The Washington Parish Council held its regular meeting on Monday, September 9, in Council Chambers at the Washington Parish Courthouse. The meeting opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. This was followed by the approval of the minutes from the August 26 meeting.
The first item of business was the adoption of an ordinance to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Washington Parish Communications District. Next, an ordinance was introduced to accept Barney Lane in Franklinton as a parish road. This ordinance will be voted on at the next meeting. A second ordinance was introduced to amend the 2024 Annual Operating Budget for the Washington Parish Government. This will also be voted on at the next meeting.
The final item of business was the approval of a resolution to accept the lowest bid and to authorize the Parish President to sign a contract between Nobles & Associates, L.L.C. and Washington Parish Government. President Ryan Seal clarified that this is for renovations in the Washington Parish Courthouse.
Councilman Shawn Rice asked for specifics, and Public Works Director Alex Sumrall further explained that this will encompass Courtroom 1 downstairs, the Clerk of Court office, the foyer upstairs, and electrical work.
Councilman Reginald McMasters clarified that Nobles & Associates L.L.C. was the lowest bid. President Seal explained that 13 bids were received for this project, and he was pleased with the interest and participation from area contractors.
In public participation, Sheriff Jason Smith updated the Council on the current inmate population. There are 207 total inmates in the parish jail which indicates progress from previous numbers. 187 are housed locally after a number of inmates were moved by the Department of Corrections. There is an agreement to move 20 inmates to Tensas Parish and 10 to East Carroll. This will significantly ease the overpopulation pressure locally; however, it does come with significant cost.
He is still working to move female inmates to a location in Varnado. The fire marshal was encouraging about the Varnado facility and the health department will visit next to determine the number of showers and restrooms that will be needed. Utilization of this facility will do a great deal to aid in the overcrowding. Sheriff Smith is confident of housing 50-80 inmates at this location. This will enable the staff to clear out one cell block at a time and allow improvements in cleanliness and aesthetics while also creating new standards of behavior for the inmates.
The sheriff also led a tour of the jail with representatives from Congresswoman Letlow and Senators Kennedy and Cassidy's offices. Sheriff Smith is ultimately working towards a new jail facility and is hoping for money from the federal and/or state level to assist in this.
Councilman McMasters interjected that he toured the jail as well and it was an eye-opening experience. He said that he truly had no idea about the conditions in the jail and vowed to support the sheriff in whatever he needs to do to improve the conditions.
Jackie Tate spoke next and added that the state of the Washington Parish Jail is embarrassing and must be addressed. She also expressed concern about the communications center with the impending storm. Ms. Tate urged the Council to get the center up and running for efficient communication with residents. President Seal and Councilman Joe Culpepper assured Ms. Tate that the center will be used as a command post for various agencies during weather emergencies such as Hurricane Francine.
In the absence of Transportation Manager Danny Knight, Public Works Director Alex Sumrall presented the parish transportation bi-monthly stats. Crews bushhogged 162 roads for a total of 305 miles; graded 71 roads; installed 8 culverts; completed drainage projects on 32 roads; installed 14 signs on 11 roads; and Mr. Kelvin Brown's crew picked up 207 bags of trash on 20 roads. With Hurricane Francine imminent landfall, Mr. Sumrall reported that the parish was prepared after checking generators, sharpening saws, and gassing up all equipment. On a positive note, Sumrall added that the river levels are low so that should help with flooding issues. Sumrall also listed sandbagging locations in the parish.
Grant Facilitator Landon Tims gave updates on several grants. The contractor has been given notice to begin work at the Atoka Recreation Complex north of Franklinton, and parish crews as well as the contractor are clearing the property. Soon there will be football/soccer fields, concession building, roads, and a parking lot. There will also be landscaping as well as trees planted. A grant to construct a pickleball court has also been awarded. Mr. Tims is enthused about the transformation that will take place at Atoka in a short amount of time. There are several other grants in the approval stage, so lots of exciting things will be happening in the parish thanks to grant funds.
Ryan Seal wrapped up the President's report by giving an update on preparations for Hurricane Francine and expressed his confidence that the parish is ready for the natural disaster. President Seal also report that he recently participated in a roundtable with the Northshore Board of Realtors along with St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper. They will also be participating in the Northshore Business Council Transportation Summit in November where President Seal will be a speaker. He also commended Sheriff Smith for his work to get the jail population to acceptable numbers so that the parish and Sheriff's Office can run an efficient jail.
The Council ended the meeting by urging residents to remain vigilant about Hurricane Francine and stay safe, stay prepared, and stay home and out of the way of first responders and those who will be clearing roads following the storm.
