The Franklinton Board of Aldermen and Mayor met on Tuesday, August 8. Following the prayer by Rev. Jerome Warren Sr., the meeting was called to order.
The one old business item was to approve the minutes of the July 25 meeting. Alderman Seth Descant asked that the minutes be amended. They currently say, "Mayor Route said contract wasn't signed; PO issued only." However, a contract was signed, and Alderman Descant wanted this corrected. Mayor Route and some of the Board had not read the minutes prior to the meeting. The Mayor asked that this item be tabled until the next meeting. A motion was made by Alderwoman Patrice Crain and seconded by Alderman T.J. Butler that this be tabled until the next meeting as not everyone had the opportunity to read the minutes prior to the meeting. Mr. Descant further commented that according to the Sunshine Law, minutes must be received within 24 hours of a meeting to be reviewed. The Mayor clarified that the minutes were not available until 1:30 pm on the day of the meeting. Attorney James Knight noted that the 24-hour notice is not relevant as the agenda was available and items on it could be available if requested. The motion failed 3-2 with Aldermen Sharp, Descant and Spears voting no. Ms. Crain asked if the minutes could be amended later. A vote was held with Ms. Crain abstaining and the remainder of the board voting yes.
In new business, Mr. Frankie Crosby spoke to the Board about leadership. He explained that as a member of the Washington Parish School Board, he often voted on items and the total vote did not go in his favor. However, he has not given up.
He emphasized that true leadership takes blame when wrong; "shares the wealth" when right. He implored the Board to find common ground and to remember that real leadership doesn't mind loss-strong leadership finds a way. He reminded the board that they have a great responsibility and should not do anything that hurts the citizens and community.
In other business, the Board held a public meeting on the ordinance for the prohibition of methadone clinics and new outpatient opiate substance abuse clinic treatment centers within the Town of Franklinton. Mr. Crosby returned to the podium and asked the Board to consider that drug addiction is a disease; a drug addict is someone's loved one; have a heart and compassion. He ended his remarks with, "What if Jesus had felt that way?"
Following the public meeting, Alderman Darwin Sharp explained his position on the matter. According to him, there are only certain locations such a drug treatment center can be located which leaves very few places within the town limits. He noted that he introduced this ordinance to protect the citizens of Franklinton. He agreed with Mr. Crosby's comments but stood by his stance that there are other places that would be better. Ultimately, the board voted to adopt the ordinance prohibiting the clinics.
With the new charging stations for electric cars installed and ready to activate, the board was to vote to introduce an ordinance for the establishment of EV Charging Station rates. Alderman Descant made a motion that this be tabled until the Board determines if the mayor had authority to purchase the stations at an amount of $65,798. (Editor's note: At the March 14, 2023, meeting, the Mayor stated that the charging stations would cost the town $31,000). The meeting became somewhat heated as the Mayor stated that he was sick and tired of being questioned, and enough is enough. He added that the $65,798 spent on the charging stations would ultimately benefit the town. Alderman Descant clarified that he is asking if he [the Mayor] had authority to purchase. The money came out of $300,000 set aside for the park/playground. This left the fund at $234,202 for the park. That is the way it reads on the budget.
Alderman Descant said, "It's [charging stations] not budgeted. If I'm incorrect, I'll be corrected." The Mayor added that he talked to the Legislative Auditor that day to be sure every penny is spent correctly. He then told the Board, "We've got to do better than this." Alderman Descant's response was, "We need to make sure this is done properly." Alderman Sharp made motion that the matter be tabled, and it passed on a 3-2 vote.
The Board then opened the meeting for public comment for citizens to express their opinion on the proposed park and playground to be located on Chess Jones Road. The Mayor explained to the crowd that there would be a three-minute time limit enforced by James Knight and the purpose was not to "throw off" on the Mayor or Board but to express opinions about the park. At the July 25, 2023, meeting, there was discussion about the bid price of the playground set. Alderman Seth Descant noted that Mayor Route had also issued a purchase order to Planet Recess for the amount of the bid without the bid being ratified by the Board of Aldermen. The ratification failed by a 3-2 vote.
Speaking on behalf of the park were Frankie Crosby Sr., Jackie Tate, Sylvia Burkhalter, Iesha Crain Magee, Amanda Dillon, James Tate, Jerome Warren Sr., Jeamie McCullen James, and Pepe Tate. Each voiced his or her concern and disappointment that the park had "stalled" by what some felt were purely political machinations. They all in some way scolded the Board for the current situation and asked that they find a way to work together for the good of the children of Franklinton.
Lynette Sharp also spoke on behalf of the park but noted that there was a great deal of planning involved that had not been addressed by the committee. Infrastructure must be in place to support such a project, and if all the money is spent on the playset, who will bear the burden of the remaining expenses of restrooms, parking, security, and maintenance to name a few.
The Mayor added that during his conversation with the Legislative Auditor he asked about restrictions for certain funds. He specifically listed items related to the park and was told that he could "…do everything you named with that money; Use ARP money on the park." The Mayor then listed what funds had been spent on since he took office. Items included insurance premiums for employees, the kiosk at Town Hall, fence around the property, a new sewage truck, two trucks for the fire department, a roof on the Town Hall, a new fire truck; electric car chargers, and iPads for the police department. This left $245,705.70 that the Mayor wants to put in the park/playground fund. He also detailed in-kind services the project would be receiving and worried that if the project drags along, these services would no longer be offered. He ended with "We need to come to one accord and see what we can do in Franklinton."
There was further discussion centering on the disagreements about the expenses of the park and Alderwoman Crain expressed her disappointment that they cannot all be in one accord. Alderman Sharp also mentioned the old National Guard complex on Boat Ramp Road as a potential site for the park as much of the infrastructure is already in place. He became frustrated and expressed that he was trying to save the town money, but no one was really listening to what he was saying. Ms. Crain added that the DEQ is going to do a study on the old armory building but there has also been discussion for using this site as a training area for police and fire.
In the final item of New Business, the Board was to vote to ratify the amount of the accepted bid of the park equipment. However, after the discussion of the night, the Mayor proclaimed that there would not be a vote. The contract for the playset was cancelled and the bid invalidated.
The meeting ended with Board comments. Alderman Butler stated that communication was a big issue and that the Mayor is open-minded and anyone can talk to him. He ended his comments with, "Let's work for the kids we leave behind." Alderwoman Crain added that she felt the park committee and Mayor had done "their due diligence" and asked the Board to get together and see the work that has been done planning this facility. She also added that if there was a problem with the charging stations, in March 2023 it should have been addressed. “They are in place now!” She asked that the Board let others see the vision and come together as a council.
Alderman Descant reiterated his position on following procedures. He stated, "A budget must be followed and if we want a world-class park, we need a world-class budget." He added that the Louisiana Bid Law is clear. He also said that he was amenable to a $500,000 budget for the park that increased to $705,000. He explained that the Mayor does not have the authority to commit the town to money that is not there. Such things must be done withing the constraints of the law, he said.
Alderman Sharp stated he was not giving up on the old Armory site. Alderman Heath Spears had no comment.
The Mayor did end the meeting on a positive note. At the recent Louisiana Municipal Association Convention, the town received Honorable Mention 2022 Achievement Award for Outstanding Community Service Improvements for municipalities with a population of 3,000 to 10,000. This was primarily due to the 18th Avenue drainage project and the Varnado Street bridge project. The Mayor also recognized and congratulated Coach Jeff Tageant who was present at the meeting. Coach Tageant coached the Mayor's son, Greg Jr, and the two had also enjoyed a great relationship. Mayor Route ended the meeting with, "I may have made mistakes. I ran to make Franklinton a better place for everyone." He added that his door is always open and that the Board and he must be on one accord. There being no further business or comments, the meeting was adjourned.
