Colfax, LA
April 15, 2024
The Police Jury of the Parish of Grant, State of Louisiana, met in regular session at its meeting place, the Grant Parish Police Jury Meeting Room, 200 Main Street, Colfax, Louisiana, on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
The following members were present:
Mr. Mark Ball, Mr. Cephas Bowie Jr., Mr. Brandon DuBois, Mr. Johnny Jamison, Mr. Arnold Murrell, Mr. Winston Roberts, Mr. Roy Edwards, and Mr. Mike Merrell
The following members were absent:
None
Motion by Mr. Johnny Jamison, seconded by Mr. Arnold Murrell to open the meeting to public comments on agenda items. Motion carried.
No discussions were brought forth
Motion by Mr. Arnold Murrell, seconded by Mr. Johnny Jamison to accept the minutes of the last meeting as published in the official journal. Motion carried.
Mr. Jeff Pogue, Operations Manager of Acadian Ambulance, gave the March call report for the parish.
168 calls for an ambulance / 163 emergency transports
12 Air Med launches / 3 transports
Acadian Ambulance also provided a “Heatmap” for Grant Parish. Acadian utilizes this information regarding the stations of the ambulances in and surrounding the parish.
Mr. Daniel Stephenson, Central Regional Director, LSU Ag Center, discussed the many benefits of the LSU Ag Center in Grant Parish including 4-H Youth Development, Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS), and Agriculture and Natural Resources. Mr. Stephenson presented the jury with a 2024 – 2027 cost analysis to operate in Grant Parish and requested assistance with a 20% match.
Motion by Mr. Cephas Bowie, Jr., seconded by Mr. Mike Merrell to renew the MOU with the LSU Ag Center and provide the requested 20% in operating expenses. Motion carried.
Judge Willett, 35th JDC District Judge, commended Mr. Winston Roberts for 25 years of service on the Jury Commission and presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation.
Motion by Mr. Arnold Murrell, seconded by Mr. Winston Roberts to amend the agenda to include Mr. Dan Fletcher, Grant Parish Coroner to discuss training curriculum and the cost for the Coroner and Deputy Coroners. Motion carried.
Motion by Mr. Roy Edwards, seconded by Mr. Brandon DuBois to allow Mr. Dan Fletcher, Grant Parish Coroner to discuss the training curriculum and costs for the Coroner and Deputy Coroners. Motion carried.
Mr. Dan Fletcher, Grant Parish Coroner to discuss training curriculum and the cost for the Coroner and Deputy Coroners.
Motion by Mr. Brandon DuBois, seconded by Mr. Winston Roberts to approve funding for training for the Coroner and Deputy Coroners with a 1-year employment obligation to date after each training. Anyone who terminates their employment or has employment terminated, will be responsible for reimbursing the jury for all trainings within their last year of employment. Motion carried.
Mr. Brandon DuBois opened the requested sealed bids for materials:
Motion by Mr. Winston Roberts, seconded by Mr. Johnny Jamison to accept the bids from Diamond B, Ergon, Luhr Bros, Inc., Pokey’s Materials, and C&D Earthworks. Motion carried.
Motion by Mr. Winston Roberts, seconded by Mr. Brandon DuBois to open sealed bids for the Compact Excavator. Motion carried.
Mr. Brandon DuBois opened the following sealed bids:
Scott Equipment, Doggett, Louisiana Cat, Equipment Incorporated, WPI, and State Machinery
Motion by Mr. Brandon DuBois, seconded by Mr. Mike Merrell to accept the lowest bid that meets specs. Motion carried.
WPI’s Komatsu PC45MR-5 was selected
Motion by Mr. Arnold Murrell, seconded by Mr. Johnny Jamison to open sealed bids for the Broom/Sweeper. Motion carried.
Mr. Brandon DuBois opened the following sealed bids
Scott Equipment and Doggett
Motion by Mr. Brandon DuBois, seconded by Mr. Arnold Murrell to accept the lowest bid that meets specs and pay with LGAP funds. Motion carried.
Scott Equipment’s Superior Broom DT74F was selected
(FULL EQUIPMENT BIDS ARE PUBLISHED AT GPPJ.ORG AND ARE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW IN THE POLICE JURY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE)
Mr. Brandon DuBois discussed the dumpsite in Hargis. The landowners are willing to sign an Act of Donation to the Grant Parish Police Jury in exchange for the Jury to install fencing and security cameras.
Motion by Mr. Brandon DuBois, seconded by Mr. Johnny Jamison to allow Mr. Mark Ball to execute proper documents for the donation of the Hargis dumpsite property and add a fence, building, and security cameras as stated in the conditions of the donation. Motion carried.
The jury discussed moving forward with plans to decommission the CNG Station in Dry Prong.
Motion by Mr. Winston Roberts, seconded by Mr. Brandon DuBois to allow the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources to research the proper procedures to move forward with the plan to decommission the CNG Station in Dry Prong. Motion carried.
Motion by Mr. Johnny Jamison, seconded by Mr. Roy Edwards to adopt Resolution 4-2024; to Recognize the Colfax Chronicle as the Official Journal for the Parish of Grant. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION 04-2024;
TO APPOINT THE COLFAX CHRONICLE AS THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL FOR THE PARISH OF GRANT
WHEREAS, THE Grant Parish Police Jury is required to select an Official Journal to publish official proceedings of the Parish of Grant.
WHEREAS, the Colfax Chronicle is the only qualified newspaper under La. R.S. 43:142A.
WHEREAS, the Police Jury is obligated to select as its official journal a newspaper published in an office physically located in the parish governed by the Police Jury.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Grant Parish Police Jury
appoint the Colfax Chronicle as the official journal for Grant Parish for the unexpired term through April 10, 2025.
Mark Ball-President
Winn Parish Police Jury
Jessie Pace-Parish Manager- Secretary/Treasurer
Grant Parish Police Jury
CERTIFICATE
I, Jessie Pace, Secretary/Treasurer/Parish Manager of the Grant Parish Police Jury do hereby certify that the above to be true and correct copy of the Resolution adopted by the said Jury in regular session on April 11TH, 2024, at which a quorum was present.
Given under my Official Signature and Seal of Office on this 11TH day of April, 2024.
Jessie Pace-Parish Manager -Secretary/Treasurer
Grant Parish Police Jury
Jurors reviewed and discussed the most recent Inland Marine and Property quote from HUB International.
Motion by Mr. Johnny Jamison, seconded by Mr. Cephas Bowie, Jr. to accept the quote from HUB International for Inland Marine and Property insurance. Motion carried.
Jurors discussed “Love the Boot Week,” April 20-28, 2024. All throughout the parish we would like to see volunteers caring for their community. Creola Town Hall is organizing events and the Grant Parish Police Jury is working with the Forestry Service to see how improvements can be made to clean up and stop litter in our parish.
The jury discussed possible grant projects to submit to LITACorp and all jurors agreed to request funds for Central Grant Water and Walker Ferry Road.
Motion by Mr. Arnold Murrell, seconded by Mr. Winston Roberts to amend the agenda to include a motion to discuss Ordinance 1-2022; Sewer Use Ordinance. Motion carried.
Motion by Mr. Winston Roberts, seconded by Mr. Arnold Murrell to discuss amending Ordinance 1-2022; Sewer Use Ordinance to include language allowing residential customers the option of having personal sewer or connecting to the South Grant Sewer. All commercial properties and businesses will still be required to connect to the South Grant Sewer. Motion carried.
Motion by Mr. Arnold Murrell, seconded by Mr. Johnny Jamison to amend Ordinance 1-2022; Sewer Use Ordinance to include language allowing residential customers the option of having personal sewer or connecting to the South Grant Sewer. All commercial properties and businesses will still be required to connect to the South Grant Sewer. Motion carried.
The jury discussed claims of damage to personal vehicles that was allegedly caused by parish vehicles.
No motion was made to approve payment for a new windshield that was allegedly caused by a parish vehicle.
Motion by Mr. Johnny Jamison, seconded by Mr. Brandon DuBois to approve payment of the lowest estimate for body work due to an incident caused by parish equipment. Motion carried.
Mr. Cody Gongre, Grant Parish Roads Superintendent, updated the jury on current projects from the Landfill and Roads departments.
Motion by Mr. Johnny Jamison, seconded by Mr. Brandon DuBois to pay bills as funds become available. Motion carried.
Motion by Mr. Johnny Jamison, seconded by Mr. Arnold Murrell to adjourn. Motion carried.
Disclaimer: These minutes are not official until adopted by the jury at the next meeting.
#109-24 4/25