Minutes

Alexandria, Louisiana January 18, 2024

Mr. Joe Bishop called the meeting to order and welcomed the special gues ts in attendance: Mr. Richard and Linda Billings, Mr. Tommy David, Ms. T ommie Seaton, Mr. Darrell Basco, Ms. Mary Galloway and Mr. Nathan Martin.

Jurors Davron “Bubba” Morea u, Craig Smith , Ernest Nelson, Danny Bordelon, Oliver “Ollie” Overton, Parrish Giles and Jay Scott.

Police Juror(s) absent: None

Also present were Ms . Theresa Pacholik, Secretary/Treasurer; Mr. Cory Ashmore, Public Works Director; Ms. Angie Branton, OHSEP Director; Ms. Sharo n Neal , WIA Operations Director; Mr. Shane Trapp, Courthouse Building Superint endent; Ms. Betty Jo Bourgeois, Sales & Use Tax Administrator; Ms. Linda San ders, Civil Service Director; Mr. Greg Jones, Legal Counsel; Judge Greg Beard, 9th JDC Chief Judge; Marla West, Purchasing Agent; and Judge Mary Doggett.

The invocation was given by Reverend Joseph Franklin.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff Department Honor Guard in 2024 posted the Colors and led those is attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Honorable Greg Beard , 9th JDC Chief Judge, administered the Oath of Office to the Police Jurors.

The new Police Jurors, having been duly sworn into office, pro ceeded with the business at hand.

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

President Bishop asked if there were any Juror comments, he welcomed al l in attendance at today’s meeting and congratulated all Jurors on being sworn in for their new term.

Mr. Greg Jones, Legal Counsel and Parliamentarian, then opened f or the election of officers for 2024.

On motion by Mr. Sean McGlothlin, seconded by Mr. Ollie Overton, t hat Mr. Joe Bishop be elected President for 2024. There being no other nominations, motion by Bubba Moreau, sec onded by Mr. Ollie Overton that nominations cease.

On voice vote, Mr. Joe Bishop was unanimously elected President for 2024.

On motion by Mr. Joe Bishop, seconded by Mr. Ollie Overton, tha t Mr. Sean McGlothlin be elected Vice President for 2024.

There being no other nominations, motion by Mr. Ollie Overton, seconded by Mr. Joe Bishop that nominations cease.

On voice vote, Mr. Sean McGlothlin was unanimously elected Vice President for 2024.

Mr. Joe Bishop presented a plaque to Mr. Sean McGlothlin for his service as Vice President of the Rapides Parish Police Jury for the year of 2023.

Mr. Sean McGlothlin presented a plaque to Mr. Joe Bishop for his ser vice as President for the year of 2023.

On motion by Mr. Ollie Overton, seconded by Mr. Joe Bishop, that Ms. Theresa Pacholik be appointed Secretary/Treasurer for a two (2) year term.

There being no other nominations, motion by Mr. Bubba Moreau, s econded by Mr. Sean McGlothlin that nominations cease.

On voice vote, Ms. Theresa Pacholik was unanimously appointed Secretary/Treasurer.

On motion by Mr. Bubba Moreau, seconded by Mr. Jay Scott, to adopt the minutes of the Rapides Parish Police Jury held in Regular Session on December 11, 2023, as published in the Official Journal. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Ollie Overton, seconded by Mr. Jay Scott, that ap proved bills be paid. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Ollie Overton, seconded by Mr. Jay Scott, to app oint Mr. Joe Bishop to the Rapides Area Planning Commission for one (1) y ear term concurrent with the term of the Parish President of the Rapides Parish Police Jury , term will expire on January 13, 2025. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Ollie Overton, seconded by Mr. Jay Scott, to a ppoint Mr. Joe Bishop to the Chamber of Commerce for one (1) year term concurrent with t he term of the Parish President of the Rapides Parish Police Jury. Term will ex pire on January 13, 2025. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Ollie Overton, seconded by Mr. Jay Scott, to appoint Mr. Joe Bishop to the Regional Infrastructure Beltway for a one (1) year term concurrent with the term of the Parish President of the Rapides Parish Police Jury. Term wil l expire on January 13, 2025. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Ollie Overton, seconded by Mr. Jay Scott, to appoint Mr. Joe Bishop to the Transportation Policy Committee for a one (1) year term concurrent with the term of the Parish President of the Rapides Parish Police Jury. Term will expire on January 13, 2025. On vote the motion carried. The following upcoming appointments were announced:

***Brandon Lee Blaney to the Buckeye Recreation District for a five (5) year term. Term will expire November 10, 2023. (October, November, December Agenda) ***Lane Causey to the Cocodrie Game and Fish Commission for a four (4) year term. Term will expire January 15, 2024. ***Chris Estes to the Cocodrie Game and Fish Commission for a four (4) y ear term, representing CLECO. Term will expire January 15, 2024. ***Rodney Noles on the England Economic & Industrial Dev elopment District for a six

• (6) year term. Term will expire October 10, 2023. (October Agenda) ***Jay Scott to the Rapides Area Planning Commission, juror term, for a four (4) year term. Term will expire January 1, 2024. ***Jay Scott to the Transportation Policy Committee, juror term, for a four (4) year term. Term will expire January 1, 2024.

On motion by Mr. Parrish Giles, seconded by Mr. Ollie Overton t o waive the thirty

• (30) day announcement rule and reappoint Mr. Charles Johnson to the Cocodrie Game and Fish Commission for a four (4) year term. The new term will expire o n January 15, 2028. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Sean McGlothlin, seconded by Mr. Craig Smith to wa ive the thirty (30) day announcement rule and reappoint Mr. Chauncey Nicho ls to the Fire Protection District No. 17 Board for a two (2) year term. The n ew term will expire on January 1, 2026. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Sean McGlothlin, seconded by Mr. Jay Scott to reappoint Mr. Craig Smith to the Rapides Parish Area Planning Commission, to run concurrent with the four (4) year term of Police Juror. The new term will expire on January 1 0, 2028. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Ollie Overton, seconded by Mr. Danny Bordelo n to authorize Rapides Parish Fire District No. 8 to purchase a new apparatus off Sta te Contract No. 4400017445, not to exceed $440,000.00 and secure financing for a term of five (5) years, as recommended by the Cotile Volunteer Fire Department Board of Directo rs and Fire Chief and authorize President to sign all necessary documents. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Bubba Moreau, seconded by Mr. Jay Scot to delete a nd sell Asset No. 9066 (2002 Ford) by sealed bid for Rapides Paris h Fire District No. 6, as requested by the Deville Volunteer Fire Department Board of Directo rs and the Fire Chief. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Ollie Overton, seconded by Mr. Craig Smith to a uthorize the President to sign certifications to the Legislative Auditor certi fying on behalf of the Governing Body that funds made available during the year from Jan uary 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023, pursuant to LSA-R.S. 48:751-760 have been expen ded in accordance with the provisions of those statutes and other stan dards established by law. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Jay Scott, seconded by Mr. Craig Smith to authorize t he travel expense policy be adopted by the Jury, to provide the annual travel budget for the entire Jury, and that the President of the Rapides Parish Police Jury i s authorized to approve travel expenditures during the year, not to exceed the budgeted amount. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Bubba Moreau, seconded by Mr. Craig Smith to authorize the registration and expenses, in an amount up to $700.00 each, for the Justices of the Peace and Constables for the 2024 Justices of the Peace and Constabl es Annual Training course, to be paid out of the General Fund. (Dates to be determine d at later time). On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Sean McGlothlin, seconded by Mr. Craig Smith to au thorize the President to sign the engagement letter for Payne, Moore, and Herrington for the 2023 audit. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Craig Smith, seconded by Mr. Jay Scott to dis cuss proposed updates to the Operations Manual for the Rapides Parish Publ ic Works Department. Discussion ensued.

Mr. Overton stated he recommends that Ms. Linda Sanders, Civil Service D irector and Ms. Marla West, Civil Service Employee Representative to review the man ual before final adoption. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Jay Scott, seconded by Mr. Parrish Giles to com plete fifty (50) hours of ditching in the Town of Glenmora – Turkey Creek Rd just past Roselawn Cemetery to Evangeline Rd – to perform maintenance to assist in draining Turkey Creek Road, to be paid out of 1A maintenance funds, town’s portion . On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Jay Scott, seconded by Mr. Bubba Moreau to aut horize a lease agreement for four (4) Dodge Ram 2500 trucks thru Enterprise Fleet Management for use by the Public Works Department and authorize the Parish Preside nt to sign all necessary documents, as recommended by the Public Works Director. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Sean McGlothlin, seconded by Mr. Parrish Giles to authorize the Rapides Parish Public Works Department to assist and repa ir potholes on Perkins Road within the city limits of the Village of Forest Hill , to be paid out of Road District 1A Maintenance funds, town’s portion. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Jay Scott, seconded by Mr. Craig Smith to authori ze the Parish President to sign the Agreement between the Chief Elected Official a nd the Rapides Workforce Development Board signifying the roles and responsibil ities of the Office of Economic & Workforce Development Board (OEWD) as the fiscal age nt and the administrative entity, and the Workforce Operations Departmen t (WOD) as the provider of Title 1 Adult, Dislocated Worker and Youth services authori zed by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 for the contract term of January 1, 2024 thru January 31, 2025. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Craig Smith, seconded by Mr. Jay Scott to grant approv al to Holloway Heritage RV Park, Lots 1-16, located at 12548 High way 28 East (Deville), as recommended by the Rapides Area Planning Commission. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Sean McGlothlin, seconded by Mr. Craig Smith, to a dopt the following resolution: RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Rapides Parish Police Jury received the following Bids o n Thursday, December 14, 2023 for the Replacement of Air Handling Units at the Ra pides Parish Coliseum; and,

Contract Base Bid SAMS Air Conditioning Maintenance Service, Inc. $725,000.00 ACA Mechanical/Industrial, LLC $767,000.00 Bernhard MCC, LLC $770,000.00 Gall Mechanical, LLC $995,000.00

WHEREAS, the Bids have been checked and tabulated by Pan American E ngineers, LLC, with a recommendation of award being made to the low Bidder; and,

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the contract for said constru ction project is hereby awarded to the low Bidder, SAMS Air Conditioning Main tenance Services, Inc., for the Base Bid of $725,000.00, contingent upon the following;

1. The successful bidder must have an active Unique Entity ID (UEI) and be registered with the Federal System of Award (SAM) Registration Program prior to award of contract.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the President is hereby authorized to execute contracts and change orders between the Rapides Parish Police Ju ry and the successful Bidder.

Passed, approved and adopted by the President and Police Jury of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, on this 22nd day of January, 2024.

On motion by Mr. Jay Scott, seconded by Mr. Parrish Giles to authori ze the Police Jury Legal Counsel to request an opinion from the Attorney General Office on legalities of the Justice of Peace position Ward 3, Second Court. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Sean McGlothlin, seconded by Mr. Ollie Overton th e following ordinance was adopted unanimously:

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND REENACT CHAPTER 4 – ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, SECTION 4- 3 – HOURS OF SALES; EXEMPTIONS AND EXCEPTION (3) (A) ESTABLISHMENTS.

Chapter 4 - ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

Sec. 4-3 Hours of Sales, Exemptions and Exceptions …

• (3) Establishments
• a. Sunday closure. All saloons, bars and lounges within the parish and outsid e the corporate limits of incorporated villages, towns and cities shall be closed from 2:00 a.m. until 12:00 a.m. (midnight) on Sunday night. However, on the "Super Bowl Sunday" championship game day for the National Football League (NFL), as scheduled annually by the NFL, on that specific Sunday only these establishments may open at 12:00 noon and shall be closed and all patro ns exited by 12:00 a.m. (midnight). For purpose of this chapter, an establishment holding a "Class A" permit (high or low) with more than forty p ercent of its gross receipts (excluding receipts from video poker devices defined in Louisiana Revised Statutes, Title 47:4862.1) in beverages of high or low alcoholi c content shall be considered a saloon, bar or lounge. …

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that this ordinance is to be effective immediately.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED in all other respects Chapter 4, Section 4-3 of the Rapides Parish Code of Ordinances shall remain unchanged.

THUS DONE AND SIGNED on this 22nd day of January, 2024.

On motion by Mr. Jay Scott, seconded by Mr. Sean McGlothlin to autho rize the President to sign a five (5) year renewal lease agreement with Southern Communications, Inc. Lease Agreement, K2 Towers III Site Reference: LA-8 Boyce, for wireless communications tower located at Rapides Parish Fire District No. 1 4. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Jay Scott, seconded by Mr. Danny Bordelon to acce pt the resignation of Mr. Harry Hayes and appoint Mr. Derrick Alexander to fi ll the unexpired term on the Rapides Finance Authority Board, representing District I. Term will expire September 30, 2028. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Ollie Overton and seconded by Mr. Ernest Nelson the following resolution was unanimously adopted: RESOLUTION

A resolution approving the holding of an election in Fire Pr otection District No. 12 of the Parish of Rapides, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, A pril 27, 2024, to authorize the levy of a special tax therein.

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of Fire Protection District No . 12 of the Parish of Rapides, State of Louisiana (the "Governing Authority"), a cting as the governing authority of Fire Protection District No. 12 of the Pari sh of Rapides, State of Louisiana (the "District"), adopted a resolution on December 28, 20 23, calling a special election in the District on Saturday, April 27, 2024, to aut horize the levy of a special tax therein; and

WHEREAS, the governing authority of the District has request ed that this Police Jury, acting as the governing authority of the Parish of Rapides , State of Louisiana, give its consent and authority for the District to hold the afores aid election, and in the event that the election carries to levy and collect the special tax provided for therein; and

WHEREAS, as required by Article VI, Section 15 of the Constitutio n of the State of Louisiana of 1974, it is now the desire of this Police Ju ry to approve the holding of said election and in the event that the election carries, to levy and collect the special tax provided for therein;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Police Jury of the Paris h of Rapides, State of Louisiana, acting as the governing authority of said Parish, that:

SECTION 1. In compliance with the provisions of Article VI, Sect ion 15 of the constitution of the State of Louisiana of 1974, and in accordance w ith the request of the Board of Commissioners of Fire Protection District No. 12 of the Parish of Rapides, State of Louisiana, this Police Jury hereby approves the holding of an election in the District, on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at which election there will be su bmitted the following proposition, to-wit:

IN-LIEU MILLAGE PROPOSITION

Shall Fire Protection District No. 12 of the Parish of Rapides, State of Louisiana (the "District"), levy a 14.96 mills tax on all property subject to taxation in the District, for a period of 10 years, beginning with the year 2024 and ending with the year 2033 (an estimated $348,722 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax fo r an entire year), for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving, operati ng and maintaining fire protection facilities and equipment in and for the District, including paying the cost of obtaining water for fire protect ion purposes, said tax to be in lieu of and replace an ad valorem tax of 11.96 mills authorized to be levied in the District through the year 2027 pursuant to an election held in the District on April 9, 2016?

SECTION 2. In the event the election carries, this Police Jury does hereby further consent to and authorize the District to levy and collect t he special tax provided for therein.

This resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as foll ows:

YEAS: Oliver “Ollie” Overton, Jr., Craig Smith, Danny Bordelon, Parrish Giles, Ernest Nelson, Jay Scott, Davron “Bubba” Moreau, Sean McGlothlin and Joe Bishop NAYS: none ABSENT: none

And the resolution was declared adopted on this, the 22 nd day of January, 2024.

On motion by Mr. Jay Scott, seconded by Mr. Bubba Moreau to create the p osition of part-time Secretary/Firefighter for Rapides Parish Fire District #8 – Cotile VFD, not to exceed thirty-four (34) hours per week, starting hourly rate between $ 10.00 - $13.00 per hour, depending on experience as recommended by the Cotile Volunteer Fire Department Board and Fire Chief. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Sean McGlothlin, seconded by Mr. Craig Smith to r eceive the required report from Acadian Ambulance under the contract for November, 2023:

Response Number of Required Compliance Zone Responses % % Alexandria - 8 minute 497 80% 89.34% Pineville - 8 minute 141 80% 86.52% Rapides - 12 minute 198 80% 92.42% Rapides - 20 minute 155 80% 90.97% On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Bubba Moreau, seconded by Mr. Sean McGlothlin, that the following item(s) were posted to the Jury meeting after the agenda w as posted and added to the Jury agenda in compliance with the Public Meetings Law and are now confirmed as adding agenda items by unanimous vote:

YEAS: Oliver “Ollie” Overton, Jr., Craig Smith, Danny Bordelon, Parrish Giles, Ernest Nelson, Jay Scott, Davron “Bubba” Moreau, Sean McGlothlin and Joe Bishop NAYS: none ABSENT: none On roll call vote the motion carried 9-0.

On motion by Mr. Parrish Giles, seconded by Mr. Ollie Overton t o authorize Rapides Parish Fire District No. 5 – Oakhill VFD to submit a grant application to Firehouse Subs for the purchase of a hose drying cabinet and an extractor for maintaining gear as requested by the Fire Chief and authorize the President to si gn all necessary documents. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Ollie Overton, seconded by Mr. Sean McGlothlin to allow Rapides Parish Fire District No. 17 to maintain possession of As set# 12862 (2007 Fire Truck) as it is deemed repairable by the Department and requested b y the Board and authorize the President to sign all necessary documents. The tru ck caught fire on November 16, 2023 and is considered a total loss by the ins urance company. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Bubba Moreau, seconded by Mr. Parrish Giles to aut horize the Purchasing Agent to advertise to receive bids on Hot and Cold Mix (Bituminous Material) for the annual contract to be paid from Public Works De partment Fund and applicable Road District Maintenance Funds as recommended by th e Purchasing Agent. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Craig Smith, seconded by Mr. Sean McGlothlin to exerc ise the option to extend Bid No. 2641 (Hay Lease) for an additional year (May 1, 2024 thru April 30, 2025), as requested by the Purchasing Agent. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Ollie Overton, seconded by Mr. Craig Smith to app rove adding $0.25 per hour for the following approved listed certificatio ns for Rapides Fire District No. 7 employees: Driver Operator Engine, Driver Operator Mobile Wa ter, Rope Rescue Awareness, Rope Rescue Operations, Rope Rescue Technicians, Incident Safety Officer, Live Fire Instructor, Live Fire Instructor in Charge, Officer 3, Instructor 3, Hazmat Tech, Hazmat Incident Commander, Fire Investigator, beginning with the fir st pay period of 2024, as recommended by the Ruby Kolin Volunteer Fire Department Board of Directors and Fire Chief. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Craig Smith, seconded by Mr. Bubba Moreau to approv e the increase of base pay for Rapides Parish Fire District No. 7 part time employees as follows: Base pay with no certifications will go from $10.50 to $11.00. Base pay with EMR/EMT-B or firefighter will go from $11.90 to $12.00, beginni ng with the first pay period of 2024, as recommended by the Ruby Kolin Volunteer Fire Dep artment Board of Directors and Fire Chief. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Jay Scott, seconded by Mr. Ernest Nelson, the fo llowing ordinance was presented and on vote unanimously adopted:

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND REENACT SECTION 18-4.2 (I) SPEED LIMITS SO AS TO SET A 15 MPH SPEED LIMIT ON GWEN PARKWAY, WARD 7, DISTRICT E

BE IT ORDAINED by the Rapides Parish Police Jury in Regular Se ssion convened on this 22 nd day of January, 2024, that Section 18-4.2 (i) of the Rapides Paris h Code of Ordinances is hereby amended and reenacted to set a 15 mph speed limit on the following road as follows:

Chapter 18. MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC

Section 18-4.2. Speed limits designated on certain streets: …

• (i) Fifteen miles per hour. It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or operate a vehicle upon the following parish road in Rapides Parish in e xcess of fifteen (15) miles per hour. … Gwen Parkway, Ward 7, District E … (l). Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00), or imprisoned in the Rapides Parish Jail for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days, or both.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that this ordinance is to be effective immediately.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED in all other respects Section 18-4.2 of the Rapides Parish Code of Ordinances shall remain unchanged.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the Parish Public Works Departmen t is hereby authorized to erect the speed limit signs on the Road and a copy of this ordinance sent to the Rapides Parish Sheriff Office.

THUS DONE AND SIGNED on this 22nd day of January, 2024.

On motion by Mr. Sean McGlothlin, seconded by Mr. Parrish Giles to authorize the hosting of a Mardi Gras Vendor Event and Parade at Cotile Recreati on Area on February 3, 2024 from 10:00 am – 10:00 pm and authorize the Parish President to sign all necessary documents, pending legal counsel approval. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Bubba Moreau, seconded by Mr. Sean McGlothlin to approve the amended budget for calendar year 2023 and proposed budget for cale ndar year 2024 for the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory Commission, as req uested by the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory Commission. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Bubba Moreau, seconded by Mr. Ollie Overton to au thorize the Parish President to submit a FY 2023/2024 Local Government Assi stance Program Application (LGAP) up to $100,000 to go towards the purch ase of a records storage building. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Ollie Overton, seconded by Mr. Ernest Nelson t o adopt a resolution to submit a project proposal for Parish Drainage Improveme nts under the Hometown Revitalization Program and Resilient Communities Infrastru cture Program and authorize the Parish President to sign all necessary documen ts. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Sean McGlothlin, seconded by Mr. Jay Scott to aut horize the Parish President to send a ninety (90) day written notice cancelli ng the current vending services contract for the Rapides Parish Courthouse. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Ollie Overton, seconded by Mr. Sean McGlothlin t o authorize the Purchasing Agent to advertise and receive proposals for vendin g services for the Rapides Parish Courthouse. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Bubba Moreau, seconded by Mr. Sean McGlothlin to a uthorize COVID preventative updated electronic equipment for Parish Court rooms to allow remote Zoom appearances, hearings, trials, etc., not to exceed $52,000, to be paid from ARPA funds. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Sean McGlothlin, seconded by Mr. Ernest Nelso n, there being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:23 p.m. On vote the motion carried.