Nicholas Cole

The Adjudicatory Hearing commenced with a declaration of quorum. A motion was made and unanimously carried to add stipulation 25-WM-1009 (Dollar General Store 9666) to the agenda, despite the prior approval of the June 26, 2025, minutes being addressed. Hearings were conducted on several cases including Metro by T-Mobile (25-WM-1011), which resulted in a penalty of Five Thousand Dollars suspended conditional upon passing a follow-up inspection, after an initial motion to find the respondent in violation failed. Swan Lake Food Mart (25-WM-1002) was found in violation for eleven instances of misrepresenting price or quantity, with the full recommended penalty of $8,250.00 assessed. Stipulated cases involving Grab N Geaux 20, Family Dollar Store, Dollar General Store 9666, Circle K 7665, and Rouse's Enterprise, L.L.C. were accepted with their respective recommended penalties. Under New Business, the Director thanked the commission members, and a plaque was presented to Mr. Cal Simpson for his service from 2018 to 2025.

The meeting addressed several items, including granting reinstatement requests for landscape irrigation contractor, landscape horticulture, and arborist licenses for two individuals. The adjudicatory hearing involved stipulated cases concerning multiple violations of advertising in regulated professions without proper licensure and violating written stop orders, resulting in agreed-upon penalties. In new business, updates were provided on the Horticulture Inspection Society Southern Chapter annual meeting, the launch of the new Everblue exam platform, fall compliance inspections, and the discovery of a new pest, Amrasca biguttula. The Board supported proposed adjustments to license and permit fees for 2026 pending the legislative process.

The meeting included a thank you to the board for their work. The task force introduced the new Assistant Commissioner of the Animal Health and Food Safety division. The task force discussed inspection reports, continuing education proposals, and a legislative audit. The audit highlighted the need for more regulatory authority, mandatory minimum standards, consistent funding, improved investigation of animal cruelty, and a state-wide initiative to reduce stray animal populations. The task force also discussed emergency support during Hurricane Ida, training programs, and sexual harassment and ethics training.

The meeting included financial reports for September and October 2023, which were reviewed and approved. The board also approved an increase in the budget line for Miscellaneous-Promotion to cover the renewal of website domain and hosting services. Online Ethics training was mentioned as a reminder to be completed before the end of December 2023.

The meeting included the election of LDIPB officers, with Michael Shaun Houeye elected as Chairman and Donnie Schilling as Vice-Chairman. The board reviewed and approved financial reports for June, July, and August 2025, and discussed a proposed budget recommendation for 2025-2026, including adjustments to revenue and expense categories. Garrison Advertising presented an advertising report, discussing the LAFA Certified Grant budget and promotional campaign strategies. The board approved the LAFA Certified Grant budget and a budget for promotional materials, including t-shirts. Michelle Estay presented the Dairy Max report, and the board was reminded to complete ethics and sexual harassment training. Public comment was made by Mr. Charlie Hutchinson regarding the LSU Ag Center Southeast Research Station's annual field day.