Madison Parish Police Jury approves pumps, hires tractor driver and OKs RV park

The Madison Parish Police Jury on June 8 approved a series of administrative actions, including the purchase of replacement pumps for the Buckner Addition, hiring a tractor driver and approving the Town & Country RV Park project.

President Jane Sanders called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at the Madison Parish Courthouse in Tallulah. Vice-President Johnny Hughes gave the invocation and roll call showed a full complement of jurors present: Jerry Hicks (District 1), Stanley Ogden (District 2), Dave Wilson (District 3), Johnny Hughes (District 4) and Jane Sanders (District 5).

The jury first approved the consent agenda — which included the May 11 minutes, the building report, financials, garbage/sewage report and the outstanding invoice report — on a motion by Jerry Hicks and seconded by Stanley Ogden. The jurors then authorized the Secretary/Treasurer to pay outstanding invoices as funds are available (motion by Mr. Ogden, seconded by Mr. Hughes); both motions carried without discussion.

On infrastructure needs, jurors approved the purchase of two new pumps for the Buckner Addition after Mr. Hughes moved and Mr. Wilson seconded the motion; a roll call vote recorded five Yes votes and the motion carried. The jury was also informed that a demonstration of an asphalt zipper is scheduled for June 10 on Bailey Road.

The Superintendent requested permission to hire P. Bates as a tractor driver; a subsequent roll call produced Yes votes from Districts 1, 2, 3 and 5 and a Nay from District 4, so the motion carried by a 4–1 margin. The record shows the vote by district but does not identify a mover or seconder for that personnel motion.

Jurors were notified of an accident at the Parish Barn that damaged a communications tower; insurance has been notified. The board reviewed documentation showing that Mr. Butts used a waste disposal service and, on a motion by Mr. Ogden seconded by Mr. Hicks, directed Walnut Bayou to remove garbage fees from his monthly water bill. Two lots — 117 Cooper Street and 197 Hwy 80 East — were identified as nuisance properties for overgrown weeds and nuisance orders will be served by the sheriff’s department.

After confirmation of fire marshal approval, Mr. Ogden moved and Mr. Hicks seconded a motion to approve the proposed Town & Country RV Park Project; the motion carried with no discussion. Separately, Mr. Hicks moved and Mr. Wilson seconded the appointment of Miss Joy Jackson to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Latasha Griffin; that appointment carried.

The meeting record notes that the Love Louisiana Outdoors Project is being closed out; once that grant is closed out the Madison Parish Port can proceed with an application to widen the Port access road. Information about the State Economic Development Assistance Program and the Community Infrastructure Fund was passed to Dr. Candler for consideration of a potential application.

Mr. E. Patterson introduced himself to the jurors as the new CEO of Madison Parish Hospital. The jury also voted to allow the Capital Area Finance Authority (CAFA) to continue offering homeownership-support programs in Madison Parish (motion by Mr. Ogden, seconded by Mr. Wilson).

L. Godwin, president of the Teddy’s Bear Foundation, briefed jurors on the Teddy’s Bear Festival and the jury voted to partner by donating $500 (motion by Mr. Hicks, seconded by Mr. Ogden). Tina Johnson reported on Madison’s Love the Boot campaign, and Tim Holdiness announced an upcoming Chamber of Commerce meeting.

With no further business, Mr. Ogden moved to adjourn; the record was signed by Secretary/Treasurer Margarett Dew and President Jane Sanders. The minutes note motions and roll-call tallies where recorded, and do not include any public comments during the public comment period.