Town of Franklinton Minutes

Regular Meeting

January 23, 2024

The Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen, Town of Franklinton, La. was held at the Municipal Building at 6:00 P.M.

Present: Mayor Gregory Route, Aldermen: T. J. Butler, Darwin Sharp, Seth Descant, Heath Spears, and Patrice Crain and Attorney James Knight. Mayor Route called the meeting to order; established a quorum and the Meeting was opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Unfinished Business

1. Approve minutes-January 9, 2024, Regular Meeting – On a motion by Alderman Butler, the Board unanimously approved the January 9, 2024 minutes.

New Business

1. There will be a public hearing on an ordinance to lease property within the Franklinton airport to John M. McNeal Jr. – On a motion by Alderman Sharp, the Board unanimously voted to open the public hearing. There was no public participation. On a motion by Alderman Sharp, the Board unanimously voted to close the public hearing.

2. The Board will vote to adopt an ordinance to lease property within the Franklinton airport to John M. McNeal, Jr. – On a motion by Alderman Spears, the Board unanimously voted to adopt an ordinance to lease property within the airport to John M. McNeal, Jr.

3. There will be a public hearing on an ordinance to lease property within the Franklinton airport to Marty L. Roberts – On a motion by Alderman Sharp, the Board unanimously voted to open the public hearing. There was no public participation. On a motion by Alderman Butler, the Board unanimously voted to close the public hearing.

4. The Board will vote to adopt an ordinance to lease property within the Franklinton airport to Marty L. Roberts – On a motion by Alderman Spears, the Board unanimously voted to adopt an ordinance to lease property within the Franklinton airport to Marty L. Roberts.

5. The Board will vote to approve the hiring of Wil Dalton as full-time patrolman for the Police Department -

On a motion by Alderman Spears, the Board unanimously voted to approve the hiring of Wil Dalton.

6. The Mayor will present the employees of the year – Chief Brown presented life-saving awards to Officer Jonathan Leche and Trey Johnson. Mayor Route presented employee of the year awards to Jonathan Leche, Frank Bickham, Michael Washington, and Candace Bickham.

Chief Lasalle gave an update on the repairs needed for the tanker truck.

Mayor Route stated that Causeway Police wants to pay a lump sum of $12,700 of shooting range fees in advance to help with construction of the facility at the shooting range. On a motion by Alderman Butler, the unanimously agreed to accept this arrangement with Causeway Police.

There was no public participation.

Alderman Butler congratulated to award winners and encouraged everyone to work together. Alderman Crain congratulated the award winners and thanked them for their hard work. Alderman Descant congratulated the winners and commented on payroll issues with the police department. Alderman Descant suggested a payroll audit or retaining a third-party payroll company. Alderman Sharp congratulated the award winners. Alderman Spears congratulated the award winners. Mayor Route said he and the aldermen will be attending the Mid-winter conference of February 27 th and 28 th . Alderman Crain read a letter from Cargill, Inc. that announced the donation of $50,000 for a Franklinton community inclusive park.

On a motion by Alderman Sharp, the board unanimously voted to adjourn.

Gregory Route, Mayor

Ellen Waskom, Municipal Clerk

Adv. May 22, 2024.