BOGALUSA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING

MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015, 5:30 P.M.

POSTED: MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2015, 9:00 A.M.

PRESIDING: WENDY O’QUIN PERRETTE, MAYORSTACY SMITH, DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATIONDALE BRANCH, CITY ATTORNEY

PRESENT: PRESIDENT DRUMMONDCOUNCILMAN RITCHIECOUNCILWOMAN KATESCOUNCILWOMAN SMITH COUNCILMAN McCREEVICE-PRESIDENT WHITECOUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY

ABSENT: NONE

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Bogalusa City Council Meeting will come to order. Invocation by Councilwoman Smith.

BY COUNCILWOMAN SMITH: Led the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Roll call Ms. Brenda.

PRESIDENT DRUMMOND……………………HERECOUNCILMAN RITCHIE……………………….HERECOUNCILWOMAN KATES……………………HERECOUNCILWOMAN SMITH…………………..HERECOUNCILMAN McCREE……………………….HEREVICE-PRESIDENT WHITE……………………..HERECOUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY……….HERE

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Next we have the approval of the Minutes held on April 7, 2015.

BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: I make a motion we accept.

BY VICE-PRESIDENT WHITE: Seconded that motion.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Roll call.

PRESIDENT DRUMMOND…………………….AYECOUNCILMAN RITCHIE…………………………AYECOUNCILWOMAN KATES……………………..AYECOUNCILWOMAN SMITH……………………..AYECOUNCILMAN McCREE…………………………AYEVICE-PRESIDENT WHITE………………………..AYECOUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY………….AYE

(MOTION CARRIED 7-0 APPROVING THE MINUTES HELD ON APRIL 7, 2015).

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Tonight we are honored to have Washington Parish President, Richard Thomas. He is going to speak to us and I ask him to come and do that at this time.

BY RICHARD THOMAS: Spoke on the upcoming election for a tax renewal on May 2nd.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thank you sir. Next we have Introduction of Resolutions. Councilman McCree.

BY COUNCILMAN McCREE:

A RESOLUTION proclaiming April 2015 as “Safe Digging Month”.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Anyone in the public wish to comment on this resolution. That is right up your alley isn’t it Ken?

BY_KEN WHEAT: I’m with CenterPoint Energy. My company is with the Common Grand Alliances. Before I go into CenterPoint Energy can I just echo what everything Richard said please?

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: You wearing two hats?

BY KEN WHEAT: I’m wearing two hats. I just want to share this with you, if you look at patterns over the past those taxes have been around forever. If you take a sentiment time line and lay it over the number of years that people have gone to the poles and renewed those taxes consistently time and time again I don’t think it has anything to do with sentiment or government whatsoever because people in the community know how important these services are but I can tell you this if it gets down to sentiment when you look at parish government and I’ve been in what thirty years now, I can honestly say that I feel like parish government has never been more productive, more effective, more efficient, more in touch with the people and more transparent than it is today and that is not saying anything against any previous administration whatsoever because what you can be proud of in this administration Richard Thomas and his staff that we have out there they have taken everything we have ever been drove from for all these years and keep it not only stable but continued to improve those process and procedures and instructors that we have out there to where, that is why I’m saying what I’m saying about today’s parish government administration we have. So yes please keep those millages in mind. They are not important for the parish but they are for the City of Bogalusa. Switching hats, I’m here because the City of Bogalusa and CenterPoint Energy has always been a great partner when it comes to educating the public for safety when it gets to underground excavations. On behalf of the Common Ground Alliances is a National Organization it was formed by a federal mandate and continued to develop its practices for damage prevention when it comes to underground excavations. Every April the municipalities across the nation they proclaim April as the National Safe Digging Month. When spring is in the air it is obvious considered the most time because when you get that spring fever and pull out the shovels that seems to be the thing to do but please don’t do that before calling 811. 811 is a national number. It is on the national—it is a designated number, it was federally mandated to be that way so that it would take out some of the confusion. There are over 60 something call centers across the nation. In Louisiana the call center is in Baton Rouge so all you have to do is call one number now and that is 811 before you dig. Surveys have shown that just by calling that one number you can eliminate risk of any kind of damage or safety concerns to less than one percent so that says a lot and it shows the system definitely works. So I do appreciate what the City of Bogalusa does. We work again with you guys hand in hand on a daily basis and I see you guys practicing the safe practices. We at Bogalusa CenterPoint want to the public to know as a safe practice please call 811 before digging. Thank you very much.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thank you Ken. Anyone else care to speak on this? Council discussion. We had a motion and a seconded so roll call.

BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE_: I make a motion we accept it.

BY VICE-PRESIDENT WHITE_: Seconded.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Roll call.

PRESIDENT DRUMMOND………………………………..AYECOUNCILMAN RITCHIE…………………………………….AYECOUNCILWOMAN KATES…………………………………AYECOUNCILWOMAN SMITH…………………………………AYECOUNCILMAN McCREE…………………………………….AYEVICE-PRESIDENT WHITE…………………………………..AYECOUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY…………………….AYE

(MOTION CARRIED 7-0 PROCLAIMING APRIL 2015 AS “SAFE DIGGING MONTH”).

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Councilman Ritchie.

BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE:

A RESOLUTION ordering and calling a special election to be held in the City of Bogalusa, State of Louisiana, to authorize the renewal of a special tax therein; making application to the State Bond Commission in connection therewith; and providing for other matters in connection therewith.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Mr. David Wolf is here to speak on this for us.

BY DAVID WOLF: Thank you Mr. President. I’ve talked with all of ya’ll about this over the past few weeks. This is one of the City of Bogalusa Millages that expires December 31st of this year. It is 2.75 mill tax it generates about $180,000 a year. It is dedicated to the retirement and pension benefits for the City Retirement System. This is a routine renewal. This will be on the ballot if you adopt this resolution tonight. On October 24th which is the gubernatorial primary election all state wide. Primary elections will be taking place on that date so it will be a large turnout plus the state will bear most of the cost of that election. If the taxes is renewed it will be continued for another ten years for the same purpose as it has been collected.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Anyone else care to speak? Council discussion.

BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: The only council discussion and Attorney Wolf and I talked a little bit prior to that this particular renewal this special renewal there is no other objectives in the renewal. I think it is a good thing for the employees, the city employees.

BY_COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: I make a motion we accept.

BY VICE-PRESIDENT WHITE: Seconded.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Roll call.

PRESIDENT DRUMMOND………………………………AYECOUNCILMAN RITCHIE………………………………….AYECOUNCILWOMAN KATES……………………………….AYECOUNCILWOMAN SMITH……………………………….AYECOUNCILMAN McCREE…………………………………..AYEVICE-PRESIDENT WHITE………………………………….AYECOUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY…………………..AYE

(MOTION CARRIED 7-0 ORDERIONG AND CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE CITY OF BOGALUSA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TO AUTHORIZE THE RENEWAL OF A SPECIAL TAX THEREIN; MAKING APPLICATION TO THE STATE BOND COMMISSION IN CONNECTION THEREWITH; AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH).

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thanks. Next Councilwoman Kates.

BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES:

A RESOLUTION of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Bogalusa, Washington parish, Louisiana, authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Crowley to accept donation of used self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) Packs for use by the Bogalusa Fire Department; to manufacturer’s warranty and waiver of liability for use in favor of the City of Crowley; and to provide for all matters relative thereto.

Now this particular ordinance, all of you have a hand out of the self-contained breathing apparatus and I met with Chief Moody this week on this apparatus and for what I understand they are donating the harness part of it. It has some other sections to it, the mask and the oxygen bottles goes along with it. So therefore originally the City Attorney Thomas Regan sent us a prenuptial here and it talks about a waiver and a hold harmless agreement meaning that we are donating those as is for those particular harnesses. Chief is not here tonight and I had planned for—oh there you are Chief if you would like to come forth please and speak of it.

BY CHIEF MOODY: These packs are used packs they are not meant to replace anything that we have. We have some newer packs but every five years we get graded. We have an extra point if that is donated to us. We are required by PIAL to carry at least four spare packs required on the

trucks. We are not going to depend on them for a lifesaving but these packs brand new are like $5,500. Even a used pack is anywhere from $1500 to $2500. They are donating to us and it is costing us about $300 to cover their cost where it won’t cost anything but it will enable me to put them as spare packs and I still get credit for them to get the full credit and rating and stuff like that and if we did need them we can put them in service. They get them tested every year.

BY COUNCILMAN McCREE: I just can’t agree with that Chief because you know I was a fireman for many years and we always get hand me down stuff long as I can remember you kno0w as a fire fighter is very serious business. You know that.

BY CHIEF MOODY: Right.

BY COUNCILMAN McCREE: The public should know that too. You shouldn’t be using hand me down stuff. If this stuff was any good they would have kept it for themselves. They would have kept this stuff for themselves if it was any good. I got a lot of friends over there. I just don’t agree with this.

BY CHIEF MOODY: Like I said they are not meant to replace anything that we have. We bought, the city didn’t buy them we got a grant and we bought thirty new packs that cost about $150,000. We bought an extra bottle for all of them. They are about ten years old. We have nothing but problems with them since we got them. Every time I send someone to school they hate them. They are all the brand new state of the art electronics, battery packs in them. The men has pass devices in them, they come integrated with a pass device. When Captain McCree when he was a fireman wore them and the guys hate them. I have thirty guys over there that hates them because if somebody goes down those pass devices are constantly going off. So you don’t know if someone is actually down or not. You know you take it for granted you constantly hearing that bell go off that they are working because you can be working with them full time and it was a flaw in the design and the packs. I mean they are good packs but the Chief of Crowley, the packs that we are receiving from them if we decide to get them they get them tested every year. So they get them tested and the whole harmless is just we not buying them from the company it is an intergovernmental agreement and we do this before and stuff and right now the city can afford to buy them and I don’t intend to put them in service to use them but I intend to use them to get full credit when we get the rating next year for this year will help us on outside of it you know. I just think if somebody is giving something away I’m all for it. If it can save us even if I bought them used ten packs at $1500 a piece would be $15,000. To me we are getting a deal and I agree with Captain McCree, the fire department has always got hand me downs and we have always done with what we can and we still going to do our job. When me and him came on the job I think we had what six packs on the whole job and we got thirty and we were proud to have them. I don’t have all thirty of them in service right now because they do go out anything you use do go out and don’t last. Right now I don’t have enough packs to get full credit on all of my equipment. They were getting rid of them and I talked to the Chief of Crowley extensive about them and I ask him the same thing- why are you getting rid of them? Well they got a grant to get new ones.

BY COUNCILMAN McCREE: We should be able to get grants to get new packs too though. If Crowley can get grants to get new air packs then Bogalusa can get grants to get new air packs.

BY CHIEF MOODY: Not on Para fax ours don’t run out until 2021. 2021 we will be eligible to write a grant for it. That is the only time we will be eligible 2021. We have a lot of needs for that. We have a certain time line that you can write a grant for things. They put a shelf life that you can write grants for. We do apply for grants just about every year. I have four going right now and I am ready to close out three. So I can be eligible to write more grants.

BY COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY: So does these harnesses come with the oxygen bottles?

BY CHIEF MOODY: No they do not come with the bottles.

BY COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY: So what is that going to cost the city?

BY CHIEF MOODY: The bottles are $700 apiece.

BY COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY: And how many harnesses are there?

BY CHIEF MOODY: There are ten. So that will be $7000. But just the harnesses and the complete used refurbished pack is anywhere from $1500 to $2000. It is coming with an air mask and a pass device.

BY COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY: And it would have to have the oxygen for it to pass?

BY CHIEF MOODY: Well it’s a compressed air it is really not oxygen but yes to be a used—

BY COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY: I also have a nephew that is a fireman.

BY CHIEF MOODY: Right. To be a complete pack it would have to buy the bottle.

BY VICE-PRESIDENT WHITE: To get the reduced ratings? Is that what we are talking about?

BY CHIEF MOODY: Yes and to get the full credit you know we usually get full credits when we get rated on all of our vehicles but as it is going right now I wouldn’t because we don’t have enough packs to get them. Everything else is pretty much up on the trucks you know.

BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: Chief how about the mask that is the third piece of equipment? Do we have masks?

BY CHIEF MOODY: They are coming with masks.

BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: They will come with masks.

BY CHIEF MOODY: It comes with a full harness, the regulator and everything it is just the bottles that won’t be in there.

BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: And do we adhere to like the national fire protection list once we get them in place as well?

BY CHIEF MOODY: DOTD is who certifies like the bottles and we take them they have to be tested every five years. If it is a steel bottle, if it is aluminum bottle it has to be tested every three years. So we get them tested every year every renewal date. I do that on the bottles we have now.

BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: Council discussion?

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: I hate that we have to use hand me down stuff but I’m glad it is there to put on a hand me down truck and the Police Department has a hand me down mobile van.

BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: That is what Chief Moses said and that is primarily my issue used equipment and how it would effect—

BY CHIEF MOODY: That is my issue too. I wish we could afford to buy brand new stuff. I wish we could. Fire Department along with every other department we are trying to see the city get out of this bind and we have been for years. I’ve been Chief since 08’ and I have been doing everything I can to kind of keep the budget down. The firemen will tell you that.

BY COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY: Do we have the $7000 to buy the bottles?

BY CHIEF MOODY: Not at this time. But I mean I would rather go ahead and get the packs because they were going to get rid of them. At least we will have the packs and when we get the money we can purchase them. There might be somebody else—I mean we had some old bottles but I think we did away with them because they got out dated. The bottle only last for so long and you can only test them so many times and they go out of date. Everything has a shelf life on it.

BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: And these bottles are a larger volume capacity?

BY CHIEF MOODY: No these are actually smaller. These you have now the smaller the more pressure it holds. We have forty-five minutes. They are twenty-two and these are thirty minute bottles they hold twenty two hundred sixteen pounds of air. Which would last about twenty

minutes, fifteen to twenty minutes depends on how hard you breathe and how out of shape you are.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Or how excited you get.

BY CHIEF MOODY: Depends on how much air you are sucking in.

BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: About three minutes I would suck it dry.

BY CHIEF MOODY: I’m getting that way myself.

BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: Thank you Chief.

BY CHIEF MOODY: Alright. Any other questions? Thank you.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Anyone else wish to speak? Being none.

BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: I make a motion to accept.

BY VICE-PRESIDENT WHITE: I seconded.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Roll call.

PRESIDENT DRUMMOND………………………………….AYECOUNCILMAN RITCHIE………………………………………AYECOUNCILWOMAN KATES…………………………………..AYE

I do have a reservation about the safety of it but I know that sometimes we get what we buy, we buy what we get with the monies but if there is you know if there is no speculation of our men coming to harm put it like that I vote for it.

COUNCILWOMAN SMITH…………………………………..NAYCOUNCILMAN McCREE………………………………………NAYVICE-PRESIDENT WHITE…………………………………….AYECOUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY………………………NAY

(MOTION CARRIED 4-3 AUTHORIZING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF CROWLEY TO ACCEPT DONATION OF USED SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS (SCBA) PACKS USED BY THE BOGALUSA FIRE DEPARTMENT; TO MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTY AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY FOR USE IN FAVOR OF THE CITY OF CROWLEY; AND TO PROVIDE FOR ALL MATTERS RELATIVE THERETO).

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Next we come to Introduction of Ordinances.

BY COUNCILMAN McCREE: Can I say something one more thing? I challenge this council to let the Chief set a house on fire and ya’ll go and put those air packs on and some of that raggedy gear on that they got and ya’ll go into them houses then ya’ll will understand a little about what is going on.

BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: And I challenge you to come up with the money to buy new equipment.

BY COUNCILMAN McCREE: Well if we could waste money on foolishness then we could buy stuff.

BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: I don’t think it is foolishness. That is just my opinion.

BY COUNCILMAN McCREE: Well that is my opinion sir.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Let’s keep this on course. Next is Introduction of Ordinances.

BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES:

AN ORDINANCE authorizing a Professional Service Agreement between the City of Bogalusa and Byron Stewart Consultant, LLC. For grants, business matters and legislative matters.

Just to give you a little bit of background on that particular ordinance. On March 3, 2015 City Council meetings this ordinance was introduced the Bogalusa Comprehensive Resiliency Plan follow me everybody, follow me, it was stressed the importance by President Drummond that the reason this plan is so important that if we go to competition with another city same size make up for the grant money that is out there we can have a plan in place and we don’t who do you think is going to get the money? The people with the plan. This would I guess on a more even playing field. Also on March 3rd a resolution was introduced as well as reference to Mr. Byron Stewart and which he gave a presentation on his company that would provide legislative services and grant writing services and economic development services to the City of Bogalusa. Mr. Stewart talked about his experience for the City of Bogalusa with the past and the present administrations. After completing his presentation and he asked if there were any questions, questions were solicited and it was quoted also by President Drummond I don’t have any questions and hopefully you can get in here and help us find some resources. Therefore a resolution in support of Mr. Stewart was voted 6-0 with one absent. Also was quoted by Mayor Perrette thank you Council for Mr. Stewart’s approval to us for him to go out and get money for us. I have known Byron for a long time now and he is a great person. On April 7 th at the last City Council meeting I made an attempt to amend the agenda in order to introduce an ordinance pertaining to this Professional Service Agreement of Mr. Byron Stewart and the cost of his three in one services. However due to the cost the council recommend to negotiate, renegotiate and make this introduction on today which is where we are. The cost has been reduced and I’m not going to say how much but the cost has been reduced significantly, I’ll say probably about one fourth of the price. Also today I also received correspondent from the governmental affairs from the Louisiana Municipal Association which addressed the issue if the board is given the Mayor the green light by resolution or ordinances then the Mayor generally could order, he or she has the authority to enter into the contract. I will be forwarding this to the City Attorney for review as they have, John Gallagher has suggested. I just think this is a good deal for us with Mr. Stewart presenting his services to us and he has been working on our behalf so far it was not on contract for what I understand was volunteer services it was not a contract. So I am asking that the Council consider this particular ordinance in order to have grants put forth. I know money is tight but I believe we can’t let the city just die. We need to take advantage of some grants that are out there as well as legislative services, the legislative session started on the thirteenth, and going on into their third or fourth week there.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Any other council discussion?

BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: Excuse me Brenda.

BY BRENDA FORD: This is Introduction of Ordinances we don’t vote on it.

BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: This is just an Introduction this is not a public discussion on that ordinance not until the next meeting.

BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: I make a motion to accept it.

BY COUNCILMAN McCREE: I make a motion------ Oh.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Next Councilwoman Fortenberry.

BY COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY:

AN ORDINANCE requesting to close the remaining alleyway in the 400 block between Superior and Ontario Avenue.This is the little portion of the alleyway directly in front of the new State Farm building and I think a part of it has been closed and Superior Avenue Church is using it as a parking lot so that is the alleyway. It has already been passed I think by the Zoning Board to close it.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: That will be voted on at our next meeting May 5th. Next is Public Hearing.

BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: Excuse me I have one question to prepare for next week. Has there been a survey of this alley with the residents for the close off done among the residents?

BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: What is normally done Ms. Kates when you close an alleyway like that the property there is a line that is drawn actually about center way of the alleyway half of

that property goes to this property owner and the backs up the other half up the other side reverse of that property owner.

BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: I understand that part I’m asking has it been a survey to the residents that it is going to affect.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: It’s closed it should affect anybody.

BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: I mean it was advertised and gone through public process through Planning and Zoning so I’m guessing they were made aware of it.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Alright we come to public hearing, Councilwoman Smith.

BY COUNCILWOMAN SMITH:

AN ORDINANCE to change from A-3 Residential to B-1 Business at 820 Robert “Bob” Hicks Street to open a snowball stand at this address.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Anyone in the public wishing to speak on this? Being none council discussion.

BY VICE-PRESIDENT WHITE: I make a motion we accept it.

BY COUNCILWOMAN SMITH : Seconded.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Roll call.

PRESIDENT DRUMMOND……………………….AYECOUNCILMAN RITCHIE…………………………..AYECOUNCILWOMAN KATES……………………….AYE

I just have one question.BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: That is why we have council discussion. That would have been the time to ask.BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: Okay.

COUNCILWOMAN SMITH………………………AYECOUNCILMAN McCREE………………………….AYEVICE-PRESIDENT WHITE…………………………AYECOUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY………….AYE

(MOTION CARRIED 7-0 TO CHANGE FROM A-3 RESIDENTIAL TO B-1 BUSINESS AT 820 ROBERT “BOB” HICKS STREET TO OPEN A SNOWBALL STAND AT THIS ADDRESS).

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Next Councilwoman Fortenberry.

BY COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY:

AN ORDINANCE to authorize the Mayor of the City of Bogalusa to enter into a contract with the low bidder NorthShore General Contractors, LLC for cleaning asbestos abated lots.

There are three lots. We met with the two that placed bids on this. We met with them twice and the low bidder, they all met the requirements of the DEQ and all on that but the bids were a significant difference so we chose the low bid of $4,977.00. The three properties that are going to clean 1712 S. Columbia Road, 707 Ponchartrain Avenue, and 712 Okachobee Avenue. I was impressed with the owner of this Company. I asked questions and he said he would never forget me and I will never forget him either. He said he could have this work done in four days that sold me on that. I told him he could have a week. I want to make the ordinance that we accept the bid to have these properties cleaned.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: We also have to have public discussion anybody care to speak on it? None council discussion.

BY COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY: Yes I did make a motion we accept it.

BY VICE-PRESIDENT WHITE: I seconded.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Roll call.

PRESIDENT DRUMMOND……………………..AYECOUNCILMAN RITCHIE………………………….AYECOUNCILWOMAN KATES………………………AYE

BY COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY: Did we lose you?BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: No you didn’t lose me. I’m wondering how you read the - and made a motion for it to be accepted all in one vain. That is what I am saying. That is what I am confused about.

COUNCILWOMAN SMITH……………………..AYECOUNCILMAN McCREE…………………………AYEVICE-PRESIDENT WHITE………………………..AYECOUNCILWOMAN SMITH………………………AYE

(MOTION CARRIED 7-0 TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF BOGALUSA TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE LOW BIDDER NORTHSHORE GENERAL CONTRACTORS, LLC FOR CLEANING ASBESTOS ABATED LOTS).

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Alright that brings us to the public participation. We have Bishop Zorronns.

BY BISHOP ZORRONS: 500 Wabash Street. I’m going to pass.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: You going to pass, okay. Mr. Floyd Burdeaux.

BY FLOYD BURDEAUX: 1932 Avenue H. I promised that I wasn’t going to be real negative about a lot of things around here but I do see some things that needs improving. On several occasions lately I’ve needed to go to a certain address to look for something or a piece of equipment or look up a piece of property or something like that and it surprises me how many houses don’t have house numbers, how many businesses don’t have house numbers. I’m sure our Fire Department, our Police Department, our health sources and so forth would appreciate. I imagine we do have a law, an ordinance that covers the fact that it is a building and it should have a number on it. I’m not sure that this place has a number on it.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: We will have to look into that.

BY FLOYD BURDEAUX: Do you know if we do or don’t have a law?

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: I think we do. But the law of common sense should tell you to have numbers on your place in case you need help in a hurry.

BY FLOYD BURDEAUX: How many people do you think has died while waiting for an ambulance because there is no house number on the house? That is important it should be looked into, somebody should do something about it.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Randy here may can put something in the paper that if you don’t have numbers on your house don’t cuss the people that come to help you when they get there like.

BY FLOYD BURDEAUX: Don’t shoot the messenger. Alright another thing is the little street we have between the Post Office and the High School over there it is a one way street. It has one-one way sign on it and it’s on the entrance which it should even have a one way sign on the entrance but on the exit it don’t have one and all the way down to the auditorium and across there is not a sign anywhere that says it is one way. I’ve almost got run over twice with cars coming in the wrong directions. Someone needs to see about putting some one way signs over there. One other thing we need real bad about five out of ten people that are headed south and parked in front of the Post Office when they leave and want to go to the north side they make a u turn right in the middle of Avenue B. That is very dangerous, I’ve almost got hit several times there so we do need some no u turn signs put up right in front of the Post office. That might be negative, it may not be positive but it is just some things that won’t cost a whole lot of money but they really need doing. One other thing the little stretch of road running by the auditorium is in such rough shape, who upkeeps that the City?

BY VICE-PRESIDENT WHITE: Yes, I asked about that just recently.

BY FLOYD BURDEAUX: They go in there and grate that thing and next day it is like a rub board again. You knock the whole front end out of line when you go by there and that is not only used for the school, they go buy for mail and the ATM machine so forth and so on. So that little pieces pf street really needs to be looked into. Thank you.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: I agree, thank you sir. Joel Miller. Please state your name and address.

BY JOEL MILLER: 1121 Poplas Street. I want to live on that street next to you. Good evening Mayor, City Council and all. I have two little things I want to talk about tonight just for a few minutes. One is I was looking when I was riding and observing things I see where in Poplas Quarters. Terrace, Brookside, City Limits area, Founders Drive and Lakewood all these areas north of Louisiana Avenue, east of 21 don’t have a fire station in this area that covers that area. I know the public’s safety is your concern to see that they are safe over there and also the insurance on the house or home would be cheaper if we had a fire station in that area. I know Mr. Brian been a fireman for a long time. I was listening at the conversation with the things you are going to get for the city he wants the best and I can’t blame him. Looking at the news the other day where a fireman was in a fire and because he had a faulty one of those faces, one of those things he was talking about, the man died. They made mention the fact on the TV. I can understand to save money for the budget and all of that but I would like to see our policemen and our firemen they are out here in this stuff like when that chemical spill happened. They needed those things then and we needed the new ones not the used ones. I would like to see our public service people have the best equipment. I would like to say to the public in these areas that I am speaking of I was the president of the neighborhood watch and am very active in the city. Some times when I am restless and don’t feel like going to bed early I get up and ride. I go in certain areas and I know I said it myself the policemen are not coming in our area but the other night or the last two or three nights in different areas of the city I sit and watch. Every few minutes I saw policemen come through our neighborhood. I don’t urge people to get up in the night and look out their doors and see but they do come through patrolling and I like that. I wanted to be the first one to say I apologize for saying what maybe use to happen is happening now. Just proud of what I have being seeing here lately. Because I do get up at night and the neighborhood watch so somebody needs to watch me now. I do take time to get out there and stroll around our neighborhood. I remember one night I got up and there was a lady that was kidnapped and I think a lot of ya’ll knew about that. He shot her husband and left her for dead down there under the train tracks and by me being on the neighborhood watch that night they had her in the truck and was going to kill her. I happened to be the one that spotted that lady and notified the Police Department and I stuck with that truck until they found them and saved that ladies life. Thank ya’ll for these few minutes and I want ya’ll to consider putting a fire station in a central area over here so we can all be covered. Thank you.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thank You. Next Ms. Emma Dixon.

BY EMMA DIXON: 717 St. Mary’s Place. Good afternoon. I just want to make two quick announcements. Tomorrow is National Earth Day and we will be celebrating the Earth Day here in Bogalusa sponsored by the Bogalusa YMCA. We are doing a mass feeding of birds. We distributed bird seed, peanut butter and packets so the kids at Annunciation, Byrd Avenue, Denham Town, Central Elementary, Head Start and Northshore Charter School can feed the birds tomorrow. We also begin a screening of the children’s movie Fern Gully at the Bogalusa Library on Friday. We had another screening yesterday and had a surprise visit from Rapunzel and we hope to see those pictures in the paper in the next few days. We also will have a mass planting of flowers, herbs and fruits and vegetables at the Bogalusa YMCA new garden and also at the Cassidy Park. This project is funded by IP and I want to give a special thanks to our Mayor for the Earth Day Proclamation that will be read tomorrow at the Goodyear Park. One other announcement at the second succession workshop will be held Thursday May 7 th at 4:00 o’clock P.M. at ESM Church. The workshop is to get people ready for the grant program, especially senior citizens to get their houses repaired. This is an AARP Bogalusa Project and I just want to share with you I was in Washington a couple of weeks ago and I announced what we were doing at one of their workshops and there is so much excitement about this succession project. At the workshop on May 7th we will also have Southeast Legal Services and for the first time Apple Seed will be here and if many of you know Apple Seed is a National Program that works to do Pro Bono work with low income people. I think that is my announcements and thank you all very much.

BY ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS: Thank you Ms. Emma.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Next Jerry Dixon.

BY JERRY DIXON: 531 Avenue C. I have a couple of things I would like to discuss with ya’ll. There is a family that lives at 625 Avenue E, they have small kids and they ride this little gas operated dune thing in the alleyway and when they come out of the alleyway on 6 th Avenue they have like to have got hit three or four times. Now I said something to the mother and it went in one ear and came out here. If something ain’t done there are going to be some kids dead and they are right there at the funeral home, they don’t have far to go. It is just the fact they don’t hear. Another discussion I got is I live on “C” they cleaned this lot off over there but now the grass is this high and we have a nice little neighborhood right there. Everybody keeps their yard cut except at that one little area right there. It is up this high, somebody ought to be able to say it is your responsibility to cut it.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Do you know the approximate address?

BY JERRY DIXON: No I don’t know the approximate address but it is right across the street from 531. You can’t miss it.

BY MAYOR PERRETTE: It was a brown house there.

BY JERRY DIXON: It was a brown house there. I’d like to see that cleaned up and if I had a big mower I would do it myself but I probably would get in trouble for it. One other thing we were talking about the fireman, I was a fireman for twenty two years up in Alabama we had volunteers. There was no money coming in and we got out and hustled and made our own money. We bought air packs, we bought fire trucks, we got grants for our fire trucks but you were talking about seven thousand dollars. Did you know that you can get out and sell two hundred Boston Butts at twenty dollars a lick? You can make money if the firemen wanted to make their money, see what I am saying. Money is there, you have to get out and find it. I’m sure if enough people here in Bogalusa would buy a twenty dollar Boston Butt just to help the Fire Department to buy equipment. So it is not only up to Bogalusa to buy it, it is up to all of the people in Bogalusa to get together. That is my time and I appreciate it and I appreciate you Mayor and all the Councilmen.

BY ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS: Thank you Sir. Next Fate Ferrell.

BY FATE FERRELL: 1931 Dewitt. I have noticed I be checking things out pretty closely around here. I see game playing is going on up in here. We put you all in office to go out and get grants like Ms. Kates is trying to do. She brought it to your attention at the last meeting and she brought it to ya’ll attention again tonight. If you all not going to go out for grants to try and improve Bogalusa we don’t need you. Because it take grants to bring Bogalusa back. Now I have been coming to these meetings for many years, I’ve been seeing to many games going up in here and I love to put up not shut up. So it is time for you all to put up for what we put you all in office for. Go after the grants. I see game playing towards Ms. Kates just like game playing is going on at the White House against Obama. It is a black and white thing, it is time out because I never see things going on in Washington like it is going on now with any President before because he is black and half white, so it is time out. Get on board with Ms. Kates and bring Bogalusa forward. She is the only one I see really working hard to improve Bogalusa to move forward compared to what we had going on in the last group of councilmen. It was just a bunch of dead beats. So it is time to move forward. Plus we had a mayor that didn’t want to do things right for Bogalusa, everybody better face up to the facts, the true facts, he wanted to do things his way not the correct way.

BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: Now I’m going to stop you---

BY FATE FERRELL: No don’t stop me—no don’t stop me, this is not your time.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Alright now. You got to behave.

BY FATE FERRELL: This is my time.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Well let’s don’t put down on folks.

BY FATE FERRELL: No, no, I can put down anybody I want to.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: No you Can’t!

BY FATE FERRELL: Yes I can.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: No. Then we will ask you to leave if you don’t.

BY FATE FERRELL: I done told you about asking me to leave before.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Why?

BY FATE FERRELL: I will put a law suit against you when you are wrong.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Well do it then we will talk about it.

BY FATE FERRELL: You need be cool.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: I’m not afraid to go to court because I have all these witnesses.

BY FATE FERRELL: And another thing I would like to discuss—see you messing with my time.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Because you are out of order.

BY FATE FERRELL: I wasn’t out of order I was just telling the truth. Truth don’t seem like ya’ll like to hear it in here.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Well wrap it up we heard a lot of truth in here.

BY FATE FERRELL: I think we need a recall, I see that now.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Well start the paper work. Anyone else care to speak? Alright that moves us to Administrative Remarks.

BY MAYOR PERRETTE: Thank you Mr. President and Council. I just like to thank our Parish President Mr. Ned Thomas for coming out and hope that you all will come out and support this tax, May 2nd. Vote yes on these four items and please note when you go out to vote I would like to see all the same things Mr. Miller spoke about. The sales tax are based on the 1980 census that consisted of 33,000 people and today the City of Bogalusa has 12,236 people as to 2010. If we are based on thirty thousand the math don’t add up right. So your taxes never went up from 1980. That big of reduction makes almost a 70% reduction of population. Of course your sales tax never went up. Do you see that gap and you have to bridge the gap because just like Parish President said they mandate to us what to do? In fact with that being said at this time unfortunately with the Consumer Pricing Index the city is the Progressive Waste Company our trash company is going up twenty five cents per household in the next month’s billing cycle. The City has already started taking on the tab as of last month. Unfortunately these are things that are passed on to us that even though everything seems to be going up but our population, and our sales tax has not gone up we can’t continue to maintain on what we have 3312. It is my turn, okay, also the Post Office street, DOTD that is let out for bids and realistically it will be 18 months so it will realistically 2017 that you will have that street paved. Because DOTD we have already got it in the works but it’s government and with that being said it will be 2017 bids will be released in October or somewhere around there and then it will be eighteen months before it comes up to bid from DOTD so realistically they said it would be February 2017 for that street that is the way it goes. As far as that sign, I don’t know if we can put a sign on “B” for a u turn because that is a State Highway but we can get us a one way sign there. I will make sure to get that. Also I would like unfortunately like I said the CVI index Progressive Waste twenty five cents please make sure that you notice that for your next billing cycle unfortunately that is not something that the city is doing or council even gets to vote on. It is not us to make that decision Progressive Waste made that decision we have to pay it. Also at this time to ask for the Council’s approval for two new people on the Planning and Zoning Commission and these two people are to replace two people one moved outside the city limits and the other one has not been able to participate. The two people that I have asked you to support is Wilbur “Spade” Morris and Mark Irwin to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: I would like to make a motion that we accept those appointed.

BY COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY: I seconded it.

BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: Council discussion please. How did they get the name of the two people and who are the people again?

BY MAYOR PERRETTE: The Mayor gets to ask whomever that shows interested in it.

BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: I understand the authority Mayor I’m asking who were they? They didn’t give the names.

BY MAYOR PERRETTE: I just gave you the two names.

BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: I didn’t hear that is what I’m saying?

BY MAYOR PERRETTE: I’m sorry Wilbur “Spade” Morris and Mark Irwin. One lives at 720 Avenue I and the other one at 1013 Van Buren. I apologize Councilwoman Kates.

BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: Accepted.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: We have a motion and a seconded, roll call.

PRESIDENT DRUMMOND……………………AYECOUNCILMAN RITCHIE……………………….AYECOUNCILWOMAN KATES……………………AYECOUNCILWOMAN SMITH…………………..AYECOUNCILMAN McCREE………………………NAYVICE-PRESIDENT WHITE……………………..AYECOUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY……….AYE

(MOTION CARRIED 6-1 TO APPOINT WILBUR “SPADE” MORRIS AND MARK IRWIN TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION).

BY MAYOR PERRETTE: Thank you Council. At this time I am going to step out to meet with the Parish President. Thank you all.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thank you. That brings us to Council discussion. Councilwoman Kates.

BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: I want to thank everyone for coming out today and I appreciate your support and your continued prayers and that we make the right decisions for the City of Bogalusa. Reminder again for our District “A” clean-up day you’ve been receiving the phone calls and you’ve seen the posters and the fliers so please give me a call. The theme again is geared toward the importance of our awareness counter ability of our environment and surrounding. Also to enforce the actual nuisance order that is in place and that nuisance order does address those particular conditions trash, weed and wild growth. At this point with the clean-up day we have some volunteers go out and reporting the blighted property and making the property owners known to get the fence rows taken care of, their particular painting of—just blighted property altogether that they are reporting. Also during our session this Saturday someone suggested perhaps we should put the blighted property actually in the newspaper a photo of it in the newspaper so that is a thought. The Comprehensive Resiliency Plan workshops for the most part I deem that may perhaps they were successful in the recommendations, solutions, and goals. They were submitted and discussed for the Comprehensive Resiliency Plan of elements land usage, housing, transportation, infrastructure, public service, parks and recreation, environmental economic development, historic preservation, and the implementation strategies. In conclusion Dana Brown and Associates will be revising the plan to reflect such changes in the Poplas Quarters and the Richardson Town, Councilman McCree will tell you a little bit about that the communities. After the changes are made the plan will be redistributed and another meeting will be scheduled for the community to review it. It was also note the plan was tabled at the Council meeting and I think I talked about that a little bit earlier until final review of the prospected and affected districts and areas so the plan is still tabled and it will be tabled indefinitely until we get the plan in place. Also the primary goal for Comprehensive Plan once again Resiliency Plan is to visualize the City of Bogalusa’s future

growth that enables us to apply for grants that enables us to obtain these particular goals. I just once more want to reiterate to the council about the correspondence I received from Louisiana Municipal Association by way of our potential client this is from John Gallager and it says generally if the Council gives the Mayor the authority to enter into an agreement and funds have been appropriated for consideration for the payment then that has been deemed approval for the Mayor to enter into the contract. In an alternative if the money is appropriated and a town incurred debt the Mayor shall first go to the board for approval to enter into the contract per Attorney General’s opinion etc. If the board has given the Mayor the green light by the resolution or ordinance the Mayor generally could order that he or she has the authority to enter into the contract. Once again they say that this is not a legal opinion and please get the town attorney to get the legal opinion on whether the process is false so meaning that we have already approved and I know we have discussed this already but this is in my general discussion we have already approved the perspective Professional Services of Agreement on March 3rd so by right if the Mayor chooses to she can go ahead and sign the contract so I will be forwarding this letter to our City Attorney in order to make interpretations so we can follow suit on that. Now my final comments are,---oh I talked a little bit about the legislative session going on and today they are talking about transportation highways and public works. I would like to give a shout out and “Congrats to Tiger Doll, Miss Joiya Teresah Smith on winning the Miss Grambling State University. Smith is the daughter of Robert “Big Bird” Smith and Veronica Adams Smith. Also congratulations to Miss JaMya Zalencia Magee on winning Miss Southern University. Ms. Magee is the daughter of LaTuna Magee and the late Tramaine. Her grandparents are Antoinette Magee, Albert Warner, and Mr. And Mrs. Calvin Johnson. I understand both are 2012 graduates of Bogalusa High School. Let’s give them a hand. Very proud of them. That is all I have thank you and your continued prayers. Oh one other thing, Mr. Joel you mentioned the fire station on the Northside and that was one of the recommendations in the Comprehensive Resiliency Plan. In fact Dana Brown had mentioned that it had been suggested another fire station on the Southside but it was redeemed back to have a fire station on the Northside. So that is in the Comprehensive Resiliency Plan which brings to note if we don’t have, if we don’t get the grants so that means to me we not going to have the plan so does that what that means we don’t have the grants we not going to do the plan?

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Without the plan it is going to be harder to get the grants.

BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: Excuse me!

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: With the plan it will make it easier to get a grant.

BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: Exactly and this is why we need to enter into some type of negotiations. Also Mr. Fate, thank you, I want to thank you and I have always said that especially pertaining to council and pertaining to the plan and everything that is going on I look at all the issues as a Bogalusa issue and I thank you because we all are one city all one community and we do need to make an attempt to work together. Thank you everyone.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Councilman McCree.

BY COUNCILMAN McCREE: Ya’ll know I usually don’t say much. I come to the meetings and I just kind of go with the flow but you know it is sad when a man can’t speak his mind, a grown man, you understand? For another man to tell you to be quiet, that is not right. I got one other thing to say we want all these taxes passed I will be glad when some of that tax money trickles down in my neighborhood. I’m smoking hot and ya’ll can tell. Thank you.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Councilwoman Fortenberry.

BY COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY: First of all I want to say to Floyd Burdeaux I think in one of our previous Mayors he did ask that house numbers to be put on houses every house. We own two different properties. One of ours had house numbers on it and the other one did not. It does now and I am one of those that probably would not have put it on there if I had I not been told to. I can remember in back of my mind somewhere that that was I don’t know if it was made an ordinance that all of them had house numbers on them but I think if they go back and dig they will find that out. Another thing is Joel I have also have noticed the increase in patrols not only in my district but around town with the Police Department. I believe in giving praise when praise is due. I am glad that we are seeing them. Ya’ll I have noticed and I am telling you, you can see drugs being sold up under my nose. I stopped at the playground, Terrace playground this weekend. I knew the female that was selling pills. I can’t tell you how I know her

but when I pulled up the other car pulled off. She said hey Ms. Sherry. I said hey what are you doing? She said nothing how are you doing? I said I’m just looking. I said what are you doing here? She said oh I just came to bring my daughter something. I said that is not your daughter in that car because I know who your daughter is. Then she started talking about the weight she gained and she opened the door and there laid her money on that seat. I said what is that money doing there on that seat? She said Ms. Sherry I got to go. I said thank you. About that time here comes a police car driving by. My husband said don’t you stop him. He knows I would. I just want to say that I appreciate the police on patrol and I notice less of that and I don’t mind stopping and asking what you are doing and finding out what you are doing. Ms. Emma for the positive things that you have brought up I appreciate that. I love that and I appreciate seeing things in a positive situation. I have two more things to say. My grandson came in and I am so glad to see him and I finally got some of my family involved in this council stuff. Cleaning up properties and he don’t mind getting a lawn mower and weed eater and go clean someone else’s property. Thank you J.R. for being here. Another thing is we have a Council member that has a birthday Friday and I would like to sing Happy Birthday to Malinda White.

BY VICE-PRESIDENT WHITE: Thank you for reminding me.

BY COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY: We can sing to you if you would like.

BY VICE-PRESIDENT WHITE: That’s alright.

BY COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY: Happy Birthday Malinda.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Councilwoman Smith.

BY COUNCILWOMAN SMITH: I would like to thank everyone for coming out and taking time out of your busy schedules. I also would like to thank the citizens for voting us in and to in trust us that we will try to work together as a team to bring the best efforts to make the best decisions for the City of Bogalusa. It is seven of us that is serving up here. We are not just one team show or rodeo. We are here in order to make the best and betterment for our city. It does take time. Five of us are new and we do have to agree to disagree. So it’s not a one man show or a one woman show. We are trying to make the best decisions. Also I would like to echo on the two young ladies who are both natives on who have both become Miss SU and GSU. Miss JaMya Magee is Miss SU which is Southern, my school which is the University so I am also glad to pass this on to her as well as my church member at Bethlehem Baptist Church. Miss Joiya Smith who is Miss GSU so once again I would like to make it be known these two ladies have worked hard and is very smart and very intelligent and have a good background and good family support system. Also don’t forget on May 2nd to go out and vote. You know your voice and vote do make a difference here and we just have to try and make the right decision for the city. I want to thank everyone who got up and spoke and voiced their concerns for the City of Bogalusa and thank ya’ll for being here.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thank you. Councilman Ritchie.

BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: I want to thank everybody for coming. Appreciate your concerns about our city. I think everybody on this council is concerned about our city or we wouldn’t have run for this office to start with. It would have been much easier just to say go home and do nothing like most folks in this town do and hope that things gets better. I appreciate your comments, I appreciate your concerns but when these comments turn to belittle or de-rate somebody then I get upset and it is not something we need to be doing. I’m sorry. I disagree with you when you do it. It’s not the place for it. You can criticize anything that goes on but when you start actually attacking individuals then it needs to stop. Thank you and have a good evening.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thank you. Vice-President White.

BY VICE-PRESIDENT WHITE: I would like to thank everyone for coming out and voicing your concerns and we appreciate that. We are doing the best that we can and make decisions that are the best for the city. I don’t like to play games either and I really don’t think anyone here does it might be your perspective. I know it is a very difficult decision when you are sitting in this seat. To sit and try to make the right decisions and there is a lot of things that you don’t see that goes on that we don’t sit here and talk about. We do this, we did that. Okay there is a lot of work that goes on that you may or may not know. In a lot of meetings and I see a lot of effort

put forth with this council to do the right things. However, money is the issue. When we are told that the city has a freeze on money by the Mayor, then it is really difficult for us to be able to vote on something unless it is approved by our leader to spend the money. If we had the money and for what I understand we are in the rears very deeply and we owe money to several people to my knowledge the goal of the City Administrator is to make whatever cuts, whatever we have to do personally to make this city better with what we have. Some times that requires you rolling your sleeves up too and digging in and cutting that yard beside you or mowing your ditches out and helping out in any way you can to help the city move forward or coming up with ideas and ways to do it. It isn’t a one person like you said it is an effort by everyone and that we come together to make Bogalusa better and it’s not going to be unless we all do. With that being said getting back to the money our goal is to get out of the deficit so we can be approved for more grants and have matching funds to be able4 to get that for the city. No one here is opposed to that, that I am aware of.

BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: Is that correct that no one is opposed.

BY VICE-PRESIDENT WHITE: We will vote on it next week.

BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: You need to keep in mind with it the matching funds we need to consider options in obtaining those matching funds. It’s not all about having money. I just wanted to note that.

BY VICE-PRESIDENT WHITE: Yes ma’am. So with that being said I wish everybody a good week. Thank you very much.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: I’d like to thank everyone for coming out and I’m not going to keep you long. We have been here long enough so have a good week. Meeting adjourned.

BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: I would like to make a motion to amend the agenda to introduce an ordinance please. Okay so it looks like--- Well I guess there is no second for it?

BY VICE-PRESIDENT WHITE: I just got it right before this meeting so I didn’t expect it to be announced for this. I understand it to be something that we were paying for it like this.

BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: Actually it was going to be discussed at the next meeting.

BY VICE-PRESIDENT WHITE: Okay.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Well I don’t see a need to amend the agenda if we are going to discuss it at the next one. I just say let’s work through it and put it on the next agenda. That brings us to public participation. Ms. Linda Talbert.

BY LINDA TALBERT: 526 Atlanta Street. I did not know about these meetings and I did not know how to handle this but in November I went to the City Police to tell of a vandalism on Front Street at one of my properties and I got told by the officer to go in and take anything of any value out and just let them have it. I do not think that is appropriate that the Police Department to have so much non shallot response to the public.

BY COUNCILMAN McCREE: Did you get a name of the officer that told you that?

BY LINDA TALBERT: Yes I do. It was Michael Bracey.

BY COUNCILMAN McCREE: You can turn that over to the Chief right here.

BY COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY: Right there.

BY CHIEF CULPEPPER: Yes ma’am I will get some information from you.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thank you ma’am. Next Fate Ferrell.

BY FATE FERRELL: 1931 Dewitt. I notice we have a lot of problems in this city with different things going on drugs and different things. I would like to ask if I may ask the Chief a question pertaining to the Police Department. Chief I would like to know all the bicycles and all the scooters and the motorcycles that we got to patrol this City I would like to know what happened to them because I don’t see anybody out on a scooter, I don’t see nobody on a bike or nobody on a motorcycle. We do not see police in these neighborhoods. We got all kinds of activities going on in these neighborhoods. It is like we don’t even have any police department in Bogalusa. It is time out.

BY CHIEF CULPEPPER: We have no scooters or bikes we have cars.

BY FATE FERRELL: What happened to them? They were donated to the City.

BY CHIEF CULPEPPER: There were two bikes bought twenty years ago.

BY FATE FERRELL: No, no, no, this wasn’t twenty years ago. I’ve been coming to these meeting longer than anybody. I know scooters were put here, bikes, and motorbikes but we don’t see them. We saw them a couple of times on the street when they were donated and we haven’t seen them no more. It is time out for this.

BY CHIEF CULPEPPER: They have been sold.

BY FATE FERRELL: Sold! Bogalusa don’t need to be selling equipment when they were donated to them we need to put them on the street.

BY CHIEF CULPEPPER: We get cars donated to us from other police departments and we put them on the streets.

BY FATE FERRELL: Another thing why when we call the Police Department why we don’t get no police to respond to us right away?

BY CHIEF CULPEPPER: Depends on what is going on.

BY FATE FERRELL: I’m an old citizen in this city I see what is going on and everybody sees what is going on and some people is afraid to speak up about it but I’m not. Police is not doing their job, the Chief is not doing his job so it is time out.

BY CHIEF CULPEPPER: Why don’t you come to my office and let’s discuss this?

BY FATE FERRELL: I done came to your office it don’t do any good to talk to you all. It is time out! Clean this mess up we’re sick of these drugs.

BY CHIEF CULPEPPER: I am too.

BY FATE FERRELL: We are sick of all this shooting and killing around here. It is time to clean up. This town is too small for this city for things to be going on when it is going on. Everybody seen it don’t care. Seems like I am the only one in Bogalusa that cares about Bogalusa and I’m a come here. If you peoples can’t do your job that we put you all in place to do resign. I sit here tonight and I said again I’m not afraid to say it not even to my parents if they not doing their jobs. Another thing at the previous meeting it was a statement made that I didn’t care to hear made by statements that you all don’t care to hear. It was made to put up or shut up. When we wants to put up we are not allowed to get on the agenda to put up. I think that is totally wrong. We fought and killed to get freedom of speech and we are not having it as citizens in this council and it is time out for that. From this day forward I would like to see the citizens of Bogalusa to be able to have to have freedom of speech.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: All you got to do is sign up.

BY FATE FERRELL: No, no, no talk is cheap. When I’m talking I know what I’m talking about. So when you talk, know what you are talking about please.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Well that is freedom of speech.

BY FATE FERRELL: Freedom of speech let us speak when we want to speak, don’t try to keep us from speaking.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Nobody has ever tried to keep you from speaking.BY FATE FERRELL: Now don’t say that because I know it is different. It is totally different. Like I said I’m going to say what I want to say and I’m not afraid to say it to nobody. So ya’ll need to do like you are supposed to do like ya’ll want us to do treat us fairly. That is all I ask. Treat us equally. Right now I see the world is backsliding. It is time out for backsliding. I am one not to stand for backsliding. I hope everybody else stops taking a backsliding. Thank you.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thank you. Anyone else in the public wish to speak? Next Administrative remarks.

BY MAYOR PERRETTE: Good evening. We are going to have our Director of Public Works come up first. We have our reports for the first of the month. We started in the past and it seems to be a good way of communicating with the public and with the Council. So first up is the Director of Public Works Mr. James Hall.

BY JAMES HALL: Good evening Council. As you know grass cutting is among us and that is when we really get busy around here trying to keep up with everybody in the city. That is why we ask that when you see a lot of people mowing the sidewalk go ahead and mow that little bit of extra by the street. That helps us a whole lot. We are trying to keep up with that. Spraying for mosquitoes, right now we have only one truck when it warms up a little more I will put a second one in but now we think one is sufficient. We are keeping up with the calls that is coming in. If you have a problem we ask you to call the City hall and we put a special note in for the sprayer to come that night instead of his regular route. Water/sewer that is going to be an ongoing battle after I’m gone with the water lines and sewer lines collapsing and falling apart on us but we are on top of them. We are doing some addition work. We had a meeting today with the street stripping program like I told you before I started in 2007 I will issue the work order

tomorrow so the next thirty days we will see some street stripping and yes it is going to be over some old streets but it is where it is much needed. I’ve had people complain at night they can’t see so that is why we picked the streets we did. Like I told the man we picked them in 2007 so they may be worse now. Like Ms. Kates talked about we had a Road Safety meeting this morning got a lot out of it. Those people are really willing to help. They are going to do us a traffic study at the intersection of West seventeenth and Avenue F to see now that we own that strip of road. We inherited it the first of the month. Now that we own it we are going to see if it warrants a four way stop. Certain criteria’s for a four way stop make sure we have it right. I have had the Mayor calling the State the last couple of days to give us the approval to let us begin on Austin Street but she like myself couldn’t get a response but she is calling leaving messages. We got all the concrete work finished on Austin Street ready to overlay. All we need is the approval from the State to go ahead with the project. On our Code Enforcement that is going to pick up a little bit we got some extra help in the office now. We had eight citations issued this month, seven citations issued with dropped charges due to compliance before court date. One citation issued it was already in failure to appear, thirty six code violations brought into compliance and six vehicle towed from right of way of the streets. Thank ya’ll.

BY ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS: Thank you.

BY MAYOR PERRETTE: Parks and Recreation, Landon Tims.

BY LANDON TIMS: Good evening. It is definitely spring time. For it to be just the first of April I don’t think I have ever seen the facilities around the city as busy as they have been from the Deli in the Park, Splash Pad, Rodeo Arena, William Bailey Park, Scout Hut, Avenue B, and the Airport Sports Complex these areas I have been loaded down with friend, families, and kids. There is so much activity going on and it has been kind of hard to keep up with and keep everything maintained but I think we are getting it done. As you know the city has started running a Little League Baseball Program here in the city. We had our Jamboree on April 4 th. We had eighteen teams play they had two games apiece it was an all-day affair. It turned out really well, it rained early in the day and got the fields a little wet but as the day went on it dried up and the kids had a great time so it was really good. Saturday that morning we also had our third annual Easter Egg Hunt. To my estimation we had about a hundred and twenty to a hundred and fifty kids was our biggest one. It was just a sea of humanity. We had a few Council people that were there. It was incredible. I sent them out in the rain and I tried to wait as long as I could. We waited to about ten thirty to start and it only take about fifteen minutes for the kids to pick up about four thousand eggs. As soon as it was over the sun came out. Soon as everybody got done the sun came out. If I would have waited about fifteen more minutes it would have been a beautiful day but sometimes you can’t help it. We just got done with the Gospel Festival in the park. It was the biggest crowd they have ever had so that event is continued to grow as well. At last month’s Rendezvous on the Road as you know this May, on May 22nd we have Southeastern Louisiana Theater Department coming back for their third annual play in the park. This year they will be doing a retelling of a story of Peter Pan. The show is called Peter Pan and Tink. Well they came to the Rendezvous on the Road and they passed out fliers And they did a little skit of a scene in the play kind of like a live advertising and then when it was over they mingled in character and they talked to people about the date and the time and all of that so mark that down. It is on May 22nd. An event that we have coming up before the next council meeting will be the Relay for Life that is on May 2nd and that is all I got. Thank you.

BY ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS: Thank you.

BY MAYOR PERRETTE: Thank you. Airport Manager Louis Busby.

BY LOUIS BUSBY: Good evening. It’s been a rainy past month but we had about thirty visiting aircraft plus all the pilots out there that is stationed in Bogalusa. We did have thirty something on the guest book. Today I have been working really hard this past week or two. We actually got a partial reimbursement from the Drainage and Airport Layout Grant that I got. That is a 100% funding grant also. It is 90% Federal and 10% State. We got a pretty big chunk of that back and as the project is going we are continually getting money back instead of waiting to the end of the project since they changed some of their plans and so that helps out a lot. This past two weeks ago we had the Department of Transportation Aviation Inspection they come out every year and check the safety of the airport. I should have that report back next week if not the week after so we get some tips there. As James says it is time to do weeds and grass and about to start spraying the weeds on the edge of the ramp and getting the airport back into shape with all the grass. We got three hundred acres to cut. Thank you.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thank you Louis.

BY MAYOR PERRETTE: Thank you Louis. Police Chief Joe Culpepper.

BY CHIEF CULPEPPER: Good evening. For the month of March 1116 complaints which is pretty much right on average with the weather warming up I am participating business picking up. 181 arrests made for the month, worked 66 traffic accidents, 16 DWI’s, we worked 31 hours on the trash pick-up, we serviced 32 community service workers picking up 321 bags of garbage that is running through the jail on Saturdays that does not include juveniles just the adult stuff. Thank you.

BY ALL COUNCIL MEMEBERS: Thank you.

BY MAYOR PERRETTE: Thank you Chief. Fire Chief Richard Moody.

BY CHIEF MOODY: We only had one structure fire in the month of March but it was a bad one. Actually had and I would like to remind the public never to go back in a burning building. We had a guy that was out and a fireman pulled up, he had some puppies in the house and he went back in and my firemen found him lying in the hallway. Brought him out gave him oxygen, got him to the hospital, he is doing okay now. He had like nine dogs and one cat and four of the dogs didn’t make it but he went back in to get them. So don’t go back in a burning house.

BY COUNCILMAN McCREE: But Chief you know----

BY MAYOR PERRETTE: The dog didn’t make it?

BY CHIEF MOODY: Four out of the nine didn’t make it.

BY COUNCILMAN McCREE: People going back to get their kids now.

BY CHIEF MOODY: They had a lot of pets. That is the only structure fire we had. We had 3 grass fires, 2 vehicle fires, 8 motor vehicle accidents, 65 medical assist, 4 assisting a citizen, 2 natural gas or power lines, 10 false alarms, 4 service calls for a total of 99 calls. Thank you.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thank you.

BY MAYOR PERRETTE: Thank you Chief. At this time I would like to also give from behalf of the Mayor’s Office the Police Officer for the Year, Patrolman Detective Jeff Bergeron. An official congratulations is hereby presented to Detective Jeff Bergeron and grateful recognition of his outstanding service rendered to the Bogalusa Police Department and the Citizens of Bogalusa presented today. Jeff. (Applause).

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND AND COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: Thank you Jeff.

BY COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY: Good choice.

BY CHIEF CULPEPPER: (Chief talking without a microphone inaudible). Jeff was selected because of his ability to go above and beyond. He is incredibly dedicated, he works really hard, long hours and I am really proud to present him as Officer of the Year.(Applause).

BY MAYOR PERRETTE: I was especially proud to go to a function that took place at Union Avenue Baptist Church it is a different name now but it was on Union Avenue. Him and another Police Officer it was the best meeting that I have ever attended in all my time. It needs to be done community wide. I was so impressed by both of those two young men and they did a phenomenal job. I think that all of us that were in attendance learned something and it was great. It was facts of what you are to do if you are pulled over or if you are being attacked, some technics and ways to do it. It was well put together both officers they did a great job on it and I was glad I was able to be a part of being there and witness it because we didn’t know when we got this letter what it was going to be about. It was just a puzzle piece and it said Union getting together, United was the name of it. We didn’t know what we were walking into but once we got in there and our Police Officers on their time off are in there training citizens how to protect themselves in an event that they are being attacked and what to do when you are pulled over and how to react. The proper things to do because we all forget too what to do. We all learned

that probably when we were five and we were never re-taught it. Some of us do need that again to be re-taught. Thank you Jeff Bergeron for all your hard work and dedication. At this time I would also like to remind everyone on April 18th is the Comprehensive Resiliency Planning Meeting at Northside School at 10:00 a.m. for Richardson Town and 2:00 p.m. for Poplas Quarters and that is both at Northside School. Friday, April 24 is the Rendezvous on the Road on Columbia Street at 5:00 to 9:00. Austin Street I do have that noted that he called back this afternoon and we are playing phone tag at this point but we are trying to figure out because the city is done on our end to start the street overlay what to do, where we are at, we are just waiting on you guys to get here and we are kind of anxious so between James and myself maybe our persistence or aggravation as some call it will get them here sooner because we want that street overlaid too the sooner the better. As far as those scooters and bikes actually we found that those bikes have been gone since 2008 and we were paying $18,000 on those bikes in insurance a year and we discovered that those bikes are no longer in existence so we are no longer paying $18,000 so that is a savings to the city that we just recently found out in the past three months. Those bikes are no longer but we were insuring them but we didn’t have them and we got that taken care of so that is $18,000 that we have been paying that is a good thing so we don’t have those bikes and I had that written down to say it, the irony of that. So I am proud of that. We did find out in the inventory that those bikes were no longer in existence with a savings of $18,000 a year in insurance. Also touch base on the drug issue, drug task force there will be a Police Office task force here soon, two weeks, within the next two weeks. I’ve spoken with the Chief and was really kind of adamant about that taken place so we will have a police officer here that is on the drug task force. I am putting one on there but it also allows some extra help within our city for our patrolmen and there is some shift changes is taken place where police officers are patrolling so you may see some that you don’t normally see that might be in different vicinities within the department that are now on the streets patrolling again. Drugs affects every neighborhood and every home one way or the other and it is always a negative. Ms. Smith is out today well not out she is doing the pancake breakfast/dinner at the Country Club on behalf of the City. She gave me a few things from Bond Commission we met on March 19th and we were approved to get 1.990,000 million dollars however as of this date we have only got $700,000. We want to keep you up to key that we are not going to take that $1,990,000 and go put it in the bank and spend it. We are only getting what we have to get so we are only taken $700,000 and we probably wouldn’t have to go back to the bank until at least July which is a good thing. It is showing good faith in not taking it all. Monday, April 20 th I have submitted my formal plan to the Legislative Auditors and the irony is that some of the old plans is what I had already started doing and I didn’t even know that plan even existed so we were lucky to have it and I didn’t even know about it and it fell into the lap. I had submitted something totally different so that was just a good thing. We met last Wednesday. There is going to be some cuts that are going to have to be made and downsizing and combining of jobs, duties and taking on a little bit more but with that being said we can still see the light at the end of the tunnel and I know that is horrible to say cuts then the light at the end of the tunnel because there is a white light at the end of the tunnel because we are making these cuts. It will be the first time we are really moving into the black. Stacy wanted ya’ll to know exactly what she had borrowed. The month of March the cut offs were 220. Other than that on Monday, April 20th I will submit to you once the Legislative Auditors have approved my plan that I have submitted to them two months ago so we should have the approval from them by April 20th. I will submit to you all and share that same plan with you so you can know what the plan is and you can be able to follow along with us on the plan and know what is in store for our city in going to the black. That is all. I just want ya’ll to know we are on the same page and you are aware and there is no surprises or anything. Once the Legislative Auditors approve it maybe Friday before but I will give it to you all on the 20th of April. I’m also meeting with Richard Thomas, the Parish President this week and we are working on a governmental agreement on some other streets so that may be on the agenda for next meeting. That is all I have at this time. Also at the next meeting we are currently interviewing for Personnel-Human Resources Director and by that next meeting you will have a recommendation. Interviews are taking place now. That’s all.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thank you. Now we come to Council discussion. Councilwoman Fortenberry.

BY COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY: I just want to say I am glad to see you out here today not as many as it has been but I am glad you took time out. I don’t know if this is going to make a difference but they were talking about that four way stop sign on Avenue F. I manage Willa Villa Mobil Home Park and I needed some light bulbs and I was going to run up to the Dollar General Store on that corner and I put my blinker on at the last house before you get to Marshall Richardson Road to turn in to the Dollar General Store. There was a car sitting there at Marshall

Richardson Road and guess what it did because I had my blinker on? It pulled out in front of me. Dangerous place, I had to throw on brakes to keep from hitting him. My intent was just to go past it and turn into the Dollar Store and I think that car must have thought I was going to turn onto Marshall Richardson Road. It does need that area looked at very bad because I almost hit a car. I just want to say thank you and to my buddies over there Landon and Mr. Busby my grandbaby loves them planes don’t you do anything different. Ya’ll have a good day.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Alright, Councilman McCree.

BY COUNCILMAN McCREE: Yes I just have a couple of things: don’t forget about the meeting for the Richardson Town area Saturday April 11th at three o’clock at the Second Baptist Church on North Avenue. You writing this down newspaper guy? Saturday, April the 11 th at three o’clock at Second Baptist Church on North Avenue. Also I would like to say that I think getting this Civil Rights Museum is not only good for Bogalusa but it is also good for the Parish. Like Ms. Hicks said we need help, we need donations so I am asking everybody if they would like to donate to go to the First Bank on Columbia Street under the Robert “Bob” Hicks Foundation and you can donate there or if you live out of town you can make checks or money orders available to the Robert “Bob” Hicks Foundation and you can send those to 2682 South Columbia Road. This is very important. We really need everybody to put forth a good effort for them. Thank you.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thank you. Councilwoman Kates.

BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: Good evening everyone. I want to thank everyone once again for coming out and appreciate your support and continued prayers that we are doing the right thing for the city. First of all as the Mayor indicated as she remarked we really do need to consider and entertain what we absolutely need considering cuts that we are going to have. However, I am pleading to the Council to consider to review the ordinance that were permitted pertaining to the consultant. He was here a couple of weeks ago, he gave a very good presentation because we are going to need that particular position in place. It has been past practice that the Council has amended the agenda for much greater values of money’s. A reminder of District A clean-up day attentive May 2, 2015. Please contact me if you want to support us or any suggestions on it. The theme once again is Geer toward Importance of aware and accountability of you environment. As everyone has reflected the Comprehensive Resiliency Plan Workshop once again. The Mayor has given the dates and Brian have given the dates for Richardson Town. District A will also be having a meeting at Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church on April 11 th at 11:00 o’clock. This is a meeting prior to the April 18th meeting. There have also been a Comprehensive Resiliency Plan suggestion boxes placed in the local churches and Dana Brown and Associates they have distributed fliers as well and survey that they put out. I think they have them here at City Hall some place. This is an issue I’m wanting to address in many meetings pertaining to property accountability. My only comment is that if you have property just make sure everything pertaining to your property taxes check with the city, check with the parish make sure I had a couple of constituents that found out their particular property had been placed in someone else’s name without their knowledge. Like I said I’ve kind of bounced back and forth if I’m going to announce this and asking everyone please check your property and make sure everything is in order. We had our Easter Egg Hunt at the William J. Bailey Park and it was a success and a special thank you to District A Neighborhood Association Members, I see some of the members here tonight and also the Board of La Petite La Riche, they donated an Easter Baskets, Youth Build Incorporated, Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church, St. Paul Churches, participant[ants and of course our Parks and Recreation Director Mr. Landon and our Public Works Director Mr. Hall and the departments and also thank you to Councilwoman Smith who dropped by for support.

BY COUNCILWOMAN SMITH: You’re welcome.

BY COUNCILWOMAN KATES: She has a lot of support. One other thing that I would like to mention and I did give my word to dome of the constituencies that I would address this in a council meeting. There has been some concerns about reporting anonymous calls illegal activity and I did come up with a number our local Police Department has a number 732-6238 then push 5. Also the Mayor had mentioned that we attended the Transforming and Impacting Inspiring Change Form at the Greater Bogalusa Church and Officer Jeff was there and they also recommended that you call crime stoppers. That is the safest way because crime stoppers is anonymous and you can dial 504-822-1111 or 877-903 stop that is the number for them. 877-903stop for crime stoppers. Once again it is anonymous they do not take your name they give

you a code number. A lot of people are afraid to report it so those are the two numbers you can report. That is all I have thank you for your time.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thank you. Councilwoman Smith.

BY COUNCILWOMAN SMITH: I would like to thank everyone for coming out. Thank you Ms. Linda, and Mr. Fate Ferrell for standing up and voicing your concerns to be addressed by the Department Heads to take care of your questions that you have. Also on April 17th the Bob Hicks Foundation will be hosting a Fish Fry for dinners the cost will be $8.75 and I’m asking that everyone to come out and tell your neighbor, tell your friend or even buy a dinner for your neighbor to come out and support the Robert “Bob” Hicks Foundation. Location is Bethlehem Baptist Church-----, Friday the 17th location Bethlehem Baptist Church 837 E. 7th Street Bogalusa, Louisiana. Also you can place an order you can call Ms. Joyce at 516-6736.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: What about the hours?

BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: From 10:30 till 3:00 it says.

BY COUNCILWOMAN FORTENBERRY: What is that number again?

BY COUNCILWOMAN SMITH: 516-6736. The hours I’m sorry is from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. On the menu: Catfish, Potato salad, English peas, Macaroni & cheese, Bread, & the best homemade cake in Bogalusa. So I am asking everyone to please come out and support and help. That will help with the Funds for the grant. Thank you everybody.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Alright. Councilman Ritchie.

BY COUNCILMAN RITCHIE: I just want to thank everybody for coming. I don’t think you could come up with a better menu than that on that fried fish. I think everybody ought to get at least two or three of them plates. Thank you for doing this. I have nothing else to say. Thank you.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thank you. Vice-President White.

BY VICE-PRESIDENT WHITE: Good evening everyone. The Bogalusa Gospel Music Festival was very well attended and we were very pleased with that. I like to see the Park packed out for that event. In the future there is a lot of things that are going on in Bogalusa that is good. It is not because I have my head in the sand when I say this there is a lot of underline issues that we face as a Cosa volunteer I have been in homes and seen what happens with our children and they are the ones that are suffering the most. We have so many homeless children out there but on the positive side there are so many things that are good and going on here and across this community that I would like to emphasize. We stay focused on those things we build from them and we build more positive for that. There are five new board members here are City Council people and two that are very knowledgeable about this. There is no one here that is trying to do anything but good for this city and help move it forward and support our Mayor in time that the deficit is very critical and we have to do something about that as well. On the positive note on that is nothing is impossible and we are working on that some of it is not going to be favorable and it is going to be very tough. Bogalusa is here to stay and Bogalusa is going to move forward. That is what we are going to stay focused on and we are going to do our best at trying to deliver that. We appreciate your concerns and you coming here and letting us know. We don’t have all of the answers and we don’t know all the things that are going on out there until you come and tell us or let us know in the communities. I would prefer to see that when you have issues personal or within your communities to go to don’t wait to city council meeting go to the Department Heads and talk with them about it and if you don’t get the answers that you need then come here and we will try and work that out and sometimes that is what you have to do. As far as I can see I look around Bogalusa I see a lot of things going on that is good and improvements and we are going to continue to work on that and that is all I have to say and thank you for coming.

BY PRESIDENT DRUMMOND: Thank you. I just like to echo what Malinda said the Gospel Fest was a hit. I would like to see more volunteers. Poor old Greg Whaley was all over the park. He is the hardest working man in show business that day. Now if you feel up to it give him a call he would love to have a volunteer or two. I appreciate Phil Thigpen getting the group from Virginia to help out with the playground and equipment in the park. It is nice, that was nice of them to come all the way down here to do that for us. I want to tip my hat to Landon Tims that was a

smart idea to get Southeastern to come here and put on a play and to have them at the Rendezvous on the Road. They really brought a lot of attention but it is going to be competing against the Rendezvous on the Road in May but we will have to stand our ground there. The first Rendezvous on the Road of the year was a big hit. The merchants reported a good sales. I know we had to at 437 for a good while. Had to split a table so we could get a table for four. It was quicker than a table for two that is a good sign, you want that every Friday. We will take it once a month. With that said there is plenty to do out there so go out and do it and if you feel up to it volunteer. I also would like to commend the JR. ROTC and Public Works for supplying them with the red clay. They went out and worked on the veterans plots at the Bogalusa Cemetery. They got one down and they got one more to go now. When you see these kids tip your hat to them because they work hard for this community and they are a bright spot. It is not the kids that make the paper but they should be making the paper for good. With that said meeting adjourned.