The Washington Parish Council met on Monday, August 12 Following the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, the minutes from the July 22 Regular Council Meeting and the August 1 Special Meeting were approved.
The first item of business was the adoption of an ordinance to move a polling place location from 43139 C. E. Stafford Road, Franklinton, Louisiana to 17311 Highway 25, Franklinton, Louisiana. The ordinance was introduced at the July 22 meeting and received a show of support from the fire chief where the new polling place will be located as well as Clerk of Court Johnny D. Crain Jr. and Registrar of Voters Randy Strickland. Additionally, a public hearing was held prior to the night's meeting with no other concerns or questions being voiced. Parish President Ryan Seal issued an emergency declaration to satisfy time constraints in moving the location before the November 5 election day. At the July 22 meeting, Mr. Crain assured the Council that his office will be on hand at the old location to direct voters to the new polling place.
Next the Council introduced an ordinance to set the annual salary of the Washington Parish Clerk to the Council. There will be a public hearing prior to the August 26 meeting at 5:30 pm. The Council then adopted a resolution authorizing Washington Parish Government to accept a grant from Keep Louisiana Beautiful. Grants Administrator Landon Tims explained that a $10,000 grant has been awarded to the parish and plans are to focus on education by purchasing materials for school-aged children and present to them in hopes to instill early in life that littering is destructive to the environment. He also appreciates when grants can have a dual purpose. Plans are to wait until April to spend the remainder of the funds as that is Keep Louisiana Beautiful Month and purchase pick-up sticks, orange safety vests, and gloves to be used on the annual clean up day and then repurposed for use by parish work crews.
Moving on, the Council adopted a resolution to appoint Erroll Soladni to Washington Parish Gas Utility District #2 as a Board Member. Soladni is replacing John Rochester who resigned June 3, 2024, and Soladni's term is effective August 29, 2024, to December 31, 2028. In the final agenda item, the Council approved a resolution to apply for a Canine Shelter Support grant through The Stanton Corporation, on behalf of the Washington Parish Animal Shelter. Animal Shelter Manager Kelsey Knight explained that this is an "invitation only to apply" grant for $25,000. It will address the welfare of dogs by funding major improvements to the dog runs and play yards. Mrs. Knight also hopes there will be enough funding for adding a secondary storage shed.
In Public Participation Sheriff Jason Smith first thanked the Council members and parish employees who have toured the jail and seen the recent renovations as well as the cell areas.
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He reported that there are currently 232 inmates with 213 housed in Franklinton, 14 in Bogalusa, and 5 in Plaquemines Parish. He then informed the Council that the jail was cited by the fire marshal on Friday, August 9. His concern is that the jail has been cited 21 times since 2020. The parish owns the jail and as sheriff he manages it, and he feels that the jail is in a crisis situation.
The primary reasons for being cited are overcrowding, which exceeds the mandated square footage per inmate, as well as blocked exits and things not clearly marked. He wants an administration of transparency and feels the Council would not have spent so much money on a remodel of offices if it knew of the high volume of citations in the inmate areas. He hopes to work together to resolve the issues in the future.
William Lewis questioned the Council and parish government about where to locate information about opportunities for bidding on various jobs. He feels that the information is not readily available to contractors and especially those in his community who would like to have a chance at such jobs. Director of Finance Donna Graham and Public Works Director Alex Sumrall explained that all are advertised in The Era-Leader, on the parish's website, Facebook, and Bid Express. In addition, bid notices and all legal notices published in The Era-Leader are also posted on the statewide legal notice website operated by the Louisiana Press Association. Parish President Ryan Smith added that all bid opportunities are placed on these public domains and there is no "playing favorites." They also emphasized that "we are for all communities [in Washington Parish]."
In the President's Report, Director of Finance Donna Graham explained to the Council that a comparison of all major funds to the budget through July shows positive balances and revenues are holding with the budget. She is, however, working on an amended budget to finish the year as there are some changes due to grants received. She will have an amended budget prepared for September.
Transportation Manager Danny Knight reported that among other things, his crews installed 17 culverts, cleaned, and cut 15 locations, installed 25 signs on 25 roads, bushhogged 173 roads for 258 miles, and picked up 459 bags of litter on 36 roads.
Public Works Director Alex Sumrall reported that a pre-bid meeting was held on August 7 with 10 contractors interested in the Courthouse Remodel. William Pigott of the Army Corp of Engineers informed Sumrall that the permit at Poole's Bluff and the removal of the silt at the mouth of the canal is in the process of being approved. The Bogalusa Health Unit HVAC replacement should start soon with additional painting, changing out of workspaces, and new countertops and lavatories in the restrooms. Sumrall was also pleased to announce that thanks to Mr. Kelvin Brown and his crew, the Franklinton Health Unit received Garden of the Month from the Franklinton Home and Garden Club. Finally, the sidewalk project from the Courthouse to the fairgrounds will be on the DOTD website on August 28 for taking bids. Construction will start after the Washington Parish Fair.
Parish President Ryan Seal wrapped up the meeting by reminding folks that school has started and to be safe in school zones. The parish is currently taking applications for a scale clerk at the Choctaw Landfill and a building inspector at the permit office. More information is on the parish website and in The Era-Leader newspaper. (See Page B2.) A Kibble Kottage was recently donated to the Animal Shelter by Jenny Lazo and Associates so that anyone who wants to help with supplying food can place it there. President Seal was also pleased to announce that a new grader and front-end loader have been purchased and funds were used from a recent auction of retired equipment. He is also working on purchasing a spray truck to assist with weed abatement. Seal ended by reminding that there is a current surge in COVID in the parish, so folks should be vigilant. He also commended the funeral services of Pvt Joseph Murphy and Mrs. Robert Hicks, Bogalusa Civil Rights Icon.
