The Washington Parish Council met on Monday, October 12. The meeting began with a public hearing on an ordinance authorizing the Parish President to accept an acquisition of property located at 25234 Louisiana Highway 436 in Angie and to execute a conservation servitude with the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
In the Regular Meeting that followed, this ordinance was adopted. Grants Administrator Bobbie Jo Breland explained that the structure is funded by FEMA with no "out of pocket" expense to the parish, and this action is required by the Council each year.
The Council introduced an ordinance authorizing the Parish President to extend the contract with Crowdergulf, LLC for disaster debris removal and disposal services. This was followed by another introduction of an ordinance authorizing the Parish President to extend the contract with Thompson Consulting Services for disaster debris monitoring and management services.
In other business, the Council introduced an ordinance to amend the Washington Parish Utility Scale Solar Project - Facility Standards Ordinance to provide for the issuance of preliminary and final permits; to provide for an independent third-party final compliance inspection; and to provide for related matters.
The final business of the meeting was the adoption of a resolution authorizing the disposition and sale of three transit vehicles through Henderson Auctions.
Parish Public Works Director Alex Sumrall explained that these vehicles are with the Council on Aging and have reached their lifespan for transport. Parish Government is assisting the Council on Aging by setting up the auction process and all proceeds will go to them.
In Public Participation, Kelvin Brown, candidate for Washington Parish School Board District 3 introduced himself to the public.
Kelvin has been employed by Parish Government for 17 years. He said as a senior football player at Grambling State University he became a father and felt he should return home. When applying for a job with the parish government in 2010, then Parish President Richard Thomas told him he could accomplish great things if he worked hard and "kept his head straight."
Brown noted that as a family man and husband, he began his career with a shovel in his hand and kept working and in 2020 he was sworn in as the first African American Code Enforcer for the parish.
In addition to being a code enforcer, he noted, he’s also a supervisor at Public Works Location 3.
Brown was followed by Tim Tackett, who briefly thanked the members of the Council for meeting with him about his solar farm concerns the previous week.
Walter Adams asked about the enforcement of codes concerning solar farms that he questioned at the previous meeting. He then asked if there had been any inspections in the past two weeks and/or penalties assessed. Council Chairman Reginald McMasters responded that there has not, but to expect them as the Council continues to navigate the solar projects.
In the President's Report, Public Works Director Alex Sumrall stated, "Last week we were happy to lend a helping hand to Franklinton Primary School. When the school's tractor was down, we stepped in to bushhog the two fields across from the school. Any time we have an opportunity to help our schools or the citizens of Washington Parish, we are glad to do our part." He added that the parish asphalt crew completed work on Seal Road, which had never been paved before. Sumrall said the Public Works Department is proud of the crew's hard work and continued efforts to improve roads and infrastructure throughout Washington Parish.
In addition, crews completed 17 drainage projects on 34 miles, installed 14 culverts, bushhogged 120 roads for 230 miles, installed 23 signs on 9 roads, cleaned and cut 16 parish locations and picked up 458 bags of litter on 49 roads.
Sumrall also announced that early voting will take place October 20-27 from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm. Washington Parish Government offices will be closed October 21-23 for the fair. Parish President Ryan Seal and his staff are encouraging everyone to enjoy the fair and make the most of everything it has to offer.
The next meeting will be held on October 26.
