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LAAC asks complainant to file formal complaint after concerns about unlicensed landscape architecture raised
Summary
The Mississippi Landscape Architecture Advisory Committee heard a summary of concerns about alleged unlicensed practice raised by a would-be attendee and agreed no action could be taken without a formal complaint, the committee said Jan. 22 in Ridgeland.
At its Jan. 22 meeting in Ridgeland, the Mississippi Landscape Architecture Advisory Committee (LAAC) was told that Terry Powell, who had been scheduled to appear, could not attend. John Cothron, the board's executive director, and committee member Robert Mercier summarized Mr. Powell's concerns about alleged unlicensed practice of landscape architecture and the LAAC’s enforcement authority.
The committee agreed by consensus that it lacked sufficient information to take enforcement action without a formal complaint. According to the minutes, members asked Mr. Powell to file a formal complaint if he is aware of a violation so staff can investigate under existing procedures.
The exchange highlighted the LAAC’s procedural limits: the committee recorded no motion to open an investigation and did not take any enforcement action at the meeting. The minutes do not specify the factual allegations Mr. Powell made or identify any firm or individual he alleged was practicing without a license.
The discussion occurred alongside routine business including minutes approval and licensing actions. The LAAC did not set a follow-up date for the Powell matter during the meeting; the committee instead directed that the standard complaint process be used, which generally requires a signed, written complaint before staff can pursue a formal inquiry.
