RAPIDES PARISH POLICE JURY

SPECIAL SESSION

February 20, 2001


The Police Jury of the Parish of Rapides, State of Louisiana, met in Special Session at its regular meeting place, the Police Jury Room of the Parish Courthouse, 701 Murray Street, Alexandria, Louisiana, on Tuesday, February 20, 2001, at 11:15 a.m. (Central Standard Time), pursuant to the provisions of a written notice given to each and every member thereof and duly posted in the manner required by law, viz:

    Alexandria, Louisiana   
                    February 15, 2001

NOTICE OF SPECIAL POLICE JURY MEETING - RESCHEDULED

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the special meeting of the Police Jury of the Parish of Rapides, State of Louisiana, ordered and called for Friday, February 16, 2001, HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED to be held at its regular meeting place, the Police Jury Room of the Parish Courthouse, Alexandria, Louisiana, on Tuesday, February 20, 2001, at 11:15 a.m. for the following purposes to-wit:
1.    To discuss the proposal of the National Guard and take action if appropriate.
2.    Any other business that may properly come before the Police Jury.

        BY ORDER OF THE PRESIDENT

                Angie Richmond, Secretary

There were present: Honorable Scott Perry Jr., President; Donald H. Wilmore, Vice President; and Police Jurors Steve P. Bordelon, Ezra L. Reed, Myron K. Lawson, Joe Fuller, Richard L. Nunnally, and Richard W. Billings.

Absent was Police Juror Davron "Bubba" Moreau.

Also present were Mr. Tim Ware, Treasurer; Mrs. Donna Andries, Sales Tax Director; Ms. Candice Saucier, Civil Service Director; Mr. Thomas O. Wells, Legal Counsel; and Ms. Angie Richmond, Secretary.

The invocation was given by Mr. Richard Billings and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Don Wilmore.

    The Police Jury of the Parish of Rapides, State of Louisiana, was duly convened as the governing authority of said Parish by Honorable Scott Perry Jr., who announced the purposes of the meeting, in accordance with the aforesaid written notice thereof, and then stated that the Police Jury was ready for the transaction of business.

    Mr. Bordelon introduced discussion of the proposal of the National Guard. He stated he was not opposed to the proposal but there seemed to be a breakdown in communications on the subject. Further, there were monies, assets and equipment at Esler Field that needed to be considered. Mr. Fuller stated his concern that legislation was being introduced, possibly in the upcoming special session, of which the Police Jury has been unable to secure a copy.

    After unanimous vote the following item was placed on the agenda:

    On motion by Mr. Joe Fuller, seconded by                 ASK NOTICE
Mr. Myron Lawson, to request our Louisiana                PRIOR LOCAL
Legislative Delegation that the Rapides Parish              ACT
Police Jury be notified prior to the
introduction of any local bills affecting the
Rapides Parish Police Jury (affirmation by this
Police Jury of 2/13/96 resolution and 2/14/95
resolution). On vote the motion carried.

    Mr. Lawson asked whether the Police Jury could dissolve the Airport Authority to alleviate the question on where the assets at Esler Field would go. Mr. Thomas O. Wells, Legal Counsel, stated it was a complicated issue because the matter dealt with a Police Jury created entity, a State created entity and a State government. The Police Jury did have the power to dissolve the Airport Authority and the land would revert back to the Police Jury, but Mr. Wells recommended the Police Jury first determine how it would handle any indebtedness. The Airport Authority receives funds from the Federal Aviation Administration, who may control those monies and those monies may revert back to the FAA. Congress amended the reversion clause in 1994 if Esler Field ceased to be an airport, but some restrictions still remain in the title from the U.S. Government to the Rapides Parish Police Jury in 1958. There is a constitutional prohibition of donation of public lands or funds to another, whether public or private, except with certain exceptions, thus the easiest way to transfer use of the land to the Louisiana National Guard would be through an Intergovernmental Agreement or Cooperative Endeavor.

    Mr. Billings stated his support of the proposal of the Louisiana National Guard to take over Esler Field.

    Representative Rick Farrar was of the opinion that the Esler Industrial Development District was the successor of the Rapides Parish Airport Authority by action of the Legislature, which matter is being reviewed by the Staff Judge Advocate Jim Donelon for a determination as to whom did the title to the land belong. Another problem was the Louisiana National Guard was unable to secure a list of the assets. He advised the legislation being sponsored by Senator McPherson was still in draft form, which is why a copy at this time is unavailable. He urged the Police Jury not to take action that would be detrimental to the transfer of Esler to the Louisiana National Guard, it faced two deadlines of March 1 and April 1 in its efforts to secure Congressional funding in the amount of $14 million for a site to be anywhere in Louisiana, which could be Esler Field and become an asset to Rapides Parish. Mr. Nunnally asked whether a 30 or 99 year lease could be an alternative to transfer of title, to which Representative Farrar replied that the expansion monies available are much greater for owned property than leased property.

    After unanimous vote the following item was placed on the agenda:

    Motion by Mr. Don Wilmore to appoint a
committee to address the question on how to
transfer or handle the assets of Esler Field
Airport and Commerce Park to be composed of
three members representing the Police Jury,
two members representing the National Guard
and two members representing the Esler
Industrial Development District. He proposed
some of the cash monies be left with the Esler
Industrial Development District.

    Representative Farrar stated General Landreneau had assured him that he would appoint local persons to work on a transition board.

    Mr. Wilmore withdrew his motion.

    Representative Farrar asked action be delayed until the Louisiana National Guard could meet with the Police Jury and advised the inclusion of the Esler Field property into Camp Beauregard would result in an upgrade from a Type 3 to a Type 2 facility.
    Colonel Jerry Thiels, Airport Manager, advised that the Airport authority does not have any debt, was currently undergoing audit, as normally done annually, summarized the assets and liabilities of the Airport Authority, and advised the maintenance tax proposition was last levied in 1996. Further, the information requested by the Louisiana National Gaurd had been furnished.

    On motion by Mr. Joe Fuller, seconded by                 AIRPORT AUTH
Mr. Steve Bordelon, the following ordinance was          ABOLISHED
presented and on vote unanimously adopted:

ORDINANCE

AN ORDINANCE TO DISSOLVE THE RAPIDES PARISH AIRPORT AUTHORITY, AMEND THE CODE OF ORDINANCES ACCORDINGLY, TO ENDORSE THE PROPOSAL OF THE LOUISIANA NATIONAL GUARD AT ESLER FIELD, TO WORK WITH THE LOUISIANA NATIONAL GUARD AND THE RAPIDES PARISH LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION TO EXPEDITE THE MATTER AND TO REQUEST A COPY OF THE PROPOSED LOCAL ACT ON ESLER FIELD BEFORE FINALIZED

    BE IT ORDAINED by the Rapides Parish Police Jury on the 20th day of February, 2001, that the Rapides Parish Airport Authority is hereby dissolved.
    BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that Article IV Airport Authority Sections 3-97 through 3-110 of the Rapides Parish Code of Ordinances dealing with the creation and existence of the Rapides Parish Airport Authority are hereby repealed.
    BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the title to Esler Field is reverted back to the Rapides Parish Police Jury.
    BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the Rapides Parish Police Jury does hereby go on record as endorsing the proposal or concept of the Louisiana National Guard for Esler Field.
    BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the Rapides Parish Police Jury does hereby offer its assistance to work with the Louisiana National Guard and the Rapides Parish Legislative Delegation and authorizes Mr. Thomas O. Wells, Legal Counsel, to assist and expedite this endeavor.
    BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the Rapides Parish Legislative Delegation is requested to confer with the Police Jury before the proposed local act is finalized.
    THUS DONE, PASSED AND APPROVED on this 20th day of February, 2001.

    On motion by Mr. Steve Bordelon, seconded              REVIEW ESLER
by Mr. Joe Fuller, that Colonel Jerry Thiels                   DUTIES AND
is to remain as Airport Manager at Esler Field              ASSETS
and to answer to the Rapides Parish Police Jury
regarding those powers, duties and
responsibilities returned to the Rapides Parish
Police Jury by its action in dissolving the
Rapides Parish Airport Authority; further to
request the Treasurer, Legal Counsel and Airport
Manager to get together to develop and bring
back a report to the Police Jury on the assets,
liabilities, monies, equipment and employees of
Esler Field. On vote the motion carried.

    On motion by Mr. Richard Billings, seconded             THANK AIRPORT
by Mr. Richard Nunnally, to commend and thank          AUTHORITY
the Commissioners who served on Rapides Parish         MEMBERS
Airport Authority upon its dissolution for their
service. On vote the motion carried.

    After unanimous vote the following items were placed on the agenda:

    On motion by Mr. Myron Lawson, seconded by          ECONOMIC DEV
Mr. Steve Bordelon, to authorize the President               COMMITTEE
to appoint a committee to develop a
recommendation on proposed legislation to
create a parishwide economic development
authority with the members being appointed one
from each Police Jury District, to work with
the Alexandria Downtown Economic Development
District the Pineville Economic Development
District, and the England Authority. On vote
the motion carried.

    On motion by Mr. Joe Fuller, seconded by                  APPLY GRANT
Mr. Don Wilmore, to authorize the submission                DELINQUENCY
of a grant application to Red River Delta Law
Enforcement in the amount of $32,654 under
Title V Delinquency Prevention Programs, as
requested by Judge Swent, and authorize the
President to sign same. On vote the motion
carried.

    Mr. Fuller laid over the agenda item that the assets, cash and equipment from Esler Field be transferred to the Police Jury.

    On motion by Mr. Joe Fuller, seconded by                   APPLY ADULT
Mr. Steve Bordelon and Mr. Don Wilmore, to                  DRUG COURT
authorize the submission of a grant application               GRANT
to the LA Dept. of Health and Hospitals,
Alexandria/Pineville Addictive Disorders Clinic,
Region VI, for continuation of the adult drug
court program in the amount of $30,520 for the
period of July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002,
as requested by Judge Yeager, and authorize the
President to sign same. On vote the motion
carried.

    On motion by Mr. Joe Fuller, seconded by                   PJ EXPENSE
Mr. Myron Lawson and Mr. Don Wilmore, to
authorize the expenses of interested Police
Jurors to attend the Redistricting Workshop
to be held on March 1, 2001 in Baton Rouge.
On vote the motion carried.

    On motion by Mr. Joe Fuller, seconded by                   PROB EXPENSE
Mr. Don Wilmore, to authorize the expenses of
the Chief Probation Officer to attend the
National Conference on Juvenile Justice to be
held on March 17-22, 2001 in Reno, NV, as
approved by Judge Swent, to be paid out of the
General Fund Juvenile Probation Travel Expense
line item. On vote the motion carried.

    The next agenda item was to discuss the proposed legislation being introduced by Representative Rick Farrar to provide the Rapides Parish Police Jury will appoint all members to the England Authority.

    Representative Farrar explained during his campaign he had encountered concern from citizens about the Chamber of Commerce appointing members to the England Authority, because that appointing authority does not have to be accountable to the voters, and this was his first opportunity to propose changing those appointments. He stated the England Authority is the parishwide economic development authority for all of Rapides Parish, not just England Airpark. Originally, he had thought the Police Jury should make all appointments, but the bill currently is for the Police Jury to make those two appointments formerly made by the Chamber.

    On motion by Mr. Joe Fuller, seconded by                   SUPPORT EEIDD
Mr. Steve Bordelon, to support the proposed                   LEGISLATION
legislation being introduced by Representative
Rick Farrar relative to the appointments to
the England Authority.

    The Police Jurors felt the editorial that appeared in a newspaper recently regarding this matter was in poor taste and insulting.

    Representative Farrar stated he was sponsoring upcoming legislation to make the Internet as an official journal which could save public bodies millions of dollars in publication and advertisement expense.

    On motion by Mr. Richard Billings, seconded               SUPPORT
by Mr. Myron Lawson and all other Police Jurors,          INTERNET AS
to support the proposed legislation being                        OFCL JOURNAL
introduced by Representative Rick Farrar naming
the Internet as an official journal.

    On vote the motions carried. Mr. Scott Perry abstained.

    On motion by Mr. Don Wilmore, seconded by             PHD SUMMER
Mr. Joe Fuller and Mr. Richard Billings, to                     WORKERS
authorize to hire up to seventeen full time
temporary, seasonal, employees to work at the
Parish Highway Department for the period of
April 1, 2001 through October 31, 2001, at the
rate of $6.25 per hour for operators and $7.25
per hour for supervisors, as recommended by
the Public Works Director. On vote the motion
carried.

    On motion by Mr. Richard Billings, seconded              OPPOSE ACTS
by Mr. Joe Fuller and Mr. Steve Bordelon, to                  ON BOARDS
oppose the proposed local legislations being
introduced to set five year terms for the
members of the Waterworks District No. 3 and
members of the Ward 10 Recreation District,
which should be a prerogative of the Rapides
Parish Police Jury as Appointing Authority. On
vote the motion carried.

    After unanimous vote the following item was placed on the agenda:

    On motion by Mr. Don Wilmore, seconded by             NO ACTION ON
Mr. Joe Fuller, that the Police Jury agrees not               HOT WELLS FOR
to take action on the Hot Wells property for a                6 MONTHS
six month period, with an option of an
additional six months, which option is to be
exercised in writing, in order to allow
Mr. Jerry Partin an opportunity to develop a
proposal for Hot Wells, copy of this resolution
to be sent to our Louisiana Legislative
Delegation with a request for their concurrence.
On vote the motion carried.

    After unanimous vote the following item was placed on the agenda:

    On motion by Mr. Richard Billings, seconded              WIA EXPENSE
by Mr. Don Wilmore, to approve travel expense
for two WIA board members to attend the National
Association of Workforce Boards Annual
Conference in Washington, DC on February 24-27,
2001. On vote the motion carried.

    There being no further business, the meeting was declared adjourned at 12:55 p.m.

__________________________          __________________________
Angie Richmond, Secretary                  Scott Perry Jr., President
Rapides Parish Police Jury                   Rapides Parish Police Jury