The Washington Parish Council met on Monday, November 3. The Council usually meets on the second and fourth Monday of the month but moved the meetings up one week due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
The meeting was preceded by a public hearing concerning three new ordinances related to the disposal of abandoned vehicles and unlawful trash accumulation as well as condemnation of buildings and structures. A fourth ordinance was also discussed concerning roofing contractor requirements.
Attorney Matt Garver explained that the purpose of the ordinances is to give "teeth" to efforts to combat blight in the parish. "Fight the Blight" is a statewide initiative and up to this point there has been no mechanism in place to remove trash and abandoned vehicles from public and private property. Landowners will now be notified and if not corrected in 30 days, there are now legal measures officials can take. Garver added that the "blight" must be in view of public right of ways and liens can be added to a person's property taxes to cover the costs of cleanup. A hearing officer will make such determinations.
Following comments and questions from citizens concerning more specific aspects of the ordinances as well as concerns that lower income residents will have difficulty adhering to these, the public hearing closed.
The regular meeting was then called to order
The Council adopted ordinances concerning the disposal of abandoned vehicles and unlawful trash accumulation, amending the condemnation of buildings and structures ordinance, and establishing procedures and penalties relating to blighted property, public nuisances, and housing code violations in the rural and unincorporated areas of Washington Parish and providing for hearing officers, administrative procedures, enforcements, and liens.
The next ordinance adopted by the Council establishes licensure, permitting, and inspection requirements for roof construction and reroofing of residential and commercial structures. Attorney Garver explained that this is the result of a new statute/act by the legislature and the hope is to protect property owners from unscrupulous contractors, especially after a weather event. This now requires licensure for contractors to install roofs.
The Council then adopted three resolutions. First was a resolution for annual Certification of Compliance with the State of Louisiana Off System Bridge Replacement Program. Public Works Director Alex Sumrall explained that this is a program that comes up every two years and the parish is in compliance.
The next resolution authorizes the Parish President to sign an amended intergovernmental agreement to provide the 22nd Judicial District Attorney's Office with investigation resources. Finance Director Lacy Burris explained that this is opioid settlement money and at the previous meeting DA Colin Sims requested an additional $50,000 for the opioid initiative. Sheriff Jason Smith added that it is important to note that the money is being used to prosecute drug dealers as murderers. In this community the effort is having a significant impact with numbers decreasing from 42 in 2024 to 17 in 2025. Burris added that this is a "good use of our funding." The final resolution adopted authorizes the Parish President to enter into and execute a professional services agreement with CivicSource for the administration of an online auction and the sale of adjudicated properties.
Sheriff Jason Smith reported that the jail has had some relief from the DOC as inmates have been moved. The jail still houses probation and parole holds with 58 currently versus 85-90 recently.
Smith announced that the survey on potential property for a new jail is ongoing and this project will go before the legislature's next session. The closing on the property is expected in mid-December. The Sheriff also gave a summary of a program being instituted that will give 8th grade males from around the parish a chance to tour Rayburn Correctional Center and potentially prevent decisions to enter a life of crime.
Parish President Ryan Seal was attending a state Parish President event, but the President's report was given by department heads.
Lacy Burris announced a November 10 Finance Committee meeting and shared that the Project Opioid funds, now in year 5, are projected to last 21 years with approximately 8.5 million to be received over 21 years. She also noted that there are strict criteria set for fund use.
Public Works Director Alex Sumrall reported that his office has been working on the Off System Bridge Project that comes up every two years where the DOTD gives the parish money to replace a bridge in the parish, and the most recent allotment is $599,851. However, this is not a great deal of money when replacing a concrete bridge.
Parish President Seal and Sumrall met with DOTD engineers concerning the closed Hwy 60 bridge and reaffirmed that this is a priority. DOTD is working on right of ways and a gas line relocation to move forward. They also talked about the railroad crossing on Hwy 10 in Bogalusa and this involves the railroad and plans are progressing. The current DOTD bridge projects that are in the parish are Cleve Kennedy Road over Morgan Branch estimated to cost $463,680 and Old Columbia Road over Jamieson Creek estimated to cost $685,400. Mitch Road and George Jenkins Roads also need bridges. These are in the Off System Bridge Program and will not cost the parish. The Spring Valley Road bridge was reopened on November 5. Sumrall is thankful for employees who can assist with such work.
Finally, meetings have been held with Debris Removal Services and Debris Monitors to assure the parish receives the best company and services if needed. Code Enforcer Kelvin Brown reported that for October, among other jobs crews completed 22 drainage projects, installed 7 culverts, graded 63 roads, bushhogged 121 roads, and collected 609 bags of litter on 75 roads. Brown also gave the permit office report which included 6 new construction home permits. President Seal's Administrative Assistant Danielle Folks reported that all floors of the Courthouse now have AEDs for medical emergencies and trained personnel to use them.
Council President Kim Wagner ended the meeting by reiterating the Council's commitment to correct blight issues in the parish because "we care about our parish and are just trying to clean it up." She also encouraged everyone to "Thank a Veteran" on Tuesday, November 11. The next Council meeting will be held on Monday, November 17 at 5:30 pm.
