AGENDA ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MARCH...

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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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

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

5. Request Parish Administration place Longwood Drive on list to have asphalt laid and

paid out of Road District 1 of 11A fund.

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

7. 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.

8. 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.

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

Grand.

10. 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.

11. Request Parish Administration itemize in the budget the St. Landry Parish Historical

Development District Fund No. 1.

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

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

1. 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.

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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

1. Person to address the Committee: a) 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.

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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.

b) 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.

c) 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

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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.

2. 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.

3. 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.



Motion Carried.

4. 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.



Motion Carried.

5. 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.

6. 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.

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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.

7. 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.

8. 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

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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.

9. 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.



Motion Carried.

10. 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.

11. 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.



Motion Carried.

12. 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.

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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.

13. 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.



Motion Carried.

14. 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

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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.

15. Discuss any other business properly brought before this committee:

a) Councilman Jerry Red questioned Mr. Fontenot regarding material on Standberry Road;

it has been about two month they have been waiting.

b) 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.

c) 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.

d) 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.

e) 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.

f) 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.

g) 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.

16. A motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilman

Fekisha Miller Matthews.



Motion Carried.

I HEREBY CERTIFY THE FOREGOING TO BE EXACT AND TRUE

LAYCIE ALFRED, COUNCIL CLERK

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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

1. 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.

2. A motion was made by Councilman Alvin Stelly, seconded by Councilman Jimmie Edwards to

accept the Parish President’s Report.



Motion Carried.

3. 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



Motion Carried.

4. 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.

5. 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.

11



Motion Carried.

6. 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.

7. 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.



Motion Carried.

8. 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

12

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.

9. 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.



Motion Carried.

10. 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.

11. 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.



Motion Carried.

12. 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.

13. 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.

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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.

14. A motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Jimmie Edwards, seconded by Councilman

Hurlin Dupre.



Motion Carried.

I HEREBY CERTIFY THE FOREGOING TO BE EXACT AND TRUE

LAYCIE ALFRED, COUNCIL CLERK

XIV. LITIGATION REPORT a) Lawsuit by Acadian Addiction Center v. Parish

XV. ADJOURNMENT

AGENDA ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MARCH...

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