PUBLIC NOTICE
VILLAGE OF ELIZABETH
MEETING
FEBRUARY 10, 2025
Public Council meeting was held 2/10/25 at 6:30pm at the Elizabeth Village Hall, 230 Poplar Street, Elizabeth, LA. The notice of Meeting having been duly posted in accordance with requirements, the meeting was called to order by Mayor Mandy Green at 6:30pm. Opening prayer led by Mr. Ken Kelly, then Pledge of Allegiance and roll call by Mayor Green.
Mayor, Council and Staff Present Council and Staff Absent: Mea Dillehay, Council; Steven Self, Fire Dept Asst Chief; Shane Ware, Police Chief;
Mandy Green, Mayor; Ken Kelly, Council; Stacy Weldon, Council; Denise Lee, Clerk; Heather Sutton, Attorney; Brandon Sweat, Fire Chief; Lorrie Odom, Fire Dept Treasurer;
1. No comments from the public on any agenda item.
2. Ken Kelly made a motion to make a correction to January 2025 minutes. Add a statement to No.8B. – “Ken Kelly made a motion to accept the Fire Chief’s recommendation. Stacy Weldon seconded. All in favor. “Stacy Weldon seconded. All in favor.
3. Ken Kelly made a motion to approve minutes for the regular council meeting of January 13, 2025, with correction. Stacy Weldon seconded. All in favor.
4. Ken Kelly made a motion to approve the agenda. Stacy Weldon seconded. All in favor.
5. ENGINEER’S REPORT
A. James Murphy, MMLH engineer, gave an update on the grants in progress. The Sewer Improvement Project is still under way. He stated that the PHMSA grant is reimbursable. The village will make payments and will be reimbursed.
6. CODE COMPLIANCE
A. Monthly report- Mayor Green stated that some notices has been sent out to clean up properties. More will be sent to the community.
B. Public hearing held for Zoning Change request from Residential A to M1 for Parcel No.0550010750A Intersection of Hwy 112 & Hwy 10. Evan Earl, representing Earl Davis LLC stated they purchased the 16 acres on the corner of these highways and would like to develop with several businesses. They are requesting to change zone from Zone A- single family residential to Zone M1- limited industrial district. The council discussed and stated they think this would be good for the Village of Elizabeth. Mayor Green stated that it would be placed on the agenda for March 10, 2025, meeting to vote on their request.
7. POLICE CHIEF
A. Monthly report- not present.
B. Discussed to possibly have an Animal Control Officer due to 2 of the Elizabeth officers having other full-time jobs and are unavailable sometimes. Citizens are calling the Allen Parish Sheriff’s office to respond to picking up stray dogs in the community when that happens. Mayor Green stated that the APSO are calling her for this issue and the mayor is not over picking up dogs. The APSO does have jurisdiction to come to the village and handle these issues. The LA law states that an officer does have jurisdiction to handle dogs whether stray or vicious. The council will discuss further with Chief Ware for a solution.
8. FIRE CHIEF
A. Fire Chief Brandon Sweat gave the monthly report. Medical calls have picked up lately. He is sending 5 people to a First Responder Class. He stated the fire department did participate in the active shooter demonstration at Elizabeth High School earlier today. He stated that the Bunker Gear that was ordered will be received in a couple of weeks. He stated they have about 33 members now. Mayor Green requested an updated list, along with a new driver list. He stated he would like to install a couple of cameras at the Fire Station. Engine 1 does need to have the brakes checked. They will be taking to Timmons in Alexandria, LA.
9. MAYOR’S REPORT
*Old Business-none.
*New Business
A. Ken Kelly made a motion to adopt Resolution 130-2025 which awards Meyer, Meyer, Lacroix and Hixson to conduct the professional engineering services for the PHMSA Gas Grant Program. Stacy Weldon seconded. All in favor.
B. Ken Kelly made a motion to pass Resolution 131-2025 which awards Meyer, Meyer, Lacroix and Hixson the Grant Management Services for the PHMSA Grant. Stacy Weldon seconded. All in favor.
C. Mayor Green stated that the Village of Elizabeth will be teaming up with Cleco to host a community landscaping day on March 20th at 9am- Let’s Bloom into Spring at Elizabeth’s Historical Town Hall. They will also be replacing the sign at the AB Finke Walking Park.
D. Magnolia Spay & Neuter will be at the Community Center on March 13, 2025, for dogs and cats. Must sign up on the Magnolia Spay & Neuter website prior to the event. All dogs and cats inside city limits participating will receive a collar and tag. All animals in the Village without a collar is considered a stray.
E. Easter Egg Hunt will be at Piney Park from 9a-1p on Saturday, April 12, 2025. Working on getting donations. Anyone wishing to donate to this event, please contact the Elizabeth Town Hall.
F. Mayor Green stated that the big blue sign at the corner of Hwy 112 and Hwy 10 will be torn down soon to get ready for construction of a new sign. Will be taking bids for this job.
10. VILLAGE ATTORNEY
A. Heather Sutton stated that Ordinance 7-99 Sewer and Sanitary Condition issues need to be amended to reprimand when sewer systems are not being maintained properly along with some more updates.
B. She also stated that Ordinance 26C concerning mobile homes needs to be amended as to whether to keep the Special Use/Non-conforming Permits updated. The council will be reading the Ordinance to make recommendations.
11. COUNCIL
A. Ken Kelly introduced an amendment to Ordinance 7-99 to set forth regulations as it pertains to the disposal of sewage waste, to set forth the duties of property owners to install and/or maintain sewage disposal systems, to establish enforcement procedures for property owners who fail to install and/or maintain sewage disposal systems, and to clarify the provisions of Ordinance 7-99. This amended ordinance will become Ordinance 7-99A.
B. Public hearing held to discuss Ordinance 06-17G with amendment to add section for Residential Rental utility deposits. The water deposit to be $250.00 plus $25.00 connect fee and the gas deposit to be $275.00 plus $25.00 connect fee. No comments.
C. Stacy Weldon made a motion to adopt Ordinance 06-17G with amendment to add section for Residential Rental utility deposits. Ken Kelly seconded. All in favor. Ken Kelly-yea, Stacy Weldon-yea, Mea Dillehay-absent.
D. Ken Kelly made a motion to adopt Resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in the Village of Elizabeth, LA to authorize the levy of a sales and use tax therein, making application to the State Bond Commission and providing for other matters in connection therewith. Stacy Weldon seconded. All in favor.
E. Ken Kelly made a motion to approve expenses for January 2025 and comparison of actual expenses to budget. Stacy Weldon seconded. All in favor.
12. Stacy Weldon made a motion to adjourn. Ken Kelly seconded. All in favor.
Approved by:
/s/Mandy L Green, Mayor
2.13.25
Attest by:
/s/Denise Lee, LCM Clerk
2.13.25
*Public hearing prior to adoption of an amendment to Ordinance 7-99A Sewer and Sanitary Conditions at the regular council meeting at Elizabeth Town Hall on March 10, 2025 at 6:30pm located at 230 Poplar Street.
(PUBLISH: FEBRUARY 27, 2025)1T
Cost is $205.00
PUBLIC NOTICE
VILLAGE OF ELIZABETH
The following resolution was offered by Ken Kelly and seconded by Stacy Weldon:
RESOLUTION
A resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in the Village of Elizabeth, State of Louisiana, to authorize the levy of a sales and use tax therein, making application to the State Bond Commission and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the Village of Elizabeth, State of Louisiana (the “Governing Authority”), acting as the governing authority of the Village of Elizabeth, State of Louisiana (the “Village”), that:
SECTION 1. Election Call. Subject to the approval of the State Bond Commission, and under the authority conferred by the Constitution of the State of Louisiana of 1974, including Article VI, Section 29 thereof, the applicable provisions of the Louisiana Election Code, and other constitutional and statutory authority, a special election is hereby called and ordered to be held in the Village on SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2025, between the hours of seven o’clock (7:00) a.m. and eight o’clock (8:00) p.m., in accordance with the provisions of La. R.S. 18:541, and at the said election there shall be submitted to all registered voters qualified and entitled to vote at the said election under the Constitution and laws of this State and the Constitution of the United States, the following proposition, to-wit:
PROPOSITION
(SALES TAX)
Shall the Village of Elizabeth, Louisiana (the “Village”), be authorized to levy and collect a 1% sales and use tax (the “Tax”) in accordance with Louisiana law (an estimated $78,000 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the Tax for an entire year), in perpetuity, beginning July 1, 2025, with the proceeds of the Tax (after paying reasonable and necessary costs and expenses of collecting and administering the Tax), to be dedicated and used for the purposes of providing funds for constructing, acquiring, extending, improving, operating, and maintaining sewerage and waterworks facilities, roads and bridges, drainage facilities, and public buildings, including the necessary land, equipment and furnishings therefor, supporting public safety in the Village, and for any other lawful purpose of the Village?
SECTION 2. Publication of Notice of Election. A Notice of Special Election shall be published in the official journal of the Village once a week for four consecutive weeks, with the first publication to be made not less than forty-five (45) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the date of the election, which Notice shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as “Exhibit A” and incorporated herein by reference the same as if it were set forth herein in full. Note: “Exhibit A” will post in Oakdale Journal beginning March 6, 2025. A copy is located at the Elizabeth Town Hall.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the publication of the Notice of Special Election, the Mayor is authorized and directed to make any amendments to the foregoing proposition that may be required to comply with any state or federal regulatory agencies.
SECTION 3. Canvass. This Governing Authority shall meet at its regular meeting place, the Village Hall, 230 Poplar Street, Elizabeth, Louisiana, on MONDAY, MAY 12, 2025, at 6:30 P.M., and shall then and there in open and public session proceed to examine and canvass the returns and declare the result of the said special election.
Resolution 129-2025
SECTION 4. Polling Place. The polling place for the precinct set forth in the aforesaid Notice of Special Election is hereby designated as the polling place at which to hold the said election, and the Commissioner-in-Charge and Commissioners, respectively, will be the same persons as those designated in accordance with law.
SECTION 5. Election Commissioners; Voting Machines. The officers designated to serve as Commissioners-in-Charge and Commissioners pursuant to Section 4 hereof, or such substitutes therefor as may be selected and designated in accordance with La. R.S. 18:1287, shall hold the said special election as herein provided, and shall make due returns of said election for the meeting of the Governing Authority to be held as provided in Section 3 hereof. All registered voters in the Village will be entitled to vote at the special election, and voting machines shall be used.
SECTION 6. Authorization of Officers. The Clerk of the Village is hereby empowered, authorized and directed to arrange for and to furnish to said election officers in ample time for the holding of said election, the necessary equipment, forms and other paraphernalia essential to the proper holding of said election and the Mayor and/or Clerk of the Village are further authorized, empowered and directed to take any and all further action required by State and/or Federal law to arrange for the election.
SECTION 7. Furnishing Election Call to Election Officials. Certified copies of this resolution shall be forwarded to the Secretary of State, the Clerk of Court and Ex-Officio Parish Custodian of Voting Machines of Allen Parish and the Registrar of Voters of Allen Parish, as notification of the special election, in order that each may prepare for said election and perform their respective functions as required by law.
SECTION 8. Application to State Bond Commission. Application is made to the State Bond Commission for consent and authority to hold the special election as herein provided, and in the event said election carries for further consent and authority to levy and collect the sales and use tax provided for therein. A certified copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to the State Bond Commission on behalf of this Governing Authority, together with a letter requesting the prompt consideration and approval of this application.
SECTION 9. Employment of Counsel. This Governing Authority finds and determines that a real necessity exists for the employment of special counsel on matters related to the special election, and accordingly, Foley & Judell, L.L.P., is hereby employed as special counsel for said purpose for a term not exceeding one (1) year from the date of this resolution. The fee to be paid said special counsel shall be an amount computed at hourly rate based on the Attorney General’s then current Maximum Hourly Fee Schedule, not to exceed $1,000 in the aggregate, together with reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses, and the Clerk is authorized to pay such invoices as and when presented. The scope of this legal representation does not involve federal claims.
This resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:
YEAS: 2
NAYS: 0
ABSENT: 1
And the resolution was declared adopted on this, the 10th day of February, 2025.
/s/ Mandy L. Green
Mayor
/s/ Denise Lee
Clerk
(PUBLISH: FEBRUARY 27, 2025)1T
Cost is $190.00
PUBLIC NOTICE
VILLAGE OF ELIZABETH
Resolution 130-2025 to Award Engineering Services Contract
For DOT-PHMSA PROGRAM
At a regular meeting of the Mayor and Village Council of the Village of Elizabeth, Louisiana, held on February 10, 2025, at which meeting a quorum was present, due notice of same having been made according to law, the following Resolution was made:
WHEREAS the Village of Elizabeth requested qualification statements from qualified engineering firms or engineers to provide engineering and related services pertaining to the Town’s Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Project funded through the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (DOT-PHMSA); and
WHEREAS, the Village of Elizabeth has received qualification statements from engineering firms for said Engineering Services; and
WHEREAS, the Village of Elizabeth has scored the qualification statements received for Engineering Services; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Council of the Village of Elizabeth desires to award the engineering services contract to Meyer, Meyer, LaCroix & Hixson (MML&H) for the Village’s Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Project; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that subject to approval by the PHMSA, the Village of Elizabeth desires to authorize the Mayor, on behalf of the Village, to execute all contracts required with Meyer, Meyer, LaCroix & Hixson.
This Resolution being submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:
YEAS: 2
NAYS: 0
ABSENT AND NOT VOTING: 1
And the Resolution was declared adopted on this, the 10th day of February, 2025.
CERTIFICATE
We the undersigned do certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and correct copy of a resolution adopted at a meeting held on February 10, 2025, at which meeting a quorum was present and voting.
Approved by:
/s/Mandy L Green, Mayor
2.10.25
Attest by:
/s/Denise Lee, LCM Clerk
2.10.25
(PUBLISH: FEBRUARY 27, 2025)1T
Cost is $90.00
PUBLIC NOTICE
VILLAGE OF ELIZABETH
Resolution 131-2025
Authorizing Award for Grant Management Services
At a regular meeting of the Mayor and the Council of the Village of Elizabeth, Louisiana, held on Monday, February 10, 2025, at which meeting a quorum was present, due notice of same having been made according to law, the following Resolution was made:
WHEREAS, the Village of Elizabeth requested qualification statements from qualified firms or individuals to provide grant management services pertaining to the Village’s Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Project funded through the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA); and
WHEREAS, the Village of Elizabeth has received qualification statements from firms for said Grant Management Services; and
WHEREAS, the Village of Elizabeth has scored the qualification statements received for Grant Management Services; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that, by the Mayor and Council of the Village of Elizabeth, the contract for the Grant Management Services contract on the Village’s Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Project be awarded to Meyer, Meyer, LaCroix and Hixon (MMLH) and;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, subject to approval by the PHMSA, the Mayor is hereby authorized, on behalf of the Village of Elizabeth to sign all contracts required for the Grant Management Services on the Village’s Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Project.
This Resolution being submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:
YEAS: 2
NAYS: 0
ABSENT AND NOT VOTING: 1
And the Resolution was declared adopted on this, the 10th day of February, 2025.
CERTIFICATE
We the undersigned do certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and correct copy of a resolution adopted at a meeting held on February 10, 2025, at which meeting a quorum was present and voting.
Approved by:
/s/Mandy L Green, Mayor
2.10.25
Attest by:
/s/Denise Lee, LCM Clerk
2.10.25
(PUBLISH: FEBRUARY 27, 2025)1T
Cost is $95.00
POSITION NOTICE
The Allen Parish School Board is seeking
person(s) to fill the following position(s):
One (1) Bus Driver
FOR FAIRVIEW HIGH SCHOOL
Minimum Requirements:
1. High school diploma or equivalence.
2. Meet requirements in Bulletin 119
and 1475 of the State of Louisiana
Transportation Handbook.
3. Must possess a Class B Commercial
Driver’s License with P and S
endorsement.
4. Must be able to transport students
during the school day.
5. Must be certified to serve as a school
bus operator.
6. Must have proven driving ability and
experience.
Salary: Allen Parish Board
Salary Schedule.
Status of Employment: 9 months
Application Deadline: March 11, 2025
Apply online
using the link below.
https://www.applitrack.com/allenparish/onlineapp/JobPostings/view.asp?FromAdmin=true&AppliTrackJobId=343
This Institution is an equal opportunity provider
(PUBLISH: FEBRUARY 27, 2025; MARCH 6, 2025)2T
Cost is $105.00