Town of Olla Minutes

Proceedings of the Olla Town Council meeting held on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at the Olla Town Hall Ð 2628 Central Avenue. Mayor Elliott called the regular monthly meeting to order, and Joel Sims opened with prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.

Sonya Kennon called Roll. Present: Jessica Dunn, Joel Sims, and Madge Bailey. Absent: Michael Duke and Keith Reichardt. Various members of the public were present.

Dunn made a motion, second by Bailey, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.

Dunn made a motion, second by Sims, to approve the July 2024 regular meeting minutes. Motion Carried.

Bailey made a motion, second by Dunn, to approve the July 2024 bills as presented. Motion carried.

Sims made a motion, second by Dunn, to approve the August 2024 financial statement as presented. Motion carried.

* Fire Department Ð Chief Kim Taylor gave the written fire report for July 2024. Chief Taylor stated there had been no changes in membership and stated that all equipment is in operational condition. The department responded to 4 alarms in July. Chief Taylor stated that the department has taken multiple training classes for the month of July. Chief Taylor thanked the Urania Fire Department and the Tullos Fire Department for their assistance with a house fire located in Olla. He also thanked the Ambulance Service for being on standby as well.

* Police Report Ð The July 2024 police report was given by Chief Jody OÕBier. 136 citations issued for July 2024, $31,356.73 was collected in fines and court cost, the department responded to 18 incidents, 5 arrests, and 5 dog complaints.

* Public Works Department Ð Mayor Elliott delivered the July 2024 SuperintendentÕs report. Mayor Elliott stated that the Public Works Department has been extremely busy with leaks and trying to get the townÕs grass caught up with. It has been a struggle with the extreme temperatures.

Dunn made a motion, second by Sims, to approve the reports as presented. Motion carried.

Bailey made a motion, second by Dunn, to approve the adoption of Resolution 2024-007: A resolution requesting that DOTD put a redlight at the intersections of US 165 and LA 127 where the redlight was removed when the four-lane was laid. Motion carried.

Dunn made a motion, second by Sims, to ADOPT Resolution 2024-008: A resolution adjusting the millage from 7.210 to 6.630 for Tax Year 2024. Motion carried.

Bailey made a motion, second by Sims, to OPEN the Public Hearing for Ordinance 2024-007 at 7:09 p.m. There being no comments or questions from the public, Dunn made a motion, second by Bailey, to close the Public Hearing at 7:10 p.m.

Sims made a motion, second by Bailey, to ADOPT Ordinance 2024-007: ÒAn ordinance authorizing the issuance of not exceeding Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) of Taxable Sales Tax Bonds (DEQ), Series 2024 of the Town of Olla, State of Louisiana; and providing for other matters in connection therewithÓ. Motion carried.

Dunn made a motion, second by Bailey, to OPEN the Public Hearing for Ordinance 2024-008 at 7:11 p.m. There being no comments or questions from the public, Bailey made a motion, second by Dunn, to close the Public Hearing at 7:12 p.m.

Dunn made a motion, second by Sims, to Introduce Ordinance 2024-008: An ÒORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF OLLA, LOUISIANA, GRANTING TO ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION (A TEXAS AND VIRGINIA CORPORATION WITH ITS PRINCIPAL OFFICE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF DALLAS, DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS) AND ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS THE FRANCHISE AND RIGHTS TO CONDUCT IN SUCH MUNICIPALITY THE BUSINESS OF ACQUIRING, MAINTAINING, CONSTRUCTING, LAYING, REPAIRING, REMOVING, REPLACING, INSTALLING, OPERATING, AND DISPOSING OF A GAS SYSTEM FOR THE SALE, TRANSPORTATION, AND DISTRIBUTION OF NATURAL GAS WITHIN AND BEYOND THE MUNICIPAL BOUNDARIES OF THE MUNICIPALITY AND TO THE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES LOCATED THEREIN FOR LIGHT, HEAT, POWER, AND ANY OTHER PURPOSES AND THE RIGHT TO USE THE PRESENT AND FUTURE STREETS, ROADS, HIGHWAYS, ALLEYS, BRIDGES, PUBLIC WAYS, AND IMMOVABLE PROPERTY IN SUCH MUNICIPALITY AND OWNED OR CONTROLLED BY SUCH MUNICIPALITY FOR SUCH PURPOSES; PRESCRIBING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS TO WHICH SUCH FRANCHISE AND RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT; AND PRESCRIBING THE TERM OF SUCH FRANCHISE AND RIGHTSÓ. Motion carried.

Mayor Elliott announced that Olla Downtown Homecoming is Saturday, September 28, 2024. Anyone wishing to have a vendor space should contact the Olla Town Hall for an application.

Mayor Elliott stated that the mediation hearing for the hurricane shelter and Dixie Center was scheduled for last Thursday but was changed to August 22,2024.

Mayor Elliott stated that there will be a water management meeting in Alexandria at the LRWA Fall Mini-Conference October 14-17, 2024. Mayor Elliott asked if any of the council members would be willing to go, as she went last year and is not eligible to go this year. The idea of the meeting is to educate the decision makers about the water management of the municipality. It is a highly informative class.

Mayor Elliott asked that all council members please remember to take the Ethics Training and Sexual Harassment Training classes for 2024.

Bailey made a motion, second by Dunn, to adjourn at 7:17 p.m. Motion carried.

Rhonda Elliott

Mayor

Sonya Kennon

Town Clerk

Published:

8-28-24