The Washington Parish Council met on September 25 at the Washington Parish Courthouse. At 5:45 a Public Hearing-Board of Review was held. There were no appeals received during the 2023 assessment period and the council closed the Board of Review. At 6:00 pm the regular meeting was called to order. Following the pledge and prayer, the minutes from the September 11 meeting were approved.
First on the agenda was Larry Frieman, candidate for Judge Division A. Mr. Frieman is currently the State Representative for District 74 which encompasses west Washington Parish, St. Tammany Parish, and Tangipahoa Parish. He is running for judge based on his 30 years of experience as an attorney. He has practiced law all over the state and argued cases in all five appellate courts and the state Supreme Court. Mr. Frieman has a very broad experience and feels he will be a "law and order" judge that Division A needs. He is asking one thing: don't vote on family connections or if one knows a candidate and maybe where he or she was born. Instead, he asks that voters elect the best person for the job.
Then Gloria Kates, candidate for State Senator District 12 introduced herself to the Council. Mrs. Kates is currently a Councilwoman on the Bogalusa City Council. She is seeking the Senate position to provide educational programs for children and parents, job advocacy and economic development for Washington Parish. Mrs. Kates is also passionate about seeking grants for the area to improve roads and to enhance crime prevention, especially gun control for the youth of the parish.
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The Council then addressed items of business on the agenda. First, they voted to adopt a resolution by the Washington Parish Council to authorize the parish president to sign agreements and memorandums of understanding between the Washington Parish Government, The City of Bogalusa and the Parish of Plaquemines for Washington Parish inmates housing due to overcrowding in the Washington Parish Jail. Over a month ago Parish President Richard Thomas notified the board that the jail is currently extremely overcrowded and despite some being released on bond to ease the situation, there is still a need to move some inmates to other facilities. This is costly to the parish and at some point, voters will have to decide how to handle this with a new jail or additional space being added to the current facility, he said.
There is a jail remodel plan in place, and it is hoped this will help to ease the crowded conditions.
Next the Council voted to adopt a resolution expressing the intent of the Washington Parish Council to re-adopt the residential anti-displacement and relocation assistance plan for Louisiana Community Development Block Grant (LCDBG) Programs, for the parish's fiscal year 2023 Louisiana Community Development Program until such time as the requirements for the plan change under the LCDBG Program. Prior to the vote District 6 councilman Reginald McMasters asked Director of Finance Donna Graham to elaborate on exactly the intent of this resolution. Mrs. Graham explained that these are federal funds and to obtain them parish government must have a plan in place in case of any relocation of housing. This specifically is referring to the work being undertaken on the infrastructure in Mitchell City in Bogalusa. Low-income areas qualify and there must be procedures in place in case of a resident's complaint.
Finally, the Council voted to adopt a resolution expressing the intent of the Washington Parish Council to re-adopt the section 504 grievance procedure or the equitable resolution of complaints regarding the requirements of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Section 504 (24 CFR Part 8- June 2, 1988) in compliance with requirements of a Louisiana Community Development Block Grant for Fiscal Year 2023. Again Mr. McMasters asked for clarification from Mrs. Graham who explained that this was in conjunction with the previous resolution.
The Council then approved a motion to enter executive session under La. R.S. 42:17A(2) in the matter of "St. Tammany Parish Government, a Political Subdivision of the State of Louisiana versus Warren Montgomery, Div. A., 22nd Judicial District Court, Parish of St. Tammany, State of Louisiana. The council chambers were cleared while the matter was considered. The Council then opened chamber doors and invited those in attendance to re-enter. The meeting was reconvened, and the Council then voted to adopt a resolution employing and providing compensation for special legal counsel in the matter of "St. Tammany Parish Government, a political subdivision of the State of Louisiana, versus Warren Montgomery, ET AL., Div. A, 22nd Judicial District Court, Parish of St. Tammany". Parish Attorney Wayne Kuhn explained that no action was taken during executive session. He further elaborated that this involves a suit against the District Attorney over mandated expenses. Because Washington Parish is in the same judicial district as St. Tammany, it is named as a defendant as well. The charter allows for special counsel as the District Attorney cannot act as counsel in situations such as this.
Parish President Richard Thomas then gave the President's Report. He reminded everyone about the kickoff to "fair season" with flag raisings to be held in Franklinton and Bogalusa. The dates for the fair are October 18-22 at the fairgrounds. Early voting is slated to begin on September 30 and run through October 7 with the election taking place on October 14. Director of Finance Donna Grahm reported that it is time to begin the amended budget process for 2023. Happily, the amending is necessary due to an increase in sales tax revenue which is much higher than projected as well as an increase in interest income. There has been other unexpected revenue from the OPIOD settlement and money received from the sports gaming that began this year. Mrs. Graham did express that she would like to see a committee formed to advise on the OPIOD settlement funds so that the 2024 budget has a clear picture of how the funds will be used in the parish.
On a different note, Mrs. Graham explained that the Bogue Chitto State Park and Friends of the Park are beginning a project to build a barn equipped with individual stalls so that campers can bring their own horses to enjoy riding in the park. It is a $25,000 project and parish government has been asked to help under its Community Services budget. The barn will have approximately 20 stalls with water and electricity. She will have a resolution prepared at the next meeting.
Quality Assurance Officer Alex Sumrall reported that the Federal Offroad Bridge Program has allocated $704,000 for a new bridge in the parish. He is pleased that this will help the effort to have safe bridges throughout the parish. Councilman McMasters noted that when the time comes, he has a couple in District 6 he would like to get on the list for replacement. Mr. Sumrall also reported that according to Brian Nunez with the DOTD, construction upgrading the sidewalks from the Courthouse to the Fairgrounds will begin in January. He also noted that the newest sidewalk project from the Courthouse to Riverside Hospital will not require any matching funds and will be a $204,000 project. It should be accomplished later next year. Mr. Sumrall also thanked Mr. Kelvin Brown and his crew for assisting in decorating the courthouse for the fair season.
In other business Councilman McMasters noted that there is evidence of trash being dumped off the bridge into Bethel Creek. He is very concerned about this issue and would like signs posted prohibiting dumping. President Thomas assured him that he will contact the Sheriff's Office about this as well. Councilwoman Kim Wagner reminded everyone about the Bogalusa Blues and Heritage Festival. The Council as a whole wished Donna Graham a very happy birthday, and the meeting adjourned.
