BOGALUSA CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015, 5:30 P.M.
POSTED: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015, 12:00 NOON
PRESIDING:
WENDY O’QUIN PERRETTE, MAYOR
STACY SMITH, DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION
DALE BRANCH, CITY ATTORNEY
PRESENT:
COUNCILMAN McCREE
COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY
PRESIDENT DRUMMOND
COUNCILMAN RITCHIE
COUNCILWOMAN KATES
COUNCILWOMAN SMITH
ABSENT:
VICE-PRESIDENT WHITE
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Bogalusa City Council Meeting will come to order. Invocation by
Councilwoman Fortenberry.
BY COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY: Led the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Next is roll call, Ms. Brenda.
COUNCILMAN McCREE……………………….HERE
VICE-PRESIDENT WHITE……………………..ABSENT
COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY……….HERE
PRESIDENT DRUMMOND……………………HERE
COUNCILMAN RITCHIE……………………….HERE
COUNCILWOMAN KATES……………………HERE
COUNCILWOMAN SMITH……………………HERE
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Next we have the approval of the Minutes held on February 17,
2015.
BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: I make a motion they be accepted.
BY COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY: Seconded.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Roll call, Ms. Brenda.
COUNCILMAN McCREE…………………………AYE
VICE-PRESIDENT WHITE……………………….ABSENT
COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY…………AYE
PRESIDENT DRUMMOND……………………..AYE
COUNCILMAN RITCHIE…………………………AYE
COUNCILWOMAN KATES……………………..AYE
There are some corrections to the minutes however I will agree if anyone should want an
update copy please see Ms. Brenda Ford for an update copy please.
COUNCILWOMAN SMITH…………………….AYE
(MOTION CARRIED 6-0 WITH ONE ABSENT APPROVING THE MINUTES HELD ON FEBRUARY 17,
2015).
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Next we is a NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Bogalusa, State of Louisiana, plans
to consider a resolution calling a special election to be held on Saturday, October 24, 2015,
seeking approval for the City of Bogalusa, State of Louisiana, to authorize the renewal of a 2.75
mill special tax therein, for the purpose of paying the costs of providing retirement and pension
benefit for the City of Bogalusa Retirement System. The resolution will be considered at a
meeting to be held on April 21, 2015, at five-thirty o’clock (5:30) p.m. The meeting will be held
at City hall, 214 Arkansas Avenue, Bogalusa, Louisiana.
BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: I’d like to make a motion to authorize the following notice to be
published in the official journal of the City no more than sixty days nor less than thirty days
before April 21, 2015, all in the manner required by La. R.S. 42:19.1.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Do we have a seconded?
BY COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY: I seconded.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Roll call.
COUNCILMAN McCREE…………………………AYE.
VICE-PRESIDENT WHITE………………………..ABSENT
COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY…………AYE
PRESIDENT DRUMMOND……………………..AYE
COUNCILMAN RITCHIE…………………………AYE
COUNCILWOMAN KATES……………………..AYE
COUNCILWOMAN SMITH……………………..AYE
(MOTION CARRIED 6-0 WITH ONE ABSENT AUTHORIZING THE FOLLOWING NOTICE TO BE
PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE CITY NO MORE THAN SIXTY DAYS NOR LESS
THAN THIRTY DAYS BEFORE APRIL 21, 2015, ALL IN THE MANNER REQUIRED BY LA.R.S.
42:19.1).
BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: Just so that everyone know this is just a tax renewal of a millage it is
not anything new.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: It goes strictly for the retiree’s pension benefits. Next resolution
Councilwoman Kates.
BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES:
A RESOLUTION in support of Byron A. Stewart, Consultant for grants, business interest, and
legislative matters of the City of Bogalusa.
At this time I would like to present Mr. Byron A. Stewart for a brief presentation.
BY BYRON A. STEWART: Thank you and good evening Bogalusa, friends. I have been involved
with Bogalusa I guess about ten years so going back to Sixty Rayborn who you guys sent to the
Legislature back in the day and Jerry Thomas after him and now Ben Nevers. So we’ve always
talked about some things that Bogalusa could do or have not had the opportunity to do simply
because they have not had the resources or had the know how’s to where those resources
were. I work with cities around Louisiana around the country to do just that. Take the inventory
to see where they are on their roads. Where they are on their airport. Where they are on their
economic development, Randy Seal is a friend that I worked with who represents you guy’s
interest in the business council as well as Ben Nevers. So what I’m doing is offering the
opportunity for this new Council, new Administration to just know where some of the untapped
resources are. Just to give you an idea some of the things you can do in the some cities your size
that are already taking advantage of it and that is just because they have not asked and not to
say you haven’t but just in the booklet you will see a small number of funding sources that you
guys have not been mentioned in. The CABG looks like you got funding in 2013 of about
$800,000 for a portable water pump. That is kind of low, that’s not something that is ongoing.
You got needs that I’m aware of that definitely need to exceed that. All I am here to do is try and
help and get you there to make sure you get what tax payers here in Bogalusa I see you have a
crowd tonight I didn’t know that I was coming on a special night but to see that these citizens
and you guys get a chance to move Bogalusa forward because it is a jewel that you have here.
Like I said I have been here a while but if others begin to come and get the exposure. Things will
be I guess will be a little bit easier than they are now. I won’t take any time, my information is
there I will be glad to speak with any of you personally just to look at some things, Police
Department, Fire Department, the Hospital that you have, just a whole host of resources that
you have really should get at least a boost some help from the State. Thank you again and I
appreciate it. If there are any questions I will take them.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: I don’t have any and hopefully you can get in here and help us find
some resources.
BY BYRON A. STEWART: That is right. Thank you.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thank you Sir.
BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: I make a motion we accept this resolution.
BY_COUNCILWOMAN KATES: Seconded.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Roll call.
COUNCILMAN McCREE…………………………….AYE
VICE-PRESIDENT WHITE……………………………ABSENT
COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY…………….AYE
PRESIDENT DRUMMOND…………………………AYE
COUNCILMAN RITCHIE…………………………….AYE
COUNCILWOMAN KATES…………………………AYE
COUNCILWOMAN SMITH…………………………AYE
(MOTION CARRIED 6-0 WITH ONE ABSENT SUPPORTING BRYON A. STEWART, CONSULTANT
FOR GRANTS, BUSINESS INTEREST, AND LEGISLATIVE MATTERS OF THE CITY OF BOGALUSA).
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Next we have Introduction of ordinances, in Vice-President
White’s absents I am going to ask Councilwoman Smith to read the ordinances.
BY COUNCILWOMAN SMITH:
AN ORDINANCE to repeal and replace Ordinance 2170, operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
AN ORDINANCE to repeal and replace Ordinance 2171, underage operating a vehicle while
intoxicated.
AN ORDINANCE amending the Municipal Criminal Code of the City of Bogalusa, La. Article 37
regarding theft and providing a penalty for the violation thereof.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: These will be voted on at the next meeting.
BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE:
AN ORDINANCE authorizing a Professional Service Agreement for a Historical Survey between
the City of Bogalusa and Cypress Building Conservation, LLC.
Again this will be heard at our next public hearing on March 17th at our next meeting.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Next we have public hearing, Councilman Ritchie.
BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: Actually on this ordinance to accept the Bogalusa Comprehensive
Resiliency Plan at this time I would like to make a motion to table this. We had a very good
meeting yesterday with Dana Brown. Made a lot of good suggestions, a lot of good comments
and have come up with some meetings at a later date.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: There are two meetings planned on April 18th they are going to
take place at Northside Learning Center, I guess that is what they are calling it. The first one is in
the a.m. I think it is from 10:00 to 12:00 and the other one goes from 2:00 to 4:00.
BY COOUNCILWOMAN KATES: It is starting at 10:00 o’clock and the other one 2:00 o’clock for
the Poplas neighborhood 2:00 to 4:00.
BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: So I would like to make a motion to table this ordinance until we
have some further study done.
BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: Seconded the motion. In addition to that I would like to say the
reasoning primarily why we are tabling it they indicated because of our meeting on yesterday
and it is for further research, it is for further development and analysis in order to devise a plan
that will be comparable or comparable for all districts in the City of Bogalusa and its citizens so
that is the primary reason why we tabled it.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Roll call.
COUNCILMAN McCREE……………………..AYE
VICE-PRESIDENT WHITE…………………….ABSENT
COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY……..AYE
PRESIDENT DRUMMOND………………….AYE
COUNCILMAN RITCHIE………………………AYE
COUNCILWOMAN KATES…………………..AYE
COUNCILWOMAN SMITH…………………..AYE
(MOTION CARRIED 6-0 WITH ONE ABSENT TO TABLE THE ORDINANCE TO ACCEPT THE
BOGALUSA COMPREHENSIVE RESILENCY PLAN).
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: So it is tabled until further notice so ya’ll please try to come out on
April the 18th and voice your opinion and let them know. Let it be a good thing rather than what
it was headed for any way. Next we have public participation but if you signed up to speak
about the Comprehensive Resiliency Plan I’m not saying that you can’t but it is an ongoing thing
why don’t we wait and talk about it on April the 18thOkay. So if you did sign up and you would
like to speak though feel free. Like I said if it is about the Comprehensive Resiliency Plan why not
wait until the 18th. Ms. Kellar.
BY THERESA KELLAR: 1620 Jackie Robinson Street. Somewhere I learned and I’ve heard that
they said come together and let us reason together. I feel like that this is what occurred
yesterday. I was very impressed and very satisfied and grateful to Dana. She was wonderful and
she reasoned with us and we are looking forward to getting together and doing what is best for
the citizens of Bogalusa, Louisiana. However I have a small concern that I will express and take
my seat. We are here tonight primarily to find out if the Council is confirming the items and
decisions and promises that were made to us by Dana yesterday. She basically said that the
section of the plan dealt with the Poplas Community and the Richardson Town Community
would be deleted and rewritten based on the wishes of the people who lives in these
neighborhoods. She further indicated that this would be achieved by holding a number of
meetings that you referred to that with the citizens of Poplas and Richardson Town. However
the meeting will be opened to all citizens in the City of Bogalusa. In addition there will be a
concentrated effort to get the word to and notify every one of the time and place of the
meetings and as he has fore stated we had a very productive meeting. We did come together
and we did reason and I for one appreciate Dana and the others who came out and we reasoned
together. Thank you.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thank you Ms. Kellar. That is why it is important for everybody to
come to these meetings on April 18th so mark your calendar, set aside a little time and come out
and do what is good.
BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: Ms. Kellar I think I can be safe to say that everyone on this Council is
one hundred percent behind what happened yesterday. That was an absolutely great
opportunity that we had.
BY THERESA KELLAR: Just let me say briefly so everyone will kind of know what was decided
yesterday. What was decided yesterday that the area in the plan that dealt with the Poplas and
Richardson Town will be wiped out and we going to start from scratch and the citizens that live
in Poplas and Richardson Town and the City of Bogalusa will come together in a group of
meetings and work this out to the advantage of everybody. That was the decision.
BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: Also I would like to say that it was never the intent of Dana Brown
and Associates or this City or this Council to exclude any neighborhood or leave anyone out.
Unfortunately as hard as you try you don’t seem to get everybody that you need to get. Now
that we’re there it is time to do some productive meetings and I think that is where we are
headed now and I thank everyone that came yesterday to the meeting and thank you for being
there. So thank you.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: So get out there and let everybody know about it April 18th at the
Northside Learning Center.
BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: I too would like to thank everyone from the Poplas area and I’m
sure Councilman McCree from the Richardson Town area that came out for support expressing
your concern which made a difference to understand exactly what the Comprehensive
Resiliency Plan was about and to get a resolution that was as I said very agreeable for all.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: All righty now for moving on with the public participation
J.L.McDonald am I saying that right? Please state your name and address.
BY J.C. McDONALD: 717 Sullivan Drive. I’m here on behalf of Sweet Beulah Missionary Baptist
Church. Now I’ve been a member and officer of that church for nineteen years now. I’m
concerned about the City of Bogalusa. Now we having streets and things being revitalized and
brought up to date and if any of you goes up and down these streets for eighty seven years I’ve
been up and down these streets. You will find that Martin Luther King and Roosevelt just the
one block the church that I attend all we have ever been able to get was a little asphalt in a hole
soon as it rains it beats it out. When it should be blacktopped or at least a half a block. Martin
Luther King, from Columbia Street to Sixth Street go down it speaks for itself.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: I agree.
BY J.C. McDONALD: We are asking the Councils to get together and fix what is broke and what is
broke is bad to worse. You don’t just pick spots in the city to fix. Fix what needs it the most and
then the money don’t run out before you can get to us. So I want to thank you.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thank you Sir.
BY ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS: Thank you.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Hold on these people who signed up first. Silas Thomas.
BY SILAS THOMAS: We are going to wait until April 18th.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Ok good thank you. Next Clarence Abrams.
BY CLARENCE ABRAMS: Yes I’m going to wait.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thank you. Gretchen Brown.
BY GRETCHEN BROWN: 923 North Roosevelt. I’m the President of the Bogalusa Housing
Authority. I just want to let you know that the Bogalusa Housing Authority will be in the Housing
Business now and in the future. We don’t plan to close out any housing developments. We have
an application for the RAD Program if the application goes through we will be rebuilding and
replacing at the Housing Authority. We don’t plan to do away with the Poplas Quarters, Sunset
Acres, Highland Park, we don’t plan to tear down or remove or move any of them. I know they
mentioned, I didn’t hear anything about the Housing Authority but we are still in business.
BY MAYOR PERRETTE, PRESIDENT DRUMMOND AND COUNCIL MEMEBERS: Thank you Ms.
Brown.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Stanley Nathaniel.
BY STANLEY NATHANIEL: I’m going to wait.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Okay. George Williams.
BY GEORGE WILLIAMS: I’m going to hold my remarks until a later date.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Okay good. Gwendolyn Francis.
BY GWENDOLYN FRANCIS: I’m going to wait.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Okay. Tajaii Moses.
BY TAJAII MOSES: I’m going to wait.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: All righty. Andrea Johnson.
BY ANDREA JOHNSON: 1617 Jackie Robinson. I am a member of Sweet Beulah Baptist Church
and also an officer there. I asked the Council consideration of maybe a fore thought. The typical
concern is right in front of the church. I say it is about six feet wide. We’ve had some water
problems leaks where they worked on the east side of the street. Dug it up, tested the line, and
threw a little asphalt in it and the west side of the street which is on the side of the church. I ask
the Council and the Administration consideration that if they would get into an
intergovernmental agreement for the Parish to come in and scarify just where in front of the
church is at. With that intergovernmental agreement at least fix the front of the church that it
would be presentable. I understand about your budgetary concerns, I understand that you know
money is short because in Parish government money is short.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Yes ya’ll got your own problems too.
BY ANDREA JOHNSON: We got our own problems but if ya’ll would provide the material we
could do the work.
BY MAYOR PERRETTE: And the money to provide for the workers. Don’t leave that out.
BY ANDREA JOHNSON: Might can get an intergovernmental agreement now. You know but like I
say maybe work something out for that portion. I’m not talking about the whole road I
understand about the budget if ya’ll with talk with him and I have already discussed this issue
with him and maybe ya’ll can address that issue because ya’ll spend just like us we have funding
by the grace of God and tax payers but we were doing like ya’ll were doing finding trouble over
asphalt with a shovel two in a hole and pack it down and readdressing it but I just ask that the
Administration will try to work something out for us. Thank you.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thank you Mr. Johnson. Ms. Lillian Porter.
BY LILLIAN PORTER: I’m going to wait until the 18th.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: You going to wait until the 18th? Okay good. Next has anyone else
have anything to say? Fate. Fate asked first hold on just a second.
BY FATE FERRELL: 1931 Dewitt. I would like to thank the Councilman’s and the Mayor for
bringing this program together yesterday. I am proud of you all because it was about to get out
of hand with the citizens and you all. I saw it coming but I’m proud of you guys and I’m proud of
you citizens for coming out taking time to listen to Ms. Brown yesterday. I also like to ask as you
citizens I don’t see you all here at these meetings on regular basis. Start coming to these
meetings on regular basis.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Tell them Fate.
BY FATE FERRELL: Because you cannot run a city properly if you don’t have citizens showing up
to make sure that the people thatyou put in office do what they are supposed to do. I’m not
saying that these elected officials here that we have here now are not doing what they are
supposed to do but it is correct for everybody to attend meetings just like you go to church on
regular basis make it a regular thing to come here. I come here, I’ve been coming here ever
since I’ve been in Bogalusa and I’m going to come here. If I can come you all can come. If I’m
concerned about Bogalusa you all should show that you all are concerned about Bogalusa.
Another thing we all need to get together, get your neighbors and everybody to clean up their
property in order to get jobs to come to Bogalusa we got to get their property cleaned up and
we got to get the drugs off the streets. Ain’t nobody coming to Bogalusa bringing no jobs here if
they come here and see Bogalusa looking the way it looks now, believe what I tell you. I’m not
talking just to be talking I’m talking from experience what I know. If you want things to happen
here wake up and make it happen. Thank you.
BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS: Thank you Mr. Ferrell.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: You in the back you had something to say? Come to the mic
please that is so she can hear it on the tape recorder.
BY ROBERT LEE HILL: 1120 East 7th Street. I spent twenty-two years in the military and I’ve come
back to Bogalusa. The way I see Bogalusa…
BY MAYOR PERRETTE: I can’t hear you though.
BY EVERYONE: Don’t pound on the podium.
BY ROBERT LEE HILL: That is the way I talk. They say ya’’making an adjustment and ya’ll won’t do
it. Every time I go down that street in Poplas Quarters, ya’ll trying to take Poplas Quarters, that
ain’t right.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Alright, that is enough.
BY ROBERT LEE HILL: That ain’t right.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Alright I’m going to have to ask you to calm down a little bit.
BY ROBERT LEE HILL: That ain’t right.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Okay nobody is trying to take it.
BY ROBERT LEE HILL: Well ya’ll should get together and save Poplas Quarters. I was born and
raised there. I spent twenty-two years in the military and come back to Bogalusa and find it like
this. My mother and father would die for this (profanity) they already dead.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Alright that is enough okay I’m going to have to ask you to go sit
back down now. If you can’t have a clean mouth, you have to go sit down. I’m sorry.
BY ROBERT LEE HILL: Well that is the way I feel.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Okay we know how you feel now.
BY ROBERT LEE HILL: Do something about the streets like this old man said right here do
something about the streets. I ride down the street, people ride down the street hitting
potholes. You turn it in to the cops they don’t do nothing.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Alright okay, you had your say.
BY ROBERT LEE HILL: Why don’t you wake up? That is all I got to say.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Okay good.
BY COUNCILWOMAN SMITH: Thank you.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Alright anyone else?
BY SHIRLEY NATHANIEL: 1537 North Royal Street. I just want to thank the Council for clarifying
some things because I did read a portion of the plan and I was extremely upset to the point
where I did voice my opinion and very loudly. So I will make a definitely effort to be at all of the
board meeting Mr. Ferrell because you are right. A lot of times we don’t pay attention until it
affects us and that is just the Gods honest truth. If it is not at our doorstep we don’t think it is a
concern of ours and we don’t come out and support it. So going forth I’m going to put a
reminder in my phone and try to keep the public aware too because we can also tell our friends,
Fate like you said. So thank you City Council persons and we will be involved.
BY COUNCILWOMAN SMITH: Thank you Ms. Nathaniel.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: All righty. Anyone else? There being none we will move on to
Administrative Remarks.
BY MAYOR PERRETTE: Thank you. At this time I would like—it is the first of the month and our
Supervisors are going to speak, Director of Public Works, Mr. James Hall.
BY JAMES HALL: To address some of the concerns about the road, we are starting in the
morning at the corner of Austin and Okechobee. We have a road closed down that has some
bad asphalt to get ready for the overlay of Austin Street which is going to start at the Austin
Street bridge it is going to go south, all the way down Austin Street, under the railroad trusses,
Okechobee all the way to the Highway 60 to Cumberland Street and that should be starting
sometimes in May or June. That is something the Mayor has gotten together and rounded up
some money and we are fixing to start on that. What our crew has been doing we haven’t had
reports in the last three or four months and when we left off we were still moving Christmas
lights. Putting the Park back up the way it was then we had to get ready for Mardi Gras putting
that up and taking it down. As Mr. Fate says litter that is one of my favorite subjects I get to pick
it up every day. I can go to the same street and pick it up every day. Somebody is putting it out
there and it ain’t me because I have to pick it up. I know not to put it out. We have ads going out
for three more lots that has asbestos on them. We have 160 to go and we are working on them.
East 6th Street job was finished today asphalt. That is where we been working on that grant
money since 2002. This is what takes so long, not the City, the money coming through that 2002
we have been working on that one road and I finalized it today. In Code Enforcement this is
January and February’s report there were 14 citations issued, 7 citations issued for no water to a
residents as a criminal damage to the meter, 2 citations due to dropped charges due to
compliance, 2 citations written resulting in failure to appear, 65 code violations brought into
compliance, and 6 violations vehicles towed from right of way. Yes we put asphalt in pot holes
every day as a temporary fix we know that but when you are broke that is what you have to do
is temporary. Ya’ll just bear with us you will see some improvements in the next year, next two
years to come. Thank you.
BY MAYOR PERRETTE AND PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: No, we are past public participation now.
BY MAYOR PERRETTE: After the meeting.
BY SOMEONE IN THE AUDIENCE: (inaudible).
BY JAMES HALL: Alright let’s talk about that. How many cars comes down that road? Ten times
on this Okechobee. You are not forgotten but we have to go with the most vehicles not just
because it is in your neighborhood. This road out here on Okechobee gets thousands of cars a
day. There is a little bit of traffic comes in your area I agree but we have to do what we can do
the most good and serve the most people. You’re not forgotten, it is all on the list in the book
down there okay. Thank you.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Alright next.
BY MAYOR PERRETTE: Airport Manager, Louis Busby.
BY LOUIS BUSBY: Good evening. This past month we’ve had about 35 visiting aircraft plus all of
our local traffic, three of that were large jets or multi engineer craft people coming in for
hunting and fishing and also one for business so we getting pretty busy seeing a lot of aircraft
out there for pleasure and business. The hangers that are being built out there everything is
complete. One of the doors is up and the only thing left if it will stop raining and wind will stop
blowing we will put the tin on the other three doors. The Drainage Rehabilitation Project is
almost complete phase I and II are done minus one pipe and that is because the hole stays full of
water we can’t stop getting rain. All of them has six foot aprons down all of this is State and
Federal grants 100% and no match. We should start grading one more lower spot as soon as it
dries. Also DOTD Aviation came out two weeks ago to take pictures and look at the future of
parallel taxiway phase II and III. They came out and took lots of pictures and had a conference
call with the FAA and they are looking at it real hard. Hopefully in the next year or two we are
looking at finishing the taxiway with the Federal and State funding.
BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: Thank you Louis.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thank you Sir.
BY MAYOR PERRETTE: Parks and Recreation, Landon Tims.
BY LANDON TIMS: Good evening. This year we started getting ready to kick off our baseball,
softball season. Signups will be held at the airport, Sports Complex this Saturday March 7th from
10:00 till 1:00. This will be our last weekend so if you have any kids age’s four to twelve that
haven’t signed up this is your last weekend. We are really trying to make a push for softball. We
don’t have as many girls as we would like but we have so far about one hundred seventy five
kids signed up and it should be a really good year. March is going to be a busy month for Parks
and Recreation, we have two really big events going on in this city. March 21st we have Cassidy
Park Cook-Off coming up and the very following weekend we have the Bogalusa Gospel Music
Festival which will be held in Cassidy Park as well on Saturday, March 28th. Those are two big
community events very family friendly. It will be great to see everybody come out and support
those events as well. We won’t be giving another report until Tuesday after Easter so another
quick reminder is the Parks and Recreation Department will be holding it’s Annual Easter Egg
Hunt on Saturday, April 4th. We have over four thousand Easter plastic candy filled Easter eggs
that we hide all over the Park and we also hide two golden eggs and the children that find one of
the two golden eggs wins a bicycle so it is a little incentive to get the kids to come out. Every
egg they find has candy. So it is a really fun event. We have La Petite La Riche a local business in
town they kind of partnered up with me and they bring the Easter Bunny and things like that for
the kids. So a busy month coming up we look forward to seeing everyone there. Thank you.
BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: I have a question, excuse me. Could you clarify your work schedule
that you explained to me earlier about the Redmond Heights and the Oak Hill and Davis PLEASE?
BY LANDON TIMS: On Mondays in the Parks and Recreation Department we do maintenance
and we go around to the different parks in the area and we just started this in the last week or
two so we should be getting to District A very shortly.
BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: Thank you.
BY LANDON TIMS: Thank you.
BY MAYOR PERRETTE: Thank you Landon. Police Chief, Joe Culpepper.
BY CHIEF CULPEPPER: Good evening. Looks like we had just about 1100 complaints for the
month of February, about 150 arrests, worked 53 traffic accidents, made 10 DWI arrests, I’m
assuming we only had community service eight hours they got rained out and a lot out because
of the weather and I’ve been picking up trash as routinely as were when the weather allowed
but they did pick up 46 bags of garbage the one time they did get it done. Landon mentioned
baseball because of the Charter School expansion the old Army Reserve parking lot is no longer
available for people coming to the little league ballgames. I think James has fixed the bridge so
you will have to go into the Industrial Park and there is a walk bridge out in the back of it the
first building on the left to get in there. So please you are going to have to walk just get over it
because you are not going to park on the streets because we will have to tow you. The streets
are narrow and we have to have fire trucks and basic common courtesy out there. I’m pretty
sure James am I right you have that bridge fixed?
BY MAYOR PERRETTE: Yes.
BY CHIEF CULPEPPER: So there are plenty of parking in that, what is the name of the business?
BY JAMES HALL: 215 Industrial Park.
BY CHIEF CULPEPPER: When you go in right behind the Charter School it is the first business on
the left.
BY COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY: The Salvage Store.
BY CHIEF CULPEPPER: Right the Salvage Store. So that is where you are going to have to park.
There is going to be very limited parking actually in there by the concession stand.
BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: Do we possibly have no parking signs that we can put up in those
areas?
BY CHIEF CULPEPPER: They are. Along Walker Street.
BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: Alright.
BY CHIEF CULPEPPER: There are a couple going in both directions. Also Mardi Gras since it is
over I can sigh of relief. The weather was perfect for a parade for outdoors and I was very
pleasantly surprised at the behavior of the crowd. We only made like 6 or 8 arrest the entire day
and some of those are just going to happen anyway. Some people don’t learn but the crowd was
very well behaved. I would like to commend James the streets were picked up mighty quick and
the barricades were picked up. All in all it was a really good day. Thank you.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thank you.
BY MAYOR PERRETTE: Thanks Chief. Fire Chief, Richard Moody.
BY CHIEF MOODY: How are ya’ll? I have two months I will do January first. We had 3 structure
fires, 6 grass fires, 2 vehicle fires, 18 motor vehicle accidents, 49 medical assist, 6 assisting a
citizens, 4 natural gas/power lines down, 17 false alarms for a total of 105 calls. February we had
3 structure fires, 4 grass fires, 3 trash fires one was the dumpster right by the bank during Mardi
Gras, 15 motor vehicle accidents, 78 medial calls, 5 service calls. 13 false alarms, 2 hazardous
conditions, 2 animal rescues for a total of 124. We are moving right along I looked at last years
and it looks about the same as it was last year. I’ll keep it short, if you need anything you know
where I’m at.
BY MAYOR PERRETTE: Thanks Chief. Down Town Development, Ms. Robin Day.
BY ROBIN DAY: Good afternoon. I should have stayed home for Mardi Gras I wouldn’t be
walking like this. First of all Mr. Ferrell I agree with you 100% and that is why we have started a
cleanup program in Down Town. I have some great volunteers with the Main Street Program as
well as the Bogalusa High School Jr. ROTC who has joined in with us to start a facade program
and what we are doing is where there are some blighted buildings and some dilapidated
buildings just deplorable things that we can’t seem to get the ownership to show pride so we
are taking over and we are going to do these little store fronts. It is going to look like there is
buildings there, we are not hurting anyone’s property it is still theirs they can do whatever they
want to with it but we are no longer allow people to come in Bogalusa look at our Down Town
and say these people have no pride and ownership, I don’t want to do business with them. So
we are going to do everything we can. We ask you all to come out and volunteer, ya’ll can give
me a call any time my phone number is 750- 4054. We love, love, love volunteers. I have been
using the same volunteers for two and a half years that I have been working in this program and
they are tired. So we would love to have some more. With that said we are getting ready to start
our Rendezvous on the Road they are every fourth Friday of every month in the 400 block of
Columbia Street. We have live music, we have food, and we have beverages. All the stores stay
opened till 8:00 o’clock at night. Each store will be offering either gift certificates or some kind
of special in each one of their stores. I would love for ya’ll to come down and see what we have
to offer if you haven’t been down lately and it is just a really good night. We blocked the street
off, you just hang out visit with each other. We are going to have the antique cars out there also.
We are going to have some painting going on for the kids. Last year was our first year it was very
successful and we hope this year will be even more successful so ya’ll please come out and join
us. Thank ya’ll all for coming tonight and I hope ya’ll continue to come. It is terrible when we
speak to an empty court room. This is your City and we hope you continue to care about it.
Thank you. That is fourth Friday’s and the first one is March 27th at 6:00 p.m.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thank you.
BY MAYOR PERRETTE: Thank you Ms. Day. Director of Administration, Ms. Stacy Smith.
BY STACY SMITH: Okay this is my first time to do this so I’m kind of nervous so just kind of bear
with me. First I would like to say thank you to the Council for approving me as the Director last
month. It’s been a crazy couple of months since I have started. The City started using the new
computer program to cover the purchasing, payroll and the financial reporting. That has been a
big learning and they provided us a lady for six weeks but she mainly worked with payroll so
purchasing and stuff was basically neglected so we are learning as we go. Let’s see what else. Oh
yes we still got to get the program installed on all the Department Heads computer and anybody
in the department to anybody that is going to be using it for requisitions. Hoping to get that
done in the next couple of weeks depending when he can come do it. I’m not getting in that
right now, can ya’ll tell I’m having a nervous breakdown.
BY MAYOR PERRETTE: She is a numbers person.
BY STACY SMITH: Yes I’m not a talker. Okay when we first implicated the new payroll system
there was a whole big issue of switching everybody from the semi-monthly payroll to bi-weekly
payroll so like that was a big ordeal but we got that basically wrapped up. There is nothing left in
that is there? We are also looking for new health insurance for the City of Bogalusa for all the
employees. Open enrollment is in April so I’m hoping to have a decision on that in the next
couple of weeks. Well actually next week. Oh my gosh I’m just blabbering.
BY MAYOR PERRETTE: She is shacking too.
BY STACY SMITH: I am I’m shacking. Okay so as for as the numbers goes the sales tax for January
were $722,000.00 for December they were $627,000.00. I think they are up a little bit from last
year but I don’t have those numbers in front of me. The February numbers also aren’t in but I
will have that for next time. For water we implemented a new system in determining how to do
cutoffs. I’m not familiar with how it was done to compare it to how it is now I think they just ran
it different kinds of reports but in January there were only 50 cutoffs but in February there is
190. I think a lot of those people have paid or either they are still just cutoff but anyway we are
getting more stricter on that so hopefully that will be a lot more money coming in as people
know they have to pay their bills. Okay the budgetary loan that was paid off last week 1.990
million that was huge. We are currently working with David Wolf to get with the Bond
Commission to get with them this month to get it approved for this year. We are really hoping
that we won’t have to borrow as much from now on. Slowly try to dwindle that down to where
we are not having to hit the max. That is about it. We are going to ask for a Finance meeting in
the next couple of weeks to review the December year end financials and hope to have those
done soon. There are a few more adjustments that has to be made so they are not finalized yet.
Rene is working on it. Well I finished that a lot better than I started.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: You will get better as you go.
BY MAYOR PERRETTE: I just like to thank everyone for coming out and showing your interest in
your City. Ms. Brown I was glad that she was able to come before hand I tried to get the meeting
started beforehand. I wanted to have a meeting where Ms. Brown was able to attend before
and fortunately soon as she could come, the latest she could come was that same day because
she is extremely busy and two she is a professional and she is wonderful. I agree with you on
that she is and I’m glad that she was able to come. We encourage you to attend those meetings
on the 18th and any other future meetings that are to come about from it. We ask for your input
every month, twice a month we are at this council meeting but meetings were called
beforehand and I think everyone maybe one council person hasn’t made it to it. This was before
any of us was sitting in this seat right and we all kind of attended those meetings so we were
familiarized with it. So I am glad to see such a great interest in your community. We all love
Bogalusa and since we all love Bogalusa so much let’s try and clean it up and start a cleanup
together. Volunteerism is a big thing and we are lacking in that department because we are
reusing our volunteers over and over again. Some of our younger people are getting involved in
this, trying to get church groups and organizations. The ones we do have were few and far
between but some of them we do have we use all the time. Also on March 27th at 6:00 is the --oh, I wanted to tell Director of Public Works, Mr. James Hall and his crew wonderful job on the
cleanup. All of you guys done a great job. Ms. Smith over here she is one of these people that
likes to stay in the room with a book and numbers so a lot of social anxiety there. Thank
everybody for coming out we are working hard on getting money and funding for our streets.
Thank you Council for Mr. Stewart’s approval to us for him to go out and get money for us. I’ve
known Byron for a long time now and he is a great person. Lastly just mainly thank you all my
Department Heads for a wonderful job that you have done because it has not been the sweetest
transition just like she said we had computer issues, other agencies here, we’ve had any type of
interruption that there was has been done. So now we are actually able to get into the work
part of it rather than the other end of it. We have a great crowd out here tonight. I hope to see
you all back, I encourage it, don’t wait to be informed. The only way to know is to be involved.
This is your City and it is important for you to be here like Mr. Ferrell said he is here every week.
When I come home from college and covering the meetings at the Daily News he was over here
too. It is good to see these new faces in here. I hate to ask to see them under the circumstances
but I hope to see you back and I hope to see you back in a positive way here involved in our city
because without you we can’t have a City. If you are not involved don’t wait, don’t wait it is
never too late. Come on this is ours. This is our City. Thank you all for coming out and have a
great evening.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thank you. Next is Council discussion. Councilwoman Fortenberry.
BY COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY: I just want to say it is good to see you all out here. I am so
glad that we had that meeting yesterday. I learned a lot and read that book and read that plan.
A lot of things in there I did not agree with. I’m glad Dana came and she is very knowledgeable.
Attend these meetings and if you got any concerns let her know. I just want to remind you the
two Saturday’s in the Park is the Cook Off the 21st and the Gospel music thing on the 28th. The
tickets are I believe $5.00 for an all-day event thing. Turn your clocks forward this Saturday. You
have to spring forward. You won’t be late for church if you do that.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: All righty. Next Councilman McCree.
BY COUNCILMAN McCREE: I would also like to thank you all for coming out and as the young
folks say you have to show up and show out sometimes okay so I feel like the more that people
will come to these meetings it should be packed all the way down the hall down that way. The
more people that comes to these meetings with concerns and I think the more things we can get
done for our City. So thank you.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thank you. Councilwoman Kates.
BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: Well first of all thank everyone again for coming out tonight we
need your continued prayers and doing the right thing and make the right decision for these
Cities. Now pertaining to the public form on yesterday’s comment again it is imperative that we
implement the right plans in the Comprehensive Resiliency Plan for our neighborhoods
therefore the outcome of the public form on yesterday I feel was a win, win situation for all
parties in that these additional workshops will perhaps uncover a mirage of goals and strategies
which may revitalize our neighbors as well as our City. You should be receiving letters from the
Dr. Reverend Mims. Reverend Mims agreed to contact, he is going to write a letter to all of the
churches to help us get the word out and once again this is just a series of workshops beginning
on April 18th from 10:00 till 12:00 it will be Richardson Town and from 2:00 till 4:00 will be the
Poplas neighborhood. We can all work together to make this work. A reminder again about
District A cleanup day attentive May 2nd and if you need any further information please contact
me of the theme again will be gearing toward the important of our awareness and
accountability of our environment and surroundings. We are going to be gearing toward our
nuisance ordinance which is pertaining to trash, weeds and the wild growth and I must say the
public works I’ve talked and the parks department will be assisting us in this project as well.
Number two announcement an AARP will be conducting a succession work shop along with the
Louisiana Legal Services. This is an initiative to help low income and senior residents of Bogalusa
to repair and maintain their homes. This is part of our overall strategy to revitalize our entire an
improving our committee to attract new residents and possibly new industry. I had a chance to
also attend the Washington Parish Coalition on Human Services last week and they will be
conducting a Cultural Competence Class on March 17th, again on March 17th. This seminar
emphasizes the pivotal role of Cultural sensitivity in the prevention field. Participants will be
able to define culture and how it affects the delivery of prevention services understanding the
importance of cultural sensitivity and how it relates to the evidence base practices and how
cultural sensitivity can be implemented. Again this is going to be on March 17th and you can
contact Elizabeth Fornea at the Elizabeth Sullivan Memorial United Methodist Church. I will have
a phone number available and I have some forms available if anyone is interested in coming.
Thank you again for coming out. That is all I have for tonight.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: All righty. Next Councilwoman Smith.
BY COUNCILWOMAN SMITH: I would like to thank everyone for taking time out of your busy
schedules to come be a part of our community and to also let everyone know that as the Council
that we are here to not only listen to ya’ll but to work together for the betterment of our
community. Make sure that ya’ll do attend those workshops. I did attend some of the
workshops that Ms. Dana Brown started over at the Northside School so it is very important that
you come out and you voice your opinion and your concerns. Attend workshops so that a day
like this doesn’t really have to be if we start working together and you know voicing our
opinions and concerns early on then we are all working together as a team. Once again thank
everyone for getting up and speaking and sharing their concerns and interest here in the
community. Ya’ll have a blessed night.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thank you. Councilman Ritchie.
BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: I just again like to say what a great meeting I thought we had
yesterday. Everybody that was there yesterday I think just about everybody in here it looks like
was there yesterday. Give yourself a hand of applause. I mean really we had a good meeting
yesterday, we all learned a lot. I’ve read the plan, I was part of it when they were working on it. I
can promise you I don’t understand it all but if you don’t have a map you are never going to get
where you are going so we got to have a map. We need to work together. I’m excited to see this
court room full. Since I’ve been on this council this is been one of the things I wanted to see.
Unfortunately it took kind of a controversial issue to get everybody here let’s keep coming. We
can all build this City together. This City Council and this Mayor can’t do it build it by themselves.
We’ve got to have every citizen in this City working to a common goal to make our City a better
place to live so folks will want to move here, they will want to live here, they will want to raise
their kids here and they will want their kids to have jobs here. If we do the things that we are
supposed to do and take care of our own business we can have those things they are not
unattainable. We can reach those goals. We just got to get busy and get after them. Thanks
again I appreciate you.
BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thank you. I’d just like to say that the reason that this plan is so
important that if we go to competition with another city same size same makeup for the grant
money that is out there and they have a plan in place and we don’t who do you think is going to
get the money? People with the plan exactly. So now hopefully we will get this in place and it
will get us in place on a little more even playing field with them. I would also like to commend
public works. People don’t realize it they start on Christmas like in November and it runs until
late January for them and for people at the Park that is so people will have something to go do.
Go see the Christmas lights, go bring your kids let them go see Santa, bring your grandkids. It
starts early and keeps going for them. Mardi Gras is the same way, they start early and they run
all day and they work harder that day and they work twice as hard cleaning up the mess it
makes but it is worth it because you have something to do right here at home. We all had good
clean wholesome fun where I was at. I’m proud of that you can stay right here and do that. You
don’t have to go to New Orleans and do it. I also like to commend Robin on Rendezvous on the
Road if you have never gone to it, it is fun, and it is free, you see people you haven’t seen in
years. Go window shopping like we use to do in the good old days. I would also like to commend
Mr. Denman McMillian he is one of her volunteers. He’s getting a little along in the tube like I
am so it takes us twice as long to do half as much now days but we had some wonderful help
with the Bogalusa High School Jr. ROTC’s and I am real proud of these kids they help restore my
faith in the youth of today. I noticed Ms. Dana Brown mentioned when she was talking about
agriculture Lemon Basil so I got to looking for some seeds because I am going to plant my own.
You just about have to go on line to find the seed so maybe I can sell some to John Besh I don’t
know. I’m sure going to try to grow me some. I just like to wish Councilwoman Fortenberry a
Happy 39th Birthday at least that is what they told me it was. With that said I would like to say
meeting adjourned.