Notice to the Public
These are not official minutes

CALL TO ORDER

INVOCATION

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL

ADOPT THE AGENDA

VISITORS and PUBLIC COMMENTS

The first visitor was Dolores Blalock who came to urge the Council to adopt a resolution against open burning of toxic waste in Colfax. Clean Harbors’ official request to open burn in Colfax has been withdrawn. The request sought to increase the amount of open burning permitted from about 500,000 pounds a year of net explosive weight to more than 2 million pounds. The permit would have increased the hourly treatment rate from 410 pounds per hour to 1,500 pounds per hour.

“This resolution is still important,” said Blalock. “We want every surrounding parish to pass resolutions against the open burning of toxic waste in Colfax. The next step is to stop open burning in the entire state. It is very dangerous what they are doing and it is not allowed anywhere else in the U.S. Even though they withdrew the request they aren’t stopping. They are still burning toxic chemicals.”

The Council moved to vote on agenda item 15 pertaining to this and it passed.

The next seven visitors were all present to complain about various roads in the parish.

“Since January 4^th we have received 139 requests to put gravel down or fix issues with unpaved roads in the parish and 89 requests to patch pot holes and fix issues with paved roads within the parish,” said Director of Public Works Nick Verret.

“The magnitude of the needs is just more than we can handle, especially this time of year in this weather,” said Parish President Rick Nowlin.

Nowlin told the public that their concerns were not falling on deaf ears. He urged them to continue to call about the roads. He explained that when they get calls they do go out and look at the roads in question and move them up on the priority list if needed.

After the road complaint,s two visitors shared conflicting views about what should be done about the Shady Grove Community Center. One expressed that the building was in deplorable condition. She showed pictures of the abandoned, worn down building to the Council.

While looking at the photos Councilman Rodney Bedgood said “The best thing to do is tear it down.”

That is when the other woman spoke out of turn claiming that the building, built in the 70’s, was a historical building and that the community wants to restore it.

PASSED- Adopt the minutes of the resolution confirming re-appointment/appointments to the following boards/commissions.

1. Millard F. Rutledge for re-appointment to the Natchitoches Parish Fire District 6 Board.
2. Lauryn Sharplin for re-appointment to the Natchitoches Parish Tourist Commission.
3. James Bayonne for re-appointment to the Natchitoches Planning and Zoning Commission.
4. George W. Minturn for re-appointment to the Natchitoches Planning and Zoning Commission.
5. Laney A. Wright for re-appointment to the Natchitoches Planning and Zoning Commission.

Public Hearing- to hear any and all comments of objections relative to the adoption of the following items:

1. Adoption of Ordinance #001-2016 of the Natchitoches Parish Council for budget revision of the parish 2016 budget for highway department to purchase of equipment, hauling and capital outlay projects.

PASSED- Ordinance #001-2016 of the Natchitoches Parish Council for budget revision of the parish 2016 budget for highway department to purchase of equipment, hauling and capital outlay projects.

PASSED- Council authorized the Parish President to go into a Cooperative Agreement to Support and Administer with LSU-AgCenter and the Parish of Natchitoches.

AWARDED- Bids awarded to Madden Contracting Company for Highway Department Materials.

1. Hot Mix Asphaltic Concrete
2. Base Course Aggregate

APPOINTED- Councilman Doug de Graffenried to replace outgoing Councilman Aaron Johnson on the Coordinating and Development Corporation’s Board.

PASSED- Council authorized Parish President to execute the Memorandum of Understanding and Certification of Contract between the NRMC and the Parish to provide Health Care Services to Low Income Individuals.

INTRODUCED- Ordinance #002-2016 to implement certain revisions to the Parish Personnel Manual.

PASSED- Resolution to designate February as “African-American History Month” in the Parish of Natchitoches.

REPORTS

1. Director of Public Works Nick Verret gave report
2. OCS/Head Start Executive Director Sharon Harris gave report

Report included the need of additional staff member. There is an 85 percent rate of attendance but not in all classes. 309 children are enrolled. The process to get a new director is underway.

3. Parish Treasurer Debbie Miley gave report

Report of Parish President

EXECUTIVE SESSION- Council went in to executive session to discuss information relative to possible legal action regarding certain employees of the Parish.

ADJOURN