Keywords:
PUBLIC NOTICE
- - -
MINUTES
Town of Clinton, Louisiana
Parish of East Feliciana
State of Louisiana
9506 Plank Road
Clinton, LA 70722
Regular Meeting -
6:00 P.M.
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
CALLED TO ORDER by Mayor Mark L. Kemp.
The Lords Prayer was delivered in unity.
The Pledge of Allegiance was delivered in unity.
The Town Council of the Town of Clinton, Louisiana met on April 12, 2022, at 6:00 P.M. with the following members in attendance:
MAYOR
Mark L. Kemp
COUNCIL MEMBERS
Johnny Beauchamp
Janice Betrece
Bart Blackledge
Mary Dunaway
Kim Young
POLICE CHIEF
Ned Davis, Jr.
FIRE CHIEF
Douglas Beauchamp
TOWN ACCOUNTANT
Tim Butler
TOWN ATTORNEY
Graham Arnold
Maintenance Superintendent, Kerry Winters was absent.
CHANGES/ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
Alderman Blackledge made the motion seconded by Alderman Young to add the discussion for pavement for some streets.
YEAS: Beauchamp Betrece Blackledge Dunaway Young
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The motion passed with a vote of 5-0.
DISPOSITION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
March 8, 2022, Regular Meeting
March 15, 2022, Special Meeting
Alderman Blackledge made the motion seconded by Alderman Young to accept minutes of the March 8, 2022, Regular Meeting and March 15, 2022, Special Meeting.
YEAS: Beauchamp Betrece Blackledge Dunaway Young
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The motion passed with a vote of 5-0.
DISCUSSION OF GAS RATE STUDY
ZACH DAY, MARKETING SALES REPRESENTATIVE WITH KEL-AR ENERGY CONSULTING, LLC.
Mr. Day expressed that Kel-Ar Energy Consulting are agents for Louisiana Municipal Gas Authority and the town is members of LMGA and it is a great resource in terms of all things natural gas, one of the things we get for free is the rate services. Rates studies cost from $2,000 to $7,000. From the last three theyve taken all the financials and created an average, to figure out the best direction to proceed. The rates have not been adjusted since 2005. That along is factoring inflation which is on average about three percent a year which puts you at fifty percent increase and need to take in consideration. The rate structure that Kel-Ar Energy Consulting are suggesting is one that there are about 69 cities in LMGA currently and about eight percent of the cities have a rate structure that is identical or almost identical to this and it works, and it takes care of itself in the future, so you do not have to come in and do things such as this. The rate sign, how it was conducted and the main factors that goes into the rate sign. First, being priced for all utilities, which is what we are already doing, passing the cost of gas. Weatherization, we cannot predict. Cannot predict material unbudgeted expenses and inflation. Future Infrastructure Needs, which has been factor into the rate study that some money can be set aside for any appropriate. This simplifies for administration to ensure when sending out billing that they are accurate and correct, so what the billing
is going to receive.
Chief Davis came in at 6:10 P.M.
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE
ADJUSTING ALL RATES FOR THE TOWN OF CLINTON-GAS SYSTEM
Alderman Blackledge introduced the ordinance to allow an adoption for adjusting all rates for the gas system.
Mayor Kemp expressed that this ordinance is a law that takes several steps, the ordinance must be advertised in the journal and on the website, have a public hearing and voted on after the public hearing.
Alderman Young made the motion seconded by Alderman Blackledge to agree to move forward with the introduction of the ordinance for the gas system.
YEAS: Beauchamp Betrece Blackledge Dunaway Young
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The motion passed with a vote 5-0.
POLICIES
NEW-FEDERAL GRANT SPENDING POLICY
Mayor Kemp expressed with the help of LMA a policy has been put in place as to a Federal Grant Spending policy when spending federal monies.
Alderman Betrece made the motion seconded by Alderman Young to accept the Federal Grant Spending policy.
YEAS: Beauchamp Betrece Blackledge Dunaway Young
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN None
The motion passed with a vote 5-0.
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Chief Davis expressed that the March activity report of 44 Citations issued, 24 Calls was made,7 Arrests made, 3 Summons, 0 Burglary/Thefts, 1425 Outstanding warrants in and out of state, 9 Cases forwarded to District Attorneys office, Fines collected by AMS $4,758.22. Total fines collected including AMS collections are $19,179.22. Chief Davis expressed that there was a drive by shooting this morning that happened in the Reileyville area, no injuries, multiple shots fired from a vehicle, there have been one arrest made and looking to make more arrest with further investigation.
Alderman Blackledge made the motion seconded by Alderman Beauchamp to accept the police department report.
YEAS: Beauchamp Betrece Blackledge Dunaway Young
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The motion passed with a vote 5-0.
FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Fire Chief Beauchamp gave the March report that they had no structure fires in the Clinton district, assisted in mutual aide to other departments, had a couple of grass fires that has died down since the frequent rain in the last few weeks. Continuing having training the first and third Thursday. Fire Chief raised a question as to getting the people that cleans the town hall, to upkeep the floors at the fire department building at least once a month before the meetings. Mayor Kemp stated that he would communicate with Mr. Sanders.
Alderman Young made the motion and seconded by Alderman Blackledge to accept the fire department report.
YEAS: Beauchamp Betrece Blackledge Dunaway Young
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The motion passed with a vote of 5-0.
MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Mayor Kemp expressed that ARMCO Electric will repair two aerators. The company is waiting for parts required to repair the aerators. This is due to supply chain distribution.
Repaired gas leak at the corner of Liberty and Kock Alley. Repaired gas leak on Jackson Street between the Richardson Funeral Home and IPS. Pipeline Integrity Partners detected gas leaks on Clarence and Reiley Streets. Waiting to repair the leak when school is out for the Easter break will have to close the road due to them digging under the street. Questions were raised as to the timeframe to repair the leak, and will the department repair a part of his mothers driveway where a piece of concrete was removed after the leak is repaired.
For the 10-Year Plan for Gas, waiting on specification information to bring the system up to regulation.
The Gas System and the TOC must advertise and require having at least three bids to follow rules and regulations as required by the American Rescue Plan. Gas Leak reported at 12011 Jackson Street. The grass and streets are being maintained. Calls have been received reporting potholes, the maintenance is doing their best in repairing them which are Bank Street, Willow Street, and a culvert. The drain is eroded on Clarence Street by the back side of the food bank on the street.
Alderman Blackledge made the motion and seconded by Alderman Young to accept the maintenance
report.
YEAS: Beauchamp Betrece Blackledge Dunaway Young
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The motion passed with a vote of 5-0.
FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
Alderman Betrece expressed as to moving the assistant clerk salary from the Utility fund to the General fund that explains the $19,137 in the administration salary and the deficit of the $17,000 in the Utility fund. The gas was billed at $120,000 and purchased $125,000 which put the budget at the deficit of $94,000 do not know if rural water may have burst the gas line or from some of the leaks, we are having over a period of three months.
DISCUSSION OF STREETS PAVEMENT
Alderman Blackledge expressed trying to get main street paved along with Oak Street, Taylor Street,
Reiley Street, Bank Street, and Church Street that would cost one million dollars. We have the funds if we were to move forward the needed funds of $550,000 and to take that money and apply for a bond for another $550,000, we would be able to get the streets paved in a reasonable amount of time and would leave the account exhausted, it would take about two to three months to get started to get a buffer back into the fund. With the money in the bank now and the ability to get a State Bond it is an achievable goal if they decided to move in that direction. This was a current bid that put us a little more able to reach our goal.
Alderman Dunaway made the motion seconded by Alderman Blackledge to adopt to have the preliminary list of streets to be paved.
YEAS: Beauchamp Betrece Blackledge Dunaway Young
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The motion passed with a vote of 5-0.
ACCOUNTANT REPORT
Mr. Butler expressed that everything is positive outside the Utility fund. The Utility fund with the extra gas that was purchased is at a -$94,000 that we would have to amend the budget. There was a new company that domiciled here back in January with an additional $250,000 in property taxes. Property taxes this year collected was $338,000 and budgeted only $33,000. Total revenues for three months are $859,000 and only budgeted $385,000. Between all three funds thru March are $450,000 to the good.
Moved the clerk payroll from the Utility fund to the General fund to help the Utility fund due to its struggling. The Utility fund is moving in the right directions and the changes of the gas rate study that Mr. Day presented is going to bring stability to the Utility fund. The total expenses are 17 percent over the budget which we will have to amend the budget. The finance committee will adjust the budget, advertise to amend it, and have a public hearing at the May meeting along with the ordinance adjusting all rates for the gas system. The retirement fund money is also moved from the Utility to the General fund administration salary. Mr. Butler complimented Chief Davis for his management of money in the police department, he is at 82 percent of budget.
Alderman Young made the motion seconded by Alderman Beauchamp to accept the accountant s report.
YEAS: Beauchamp Betrece Blackledge Dunaway Young
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The motion passed with a vote of 5-0.
OLD BUSINESS
DISCUSSION OF A DRAFT LAWSUIT CONCERNING THE WATER AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWN OF CLINTON AND EAST FELICIANA RURAL WATER
Mr. Arnold expressed as to sending the draft suit and letter to Mr. Ligon, rural water is proposing to meet which will not be considered a public meeting and that rural water attorney, president, and lead engineer along with the towns attorney, Alderman Blackledge, Alderman Dunaway, and Fire Chief Beauchamp to discuss more.
Mr. Butler followed up on the mechanic on Beech Street. Attorney Arnold expressed to file a civil rule into court to show why he should not be able to operate a business and to remove all the junk. Mayor Kemp spoke with the mechanic, and he said he is trying to handle the tax sale, he has removed some vehicles. Alderman Blackledge made the motion seconded by Alderman Dunaway to accept the old business discussed.
YEAS: Beauchamp Betrece Blackledge Dunaway Young
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The motion passed with a vote of 5-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Alderman Young expressed to contact the property owner, Karen Flowers on Grant Street to clean up the property. Attorney Graham will send a nuisance letter to the owner.
MAYORS COMMENT
Mayor Kemp expressed that he attended the LMGA board of directors meeting on last Wednesday. There was a complaint on yesterday regarding why the park was closed.
Working on the LGAP application to purchase attachments for the skid steer. Still working with the Department of Public Safety, the truck that was purchased for the maintenance department the title is achieved and there is a process the truck was an undercover vehicle. Alderman Dunaway proposed money for the American Rescue Plan, the list was not sufficient.
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Young made the motion seconded by Alderman Blackledge to adjourn the meeting.
YEAS: Beauchamp Betrece Blackledge Dunaway Young
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The motion passed with a vote of 5-0.
Mark Kemp, MAYOR
Anjanetha Shropshire, TOWN CLERK
75144-MAY 18-1T