June 2021 Meeting Minutes
Town of Pollock
Town Meeting Minutes
MONDAY, JUNE 7, 2021
The Mayor & Town Council met on said date in a Regular Session at 9 A.M. in the Pollock Municipal Building Council Room, Pollock, La. The following members were present: Mayor Douglas Beavers, Councilwoman Dee Thorne, Councilwoman Cynthia Dickey, and Councilwoman Misty Kinn. Absent: Councilman Carroll Cathey. Mr. Ron Wilkins was also absent due to resignation.
Mayor Beavers called the meeting to order by leading the “Lord’s Prayer”, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilwoman Misty Kinn.
Mayor Beavers welcomed guests. Mayor Beavers gave a report on the three on three basketball tournament that was held in May on the newly renovated basketball court. There was a good turnout with a total of nine teams participating. Teams were from all around the surrounding area and neighboring communities. The Memorial Day Ceremony, which the town had been unable to hold due to Covid 19 in May 2020, was held this Memorial Day at the community center and at the Memorial Plaza in honor of our fallen heroes. This was a very special occasion and the community came together for a great gathering.
Meeting opened for public comments or questions from anyone in attendance.
A citizen had a question concerning the town-wide overlay project and the costs associated with the project and where the funds would come from to pay for the project. The same citizen question why the town would not receive bids for the park project. He was informed that the job was below the threshold of having to receive bids. The engineers would choose a general contractor and in order to maintain warranties for the equipment it would be installed by the company the equipment is purchased from. Councilwoman Thorne commented that it would be good for the community and would draw families. Councilwoman Kinn made note that some citizens might be concerned about the amount of money spent on the park renovations especially those without children. The mayor commented that he had received numerous calls, comments and messages about the park and the need for repair and upgrade. The mayor and the town attorney were in agreement that the park currently has many safety concerns.
Motion was made to approve the monthly Meeting Minutes of May 3, 2021, by Councilwoman Kinn, seconded by Councilwoman Dickey. Roll call vote: Yeas 3, Nays 0, Absent 1. Motion carried.
Motion by Councilwoman Thorne, seconded by Councilwoman Dickey to adopt Ordinance 21-001, the ordinance to change the town meeting time to 6:00 P.M. on the first Monday of each Month. Roll call vote: Yeas 3, Nays 0, Absent 1. Motion carried.
Pan American Representative, Mr. Jacob Guillory was present and presented the plans for Foster Park and discussed the city-wide overlay project that would soon begin.
CPA, Steven McKay reported that the audit was not complete and that some items had to be reviewed by the legislative auditor and that as soon as the audit was complete, he would have it for us. Mayor Beavers questioned Mr. McKay about the splash pad and the cost for construction associated with it and Mr. McKay stated that the cost of the splash pad was approximately $541,000 to build and $20,000 in repairs to date. Not including maintenance.
Motion by Councilwoman Thorne, seconded by Councilwoman Dickey to adopt Ordinance 21-002 to amend the budget to include asphalt overlay project and/or any other unbudgeted capital overlay / outlay projects. Roll call vote: Yeas 3, Nays 0 Absent 1. Motion Carried
Agenda Item concerning a petition received from the Grant Parish Registrar of Voters for the local election for sale of alcohol was discussed. Attorney Greg Jones explained that this simply means the certified petition was to have this issue put on the ballot at the next general election and voted on by the citizens of the Town of Pollock at said election and is in no way a reflection on the Town Council Members. It is simply a vote to put it on a ballot at an election and let the citizens decide as to whether or not they approve the sale of alcohol.
Motion by Councilwoman Kinn, seconded by Councilwoman Dickey pursuant to LSA – R.S. 26:581 ET SEQ, to receive from Grant Parish Registrar of Voters a certified petition for local election for sale of alcohol, and in accordance with the mandate of LSA – R.S. 26:582 and set the same for a public referendum election to be held to determine whether or not the business of selling alcoholic beverages shall be conducted and licensed in the Town of Pollock. Roll call vote: Yeas 2, Councilwoman Kinn and Councilwoman Dickey. Nays 0, Abstain 1, Councilwoman Thorne. Absent 1, Councilman Cathey. Motion carried.
Motion by Councilwoman Dickey, seconded by Councilwoman Thorne to receive the recommendation from the Mayor to appoint a person to fill the vacancy of Councilman Ron Wilkins for the Town Council and for the board to vote to approve or disapprove the nominee, in accordance with the provisions of LSA-R.S. 18:602 and Attorney General Opinion #18-0019. Roll call vote: Yeas 3, Nays 0, Absent 1. Motion carried
At this time the Mayor nominated Mr. Michael Cryer as the nominee to fill the vacancy of the Council seat of Mr. Ron Wilkins.
Motion by Councilwoman Dickey, seconded by Councilwoman Thorne to approve the appointment. Roll call vote: Yeas 3, Nays 0, Absent 1. Motion carried.
Attorney Greg Jones reported that the 4th of July would fall on a Sunday and with that the town employees would be off on Monday, July 5th and the town council meeting would be moved to Tuesday, July 6th at 6:00 P.M.
Chief of Police Chris Paul reported that his department had an officer resign and that he was in the process of finding someone qualified to fill that position.
The Town Clerk presented the financial report. There were no comments.
Councilwoman Dee Thorne thanked everyone for the prayers offered up for her husband who had been ill and, in the hospital, and also asked everyone to remember Councilman Cathey in their prayers as his absence at the meeting was due to illness.
Councilwoman Cindy Dickey reported that she was actively researching and studying grant writing and that it was very interesting, and she hoped to be able to help with grants for the town in the future.
Councilwoman Misty Kinn questioned as to whether or not Mrs. Judy Shelton was going to return, and it was confirmed that Mrs. Judy Shelton had applied for her retirement and would not be returning as the town clerk. Councilwoman Kinn asked whether or not the council needed to go ahead and nominate and move Mrs. Durham from interim town clerk position to the official clerk position. Mr. Jones stated that would be done at a later date.
Motion was made by Councilwoman Kinn, seconded by Councilwoman Thorne to adjourn. Roll call vote: Yeas 3, Nays 0 Absent 1. Motion carried.
(s)MAYOR DOUGLAS BEAVERS
(s)Deborah Durham, Interim Town Clerk
