Livingston, Louisiana April 26, 2001 The Livingston Parish Council met in regular session duly called, advertised and convened at its regular meeting place, the Parish Council Office, on Thursday, April 26, 2001, at the hour of 6:00 o clock p.m. with the following members present: Rollie Bigner Albert Buddy Mincey Stan Cain Robert Ringo Dewey Harrell Marshall Harris Randy Rushing Ronald Sharp J.L. Shilling The Chairman called the meeting to order. LPR NO. 01-130 MOTION was offered by Mr. Ringo and duly seconded by Mr. Sharp to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the last regular meeting and adopt as written. PUBLIC INPUT Public input was called for with the following citizens requesting to be heard on Agenda items: Robert H. "Bob" Morrison III, Judge, Division C, 21st Judicial District Court, Agenda item 6d, "Purchase of Courthouse Land." Catherine Bankston, Virginia Dybendal, Amy Stepp, Wingate Weier, Tim Hill, Pat Bankston, Kathy Dybendal, Agenda item 8, "Bicentennial Park." There being no further request, public input was closed. The Council Chairman recognized Livingston Parish officials Sheriff Willie Graves, Judge Robert Morrison III, District Attorney Scott Perrilloux, Assessor Jeff Taylor, Division "H" Judge Zoey Waguespack, and Clerk of Court Tom Sullivan. The Parish President requested that the Council address Agenda item 6d, "Purchase of Courthouse Property," at this time in order to accommodate the Parish officials present. LPR NO. 01-131 MOTION was offered by Mr. Cain and duly seconded by Mr. Rushing to suspend the rules and take up the question of the purchase of property for a Parish courthouse. The Parish President stated that he was in receipt of a proposal from Marvin Henderson (Star 3 Investments LLC, Jeffrey and Janet Henderson) for the sale of a 21.79 acre tract of land located on the west side of Louisiana Highway 63, north of its interchange with Interstate 12 in Livingston, for the sum of $900,000.00. Mr. Ratcliff informed the Council that he held a meeting with Parish officials at which each branch, along with the Parish of Livingston, agreed to share the costs for the purchase of the property. An appraisal report prepared by W. Ross Shuffield Jr., MAI/CCIM, Argote, Derbes, Graham, Shuffield & Tatje Inc., of Baton Rouge, dated March 5, 2001, is on file in the records of the Livingston Parish Council.
After the following Motion and second, the Chairman recognized Judge Morrison to address Agenda item 6d, "Purchase of Courthouse Land." Judge Morrison expressed hope that 100 percent grant funding for a Courthouse facility could be procured once the land is purchased. LPR NO. 01-132 MOTION was offered by Mr. Mincey and duly seconded by Mr. Ringo to purchase the following described property from Star 3 Investments Inc. for the location of a new Courthouse facility at the purchase price of $900,000.00, to be paid as follows: Parish of Livingston - $ 200,000 General Fund $ 100,000 Health Unit 100,000 Clerk of Court 300,000 Judges 100,000 District Attorney 100,000 Sheriff 100,000 Assessor 100,000 TOTAL $ 900,000 LPR NO. 01-133 MOTION was offered by Mr. Ringo and duly seconded by Mr. Cain to authorize the Parish President to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the offices of the Livingston Parish Clerk of Court, 21st Judicial District Court Judges, District Attorney, Sheriff and Assessor for the purchase of the following described property for a new Courthouse facility at the purchase price of $900,000.00:
LPR NO. 01-134 MOTION was offered by Mr. Harris and duly seconded by Mr. Harrell to authorize the Parish President to meet with the ad hoc judge in the matter of Livingston Parish Police Jury vs. Lucius Patterson, Livingston Parish Clerk of Court, Docket No. 57981, 21st Judicial District Court, to transfer funds held in escrow in connection with the settlement agreement in order that these funds can be used to purchase the following described property for the location of a new Courthouse facility: LPR NO. 01-135 MOTION was offered by Mr. Ringo and duly seconded by Mr. Mincey to authorize the Parish President to sign any and all documents related to the purchase of the following described property for the location of a new Courthouse facility:
LPR NO. 01-136 The following proclamation was offered by Mr. Sharp and duly seconded by Mr. Rushing: PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, the strength of our nation flows from the promise of individual equality and freedom of choice; and WHEREAS, the Anniversary of the National Fair Housing Law, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, during the month of April is an occasion for all Americans, individually and collectively, to rededicate themselves to the principle of freedom from housing discrimination whenever it exists. This law guarantees for each citizen that critical, personal element of freedom of choice selection of the home; and WHERFAS, a fair housing law has been passed by the State of Louisiana; and implementation of that law requires the positive commitment, involvement and support of each of our citizens; and WHEREAS, the departments and agencies of the State of Louisiana are to provide leadership in the effort to make fair housing not just an idea, but an ideal for all our citizens; and WHEREAS, barriers that diminish the rights and limit the options of any citizen will ultimately diminish the rights and limit the options of all; NOW, THEREFORE, I, Dewey Ratcliff, President of Livingston Parish, do hereby proclaim the month of April 2001 as FAIR HOUSING MONTH and do hereby encourage all citizens to abide by the letter and spirit of the Fair Housing Law, and ask the citizens of this Parish to join in reaffirming the obligation and commitment to fair housing opportunities for all. The Parish President reported that the contractor began work last week on the 2001-2002 Capital Outlay Road Improvement Program and cautioned the Council concerning the addition of roads to the Capital Outlay Road Improvement Program List. LPR NO. 01-137 MOTION was offered by Mr. Mincey and duly seconded by Mr. Harrell to reject any future Motion to add roads to the 2001-2002 Capital Outlay Road Improvement Program list of roads until all roads on the original list are finished and the Capital Outlay Road Improvement Program fund is adequately assessed. LPR NO. 01-138 MOTION was offered by Mr. Mincey and duly seconded by Mr. Harrell to postpone the introduction of the following titled Ordinance until the next regular meeting of the Livingston Parish Council, scheduled for May 10, 2001: L.P. ORDINANCE NO. 01- AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND RE-ENACT ARTICLE IV, CHAPTER 13, SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS, OF THE LIVINGSTON
PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES, AND RELATED MATTERS THERETO. The Parish President announced that he was removing Agenda item 7, "Solid Waste Ordinance Amendment," from the Agenda for further review. The Chairman opened Agenda item 8, "Bicentennial Park," for discussion. Councilman Randy Rushing discussed problems being experienced by residents bordering Bicentennial Park with people entering the park for the purpose of conducting or participating in illicit activities. Councilman Rushing proposed closing the park at dark or closing the park temporarily until security measures can be implemented. A lengthy discussion was held concerning possible solutions including the installation of a sewer system to allow a full-time resident to move into the park and act as onsite security. Expressing concerning about illegal activities at the park and unsanitary conditions related to inadequate facilities were: Catherine Bankston, Virginia Dybendal, Amy Stepp, Wingate Weier, Tim Hill, Pat Bankston, Kathy Dybendal. Residents inquired about sub-leasing the park in order to exert more control over activities and park rules. Residents charged that the Parish should be providing regular garbage pickup at the park and providing water and restroom facilities. Councilman Randy Rushing requested that Director of Public Works Grant Bankston make an onsite inspection of the park and report his recommendations for closing the park temporarily by removing the culvert bridging the entrance road into the park. The Chairman recognized Paula Simoneaux who asked to speak on this item. Ms. Simoneaux asked the Parish to dig a trench across a path that gives access to her property. The Department of Public Works Director said he would look at the situation during his onsite inspection. LPR NO. 01-139 MOTION was offered by Mr. Cain and duly seconded by Mr. Ringo to appoint Theresa Jackson to the Board of Directors of the Livingston Parish Convention & Visitors' Bureau to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Travis B. Clark, said term to expire February 11, 2002. The following resolution was offered by Mr. Ringo and seconded by Mr. Cain: L.P. RESOLUTION NO. 01-140 RESOLUTION TO REQUEST A STUDY OF THE WATSON COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ROADS, SIGNAGE, SEWER AND WATER, FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING A LONG-TERM PLAN FOR GROWTH MANAGEMENT. WHEREAS, the community of Watson was settled in the 1860s and named after George W. Watson, the postmaster of the first official post office established in that community on February 20, 1894; and WHEREAS, the community of Watson established churches, stores and other businesses as the community developed and the needs of the community grew; and WHEREAS, the community of Watson has seen an explosion of growth in the last 10 years which has greatly increased the demands on sewerage treatment, highways, schools and other services; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated that there are currently in excess of 4,000 inhabitants living in the community of Watson who desperately desire that the high rate of growth work to better and not harm the community or its residents. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Livingston Parish Council hereby requests the assistance of the State of Louisiana in conducting a study of the Watson community infrastructure, including, but not limited to roads, traffic, traffic signals, water and wastewater systems in an effort to formulate a plan to adequately direct and support future growth. THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Livingston Parish Council hereby states its intent to assist in any study of the infrastructure in any way necessary and prudent. The foregoing resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows: And the resolution was declared adopted on this the 26th day of April 2001. The Chairman recognized Councilman Robert Ringo to address Agenda item 11, "Multi-family Dwellings." Councilman Ringo stated that he would like to remove multi-family dwellings from inclusion in Section 13-70, Buffer Zones, of the proposed amendments to the Subdivision Ordinance, and develop rules for multi-family dwellings that will be included under the separate heading "Division 4 - Multi-Family Dwellings," Section 13-71. Councilman Ringo expressed his feelings that the problems multi-family dwellings impose on surrounding residential areas warrant closer scrutiny and stricter guidelines. Councilman Ringo said he would address this matter in greater detail when the Subdivision Ordinance amendments are put before the Council. Councilmen Cain and Harris opined that zoning, in the long run, will be the only way to adequately address problems arising from varying commercial and residential development. The Chairman called a special meeting for Thursday, May 3, 2001, at 6 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the proposed Ordinance to amend the existing Subdivision Ordinance for the Parish of Livingston. The Chairman posed a question to legal counsel concerning a situation where the owner of a proposed apartment complex, who obtained drainage impact study approval, sold out to a new owner. The Chairman asked whether or not the new owner could proceed under the same authorization. Legal counsel opined that there is a possibility that the new owner will not have authorization to proceed due to deadlines. Legal counsel was asked for an opinion. Councilman Cain asked legal counsel for an opinion as to whether or not Gravity Drainage District 5 and the Parish of Livingston can exchange titles to vehicles. The Parish has a dump truck it no longer needs and the Drainage District has a truck it no longer needs. There being no further business, it was duly moved, seconded and agreed that the Livingston Parish Council adjourn until its next regular meeting to be held on Thursday, May 10, 2001, at the hour of 6:00 o clock p.m. at Livingston, Louisiana. Mary E. Kistler, Council Clerk J.L. Shilling, Council Chairman