REGULAR SESSION
MUNITES
MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMAN
TOWN OF BENTON
105 SIBLEY STREET, BENTON, BOSSIER PARISH, LOUISIANA
MONDAY, JULY 10, 20177:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER:Mayor Shelly Horton Jr
INVOCATION:By Mayor Horton
PLEDGE:By AldermanWyatt
PRESENT:Alderman Jackie Carr, Alderman Ron Jones, Alderman Donna Wyatt
ABSENT: Alderman Wayne Cathcart
AGENDA:A motion by Alderman Wyatt, seconded by Alderman Carr to approve the agenda
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
AYES: Alderman Jackie Carr, Alderman Ron Jones, Alderman Donna Wyatt
NAYS: None
ABSENT:Alderman Wayne Cathcart
ABSTAIN: None
MINUTES:A motion by Alderman Wyatt, seconded by Alderman Carr to approve theJune Special Session Minutes
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
FAVOR 4
OPPOSED 0
A motion by Alderman Jones, seconded by Alderman Wyatt to approve the June Regular Session Minutes
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
FAVOR 4
OPPOSED 0
OLD BUSINESS:
1.None
NEW BUSINESS:
1.Vickie Case with Cook and Morehart CPA to present the 2016 Audit: Vickie Case reviewed the financial status of the Town and all funds as well as reviewed the audit findings for the 2016 audit. She also reviewed the corrective action plan for the town on the findings and also reviewed the up coming changes the State Of Louisiana has made for auditors and audits.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
2. Proclamation: Mr. Fred Rankin retirement from the Benton Parish MPC Board of Commissioners / Mayor/ MPC Director Sam Marsiglia presented Mr. Rankin with a plaque and Certificate for years of service on the Board of Commissioners
3. Resolution 12 of 2017: A resolution to approve a six month moratorium to suspend any manufacture housing and any type of home other than site built homes
Whereas, the Town of Benton understands the need for affordable housing, but also understands the need to regulate such housing, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Benton, Bossier Parish, Louisiana realizes that a inspection process is currently not in place for the approval of said housing, and
WHEREAS, The Benton Parish MPC staff is currently developing a comprehensive ordinance to regulate the placement of modular / manufacturing housing in the Town of Benton, and
WHEREAS, The Town of Benton desires this resolution to be affective the date it is adopted and and will be in effect no longer than six months from the time of its adoption without further review of the Benton Parish MPC. And
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Aldermen of the Town of Benton, Bossier Parish, Louisiana, in legal session convened, does hereby adopt this resolution to approve a moratorium for six months to suspend any manufacture homes/ modular homes from being placed in the Town of Benton.
Upon a motion made by Alderman Wyatt, duly seconded by Alderman Jones this resolution was adopted the 10h day of July 2017 by the following votes:
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
YEAS: Alderman Jackie Carr, Alderman Linda Gates, Alderman Ron Jones, and Alderman Donna Wyatt
NAYS: None
ABSTAINED: None
ABSENT: Alderman Wayne Cathcart None
- Discussion and approval of a permit for laying Fiber Optic Cable within the Town of Benton Mayor Horton spoke to council about the Fiber Optic contractor is coming in to meet with him and the Parish to discuss them laying the cables through town. The mayor stated that if council allows them to come through the town that he feels they should put up a bond to cover damages and also pay a permitting fee.
A motion by Alderman Wyatt, seconded by Alderman Carr to approve the Mayor to negotiate this project
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
YEAS: Alderman Jackie Carr, Alderman Linda Gates, Alderman Ron Jones, and Alderman Donna Wyatt
NAYS: None
ABSTAINED: None
ABSENT: Alderman Wayne Cathcart None
- Employee Health Benefits: Approval of final benefit package. Sabrina spoke to council members about the increase in premiums and informed council of the costs associated with the increase. The mayor stated that the town could cover the additional costs or they can let the employee cover the difference. The Mayor explained that there are two plans offered to employees. One is a high deductable at no cost to the employee. The other is a low deductable and the employee pays around $24.00 each pay period. With the increase the high deductable plan will cost the employee around $11.00 per pay period and the low deductable will go up to around $40.33 per pay period. After some discussion council members decided to let the employees absorb the increase.
A motion by AldermanJones, seconded by AldermanWyatt to approve the health benefits for the town employees
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
YEAS: Alderman Jackie Carr, Alderman Linda Gates, Alderman Ron Jones, and Alderman Donna Wyatt
NAYS: None
ABSTAINED: None
ABSENT: Alderman Wayne Cathcart None
- Street Superintendant, Tommy Akins: Report on current projects. Tommy spoke about the current street project on Old Plain Dealing Rd. And that everyone is staying busy with trying to keep up with grass cutting.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: none
7.Council Questions or comments of the financials: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS None
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice is hereby given pursuant to Article 7, Section 23(C) of the Louisiana Constitution and R.S. 47:1705(B) that a public hearing of the Town of Benton in Bossier Parish, Louisiana will be held at its regular meeting place at the Town of Benton Council Chambers at 105 Sibley Street, Benton, Louisiana on Monday, August 14, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. to consider adopting the adjusted millage rates after reassessment and rolling forward to rates not to exceed the prior year’s maximum.
A motion by Alderman Wyatt, seconded by Alderman Jones to adjourn the meeting
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
FAVOR 4
OPPOSED 0