City Council

March 17, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 8 Regular Meeting Minutes Thursday, March 17, 2022 7:00 P.M. Members In Attendance: Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Alderman Simeon Profit Alderman Janice Fleming Alderman Leola Keys Alderman Wysinger Cleveland The Town of Richwood met for a Regular Meeting held March 17, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. at the Richwood Multi-Purpose Center, 2710 Martin Luther King Drive, Richwood, Louisiana to consider the following business: I. Meeting Called to Order by Mayor Gerald Brown at 7:09 p.m. II. Prayer- was offered by Mayor Gerald Brown III. Pledge of Allegiance - recited in unison IV. Roll Call- Mayor Gerald Brown called roll with the following results: • The record shall reflect (5) Aldermen present at roll call: Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Alderman Simeon Profit Alderman Janice Fleming Alderman Leola Keys Alderman Wysinger Cleveland V. Adoption of Agenda: It was motioned by Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. and seconded by Alderman Leola Keys to add to the agenda a discussion of November 17, 2011 Minutes. March 17, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 8 • The record shall reflect all (5) Aldermen present voted yes to add Discussion of November 17, 2011 Minutes as Item # 16. Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. ```Yes Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming ```Yes Alderman Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes It was motioned by Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt the amended agenda. • The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt the amended agenda with the following results: All (5) Aldermen voted Yes to adopt the amended agenda. Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Yes Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes VI. Adoption of February 17, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes It was motioned by Alderman Janice Fleming and seconded by Alderman Simeon Profit to adopt the February 17, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes. • The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt the February 17, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes with the following results: All (5) Aldermen voted Yes to adopt the February 17, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes. Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Yes Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes VII. Adoption of Financial Reports Its was motioned by Alderman Janice Fleming and seconded by Alderman Simeon Profit to adopt the Financial Reports. • The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt the Financial Reports with the following results: All (5) Aldermen voted Yes to Adopt the Financial Reports. Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Yes Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes March 17, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 8 VIII. Public Comments as they relate to items on the agenda Mondrian Douglas/ Public Attendee- addressed the forum and stated she was glad to be here and inquired why the grant writing proposal presented by ULM was not voted in. Now they are willing to partnership with Richwood to not only write grants, but also provide educational training to staff, non-profit organizations, churches, and small businesses over a 12-month period how to research and apply for grants. They are willing to partner with Richwood to teach grant writing over a 12-month period. What is the problem with receiving education as important as grant writing? Are we just afraid to do better? Alderman Janice Fleming- stated, she does not see where there is a problem with that because education is always important and if we are going to be competitive in the 21st century, we need to get any assistance that we can help us to be more progressive town, to help us do the things we need to do. The only way we can do that is if we have some people that can speak the language necessary in these grants to help us procure them. I was not here last week when that was put on the table, but I am totally and completely for that because it is progressive. I still teach in the system, and I know how important it is for education is one thing lacking in the Town of Richwood by some of our constituents, they have entrusted us to stand in the gap for them and make certain all those things are done. I am totally and completely for that. Mondrian Douglas/ Public Attendee – addressed the forum and asked what say you Mr. Reed ? Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. – replied, No comment. Alderman Profit- replied, I am in agreement with you we definitely need a grant writer, because it helps to get the things we need; without a grant writer it is hard to get federal money, it is hard to get anything actually, that is a very good point you brought out, thank you. Alderman Leola Keys- replied, No Comment. Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- inquired if the grants would include streets and recreation and things like that? Attendee – replied , it would cover a host of things Alderman Wysinger Cleveland – replied, No Comment. Ms./ Mrs. Douglas , The public Attendee- inquired, if they had another proposal, and if not, why are they not complying with growing Richwood for the better? *** No Comments*** March 17, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 8 Ms./Mrs. Douglas Public Attendee- commented, silence can be deadly, and it also puts a halt to progression. Now I am aware the Town of Richwood has funds set aside for grant writing, $ 25, 000 for a grant writer and the contract with ULM is $ 23,000 okay that saves $ 2000 for the Town of Richwood. Did you know for a grant writer, to do just one grant can cost $10,000 ? Now if you take too long, no comment, no yea or nay to agree to this contract, as a result those large other people are going to be submitting their applications and as a result those large sums of money are going to be used up. We need this now the world of grant writing is very competitive; there comes a time where our attitudes and anything that comes up shouldn’t be in the way of growing people, something generations from now can benefit from. Next, Mayo, M5 Consulting- they helped us get a grant for the park, and we will be eligible to get more grants next year. We know we have tried for over 10 years to get traffic lights and now we have traffic lights. And if it’s money that’s the problem again , there has been set aside $ 15,000 for consulting fees; it will cost up to $ 8,000 or more for one project with other companies consulting for one job, now I would like to ask again, if there is a problem do you guys have another proposal? What say you Mr. Reed? Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. - replied, Not at the moment, Alderman Profit? Alderman Profit – replied, yes mam I have a proposal, that we hire a grant writer, because I agree with everything you are saying. Mrs. Fleming? Alderman Janice Fleming – replied, I concur with everything you are saying, to progress we must move forward and the only way we can do that is by having progressive minds that have the knowledge and know how to do better; I agree whole heartedly with you. Mrs. Keys- No comment Mr. Cleveland- No comment. Ms./Mrs. Douglas Public Attendee- their desire to split the Town of Richwood into districts, I see a problem there, when we can’t event come together for the Town of Richwood. This is a problem, I would hope that the no comments for now, will let us go and meet as leaders so that you can lead our people on to greater things. I would hope that no comment and faces hanging down because we are set in our ways, that is not right and it is most certainly not right when you are standing in front of the people of Richwood and then asking for votes to keep you guys in those seats, 2023 is right around the corner. I do not live in Richwood right now , but I will do March 17, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 8 everything to make sure that people willing to help the Mayor, and Alderman Profit and Alderwoman Fleming to help get the Town of Richwood Rolling. Be very careful when you cast your vote, there is no reason here, and to be ( inaudible) and mean and come up here to just collect a check, we can’t do that if we are working . It’s acting like a grown child; I’ll do what I want to do. IX. Mayor’s Dialogue: Mayor Gerald Brown- addressed the forum and advised of the Resource Health Fair that would take place March 24, 200 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Richwood Multi-Purpose Center. Mayor Gerald Brown – advised the forum the Town Wide- Town Pride Cleanup would be on April 2, 2022, time 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and there would be dumpsters placed at Old Richwood High School and at the corner of Stonegate and Dellwood. Mayor Gerald Brown – advised the forum on April 5, 2022- in partnership with Mrs. Helen Jackson/ New Thinking No Excuses Senior Boot Camp that helps our seniors with mobility, stretching and balance would occur each 1st Tuesday of the month. Mayor Gerald Brown- Advised the forum on April 12-13, Mr. Derrick Washington would be conducting a free credit literacy class at the Richwood Multi-Purpose Center 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at no charge to the public. Mayor Gerald Brown- informed the public the Annual Easter Egg Hunt would be in the Mary Goins park on April 16, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to X. Discussion regarding SYM donation request Mr. Perroyt Epting- addressed the forum and discussed his request of a donation for the Southern Youth Movements. Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. – inquired of Attorney Jay Nolen is it legal to give donations to Southern Youths Movements? Attorney Nolen- advised, if it benefits the Town. Alderman Leola Keys- inquired what limit? Attorney Jay Nolen- advised there is not a limit, but documentation must be presented as to what the funds or used, where the monies are spent and how does it benefit the Town. March 17, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 8 Alderman Janice Fleming- requested an allocation sheet. Mayor Gerald Brown- advised the forum something from Mr. Epting should be forthcoming and on where the monies would be spent and how it benefits the Town, and they would be getting with Attorney Nolen concerning the allowance. XI. Adoption of Resolution 2022-01 ( A Resolution to hire the University of Louisiana Monroe ( ULM) Office of Sponsored Programs and Research (OSPR) It was motioned by Alderman Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt Resolution 2022-01. • The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt Resolution 2022-01 ( A Resolution to hire the University of Louisiana Monroe ( ULM) Office of Sponsored Programs and Research (OSPR) with the following results : (2) Votes Yes and (2) Votes No (1) Abstain Vote on the adoption of adopt Resolution 2022-01. Due to tie Vote Resolution was passed by a Yes vote cast by Mayor Brown. • Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. No Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys No Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Abstain XII. Adoption of Resolution 2022-02 (A resolution to re-hire M5 Consulting Group LLC. It was motioned by Alderman Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt Resolution 2022-02. • The Record shall reflect a vote was taken with the following results: 2 votes Yes 3 Votes No Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. No Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys No Alderman Wysinger Cleveland No XIII. Adoption of Resolution 2022-03 ( A Resolution authorizing the Town to apply for FY 2022-2023 Community Development Grant through the State of Louisiana LGAP Program) It was motioned by Alderman Wysinger Cleveland and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt Resolution 2022-03. March 17, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 8 • The record shall reflect a Vote was taken with the following results: (5) Votes Yes to adopt Resolution 2022-03. Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Yes Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes XIV. Adoption of Ordinance 2022-01( an Ordinance amending the Town of Richwood Code of Ordinance to provide for the enforcement of certain traffic violation by automated means and provides for civil penalties for certain traffic violations enforced by automated means. It was motioned by Alderman Janice Fleming and seconded by Alderman Simeon Profit to adopt Ordinance 2022-01. • The record shall reflect a Vote was taken with the following results: (2) Votes and (3) Votes No to adopt Ordinance 2022-01 Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. No Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys No Alderman Wysinger Cleveland No XV. Adoption of Ordinance 2022-02 ( An Ordinance of Chapter 1 of the Code of Ordinance for the Town of Richwood with respect to the districting plan for the Town of Richwood) It was motioned by Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. and seconded by Alderman Wysinger Cleveland to table this item. XVI. Discussion of Regular Meeting Minutes November 17, 2011 Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. – indicated this issue of Mr. Clifford Thomas had been discussed on November 17, 2011. Alderman Leola Keys- stated those minutes are public record. It had been brought to her attention these minutes had been requested, and then I called and asked for a copy of the November 17, 2021 Minutes and when you locate them call me, and I want to ask the Clerk why she never called me. March 17, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 8 of 8 Town Clerk/ Ms. Bettina Woods- advised Alderman Leola Keys she has not been able to locate those minutes that is why she has not called her back, and in your other statement you said this person had come in and had been denied access to the minutes, and that is not true, the person requesting to view the minutes brought it to my attention the November 17, 2011 minutes was not in the book. XVII. Adjournment It was motioned by Alderman Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. to adjourn @ 8:16 p.m.