The Police Jury of the Parish of Rapides, State of Louisiana, was duly convened as the governing authority of said Parish by Hon. Scott Perry Jr., President, who welcomed all present and then stated that the Police Jury was ready for the transaction of business.

On motion by Mr. Joe Fuller, seconded by Mr. Richard Nunnally the following resolution was presented and on vote unanimously approved.

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Penny Acres Subdivision has been adversely affected by damages from flood waters; and

WHEREAS, the Rapides Parish Police Jury desires to apply for State matching funds pursuant to Chapter 2-A of Title 38 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, to implement a project to reduce said flood damages, and that the Rapides Parish Police Jury is fully aware of its obligation under said Statute; and

WHEREAS, the Rapides Parish Police Jury is a political body duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Louisiana and is eligible to apply for funds under the Statute,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Rapides Parish Police Jury as follows:

Section 1. That the Rapides Parish Police Jury acknowledges that upon approval of the pre-application a formal application will be prepared and submitted to the Statewide Flood Control Program.

Section 2. That at the appropriate time and upon approval of funding assistance and prior to commencement of work on project the Rapides Parish Police Jury agrees to execute a Statement of Sponsorship pursuant to the Statute.

Section 3. That the Rapides Parish Police Jury President is hereby designated Authorized Representative for the Rapides Parish Police Jury to effect the preparation of the pre-application and application to the Statewide Flood Control Program for funding assistance of a flood control project.

Section 4. That said Authorized Representative's responsibilities shall pertain to technical matters only and shall not include any official act on behalf of the Rapides Parish Police Jury.

THUS PASSED AND APPROVED on this 24th day of April, 2001.

On motion by Mr. Joe Fuller, seconded by Mr. Richard Nunnally, that the Rapides Parish Police Jury does hereby go on record opposing House Bill 291 which provides for a constitutional amendment requiring at least 20% of registered voters would have to vote on a proposition for passage or the measure would fail, copy of this resolution to be sent to our Louisiana Legislative Delegation and the Police Jury Association of Louisiana. On vote the motion carried.

After unanimous vote the following were added to the Agenda:

On motion by Mr. Joe Fuller, seconded by Mr. Richard Nunnally to authorize the expenses of interested Police Jurors and designated Police Jury employees to meet on the LA 623 Project in Baton Rouge on April 26, 2001. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Richard Nunnally, seconded by Mr. Joe Fuller, to authorize to advertise for bids for road improvements on the Joe Ray Road (portion), District H. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Richard Nunnally, seconded by Mr. Joe Fuller, to amend the Three Year Capital Improvement Program, Parish Road Priorities for 2001-2003, so as to add the Joe Ray Road as Priority No. 31 under District H. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Joe Fuller, seconded by Mr. Richard Nunnally, to commend Sheriff William Earl Hilton and Mr. Carroll Bruce, Courthouse Building Superintendent, for the interior painting being done by the Inmate Crews in the Courthouse and to extend appreciation to the Sheriff for assistance rendered in the Wardville refuse problem. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Joe Fuller, seconded by Mr. Myron Lawson, the following motion was presented and on vote unanimously approved:

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the right to vote is guaranteed every citizen of the United States of America by the Constitution and laws of our nation; and

WHEREAS, citizens with family and professional commitment deserve every opportunity to exercise their right to vote; and

WHEREAS, curtailing the hours polls are open on election could seriously impair registered voters' ability to participate in elections.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury does hereby oppose Louisiana House Bill No. 25 which provides for closing polling places at 6:00 p.m., two hours earlier than the traditional 8:00 p.m. closing time; and

THUS PASSED AND APPROVED on this 24th day of April, 2001.

On motion by Mr. Joe Fuller, seconded by Mr. Richard Nunnally, to request Legal Counsel to provide a report on a review of annexation laws pertaining to municipalities annexing areas of the parish in order that the Police Jury would know the structure of the laws and what action is needed to be taken. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Joe Fuller, seconded by Mr. Myron Lawson, to oppose Senate Bill 394 which requires that if a parish objects to state order to close a railroad grade crossing on a state highway within its jurisdiction, the parish would be required to upgrade the crossing out of its Parish Transportation Fund monies, as recommended by the Executive Director of the Police Jury Association of Louisiana, copy of this resolution to be sent to our Louisiana Legislative Delegation. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Richard Nunnally, seconded by Mr. Joe Fuller, to oppose House Bill 408 which revises rules governing payment of judgments by local governments, when a judgment is rendered against a political subdivision, the judgment shall be paid in order in which rendered, payment is not negotiable, as recommended by the Executive Director of the Police Jury Association of Louisiana, copy of this resolution to be sent to our Louisiana Legislative Delegation. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Myron Lawson, seconded by Mr. Joe Fuller and Mr. Richard Nunnally, to agree to pay one half of the extraordinary medical bills for Inmate Leroy Johnson, as requested by the Sheriff, out of the Feeding and Maintaining Prisoners line item in the General Fund, and to request the District Attorney and Judges to act expeditiously in scheduling trials for inmates with serious medical problems. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Joe Fuller, seconded by Mr. Richard Nunnally, to approve a "Health Fair" to be sponsored by the current health insurance carrier, Parish Government Risk Management Agency, on May 15, 2001, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and authorize Department Heads to use their discretion in scheduling time to allow employees to attend. On vote the motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Richard Nunnally, seconded by Mr. Ezra Reed and Mr. Joe Fuller, to oppose House Bill No. 1167 which provides a preference for firefighting and rescue equipment to one manufacturer in the State of Louisiana, copy of this resolution to be sent to our Louisiana Legislative Delegation. On vote the motion carried.

There being no further business, the meeting was declared adjourned at 10:26 a.m.

__________________________ __________________________

Angie Richmond, Secretary Scott Perry Jr., President

Rapides Parish Police Jury Rapides Parish Police Jury