A G E N D A

 

REGULAR MEETING

THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2008

5:30 P.M.

 

 

1.     Call to order by President Stelly.

 

2.   Invocation.  (Mr. Farnum)

 

3.   Pledge of Allegiance.

 

4.   Roll Call.

 

5.   Presentation of a trophy to the Lady Saints Soccer Team and Coaches for winning the 2008 Division III State Soccer Championship.  (Dr. Mackey)

 

6.   Presentation of a plaque to Mr. Kerry Onxley for being inducted into the Arkansas Hall of Fame of the Arkansas Thespian Society in recognition of his dedication to theatre education, professional achievement, and continued service to the International Thespian Society.

 

7.   Appearance of Ms. Catherine Thomas with United Way of Southwest Louisiana to discuss continuing long-term recovery efforts and the upcoming Alternative Spring Break event.

 

8.   Take appropriate action on applications for liquor and beer permits. (Mr. Vickers)  (No action required due to the fact that no applications have been submitted.)

 

9.   Consideration of approval of payment of all current invoices.

 

10.    Consideration of approving the minutes of the regular meeting of the Police Jury dated February 7, 2008.

 

11.    Consideration of approving the Agenda Committee Report dated February 28, 2008.

 

12.    Consideration of approving the Public Works Committee Report dated February 28, 2008. Said Committee:

 

(12.1) Received and opened sealed bids for Calcasieu Parish Project No. 2008-01 (Overlaying of Various Roads in Calcasieu Parish), as advertised in accordance with law for action to be taken at 5:30 p.m.:

 

Bessette Development Corporation................................................................................................. $3,980,802.13

Gilchrist Construction Company...................................................................................................... $4,847,805.50

Prairie Contractors, Inc...................................................................................................................... $5,140,192.50

R. E. Heidt Construction Company, Inc.......................................................................................... $4,159,432.21

 

AGENDA NOTE:  the Parish Engineer recommends that the low bid in the amount of $3,980,802.13 of Bessette Development Corporation be accepted.

 

(12.2) Heard a brief statement from Mr. David A. Abshire, 160 West Park Manor Drive, Moss Bluff, relative to events which had transpired since his Zoning Request (RZ04-029-07) was approved by the Police Jury on February 20, 2008, for a solid waste site (construction and debris landfill classification type 3) on Coach Williams Drive in Ward Four, wherein Mr. Abshire advised that after hearing the claims by the citizens of Mossville that tires had been illegally buried on his property, he had investigated and found that they had indeed been buried, unbeknownst to him, after which he contacted the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) to be present for monitoring purposes when they were excavated.

 

(12.3) Received report from the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District, with reference to the Calcasieu River Basin Study wherein Mr. Mark Wingate, P.E., Senior Project Manager, advised that the Corps had completed 60% of engineering surveys and hydrology and hydraulic modeling and had provided models on February 25, 2008, for Drainage Laterals W4, W5, Black Bayou, Hippolyte Coulee, W16 (Kayouchee Coulee) and Contraband Bayou. He further advised that models for Bayou D’Inde and Bayou Choupique would be completed within the following month and that all models should be completed by August, 2008. Mr. Wingate stated that based on the current time line and congressional authorization of the Water Resources Development Act, a “notice to proceed” could be issued in December, 2010.

 

(12.4) Received report from the Engineering Staff regarding the T-intersection of Old Spanish Trail and Coach Williams Drive (new extension of Highway 108) wherein different options to increase safety at this intersection were discussed, such as “rumble” strips, beacons affixed to existing signage, and/or a combination thereof, and further, since “rumble” strips had been proven to be most effective in situations such as this, Mr. McMillin agreed to meet with the property owners to see if this option was agreeable to them.

 

(12.5) Recommended that a resolution be adopted accepting Carlyss Industrial Park located on the west side of Louisiana State Highway 27 in Section 15, Township 10 South, Range 10 West, in south Ward Four, subject to the developer maintaining the “T-intersection” at the west end of Hood Road.  (Police Jury District 12, Mr. Hassien)

 

AGENDA NOTE:  prior to the sale of Lots 8 & 9, the “T-intersection” will be immediately hardsurfaced, as per correspondence dated February 21, 2008, from Palvest, Inc.

 

(12.6) Recommended that a resolution be adopted accepting Victorian Heights Phase 2 Subdivision located off of Empress Drive in Section 31, Township 8 South, Range 8 West, in Ward One.  (Police Jury District 1, Mr. Spell)

 

(12.7) Recommended that an ordinance be adopted amending the Code of Ordinances of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, to name the west 393’ of an unnamed road off of Kingery Road (984-990) as “Reed Lane” in Ward One, and further, removing this section of road (984-990) from the Master Private Road List. (Police Jury District 1, Mr. Spell)

 

      AGENDA NOTE:  the west 393’ of the currently unnamed road is a previously-established prescriptive right-of-way, and documentation of maintenance dating back to the 1980’s is on file.

 

(12.8)       Recommended that an ordinance be adopted and/or existing ordinance(s) be amended to establish “no parking” on Bennie Lane in Ward Three. (Police Jury District 6, Mr. Scott)

 

(12.9) Recommended that a resolution be adopted approving a Consent to Cross U. S. Government Easement (No. DACW29-9-08-62) between the Police Jury and the Department of the Army, which will authorize the installation of erosion control material at Intracoastal Park, and further, authorizing the President of the Police Jury, or his designee, when appropriate, to execute all documents related thereto.  (Police Jury District 12, Mr. Hassien)

 

(12.10) Recommended that a resolution be adopted approving Amendment No. 1 to Consent No. DACW29-9-05-106 between the Police Jury and the Department of the Army which will authorize the addition of a fishing pier, covered pavilion, and the moving of existing channel markers on government-owned land, known as Calcasieu Point Landing, and further, authorizing the President of the Police Jury, or his designee, when appropriate, to execute all documents related thereto.  (Police Jury District 8, Mr. Brame)

 

(12.11)       Recommended that a meeting of the Litter Abatement and Solid Waste Committee be convened in the near future to discuss litter problems in Calcasieu Parish, and further, that Mr. Wayne Heckford of Ouachita Parish and law enforcement officials from Calcasieu Parish, be invited to attend said meeting.

 

13.    Consideration of approving the Wastewater Committee Report dated March 6, 2008.

 

14.    Consideration of amending action taken by the Police Jury on February 20, 2008, in light of events which have transpired since such action, whereby Zoning Request RZ04-029-07 was granted, as requested by David A. Abshire, LLC, to rezone from I-2 (Heavy Industrial) to I-2R (Heavy Industrial-Restricted) to allow a solid waste site (construction and debris landfill-classification type 3).  (Coach Williams Drive in Ward Four, Police Jury District 14, Mr. McMillin)

 

AGENDA NOTE: on Wednesday, February 20, 2008, the Police Jury voted ten (for) to four (against) to approve the request with the following stipulations: 1) that the development adhere to the site plan on file with the Division of Planning and Development; 2) that the development adhere to the Department of Environmental Quality Regulations; 3) upon issuance of a development permit, the solid waste site disposal is for ten years or when the pit is completely filled; whichever comes first; 4) that access be restricted to Coach Williams Drive only; 5) that a 50’ natural buffer must be maintained along the north property line to the west of Pattie Moss and a 6’ wood privacy fence must be installed along the north property line to the east of Pattie Moss prior to issuance of  development permit; 6) that a 300’ asphalt access road be provided; and 7) that this change in zoning be contingent upon the applicant’s receipt of the appropriate permit from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ), and further, if no permit is obtained from LDEQ, the zoning shall revert back to I-2 (Heavy Industrial).  (Voting in favor of the request to rezone were Mr. Spell, Mrs. Griffin, Dr. Mackey, Mr. Scott, Mr. Landry, Mr. Guidry, Mrs. Treme, Mr. Hassien, Mr. Andrepont, and Mr. Farnum.  Voting against the request to rezone were Mr. Collins, Mr. Syas, Mr. Brame, and Mr. McMillin.)

 

15.    Consideration of approving the recommendations of the Director of the Division of Planning and Development in reference to the Surplus Adjudicated Property Sale conducted on February 26, 2008, on the following cases, and adopt an ordinance with respect to each piece of property:

 

(15.1) AP03-294-05 (900 Block of Booker Street-vacant lot) (Police Jury District 3, Mrs. Griffin)

 

[The Director of the Division of Planning and Development recommends that the highest offer in the amount of $1,500.00 by Mr. Samuel L. Sung be accepted.]

 

(15.2) AP03-329-06 (100 Block of Louisiana Avenue-vacant lot) (Police Jury District 3, Mrs. Griffin)

 

[The Director of the Division of Planning and Development recommends that the highest offer in the amount of $1,100.00 by Mr. James W. Pettieway be accepted.]

 

        (15.3) AP03-353-06 (1600 Block of Belden Street-vacant lot) (Police Jury District 3, Mrs. Griffin)

 

[The Director of the Division of Planning and Development recommends that the highest offer in the amount of $2,800.00 by Ms. Novella Franklin be accepted.]

 

        (15.4) AP03-355-06 (2100 Block of Katherine Street-vacant lot) (Police Jury District 2, Mr. Collins)

 

        [No bids were received; therefore, this property will be readvertised on March’s adjudicated property.]

 

        (15.5) AP06-351-06 (800 Block of Cooley Road, west of Holbrook Park Road-vacant lot) (Police Jury District 11, Mrs. Treme)

 

        [No action necessary; property was removed from the sale.]

 

        (15.6) AP07-325-06 (800 Block of Fancher Street-vacant lot) (Police Jury District 12, Mr. Hassien)

 

        [The Director of the Division of Planning and Development recommends that the highest offer in the amount of $2,600.00 by Ms. Earlene Prescott be accepted.]

 

        (15.7) AP03-430-07 (1700 Block of Evans Street-vacant lot) (Police Jury District 3, Mrs. Griffin)

 

        [No bids were received; therefore, this property will be readvertised on March’s adjudicated property.]

 

        (15.8) AP03-442-08 (100 Block of South Enterprise Boulevard-vacant lot) (Police Jury District 3, Mrs. Griffin)

 

        [The Director of the Division of Planning and Development recommends that the highest offer in the amount of $550.00 by Mr. Tony Terry Zackery be accepted.]

 

16.    Consideration of adopting a resolution indicating objection/no objection to the following proposed project in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, provided said work meets with the rules and regulations of the Corps of Engineers, Best Management Practices during the course of construction set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency guidelines, and approvals are received from all other appropriate state and federal agencies, and further, that any required permits are obtained from the Division of Planning and Development:

 

        (16.1) Proposal of Bollinger-Calcasieu, LLC, to clear and grade a 22.10 acre site and deposit approximately 25,000 cubic yards of on-site dredge material along with 175,000 cubic yards of hauled-in fill to achieve required elevations for construction of multiple shipyard support buildings to include a new administration office, warehouse, employee housing facility, fabrication shop, machine shop, lunch/locker room, blasting/painting building, guard house, rail system, surface parking, access roadways, and multiple underground utilities such as air, water, sewer, and welding gases.  Conduct hydraulic dredging operations to remove approximately 375,000 cubic yards of shoreline and waterbottom material as necessary to construct two dry dock slips, -30 feet and -40 feet deep.  Dredge material would be pumped under the Calcasieu River Ship Channel and deposited within existing Corps of Engineers Disposal Area No. 12B.  Also, installation of 2,525 linear feet of steel sheet pile bulkhead, a relieving platform, a 40-foot by 280-foot crane deck, and appurtenant mooring pilings all as required to expand an existing shipyard facility.  Said project is located at 8086 Global Drive along the right descending bank of the Calcasieu River Ship Channel.  The Planning Staff recommends that the Police Jury indicate no objection to this project application.

 

AGENDA NOTE:  any resolution of no objection to any project, if adopted, will stipulate that such “no objection” is based solely on evaluation by the Parish Planning and Development Staff relative to the project’s compliance with current parish ordinances and provisions, and that no environmental assessment was made, and further, requesting the agencies and/or individuals with environmental expertise to make an evaluation and forward their findings to the U. S. Corps of Engineers.        

 

17.    Consideration of adopting a resolution acknowledging and supporting the documented need for an additional judgeship in the Family and Juvenile Section of the Fourteenth Judicial District Court, and further, authorizing the forwarding of said resolution to the Supreme Court.

 

18.    Consideration of adopting a resolution supporting Louisiana’s Chenier Plain, Regions 3b & 4 in its fight to attain a proportionate share of recognition, research, and resources to construct projects that will work to sustain a critical part of America’s Wetland along the Gulf of Mexico.

 

        AGENDA NOTE:  a memorandum and a resolution, adopted by the Cameron Parish Police Jury on February 4, 2008, has been received from the Cameron Parish Police Jury requesting that the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury join with them in support of our coastal wetlands and shoreline by passing a similar resolution.

 

19.    Consideration of adopting a resolution approving a Memorandum of Understanding between the Police Jury and Philip R. Derise which will provide for a ninety-day trial period for an exclusive franchise to operate a general shoeshine concession in the Calcasieu Judicial Center.

 

20.   Consideration of adopting a resolution approving the submittal of a grant application, on behalf of the Niblett’s Bluff Park Commission, to the Louisiana Office of State Parks and the U. S. Department of the Interior for a containment wall along the Sabine River, and further, authorizing the President of the Police Jury, or his designee, when appropriate, to execute all documents related thereto.

 

        AGENDA NOTE:  as the property owner, the Police Jury must be the entity to submit the grant application.

 

21.    Consideration of approving the following requests from the Office of Juvenile Justice Services:

 

(21.1) adopt a resolution approving the submittal of a continuation application in an amount up to $180,000, and any revisions thereafter, to the Louisiana Supreme Court which outlines the certifications and budget of the Calcasieu Parish Juvenile Drug Court Treatment Program, and should residual funds become available, a grant adjustment can be filed to increase the grant award, and further, authorizing the President of the Police Jury, or his designee, when appropriate, to execute all documents related thereto.

 

(21.2) adopt a resolution approving an agreement with the State of Louisiana, Office of Youth Development, wherein the Office of Juvenile Justice Services will participate in the Title IV-E Federal Foster Care Reimbursement Program, through the provision of services and performance of administrative activities to assist and support the agency’s program of foster care services for eligible children, pursuant to rules and regulations of the Title IV-E Foster Care Program, and should residual funds become available, a contract adjustment can be filed to increase the contract award, and further, authorizing the President of the Police Jury, or his designee, when appropriate, to execute all documents related thereto.

 

(21.3) adopt a resolution approving the submittal of a continued grant application in an amount up to $75,000, and any revisions thereafter, to the State of Louisiana, Office of Youth Development, to provide transportation services for at-risk youth and their families, and  should residual funds become available, a contract adjustment can be filed to increase the grant award, and further, authorizing the President of the Police Jury, or his designee, when appropriate, to execute all documents related thereto.

 

(21.4) adopt a resolution approving the submittal of a proposal to the State of Louisiana, Office of Youth Development, for an amount up to $175,000, to provide for continuation of a mental health court to coordinate stabilization services for court-involved youth, and authorizing the Director of the Office of Juvenile Justice Services to negotiate on the terms and conditions of an agreement or contract between the Police Jury and the Office of Youth Development,  and should residual funds become available, a contract adjustment can be filed to increase the cost of the award, and further, authorizing the President of the Police Jury, or his designee, when appropriate, to execute all documents related thereto.

 

(21.5) adopt a resolution authorizing the submittal of a continuation grant application, in an amount up to $150,000, to the Louisiana Board of Regents for the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to implement the Foundation's Models for Change Program in Calcasieu Parish, and designating the Police Jury’s Division of Finance as the fiscal agent, and should residual funds become available, a grant adjustment can be filed to increase the cost of the award, and further, authorizing the President of the Police Jury, or his designee, when appropriate, to execute all documents related thereto.

 

22.   Take appropriate action on expiration of the term of Mr. James Vincent as a member of the Board of Commissioners of Iowa Fire Protection District No. One of Ward Eight. (Mr. Vincent represents District 10. Mr. Stelly is the liaison. The Agenda Committee recommended that this item remain on the agenda for a recommendation at the Regular Meeting on March 6, 2008.  Mr. Stelly recommends that Mr. Richard Dunno be appointed.)

 

AGENDA NOTE:  on January 3, 2008, the Police Jury deferred action until January 31, 2008, and on February 7, 2008, the Police Jury deferred action until February 28, 2008.

 

23.   Take appropriate action on the expiration of the term of Mr. James Dennis as a member of the Board of Commissioners of Ward Four Fire Protection District No. Two.  (Mr. Dennis represents District 12.  Mr. Hassien is the liaison, and he recommends that Mr. L. E. Nix be appointed. The Agenda Committee recommended that Mr. Nix be appointed.)

 

24.   ADVISE that Mr. Claude A. Syas has been appointed by the President of the Police Jury to replace Mr. Tony Guillory as the Police Jury’s liaison to and member of the Children and Youth Planning Board.

 

25.   Take appropriate action on the vacancy on the Children and Youth Planning Board created by the retirement of Ms. Sheryl Royer.  (Ms. Royer was nominated by the Office of Community Services.  Correspondence has been received from said office recommending that Ms. Kathryn “Kim” Mouton be appointed.  Dr. Mackey and Mr. Syas are the liaisons. The Agenda Committee recommended that Ms. Mouton be appointed.)

 

26.   Take appropriate action on the vacancy on the Children and Youth Planning Board created by the relocation of Ms. Grace Bauer.  (Ms. Bauer was a Parent representative (west side).  The Office of Juvenile Justice Services recommends that Ms. Koni Bridges be appointed.  Dr. Mackey and Mr. Syas are the liaisons. The Agenda Committee recommended that Ms. Bridges be appointed.)

 

27.   Take appropriate action on bids received by the Police Jury on February 20, 2008, for the Security Electronics Upgrade at the Calcasieu Correctional Center.

 

        AGENDA NOTE:  action on bids was deferred by the Police Jury until March 6, 2008.  The Project Architect and Administrative Staff recommend that the bid in the amount of $1,092,000 of John D. Myers and Associates be accepted.

 

28.   Take appropriate action on bids received by the Parish Purchasing Agent on February 26, 2008, for ready mix concrete, crushed stone, hot mix, floating aerators for oxidation pond, sewer pumps complete with fiberglass tanks, with unit prices effective from April 1, 2008, until September 30, 2008. 

 

29.   Consideration of authorizing the Parish Purchasing Agent to advertise for bids for equipment tires, with unit prices effective from May 1, 2008, until October 31, 2008.

 

30.   Consideration of authorizing the Parish Purchasing Agent to advertise for bids for one 2008 mid-sized four-door utility vehicle, for use by the Division of Finance (Risk Management), and further, declaring as surplus one 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 Van, Unit #RS3, Asset #012543, and one 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer, Asset #12753, to be sold as appropriate as a trade-in, or through the E-Gov Auction, Parish Auction or private sale.

 

31.    Consideration of proclaiming Tuesday, March 25, 2008, as “Retired Teachers Day” in Calcasieu Parish.  (Mrs. Griffin)

 

32.   ADVISE that surplus adjudicated properties will be offered for sale by the Director of the Division of Planning and Development on March 25, 2008.