November 9, 2017 - Special

November 8, 2017

NOTICE OF SPECIAL POLICE JURY MEETING

1. Motion to adopt a resolution to accept the proposal for the Rapides Parish Police Jury to change health insurance coverage to United Healthcare with an increase across the board of $40.00 on all employee premiums and with a $500.00 deductible for early retirees only.
2. Motion to authorize the President to sign a grant application for the Rapides Parish Coliseum to apply to the Greater Alexandria Economic Development District Authority for $200,000. Funds are to be used for procurement of a stage, floor seats, down fill speakers, spotlights, wireless intercom, and forklift, to be used for the attraction, support and hosting of concerts, graduations, and large conventions at the Rapides Parish Coliseum
3. Any other business that may properly come before the Police Jury.

BY ORDER OF THE PRESIDENT

Laurel Smith, Secretary

Police Jurors; Joe Bishop, Theodore Fountaine, Jr., Richard Vanderlick, Oliver “Ollie” Overton, Jr. and Sean McGlothlin.

Absent were Police Jurors: Davron “Bubba” Moreau and Richard Billings.

Also present were: Mr. Bruce Kelly, Treasurer; Mr. Thomas O. Wells, Legal Counsel; Mr. Phillip Terrell, District Attorney and Ms. Laurel Smith, Secretary.

The invocation was given by Mr. Scott Perry.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Bruce Kelly. SPECIAL MEETING November 9, 2017

The Police Jury of the Parish of Rapides, State of Louisiana, was duly convened as the governing authority of said Parish by Hon. Craig Smith, President, who welcomed all present and then stated that the Police Jury was ready for the transaction of business.

The President asked if there was any public comment on any agenda item, to which there was no response.

On motion by Mr. Richard Vanderlick, seconded by Mr. Joe Bishop, to adopt a resolution to accept the proposal for the Rapides Parish Police Jury to change health insurance coverage to United Healthcare, with an increase across the board of $40.00 on all employee premiums and with a $500.00 deductible for early retirees only.

Discussion ensued.

Mr. Joe Bishop suggested rounding the premium increase to the nearest dollar.

Amended motion by Mr. Richard Vanderlick, seconded by Mr. Joe Bishop, to adopt a resolution to accept the proposal for the Rapides Parish Police Jury to change health insurance coverage to United Healthcare with an increase across the board of $40.00 on all employee premiums and with a $500.00 deductible for early retirees only and round up premiums to the nearest dollar.

Mr. Sean McGlothlin stated he was concerned with the Jury shopping for better prices. The Jury needs to not make this a habit in the future, switching insurance companies from year to year because of the premiums.

Mr. Craig Smith stated the Jury was looking at a $680,000 increase this year. With this proposal we will be able to cut expenses and hopefully next year get a premium we can afford too.

Mr. Bruce Kelly stated the last time the insurance carrier was changed was January 1, 2001.

On vote the amended motion carried. Mr. Sean McGlothlin voted nay.

On motion by Mr. Joe Bishop, seconded by Mr. Sean McGlothlin, to authorize the President to sign a grant application for the Rapides Parish Coliseum to apply to the Greater Alexandria Economic Development District Authority (GAEDA) for $200,000. Funds are to be used for procurement of a stage, floor seats, down fill speakers, spotlights, wireless intercom and forklift, to be used for the attraction, support and hosting of concerts, graduations, and large conventions at the Rapides Parish Coliseum.

Mr. Ollie Overton stated he was the Grant Chairman and he was not familiar with this grant. He also stated he had a special relationship with Mr. Clifford Moller and he has had no discussions with Mr. Moller on this grant.

Mr. Theodore Fountaine questioned how the grant came up, to which Mr. Craig Smith stated it was presented to us yesterday by Ms. Paige Fontenot, Coliseum SPECIAL MEETING November 9, 2017

personnel. It is an application between the Rapides Parish Police Jury, SMG and he presented it to Legal Counsel for review and it was placed on today’s agenda because we have a Special and it’s time sensitive to get the application in.

Mr. Overton stated he wanted to make it clear, he was not against what they are trying to do, it’s the way they are going about doing this.

Mr. Charlton Northington, SMG, General Manager of the Rapides Parish Coliseum, stated they misunderstood the process. They were just completing the application and trying to submit it on behalf of the Parish. These items are extremely critical to bringing events to the Coliseum.

Mr. Overton question if anybody had discussed this item with Mr. Moller, to which Mr. Northington stated no. He had some additional conversations with Mr. Moller in the past about what GAEDA did last year and how that went.

Mr. Northington stated so he may be aware of the items on the application, but he has not seen it in its current form or submission process.

Mr. Theodore stated he was concerned about saying yes. You are saying maybe. It should have been discussed with them prior to us trying to get this.

Mr. Richard Vanderlick stated he would like to be sure and that Mr. Ollie Overton, Chairman of the Grants Committee needs to be involved.

Mr. Sean McGlothlin questioned Ms. Paige Fontenot that she had stated she had some conversations with Mr. Moller, to which Ms. Fontenot stated yes. Mr. McGlothlin asked Ms. Fontenot if Mr. Moller gave them any advice, to which Ms. Fontenot stated they had several meetings with Mr. Moller, maybe three, all of which he said he knew that the Coliseum had some needs and they were willing to help us. She was going through the GAEDA application process that is there for everyone to follow, filling out the application, getting all the information together and then submitting it to Mr. Craig to look it over and approve or deny it. She stated she was sorry, she didn’t know there was a Grant Chairman. Mr. McGlothlin asked if Mr. Moller advised her to fill out the application or did she do it on her own, to which Ms. Fontenot stated, no he didn’t advise me to fill out the application he just said there are two grant periods and talked about what they were. She stated, common sense, I need to fill out an application for the Grant and follow those procedures.

Mr. Overton stated he thought some of the items on the application were negotiated in the initial construction plans of the Coliseum. He requested that Mr. Tom Wells, Legal Counsel, go back and take a look at the original contract.

Mr. Thomas Wells, Legal Counsel, stated he would be glad to do the wishes of the Jury.

On vote the motion carried. Mr. Ollie Overton voted nay.

Mr. Joe Bishop stated he would like to go on record that the Rapides Parish Police Jury supports all the Veterans . Veterans Day is coming up and they appreciate all SPECIAL MEETING November 9, 2017

their service to the United States.

On motion by Mr. Richard Billings, seconded by Mr. Joe Bishop, there being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:19 p.m.