Rapides Parish Police Jury

February 18, 2020

1. Motion to adopt a Proclamation to call a special election to fill the vacancy in the unexpired term of Police Juror, District I, Rapides Parish, created by the passing of Mr. Scott Perry, Jr., to be on the primary election October 9, 2021 and general election November 13, 2021 balloting, qualifying dates of July 14, 15, 16, 2021.
2. Motion to adopt a Resolution to appoint Mrs. Doris Lee Perry to fill the interim vacancy for Police Juror, District I, Rapides Parish, created by the passing of Mr. Scott Perry, Jr., effective immediately.
3. Motion to approve and authorize Road District Projects per the list submitted by the Parish Superintendent under the Parish Master Contract for asphalt awarded to Gilchrist Construction Company.
4. Motion to discuss further Debris Removal pick up at the request of the Public Works Director.
5. Motion to authorize a Proclamation for Rapides Parish bars to re-open for indoor service, the COVID-19 positivity rate having posted a positive percentage rate below 5% for two (2) consecutive weeks for Rapides Parish, pursuant to the Governor Proclamation 17-JBE 2021, subject to a 25% occupancy maximum or 50 patrons whichever is less, and all of the restrictions set by 17 JBE 2021 and the LA ATC.
6. Motion to ratify the Parish Emergency Declaration for the Ice Storm beginning on February 14, 2021 issued by the Police Jury President.

BY ORDER OF THE PRESIDENT

Laurel Smith, Secretary There were present: Craig Smith, President, Oliver “Ollie” Overton, Jr., Davron “Bubba” Moreau, Joe Bishop, Rusty Wilder, Sean McGlothlin and David Johnson.

Absent were Police Jurors: Theodore Fountaine, Jr.

Also present were: Mr. Theresa Pacholik, Treasurer; Ms. Donna Andries, Sales & Use Tax Administrator; Mr. Cory Ashmore, Public Works Director; Ms. Linda Sanders, Civil Service Director; Mr. Greg Jones, Legal Counsel; and Ms. Laurel Smith, Secretary.

The invocation was given by Mr. Ollie Overton.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Joe Bishop.

The Police Jury of the Parish of Rapides, State of Louisiana, was duly convened as the governing authority of said Parish by Hon. Craig Smith, President, who welcomed all present and then stated that the Police Jury was ready for the transaction of business.

The President asked if there was any public comment on any agenda item, to which there was no response.

On motion by Mr. Bubba Moreau, seconded by Mr. Ollie Overton, the following Proclamation was presented and unanimously acopted:

PROCLAMATION

PURSUANT TO LSA-R.S. 18:602 ORDERING A SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL THE VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF POLICE JURY, DISTRICT I, OF RAPIDES PARISH

WHEREAS, on January 31, 2021, the honorable SCOTT PERRY, JR., duly elected Police Juror for Rapides Parish, District I, whose term of office began on January 1, 2020 for a term of four years, passed away in Alexandria, Louisiana, creating a vacancy in the office of the Police Juror for District I of Rapides Parish, and the Louisiana Secretary of State notified the Police Jury that said vacancy must be filled by appointment on or before February 22, 2021, and a special election shall be set to fill the unexpired term;

WHEREAS, the Rapides Parish Police Jury at a duly noticed and posted Special Meeting held on February 19, 2021, with a legal quorum present, have appointed DORIS LEE PERRY, the widow of Scott Perry, Jr., to fill the vacancy pending the special election to fill the unexpired term, pursuant to LSA-R.S. 18:602; and

WHEREAS, the death of Police Juror Scott Perry, Jr., has caused a vacancy in his elected office as Police Juror for District I of Rapides Parish, and pursuant to LSAR.S. 18:602, an election must be ordered and called to fill the unexpired term of office which exceeds 18 months; and

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY PROCLAIMED that the Rapides Parish Police Jury does hereby order and call a Special Election to fill the unexpired term of Police Juror for District I, Rapides Parish, Louisiana, as follows:

• (1) the Qualifying Dates : July 14, 15 & 16, 2021;
• (1) the Primary Election Date: October 9, 2021;
• (2) the General Election Date: November 13, 2021; and that certified copies of the Proclamation shall be sent to the Louisiana Secretary of State;

This Proclamation introduced at a properly posted and held Special Meeting, after a proper motion, and second, and received majority vote of approval on the 19th day of February, 2021.

On motion by Mr. Joe Bishop, seconded by Mr. Ollie Overton, the following Resolution was presented and unanimously adopted:

RESOLUTION

APPOINTMENT TO FILL THE VACANCY IN THE

OFFICE OF POLICE JUROR, DISTRICT I

PARISH OF RAPIDES

WHEREAS, on January 31, 2021, the honorable SCOTT PERRY, JR., duly elected Police Juror for Rapides Parish, District I, whose term of office began on January 6, 2020 for a term of four years, passed away in Alexandria, Louisiana, creating a vacancy in the office of the Police Juror for District I of Rapides Parish, and the Louisiana Secretary of State notified the Police Jury that said vacancy must be filled by appointment on or before February 22, 2021, and a special election shall be set to fill the unexpired term;

WHEREAS, the Rapides Parish Police Jury at a duly noticed and posted Special Meeting held on February 19, 2021, with a legal quorum present, have appointed DORIS LEE PERRY, the widow of Scott Perry, Jr., to fill the vacancy pending the special election to fill the unexpired term, pursuant to LSA-R.S. 18:602; and

WHEREAS, the death of Police Juror Scott Perry, Jr., has caused a vacancy in his elected office as Police Juror for District I of Rapides Parish, and pursuant to LSAR.S. 18:602, an election must be ordered and called to fill the unexpired term of office which exceeds 18 months; and

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY PROCLAIMED that the Rapides Parish Police Jury does hereby appoint Doris Lee Perry the widow of the honorable Scott Perry, Jr., to fill the vacancy and serve as the interim Police Juror for District I of Rapides parish, State of Louisiana, until a special election is had as required by LSA-R.S. 18:02.

FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution shall be sent to the Louisiana Secretary of State;

The Resolution introduced at a properly posted and held Special Meeting, after a proper motion, and second, and received majority vote of approval on the 19th day of February, 2021.

On motion by Mr. Bubba Moreau, seconded by Mr. Joe Bishop, to approve and authorize Road District Projects per the list submitted by the Public Works Director under the Parish Master Contract for asphalt awarded to Gilchrist Construction Company.

Mr. Craig Smith stated the list was from a couple of years ago. Each Juror can add or take away from this list but it gives the authority to go ahead and proceed with the roads. You can get with Mr. Cory Ashmore, Public Works Director, as soon as possible, Pan American Engineers is ready to proceed with the bid.

Mr. Cory Ashmore stated that he had the list with him and if anyone wanted to make any changes, they could do so today.

District Ward Road Name A 10 Birkland A 10 Elezabeth A 10 St. Ann A 10 Maid Marian A 10 Davenport A 10 Artie A 10 Evergreen A 10 Lakeview B 10 Choctaw B 10 Red Fox B 10 Arrow Head B 10 Lookout Pass B 10 Eagle Circle B 9 Stables B 9 Stables Ext B 9 Adams Path B 9 Palmer Chapel C 11 Palmer Chapel

District Ward Road Name A 10 Kawanas Camp A 10 Lafayette A 10 Woodcreek Lp A 10 Stonesway A 10 South Lp A 10 Pine Hill A 10 Clark Circle B 9 Williams LR C 11 Booner Miller C 11 Hooper C 11 Brannon D 9 Radio D 10 Bayou Maria

District Ward Road Name E 7 Penn Mar E 7 Pirates Cove I 8 Moss Point

On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Ollie Overton, seconded by Mr. Joe Bishop, to discuss further Debris Removal pick up at the request of the Public Works Director.

Mr. Cory Ashmore, Public Works Director, gave a brief update on the Cotile Lake Recreation District. Mr. Ashmore stated there was still too much ice to work on the debris, they would probably start the first part of next week, it depends on how wet the debris sites are.

Mr Craig Smith stated if you were getting calls on certain roads, pass them on to Mr. Ashmore so he can make a list of the hotspots. Hopefully this will dry up some. Monday they are going to try to get in, but the ice has softened up the ground. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Joe Bishop, seconded by Mr. Sean McGlothlin, the follwing Proclamation was presented and unanimously adopted:

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, Proclamation Number 17 JBE 2021 issued by Governor John Bel Edwards on February 10, 2021 allows the governing authority of a Parish to opt-in and allow Bars to open for indoor and outdoor on premises consumption where the Bars are located in a Parish that has a percent positivity of 5% or less for two consecutive weeks;

AND WHEREAS the Parish of Rapides has now had a percent positivity of less than 5% for two consecutive weeks as confirmed by the Parish Medical Officer and the Louisiana Department of Health;

BE IT HEREBY PROCLAIMED that Rapides Parish, State of Louisiana, does hereby opt-in and approve the opening of Bars for indoor and outdoor on premises consumption, subject to a strict compliance with all restrictions listed in the Governor’s Proclamation 17 JBE 2021 and the Louisiana A.T.C., effective at 3:30 pm on February 19, 2021;

• • No Bar shall exceed 25% occupancy, as set by the State Fire Marshal, or 50 patrons, whichever is less.
• • Mandatory face masks for all persons.
• • Outdoor services shall be allowed, but in no event can the outdoor seated capacity exceed 50 patrons in total. No standing room capacity shall be permitted.
• • All bars shall be closed by 11:00 p.m. Therefore, the hours of permissible operation shall be 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
• • Services and sales of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption shall only occur between the hours for 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
• • All patrons shall be seated at tables, and all services shall be to patrons seated at tables. No walk-up service at the bar shall be allowed.
• • All seating of patrons shall be socially distanced 6ft.
• • No patron shall be allowed on premises unless of the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages.

This proclamation having been adopted at a special meeting of the Rapides Parish Police Jury, properly noticed and posted, with a quorum present, on the 19th day of February, 2021. On vote the proclamation carried.

On motion by Mr. Bubba Moreau, seconded by Mr. David Johnson, the following resolution to ratify the Parish Emergency Declaration for the Ice Storm beginning on February 14, 2021 issued by the Police Jury President was presented and unanimously adopted:

WHEREAS, the Parish of Rapides is currently faced with an impending emergency due to the potential Winter Weather, February, 2021

WHEREAS, a definite threat to property and lives, for the Citizens of Rapides Parish exists due to the Winter weather bringing a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain, potentially resulting in accumulations of ice on roadways and hazardous winter conditions, closing businesses and government facilities

WHEREAS, the potential exists to exhaust local resources as a result of this winter storm for the Citizens of Rapides;

THEREFORE, I, Craig Smith, President of the Rapides Parish Police Jury by authority vested in me by the Parish Charter and the Louisiana Disaster Act of 1993, do hereby proclaim;

A State of Emergency exists within the Parish of Rapides and that all Emergency Preparedness Plans and the Parish All Hazard Emergency Operations Plan be activated, if necessary.

Issued on this 11th day of February 2021 and effective at time of issuance (1430 hrs).

On motion by Mr. Joe Bishop, seconded by Mr. Ollie Overton, there being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:18 p.m.