Washington Parish Council Minutes

Regular Meeting

Washington Parish Courthouse

908 Washington Street

Franklinton, La 70438

Council Chambers

January 22, 2024

Monday – 6:00

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

Item No. 2. - Invocation – Councilwoman Wagner gave the invocation.

Item No. 3. - Pledge of Allegiance – Councilman King 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, Steven Branch, Reginald McMasters and Carley King.

Item No. 5. – Approval of Minutes – Approval of minutes dated January 9, 2024.

Councilman McMasters offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Harry to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 9, 2024.

Roll call of the vote as follows:

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

NAYS: (0)

ABSENT: (0)

ABSTAIN: (0)

Item No. 6. – Adopt Resolution 24-1284 – A resolution of appointment for the

Washington Parish Riverside Medical Center Board of Directors.

Chairman Culpepper: “This resolution of appointment for Tammy Magruder, Grayson Ball, Arthur Westbrook, and Cynthia August is to correct the expiration term of December 31, 2030, to December 31, 2029. Would anyone like to come forward and speak before the council votes?”

No one came forward.

Councilman King offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Branch to adopt resolution 24-1284.

Roll call of the vote as follows:

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

NAYS: (0)

ABSENT: (0)

ABSTAIN: (0)

Item No. 7. – Adopt Resolution 24-1285 – A resolution by the Washington Parish Council of the Washington Parish Government to Commit General Fund (1), Fund Balance 2023 calendar year.

Chairman Culpepper: “Would anyone from the public like to come forward and speak before the council votes?”

No one came forward.

Councilman Rice offered a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Wagner to adopt resolution 24-1285.

Roll call of the vote as follows:

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

NAYS: (0)

ABSENT: (0)

ABSTAIN: (0)

Item No. 8. – Public Participation –

Chairman Culpepper: “Would anyone from the public like to come forward and speak?

If so, please state your name and address for the record.”

Micheal Herring announced his resignation of the Washington Parish Planning Commission and congratulated the Council and Parish President and wished them the best of luck.

Chairman Culpepper: “Would anyone else like to come forward and speak?”

No one came forward.

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

Roll call of the vote as follows:

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

NAYS: (0)

ABSENT: (0)

ABSTAIN: (0)

Item No. 9. President Report –

Parish President Seal:

• The Judges of the Twenty-Second Judicial District Court held an Investiture Ceremony for Alan Black and Tara Zeller on January 19, 2024, with a great turnout.

• Southeast Louisiana Pregnancy Center will be having a ribbon cutting next Monday, January 29, 2024, at 10 am on Ave F in Bogalusa right by the Hospital.

• The Annual Banquet combined by the Franklinton Chamber of Commerce and

Washington Economic Development Foundation will be held at Bo’s Steakhouse on Tuesday, January 30. 2024 at 6 pm.

• The last couple of weeks we have had some weather events, and I would like to commend our parish employees for their great efforts in making sure all bridges were sanded and buildings were prepared for the freeze.

Donna Graham: Finance Director

• Handed out the preliminary financial report for 2023. All funds are in good shape.

Danny Knight: Transportation Supervisor: Month of Beginning of January 2024

• Picked up 184 bags of trash on 19 roads.

• Installed 10 road name signs.

• Installed 23 other signs.

• maintained 3 parish locations.

• Crews are currently cleaning up sand from bridges and roadways from last week’s freezing weather.

Item No. 10. Council Discussion

The council thanked everyone for participating tonight and a special thank you to Micheal Herring for his hard work and dedication to our parish.

Item No. 11. – Adjourn –

No further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Councilman Rice seconded by Councilwoman McMasters.

Roll call of the vote as follows:

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

NAYS: (0)

ABSENT: (0)

ABSTAIN: (0)

Joe Culpepper, Chairman

Washington Parish Council

Sarah Cook, Clerk to the Council

Washington Parish

Order of Voting:

Carley King Clark Harry Joe Culpepper Steven Branch Shawn Rice Reginald McMasters Kim Wagner

The next meeting will be held on Monday, February 12, 2024

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 wpgov.org.)

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

Adv. Feb. 21, 2024.