TOWN OF STONEWALL - COUNCIL MEETING
1746 US HIGHWAY 171, STONEWALL, LOUISIANA 71078
MAY 14, 2024, 6:30 P.M.
The Stonewall Town Council met during a regular session with 15 visitors. A roll call was taken, council members present were Robert Baker, Margaret Dickerson, Eric Runge, Brandon Garsee, and Don Crosslin. Mayor Ken Kaffka and Town Attorney Joshua Chevallier were also present. Prayer was led by Council Member Eric Runge. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Brandon Garsee.
ADDITION/DELETION:
PUBLIC COMMENT: Blake Bedsole, property owner, made a complaint about the Church Street flooding issue.
Michael Norton, DeSoto Parish Police Jury Administrator, notified the council about the compactor site’s proposed location and to answer any questions.
MINUTES: A motion to approve April 9, 2024, regular meeting minutes was made by Council Member Margaret Dickerson, seconded by Council Member Robert Baker. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSENT. Motion carried.
REPORTS
(a) ROADS: Mayor Kaffka stated that about two-thirds of Sandpiper has been overlayed from the cul-de-sac to the curve.
(b) BUDGET COMPARISON: Budget Comparison for July 1, 2023, through April 30, 2024, was reviewed and discussed. Council Member Brandon Garsee made a motion to accept as printed, seconded by Council Member Margaret Dickerson. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSENT. Motion carried.
(c) OTHER: None.
(d) GRANTS: None.
(e) PARK: None.
(f) REIMBURSEMENT: None.
OLD BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS:
a) North DeSoto High School FFA Presentation on "Mineral Exploration/Exploitation on Agricultural Land Loss.” Discussion followed.
b) Introduction of Ordinance Number 141-2024: AN ORDINANCE TO PRESENT AND ADOPT THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025. The Ordinance title was read by Mayor Kaffka. Council Member Robert Baker made a motion to introduce, seconded by Council Member Margaret Dickerson. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSENT. Motion carried.
c) Introduction of Ordinance Number 142-2024: AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 FOR THE TOWN OF STONEWALL, DESOTO PARISH, LOUISIANA. The Ordinance title was read by Mayor Kaffka. Council Member Margaret Dickerson made a motion to introduce, seconded by Council Member Robert Baker. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSENT. Motion carried.
d) Recommend approving payment to Mr. Holder to purchase Stanley Road right-of-way. Discussion followed. Council Member Brandon Garsee made a motion to approve the payment, seconded by Council Member Margaret Dickerson. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSENT. Motion carried.
e) Recommend approving payment to Mr. Swann to purchase Stanley Road right-of-way and to install a privacy fence. Discussion followed. Council Member Brandon Garsee made a motion to approve the payment and install an 8-foot privacy fence wherein he will cover the excess cost between a 6-foot fence and an 8-foot fence, seconded by Council Member Margaret Dickerson. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSENT. Motion carried.
f) Recommend approving payment to Mr. Ebarb to purchase Stanley Road right-of-way and to relocate his fence and electric gate. Discussion followed. Council Member Brandon Garsee made a motion to approve the payment and relocate the fence and electric gate, seconded by Council Member Don Crosslin. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSENT. Motion carried.
g) Authorize the Mayor, Council, Town Clerk & Deputy Clerk to attend the LMA’s 87th Annual Convention in Shreveport on August 1-3, 2024. Discussion followed. Council Member Brandon Garsee made a motion to approve, seconded by Council Member Eric Runge. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSENT. Motion carried.
h) Recommend approving closing the savings account at Red River Bank and moving money to the Red River General Fund account and start paying a monthly fee to have increased monthly interest. Discussion followed. Council Member Eric Runge made a motion to approve, seconded by Council Member Don Crosslin. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSENT. Motion carried.
i) Ratify approving the closing of the Town’s CDs at Community Bank and reopening new CDs with higher interest rates with no penalties. Discussion followed. Council Member Brandon Garsee made a motion to approve, seconded by Council Member Eric Runge. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSENT. Motion carried.
j) Executive Session in compliance with La. R. S. 42:17; discuss, under (A)(2), “prospective litigation after formal written demand.” Council Member Robert Baker made a motion to go into executive session, seconded by Council Member Margaret Dickerson. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSENT. Motion carried.
k) Motion to reconvene from Executive Session. Council Member Brandon Garsee made a motion to reconvene, seconded by Council Member Robert Baker. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSENT. Motion carried.
l) Motion for approval for the Town Attorney, Joshua Chevallier, and Bradley, Murchison, Kelly & Shea LLC to institute litigation on behalf of the Town of Stonewall for collection of delinquent occupational license taxes. Discussion followed. Council Member Brandon Garsee made a motion to institute litigation on behalf of the town and to give authorization to settle for the amount of the tax owed, seconded by Council Member Eric Runge. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSENT. Motion carried.
Council Member Robert Baker made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Council Member Eric Runge. 5 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSENT. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned: 7:42 pm
Signature on File Signature on File
Ken Kaffka, Mayor Shree’ Young, own Clerk
