Washington Parish Council Minutes

Regular Meeting

Washington Parish Courthouse

908 Washington Street

Franklinton, La 70438

Council Chambers

June 27, 2022

Monday – 6:00

Item No. 1. - Call to order – Chairman King called the meeting to order.

Item No. 2. - Invocation –Councilman McMasters gave the invocation.

Item No. 3. - Pledge of Allegiance – Councilman Fornea led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Item No. 4. - Roll Call – Council Clerk Sarah Cook called the roll. Present were Joe Culpepper, Shawn Rice, Kim Wagner, Clark Harry, Rusty Fornea, Reginald McMasters, and Carley King

Item No. 5. – Approval of Minutes – Approval of minutes dated June 13, 2022. Councilman Culpepper offered a motion, seconded by Councilman McMasters to approve June 13, 2022, minutes.

Roll call of vote as follows:

YEAS: (6) Fornea, McMasters, King, Culpepper, Rice, and Wagner

NAYS: (0)

ABSENT: (1) Harry

ABSTAIN: (0)

Item No. 6. Major Coleman – Overview of the Governor’s Rural Revitalization Pilot Program. Mr. Coleman had to cancel and will call to reschedule..

Item No. 7. Introduction of Ordinance No. 22-713 – An ordinance creating Sales

Tax District No. 3 of the Parish of Washington, State of Louisiana, and providing for other matters in connection therewith.

Chairman King: read aloud. “This is an introduction only and we will be having a public hearing on July 11, 2022, at 5:45pm.”

Item No. 7. Adopt Resolution No. 22-1164 – A resolution in Appreciation of Marshall “Buddy” Jenkins as the consultant to the Parish Council for redistricting of council districts along with a 7-member Advisory Panel.

Chairman King: “Would anyone like to come forward and speak before the council votes?” No one came forward. Councilman Fornea offered a motion, seconded by Councilman McMasters to adopt Resolution 22-1164.

Roll call of vote as follows:

YEAS: (6) Fornea, McMasters, King, Culpepper, Rice, and Wagner

NAYS: (0)

ABSENT: (1) Harry

ABSTAIN: (0)

Chairman King: “Let the record reflect councilman Harry is now present.

Item No. 8. – Public Participation – Chairman King: “Would anyone from the public like to come forward and speak? Please state your name and address for the record.”

No one came forward.

Councilman Rice offered a motion, seconded by Councilman McMasters to close public participation.

YEAS: (7) Harry, Fornea, McMasters, King, Culpepper, Rice, and Wagner

NAYS: (0)

ABSENT: (0)

ABSTAIN: (0)

Item No. 9. - President Report – Ken Wheat: Public Work Director:

• Friends of the Library will be conducting their annual membership drive. Go to the washingtonparishlibrary.info to get more information and guidance.

•2 major projects going on right now.

• Judge’s Chambers

• Clerk of Court remodeling

• Washington Parish Government will be closed Monday, July 4th, 2022, in observance of Independence Day.

Donna Graham: Financial Director:

• June 22, 2022, the Audit Report was approved by the Legislative Auditor and posted on their website.

• Auditors will be at our July 25, 2022, meeting to present a report to the council.

• Wednesday, June 29, 2022, we will be receiving RFP’s for Disaster Debris Monitoring and Disaster Debris Management.

• PW for our 90% debris work has been put into express pay with preliminary approval. We should be receiving those funds by the middle or end of July. The total work was $881,000.00 and we will get 80% of it through express pay which should be about $705,000.00.

• Roof repairs on the Franklinton Branch Library have been completed and they are satisfied. Damages to the roof were sustained through hurricane Ida.

Donnell Merritt: Transportation Supervisor: Month of June

• Picked up 189 bags of trash on 14 roads.

• Installed 5 road name signs.

• Installed 6 other signs.

• Maintained 8 parish locations.

• Spayed around culverts and bridges on 20 Roads.

Item No. 9. - Council Discussion Council thanked everyone for attending and a special thanks to Marshall “Buddy” Jenkins. Wished everyone a happy and saft fourth of July. There will be a July 4th parade in Bogalusa at 10 am on Monday, July 4, 2022. Firework shows will be in Bogalusa and one in Franklinton at the Fairgrounds at 9pm on Monday, July 4th.

Item No. 10. – Adjourn – No further business to come before the Council, meeting was adjourned on motion by Councilman McMasters seconded by Councilman Rice.

Roll call of vote as follows:

YEAS: (7) Harry, Fornea, McMasters, King, Culpepper, Rice, and Wagner

NAYS: (0)

ABSENT: (0)

ABSTAIN: (0)

Carley King, Chairman

Washington Parish Council

Sarah Cook, Clerk to the Council

Washington Parish

Order of Voting:

Clark Harry Joe Culpepper Rusty Fornea Shawn Rice Reginald McMasters Kim Wagner Carley King

Next meeting will be held on Monday, July 11, 2022

In accordance with the Americans Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance, please contact Sarah Cook, Clerk to the Council at 985-839-7825 Ext. 313 describing the assistance that is necessary. (All Ordinances, Resolutions and Attachments in its entirety are available at the office of Clerk of the Council at 909 Pearl Street, Franklinton, Louisiana or at (985) 839-7825 or washingtonparishalerts.org.

“This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”

Adv. July 20, 2022.