Lake Charles, Louisiana
February 15, 2001
The Police Jury of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, met in regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 15, 2001, in the Police Jury Room on the first floor of the Parish Government Building, 1015 Pithon Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana, with the Honorable Elizabeth Conway Griffin, President, presiding, and the following members present:
Mesdames Luvertha August and Sandra J. Treme; and Messrs. Algie Breaux, Brent Clement, Calvin Collins, Mike Danahay, Enos Derbonne, Chuck Kleckley, Chris
Landry, Hal McMillin, Charles S. Mackey, D.D.S., Don Manuel, and Cornelius "Cornie" Moon.
Absent: Mr. Francis Andrepont
Also present were Mr. S. Mark McMurry, Parish Administrator; Mr. Bryan Beam, Assistant to the Administrator; Mrs. Coleen Clark, Executive Secretary; Ms. Kathy P. Criglow, Recording Secretary; Mr. Richard Gremillion, Director of Emergency Preparedness; Mrs. Cheryl Heisser, Director of Human Resources; Mr. Jerry Milner, Director of Finance; Mr. Claude Smart, Parish Engineer; Mr. Allen Smith, Legal Counsel; Mr. Gerry Trahan, Director of Facilities Management; and Mr. Jim Vickers, Director of Planning and Development.
President Griffin called the meeting to order, and the invocation was pronounced by Mrs. Treme, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mr. Danahay. The roll was called with the result being as outlined above.
President Griffin presented an engraved pen set to Ms. Gernine M. Mailhes, Assistant District Attorney, as a token of the Police Jury's appreciation for her service as Legal Counsel to the Jury from 1988 to 2000. President Griffin stated that throughout Ms. Mailhes' tenure, she had shown a willingness to tirelessly research issues that affected Parish operations and ensured that legal opinions were provided in a timely manner. President Griffin further stated that Ms. Mailhes had been active in many programs with the Police Jury that benefitted the community, such as the Child Watch Coalition and being instrumental in starting a litter court system in Calcasieu Parish.
Ms. Mailhes expressed her appreciation for the recognition bestowed upon her and stated that it had been a pleasure, as well as a wonderful learning experience, working as legal counsel to the Police Jury.
Ms. Mary Richardson, 4618 West Autumnwood, Lake Charles, appeared before the Police Jury at this time on behalf of McNeese State University in regard to the Banner Series. She distributed copies of a brochure listing the upcoming events in connection with the series, and Mr. Randy Fuerst, 1909 Plantation Drive, Lake Charles, spoke briefly about the arts and humanities program. He stated that it was the best kept secret and the only one of its kind in Southwest Louisiana, featuring many talented and well-known stars and performers. Mr. Fuerst pointed out that ticket prices for the events were extremely low and urged the jurors to learn more about the Banner Series.
Motion was made by Dr. Mackey, seconded by Mr. Manuel and carried unanimously that the following applications for liquor and beer permits be approved:
WARD I
Gerald L. Bowling d/b/a
PARKSIDE CAFÉ
2737 Sam Houston Jones Parkway
Lake Charles, LA 70611 Beer 35.00
(Don Manuel's District)
WARD II
Gervais Ray Thibodeaux d/b/a
THIBODEAUX'S COUNTRY STORE
7202 North Railroad Avenue
Bell City, LA 70630 Liquor & Beer - Pkg. 75.00
(Algie Breaux's District)
TOTAL REMITTANCE: $110.00
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It was moved by Dr. Mackey, seconded by Mrs. August and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Police Jury dated January 18, 2001.
President Griffin advised that action was needed on Zoning Case RZ04-004-01 which was a request by Jackie M. Palermo to rezone from C-1 (Light Commercial) and R-2 (Mixed Residential) to C-2 (General Commercial) to allow a truck stop at 2706 South Beglis Parkway in Ward Four, Police Jury District 12. She further advised that the Planning and Zoning Board had met on February 13, 2001, and voted 9 - 2 to recommend that the request be granted 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 use be limited to a truck stop only; (3) that all drives and parking must be hardsurfaced (concrete or asphalt); (4) that petitioner must obtain a driveway permit from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development; and (5) that petitioner must provide a fire hydrant at this location.
Motion was made by Mr. Kleckley, seconded by Dr. Mackey and carried unanimously to uphold the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Board with respect to Zoning Case RZ04-004-01 and to grant the request to rezone with the stipulations outlined by the Planning and Zoning Board; whereupon, the following ordinance was adopted:
ORDINANCE NO. 4246
AN ORDINANCE amending Chapter 26 - Zoning, of the Code of Ordinances of the Parish of Calcasieu, Louisiana, classifying the area: A request by Jackie M.
Palermo to rezone from C-1 (Light Commercial) and R-2 (Mixed Residential) to C-2 (General Commercial) to allow a truck stop on the property described as: Showing
a survey of that certain tract or parcel of land located in the N/2 of NW/4 of NE/4 S11, T10S, R10W, and being more particularly described as: Com 99.15 feet S
01 degs 40' 50" W, of the NW cor of said N/2 of NW/4 of NE/4; th S 65 degs 05' 32" E a distance of 147.41 feet; th S 00 degs 33' 53" W a distance of 506.32
feet; th N 89 degs 03' 23" W a distance of 139.35 feet; th N 88 degs 52' 29" W a distance of 236.50 feet; th N 00 degs 33' 53" E a distance of 635.37 feet; th S
88 degs 52' 23" E a distance of 85.30 feet; th S 65 degs 05' 32" E a distance of 171.48 feet to the POC, containing 5.04 acres m/l.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE POLICE JURY OF CALCASIEU PARISH, LOUISIANA, convened in regular session on the 15th day of February, 2001, that Chapter
26 - Zoning, of the Code of Ordinances of the Parish of Calcasieu, Louisiana, and the Comprehensive Zoning Map for Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, be and they are
hereby amended insofar as said ordinance and map pertain to the following property in Ward Four of this parish:
From C-1 (Light Commercial) and R-2 (Mixed Residential) to C-2 (General Commercial) to allow a truck stop 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 use be limited to a truck stop only; 3) that all drives and parking must be
hardsurfaced (concrete or asphalt); 4) that petitioner must obtain a driveway permit from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development; and 5) that
petitioner must provide a fire hydrant at this location, on the property described as: Showing a survey of that certain tract or parcel of land located in the N/2 of
NW/4 of NE/4 S11, T10S, R10W, and being more particularly described as: Com 99.15 feet S 01 degs 40' 50" W, of the NW cor of said N/2 of NW/4 of NE/4; th S
65 degs 05' 32" E a distance of 147.41 feet; th S 00 degs 33' 53" W a distance of 506.32 feet; th N 89 degs 03' 23" W a distance of 139.35 feet; th N 88 degs
52' 29" W a distance of 236.50 feet; th N 00 degs 33' 53" E a distance of 635.37 feet; th S 88 degs 52' 23" E a distance of 85.30 feet; th S 65 degs 05' 32" E a
distance of 171.48 feet to the POC, containing 5.04 acres m/l.
Zoning Case RZ04-004-01
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the rezoning of the above described property is effective this date, classified in accordance with a new zoning District Map
(adding to the existing District Map) which is attached to this ordinance to be placed on file in the Office of the Clerk of Court showing the classification of the
new area of the above described property.
THUS DONE AND PASSED BY THE CALCASIEU PARISH POLICE JURY on the date above inscribed.
/s/ Elizabeth Conway Griffin, President
/s/ S. Mark McMurry, Administrator &
Ex-Officio Secretary
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It was moved by Mrs. August, seconded by Mr. Collins and carried unanimously to initiate a request to rezone property from R-2 (Mixed Residential) to I-1 (Light Industrial) to allow a welding repair shop/escort business located at 3303 Angela Loop in Ward Four, in accordance with Article IV, Division 2, Section 26-21(g)(3) in Police Jury District 13.
Upon motion made by Mrs. August, which was duly seconded by Mr. Collins and carried unanimously, the following resolution was adopted:
RESOLUTION
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE POLICE JURY OF CALCASIEU PARISH, LOUISIANA, convened in regular session on Thursday, February 15, 2001, that it does
hereby approve the assignment of an undivided .0047221 interest in an oil, gas, and mineral lease dated April 28, 1998, between the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury and
Joyce Oil & Gas, Inc. (successor in interest to Mayne & Mertz, Inc. and Basin Properties, Inc.) to SEJ, LLC, on approximately 31 acres of property owned by the
Police Jury, more particularly described as Niblett's Bluff Park.
THUS DONE AND PASSED on the date above inscribed.
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Motion was made by Mr. Breaux, seconded by Mrs. August and carried unanimously that in accordance with the recommendation of The Chamber Southwest, that action be deferred until March 1, 2001, relative to a vacancy on the Workforce Investment Board which was created by the resignation of Ms. Carolyn Cockrill. (It was noted that Ms. Cockrill represented the private sector from The Chamber Southwest, and a letter had been forwarded to The Chamber Southwest requesting nominations.)
It was moved by Dr. Mackey, seconded by Mrs. August and carried unanimously that the resignation of Ms. Mona Kogel as a member of the Workforce Investment Board be accepted and that the following resolution be adopted: (It was noted that Ms. Kogel represented the Title V Older Workers, and a letter had been forwarded to the Institute for Indian Development, Inc., requesting nominations, a response to which had been received from Inter-Tribal Council of Louisiana, Inc., recommending that Mr. Kevin Billiot be appointed to fill this vacancy.)
RESOLUTION
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE POLICE JURY OF CALCASIEU PARISH, LOUISIANA, convened in regular session on the 15th day of February, 2001, that it does
hereby appoint Mr. Kevin Billiot, to fill the unexpired term of Ms. Mona Kogel, as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Workforce Investment Board, said
term to expire in June, 2001.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, in accordance with state law, the above referred to appointee shall be administered an oath of office by any judge, justice of
the peace, clerk of court, or notary public duly appointed and qualified in the State of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the above-named appointee shall be administered the oath of office within thirty days following receipt of this resolution.
THUS PASSED AND ADOPTED on the date above inscribed.
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Upon motion made by Mr. Derbonne, which was duly seconded by Mr. Kleckley and carried unanimously, the resignation of Mr. Chuck Reifsnider as a member of the Board of Commissioners of Recreation District No. One of Ward Three was accepted, and the following resolution was adopted:
RESOLUTION
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE POLICE JURY OF CALCASIEU PARISH, LOUISIANA, convened in regular session on the 15th day of February, 2001, that it does
hereby appoint Mr. Gary Gobert, to replace Mr. Charles J. Reifsnider, as a member of the Board of Commissioners of Recreation District No. One of Ward Three,
said term to expire in June, 2002.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, in accordance with state law, the above referred to appointee shall be administered an oath of office by any judge, justice of
the peace, clerk of court, or notary public duly appointed and qualified in the State of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the above-named appointee shall be administered the oath of office within thirty days following receipt of this resolution.
THUS PASSED AND ADOPTED on the date above inscribed.
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Motion was made by Mrs. August, seconded by Mr. McMillin and carried unanimously that the Special Service Districts Review Committee Report dated February 1, 2001, and all recommendations contained therein, be approved as follows:
SPECIAL SERVICE DISTRICTS REVIEW COMMITTEE
February 1, 2001
A meeting of the Special Service Districts Review Committee was held at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 1, 2001, in the Police Jury Meeting Room in the Parish
Government Building, 1015 Pithon Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana, with Mr. Chris Landry, Chairman, presiding and the following members present:
Mr. Brent Clement, Mr. Mike Danahay, Dr. Charles S. Mackey, Mr. Cornelius "Cornie" Moon, and Mrs. Sandy Treme
Absent: None
Also present were Mrs. Elizabeth Conway Griffin, Mrs. Luvertha August, Mr. Algie Breaux, Mr. Don Manuel, Mr. S. Mark McMurry, Ms. Kathy P. Criglow, Mrs. Coleen
Clark, Mr. Bryan Beam, Mrs. Cheryl Heisser, Mr. Richard Gremillion, Mr. Allen Smith, and Mr. Gerry Trahan.
Said Committee:
(1) Received report from staff on fire district survey responses and authorized the staff to work with a consultant to properly analyze and evaluate the data received.
There being no further business, Chairman Landry declared the meeting to be adjourned.
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With reference to the foregoing, Mr. Breaux asked which consultant had been hired, to which Mr. Gremillion explained that the recommendations of the Special Service District Review Committee had not been scheduled to be approved by the Police Jury until the meeting on this date; therefore, no one had been hired yet. Mr. Breaux asked why a consultant was being hired, and Mr. Gremillion advised that one was needed to put together all of the information received from the fire district survey responses and to provide recommendations.
Mr. Breaux asked if the actions taken by the Special Service Districts Review Committee were in conjunction with consolidation of all of the fire departments outside of the municipalities in the Parish. Mr. Landry, as Chairman of the Committee, advised that one of the goals set by said committee was to have a fire rating of 4 in the areas outside of municipalities. He further explained that a lot of information had been received from the survey, and someone needed to compile that information and make a recommendation as to how the fire rating goal could be reached.
Mr. Breaux stated that he felt the fire departments were real good, and it was the water situation in the Parish that should be addressed, because without water, it would not matter how many fire trucks were available. Mr. Breaux also stated that he did not feel a consultant should be hired, and he did not feel the money for one should be wasted, because he did not feel it was needed at the current time. Mr. Breaux further stated that he thought consolidation (of the fire districts) might be a "good thing" and that he was one of the first ones to mention it to Mr. McMurry a few years ago, but he did not like the way it was being done at the present time, and he was going to oppose it.
Mr. Landry stated that he was not sure what Mr. Breaux was against, because the full Police Jury was going to have to approve anything recommended by the Special Service Districts Review Committee. He further stated that the Committee was simply trying to gather information in order to make things better for everybody in Calcasieu Parish. Mr. Landry also stated that no one on the Committee had said that the fire departments would be combined, and he did not know what the recommendation was going to be from the consultant.
Mr. Manuel asked if the study would include recommendations of what it would take for each district to come up to a rating of 4, and Mr. Gremillion explained that what he had pointed out at the committee meeting was that if a study was going to be done, that study should include measures needed to reach what would be considered an ideal goal for the Parish. Mr. Gremillion also stated that Mr. Breaux was correct in that some districts might not have an available water supply to meet that goal, but no one would know these types of things until a study was done. Mr. Gremillion advised that there was at least one qualified person in Louisiana who could perform the study, but he was not sure of who might be qualified on a national basis.
Mr. Moon pointed out that Mr. Gremillion had presented a great deal of information at the Committee meeting, and the need for someone to analyze the data had been discussed at the meeting so that the Police Jury would have something upon which to base some decisions. Mr. Moon stated that he did not think anyone had mentioned consolidation of all the districts and while Mr. Breaux may have heard something about this, it was not necessarily a "go."
Mr. Kleckley asked, for clarification purposes, if the main purpose of the study was to provide factual information so that the Police Jury could make a good, informed decision about what was good for the whole Parish. Mr. Gremillion stated that this was his goal, and his recommendation would be for the Police Jury to not do anything without good information to act upon, and that was why he had recommended hiring a consultant.
Mr. McMillin asked that the Police Jury be advised as to the cost of employing a consultant prior to one being hired, and Mr. Gremillion stated that he would do so. He also asked the Police Jury to give him approximately 30 days to get some names together of persons to contact for doing the consultant work.
President Griffin called for action on the next item on the agenda, and it was moved by Dr. Mackey and seconded by Mr. Collins that the Parish Administrator be authorized to solicit proposals for the purchase and implementation of a complete Information System, and training related thereto, for the parish government operations.
In answer to a question by Mr. Clement, Mr. McMurry explained that this involved an overall data processing system which would run all of the information systems of the Parish, primarily financially-related and other management information. Mr. Milner stated that the accounting software would include payroll and general ledger programs and would tie the Finance Department in with the Human Resources Department.
Mr. McMillin asked if the Police Jury would receive an anticipated cost of the system prior to action being taken, to which Mr. Milner answered affirmatively. Mr. Kleckley asked if the present system was outdated, and Mr. Milner stated that it was 12 years old and extremely outdated. Mr. Milner also stated that he felt the purchase of a new system would be cost-effective and would make the operation more productive, as well as bring the Parish closer to the newer technology available.
A vote taken on the motion on the floor carried unanimously.
Motion was made by Mrs. Treme, seconded by Mr. Manuel and carried unanimously that the low bid of All Star Pontiac GMC Truck, Inc., in the amount of $26,231.00 be accepted, complete as per all specifications, for the purchase of three (3) 2001 one-half ton pickup trucks, for use by the Mosquito Control Department (Inspectors), said bids having been received by the Parish Purchasing Agent on February 14, 2001.
It was moved by Mr. Danahay, seconded by Mrs. August and carried unanimously that the low bid of All Star Pontiac GMC Truck, Inc., in the amount of $17,468.00 be accepted, complete as per all specifications, for the purchase of one (1) 2001 one-half ton pickup truck, for use by the Mosquito Control Department (Field Supervisor), said bids having been received by the Parish Purchasing Agent on February 14, 2001.
President Griffin advised that action was needed on bids received by the Parish Purchasing Agent on February 14, 2001, for one (1) 2001 full-size, four-door, utility vehicle, for use by the Department of Emergency Management.
Mr. Landry asked why the low bid of Billy Navarre Chevrolet in the amount of $21,693.00 did not meet specifications, and Ms. Mary Flavin, Purchasing Agent, stated that the bid did not include bucket seats which were required for transport of various pieces of equipment. She further stated that it would have increased the bid amount by $1900 if they had been required to supply a vehicle with bucket seats.
In accordance therewith, motion was made by Mrs. August, seconded by Mr. McMillin and carried unanimously that the bid of Bolton Ford, Inc., in the amount of $22,762.00 be accepted for purchase of one (1) 2001 full-size, four-door utility vehicle, for use by the Department of Emergency Management.
Upon motion made by Mr. Breaux, which was duly seconded by Dr. Mackey and carried unanimously, the Parish Administrator was authorized to advertise for bids for Calcasieu Parish Project No. 2001-05 (Ward Two - South Thompson Road Bridge No. 012 and Bridge No. 50-006, and Ward 8 - Fruge Road Bridge No. 50-0041).
It was moved by Mrs. August, seconded by Mr. Breaux and carried unanimously to authorize the Parish Administrator to advertise for Calcasieu Parish Project No. 2001-06 (Road Striping of Various Roads in Calcasieu Parish).
Motion was made by Mr. Breaux, seconded by Mr. Collins and carried unanimously that the rules be suspended by a two-thirds majority vote to receive a report from President Griffin relative to the recent Annual Convention of the Louisiana Police Jury Association held in Lafayette. President Griffin reported that 64 resolutions were passed at the convention, and she called attention to seven of the resolutions as follows: (1) urged the Legislature to assume funding for the State Judicial System; (2) opposed any funding reductions to elderly services; (3) passed Calcasieu's recommendation that the national motto, "In God We Trust," be displayed in all parish buildings; (4) supported Senator Cain's moratorium on permits issued to plants proposing to use groundwater; (5) urged the state to implement statewide wetlands program to facilitate quicker permits for wetlands development; (6) urged continued funding of the Drug Court Programs; and (7) urged legislation giving parish governments the right to control and issue permits to telemarketers.
Motion was made by Mr. Breaux and seconded by Mr. McMillin that the rules be suspended by a two-thirds majority vote to adopt resolutions approving the following two agreements: (1) the renewal of the Joint Services Agreement between the Police Jury and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office for the use of inmate labor for litter abatement, and further, authorizing the President of the Police Jury to execute all documents related thereto; and (2) an agreement between the Police Jury, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office, and Carol Welke, R.N., for tuberculosis screening, diagnosis and treatment, and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases of incarcerated individuals at the Calcasieu Correctional Center and the Calcasieu Sheriff's Prison, and further authorizing the President of the Police Jury to execute all documents related thereto.
Following a brief discussion on the need for clarification relative to item number (1) as listed heretofore, a substitute motion was offered by Mrs. August, seconded by Mr. Breaux and carried unanimously to suspend the rules by a two-thirds majority vote to defer action on the renewal of the Joint Services Agreement between the Police Jury and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office for the use of inmate labor for litter abatement and to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE POLICE JURY OF CALCASIEU PARISH, LOUISIANA, in regular session convened on the 15th day of February, 2001, that it does
hereby approve an agreement between the Police Jury, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office, and Carol Welke, R.N., for tuberculosis screening, diagnosis and
treatment, and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases of incarcerated individuals at the Calcasieu Correctional Center and the Calcasieu Sheriff's Prison.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the President of the Police Jury is authorized to execute all documents related thereto.
THUS DONE AND PASSED on the date above inscribed.
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Upon motion made by Mrs. Treme, which was duly seconded by Mr. McMillin and carried unanimously, the rules were suspended by a two-thirds majority vote to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE POLICE JURY OF CALCASIEU PARISH, LOUISIANA, in regular session convened on the 15th day of February, 2001, that it does
hereby approve Amendment No. Three to the Original Lease between the Police Jury and the State of Louisiana, Department of Health and Hospitals, as it relates to
the deferral of rental payments for the period of November 20, 2000, through October 31, 2001, for the lease of space by the State at 707 Prien Lake Road, in
Lake Charles, for the Children's Special Health Services Program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the President of the Police Jury is authorized to execute all documents related thereto.
THUS DONE AND PASSED on the date above inscribed.
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It was moved by Mr. Kleckley, seconded by Mr. McMillin and carried unanimously to suspend the rules by a two-thirds majority vote to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE POLICE JURY OF CALCASIEU PARISH, LOUISIANA, convened in regular session on the 15th day of February, 2001, that it does
hereby authorize the President of the Police Jury to enter into a "Contract to Provide Services/Hold Harmless Agreement" with Mr. Douglas Leslie to provide
parkkeeper services at Prien Lake Park in Ward Three, for a period of one year.
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There being no further business, President Griffin declared the meeting to be adjourned.
Elizabeth Conway Griffin, President
S. Mark McMurry, Administrator &
Ex-Officio Secretary