City Council

June 16, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 10 Regular Meeting Minutes Thursday, June 16, 2022 7:00 P.M. Members Present: Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Alderman Simeon Profit Alderman Leola Keys Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Absent at Roll Call: Alderman Janice Fleming The Town of Richwood met for a Regular Meeting on June 16, 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 7:06 p.m. II. Prayer- 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 (4) Aldermen present and (1) Alderman absent at roll call. Present: Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Alderman Simeon Profit . Alderman Leola Keys Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Absent: Alderman Janice Fleming V. Adoption of Agenda – Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- stated he wanted to make a motion to delay going into Executive Session until Mr. Nolan comes; Alderman Leola Keys seconded the motion. Mayor Gerald Brown- stated, it is really no need to make a motion in regard to that, if you don’t want to go into Executive Session then we just won’t go. June 16, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 10 Mayor Gerald Brown – stated we are still on the adoption of the agenda. Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- stated I have no problem with adopting the agenda Mayor, but I have a concern before I adopt and approve this agenda, people being recorded on Facebook without their knowledge by the Town clerk, so I just need to go on record saying, if we gone be recorded on Facebook tonight we need to know from the Town Clerk, Deputy Clerk, and the Mayor before I adopt this agenda. I need you to go on the record. Town Clerk- responded, for the record we are on Facebook. . Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- asked if the Town Clerk could get a mic and speak on that? Because we need a resolution in order to do this, you just can’t record without the Board’s consent. Town Clerk- responded for the record you are on Facebook. Mayor Gerald Brown- responded, this is a public meeting,… Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- responded, I understand that Mayor, but Facebook is not an LLC, it is just a social- media, plus we don’t need to be recorded on Facebook, I have no problem with Reverend Wright coming and recording, but we have to vote on a resolution to do this. Mayor Gerald Brown- inquired, so tell me what is the difference between a reporter coming in and on Facebook ? Alderman Wysinger – stated, I understand, I prefer not to be on Facebook recording this meeting until we put something in order saying that we as a Board we can be recorded on Facebook. Mayor Gerald Brown- stated, at this point we have not created said resolution, that’s my personal equipment to record, exactly as Mr. Reed is recording right now. Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. – stated, I’m recording a personal… Mayor Gerald Brown- responded, so am I Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. -stated, I am recording a video, I mean an audio not a video, my question is, Is there a policy or procedure that allows us to put on movies on Facebook? Does the Town have a policy or procedure that allow us to do that? Whose equipment are you using to do this … Using the Town’s equipment, and there should be a policy or procedure allowing him to do that Alderman Simeon Profit- stated, I don’t understand why you guys have a problem with that. Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. – stated, the problem is, the problem is you didn’t let nobody know you were doing it before you did it; that’s what the problem is, if you are going to do it at least let your June 16, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 10 Board members know you are doing it. I don’t have a problem with doing it, the problem I have is you didn’t let nobody know you were doing it; then we can establish a policy or procedure and some guidelines for it to be done. That’s all I’m saying Mr. Profit. Alderman Simeon Profit- replied, so you are saying, Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. – stated, the time is out for you doing things you want to do without consulting the Board Alderman Simeon Profit- stated, maybe if you would come to the meetings like you should, you would know. Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. – stated, that ain’t got nothing to do with it …you miss meetings yourself… if you want to start it, I’ll help you start it… I didn’t come here tonight for that buddy. Alderman Simeon Profit – stated I have been here 20 years and I can count on one hand of how many meetings I have missed; you have been here how long, and have missed how many meetings? Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. – stated, that don’t have anything to do with it; but for the record I think that recording and putting our meetings on Facebook without Board consulting or Board inquiry or letting us know, I think there should be policy and procedure for anything, anytime you do something like that for the record. Mayor Gerald Brown- stated, I don’t think that there is much difference than you recording our meetings and then taking that stuff to the paper and take it to the paper prior to the paper being released. Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. – stated, you want to know why I record these meetings? Do you know why I record these meetings? Do you really want to know? I don’t mind telling you,. Mayor Gerald Brown- replied, I didn’t ask you why, I just really don’t understand your reason Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. – I’ve already taken that up with the clerk, I’ve already taken with that with the clerk, I don’t have to take that up with you\. A vote was taken on the adoption of the Agenda with the following results: the record shall reflect all (5) Aldermen voted yes to adopt tonight’s agenda as presented. Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Yes Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes June 16, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 10 VI. Adoption of April 18, 2022, May 19, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes and May 31, 2022 It was motioned by Alderman Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt the April 18, 2022 , May 19, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes and the May 31, 2022 minutes. A vote was taken with the following results: Vote on Minutes: April 18, 2022: A vote was taken with the following results: all (5) votes Yes to Adopt Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Yes Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes May 18, 2022: The record shall reflect a vote was taken with the following results: (3) Abstain (2) Yes Votes. Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Abstain Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys Abstain Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Abstain May 31, 2022: The record shall reflect a vote was taken with the following results on the adoption of Special Meeting Minutes May 31, 2022: Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. No Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys No Alderman Wysinger Cleveland No • Per Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. for the record it is indicated on here that meeting was May 30th, and I understand it was May 31st, so that is why I voted No, because you have May 30th on here, for the record. VII. Adoption of Financial Reports June 16, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 10 It was motioned by Alderman Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt the financial reports. Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. – stated he had a question… I noticed there was not a payment showing for Bank of America for May, there was one showing for March and April, but not May. Fiscal Officer/ Ms. Sims- advised the Board, the reason a payment is not showing paid in the month of May is because we sent the payment to Bank of New York for the January and February which they initially did not show receipt, another check was issued due to them not showing this check received, to replace that check which was sent and not showing received, another check was issued to the Bank of New York. We were later contacted by the Bank of New York advising us they had received the original check and would we prefer the check be returned or shown as a payment on the account. We chose the option to have the payment applied to the upcoming month, which was May, that is why you do not see a check issued in May because the check was posted for May. Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. – asked if the account was current? Fiscal Officer/ Ms. Sims- replied, yes and I do have proof of these transactions if you would like to see them. Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. – stated he did not want to see the proof at this time, but may want to look at that, but not tonight. • The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt the Financial Reports with the following results: 2 Yes Votes and 3 No Votes to adopt tonight’s Financial Reports . Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. No Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys No Alderman Wysinger Cleveland No Mayor Gerald Brown- asked if he could get the reason for the record so we can try to clarify that ? Board Members voting No - ( Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. , Alderman Leola Keys and Alderman Wysinger Cleveland)- replied together…. , No, No, No. Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- commented, You don’t need it Mayor, No. Mayor Gerald Brown – inquired, so you are voting no with no reason? Alderman Wysinger Cleveland – commented, No, no reason Mayor. Alderman Leola Keys- stated, we have a reason for our vote. June 16, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 10 Mayor Gerald Brown- asked, so can we get the reason? Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- commented, you took our vote Mayor, that’s all you need Mayor. Mayor Gerald Brown – stated, we are just trying to clarify , so you are not wanting to give the reason? Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- responded, No, that’s all we got to say. VIII. Public Comments as they relate to the agenda Deputy Chief Madison- (addressed the Board concerning Ordinance 2022-01) and asked they would take into consideration expressed he just wanted to remind the Board about Ordinance 2022-1 , to take into consideration this is not taking the place of police officers, but that this is something that will assist us. It will help us tremendously with this automated system; it has the Chief’s support, it has my support, Ofc. Henderson’s support, Ofc. Hill and it will help us out a lot. It does not take the place of a physical human being, but it will assist us with revenue and other things and also it helps the Town with accidents, crime and slowing people down on the highway. I ask you tonight that you keep that in consideration as something that is needed. Thank you . Public Attendee ( Mr. Nathan Brown) – addressed the Board, and stated when we come into these meetings, we ask that you make our citizens… (inaudible). You know as a board member you don’t have the authority to challenge the Mayor or anything like that. As a Board Member, if you have a disagreement with the Mayor or anybody else, Board Member or whatever, you wait until the meeting is over. Alderman Leola Keys- stated, you most certainly can talk, but as I look at this agenda it says, comments as it relates to this agenda, comments as it relates to the agenda, and I have heard a lot of comments not relating to the agenda. Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. – stated, Yeah, I have a second on this agenda, hopefully this is the last time; it has been a part of our agenda to make public comments. I hope that you would read along with me because we intend that this takes place from now on. Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. began reading the Louisiana Open Meetings statement on the bottom of the agenda: Public Comments –Louisiana Open Meeting Laws provides that the public has the opportunity to address this board prior to us taking any action on an agenda item at today’s meeting. Members of the public can only speak regarding items that are on today’s agenda. You will need to specifically identify the agenda item on which you intend to speak. You will be afforded 3 minutes total to make your comments and the entire public comment period will be limited to 30 minutes. This is not a question-and-answer session where you can ask questions and demand answers of the Board Members, Mayor or Town Employees June 16, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 10 IX. Mayors Dialogue: Mayor Gerald Brown- reminded the Board about the Municipal Conference July 28 through July 30th, the early bird registration ends on June 23rd and if you plan to go please get in touch with Ms. Woods as soon as possible so we can take advantage of the early bird registration so we can save some money. Mayor Gerald Brown- stated the other thing he would like to elaborate on is in regard to the Town’s Juneteenth Celebration which will begin upon tomorrow June 17th and the 18th. Tomorrow on the 17th here at this building we will have a historical presentation as well as an art exhibit , that will take place from 10:00 to 3:00. If you have never seen Mr. Carl Robinson’s Historical Exhibit you need to take the opportunity to come out and see it, it is fascinating. We will also have several local artist that will put their art on display as well. At 6:00 p.m. we will have a parade ; the lineup for the parade will begin at 5:00 p.m. , and we will be following basically our normal route; at the end of the parade instead of coming all the way back to the office we will be going to the park for a firework s display. . On the 18th, Saturday, we will have our Community Day in the park ; jumpers, waterslides, games, sno- cones drawings, giveaways, music all that type of stuff, and it is free to the public except for the vendors it is free to the public… please come out and celebrate with us. X. Myra Akers: Cancer Screening: Mayor Gerald Brown- advised the forum Mrs. Myra Akers is the Regional director for Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and will be speaking to the body. Myra Akers/ Regional Director for Mary Byrd Cancer Center -addressed the forum and advised of the different services and screenings which is being presented to the community and the public which would provide early detection assist as well as free screenings being offered. Mrs. Myra Akers- indicated she was seeking a community partnership which would include alerting the community when screenings are available. XI. Adoption of Resolution 2022-06( A Resolution levying Millage Taxes for the Town of Richwood, Louisiana ) It was motioned by Alderman Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt Resolution 2022-06 Levying Millage taxes for the Town of Richwood. • The record shall reflect a vote was taken with the following results: All (5) Aldermen voted Yes to adopt Resolution 2022-06 ( A Resolution levying Millage Taxes for the Town of Richwood, Louisiana) June 16, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 8 of 10 Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Yes Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes XII. Adoption of Resolution 2022-07 A Resolution Appointing Monroe Free Press as the official journal for the Town of Richwood. It was motioned by Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to Adopt Resolution 2022-07 appointing the Free Press as the official journal for the Town of Richwood. • The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt Resolution 2022-07 Appointing the Free Press as the official journal for the Town of Richwood as follows: (3) Votes Yes and (2) Votes No to Adopt Resolution 2022-07 A Resolution Appointing Monroe Free Press as the official journal for the Town of Richwood. Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Yes Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys No Alderman Wysinger Cleveland No XIII. 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 Wysinger Cleveland and seconded by Alderman Simeon Profit 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 Yes XIV. Adoption of Resolution 2022-04 ( a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign and submit the required cooperative endeavor agreement between the State of Louisiana and the Town of Richwood for proposed Municipal Complex Planning and Construction( Capital Outlay) It was motioned by Alderman Simeon Profit and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt Resolution 2022-04. The record shall reflect a vote was taken to adopt Resolution 2022-04( a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign and submit the required cooperative endeavor agreement between the State of Louisiana and the Town of Richwood for proposed Municipal Complex Planning and Construction( Capital Outlay) with the following results: 3 No and 2 Yes vote on the adoption of Resolution 2022-04. June 16, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 9 of 10 Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. No Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys No Alderman Wysinger Cleveland No XV. Adoption of Resolution 2022-05 (resolution authorizing the Town to hire Volkert, Inc. for engineering services related to the Town’s American Rescue Plan Act funding including local and or state fiscal recovery funds. It was motioned by Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. and seconded by Alderman Wysinger Cleveland to table this issue. • The record shall reflect a vote was taken with the following results: All (5) Aldermen voted Yes to table the adoption of Resolution 2022-05. Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Yes Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes XVI. Introduction of Ordinance 2022-03 An ordinance amending Ordinance 2021-01 the Town’s Expenditures for Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2021 thru June 30, 2022 Mayor Gerald Brown- advised the forum there were a couple line items that they needed to adjust; this information was included in their most recent package. Alderman Leola Keys – asked, did he say fuel and what? Mayor Gerald Brown – responded, Garbage collection. Alderman Leola Keys- inquired if they indicated the percentage of increase? Mayor Gerald Brown- advised, for fuel it would adjust from $ 23,500 to $ 30,000; and in the area of garbage somewhere around I believe the high $70’s ; we had budgeted, and it should be around $ 92,000, but don’t quote me on that one. XVII. Introduction of Ordinance 2022-04 (Ordinance adopting the Town’s expenditures for the year beginning July 1, 2022 thru June 30, 2023) Mayor Gerald Brown – stated, the Board has had the opportunity to have this in their hands for about a month, and he hoped we have lots of conversation as to what is proposed. If you noticed what I have given to you is also the Operating Budget as well as the American Rescue Plan Budget June 16, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes Page 10 of 10 as I shared with you some months ago we have to have a specific budget as it relates to the American Rescue Plan dollars. I would like to hear what you think about what is proposed. While we are on this item what I’d like to do is go ahead and schedule a Special Meeting on the end of the month so we can try and get this through; here we are, and I am already getting calls from the Legislative Auditors about the budget, and it is not due yet… what I would like to do is go ahead and put this item to bed. I would like to not have the Legislative of Auditors calling about this. XVIII. Discussion regarding SYM donations request Alderman Janice Fleming- stated, she is not willing to move forward until they hear from Mr. Eptying what he is planning to do with the funds. We need to know what he is going to do whit that donation. Mayor Gerald Brown- asked, what did the Board want him to do ? Put something together for them to review or come and address the Board? Alderman Leola Keys- indicated, he can do both because we have not received anything and when he is supposed to come he does not come. It was agreed upon through general consensus to have Mr. Eypting, the Town’s Attorney, and Dr. Lewis if available to come to next month’s meeting to see what we can do to help SYM. XIX. Adjournment: It was motioned by Alderman Janice Fleming and seconded by Alderman Simeon Profit to adjourn at 8: 41 p.m.