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Washington Parish Council

Regular Meeting - 6:00 p.m.

Courthouse Building

January 28, 2008

Item No.1 -Call to order -Chairman Charles Nassauer called the meeting to order.

Item No.2 -Invocation -Councilman Route gave the innovation.

Item No.3 -Roll Call-Clerk Sharon Lyons called the roll. Present was Kenneth Wheat, Michael Fussell, Charles Nassauer, Andre' Johnson, Randy Thomas, Greg Route, and Aubrey Posey.

Item No.4 -Approval of Minutes -Councilman Thomas offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Route to approve the minutes of the January 14, 2008 meeting. All in favor and the motion carried.

Item No.5 -Adoption of the financial report -Councilman Route offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Fussell to adopt the financial report. All in favor and the motion carried.

Item No.6 - Parish Mitigation - Mr. Tommy Thiebaud, Homeland Security & Emergency

Preparedness representative introduced Alessandra Jerolleman from James Lee Witt Associates. Ms. Jerolleman gave an overview for the Council and Public. FEMA offered an opportunity for Washington Parish to submit an application for $150,000.00 for a Pilot Planning Grant. The grant was awarded to Washington Parish in June 2007. The parish hired James Lee Witt and Associates as consultants to help produce the Parish Hazard Mitigation Plan for which the grant is to fund. The process that Witt will follow is to work with parish organizations and agencies to identify hazards, determine their feasibility, and scope the projects for future implementation. Some of the types of projects are acquisition or elevation of repetitive loss structures and hardening or retrofitting of critical facilities. Some examples are installing shutters or impact resistant glass, strengthening doors, installing hurricane straps and clips to strengthen the roof, elevate generators and pumps at

Pump Stations. Also, building floodwalls and diversions to improve drainage, and creating community shelters built to withstand extreme winds and flying debris. The plan, once completed, will inform the State Hazard Mitigation Team of future mitigation priorities.

Councilman Nassauer asked if the grant was regional or for the parish area.

Mrs. Jerolleman stated that the grant was for parish only, but the State of Louisiana will get a list of the Parishes that have received these grants.

Councilman Nassauer stated that the Parish, due to debris in the streams, has backup flooding and this could possibly be researched and listed for a project with this grant.

Councilman Fussell asked if this is the same as the LRA money that was funded to the Parish for the recovery.

Ms. Jerolleman stated that this is a separate funding that allows for disbursements for projects to try protecting against natural disasters in the future.

Councilman Johnson stated that he knew in St. Tammany Parish that many of the waterways were cleared by FEMA.

Tommy Thiebaud stated that FEMA looks at projects separately each time and interprets and gives the funds on individual basis.

Mr. Gatewood, legal counsel, requested a copy of the contract between Witt Associates and Washington Parish from the homeland security director, Mr. Thiebaud. Tommy Thiebaud said he would be sure to send a copy to Mr. Gatewood.

Leo Luchessi, Public Works Director, reported that the Washington Parish streams that were cleaned were accomplished and funded through the agricultural department not FEMA.

He stated that when the Parish contacted FEMA to solve this problem, FEMA told the

Parish that the NRCS which is agricultural had already entered for the project.

Chairman Nassauer stated that the Council appreciated the presentation.

Item No.7 -Washington Parish VISTA Volunteer - Melanie Peck gave a presentation explaining her duties with VISTA in Washington Parish. She is available to assist on capacity building projects through the government and through the non-profit sector as a resource facilitator. This program is through the State Grants Management Office in Baton Rouge. Ms. Peck chiefly works with grant research, writing, and training. The program has been very successful in training grant applicants, with about forty individual training sessions. Individual non-profits with training from the program have written applications for over $300,000.00. Over half have resulted in successful funding, with a few grants still outstanding. Ms. Peck's role here is to train individuals and non-profits in grant writing, and match them with available resources. This hopefully results in capacity building throughout the community, and is a skill that can be left behind with each organization. Ms. Peck gave examples of projects. They are as follows:

1. VISTA has established a non-profit resource round-table summit, where all non-profits in the Parish can share resources and ideas and learn about available funding and training to benefit the Parish.

2. The Organization is building a volunteer training network through Sullivan Technical College and a recovery organization in the Parish. These programs will help boost skilled labor for the Parish residents, train incoming volunteers, and in turn provide hands on experience while volunteering in our community.

3. Together with several organizations and the Bogalusa City Government a Senior Outreach Program is developing, and will provide education and resources to seniors regarding Road Home Program money, insurance claims, etc. to deter contractor scams.

4. Service Learning programs are now launching with both the City and Parish schools, as well as with several non-profits. New relationships with a foundation from New Orleans that is anxious to donate upwards of a $100,000.00 to various Service Learning Projects is being established for the Parish.

5. Partnerships with the government and non-profits have also resulted in the training and recruitment of over a 100 volunteers from this community.

Also, introduced to the Council was Ms. Brenda Reid, representing Bridge of Hope organization for Washington Parish, located at Trinity Baptist Church in Franklinton, Louisiana. Ms. Reid gave a presentation concerning her organization. The vision for the organization is to end and prevent homelessness for women and children across the United States by calling churches into action. The mission is to call and equip compassionate people from many Christian faith traditions to exemplify Christ's love to homeless women and children by creating sustaining, thriving Bridge of Hope affiliates, local Bridge of Hope affiliates and bring together professional staff and trained church based mentoring groups to empower homeless and at-risk single mothers to attain the following:

• Permanent housing financial self-sufficiency through employment Life-changing friendships

• Increased self-esteem and growth in areas of holistic living

Chairman Nassauer recommended that Ms. Peck and Ms. Reid meet with Mr. John Dardis from Southeastern University who is working with us on grants and other sources to help the parish.

Ms. Reid agreed that networking together is the way to make progress and would make sure VISTA and Bridge of Hope representatives schedule a meeting with Mr. Dardis in the near future.

Councilman Route stated that there is a real need for these programs and there was already a lady in the audience that could benefit from these projects and he would introduce them to her after the meeting.

Item No.8 -Public Participation -Chairman Nassauer recognized Mr. Jim Perea, Isabel resident. Mr. Perea was present to discuss the problem that existed with Swamp Road which is 1.3 miles. The gravel portion of Swamp Road is a bumpy, jarring ride, where travelers can not travel down it without damaging their vehicles. The roads problem is exacerbated by semi-trucks frequent use each day, because this is one of the main routes out of St. Tammany Parish to Washington Parish. Also, this road could serve as an evacuation route for future disasters. Mr. Perea stated that Covington Paving had said the gravel segment of the road which floods, about four times a year, could be paved for $500,000.00. The $500,000.00 would be much less than the $25 million the state estimated on the project, but the State project included a wash over road which would have asphalt overlays that extent into the ditch lines to eliminate eddies and keep the road from washing away.

Chairman Nassauer stated that he knew about this road and at one time the Parish tried to trade maintenance of this road with another state road in the Parish. It was rejected due to the wetland issue. Also, he stated due to the semi-trucks using this road and gravel companies in the area, the gravel companies maintained the road themselves on many occasions and God bless them for this.

President Thomas stated that he had met with Councilman Fussell and the public at the Isabel Machine Shop and discussed the problem. The Parish administration will talk to Mr. Core about the paving and would research the situation.

Mr. Perea stated he had talked with St. Tammany Council and our Parish can use their Engineers for the project and Senator Nevers has already agreed to help in anyway he can since the road connects St. Tammany and Washington Parish.

President Thomas stated that he had met with Senator Nevers and would now like to meet with St. Tammany's President, Kevin Davis to discuss a plan. President Thomas stated that this is a very feasible plan.

Mr. Perea stated that he appreciated the Council's time.

Chairman Nassauer stated that if anyone or Mr. Perea wanted unlimited time, then they could be placed on the agenda and listed separately; whereas if a person is listed under the Public Participation item, then it limits that discussion to three minutes.

Chairman Nassauer recognized a resident from St. Tammany who stated he would just like to reinstate what Mr. Perea had told the Council concerning Swamp Road.

Chairman Nassauer recognized Mr. Jack Wade who stated that his family has come to Washington Parish and traveled this road since 1988. Mr. Wade stated with the influx of people coming into Washington Parish, we need to resolve this situation.

Chairman Nassauer recognized Bogalusa Councilman, Danny Stogner who stated he would like to congratulate the new elected officials and the new President. Councilman Stogner told the Council if there was anything that he could do to help them, please contact him at any time in the future.

Councilman Fussell stated that he had met with Senator Nevers and President Thomas and they were all in agreement that the road was a much needed project. He further ' stated that due to the fact that the road is used for commerce, regular travel and a possible route for evacuation from disaster in the future, then he would like to meet with the staff and John Dardis from SLU, about the feasibility of a grant to resolve this problem with Swamp Road.

Councilman Route offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Thomas to close Public Participation Item on the agenda.

Item No. 9-President's Report -President Thomas asked the Council to ratify the reappointment of Mr. Leo Mickenheim to the Board of Directors of Bogue Lusa Waterworks.

Councilman Wheat offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Route to re-appoint Mr. Leo Mickenheim to the Board of Director of Bogue Lusa Waterworks. All in favor and motion carried.

President Thomas asked the Council to ratify the re-appointment of Mr. Huey Bickham to the Board of Directors of the Washington Parish Gas Utility District #1.

Councilman Wheat offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Route to re-appoint Mr. Huey Bickham to the Board of Directors of the Washington Parish Gas Utility District #1. All in favor and motion carried.

President Thomas asked the Council to ratify the appointment of Mr. James "Jim" Adams to the Washington Parish Library Board, due to the resignation of Ms. Brenda Coleman. Councilman Thomas offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Fussell to appoint Mr. James "Jim" Adams to the Washington Parish Library Board of Directors. All in favor and the motion carried.

The Council asked that a letter of appreciation be sent to Ms. Brenda Colen1an for her past service to the Washington Parish Library.

President Thomas informed the Council that he had gotten a 2006 audit report from Kushner LaGraize Associates. That audit was due by January 31, 2007. Also, the report was to be turned into the Legislative Auditors by that date. Mr. Thomas informed the Council he would be meeting with Mr. Wilson LaGraize about the audit, and he would be getting a findings report back to the Council.

President Thomas announced that the Washington Parish Government's office would be closed Tuesday, February 5, 2008 for Mardi Gras Day.

President Thomas reported that the Council has been given a list of roads scheduled for repair, and Mr. Luchessi, Public Works Director, can answer your questions.

Councilman Posey asked if specific dates were projected for completion of the roads listed.

Mr. Luchessi replied that it is open for discussion and needs to be approved by the Council. He asked the Chairman to call a Road Committee Meeting.

Item No. 10-Council Discussion -Councilman Johnson stated that we are in need of a road committee meeting and asked when we usually have these meetings.

Councilman Route stated that he knew that pot holes were a problem for Swamp Road, but he had roads in his district that where full of pot holes. The citizens of the Parish can not travel down these roads in their automobile. It has become a safety problem. A system is needed and the Council needs to come up with one, while we are applying for grants. It is a safety issue for our school children that ride the school buses and the citizens of the Parish. He stated that the Council needs to put their heads together and work on this problem and find a solution.

Councilman Thomas asked the Public Works Director if the funds were available to do the work listed.

Public Works Director, Leo Luchessi, stated that the Committee would need to discuss that issue.

Councilman Johnson stated that he had the list, but how is the list scheduled. Do we go by priority?

Mr. Luchessi informed the Council that the list is a year old and completed in Phases I, II, II, and IV. The Council can change the list.

Councilman Wheat stated that the Council had the Master Plan list but the committee might need to look at the list. If we do not then we could waste money. We need a new list and stick with it, but we need to be economical about it.

Councilman Johnson stated it should be about need, not favoritism.

Chairman Nassauer announced that the Road Committee would meet at 5:00 p.m., February 11, 2008 prior to the regular Council Meeting. The Councilmen that are on that committee need to discuss how the road program will proceed in the future.

Councilman Thomas announced there would be a Home Builders Association meeting at

8:00 a.m. at the Franklinton Country Club, February 7, 2008. All the Council and the new President was invited to attend the meeting.

Councilman Posey stated that he was seeking donations to the Junior Livestock Show Division. The President had already given a contribution and would hope the Council would give to this good cause to promote the Junior Livestock Division.

Councilman Fussell stated that the Road Committee should remember that the parish owns a zipper that should be used to work on pothole and repair work in the future.

Councilman Nassauer submitted to the Council the Parish Committees and asked all councilmen to let him know if someone would like to change the assignments. The Parish President requested a possible Personnel Committee in the future.

Item No. 11 -Adjourn -Having no further business to come before the council, the meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Route, seconded by Councilman Fussell.

Dr. Charles A. Nassauer, Chairman

Washington Parish Council