The Franklinton Board of Aldermen and Mayor Greg Route met on Tuesday, November 14 at the Franklinton Municipal Building. The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. Pepe Tate, Magee's Temple COGIC, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The board's first task was to approve the minutes from the regular meeting on October 24 and a special meeting held of October 31 .
The first item in new business was to approve the amended budget for 2023-2024.
Next the board tackled the introduction of an ordinance setting the fees to use the two car charging stations located in the town parking lot between Seal’s Automotive and Hancock Whitney Bank.
Alderwoman Patrice Crain said that she had spoken to Katherine Bowman at the Louisiana Public Service Commission. Ms. Bowman explained that the Commission doesn't monitor the chargers themselves but monitors the utility company supplying the power. The state Department of Agriculture currently monitors and regulates gas stations. No one Ms. Crain spoke with has a problem with the Town of Franklinton setting its own charging rates as Louisiana currently has no means of regulating electric chargers. The Town has also been asked to assist in this process by reporting the progress of the stations.
Ms. Crain also spoke with several municipalities with chargers. The base rate is ten cents per kilowatt and up to ten times this amount can be charged. Franklinton will charge 50 cents per kilowatt. The Board was reminded that the chargers in Franklinton are "fast" chargers.
Many slower charging stations assess amounts by the hour, but the town will charge per kilowatt hour. The billing will take place through a third-party company called a charge lab.
Ms. Crain believes the chargers will attract electric car owners who will likely go to neighboring businesses to eat and shop. She also noted that owners of a Tesla will be able to use the town's chargers, but others cannot use a Tesla charger. One final point made is that the rates can be changed by resolution per the proposed ordinance. The Board voted to introduce the ordinance with four yes votes and one no vote by Alderman Descant.
The Board then voted to approve hiring Timothy Partman, Jerritt Graham, Raymond Hart, and DeHendric Bickham at the Public Works Department. All had been interviewed and submitted to background checks.
The Board was then set to vote to approve promoting James Folks, Chad Dorsett, and Shawn Rice to lieutenants in the Franklinton Police Department. Alderman TJ Butler expressed his concern over these three promotions. As a department head of the police department, he had no prior knowledge of these promotions. He questioned if Chief Brown had provided a list of names and how long each had worked for the Franklinton Police Department. He also questioned the Mayor why he and Ms. Crain were department heads if items were not disclosed to them prior to appearing on a meeting agenda. Mr. Butler also expressed his concern that the police department is "top heavy" and the amount of money these promotions will ultimately cost the Town of Franklinton.
At this point Alderman Descant interjected that the aldermen knew of the promotions, and they should not have been a surprise if for no other reason than each name and rank appeared on the agenda released to them days earlier. Mr. Descant also pointed out that in a "letter" attached to the 2024 budget, the promotions were accounted for in the budget they approved on October 31, 2023. The letter was from the Mayor; however, in a copy provided by Mr. Descant at the meeting, the mayor had not actually signed his name.
Mr. Butler adamantly insisted that no one came to him about this. He also stated, "Maybe he thought he had three votes already." He did not indicate or clarify why three or which three or who "he" is. When questioned about this by Mr. Descant, Mr. Butler replied, "No comment."
Mr. Butler then referenced the "street committee" and things he was hearing about town. He went on to repeat that the police department is top-heavy, and he wanted a list of officers.
Mayor Route noted that Mr. Butler feels that Chief Brown should have consulted the two aldermen who are essentially intermediaries between the Mayor and the police department. Chief Brown was not present at the meeting as his departmental report is usually given at the second monthly meeting. Mr. Butler continued to question the cost of the three promotions with insurance and other benefits and asked that the item be tabled. A motion was made to table the three officer promotions. Aldermen Sharp, Descant and Spears voted no, and Aldermen Butler and Crain voted yes. Thus, the agenda proceeded with the approval of the promotions. Of note is that James Folks' and Chad Dorsett's promotions were unanimously approved while Alderman Butler abstained on Shawn Rice, who received the promotion based on yes votes by the remaining aldermen.
The next item on the agenda was to cancel the November 28 meeting which would immediately follow the Thanksgiving holidays. All aldermen voted yes except for Mr. Descant who voted no. In the final items, the board voted unanimously to hire two part-time police dispatchers, Dawna Olsen and Brittany Avery.
Before moving along to public participation, Alderman Butler asked Town Clerk Ellen Waskom to please provide him with the amount it will cost for the three police promotions and how much money the town made from the recent Washington Parish Free Fair.
In public participation, Dr. Vincent Johnson asked for a sign to be placed between T. W. Barker Drive and Hilltop Drive to mark the first black-owned service station in Franklinton. The station was owned and operated by Curtis Taylor Sr. The board voted unanimously to purchase and place the sign.
Rev. Pepe Tate then came forward to question if there were any retirees from the town and did the town buy out their sick days? He then asked how the town paid for the sick days and if this was in the budget. Administrative Assistant Candace Bickham explained that the town pays retirees for outstanding vacation days and the sick days roll into retirement. The mayor added that this comes from the General Fund. This led to a brief discussion of how limits should be set on accrued sick time.
Mr. Butler again expressed his concern about the budget of the police department and assured everyone that he was not personally attacking anyone but simply wants, "what is best for the Town of Franklinton."
Rev. Tate also told of a man he happened to run in to at Citizens Savings Bank during he fair. The man was older and could not find his vehicle and had walked from the fairgrounds to the bank parking lot. Rev. Tate put him in his vehicle and helped find the man's truck. His purpose for this was to suggest that those parking cars in their yards during the fair should have some type of ticket so that those from out of town can find their vehicles more easily when ready to leave.
In Council Discussion, Alderman Sharp deferred his time to Fire Chief Brandon Lasalle. Chief Lasalle noted that the department needs new, upgraded extrication tools, commonly known as "the jaws of life." The budget approved $48,000 for this and Chief Lasalle is ready to purchase a set with a lifetime warranty. The board approved this purchase. Chief Lasalle is also expecting the arrival of the new fire truck any day.
Alderman Sharp added that in 2024 the fire department will be manned 24 hours a day and this should drop the town's fire rating to a much more desirable 4, which will help decrease homeowner's insurance premiums. Mr. Sharp ended his time with a thank-you to all veterans and wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Alderman Spears echoed these comments as did Alderman Butler and Alderman Descant.
Alderwoman Crain is excited that Franklinton is in the works to be a Louisiana Development Ready Community. She also mentioned the park/playground and urged her fellow board members to consider that prices will continue to go up on equipment and infrastructure. The mayor added that the town has $820,000 set aside for the park, but Mr. Descant countered that there is only $500,000 and the bid was rejected. He did agree that he and Ms. Crain will be meeting to make sure the numbers are correct.
The mayor began his comments by pointing out that since he has been mayor, every department has received a raise. He announced that the town employees would enjoy a Thanksgiving/Appreciation dinner sponsored by the Board of Aldermen with $100 deducted from each alderman's next check to cover the costs.
Mayor Route also asked if anyone's pastor has not been contacted to open a meeting with prayer to let him know. He noted that Santa will be coming to Franklinton next month and the Planning Committee is working on several projects.
He was pleased to announce that bids will open on December 7 to begin work on the medical district's water service.
The meeting ended with Mayor Route announcing that the town's charter states that meetings begin at 6:00 pm instead of 6:30. With that said, the December 12 meeting will be called to order at 6:00 pm.
