a motion by Councilman Butler, and seconded by Councilman Oubre, it was moved to go into addendum. The motion having been duly submitted to a vote was duly adopted by the following yea and nay votes on roll call:
YEAS: Taylor, Ourso, Scott, Jackson, Reeves, Butler, Oubre, Markins, Bradford, Kelley, Vallet, Morgan. The motion was declared adopted by the Chairman. RESOLUTION IPC# 2012-013 RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING STRUCTURE TO BE PLACED ON THE FEDERAL OFF-SYSTEM HIGHWAY BRIDGE PROGRAM 2011-2013 PRIORITY LIST The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Ourso, and seconded by Councilman Vallet. WHEREAS, Iberville Parish participates in the Federal Off System Highway Bridge Program to assist in the funding of repair/replacement of bridges essential to Iberville Parish residents and commerce. WHEREAS, Derek Road Bridge, Structure No. P2430150911461, Recall NO. 800819, is in serious need of repair to prevent further degradation and to prevent injury to the motoring public and said repairs are estimated to be the sum of $447,000.00. WHEREAS, the Iberville Parish President is hereby authorized to submit an application to the LA DOTD to obtain funding from the Federal Off System Highway Bridge Program to make the necessary repairs to Derek Road Bridge. WHEREAS, the above resolution was duly adopted in regular session this 17 th day of April, 2012 by the following vote on roll call: YEAS: Taylor, Ourso, Scott, Jackson, Reeves, Butler, Oubre, Markins, Bradford, Kelley, Vallet, Morgan. The resolution was declared adopted by the Chairman on the 17th day of April, 2012. Upon a motion by Councilman Reeves, and seconded by Councilman Taylor, it was moved to go out of addendum. The motion having been duly submitted to a vote was duly adopted by the following yea and nay votes on roll call: YEAS: Taylor, Ourso, Scott, Jackson, Reeves, Butler, Oubre, Markins, Bradford, Kelley, Vallet, Morgan.
The motion was declared adopted by the Chairman. BOARDS & COMMISSIONS REPORT The Boards and Commissions Committee met on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at 6:20 p.m. followed by the roll call with the following Committee Members only in attendance: Vallet, Jackson, Markins, Butler, Reeves, Oubre. Absent: None. A quorum was present. A) Reappointment to Board of Commissioners of Water Work District No. 2- Dolores Jackson B) Reappointment to Board of Commissioners of Water Work District No. 2- Russell Redditt C) Reappointment to Board of Commissioners of Water Work District No. 2- Eugene LeBlanc D) Appointment to Board of Commissioners of Water Work District No. 2- Jamaal Carter Upon a recommendation by Councilman Jackson, seconded by Councilman Markins, it was recommended by the Boards & Commissions committee to re-appoint Ms. Dolores Jackson, Mr. Russell Redditt, Mr. Eugene LeBlanc, and to appoint Mr. Jamaal Carter to the Iberville Parish Board of Commissioners of Water Work District No. 2. The recommendation having been duly submitted to a vote was duly adopted by the following yea and nay votes on roll call by the Boards and Commissions Committee Members only: YEAS: Vallet, Jackson, Markins, Butler, Reeves, Oubre. The recommendation was declared adopted by the Chairman and forwarded to the regular meeting. During the Regular Meeting: A) Reappointment to Board of Commissioners of Water Work District No. 2- Dolores Jackson B) Reappointment to Board of Commissioners of Water Work District No. 2- Russell Redditt C) Reappointment to Board of Commissioners of Water Work District No. 2- Eugene LeBlanc D) Appointment to Board of Commissioners of Water Work District No. 2- Jamaal Carter Upon a motion by Councilman Jackson, and seconded by Councilman Morgan, it was moved to reappoint Ms. Dolores Jackson, Mr. Russell Redditt, Mr. Eugene LeBlanc, and to appoint Mr. Jamaal Carter to the Iberville Parish Board of Commissioners of Water Work District No. 2. The motion having been duly submitted to a vote was duly adopted by the following yea and nay votes on roll call:
YEAS: Taylor, Ourso, Scott, Jackson, Reeves, Butler, Oubre, Markins, Bradford, Kelley, Vallet, Morgan. The motion was declared adopted by the Chairman on the 17th day of April, 2012. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved by Councilman Taylor, and seconded by Councilman Bradford to adjourn at 7:07 p.m. The motion was unanimously adopted. /s/ KIRSHA D. BARKER COUNCIL CLERK /s/ MATTHEW H. JEWELL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN