The Washington Parish Council met a week early on Monday, October 6 in preparation for the Washington Parish Free Fair. Following the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance the minutes from the September 22 meeting were approved.
First on the agenda were Wayne and Amy Kratt of the Plainview Community regarding an issue on Dewitt Lane. The Kratt's moved to the location six years ago and built their forever home. When they first relocated to the area Mr. George Gomez was operating a pine straw and shavings processing operation adjacent to their property with equipment housed in a large barn. The business has expanded and now straw is taken in 18 wheelers to Gomez's storefront in Mandeville, and the noise and dust has become much more pronounced. The Kratts have spoken to him about their concerns but they said "he doesn't care." Mr. Gomez lives in Covington and operates the business only on the property. The Kratts inquired if there are zoning laws, etc. that can be enforced to remedy the situation.
Public Works Director Alex Sumrall is planning a visit to the property with the code enforcement officer and the permit department to determine the situation. The noise and dust are the biggest concerns for the Kratts and the business operates year-round and often seven days per week.
Council President Kim Wagner assured the Kratts that the Council will do what that it can to assist, and Parish Attorney Matt Garver also noted that there are other avenues to pursue.
Next, the Council heard from Kelsey Knight, Manager of the Washington Parish Animal Shelter. The shelter has 12 runs to house dogs. According to numbers provided by the shelter's computer program, most dogs stay approximately two weeks and are transported or adopted. Returned dogs remain about 28 days. The shelter offers vet services twice a month, so all the dogs are receiving medical care when needed. Vaccines are available for puppies and kittens during regular business hours. The shelter is also mapping cat colonies so that in cooler weather they can be trapped, spayed/neutered and this will help control the cat population. Council members expressed their appreciation for the work being done at the Animal Shelter.
The Council then introduced two ordinances that will authorize agreements with ABC Waste, LLC and AMWASTE of Louisiana for solid waste collection and transportation.
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. A resolution was adopted to declare surplus and/or scrap movable property and authorization to dispose of same. This was followed by the adoption of a resolution for the reappointment of Don Wheat and Dennis Warren on the Washington Parish Gas Utility District #2 Board of Directors. Their office terms will commence on January 1, 2026, and will expire on December 31, 2030. The last action of the Council was to adopt a resolution of appointment to the Washington Parish Tourism Commission Board of Directors. Kimberly Windham will replace Mark Irvine who resigned from his position on July 30, 2025. Windham's term will begin immediately and expire on December 31, 2025.
According to administrative assistant Danielle Folks, Parish Government offices will be closed on October 15, 16 and 17 for the Fair. Public Works Director Alex Sumrall gave the Transportation Report for the month of September. Among other job, crews completed drainage projects of 27 roads for 54 miles, distributed 820 tons of hot mix, installed 6 culverts, graded 57 roads for 38 miles, hauled 284 yards of gravel on 6 roads, bush hogged 186 roads for 330 miles and completed an in-house overlay project on Willie J. Wilson Road. Kelvin Brown's crew installed 28 signs on 13 parish roads and collected 363 bags of litter on 32 parish roads in the 12-day period of September 22 to October 3. Roads with the most collected litter were 23 bags on Choctaw Road, 24 bags on Central Church Road, 38 bags on Seven Mile Road, and 40 bags on Black Jack Road. Sumrall further reported that the Spring Valley Road bridge, depending on weather, could be open next week. Stringers, the headwall, and wing wall of the north side had to be replaced. Furthermore, Sumrall bragged on the work crews who are knowledgeable to work on and in some cases rebuild bridges. He also reminded everyone that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This cause is near to Sumrall's heart as his mother is a breast cancer survivor, and he urges everyone to remember those who lost their battle with this disease. Sumrall personally thanked Rickey Magee for the breast cancer flags he has put throughout Franklinton in honor of the late Mrs. Tanda Schilling.
This meeting was the final one by Mr. Carey Menard, Civil Division of the District Attorney's Office who also represented Parish Government in civil matters. He spoke briefly and expressed his appreciation for the Council and the work for Washington Parish. Council members wished Mr. Menard well and thanked him for his service. Councilman Steven Branch ended with a heartfelt tribute to his mother, Shirley Branch and Lisa Ard, both cancer survivors. The ladies were present and received a standing ovation. The next meeting will be held on October 20, 2025.
