PAGE039-2023

MINUTES OF THE ROAD COMMITTEE

WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

December 5, 2023

MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Ramsey, Chairman; Jim Bonsall, Adam Lee, Mike Griffith, Steve Lemmons, Bruce Blanton, Allen Gilbert, and Randy Thomas

Absent: Cayla Cox, Beverly Kennon and Daniel Thomas

Mr. Steve Ramsey called the meeting to order and asked Mr. Steve Lemmons to open the meeting with prayer. Mr. Steve Ramsey asked for additions to the agenda.

Mr. Allen Gilbert moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Lemmons to add a Resolution from Town of Cullen to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Chris Bagwell, Permit Officer gave a report on the permits issued in October 2023. Discussion followed.

Mr. Randy Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Mike Griffith to Approve 2024 Road Material Bids pending legal review. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Jim Bonsall moved, seconded by Ms. Vera Davison to approve the Christmas Holiday schedule for the Road Department and Police Jury Office and Courthouse Maintenance Department as follows: Road Department will be closed 12/25/23 thru 01/02/2024 and the Office/Courthouse staff 12/22-26/2023 and closed on 01/01-02/2024. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Steve Lemmons moved, seconded by Mr. Mike Griffith to approve to call to hold a Public Hearing on January 8, 2024 at 10:30am at the Webster Parish Courthouse Annex at 401 Main Street East Entrance, Minden, LA 71055 to abandon Ridgeway Road, 816 feet in Webster Parish, LA. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Allen Gilbert moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Lemmons to approve the Resolution from the Town of Cullen to install culverts at 307 Elm Street and 310 Nelson Street in Cullen, LA. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Craig Watson, business owner from Goodwill Frontage Road talked to the jury about the Road Transfer Program from DOTD.  Mr. Jim Bonsall moved, seconded by Mr. Mike Griffith to have Patrick Jackson, Parish Attorney write a letter after the new term begins asking about our CEA with the state and what all it entails. Concerns have come up due to the project. Motion carried unanimously.

Melvin Mims, Mims Grocery Road resident came to the meeting to ask where Mims Grocery Road was on the Priority List and when road work would be done. Discussion followed.

Lake Road was also discussed.

There being no further business to bring before the committee, the meeting adjourned.

            /s/                                                                                 /s/                                            

Lisa C. Balkom                                                                        Steve Ramsey

Secretary-Treasurer                                                                  Chairman

                                       *******************************

                                      MINUTES OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

  WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

  December 5, 2023

Members Present: Beverly Kennon, Chairman, Jim Bonsall, Vice Chairman, Steve Ramsey, Adam Lee, Steve Lemmons, Vera Davison, Bruce Blanton, Randy Thomas, Allen Gilbert, and Mike Griffith.

Absent: Daniel Thomas and Cayla Cox

Ms. Beverly Kennon called the meeting to order and asked for additions to the agenda. 

Ms. Vera Davison moved, seconded by Mr. Randy Thomas to approve the October 2023 Financial Statement, Check Register and Bank Reconciliation. Motion carried unanimously.

                                                                                           PAGE 040-2023

Ms. Beverly Kennon presented the Financial Reports for the month of November 2023 to be approved at the January 2024 Meeting.

Mr. Allen Gilbert moved, seconded by Mr. Adam Lee to approve to name Alicia Owens, Asst. Secretary-Treasurer/Human Resources as the training designee for all mandatory training per LLA for the Webster Parish Police Jury and to note a change in the personnel policy. Employees will be notified that Cyber Security was added as of 2023. Motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Vera Davison moved, seconded by Mr. Randy Thomas to approve Budget Amendments ending 11/30/2023. Motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Lisa C. Balkom asked if anyone had any questions concerning the Proposed 2024 Budget and Budget Notes before the Public Hearing scheduled later in the day. No questions or concerns were stated.

There being no further business to bring before the committee, the meeting adjourned.

_________/s/_________________                                ___________/s____________________

Lisa C. Balkom                                                            Beverly Kennon

Secretary-Treasurer                                                      Chairman

                                 **********************************

                                                               MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

                           WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

                         December 5, 2023

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Jim Bonsall, President; Steve Ramsey, Vice President; Beverly Kennon, Mike Griffith, Steve Lemmons, Vera Davison, Allen Gilbert, Bruce Blanton, Cayla Cox, Randy Thomas and Adam Lee

Absent: Daniel Thomas

PUBLIC HEARING:  To hear comments concerning the proposed 2024 Budget with Budget Notes of the Webster Parish Police Jury.

No Public Comments

PUBLIC HEARING: To hear comments concerning the adoption of Webster Parish Ordinance

#1020,  Adopting the2A can be merged with 3 and become 3
 2B can be merged with 2 and become 2
 3 can be merged with 2A and 4 and become 3
 17A can be merged with 17C and become 17A
17B can be merged with 16 and become 16
 17C can be merged with 17A and become 17A
 24 can be merged with 33 and become 33
24A can be merged with 27 and become 27
 29A can be merged with 26 and become 26
31A can be merged with 16 and become 16

and redefining the territorial limits of precincts and polling places in Webster Parish in compliance with RS 18:532B.

No public comments

HEARING CLOSED

Mr. Jim Bonsall called the meeting to order and asked Mr. Steve Lemmons to open the meeting with prayer. 

Mr. Mike Griffith led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mr. Jim Bonsall then asked for additions to the agenda.

Mr. Bruce Blanton moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Ramsey to add Recreation Funding from District 6 and District 1 to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.

There were no comments from the audience concerning the agenda.

                                                                                          PAGE 041-2023

Mr. Adam Lee moved, seconded by Ms. Beverly Kennon to approve invoices for payment pending review by juror Adam Lee.  Motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Beverly Kennon moved, seconded by Mr. Mike Griffith to adopt the minutes of the November 7, 2023 Road Committee, Finance Committee, and Regular Meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Mike Griffith moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Ramsey to approve the 2024 Proposed Budget with Budget Notes of the Webster Parish Police Jury. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Allen Gilbert moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Ramsey to approve the adoption of Webster Parish Ordinance

#1020,  Adopting the2A can be merged with 3 and become 3
 2B can be merged with 2 and become 2
 3 can be merged with 2A and 4 and become 3
 17A can be merged with 17C and become 17A
17B can be merged with 16 and become 16
 17C can be merged with 17A and become 17A
 24 can be merged with 33 and become 33
24A can be merged with 27 and become 27
 29A can be merged with 26 and become 26
31A can be merged with 16 and become 16

and redefining the territorial limits of precincts and polling places in Webster Parish in compliance with RS 18:532B. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Lemmons to approve Recreation Funding:

Dist. #10 $500.00 for the Webster Parish Council on Aging, Meals on Wheels program supplies, District #11 $600 Village of Heflin Police Department, Purchase vests, radios and utility pouches for the department. District #6 $500 to the Dorcheat Historical Museum for supplies, District #1 $1000 Springhill Council on Aging for supplies. Motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Vera moved, seconded by Ms. Cayla Cox to approve Board Appointments for the Webster Parish Library Board of Control to reappoint Ethel Smith to a five-year term to expire 12/31/2028. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Allen Gilbert moved, seconded by Mr. Mike Griffith to approve the Appointment of Melinda Davidson as Director of Webster Parish Police Jury Office of Community Services for the year 2024. Motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Vera Davison moved, seconded by Mr. Adam Lee to approve Signature Resolution 012-2023 authorizing Melinda Davidson, Director of WPPJOCS to sign documents on behalf of the organization. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved, seconded by Ms. Beverly Kennon to approve to update the Use Agreement for the ABC & 123 Headstart in Claiborne Parish. Motion carried unanimously.

COMMENTS:

Melinda Davidson                      WPOCS Director

Wanda Finley                             HeadStart Director

Savannah Jones                        WP Library Director

Serena Gray                              WP C.V.B. (Tourism)

Allen Mosley                              WP Coroner

Col. Carl Thompson                   Denise Edwards/Assessor

Shakera Williams                       LSU Ag/Extension Service

Brian Williams                           OHSEP Director

Jessica Gorman                        Parish Historian

Nick Cox                                   City of Minden Mayor

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Lemmons to approve the action taken at the Road Committee Meeting held earlier today. Motion carried unanimously.

                                                                                        PAGE 042-2023

Ms. Beverly Kennon moved, seconded by Mr. Adam Lee to approve the action taken at the Finance Committee Meeting held earlier today.  Motion carried unanimously.  

Mr. Jim Bonsall then gave Presidents’ closing remarks.

The Jury congratulated Ms. Cayla Cox and Ms. Vera Davison as they finished their terms. Ms. Cox for 1 year with the Jury and Ms. Davison on 20 years with the Jury.

There being no further business to bring before the Jury, the meeting adjourned.

/s/                                                                                                                /s/                                                           

Lisa C. BalkomSecretary-Treasurer                                            Jim Bonsall      President