Mary L. Bonnette

The general meeting included discussions regarding road maintenance, specifically addressing ditch cleaning and tree removal impacts. Minutes from the January meeting and the January 29th commission meeting were approved. The emergency services report detailed call volumes for January, noting Marksville as the area with the highest volume, and provided information on upcoming EMR and EMT classes. A public hearing was held regarding the temporary closure of Levi Grim Road during wet conditions, after which the jury voted to keep the road open. The jury voted to award road improvements for Business Loop Road and Reese Road to Diamond B Construction at $792,900, confirming this expenditure was below the allocated treasury budget. Authorization was granted for construction costs for these roads to be paid from treasury allocation, pending reporting on material and culvert replacements. A motion to approve a payment of $1,659.75 for vehicle damage was voted down. The jury tabled a motion concerning the corporate divestment agreement with the Department of Veteran Affairs and approved the appointment of Delta Engineers for road improvement projects in Road District 2. Finally, the jury considered a motion to authorize Delta Engineers to apply for a CF fund grant for waterworks district repairs for a ground storage tank.

Key discussions centered on grant opportunities, including the FY 26-27 Water Sector Program Phase 2 (already submitted), the EPA Brownsfield program (assessment grant up to $500,000 and cleanup grant up to $4 million, due January 28th), the Local Government Assistance Program (LGAP) for road stone up to $100,000, and the Community Water Enrichment Fund (CWEF) for water system improvements up to $100,000, both due February 28th. Additionally, Delta Regional Authority grants (CEDAP up to $500,000 and CIF up to $2 million) focused on economic development were reviewed, as were Capital Outlay requests (due November 1st) and the Louisiana Community Development Block Grant Clearance Program for blighted properties (local share noted) and the Public Facilities Program for streets and sewer/water projects. Further agenda items involved the presentation of a survey regarding public concerns about stray animals, noting high response rates and universal support for an animal shelter program, and a financial report indicating a positive overall position with general fund revenue exceeding budget by 26%, and general fund expenditures exceeding budget by 11%. Operational updates included the release of EMPG grant funds and the resolution of HVAC issues in several parish facilities. An alarm malfunction was also reported and briefly discussed.

The Executive Committee Meeting included discussions with a delegation regarding facility upkeep, specifically addressing the dilapidated carpeting on the third-floor hallway of the building, with consideration given to restoring the original terrazzo flooring or installing commercial-grade flooring to mitigate noise and maintenance issues. Further discussion covered damage to a resident's vehicle windshield that occurred in the library parking lot, with the committee noting the absence of external security cameras at the library as a factor in determining fault. The financial report detailed collections for December, including advance taxes from the Police Jury and Road District 2, as well as 1% sales tax revenue allocated to Road and Bridge and Solid Waste. The general fund cash balance was reported as stable, and there was an extended discussion regarding the nature and use of the Gaming Mitigation Fund within the general fund structure.

Key discussion points included the scheduling of the 2026 courthouse Christmas lighting for December 5th, with assurances made to the Register of Voters regarding temporary parking lot closures for absentee voting. Committee reports covered the ongoing status of the Ruby Ward closing and demolition, as well as the need to clean out old equipment and junk from the courthouse fourth floor, with concerns raised about potential damage to the elevator if heavy items are moved that way. Further discussion involved the relocation of VA office filing cabinets and progress on the Monofield site cleanup, which included coordination with DEQ, the Department of Corrections, and potential National Guard assistance for earth moving. Road and bridge updates included the emergency repair of a culvert on Luke Martin Road and future plans for work on Carl Hunt Road and MP cutoff areas.

The meeting commenced with an invocation and the pledge of allegiance. Key discussions included the approval of the agenda and deliberation regarding the approval of the regular meeting minutes from January 14th, 2026, specifically concerning an unanswered question about the title and job description for an employee transferred to manage over $200,000 in water deposit issues flagged by the auditor. During public comments, a citizen offered a $500 reward for evidence of intimidation or threats related to voting in upcoming elections, emphasizing the privacy of ballots. The City Engineer provided updates on various projects, noting the completion of the water sector project and the need to install a gate at the wastewater treatment plant using leftover funds. The 452 drainage improvements project has approximately $80,000 remaining for other drainage issues, with plans to address Andrew Street siltation. The council also discussed drainage issues on Wall Street and erosion concerns at a resident's property, with potential temporary fixes pending budget review. Additionally, approval was sought and granted for the second annual Easter extravaganza and kickball tournament scheduled for April 4th, 2026.