Regular Council Meeting
City of Tallulah
August 13, 2015
A regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council was held on Thursday, August 13, 2015, at
5:30 P. M., in the Council Room Chamber of Tallulah City Hall.
Mayor Paxton J. Branch called the meeting to order, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and a moment
of silence was held.
A roll-call is shown in the following:
Finlayson
Houston
Watson
Day
Hayden
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
There was no reaction from the public concerning items on the agenda having been given the
chance to respond.
Mayor Branch asked that the agenda be amended to include at item introducing an ordinance
concerning Tallulah Charter School. No comments were made by the public, and subsequent
motion to add the item to the agenda was made by Councilmember Hayden, seconded by
Councilmember Houston and carried unanimously.
Motion and second to approve minutes of the July 23rd meeting were made by Councilmembers
Hayden and Day respectively and carried unanimously.
Bond Attorney, Bill Boles, The Boles Law Firm, Monroe, Louisiana, and Nmandy Thompson,
Government Consultants, Monroe, Louisiana, gave an over view of a resolution, the passage of
which, puts the city on track for the refinancing of a 2007 bond issue with a lower interest rate,
thereby saving the City about $250,000 over a period of 17 years. Councilmember Hayden
subsequently moved for approval of A Resolution Granting Authority To Take Preliminary
Action Relative To The Issuance, Sale And Delivery Of Not Exceeding $4,900,000 Water
Revenue Refunding Bonds, In One Or More Series, Of The City Of Tallulah, Louisiana, All In
The Manner Provided For By Chapters 14 and 14-A Of Title 39 Of The Louisiana Revised
Statutes Of 1950, As Amended, And Other Constitutional And Statutory Authority Supplemental
Thereto; Making Application To The State Bond Commission For Approval; Providing For The
Employment Of Bond Counsel; And Providing For Other Matters In Connection Therewith.
Councilmember Finlayson seconded, and motion carried unanimously. Attorney Boles stated
that passage of the resolution was a preliminary step which does not commit the City to
refinancing thus far.
Councilmember Hayden motioned to introduce An Ordinance Authorizing The City Of Tallulah,
Acting Through The Honorable Paxton J. Branch, To Sublease To The Tallulah Charter School,
Certain Property In The Southwest Quarter Of Tallulah, Madison Parish, Louisiana, Located On
The Fairgrounds Within The City Of Tallulah, For The Purpose Of Improving, Securing And
Maintaining This Property. Councilmember Watson seconded and motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Branch noted that public hearing on the ordinance would be held at next regular meeting.
Councilmember Hayden motioned for the introduction of An Ordinance Amending Section 18-9
Of The Tallulah Code Of Ordinances Relative To Occupational License Tax. Councilmember
Day seconded, and motion carried unanimously. Mayor Branch stated that this ordinance would
also be the topic of a public hearing at next regular meeting.
Motion and second to amend the agenda to add items concerning Aqua Lounge and prior
claimant, Monica Moore, were made by Councilmembers Hayden and Day respectively and
carried unanimously. There were no comments from the public.
Citizen Sharon Rambo, Tallulah Madison Planning Committee, made a presentation concerning
economic development of the City and surrounding area. She described measures at play that the
committee had established in an effort to bring about economic improvement, and she made
suggestions as to how the City could best encourage economic development.
Motion and second to enter Executive Session were made by Councilmembers Hayden and
Houston respectively and carried unanimously.
In Executive Session, topics of discussion were:
a. Derrick Young, Sr. and LaWanda Young, individually and on behalf of their minor
children, Demeante Young, Derrick Young, Jr., Dorian Young and Derrilon Young v Johnny
Marsh, City of Tallulah Fire Department, The City of Tallulah, Madison Parish Police Jury and XYZ
Insurance Company, # 07-279 on the docket of the Sixth Judicial District Court of Madison
Parish.
b. City of Tallulah v Madison Parish Police Jury, #11-252 on the docket of the Sixth Judicial
District Court of Madison Parish.
c. City of Tallulah v Jennifer Bolinder d/b/a Mr. B’s, #12-09 on the docket of the Sixth
Judicial District Court of Madison Parish.
d. Alan Machen v City of Tallulah, #12-170 on the docket of the Sixth Judicial District
Court of Madison Parish.
e. Chadrick Wright v City of Tallulah, James Vaughn, Chief of Police and Larry Guy, police
officer (#3:13-CV-01631 on the docket of the (U.S.D.C. W.D. La).
f. Village of Richmond v City of Tallulah and Madison Parish School Board #14-104 on the
docket of the Sixth JDC, Parish of Madison.
g. Jessie Williams v James Williams, City of Tallulah, Louisiana, Tallulah Police
Department and Justin Osborne, #14-169 on the docket of the Sixth JDC, Parish of Madison.
h. Lavonne D. Givens, John E. Givens and Carolyn G. Cox, Individually and on Behalf of
William E. Givens, deceased v. CertainTeed Corporation, et al, #639992 Section 24 on the
docket of the 19th JDC for the Parish of East Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana.
I. Acqua Lounge vs. City of Tallulah.
J. Monica Moore vs. City of Tallulah.
Motion and second to adjourn Executive Session and re-enter Regular Session were made by
Councilmembers Watson and Day respectively and carried unanimously.
Councilmember Hayden motioned for acceptance of the recommendations of City Attorney
Raymond Cannon. Councilmember Finlayson seconded, and motion carried unanimously.
Councilmembers reported that their districts needed attention such as filling of pot holes, grass
cutting of lots, and clean-up along railroad tracks running through town.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned on motion and second
of Councilmembers Finlayson and Houston which carried unanimously.
Attest:
__________________________________
Gerald L. Odom, City Clerk
August 27, 2015.
___________________________________
Paxton J. Branch, Mayor