Regular Meeting
June 12, 2023
Harrisonburg, Louisiana
The Police Jury of the Parish of Catahoula, State of Louisiana, met in Regular Session at its regular meeting place, the Police Jury Meeting Room at the Courthouse, on Monday, June 12, 2023 at 6:00 P.M.
Present: President Harold Sones, Vice President Jerel Evans and Jurors Brady Nelson, Deborah McCormack, Rodney Sones, Johnie C. Estes, Rickie Crumpton, and Johnnie Adams. Secretary/Treasurer Patti Mizell, Secretary/Treasurer Trainee Stacey Lefebvre, Assistant Secretary Frankie Tolar, Road Supervisor Charles Atkins, and Attorney Karla McHand.
Absent: Juror Debra Hawkins
A quorum being present, the Police Jury of the Parish of Catahoula, State of Louisiana, was duly convened as the governing authority of said parish President Harold Sones, who called upon Rodney Sones for Prayer, and requested that the Jurors and the public remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance after which the following business was transacted.
On motion by Rodney Sones, seconded by Debra McCormack and unanimously passed, the Jury voted to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the last meeting and adopt same as published in the Official Journal.
On a motion by Jerel Evans, seconded by Rodney Sones and unanimously passed, the opened pubic hearing to discuss adopting ordinance to ban the sale of Kratom in Catahoula Parish.
President Sones asked Sheriff Tony Edwards to explain about Kratom. Sheriff
Edwards stated that it is synthetic and sold in a capsule form. It can cause Hallucinations, numerous health problems and can be deadly and additive.
The Sheriff office as well have responded to victims who have overdosedand Narcan works on Kratom. Kratom and Opioids have some of the same substances with same effects. Sheriff Edwards stated after the Ordinance is passed, the Sheriff’s office can enforce the Ordinance in the Parish but the towns would have to pass their own ordinance.
On a motion by Rodney Sones, seconded by Deborah McCormack and unanimously approved, the Jury voted to close the Public Hearing.
On a motion by Brady Nelson, seconded by Rodney Sones and unanimously passed, the Jury voted to add the following items to the agenda:
Approve 1-30 MPH and 2-25 MPH signs for Ratcliff Road.
On motion by Rodney Sones, seconded by Johnie Carol Estes and unanimously passed, the Jury voted to approve the agenda.
President Sones opened the floor for public comments on agenda items. Sommer Kimbrough stated she would like to thank the Police Jury for giving her the contract to clean the Jonesville Health Unit.
On motion by Rodney Sones, seconded by Deborah McCormack and unanimously passed, the Jury voted to authorize payment of current invoices authorized by the Finance Committee.
On motion by Jerel Evans, seconded by Rodney Sones and unanimously passed, the Jury authorized the following deletions to Selective Maintenance:
Deletions:
AREA II
Taylor Road ditching
Cantwell Road scare-fire lower end
Ordinance 06-12-23
Motion: Rodney Sones Seconded: Johnie C. Estes
Ban sale of Kratom products in Catahoula Parish. See Attachment
On a motion by Deborah McCormack, seconded by Johnnie Adams and unanimously passed the Jury approved Change Order #2 for Catahoula Church Road project for additional materials required.
On a motion by Johnie C. Estes, seconded by Rodney Sones with Juror Johnie Adams abstaining and unanimously passed the Jury approved a one-year contract for Sommer Kimbrough to clean the Jonesville Health Unit starting July 1st of 2023.
On a motion by Rickie Crumpton, seconded by Brady Nelson and unanimously passed the Jury approved OPAO dues and conference registration & hotel expense for Patti Mizell and Stacey Lefebvre.
President Sones appointed Johnie C. Estes, Deborah McCormack, and Rodney Sones as interview committee for Sanitation Department Applicants.
The Jurors were given May 2023 Financial Reports which include budget to actual figures.
Superintendent Charles Atkins presented road report.
Scar-fire: Meyers Bend and Cantwell.
Trimmed and cut limbs: Kidron, Jug, Rex Pool, Tomlinson, Hburg-Columbia, Ed Douglas.
Ditching: Beasley, Tensas, Lower Tensas, Ratcliff Rd.
Pit Run: Rainey, Moreau, Tensas, McCarthy, Rock Road, Hburg-Columbia.
Graded: Wards 1,2,6,9
Cold-mix and Dura Patch: Wards 3,4,5,6,9
Worked roads for black topping: Ratcliff, Rock, McCarthy, Taylor, Peachland.
Black Topping: Rock Rd, Ratcliff, Taylor, Rock.
Trees after Hours: Catahoula Church, Moody, Dub.
On a motion by Rodney Sones, seconded by Deborah McCormack and unanimously passed the Jury voted to adjourn.
Harold Sones, President Patti C. Mizell
Catahoula Parish Police Jury Catahoula Parish Police Jury