The Washington Parish Council met on Monday, February 27 in Council Chambers.
Following the approval of the minutes from the previous meeting, the Council adopted several resolutions of appointment. Randall Magee and Lori Schilling were appointed to the Washington Parish Riverside Hospital Board of Directors. Magee and Schilling will serve six-year terms to expire on December 31, 2028.
James "Jimmy" Willis recently retired from the Bogue Lusa Waterworks Board of Directors and the Council approved Josh Pounds as his replacement with Pounds' term expiring December 31, 2026.
Finally, with the death of Dr. William Ferrante, Arthur Westbrooks Jr. was appointed to the Washington Parish Riverside Hospital Board of Directors with his term ending December 31, 2023.
In other business, the Council adopted a resolution extending Herbert Sumrall Road approximately 528 feet in length on the Washington Parish Inventory List.
During public participation, Mark McMorris of Mt. Hermon made an impassioned plea for the Council to move forward with animal ordinances. Mr. McMorris routinely performs large animal rescue in the parish; however, he feels the Council is dragging its feet in adopting animal ordinances such as spay/neuter in order to be a licensed animal owner. He explained that it is an emotional issue for him as he sees too many animals suffering in the parish.
Later in the meeting Public Works Director Kenneth Wheat explained to Mr. McMorris and the Council that the Occupational Licensing Ordinance that Director of Finance Donna Graham will be presenting at the next meeting will help fund more efficient and effective methods for dealing with abused animals. Parish President Richard Thomas also willingly admitted that he had let this matter "slip a little" and assured Mr. McMorris that he too will be working on a plan for the future.
In the President's Report, Mr. Thomas announced that the annual Police Jury Conference will be held in Shreveport March 8-10. On March 23 there will be a broadband meeting at Council Chambers.
In departmental reports, Director of Finance Graham assured the Council that the Occupational Licensing Ordinance introduction will be available at the next meeting.
Public Works Director Wheat informed the Council that the new Public Works facility on Dobson Street (previously Magee Feed) has had fuel delivered and generators are installed so the department will be able to move all operations to this new site in the next few weeks.
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Wheat also announced that in August 2021, the Louisiana Department of Transportation approved grants for 23 projects state-wide, and a sidewalk project for Franklinton was one. A meeting next month will be held to finalize all planning to begin installation of new sidewalks from the Courthouse to the Washington Parish Fairgrounds. Wheat reiterated that this is how slowly such projects move and how long it takes to execute such grants. It is time for new grant proposals and parish government will be applying to extend the sidewalks from Jackson Street south to Riverside Hospital.
Transportation Manager Donnell Merritt gave his usual "road report" with troubling news. A nine-span bridge on George Jenkins Road in Isabel recently had two damaged spans costing approximately $30,000 to repair. However, he commended Shirley Cox and crew for their quick work and the bridge was only out of service for one day.
This led to a short discussion of weight limits on parish bridges and the disregard of these limits by some.
President Thomas also mentioned the weight limits on Highway 1074 off Wardline Road in Ward 6, an issue discussed at the month's previous meeting.
Trucks carrying loads of dirt from Washington Parish to a project in St. Tammany Parish are possibly over the tonnage rating for Hwy 1074's bridges. President Thomas also assured that parish government is doing its best to assist in maintaining safe conditions on routes being used for the project and noted that the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office is also aware of speeding in these areas and is issuing tickets.
Following Council Discussion, the meeting was adjourned.
