October 14, 2025
The Stonewall Town Council met during a regular session with 4 visitors. A roll call was taken, Council Members present were Margaret Dickerson, Robert Baker, Don Crosslin, and Brandon Garsee. Council Member Eric Runge was absent. Mayor Ken Kaffka was present. Prayer was led by Council Member Don Crosslin. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Margaret Dickerson.
ADDITION/DELETION: None
PUBLIC COMMENT: Randy Rodgers asked about the exterior design for Brassica Farms. Perry Thompson wanted to know where the town was regarding the blighted properties on Pine Grove Road.
MINUTES: A motion to approve September 9, 2025, regular meeting minutes was made by Council Member Margaret Dickerson, seconded by Council Member Robert Baker. 4 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT. Motion carried.
REPORTS
(a) ROADS:
(b) BUDGET COMPARISON: Budget Comparison for July 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025, was reviewed and discussed. Council Member Margaret Dickerson made a motion to accept as printed, seconded by Council Member Robert Baker. 4 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT. Motion carried.
(c) OTHER: None.
(d) GRANTS: None.
(e) PARK: None.
(f) REIMBURSEMENT:
(g) LEGAL REPORT: None.
OLD BUSINESS:
A) Recommend ratifying the approval of the sound study being conducted by ALTEC Environmental Consulting and the estimated cost. Discussion followed. Council Member Brandon Garsee made a motion to approve, seconded by Council Member Don Crosslin. 4 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS:
A) Introduction to Ordinance Number 155-2025: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS ORDINANCE FOR THE TOWN OF STONEWALL, DESOTO PARISH, LOUISIANA. Discussion followed. Council Member Brandon Garsee made a motion to introduce, seconded by Council Member Margaret Dickerson. 4 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT. Motion carried.
B) Introduction to Ordinance Number 156-2025: AN ORDINANCE, GRANTING UNTO SOUTHWESTERN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, THE RIGHT, PRIVILEGE AND FRANCHISE TO ACQUIRE, CONSTRUCT, ERECT, MAINTAIN, REPAIR, RECONSTRUCT, REMOVE AND OPERATE A SYSTEM OF ELECTRIC POWER LINES, WIRES, TRANSFORMERS, COMMUNICATION CABLES AND OTHER RELATED AND NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE APPURTENANCES IN, UNDER, OVER, ACROSS, THROUGH AND ALONG ANY AND ALL OF THE PRESENT AND FUTURE STREETS, AVENUES, ALLEYS, THOROUGHFARES, ROADS, HIGHWAYS, SIDEWALKS, BRIDGES AND PUBLIC GROUNDS AND PUBLIC PLACES OF THE TOWN OF STONEWALL, LOUISIANA, FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRANSMITTING AND DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER TO THE TOWN AND ITS INHABITANTS AND ANY OTHER PERSON OR PERSONS, FIRMS AND CORPORATIONS FOR A TERM OF TWENTY FIVE YEARS; REGULATING THE USE OF STREETS BY THE COMPANY AND REPAIR AND RESTORATION OF THE STREETS DISTURBED BY CONSTRUCTION; PROVIDING FOR COMPENSATION TO BE PAID TO THE TOWN; PROVIDING THAT THIS FRANCHISE SHALL NOT BE EXCLUSIVE; PROVIDING THE COMPANY’S OBLIGATIONS TO FURNISH EFFICIENT SERVICE; PROVIDING FOR INDEMNITY BY THE COMPANY TO THE TOWN; PROVIDING FOR CONDITIONAL FORFEITURE IN EVENT OF DEFAULT BY THE COMPANY; MAKING MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS RELATIVE TO THIS GRANT OF FRANCHISE; PROVIDING FOR ACCEPTANCE BY COMPANY; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Discussion followed. Council Member Brandon Garsee made a motion to introduce, seconded by Council Member Robert Baker. 4 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT. Motion carried.
C) Recommend approving the lowest responsive bid for the Stanley Road Project. Discussion followed. Council Member Brandon Garsee made a motion to approve M&M Builders bid, seconded by Council Member Don Crosslin. 4 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT. Motion carried.
D) Recommend approving the updated Policy & Procedure for Driving Record, Motor Vehicle Insurance, & Automobile Use Policy. Discussion followed. Council Member Brandon Garsee made a motion to approve, seconded by Council Member Robert Baker. 4 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT. Motion carried.
E) Recommend rescheduling November’s regular Council meeting to another day due to the meeting falling on a Holiday. Discussion followed. Council Member Don Crosslin made a motion to reschedule the November 11th, meeting to the November 18th, seconded by Council Member Robert Baker. 4 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT. Motion carried.
Council Member Robert Baker made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Council Member Brandon Garsee. 4 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 3 ABSENT. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned: 7:03 pm.
Signature on File Signature on File
Ken Kaffka, Mayor Shree’ Young, Town Clerk