Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, August 17, 2023 7:00 P.M.
Members in Attendance at Roll Call:
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Alderman Simeon Profit Alderman Janice Fleming Alderman Leola Keys Alderman Wysinger Cleveland
The Town of Richwood met for Regular Meeting held on August 17, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Richwood Multi-Purpose Center, 2710 Martin Luther King Drive, Richwood, Louisiana to consider the following business:
I. Meeting Called to Order by Mayor Gerald Brown at 7:08 P.M.
II. Prayer- was offered by Mayor Gerald Brown
III. Pledge of Allegiance – recited in unison.
IV. Roll Call- Mayor Gerald Brown called roll with the following results:
* The record shall reflect all (5) Aldermen present at time of roll call.
Present: Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Alderman Simeon Profit Alderman Janice Fleming Alderman Leola Keys Alderman Wysinger Cleveland
V. Adoption of the Agenda-
Mayor Gerald Brown- requested one addition to the agenda in terms of the Regular Meeting Minutes for June 15, 2023 which needed corrections. Mayor Brown advised the Board the corrections were in their packet and requested the adoption of June 15th s minutes be included in tonight s agenda.
It was motioned by Alderman Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming that the Adoption of the Regular Meeting Minutes for June 15, 2023 be added to the agenda.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to add the Regular Meeting Minutes for June 15, 2023 to agenda with the following results: (5) Votes Yes to add June 15, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes to tonight s agenda.
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Yes Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
It was motioned by Alderman Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt the amended agenda.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt the amended agenda with the following results. (5) Votes Yes to adopt the amended agenda.
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Yes Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
VI. Adoption of June 15, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes, July 20, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes and July 28, 2023 Special Meeting Minutes
June 15, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes:
It was motioned by Alderman Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt the June 15, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt the corrected June 15, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes with the following results: (5) Votes Yes to adopt.
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Yes Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
July 20, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes:
It was motioned by Alderman Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt the July 20, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt the corrected July 20, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes with the following results: (5) Votes Yes to adopt.
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Yes Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
July 28, 2023 Special Meeting Minutes:
It was motioned by Alderman Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt the July 28, 2023 Special Meeting Minutes.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt the corrected July 28, 2023 Special Meeting Minutes with the following results: (5) Votes Yes to adopt.
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Yes Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
VII. Adoption of Financial Reports
It was motioned by Alderman Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt the Financial Reports.
*** Before vote could be taken the following exchange occurred
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. stated he had a question, he noticed there was an increase on our fiscal officer s pay, it appears her salary has changed.
Mayor Gerald Brown explained, Ms. Sims was a salaried employee and has moved from a salaried employee to a contract or rather not contract since we don t do contracts with employees, but her status changed she is no longer a salaried employee, her salary now is just paid one time per month, so you are looking at the entire amount. This is an advantage to us in that she no longer accumulates vacation or sick time pay, so that is something we won t have to pay out.
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. requested to see the agreement between Ms. Sims changing her status from salaried to a contract employee.
****Based on the previous conversation the following motion was made.
It was motioned by Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. and seconded by Alderman Simeon Profit to table the vote on the financial reports until the agreement could be reviewed.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to table the adoption of the financial reports until the requested agreement could be reviewed with the following results : (5) Votes Yes to table.
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Yes Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
VIII. Public comments as they relate to items on the agenda:
***No comments agenda proceeded.
IX. Mayors Dialogue:
Mayor Gerald Brown- advised with the Multi-Purpose building being here about 16 plus years, it was time for the building to get a face lift and we have been doing some renovations to the administrative offices and the building which will be completed by next week.
Second thing is to remind us we have a Back-to-School event in the Mary Francis Goins Park on August 26, 2023, Pleasant Green B.C. has partnered with us in this endeavor so they will be overseeing things going on in their fellowship hall which is adjacent to the park . We ve got speakers, games, music, and other events as well; if you have questions just get with Mrs. Rainwater.
Third thing I want to talk about is what I sent you guys an email about this . We have talked about in the past how best to communicate with our citizens, businesses, and prospective business, prospective economic development. One of the companies I was able to speak with when I went to Alexandria, was company called (inaudible- extreme coughing on tape ) out of Arkansas I sent you guys an invite, there will be a zoom call Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. , where they will discuss some of the things they believe they can do for us, to see if there is a better way we can communicate with our community.
The last thing is our audit, not the forensic audit, but the regular audit the next set 2022- 2023, I sent you guys an email about this as well, the Legislative of Auditors sent out something saying they are looking to see a letter of engagement for that particular audit, and that audit is due by December 31st. We have put something in the paper asking for proposals in regards to that, if you know someone who is on the approved list that you would like to see us do business with, have them send a proposal or call the office; but in September we are looking to nail that down to get those people started.
X. Clean Air Burner Proposal ( Presenters not present motion to table was requested.)
It was motioned by Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to table the issue at this time
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to table this issue at this time due to presenters not being present with the following results : (5) Votes Yes to table.
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Yes Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
XI. Introduction of Ordinance 2023-06 (An ordinance adopting Entergy Franchise Agreement)
Representative from Entergy approached the forum and advised this is the same agreement in place which allows Entergy to provide services in this area. The franchise rate is the same rate as before.
XII. Adoption of Resolution 2023-07 ( A resolution OSHEP requesting regarding potential temporary housing)
It was motioned by Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt Resolution 2023-07.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to Adopt Resolution 2023-07 ( A resolution OSHEP requesting regarding potential temporary housing) with the following results: (5) Yes Votes to Adopt Resolution 2023-07.
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Yes Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
XIII. Adoption of Resolution 2023-08 (A resolution converting General Fund to Interest Bearing Account)
It was motioned by Alderman Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt Resolution 2023-08.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken on the Adoption of Resolution 2023-08 (A resolution converting General Fund to Interest Bearing Account) with the following results: (2) Votes Yes and (3) Votes No to adopt.
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. No Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys No Alderman Wysinger Cleveland No
XIV. Adoption of Resolution 2023-09 (A Resolution regulation disbursement of travel, meal, and lodging expense of public/elected officials and employees of the Town of Richwood.
Mayor Gerald Brown- advised generally we do travel disbursements to elected officials or employees, if there is a conference, seminar, or continued education, the clerk figures up the various meals and travel expenses and cuts a check to that individual and gives it to the individual prior to the individual going to that conference or whatever. What has happened recently is that we have issued some of those checks and the individual not attended. What this resolution says if this official or employee is issued one of these checks and they do not go, the next time they are to travel, instead of issuing a travel disbursement, they would be responsible for their initial fees, and we would do a travel reimbursement.
It was motioned by Alderman Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt Resolution 2023-09 A resolution regulating the disbursement of travel, meal, and lodging expense of public/ elected officials and employees of the Town of Richwood .
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken on the adoption of Resolution 2023-09 ( A resolution regulating the disbursement of travel, meal, and lodging expense of public/ elected officials and employees of the Town of Richwood ) with the following results: (2) Yes Votes and (3) No Votes * Resolution not adopted.
*
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. No Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys No Alderman Wysinger Cleveland No
XV. Adoption of Ordinance 2023-05 ( An ordinance amending Ordinance 2021-02 Regulation Operation Hours (back to 3:30 a.m.) for all places of business where alcoholic beverages are kept, sold, stored for sale at retail, served or consumed.)
It was motioned by Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. and seconded by Alderman Wysinger Cleveland to adopt Ordinance 2023-05.
* The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt Ordinance 2023-05(An ordinance amending Ordinance 2021-02 Regulation Operation Hours( back to 3:30 a.m.) for all places of business where alcoholic beverages are kept, sold, stored for sale at retail, served or consumed.) with the following results: (3) Votes Yes and (2) Votes No to adopt. Ordinance 2021-02 is Adopted.
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Yes Alderman Simeon Profit No Alderman Janice Fleming No Alderman Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
XVI. Discussion of Forensic Service Authorization Agreement
Mayor Gerald Brown- stated the way the forensic contract was sent he nor the staff was able to print it. There are some things that seem not what we were asking to be done, on the first page it stated the fee was $ 225 an hour and in another place it stated $ 250 per hour these are some questions I feel we need answers.
Mayor Gerald Brown- suggested we allow our legal counsel review the contract before we sign.
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr.- stated the difference in hourly rate had to do with if they are asked to do things outside of the agreement.
Discussion ensued as to a scheduled conference call that was to take place with the Mayor, Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr., and Alderman Leola Keys that did not take place.
Mayor Gerald Brown- stated I want to notate, and this is for the record.
* For the record on the ordinance, the line item request was that a Forensic Audit would take place, this is not a Forensic audit, this is Forensic Services, so I want to note that for the record.
XVII. Discussion of Phase 2 of the Sidewalk project.
Mayor Gerald Brown we have been approved for Phase 2 which will start where the sidewalks have ended and on both sides come up to Martin Luther King and Richwood Road # 1. We have been approved for that and Louisiana DOTD will foot the bill for that; once they have get into the bid process, and gone through it I will certainly let you know. Once that is part and we are eligible we will apply for Phase 3 which is sidewalks going east.
XVIII. Discussion of Street Improvement Proposal
Mayor Gerald Brown- I think perhaps what we need to is when we are done with the Forensic audit, so we can really sink our teeth in this, is put some streets together we really want done.
We have some funds to do some streets, we ve gotten confirmation from the Police Jury that they are going to do Highland and Robinson, so we don t have to invest there in those streets so I would like to see us to establish a committee to get started to get something done.
Alderman Janice Fleming- volunteered to be on the committee.
Mayor Gerald Brown- inquired if there was anyone else that wanted to volunteer?
Alderman Simeon Profit- stated if someone else was needed he would do it.
XIX. Discussion of Manhole Repairs
Mayor Gerald Brown- advised the forum that JBAR come out and review our manholes and we have 100 some odd manholes in Richwood, and probably about 75% of them were in need of repair, some more than others. I have a booklets in the office I lend out to you indicating the repairs needed for each manhole specifically. I sent each one of you an email a few weeks ago detailing that and the cost which is about and the cost of that about $ 240 plus thousand dollars.
The reason we want to fix these manholes is:
1. When the manhole is not secure infiltration what the call I&I, when that happens when we have heavy rain water into those manholes, those pumps don t ever stop, they don t ever get a chance to cut off.
2. The other reason is we process that sewer, we process that out to the City of Monroe, the more infiltration the more it cost, which means they are having to spend more money to process this stuff. We have had JBAR as well as Louisiana Rural Water Association to come in with cameras and smoke test our lines. They say our lines are pretty good, it s the manholes, we have some with no covers and some with covers so when this rain water get into there it causes these problems.
Alderman Janice Fleming- inquired of the cost? Mayor Gerald Brown advised some where upward of $ 240,000.
XX. Adjournment:
Alderman Wilbert Reed motioned and Alderman Wysinger Cleveland seconded adjournment @ 8:05 p.m.
