Approved: Adopt the minutes of the regular meeting of the Natchitoches Parish Council held Monday, August 17th 2015. And special meeting held Thursday, August 6th.
Conduct a public hearing with the Natchitoches Parish Council sitting as the “Board of Review” to hear complaints on values of property for assessment purposes fixed by Parish Tax Assessor:
Multiple roads have been approved for funding including Payne Subdivision for $515,000 and Coco Bend for $280,000. Other projects that were not approved for funding this year will be resubmitted for funding next year.State Contracts take 60 to 90 days to be filed and work on the funded roads will not begin until the middle of next year. Councilman Rodney Bedgood questioned why Goldonna Road was not on the list of roads that would receive federal money for repair. Each District was able to submit one road for consideration for funding, a priority list for roads was decided by the Council and when reviewed by the State some changes were made. There were many concerns about other individual roads and why they are not being repaired. Donna Isaacs, who served on the Road Advisory Commission, reminded the attendees that there is no way to receive the service that they desire without paying for it. The Parish is grossly underfunded compared to surrounding parishes and a tax increase was suggested.
Approved: The Parish will be submitting an application to the State for improvements to the Payne Subdivision sewer system under the Community Development Block Grant program.
Introduction: Ordinance #10-2015; a budget for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2016 and ending December 3, 2016 and making appropriations for each Department, Project and Account. Changes may need to be made to the Health Insurance budgeting and could go from 16% to 25%.
Discussion of the hiring process with the Parish Departments: Salter inquired about a position for Road Maintenance Supervisor that was filled without being advertised. Directorof Public Works, Mr. Nick Verret, stated that the hiring was approved by the Parish President.
Approved: Authorizing the President to solicit proposals for the lease of a new dozer to replace the current dozer at the Parish Landfill. The current lease expires in November.
Approved: An extension of the Parish road variance along Five Forks Road, relative to the mining operation at the Five Forks Mine. This is based off an operation that was approved in 2012, and is regarding a new mining permit to expand another 90 acres.
Approved: Authorizing the Parish President to advertise for bids for hot mix asphalt patching and leveling work on the Kisatchie Mora Road, Parish Road No. 920, using funding from the U.S. Forest Service Road and Schools grant program, and to award the contract to the lowest bidder.
Approved: Awarding Consultant/Engineering for the LCDBG Program application to G NF Consultants.
Approved: Authorizing the Parish President to execute an Amended Agreement for the transfer of Five Forks Road to LA DOTD, with the Parish to retain the 2,500 linear foot bypassed portion of the existing road in order to provide access to the Friday Road, Parish Road No. 226.
Introduction: Ordinance 11-2015 authorizing the sale of Parish Property to the City of Natchitoches to serve as a future recreation site. The site is an old Public Works building near MLK Head Start center, about 3 acres. The city is buying the property for $73,500.
Introduction: Ordinance 12-2015 authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Parish of Natchitoches and the City of Natchitoches for Replacement of Defective Electrical Service Equipment to the Parish Courthouse. On July 19th, a conductor faulted and the Parish is responsible for the repair. The City has agreed to help pay for the project.
Introduction: Ordinance 13-2015 authorizing the Parish President to enter into an Agreement with the City, the Sheriff’s Office and the DA in connection with funding of a response vehicle and operating expenses for use of the Parish Coroner.
Unemployment insurance will be changing to Employee Unity Incorporated and the cost will be $1,000 less starting in November.
