Washington Parish Council
Minutes
March 25, 2013
Regular Meeting -6:00 PM
Washington Parish Courthouse
Council Chambers
Item No. 1– Call to Order – Chairman Route called the meeting to order.
Item No. 2 – Invocation – Reverend Easterling from the Pine First Baptist gave the
invocation.
Item no. 3– Pledge of Allegiance – Councilman Thomas called for the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Item No. 4– Roll Call – Council Clerk Sharon Lyons, called the roll. Present were
Kenneth Wheat, Michael Fussell, Charles Nassauer, Andre’ Johnson, Pete Thomas, Greg
Route and Aubrey Posey.
Item No. 5 -Approval of Minutes – Councilman Posey offered a motion seconded by
Councilman Fussell to approve the minutes of March 11, 2013.
Roll call vote as follows:
YEAS: (7) Posey, Wheat, Fussell, Nassauer, Johnson, Thomas and Route
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (0)
ABSTAIN: (0)
Item No.6 – United Way – Mrs. Andre’ Johnson – The Chairman pulled item 6 from the
agenda.
Item No. 7 – Harvey Road Bridge – Mr. Heyward Partman- Mr. Partman asked for an
update and was told by the Administration the following:
 Waskey Bridge – using panel look at for project
 State of Louisiana different standards than FEMA standards – must have approval
of both
 Waiting final approval FEMA
 FEMA – increased amount funding – prior meeting
Item No. 8 – Southeastern Re-Enter Coalition – Frankie Crosby and Louisiana State
Coordinator David Cresse gave updated report as follows:
 Renamed program – region of parishes working together
 Training in each parish – separately
 Assist inmates – find jobs
Item No. 9 - Public Participation – Mr. Marty Pope, resident of Penton Road, addressed
the problem of the creek by his house, which has been obstructed by beaver dams and
debris. He was worried that with the rains this would cause flooding to his home. Also,
he said the bridge needed side rails.
President Thomas stated he would investigate and try to resolve the issues.
James King, resident of Harvey Road, commended the parish government for diligently
working with the citizens in finding a solution for the funding and construction of the
1
Harvey Road Bridge. He encouraged everyone to continue to pray and work on resolving
the issue.
James L. King, resident of Pugh Road, asked the Council why it took so long for a work
order to be completed for his road. He stated the mail person would not deliver his mail
due to the deep water standing on the road; however, he did thank the parish for finally
bringing gravel and distributing it on the road.
Lavell Gerald, Director of Transportation, stated the continual storms and rains have
caused a backlog with the work orders, but he assured the public and Mr. King that the
crews are working as fast as they can with maintenance of all the roads.
There were no further comments during public participation.
Councilman Posey offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Fussell to close public
participation.
Roll Call vote as follows:
YEAS: (7) Posey, Wheat, Fussell, Nassauer, Johnson, Thomas and Route
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (0)
ABSTAIN: (0)
Item No. 10 – President’s Report – President Thomas recommended the council
approve the resignation of Jean Brown from the Bogue Lusa Waterworks Board.
Councilman Posey offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Fussell approve the above
resignation.
Roll call vote resulted as follows:
YEAS: (7) Posey, Wheat, Fussell, Nassauer, Johnson, Thomas and Route
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (0)
ABSTAIN: (0)
President Thomas recommended the council approve the appointment of Debbie
Baughman to the Bogue Lusa Waterworks Board.
Councilman Fussell offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Posey approve the above
appointment.
Roll call vote resulted as follows:
YEAS: (7) Posey, Wheat, Fussell, Nassauer, Johnson, Thomas and Route
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (0)
ABSTAIN: (0)
2
President Thomas recommended the council approve the appointments of Mike Sharp
and Keith Voth to the Fire District No. 8 Board.
Councilman Fussell offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Posey approve the above
reappointments.
Roll call vote resulted as follows:
YEAS: (7) Posey, Wheat, Fussell, Nassauer, Johnson, Thomas and Route
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (0)
ABSTAIN: (0)
Dept. of Public Works Report
Construction of bridges
 Peterson Road
 M. Thomas Road
 Sam Thomas Road
 2 bridges- Monroe Creek Road
Dept. of Transportation Report
 Due to rains – backlog of work orders
 Maintenance crews – diligently working
President Thomas announced the Parish Government office will be closed on March 29th
in recognition of Good Friday. Also he announced that early voting would be closed on
Good Friday, but would reopen on Saturday, March 30th.
Item No. 11 – Council Discussion – Councilman Posey thanked public and staff for their
thoughts and prayers during his recent illness. Also, he gave facts concerning Parish tax
coming up for a vote on the ballot as follows:
 Town of Franklinton not included
 One-third of one per cent only outside in the parish
 State of Louisiana – mandated expenses paid by Parish
Councilman Wheat reiterated the above facts. Also he gave a history background of how
the laws changed through the years to bring the responsibility of mandated expenses to
totally rest on the shoulders of the Parish Council government with no income to
compensate for the inflation of demand through the years.
Councilman Fussell stated the Parish has reduced its expenses and made cuts. Also, he
said there was only two ways to get a tax, which is through sales or property. This tax
will stay in the Parish for the welfare and safety of the citizens. Mandated expenses have
to be paid and now it is up to the voters.
Councilman Nassauer asked citizens to support the tax. He stated it is an impartial tax for
all citizens of the Parish.
Councilman Route stated the administration staff has done a wonderful job explaining
why the tax is needed and presenting the financial situation to the public. He asked
citizens to go to the polls and support the tax needed for the welfare and safety of Parish.
Item No. 12 –Adjourn - No further business to come before the council, the meeting was
adjourned on motion by Councilman Fussell, seconded by Councilman Johnson.
Roll call vote as follows:
3
YEAS: (7) Posey, Wheat, Fussell, Nassauer, Johnson, Thomas and Route
NAYS: (0)
ABSENT: (0)
ABSTAIN: (0)
SIGNATURE_____________
Greg Route, Chairman
Washington Parish Council
SIGNATURE___________________
Sharon Lyons, Clerk to the Council
Washington Parish
(All Ordinances, Resolutions and Attachments in its entirety are available at the office of
Clerk of the Council at 909 Pearl Street, Franklinton, Louisiana or wpgov.org.)
This meeting was held in accordance with the Americans Disabilities Act, if you need
special assistance, please contact Sharon Lyons, Clerk to the Council at 985-839-0105
describing the assistance that is necessary.
4