Thetownofplaindealing public meetings in 2024

City Council

At a special meeting on December 23, 2024, the Plain Dealing Town Council unanimously approved Resolution #16, rescinding the prior Resolution #15 that had designated ARPA funds for a wastewater sector grant. The council then approved Resolution #17, as amended, to use the remaining $165,980.16 in ARPA funds for water and sewer system repairs, maintenance, and upgrades, with $10,000 dedicated to premium pay for eligible pandemic-era employees. All votes were unanimous with all members present.

• Approved Resolution #16 to repeal and rescind Resolution #15 of 2024 (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution #17 as amended to use $165,980.16 ARPA funds for water/sewer repairs and $10,000 for employee premium pay (unanimous)

City Council

The Town of Plain Dealing City Council will vote on two budget ordinances, one amending the FY2024 budget and one adopting the FY2025 budget. It will also consider resolutions to contract Waggoner Engineering for the 2025 Louisiana Community Development Block Grant and to use remaining ARPA funds for water and sewer system upgrades. Additional items include discussion of town insurance and approval of the 2025 liquor license.

• Resolution 14: authorize the mayor to sign a contract with Waggoner Engineering for professional services related to the 2025 Louisiana Community Development Block Grant
• Resolution 15: authorize use of remaining ARPA funds for repair, maintenance, and upgrade of the town's water and sewer system
• Ordinance 13 of 2024: amend Ordinance No. 3 of 2024 – operating budget of revenues and expenditures for FY2024
• Ordinance 14 of 2024: adopt operating budget of revenues and expenditures for FY2025
• Approval of the 2025 liquor license

The Plain Dealing Town Council unanimously approved two resolutions: one authorizing the mayor to sign a professional services contract with Waggoner Engineering for a Community Development Block Grant project, and another using $140,000 of the remaining $165,980.16 in ARPA funds for the town's Water Sector Grant participation, with the rest for water/sewer repairs. The council also introduced Ordinance 13 (amending the 2024 budget) and tabled Ordinance 14 (2025 budget) until after the new year. Other actions included approving November expenses, keeping current insurance while shopping for alternatives, approving the 2025 liquor license, and approving community center rentals.

• Approved Resolution 14 authorizing mayor to sign Waggoner Engineering contract (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 15 using $165,980.16 ARPA funds for water/sewer and $140,000 Water Sector Grant (unanimous)
• Introduced Ordinance 13 amending 2024 operating budget (unanimous)
• Tabled Ordinance 14 (2025 operating budget) until after first of year (unanimous)
• Approved November 2024 expense reports (unanimous)
• Kept current insurance but will shop for other coverage (unanimous)
• Approved 2025 liquor license (unanimous)
• Approved community center rentals for upcoming events (unanimous)

City Council

The Town of Plain Dealing City Council will meet to approve October 2024 expenses and review liquor license applications. The council will also receive updates on the amended budget and the Teal Jones Project.

• Approval of liquor license applications
• Update on the amended budget
• Update on the Teal Jones Project
• Approval of October 2024 expenses
• Community Center applications for Leah Lambka, Brenda Clay, and Macedonia Baptist Church

The Town Council approved the current liquor license/application and approved community center rentals for three events. The council also approved the agenda, minutes, and expense reports, and removed an item from the agenda due to clerical error. No substantive policy decisions were made; updates were given on the budget and the Teal Jones sewer project.

• Approved liquor license/application (unanimous)
• Approved community center rentals for Nov 16, 17, 26 (unanimous)
• Approved agenda for Nov 12, 2024 (unanimous)
• Approved minutes of Oct 8, 2024 (unanimous)
• Approved expense reports (unanimous)
• Removed item 2A from agenda (unanimous)

City Council

The Plain Dealing City Council will hold its regular meeting on October 8, 2024. The main item is the introduction of Ordinance #12 of 2024, which sets the town marshal's salary at $38,353.20 per year with full-time benefits, and allows the marshal to opt out of town health insurance with premiums added to payroll. The council will also approve the September minutes and expenses, receive police and street reports, and consider two community center applications.

• Introduce Ordinance #12 of 2024 setting town marshal salary at $38,353.20/year
• Approve expenses for September 2024
• Approve minutes of September 10, 2024 regular meeting
• Community center application: Wanda Gail Burnes birthday party on 10-19-2024
• Community center application: Megan Taylor family reunion on 11-9-2024

The Town Council voted to table Ordinance 12 of 2024, which would set the Town Marshal's salary at $38,353.20 per year plus benefits, until legal questions are resolved. The council separately approved a resolution authorizing the Town Attorney to request an opinion from the Louisiana Attorney General on the ordinance's legality. The council also approved the September 2024 expense report and two community center rental requests, with Alderman Judith McGuffey casting the lone nay vote on the minutes and expense report.

• Amended agenda to add resolution seeking AG opinion on police chief salary ordinance (unanimous)
• Approved October 8, 2024 agenda as amended (unanimous)
• Approved September 10, 2024 minutes (4-1, McGuffey nay)
• Approved September 2024 expense report (4-1, McGuffey nay)
• Tabled Ordinance 12 of 2024 setting Town Marshal salary at $38,353.20/year plus benefits (unanimous)
• Approved resolution authorizing Town Attorney to obtain AG opinion on police chief salary ordinance legality (unanimous)
• Approved community center rentals for Burnes birthday party 10/19/2024 and Taylor family reunion 11/9/2024 (unanimous)
• Adjourned meeting at 7:06 PM (unanimous)

City Council

The Plain Dealing City Council will vote on an ordinance setting the police chief's salary at $45,500 per year, and discuss resolutions related to a $1,747,200 LCDBG grant for sewer system improvements. They will also approve the August minutes and expenses, receive department reports, and consider community center applications.

• Ordinance 12 of 2024: sets police chief salary at $45,500/year plus benefits
• Resolution 13 of 2024: adoption of plans and policies for LCDBG compliance
• Resolution #8: funding to Manchac Consulting Group (now Waggoner Engineering Inc.)
• Resolution #9: funding to GNF Management Company Inc.
• LCDBG grant of $1,747,200 for sewer system and collection system improvements

The Council approved the transfer of $100,000 from industrial funds to a general fund account to pay obligations for a $1,747,200 LCDBG grant. The board also adopted policies for LCDBG compliance and approved two community center rental requests.

• Approved August 2024 expense report (3-1)
• Adopted Resolution 13 of 2024 for LCDBG compliance (4-0)
• Approved cashing $100,000 CD from industrial funds for LCDBG sewer project obligations (4-0)
• Tabled Ordinance #12 of 2024 regarding Chief of Police salary (4-0)
• Approved Community Center use for family reunion on 10-5-2024 and National Night Out on 10-1-2024 (4-0)

City Council

The Town Council approved Resolution #12 of 2024, setting the annual millage rate for tax year 2024, with all members voting in favor. The council also approved the July 2024 expense report, minutes from prior meetings, and community center applications. No other substantive decisions were made; several items were informational or pending.

• Adopted Resolution #12 of 2024 setting the 2024 millage rate (unanimous)
• Approved July 2024 expense report (4-1, McGuffey nay)
• Approved minutes of July 9, 2024 regular meeting (4-1, McGuffey nay)
• Approved minutes of August 7, 2024 special meeting (4-1, McGuffey nay)
• Approved community center applications for five events (unanimous)

City Council

The Town Council approved Ordinance #4 of 2024, establishing a $125.00 per hour fee for removing residential brush and debris that takes more than 15 minutes to remove. The council also voted to use $13,000 from the Cemetery fund certificate of deposit to purchase an additional lawn mower and chairs for the pavilion. Additionally, two members were re-appointed to the Fire District #7 Board of Commissioners.

• Adoption of Ordinance #4 of 2024 regarding residential brush and debris removal fees
• Approval of $13,000 from Cemetery fund CD for a lawn mower and pavilion chairs
• Re-appointment of Cindy Dodson to Fire District #7 Board of Commissioners
• Re-appointment of Lenora Green-Myers to Fire District #7 Board of Commissioners

The Council adopted Ordinance #4 of 2024, establishing a fee for the removal of residential brush and debris. The board also re-appointed two commissioners to the Bossier Parish Fire District #7 and approved three community center rental requests.

• Approved Ordinance #4 of 2024 establishing a $125 per hour fee for debris removal exceeding 15 minutes (unanimous)
• Re-appointed Cindy Dodson to the Board of Commissioners for Fire District #7 for a two-year term (unanimous)
• Re-appointed Lenora Green-Myers to the Board of Commissioners for Fire District #7 for a two-year term (unanimous)
• Approved community center rentals for Lanae Collins, Leenora Green-Myers, and Charissa Richmond (unanimous)
• Approved June 2024 expense reports (unanimous)
• Approved June 9, 2024 meeting minutes (4-1)
• Decided against creating a property standards board

City Council

The Plain Dealing Town Council will consider appointing Cody Clifford as assistant chief of police, a position with no pay increase, and will vote on leasing the Industrial Building to Allen's Custom Cabinets. The agenda also includes routine approvals of minutes and expenses, plus community center applications.

• Consider naming Cody Clifford as assistant chief of police, replacing Megan Cates (no pay increase)
• Lease Industrial Building to Allen's Custom Cabinets at $750/month for remainder of 2024, then $1,000/month from January 2025
• Approve expenses for May 2024
• Community center applications: Angela Sparks family reunion (June 15) and Angelia Daniels Father's Day dinner (June 16)

City Council

The Town of Plain Dealing City Council will meet to approve the April 2024 expenses, adopt the 2024 operating budget, and consider hiring a new police officer and promoting an assistant chief. Department reports and community center applications will also be discussed.

• Approve $1.00 salary increase for Assistant Chief of Police Cody Clifford
• Adopt Ordinance 3 of 2024: 2024 operating budget
• Hire Steven L Rodriguez as full-time police officer to replace Jeremy Carter
• Name Cody Clifford as Assistant Chief of Police to replace Megan Cates
• Approve April 2024 expenses

City Council

The council unanimously approved resolutions addressing engineering and administrative aspects of the FY2024-FY2025 Louisiana Community Development Block Grant project. It also approved an amendment to resolution #6 to cash in an Industrial Development Certificate of Deposit and transfer $8,500 to a Right of Way/Water meter account for the Teal Jones project. A request to add a resolution authorizing the mayor to deposit $8,000 from a cashed CD for administrative fees was approved, but the resolution itself was later removed from consideration.

• Approved agenda amendment to include resolution #10 (unanimous)
• Approved resolution #8 on engineering aspects of CDBG project (unanimous)
• Approved resolution #9 on administrative aspects of CDBG project (unanimous)
• Removed resolution #10 from consideration (unanimous)
• Approved amendment to resolution #6 to cash in CD and transfer $8,500 for Teal Jones project (unanimous)

City Council

The Town Council introduced the operating budget for fiscal year 2024 and approved resolutions to fund water meter installations and right-of-way expropriation for the Teal Jones project. The council also approved the 2023 municipal water prevention environmental audit report.

• Resolution #6 & #7: Transfer of $8,500 for expropriation costs and $16,804.66 for water meter vendors from an industrial development CD
• Ordinance #3 of 2024: Introduction of the operating budget for Jan 1, 2024, through Dec 31, 2024
• Resolution #5 of 2024: Approval of the Municipal Water Pollution Prevention Environmental Audit Report (Jan-Dec 2023)
• Public hearing for Ordinance #3 scheduled for May 14, 2024, at 6:00 PM
• Discussion of potential fees for resident debris removal exceeding 15 minutes

The Council authorized cashing in a certificate of deposit to fund water meter payments and legal fees for property expropriation. They also approved a water environmental audit and introduced the 2024 operating budget.

• Approved Resolution #5 of 2024: Municipal Water Prevention Environment Audit Report (5-0)
• Approved Resolution #6 of 2024: $8,500 for Teal Jones project expropriation costs (5-0)
• Approved Resolution #7 of 2024: $16,804.66 for water meter vendor payment (5-0)
• Introduced Ordinance #3 of 2024: Proposed 2024 operating budget (5-0)
• Approved March 2024 minutes (4-1)
• Approved March 2024 expense report (4-1)
• Approved community center use for LaShonda Malone and Lenora Green-Myers (5-0)

City Council

The Town of Plain Dealing City Council will meet to approve February 2024 expenses and previous meeting minutes. The board will consider Resolution #5 of 2024 regarding the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire for government audit engagements.

• Resolution #5 of 2024: Adoption of the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire
• Approval of February 2024 expenses
• Community Center application for prayer breakfast on March 30, 2024

The Town of Plain Dealing Board of Aldermen approved the February 2024 expense report and Resolution #5 of 2024 adopting the Louisiana Compliance questionnaire for government audit engagement, each on 3-1 votes with Judith McGuffey voting nay. The council also approved the February 13, 2024 regular meeting minutes 3-1 (McGuffey nay) and the March 4, 2024 special meeting minutes unanimously. A community center application for a Calhoun CME prayer breakfast on March 30, 2024 was approved with all members voting in favor. Alderman Jeff Benson was absent; the police chief reported 167 civil and criminal calls and 110 traffic stops in February 2024.

• Approved February 13, 2024 regular meeting minutes (3-1, McGuffey nay)
• Approved March 4, 2024 special meeting minutes (all in favor)
• Approved February 2024 expense report (3-1, McGuffey nay)
• Approved Resolution #5 of 2024 adopting Louisiana Compliance questionnaire for audit engagement (3-1, McGuffey nay)
• Approved community center application for Calhoun CME prayer breakfast on March 30, 2024 (all in favor)
• Approved meeting agenda (all in favor)
• Adjourned meeting at 6:53 PM (all in favor)

City Council

The Board of Aldermen will hold public hearings and consider the adoption of two ordinances regarding the state criminal code and traffic offenses. The council will also discuss police staffing and community center fees.

• Public hearing and adoption of Ordinance #1 of 2024 (State Criminal Code, Section 20-85)
• Public hearing and adoption of Ordinance #2 of 2024 (Louisiana Highway Regulatory Act, Section 20-91)
• Proposed hiring of Robert “Cody” Coteman (full-time) and Bridget Bochman (part-time) at $13.00 per hour
• Discussion on charging all citizens for the community center regardless of 501c3 status
• Consideration of allowing reserve officers for retired citizens with law backgrounds

The Town Council approved two ordinances regarding the state criminal code and traffic offenses. The board also hired two new police officers and adopted a participation plan for the LCDBG program.

• Approved January 2024 expense report (4-1)
• Approved Ordinance 1 of 2024 regarding State Criminal Code (unanimous)
• Approved Ordinance 2 of 2024 regarding Louisiana Highway Regulatory Act (unanimous)
• Hired Robert "Cody" Coleman as full-time officer at $13.00 per hour (unanimous)
• Hired Bridget Bochman as part-time officer at $13.00 per hour (unanimous)
• Approved allowing reserve officers to assist police department (unanimous)
• Adopted LCDBG Citizens Participation Plan and appointed Mayor Gay as Complaint Officer (unanimous)
• Approved community center use for Sonya Green on February 17, 2024 (unanimous)

City Council

The Town of Plain Dealing City Council will consider hiring Jeremy Carter as a full-time officer and authorizing a grant application for the Local Government Assistance Program. The council will also introduce two ordinances regarding the state criminal code and traffic offenses.

• Hiring of Jeremy Carter as full-time officer
• Resolution to apply for the Local Government Assistance Program
• Introduction of Ordinance #1 of 2024 regarding State Criminal Code
• Introduction of Ordinance #2 of 2024 regarding Traffic Offenses
• Approval of December 2023 expenses

The Town Council approved the hiring of Jeremy Carter as a full-time police officer and adopted Ordinance #1 of 2024. The council also introduced Ordinance #2 of 2024 and approved community center applications. A resolution regarding a drinking water loan application was tabled.

• Hired Jeremy Carter as a full-time police officer (5-0)
• Adopted Ordinance #1 of 2024 regarding state criminal code (5-0)
• Introduced Ordinance #2 of 2024 regarding traffic offenses (5-0)
• Approved community center applications (5-0)
• Tabled Resolution #1 of 2024 for Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund (5-0)
• Approved December 2023 expense report (4-1)
• Approved December 12, 2023 meeting minutes (4-1)