Bellard admitted his research prompted by Juror John Quebodeaux’s question about the Jury’s responsibility made him conclude, “There’s no cut and dry solution.”
Bellard reported the court-appointed commission is expected to issue its report to the state Supreme Court within four to six weeks.
Bellard added, “There’s not much guidance now, it’s a case-by-case decision now.”
The commission is expected to establish guidelines based on a parish’s population, Bellard said, about consulting with the general counsel for the Louisiana Police Jury Association.
After hearing Bellard’s report, Juror Quebodeaux commented, “We could do too much or not,” as he seconded a motion by Building and Grounds Committee member Felton “Tony” Moreau to table the Jury’s process until the Supreme Court acts.
Quebodeaux secured a commitment from the low bidder for a metal detector, door access controls and a badging system for Courthouse staff.
In other action, Jurors agreed to close the Parish Courthouse on Nov. 2 for the General Election and shifted their committee sessions to Sept. 8 and Nov. 3 and regular meetings to Sept. 15 and Nov. 10 due to Labor Day holiday and election day.
Jurors approved a resolution supporting the Acadiana Regional Development District in creating a regional organization to apply for up to $2.5 million under the Sustainable Planning Grants Program to identify critical projects and infrastructure in Acadiana.
Though several jurors questioned the provisions of new floodplain maps created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), they unanimously adopted the ordinance when they were told no parish resident could secure flood insurance or mortgages without the new map. The floodplain map was last updated in 1982.
Jurors adopted resolutions in support of four project applications under the Disaster Recovery Project of the Community Block Grant program for Hurricane Gustav and Ike. The adopted resolutions included a generator for the Estherwood sewer plant, and Jury projects for Airport Road, a hangar at the parish airport and a Jury master plan.
Jurors were told applications for eight of the 12 parish-adopted projects have been accepted and that all CDBG grant applications likely will be submitted by November.
Two bids submitted by the Rayne firm of W.D.I. were accepted by the Jury for alternative daily cover and a hydro seeding unit for use at the parish sanitary landfill.
Jurors set a 25 mph speed limit on Speech Street and agreed to hold a public hearing on a request to abandon Wood Duck Road.
U.S. Senate candidate Bob Lang also addressed members of the Jury.
Post a Comment
