Calcasieu Parish
Police Jury
May 20, 2024
Lake Charles, Louisiana
The Police Jury of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, met in Special Session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 2, 2024, in the Police Jury Meeting Room of the Parish Government Building, located at 1015 Pithon Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana, with The Honorable Anthony L. Bartie, President, presiding.
1. Call to Order by President Bartie.
2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. (Mr. Hayes)
3. Roll Call.
PRESENT: Ms. Mary Kaye Eason; and Messrs. Brian Abshire, Judd Bares, Randy Burleigh, Tony Guillory, Ron Hayes, Eddie Lewis, Jr., Roger Marcantel, Mike Smith, and Tony Stelly
ABSENT: Messrs. Joe Andrepont, Chris Landry, Darby Quinn, and Tony Tramonte (deceased)
OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Bryan C. Beam, Parish Administrator; Mr. Dane Bolin, Assistant Administrator; Ms. Jessica Booth, Executive Assistant; Mr. Wesley Crain, Director of the Division of Planning and Development; Ms. Kelly Fontenot, Parish Treasurer/Finance Director; Mr. Samuel Gabb of Plauche, Smith, and Nieset, General Counsel; Mr. Nicholas Johnson, Parish Engineer; Mr. Allen Wainwright, Director of the Division of Engineering and Public Works; and Ms. Jennifer R. Wallace, Recording Secretary
4. Adopt a resolution in memoriam to be forwarded to the family of the late Thomas Anthony Tony Tramonte, Police Juror -- District Fifteen.
Motion was made by Mr. Bares and seconded by Mr. Burleigh to adopt the resolution in memoriam.
Mr. Bares remembered Mr. Tramonte as a person with a big heart and a giving personality. Mr. Bares added that family was everything to Mr. Tramonte, specifically his wife, his children, and his grandchildren. As a Police Juror, Mr. Bares said Mr. Tramonte went above and beyond to do his job. Mr. Bares advised that The Honorable Les Farnum, current Louisiana State Representative and former District 15 Police Juror, had authored a Concurrent Resolution from the House and Senate to be provided to Mr. Tramontes family.
Mr. Smith felt that he and Mr. Tramonte shared a number of the same principles regarding their districts. He said Mr. Tramonte was for the people and the people appreciated him for that. Mr. Smith closed by extending his sincere condolences to Mr. Tramontes family.
President Bartie noted that whenever Mr. Tramonte became aware of an organization in need of funding, Mr. Tramontes first question was always, What can we do to help? President Bartie said that epitomized who Mr. Tramonte was.
A vote taken on the motion to adopt the resolution in memoriam carried unanimously. As a result of the vote, the following resolution was adopted:
Resolution in Memoriam
Thomas Anthony Tony Tramonte
WHEREAS, the life and service of Thomas Anthony Tony Tramonte are engraved on memorys table, and he will be remembered affectionately by those who proudly knew him; and
WHEREAS, a native of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Tony was born on June 29, 1969, to Nicholas J. and Dell Greenlee Tramonte and gained his education from Catholic schools and McNeese State University, where he studied business management and marketing; and
WHEREAS, Tony was a proud member of the Louisiana National Guard and was a Desert Storm Veteran; and
WHEREAS, serving his second term as a Calcasieu Parish Police Juror, Tony was proud of his roles as the Chairman of the Special Service Districts Review Committee, Vice Chairman of the Public Works Committee, a member of the Alcohol Review Committee and the Personnel Policy Review Committee, and Liaison to numerous West Calcasieu businesses and organizations; and
WHEREAS, having a career in the car industry that spanned 25 years, Tony was the Fleet and Commercial Manager at Mike Willis Ford in Sulphur; and
WHEREAS, Tony was known to enjoy his time spent with family and friends, in addition to being a Sulphur Tor fan and analyst for the Tornado Radio Network; and
WHEREAS, Tony was an engaged public leader, leaving behind a legacy of community service and advocacy for others; and
WHEREAS, those left to cherish Tonys memory include his wife of 33 years, Kristi Simon Tramonte; children: Nicolas Tramonte (Bethany) and Bryce Tramonte Trahan (Stryker); grandchildren: Cruz Tramonte, Rhodes Tramonte, Grey Tramonte, Kyle Trahan, and Kolby Trahan; mother: Dell Faye Tramonte; sisters: Kelly Billeaudeaux (Kirk), Beth Land (David), and Michelle Tramonte; in-laws: Vicki Gaspard and Marvin Gaspard; and multiple nieces, nephews, and godchildren; and
WHEREAS, Tony will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him, and in his passing, the Parish of Calcasieu feels the loss of an outstanding, public-spirited citizen and friend.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE POLICE JURY OF CALCASIEU PARISH, LOUISIANA, convened in Special Session on the 20th day of May, 2024, that it does hereby express sincere regret in the passing of Thomas Anthony Tony Tramonte.
BE IT FURTHER AND FINALLY RESOLVED that this memorial shall be presented to the family of Thomas Anthony Tony Tramonte in heartfelt sympathy and condolences and shall be spread upon the minutes of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury in loving and respectful memory of an esteemed citizen, son, husband, father, grandfather, and brother.
/s/ Anthony L. Bartie, President
Calcasieu Parish
Police Jury
5. Adopt a resolution and proclamation, in accordance with La.R.S. 18:602, related to the vacancy in the District Fifteen Seat of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, which was created by the passing of Thomas Anthony Tony Tramonte:
5.A Proclaim a vacancy in the District Fifteen Seat of the Police Jury.
Motion was made by Mr. Bares, seconded by Mr. Marcantel and carried unanimously to adopt the following proclamation:
PROCLAMATION
BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE POLICE JURY OF CALCASIEU PARISH, LOUISIANA, convened in Special Session on the 20th day of May, 2024, and in accordance with La.R.S. 18:402, La.R.S. 18:581, and La.R.S. 18:602, that:
SECTION 1. Thomas Anthony Tony Tramonte was elected to a four-year term on the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury representing District Fifteen of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, and took office in January, 2024. Mr. Tramonte was taken by death on April 29, 2024, thereby creating a vacancy in the District Fifteen Seat of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury.
SECTION 2. On May 20, 2024, in Special Session, the members of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury appointed Mr. Scott Brent Clement to serve as the Police Juror from District Fifteen of the Parish of Calcasieu, Louisiana, until such time as an election is held to fill the seat.
SECTION 3. On May 20, 2024, in Special Session, the members of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury ordered the special election for the vacated Police Jury seat from District Fifteen of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, will be held as follows:
(a) Primary election November 5, 2024
(b) General election December 7, 2024
SECTION 4. All persons seeking the office of Police Juror from District Fifteen of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, have July 17, July 18, and July 19, 2024, to qualify as a candidate for the vacated seat.
THUS PASSED AND ADOPTED on this, the 20th day of May, 2024.
/s/ Anthony L. Bartie, President
/s/ Bryan C. Beam, Administrator
& Ex-Officio Parish Secretary
5.B Make an appointment to temporarily fill the vacancy in the District Fifteen Seat of the Police Jury.
Motion was made by Ms. Eason, seconded by Mr. Smith and carried unanimously to temporarily fill the vacancy.
President Bartie opened the floor for nominations to fill the unexpired term of the District Fifteen Seat of the Police Jury. Mr. Bares nominated Mr. Scott Brent Clement, and the nomination was seconded by Mr. Marcantel.
There being no comments from Police Jurors, President Bartie closed nominations. There being no opposition, Mr. Clement was appointed by acclamation and the following resolution was adopted as a result thereof:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Thomas Anthony Tony Tramonte was elected to a four-year term on the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury representing District Fifteen of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, and took office in January, 2024; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Tramonte was taken by death on April 29, 2024, thereby creating a vacancy in the District Fifteen Seat of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury; and
WHEREAS, under La.R.S. 18:602, it is the duty of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury to timely fill this vacancy for the interim period until an election can be held in accordance with Louisiana law.
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE POLICE JURY OF CALCASIEU PARISH, LOUISIANA, convened in Special Session on the 20th day of May, 2024, that it does hereby appoint Mr. Scott Brent Clement effective as of this date, as a member of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury representing District Fifteen of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, with said appointment to expire at such time as the vacancy is filled by an election in accordance with Louisiana law.
THUS PASSED AND ADOPTED on this, the 20th day of May, 2024.
Mr. Clement was administered the Oath of Office by Mr. Gabb, following which he received a standing ovation and then took his seat on the Police Jury.
5.C Order an election to be held in District Fifteen on the following dates to fill the vacancy -- Primary Election on November 5, 2024, General Election on December 7, 2024.
AGENDA NOTE: Qualifying dates for said election will be July 17, 18, and 19, 2024.
Motion was made by Mr. Burleigh, seconded by Mr. Bares and carried unanimously to order said election to fill the vacancy.
6. Adjourn.
There being no further business, motion was made by Mr. Bares, seconded by Mr. Burleigh and carried unanimously that the meeting be adjourned.
/s/Anthony L. Bartie, President
/s/Bryan C. Beam, Administrator
& Ex-Officio Parish Secretary
Sept 13 1t
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