01 January 2024 LMR
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Louisiana<br />
MUNICIPAL<br />
0 1 . 2 4<br />
Louisiana<br />
REVIEW<br />
VOL. 89<br />
ISSUE 1
The Louisiana Municipal Review, the official publication of the Louisiana Municipal Association, serves as a medium for the exchange<br />
The of ideas Louisiana and information Municipal Review, for municipal the official officials publication in Louisiana. of the With Louisiana a circulation Municipal of over Association, 3,200, this serves publication as a medium is read for by employees the exchange of<br />
of Louisiana ideas and municipal information governments, for municipal sheriffs, officials parish in Louisiana. presidents, With state a circulation government of over officials, 3,200, and this members publication of the is read state by legislature employees and of<br />
Louisiana Congressional municipal delegation, governments, among others. sheriffs, Subscription parish presidents, rate: $36 state per year; government Single copy: officials, $3. Louisiana and members residents, of the add state 9% sales legislature tax. Rates and<br />
Congressional for display, professional-listing, delegation, among and others. classified Subscription advertising rate: available $36 per upon year; request Single copy: at editor@lma.org.<br />
$3. Louisiana residents, add 9% sales tax. Rates<br />
for display, professional-listing, and classified advertising available upon request at editor@lma.org.<br />
Statements or expressions of opinions appearing herein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Louisiana Municipal<br />
Association. Statements or Publication expressions of any of opinions advertisement appearing shall herein not be are considered those of the an authors endorsement and not of necessarily the product those or service of the involved. Louisiana No Municipal material<br />
from Association. this publication Publication may of be any reprinted advertisement without shall the not express be considered permission an of endorsement the editor. of the product or service involved. No material<br />
from this publication may be reprinted without the express permission of the editor.<br />
Derrick Johnson, LMA President Rick Allen, First Vice President Ray Bourque, Second Vice President<br />
Mayor, Cheneyville Mayor, Leesville Mayor, Broussard<br />
Page 2<br />
Immediate Past President Michael Chauffe, Grosse Tete<br />
Immediate Past President – Michael Chauffe, Grosse Tete<br />
District Vice President Kim Gaspard, Mayor, Haughton<br />
District A Vice President – Kim Gaspard, Mayor, Haughton<br />
District Vice President Ronny Walker, Mayor, Ruston<br />
District B Vice President – Ronny Walker, Mayor, Ruston<br />
District Vice President Staci A. Mitchell, Mayor, West Monroe<br />
District<br />
District<br />
C<br />
D<br />
Vice<br />
Vice<br />
President<br />
President<br />
– Staci<br />
Howard<br />
A. Mitchell,<br />
“Keith” Lewing,<br />
Mayor,<br />
Mayor,<br />
West Monroe<br />
Anacoco<br />
District E D Vice President – Rich Howard Dupree, “Keith” Mayor, Lewing, Pineville Mayor, Anacoco<br />
District E F Vice President – Charles Rich Dupree, James, Mayor, Mayor, Pineville Sunset<br />
District F G Vice President – Charles Chuck Robichaux, James, Mayor, Mayor, Sunset Rayne<br />
District G H Vice President – Edwin Chuck Robichaux, “Ed” Reeves, Mayor, Rayne Plaquemine<br />
District I H Vice President – Jean Edwin Pelloat, “Ed” Reeves, Mayor, Madisonville<br />
Mayor, Plaquemine<br />
District I J Vice President – Jean Rodney Pelloat, Grogan, Mayor, Mayor, Madisonville Patterson<br />
District J Vice President – Rodney Grogan, Mayor, Patterson<br />
LMA Past President Barney Arceneaux, Mayor, Gonzales<br />
LMA Past President – Barney Arceneaux, Mayor, Gonzales<br />
LMA Past President Johnny Berthelot, Councilman, Gonzales<br />
LMA Past President – Johnny Berthelot, Councilman, Gonzales<br />
LMA Past President David Butler, Mayor, Woodworth<br />
LMA Past President – David Butler, Mayor, Woodworth<br />
LMA Past President David Camardelle, Mayor, Grand Isle<br />
LMA<br />
LMA<br />
Past<br />
Past<br />
President<br />
President<br />
– David<br />
Harry Lewis,<br />
Camardelle,<br />
Mayor,<br />
Mayor,<br />
Rayville<br />
Grand Isle<br />
LMA Past President – Jimmy Harry Lewis, Williams, Mayor, Mayor, Rayville Sibley<br />
Vice LMA President Past President at Large – Jimmy – Julius Williams, Alsandor, Mayor, Mayor, Sibley Opelousas<br />
Vice President at Large – Belinda Julius Alsandor, Constant, Mayor, Opelousas Gretna<br />
Vice President at Large – Kevin Belinda Kately, Constant, Mayor, Mayor, Parks Gretna<br />
Vice President at Large – David Kevin Kately, Toups, Mayor, Parks Addis<br />
Vice President at Large – Darnell David Toups, Waites, Mayor, Mayor, Addis Baker<br />
Vice President at Large – Darnell Waites, Mayor, Baker<br />
<strong>LMR</strong> | JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>
CONTENTS | JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
LMA LAGNIAPPE<br />
The Older Lessons Can be our<br />
greatest Lessons 4<br />
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE<br />
A New Year Brings New<br />
Opportunities 5<br />
10<br />
AG OPINIONS<br />
Opinions Issued by the State<br />
Attorney General 6<br />
<strong>2024</strong> REGULAR SESSION<br />
REMINDERS<br />
Louisiana Legislature 7<br />
THERE’S NO PLACE<br />
LIKE LOUISIANA:<br />
GOV. JEFF LANDRY’S<br />
INAUGURATION<br />
ADDRESSS<br />
COVER PHOTO OF THE<br />
“PIONEERS” STATUE ON THE<br />
STATE CAPITOL, COURTESY OF<br />
CLIFF PALMER<br />
22<br />
LAMATS:<br />
MONROE MAKES<br />
INCLUSIVE PLAY A<br />
TOP PRIORITY<br />
MID-WINTER<br />
CONFERENCE<br />
Change is coming in <strong>2024</strong> 14<br />
LMBC-LEO<br />
The LMBC-LEO Elects <strong>2024</strong><br />
Leadership 25<br />
Cover Photo<br />
Built in the 1930s by Lorado Taft,<br />
the “Pioneers” statue pays<br />
tribute to the Native Americans<br />
who originally inhabited the<br />
region, the French and Spanish<br />
colonists who explored the area<br />
in the 17th and 18th centuries,<br />
and the Americans who made<br />
their homes here in the state’s<br />
earliest days.<br />
LEGAL BRIEFS<br />
Notable constitutional<br />
changes 20<br />
USDA<br />
USDA REcognizes Rural Business<br />
Development Grant Awardees 26<br />
Source: Alvarez, J. T. (2<strong>01</strong>5, February 1).<br />
What's Up With That: State Capitol<br />
Statues. 225Magazine.<br />
https://www.225batonrouge.com/article<br />
/whats-state-capitol-statues<br />
lOUISIANA MUNICIPAL REVIEW EDITORIAL STAFF<br />
Editor-in-Chief John Gallagher | jgallagher@lma.org<br />
Managing Editor Anita Tillman | atillman@lma.org | AMCorp International<br />
Editor Charlotte Smith | charlotte@teamamcorp.com | AMCorp International<br />
Advertising: Ginger Eppes | geppes@lma.org | LMA CorporatE relations<br />
Publisher: Louisiana municipal association<br />
Editorial offices: Louisiana Municipal Association, 6767 Perkins Road, Post Office Box 4327, Baton Rouge,<br />
LA <strong>LMR</strong> 70821- | JANUARY 4327, editor@lma.org, <strong>2024</strong> www.lma.org, (225) 344-50<strong>01</strong>, (800) 234-8274, FAX (225) 344-3057. Page 3
LMA LAGNIAPPE<br />
The Older Lessons Can Be Our Greatest Lessons<br />
I like the dreams of the future<br />
better than the history of the<br />
past.” Thomas Jefferson<br />
In this New Year of new<br />
dreams, new beginnings, and<br />
new resolutions, how wonderful<br />
it would be for us each<br />
to pause for a moment, reflect,<br />
thank God for 2023, and<br />
then remember our many<br />
blessings, personally and collectively<br />
at the LMA and as<br />
Americans. We all have much<br />
for which to be thankful.<br />
Thinking about resolutions,<br />
and especially dealing with<br />
others, my resolution this<br />
year is to remember a basic<br />
and fundamental rule that I<br />
learned in kindergarten: “Be<br />
nice and play happy in the<br />
sandbox.” Sometimes the<br />
older lessons are our greatest<br />
lessons, and when you think<br />
about it, if we follow that basic<br />
rule, it does resolve many<br />
situations and worries.<br />
Secondly, I hope to follow the<br />
advice of Benjamin Franklin<br />
who said, “Be at war with<br />
your vices, at peace with your<br />
neighbors, and let every new<br />
year find you a better man.”<br />
Such a timeless<br />
truth spoken<br />
by a founding<br />
father, so<br />
profound in<br />
its reminder<br />
that situations<br />
and<br />
technologies<br />
may change, but<br />
the basic elements<br />
and challenges of life, love,<br />
and community remain<br />
much the same.<br />
The new year brings a new<br />
term and a fresh start for<br />
many of our elected officials.<br />
Congratulations to Governor<br />
Landry, Lieutenant Governor<br />
Nungesser, Attorney General<br />
Murrill, Secretary of State<br />
Landry, Treasurer Fleming,<br />
Commissioner of Insurance<br />
Temple, and Agriculture<br />
and Forestry Commissioner<br />
Strain. May God grant each<br />
of them the wisdom and the<br />
courage as statewide leaders<br />
for our great state. Congratulations<br />
also to the Louisiana<br />
House and Senate members,<br />
and you, the municipal<br />
officials who serve our<br />
cities, towns, and<br />
villages. As you<br />
face the many<br />
challenges of<br />
service, take<br />
one step at a<br />
time, and remember<br />
the<br />
words of St.<br />
Francis of Assisi:<br />
“Start by doing what’s<br />
necessary; then do what’s<br />
possible; and suddenly you<br />
are doing the impossible.”<br />
Public service is a wonderful<br />
opportunity that comes with<br />
great responsibility. Thank<br />
you all for your willingness<br />
to lead and make your communities<br />
better. God bless<br />
you as you serve in <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
The LMA continues to provide<br />
education, advocacy,<br />
and service to our members.<br />
Please visit the LMA website<br />
at www.lma.org for the various<br />
publications, conferences,<br />
and resources. Plan<br />
now to attend the Mid-Winter<br />
Conference on February<br />
27 and 28 in Marksville. We<br />
have an excellent agenda<br />
and knowledgeable speak-<br />
LMA Proud Co-Host of <strong>2024</strong> SGR Conference<br />
Local government leaders have never faced more<br />
challenges than they do right now. Whether it’s<br />
caused by too much turmoil or too few resources,<br />
delivering excellent customer service, building a<br />
great team, and accomplishing any forward progress<br />
towards a common goal is becoming an increasingly<br />
complicated challenge.<br />
Rediscover and reinvigorate the reason why you<br />
chose to respond to this noble calling by making<br />
plans now to join us in Dallas from <strong>January</strong> 25 - 26 for<br />
SGR’s Servant Leadership Conference!<br />
For more information, visit www.slcgovernmentresource.<br />
com, and click on Events.<br />
Richard Williams<br />
Deputy Director<br />
ers on a variety of issues facing<br />
municipal government.<br />
Registration is now open.<br />
You can find out more about<br />
how to register within this<br />
edition, and we look forward<br />
to seeing you there.<br />
In closing, thank you for allowing<br />
us, the LMA staff, to<br />
serve you. We consider it<br />
an honor and a privilege to<br />
work with you and to do our<br />
part in assisting you each<br />
day. Please don’t hesitate to<br />
call us if we may be of assistance.<br />
Happy New Year and may<br />
you have a blessed <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
Page 4<br />
<strong>LMR</strong> | JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE<br />
A New Year Brings New Opportunities<br />
Happy New Year! It’s incredible<br />
to think we’ve already<br />
reached <strong>2024</strong>. It wasn’t long<br />
ago the world was shut<br />
down as we faced a global<br />
pandemic, but we certainly<br />
bounced back! That truly is<br />
a testament to people coming<br />
together for the greater<br />
good, which is something<br />
I am so honored to witness<br />
within our own LMA membership<br />
day after day.<br />
We have a new governor and<br />
administration as we enter<br />
<strong>2024</strong>, and I’m excited to work<br />
with Governor Jeff Landry<br />
and his administration on<br />
ways to assist all municipal<br />
leaders in finding solutions<br />
that will benefit the issues,<br />
struggles, and roadblocks<br />
that face us from time to<br />
time. Leading a municipality<br />
is a rewarding, but often difficult<br />
job, so I am making it<br />
my mission to ensure Governor<br />
Landry is aware of what<br />
comes our way and where<br />
we find ourselves needing<br />
assistance. A close relationship<br />
is key, and I promise to<br />
do all I can to build the foundation<br />
for clear and regular<br />
communication.<br />
A number of newly elected<br />
officials have also been<br />
sworn in across the state<br />
and are now beginning their<br />
new leadership roles, and<br />
I congratulate them all. As<br />
LMA members, we have a<br />
responsibility to be there<br />
for them. Between us all, we<br />
have decades and decades<br />
of institutional knowledge<br />
ready to be shared and expanded<br />
upon. Not only has<br />
each of us forged our own<br />
paths, but we’ve utilized<br />
the many resources offered<br />
to us by LMA trainings,<br />
workshops, conventions,<br />
meetings, and chances to<br />
network with each other.<br />
I encourage each of you<br />
to reach out to our newly<br />
elected leaders and offer<br />
your own words of advice<br />
and wisdom. I know when I<br />
began my role, I cherished<br />
the words of elected leaders<br />
who came to be more than<br />
mentors but also friends<br />
I knew I could rely upon<br />
when I needed them. Let’s<br />
begin <strong>2024</strong> by offering the<br />
same olive branch we’ve<br />
each been offered from time<br />
to time.<br />
Our Mid-Winter Conference<br />
is right around the corner,<br />
and we’re making the move<br />
to the Paragon Casino in<br />
Marksville this year. Moving<br />
to a more centralized<br />
location will, we hope, encourage<br />
larger attendance.<br />
Derrick Johnson, Sr.<br />
LMA President<br />
Cheneyville<br />
Our <strong>2024</strong> conference will<br />
do what it always does so<br />
well. It will offer educational<br />
workshops on topics that<br />
pertain to what we all need<br />
to know, as well as the opportunity<br />
to listen to fantastic<br />
speakers who are, all<br />
of them, leaders in their respective<br />
fields. I hope to see<br />
many of you there on February<br />
27 and 28, as it’s also<br />
the perfect opportunity for<br />
me to hear from each of you<br />
on issues that you may need<br />
my assistance with directly,<br />
or the assistance of the<br />
LMA. The theme this year is<br />
“Crisis Management: Communication,<br />
Coordination,<br />
and Collaboration.” As we<br />
venture further and further<br />
into the modern world, this<br />
topic is not only timely but<br />
becoming something we<br />
see with far more frequency.<br />
There will be much to learn<br />
in case you find yourselves<br />
in a position that requires<br />
guidance.<br />
Again, I wish you a very happy<br />
<strong>2024</strong>. May it be full of<br />
your continued dedication<br />
to your constituents and all<br />
who call Louisiana home.<br />
<strong>LMR</strong> | JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> Page 5
Attorney General’s Opinions<br />
Dual Officeholding<br />
Opinion: 23-<strong>01</strong>04: The provisions of the<br />
Dual Officeholding and Dual Employment<br />
Law do not prohibit a full-time<br />
employee of the St. Landry Parish Solid<br />
Waste Disposal District from serving as a<br />
member of the St. Landry Parish Council.<br />
Released: 12/13/2023<br />
Opinion: 23-0087: The provisions of the<br />
Dual Officeholding and Dual Employment<br />
Law do not prohibit the Bogalusa<br />
City Attorney from serving as a State<br />
Representative. Released: 12/8/2023<br />
Broadband Investment<br />
Opinion: 23-0078: The Acadia Parish<br />
Police Jury may partner with private<br />
entities to fund broadband build-out<br />
projects within the parish pursuant to<br />
the GUMBO program without being<br />
subjected to the Fair Competition Act.<br />
The funding of an eligible broadband<br />
project through the GUMBO program<br />
exempts a local government entity expending<br />
such funds from the prerequisites<br />
contained within the Fair Competition<br />
Act regarding the offering of<br />
covered services. Released: 12/7/2023<br />
Planning & Zoning Commissions<br />
Opinion: 23-0091: The Town of Sorrento<br />
may not pay a per diem to the members<br />
of the Sorrento Planning Commission.<br />
Released: 12/5/2023<br />
LMA/LLA Host Collaborative Trainings<br />
Throughout the months of<br />
<strong>January</strong> and February, the<br />
LMA and the Louisiana Legislative<br />
Auditor (LLA) will once<br />
again join in a series of collaborative<br />
trainings. These<br />
day-long sessions, from 8:30<br />
a.m. until 4:00 p.m., will cover<br />
topics ranging from “Critical<br />
Challenges Facing Municipalities,”<br />
“The Local Government<br />
Budget Act,” “Public<br />
Bid Law and Procurement,”<br />
“Open Meetings Law,” “Public<br />
Records Law,” “Managing Municipal<br />
Utility Systems,” and<br />
“Ask the LLA/LMA Experts.”<br />
For more information, and<br />
to register, visit the LMA<br />
website, click on ‘Events,’<br />
and then ‘Upcoming Events.’<br />
Non-members can register<br />
by utilizing the QR Code.<br />
Page 6<br />
<strong>LMR</strong> | JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>
(1) Convening; Final<br />
Adjournment; Length<br />
<strong>2024</strong> Regular <strong>2024</strong> REGULAR SESSION Session INFORMATION BULLETIN of the<br />
Issued by House Legislative Services<br />
Louisiana Legislature Reminders<br />
August 1, 2023<br />
Convenes Noon, Monday, March 11, <strong>2024</strong>; adjourns not later than 6:00 PM on<br />
Monday, June 3, <strong>2024</strong>; convenes for up to 60 legislative days during an<br />
85 calendar day period (Const. Art. III, '2(A)(3)(a)).<br />
(2) Subject Matter General in nature; however, no measure levying or authorizing a new state tax,<br />
increasing an existing state tax, or legislating with regard to state tax exemptions,<br />
exclusions, deductions, or credits shall be introduced or enacted (Const. Art. III,<br />
§2(A)(3)(b)).<br />
(3) Request and Prefiling<br />
Deadlines<br />
(a) Retirement bills –<br />
including constitutional<br />
amendments affecting<br />
retirement<br />
(b) Constitutional<br />
Amendments other than<br />
those affecting retirement<br />
(c) All other bills<br />
(See Note 3 on reverse side.)<br />
(4) Bills for Session Introduction<br />
(See Note 1 on reverse side.)<br />
(5) Constitutionally required<br />
advertisement<br />
(a) Retirement bills –<br />
including constitutional<br />
amendments (See Note 2(c)<br />
on reverse side.)<br />
(b) Local bills creating<br />
security districts (See Note<br />
2(b) on reverse side.)<br />
(c) Local bills other than bills<br />
creating security districts<br />
(See Note 2(a) on reverse<br />
side.)<br />
(6) Statutorily required<br />
advertisement of bills<br />
affecting compensation of<br />
certain local officials (See<br />
Note 2(e) on reverse side.)<br />
(7) Deadline for 3rd<br />
Reading/Final Passage<br />
(8) Effective date of Acts<br />
(a) Statutes<br />
(b) Constitutional<br />
Amendments<br />
(a) Request deadline: 5:00 PM, Wednesday, <strong>January</strong> 24, <strong>2024</strong> (House Rule 7.2(F)).<br />
Prefile deadline: 5:00 PM, Friday, <strong>January</strong> 26, <strong>2024</strong> (Const. Art. III, '2(A)(2)(c)).<br />
However, see 5(a) below regarding retirement notice.<br />
(b) Request deadline: Noon, Wednesday, February 28, <strong>2024</strong> (House Rule 7.2(F)).<br />
Prefile deadline: Noon, Friday, March 1, <strong>2024</strong> (Const. Art. XIII, '1(A)).<br />
(c) Request deadline: 5:00 PM, Wednesday, February 28, <strong>2024</strong> (House Rule<br />
7.2(F)).<br />
Prefile deadline: 5:00 PM, Friday, March 1, <strong>2024</strong> (Const. Art. III, '2(A)(2)(b)).<br />
Request deadline: 6:00 PM, Monday, April 1, <strong>2024</strong> (House Rule 7.6(A)(3)).<br />
Introduction deadline: 6:00 PM, Tuesday, April 2, <strong>2024</strong> (Const. Art. III, '2(A)(2)(a)<br />
and (3)(a)).<br />
(a) For first day introduction: notice must be submitted to The Advocate by Noon,<br />
Thursday, <strong>January</strong> 4, <strong>2024</strong>. For Session introduction, a retirement bill must be<br />
submitted to The Advocate by Noon, Friday, <strong>January</strong> 26, <strong>2024</strong> (Const. Art. X,<br />
'29(C)).<br />
(b) To be safe, for first-day introduction, local bills to create security districts<br />
should be requested by Wednesday, <strong>January</strong> 10, <strong>2024</strong>; thereafter,<br />
opportunity to publish local notice is dependent on circumstances with local<br />
newspaper (Const. Art. III, '13(B)).<br />
(c) To be safe, for first-day introduction, local bills should be requested by<br />
Wednesday, <strong>January</strong> 17, <strong>2024</strong>; thereafter, opportunity to publish local notice<br />
is dependent on circumstances with local newspaper (Const. Art. III, '13(A)).<br />
Publication on two separate days at least 30 days prior to introduction (Sheriffs<br />
(R.S. 13:5521(E)); School Board members (R.S. 17:56(D)); Registrar of Voters<br />
and confidential assistants (R.S. 18:55(B) and 59(D)); Assessor’s salary or other<br />
emolument notice and Assessor’s expense allowance notice (R.S. 47:1907.1<br />
and 1908(D)). Deadline for notice to parishes and school boards of change to<br />
assessors’ expense allowance: Thursday, February 29, <strong>2024</strong> (R.S. 47:1908(D)).<br />
6:00 PM of the 57th legislative day or the 82nd calendar day (Friday, May 31,<br />
<strong>2024</strong>), whichever occurs first (thereafter, if authorized by 2/3 vote of both<br />
houses (Const. Art. III, '2(A)(3)(a))).<br />
August 1, <strong>2024</strong>, unless bill provides otherwise (Const. Art. III, '19).<br />
20 days after governor’s proclamation of the election results by which adopted,<br />
unless amendment otherwise provides (Const. Art. XIII, '1(C)).<br />
CONSTITUTIONAL OR STATU-<br />
TORY REQUIREMENTS WITH RE-<br />
SPECT TO DATES AND LEGISLA-<br />
TIVE INSTRUMENTS<br />
1. BILLS FOR SESSION INTRO-<br />
DUCTION: A member may introduce<br />
not more than five additional<br />
bills after session begins.<br />
Joint Rule No. 18 provides that<br />
the following bills are not subject<br />
to this five-bill limit: general<br />
appropriation bill, judicial<br />
branch appropriation, legislative<br />
branch appropriation, capital<br />
outlay bill, omnibus bond authorization<br />
bill, supplemental appropriations<br />
bill, revenue sharing<br />
bill, and ancillary funds bill.<br />
2. NOTICE OF INTENTION TO IN-<br />
TRODUCE CERTAIN KINDS OF<br />
BILLS:<br />
(a) LOCAL BILLS (except bills creating<br />
security districts): Advertisement<br />
of intent to introduce<br />
a local bill must be published in<br />
the official journal of the locality<br />
on two separate days at least 30<br />
days prior to introduction. Notice<br />
must state substance of the<br />
bill. If so instructed by author,<br />
staff will send notice to newspaper<br />
and obtain certification of<br />
publication. The newspaper will<br />
bill costs of publication directly<br />
to the author or person specified<br />
by author.<br />
The SECOND notice must be<br />
published on or before the following<br />
dates for the following<br />
purposes:<br />
• For prefiling and introduction<br />
on the first day of session:<br />
Friday, February 9, <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
• For session introduction: Saturday,<br />
March 2, <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
CAUTION: Many local journals<br />
are weekly publications, many<br />
have deadlines for receipt of the<br />
<strong>LMR</strong> | JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> Page 7
notice that are as much as a week before<br />
the notice is published the first time, and<br />
for weekly papers the date of second<br />
publication of the notice may have to be<br />
several days prior to the constitutional<br />
deadline. Consequently, in some cases,<br />
the deadline for submission of a notice<br />
to a newspaper is up to three weeks in<br />
advance of the above deadlines.<br />
(b) LOCAL BILLS CREATING SECURITY<br />
DISTRICTS: Same as other local bills except<br />
Constitution requires publication<br />
in the official journal of the locality on<br />
three separate days at least 30 days prior<br />
to introduction and requires inclusion of<br />
certain specific information in the notice<br />
itself.<br />
(c) RETIREMENT BILLS (including constitutional<br />
amendments): Handled in same<br />
manner as local bills (see (a) above), except<br />
notice must be published in official<br />
state journal (The Advocate) on two separate<br />
days at least 60 days prior to introduction.<br />
The author or person the author<br />
specifies will be charged directly by The<br />
Advocate for the cost of publication.<br />
If bill affects only a city or other strictly<br />
local retirement system, LOCAL NOTICE<br />
also is necessary, as set forth in (a) above.<br />
(d) ASSESSOR’S EXPENSE ALLOWANCES:<br />
R.S. 47:1908(D) prohibits change in the<br />
allowance unless notice of intent to do so<br />
is sent BY CERTIFIED MAIL BY THE ASSES-<br />
SOR TO THE SCHOOL BOARD AND PAR-<br />
ISH GOVERNING AUTHORITY AFFECTED,<br />
stating the amount of the change. Notice<br />
must be sent at least 10 days prior to the<br />
CONVENING of the legislative session. Evidence<br />
of notice must be exhibited to the<br />
legislature before passage of the bill. Bill<br />
must recite that notice was given. Author<br />
should obtain evidence of notice from<br />
assessor.<br />
(e) ASSESSOR’S COMPENSATION (R.S.<br />
47:1907.1), SHERIFF’S COMPENSATION<br />
(R.S. 13:5521(E)), SCHOOL BOARD MEM-<br />
BER’S COMPENSATION (R.S. 17:56(D)),<br />
AND PARISH PORTION OF REGISTRAR’S<br />
OF VOTERS COMPENSATION (R.S. 18:55(B)<br />
AND 59(D)): The Sections cited prohibit introduction<br />
of a bill to change the compensation<br />
of an assessor, sheriff, and school<br />
board member, and the parish portion of<br />
the salary of a registrar of voters or a chief<br />
deputy registrar or a confidential assistant<br />
to a registrar unless notice has been<br />
published on two separate days at least<br />
30 days before introduction, without cost<br />
to the state, in the official journal of the<br />
parish. If all assessors, sheriffs, or school<br />
board members (but not registrars of voters<br />
or their chief deputies or assistants) in<br />
the state are affected, then notice must<br />
also be published on two separate days<br />
at least 30 days before introduction without<br />
cost to the state in the official state<br />
journal (The Advocate). The notice (except<br />
registrars and their chief deputies or<br />
assistants) must state the amount of the<br />
change. The bill (except registrars, their<br />
chief deputies, or assistants) must recite<br />
that notice has been given, and certification<br />
of such publication must be attached<br />
to the bill. If advertisement is handled locally,<br />
author should obtain certification<br />
and transmit to Clerk or staff. If the author<br />
wishes, staff will send notice to newspaper<br />
and obtain certification of publication<br />
for attachment to the bill. The newspaper<br />
will bill costs of publication directly to the<br />
author or person author specifies.<br />
3. PREFILING OF BILLS AND RESOLU-<br />
TIONS: Bills, constitutional amendments,<br />
and resolutions may be prefiled for introduction<br />
with the Clerk of the House at<br />
any time between regular sessions but,<br />
customarily, prefiling does not begin<br />
until several weeks before each session.<br />
(No bills may be prefiled for the regular<br />
session after a general election for legislators<br />
until after certification of the election<br />
of the member and no bills may be<br />
prefiled for any session between the convening<br />
of the last regular session prior to<br />
the general election for legislators and<br />
certification of such member’s election.)<br />
House research staff transmits legislative<br />
instruments to the Clerk of the House for<br />
prefiling upon direction of the author.<br />
The Clerk numbers instruments in order<br />
in which received and reproduces them<br />
for distribution and electronic publication.<br />
The Speaker refers each prefiled instrument<br />
to one of the 16 subject matter<br />
committees and notifies the author. Referrals<br />
of bills prefiled prior to one week<br />
before the session convenes are entered<br />
in the Interim Calendar. Within five days<br />
after publication of referral in the Interim<br />
Calendar, any member may notify the<br />
Speaker IN WRITING of his objection to<br />
the committee referral, stating reasons.<br />
In such cases, the House and Governmental<br />
Affairs Committee determines<br />
the committee to which the bill will be<br />
referred. Standing committees may hold<br />
presession hearings on prefiled instruments<br />
beginning on the 3rd Monday in<br />
<strong>January</strong> (House Rule 7.2).<br />
4. FISCAL NOTES: Every bill, constitutional<br />
amendment, and resolution affecting<br />
the receipt, expenditure, or allocation<br />
of funds of the state or of a political<br />
subdivision, or which would authorize<br />
issuance of general obligation bonds or<br />
other general obligations of the state for<br />
capital outlay, must have attached to it,<br />
prior to committee consideration, a fiscal<br />
note giving a reliable estimate of the<br />
fiscal effect of the measure. House rules<br />
also require fiscal notes for consideration<br />
of such instruments on final passage. The<br />
author of a bill is responsible for obtaining<br />
a fiscal note from the legislative fiscal<br />
officer (in some cases, the legislative<br />
auditor). Staff will request a fiscal note<br />
on behalf of the author or the Clerk will<br />
order a fiscal note if he decides one is required.<br />
In addition, the chairman of the<br />
committee to which the measure is referred<br />
may request a fiscal note immediately<br />
upon referral of the measure (Joint<br />
Rule 4 and House Rule 7.16).<br />
5. ACTUARIAL NOTES: Every bill, constitutional<br />
amendment, and resolution<br />
proposing a change in the law as to any<br />
state, municipal, or parochial retirement<br />
system funded in whole or part from<br />
public funds must have an actuarial note<br />
attached to it at the time of committee<br />
consideration. Legislative Actuary prepares<br />
actuarial notes (R.S. 24:521). The<br />
staff will request an actuarial note on behalf<br />
of the author. Procedure is similar to<br />
fiscal notes.<br />
6. APPROPRIATIONS TO PAY JUDGMENTS<br />
AGAINST STATE: No final action on a bill<br />
appropriating funds to pay a final judgment<br />
or judgment of the Board of Tax<br />
appeals may be taken by the committee<br />
until staff has received copies of the<br />
certified final judgment and affidavit of<br />
finality.<br />
Page 8<br />
<strong>LMR</strong> | JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>
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<strong>LMR</strong> | JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> Page 9
There’s<br />
No Place<br />
Like<br />
Louisiana<br />
We welcome Governor Jeff Landry and we are pleased to<br />
share his full inauguration speech with our members.<br />
To the cherished people of our beautiful state,<br />
honored guests, our heroic Veterans, elected<br />
officials, family, and friends. Welcome home!<br />
I am deeply humbled. Humbled first by<br />
the grace of God, humbled by your presence<br />
here today, humbled by the continual<br />
prayers that shower our loved ones, and humbled by the<br />
friendships we share.<br />
It is fitting and appropriate that we stand today before<br />
this capitol, the sun having set on the past and where a<br />
new Louisiana day dawns. This magnificent capitol stands<br />
as a monument to the history of our beloved state. Sculpted<br />
in the stone, wrought in the steel, captured in the décor<br />
are the symbols of our great history. The awe of this structure<br />
is inspiring at the thought of common people, those<br />
living and those gone, whose toil and suffering built it. Not<br />
as a delusion of self-aggrandizement, but as a reflection of<br />
their hopes and dreams.<br />
Carved in this stone is the story of Louisiana, from Native<br />
Americans to French and Spanish Explorers, to the thousands<br />
that came from other lands to those removed to this<br />
place by forces of the past. This is our home. This is your<br />
home. These revered and illustrative chronicles reveal just<br />
how the world has found Louisiana to be. The embodiment<br />
of a spirited people that will take you in. A people<br />
that will share their table with you. A people who will rush<br />
to console you. A people who will fight for their beliefs. A<br />
people who will not rest when you need help. A people of<br />
immeasurable love and unrivaled determination.<br />
In the battlefield of life and in the straight face of adversity,<br />
it is Louisiana’s perseverance that stands as a measure<br />
of inspiration. From the fishermen and the shrimpers<br />
that know no toll of hour, nor individual safety, as they<br />
wrought their catch. To the millions of our toughest that<br />
spent the largest portion of their life in our fields and forests.<br />
To those brave and rugged souls that risked life and<br />
limb decade after decade in and around ship-yards, drilling<br />
rigs, and plants. To the thousands of service workers,<br />
cooks, waiters, hotel maids that humbly serve others<br />
day after day and night after night, because this is their<br />
building too.<br />
As we reflect together before this Capitol, let us remind<br />
ourselves that the grandeur of this structure shall never<br />
equal our worth as a people, as a culture of peace, of<br />
sharing, of patriotism, of family values, of honor and courage.<br />
For ours is a culture of joy, of love, of kindness, of<br />
resilience, of diversity, and of unbridled hospitality. The<br />
beautiful and unique people of Louisiana are the originators<br />
of welcome. Bienvenue. Hospitality may have been<br />
invented in the South, but it was perfected in Louisiana.<br />
Again, Welcome Home!<br />
Page 10<br />
<strong>LMR</strong> | JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>
Whenever and wherever people meet crisis, they look to<br />
the people of Louisiana, who for over 300 years, have always<br />
come back. Have always measured up. Have always<br />
stemmed the rough tides and stood down the angry<br />
winds. Only to crawl back, swim back, fight back, get up,<br />
stand up, and to never ever forget who we are and why<br />
we are here.<br />
We know far too well why those who leave our state for<br />
other opportunities shall always hear the whisper of the<br />
live oak to come back home! The everlasting love of our<br />
culture tugs at their heart. It speaks to their soul. Coming<br />
home to Louisiana feeds their soul and their endearing<br />
longing to be here - home where they belong.<br />
To the ladies and gentlemen of our Legislature,<br />
Senators, and Representatives from each of<br />
our 64 different and unique Parishes,<br />
representing the 4.6 million great<br />
citizens of this beautiful State, I<br />
stand before you, and beside<br />
you, with the complete and<br />
total realization that the<br />
people of Louisiana have<br />
designated this Capitol<br />
as the hallowed place<br />
where their voices are<br />
to be heard together;<br />
in equal and fair<br />
measure; and in its’<br />
broadest format. We<br />
are mere proxies in the<br />
living illustration of the<br />
people’s chosen representative<br />
government.<br />
It is here that we come together<br />
so that their lives are<br />
governed evenhandedly. So that<br />
their hard-earned money is spent<br />
judiciously; so that their institutions are<br />
compelled to serve them, and not disenfranchise<br />
them; so that their government fulfills the missions contrived<br />
by them; and so that their children are promised the<br />
perpetual legacy of opportunity.<br />
The place is here, the time is now, and the challenge is ours.<br />
And may we be mindful of the fact that – how – we carry<br />
out our public service, is what separates politicians from<br />
statesmen. Our people did not send us here to quarrel over<br />
the senseless, the personal, the trivial, or the political. Our<br />
problems cannot find resolution whenever political divide<br />
becomes the antitheses to solution. Our people did not<br />
send us here to settle scores or engage in battles created by<br />
secretly funded manipulators that profit by dividing Americans.<br />
Instead, the people sent us here to repair and reform<br />
their government and to unleash innovation and production,<br />
so their future and the future of their children are made<br />
better. They sent us here not as politicians seeking the next<br />
vote, but as Statesmen seeking the next generation.<br />
For the people of this state are hopeful and anxious. They<br />
demand leadership that will place the greater good of this<br />
state above personal agendas, delusional entitlements, and<br />
special interests. Our people seek government that reflects<br />
their values. They demand that our children be afforded an<br />
education that reflects those wholesome principles, and<br />
not an indoctrination behind their mother’s back.<br />
The most important voice in a child’s education should be<br />
that of their parents. It is only through education without<br />
indoctrination that a child finds his or her true<br />
potential. No one knew this better than<br />
my mother. She taught as a profession.<br />
She taught as a calling. She<br />
taught with leadership and<br />
courage. And Mom taught<br />
by example.<br />
Over 50 years ago, at the<br />
height of desegregation,<br />
she took her first<br />
teaching job at Loreauville<br />
High teaching<br />
English, French,<br />
and girls’ physical education.<br />
At that time<br />
women’s sports was<br />
aspirational at best,<br />
second class at worst.<br />
She was the only female<br />
coach, but she was undeterred.<br />
She saw sports as a<br />
way to bring people closer, to<br />
create bonds and camaraderie<br />
that would extend beyond the racial<br />
barriers she was determined to help<br />
tear down. Her determination established the<br />
school’s first women’s basketball program. She and her<br />
students created a program, literally, out of “whole cloth,”<br />
because she and her girls sewed their own uniforms. She<br />
fought for court time for her girls, many of whom had<br />
never touched a basketball. But her instinct told her that<br />
if she taught these girls the value of teamwork and commitment<br />
it would provide a foundation to succeed in life.<br />
And oh, what a struggle the first season was; the team lost<br />
their first game by more than 100 points and lost every<br />
game on the schedule. But Mom was determined to keep<br />
them motivated and enthusiastic, so she changed the objective;<br />
instead of focusing on winning the next game, the<br />
goal was to score a certain number of points. And with<br />
<strong>LMR</strong> | JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> Page 11
each game they would set a new level<br />
of points to score, so that game by<br />
game, point by point, they improved,<br />
they learned, and they developed<br />
character.<br />
From nothing to something, from<br />
seemingly an utter failure; those girls<br />
created a program that would earn<br />
the district title and a playoff berth<br />
in just four short years. May I take a<br />
moment to recognize these wonderful<br />
ladies who were as much a part<br />
of shaping me as my Mom. Thank<br />
you very much for being here. I know<br />
my Mom believed in you. That is the<br />
calling of a great teacher. That is what<br />
great teachers do. That is what we<br />
must all do now for their sake.<br />
We must commit ourselves to the<br />
crisis that is evolving in some of our<br />
schools and restore the peace of mind<br />
that our parents enjoyed when they<br />
sent us to school each day. We must<br />
honor our teachers by letting them<br />
teach and safeguard our schools from<br />
the toxicity of unsuitable subject matter,<br />
so that the sanctity of the student<br />
and the teacher is restored.<br />
The people of Louisiana deserve a<br />
government just as great as they are.<br />
I fully appreciate that in governing, a<br />
difference of opinion must exist for<br />
there to be deliberation. And it is our<br />
duty to deliberate respectfully and<br />
productively to deliver solutions our<br />
people seek. It is in that spirit that I<br />
welcome your thoughts; I value your<br />
opinions; I respect your ideologies;<br />
and I sincerely invite your ideas.<br />
To the Legislature, I ask you to help<br />
me help you, and together help them<br />
— for our failure is not an option. To<br />
my fellow citizens, I pledge to you an<br />
open door. I welcome anyone and everyone<br />
to the table of thought with<br />
an open ear. I have learned by listening<br />
to the voices of those that long to<br />
be heard.<br />
I sadly hear the victims of crime<br />
whose compelling voices have gone<br />
un-heard for far too long, squelched<br />
by the misguided noise of those who<br />
had rather coddle criminals than live<br />
in peace. I mince no words about the<br />
consequences that I feel are wholly<br />
appropriate for those who commit violent<br />
crime in our state. For it comes<br />
from listening to the innocent victims<br />
of the senseless, uncivilized, and outrageous<br />
violence that too many have<br />
suffered. Families ripped apart; loved<br />
ones taken from us by people with no<br />
conscience who do not deserve the<br />
privilege of freedom. Those victims<br />
speak out for justice, and it is our duty<br />
to act, so that others are spared that<br />
same burden of pain.<br />
Today I recognize and honor two extraordinary,<br />
brave, and relentless citizens:<br />
Miss Michelle Anglin and Mr.<br />
Cortez Collins. Michelle and Cortez,<br />
please stand. Michelle and Cortez<br />
could easily be your sister, your brother,<br />
your neighbor; raising their child<br />
with love and nurture as the beacon<br />
of hope and the light in their lives. Michelle<br />
and Cortez lost their light when<br />
their children were taken from them<br />
by senseless violence. More sadly,<br />
they represent many other parents,<br />
brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins<br />
in our state, that wake up every<br />
morning from the nightmare of losing<br />
a loved one to cruel, unconscionable,<br />
and senseless violence.<br />
We owe no higher obligation as public<br />
servants than to fix this. To fix it now<br />
and to fix it for good. To Michelle and<br />
Cortez, I say may God rest his hand<br />
on your heart, and I pledge to do all<br />
I possibly can to make our state safer,<br />
and to bring an end to the misguided<br />
and deadly tolerance for crime and<br />
criminals that plagues us.<br />
To the men and women who protect<br />
us, who stand firmly on that thin blue<br />
line, our appreciation is expressed<br />
today in the rows of flags that have<br />
been placed on these sacred grounds<br />
and this profoundly empty chair. We<br />
know too well the sacrifice you give<br />
every day, and the risk you endure<br />
to protect us from those who will not<br />
There is no greater gift we can give to a person than to<br />
provide the opportunity for their labor. To enable their<br />
own self-sufficiency and in doing so, we revel in the<br />
thriving of our economy.<br />
follow the laws of society. Our police<br />
officers, our correctional officers, and<br />
our deputies deserve our gratitude,<br />
our respect, and our support. For I<br />
have stood in their shoes and my love<br />
and support for them shall never waver.<br />
The concern of our families for<br />
their own safety in their own neighborhood<br />
has been heard loud and<br />
clear and will be addressed by whatever<br />
legal means necessary from this<br />
day forward.<br />
There is no greater gift we can give to<br />
a person than to provide the opportunity<br />
for their labor. To enable their<br />
own self-sufficiency and in doing so,<br />
we revel in the thriving of our economy.<br />
As we shape policy and seek<br />
solutions to the challenges of energy,<br />
exploration, production, conservation<br />
practices, and the protection of<br />
our precious environment.<br />
We shall seek and we shall heed, all of<br />
the science, not just the selective slices<br />
spoon-fed to us by those seeking<br />
to profit, in many cases, from the taxpayer<br />
funded subsidies that disregard<br />
the health, the safety, and the employment<br />
security of our citizens; hiding<br />
the truth about the real environmental<br />
footprints created by the lust<br />
for wealth by a chosen few and their<br />
reckless proposals. It’s time our policy<br />
makers considered all the facts without<br />
regard for the purchased influence<br />
that seeks to destabilize the economic<br />
security of our families and the energy<br />
Page 12<br />
<strong>LMR</strong> | JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>
policy of our state and nation.<br />
We are mindful that America is a nation<br />
of small businesses. As a small<br />
business owner myself, I understand,<br />
I appreciate, and I fully support any<br />
Louisiana citizen with the courage<br />
to risk their precious capital to pour<br />
their heart and labor into an idea,<br />
working tirelessly to make a dream a<br />
reality. You are the people who built<br />
this country. For you generate revenue<br />
for state and local governments<br />
and pave the way to prosperity for all<br />
Louisiana citizens.<br />
The health and welfare of our families<br />
has been politicized to the point<br />
of endangerment and disregard for<br />
the dignity of our elderly and our<br />
suffering. All the while the price we<br />
pay goes up, while the outcomes go<br />
down. Medical needs are changing as<br />
rapidly as the methodology of providing<br />
the services for those needs.<br />
It is our public and our moral obligation<br />
to stay ahead of those changes<br />
and to develop more efficient, more<br />
expedient, and more conscientious<br />
practices in our hospitals, in our clinics,<br />
and in our nursing homes.<br />
Home health care and telemedicine<br />
expand medical access to more and<br />
more Louisiana citizens and elevate<br />
their quality of life. It is my further<br />
belief that our medical professionals,<br />
our doctors, our nurses, our therapists,<br />
our EMTs, our first responders,<br />
and all those who work to care for<br />
others, are among our very finest.<br />
They carry the burden of healing others.<br />
They are a constant and unfailing<br />
inspiration. For they are the ones<br />
that provide comfort and hope. The<br />
health care policy decisions we make<br />
as a government cannot and will not<br />
be advanced without the benefit and<br />
input of their invaluable knowledge<br />
and their inspirational compassion.<br />
Exactly 208 years ago at this very<br />
time, the most powerful armed<br />
force in the world were mobilizing<br />
around the city of New Orleans to<br />
conquer Louisiana, to hopefully rescind<br />
the Louisiana Purchase, and<br />
to claim our rivers, our cities, our<br />
towns, and our settlements to serve<br />
their King. Tomorrow morning (<strong>January</strong><br />
9) marks the anniversary of that<br />
fateful sunrise attack. The untrained<br />
and outnumbered Louisiana militia<br />
of 1,000 men, were logistically no<br />
match for the superior British force<br />
of 6,000 highly trained and perfectly<br />
equipped soldiers. Those Louisianians<br />
represented the magnificent<br />
diversity and courage of our state<br />
that exists today. They were men of<br />
all colors, ethnicities, backgrounds,<br />
status, and religions.<br />
I love Louisiana.<br />
If I had a<br />
hundred lives to<br />
live, I’d live them<br />
all in Louisiana.<br />
There was the wealthy few, the working<br />
poor, many were farmers, shop<br />
keepers, enslaved men who were<br />
readily armed and fought valiantly,<br />
some were fishermen, boat builders,<br />
clergymen and pirates side-by-side,<br />
shoulder to shoulder. The bravery<br />
of Louisiana that day stunned the<br />
world with a crushing defeat of King<br />
George’s army. It is a story of courage,<br />
of optimism, of how a group<br />
of people with extremely different<br />
opinions set aside their differences,<br />
embraced one another’s courage,<br />
and demonstrated to the world the<br />
power of unity. Theirs is a story of<br />
defeating fear and adversity - with<br />
courage and diversity.<br />
This story is our story. We are the<br />
same Louisiana people of that fine<br />
hour. Then as now, we love to love,<br />
and we love to argue. More importantly,<br />
we still love when we finish<br />
arguing. It is that indomitable spirit<br />
so deeply rooted in the DNA of Louisiana<br />
that motivates us, that reminds<br />
us that we can do anything, that we<br />
can solve any problem, that we can<br />
count on one another, that whatever<br />
befalls one of us rallies all of us. That<br />
is what we do in Louisiana. That is<br />
who we are.<br />
If America is a melting pot, Louisiana<br />
is the gumbo that fills the pot.<br />
To the people of Louisiana, there is<br />
something quite extraordinary about<br />
you. What kind of people could<br />
make mosquito infested marshes<br />
and swamps their productive, beautiful,<br />
and thriving home? What kind<br />
of people could fabricate industry<br />
along the bayous, rivers, and a turbulent<br />
gulf? What kind of people could<br />
tame the wilderness and the vast<br />
forests? What kind of people could<br />
lead the world in the energy sector<br />
and provide the technical force that<br />
lifted the world from mud and poverty?<br />
What kind of people could master<br />
the land and produce an agricultural<br />
abundance to feed the world? What<br />
kind of a people could master the violence<br />
of our sea and rivers to create<br />
commerce and trade?<br />
Only you, the amazing and wonderful<br />
people of Louisiana. Only you,<br />
could turn your exile into a garden<br />
of Eden and a place where the entire<br />
world celebrates the unique culture<br />
we have created.<br />
There is no place like Louisiana and<br />
nowhere are there fabulous people<br />
like you. I love Louisiana. If I had a<br />
hundred lives to live, I’d live them all<br />
in Louisiana. Again, welcome home!<br />
The rich historical examples of our<br />
great state fighting back, bouncing<br />
back, and coming back, again and<br />
again, is what motivates me every<br />
day, from this day forward, with all<br />
that I am, with all that I have, to serve<br />
the greatest people on earth.<br />
May God bless each one of you and<br />
our beloved state of Louisiana.<br />
And, again, welcome home!<br />
<strong>LMR</strong> | JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> Page 13
Mid-Winter Conference Sees Changes in <strong>2024</strong><br />
Registration is now open for the LMA’s<br />
Mid-Winter Conference for Municipal<br />
Officials, and it’s not only seeing a location<br />
change, but a brand new program.<br />
To make access more centralized for LMA<br />
members, this year’s LMA Conference,<br />
on February 27 and 28, will take place at<br />
the Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville.<br />
When municipal leaders plan their engagement<br />
at LMA events, proximity to<br />
our conferences is always a consideration.<br />
Geographically, Marksville provides equitable<br />
driving distance for nearly all LMA<br />
members without sacrificing accommodations,<br />
hospitality, or amenities. We are<br />
hopeful that by hosting our annual winter<br />
event in the CENLA region of the state, we<br />
will realize increased attendance, and we<br />
welcome feedback from Mid-Winter attendees<br />
about their experience this year.<br />
The conference will include timely and<br />
informative workshop sessions and great<br />
networking opportunities, so we invite all<br />
members of the LMA family to join us on<br />
February 27 and 28 as we celebrate the<br />
unity that makes us #LMAStrong.<br />
This year’s theme is “Crisis Management:<br />
Communication, Coordination,<br />
and Collaboration,” and a host of speakers<br />
will present on various crisis management<br />
topics and give members the<br />
tools to navigate a crisis.<br />
The special Keynote Speaker during a<br />
February 28 luncheon will be Strategic<br />
Government Resources Chief Executive<br />
Officer Ron Holifield, and many other<br />
speakers will be presenting educational-based<br />
trainings and workshops including<br />
“Managing Natural and Public Health<br />
Disasters,” “Civilian Response to an Active<br />
Shooter Event,” “First Amendment Auditors,”<br />
and more.<br />
Other notable and familiar speakers will<br />
be LITACorp Executive Director Leslie<br />
Durham, Office of Community Development<br />
Local Government Assistance<br />
Director Traci Wells, US Department of<br />
Agriculture Rural Development State Director<br />
Deidre Deculus Robert, RMI General<br />
Manager Patrick Cronin, LaMATS Executive<br />
Director Cliff Palmer, and AMCorp<br />
International CEO Anita Tillman.<br />
A new Louisiana Municipal Leadership<br />
Academy is also being introduced at our<br />
Mid-Winter Conference, allowing mayors,<br />
councilmembers, and aldermen to gain<br />
points for LMA events and training participation.<br />
Our February Louisiana Municipal<br />
Review will delve into further details,<br />
so we encourage you to read it to learn<br />
more.<br />
“The LMLA will allow us to stay competitive<br />
with other states, as we join them in<br />
raising the bar on our training opportunities.<br />
So many states have ongoing professional<br />
development courses for elected<br />
officials that allow for their continued<br />
education, and now we will too,” said LMA<br />
President and Cheneyville Mayor Derrick<br />
Johnson Sr. “Imagine gaining points for<br />
coming to conferences, conventions, district<br />
meetings, essentially any LMA event<br />
of your choosing. You can<br />
use the time you’re already<br />
networking and learning<br />
to be part of an academy<br />
giving you certifications<br />
along the way. That’s a win/<br />
win for everyone. My hope<br />
is that this academy grows<br />
over time, and with your<br />
input we can make it educational<br />
and rewarding.<br />
I’m really excited about the<br />
possibilities this academy<br />
creates, and I encourage<br />
each of you to join.“<br />
To register, visit our website<br />
at www.lma.org and<br />
go to Events. From there,<br />
use the calendar feature to<br />
take you to February, click<br />
“More” under February 27,<br />
and then click on “<strong>2024</strong> Delegate Registration<br />
for LMA Mid-Winter Conference.”<br />
You’ll also find sponsorship registration<br />
information, vendor registration information,<br />
and a tentative agenda.<br />
We look forward to seeing you all in<br />
Marksville.<br />
by Charlotte<br />
Smith<br />
AMCorp<br />
International<br />
Smith is a Senior Communications<br />
Consultant for AMCorp and is the Editor<br />
of the Louisiana Municipal Review.<br />
Contact: charlotte@teamamcorp.com<br />
Page 14<br />
<strong>LMR</strong> | JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>
-REGISTRATION FORM-<br />
Louisiana Municipal Association<br />
Mid- Winter Conference for Municipal Officials<br />
February 27 - 28, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Paragon Casino Resort<br />
711 Paragon Place, Marksville, Louisiana 71351<br />
NAME<br />
BADGE NAME<br />
TITLE<br />
GUEST NAME<br />
MUNICIPALITY<br />
ADDRESS<br />
(STREET OR P.O. BOX) (CITY) (STATE) (ZIP CODE)<br />
TELEPHONE ( ) FAX ( )<br />
EMAIL<br />
ACCOMMODATIONS<br />
A block of rooms has been reserved at the<br />
Paragon Casino Resort at a rate of $99-$129<br />
depending on the room-type. There is a $15<br />
resort fee per room, per stay. Please call (800)<br />
642-7777 to make your reservation and mention<br />
that you are with Louisiana Municipal<br />
Association’s Mid-Winter Conference <strong>2024</strong> or<br />
group code: LMAF27G to secure this special rate.<br />
The reservation cut-off date is February 12,<br />
<strong>2024</strong>. Check-in time is 4:00 p.m. and check-out<br />
time is 11:00 a.m., unless special arrangements<br />
are made in advance.<br />
For your accommodation’s plans, registration will<br />
open at 11:00 a.m. with the first session beginning<br />
at 1:00 p.m. on February 27. The conference will<br />
conclude at 5:00 p.m. on February 28.<br />
PARAGON PLAYERS CLUB<br />
As a special offer for attendees, please visit the<br />
Paragon Players Club, located within the casino,<br />
to receive a players club card with $10 of free<br />
play.<br />
ADVANCE REGISTRATION<br />
ENDS FEBRUARY 15<br />
$135 per delegate/official<br />
(includes one guest & reception)<br />
LATE REGISTRATION<br />
BEGINS FEBRUARY 16<br />
$150 per delegate/official<br />
(includes one guest & reception)<br />
REGISTER BY MAIL<br />
Complete this form and return with<br />
your registration fee payment, in full,<br />
no later than February 19, <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
Make Checks Payable To:<br />
Louisiana Municipal Association<br />
Mid- Winter Conference<br />
P.O. Box 4327<br />
Baton Rouge, LA 70821<br />
REGISTER ONLINE<br />
WWW.LMA.ORG<br />
REFUNDS<br />
An administrative fee of $45 will be charged for<br />
all cancellations of the LMA Mid-Winter<br />
Conference, including medical emergencies. No<br />
refunds will be given after Tuesday, February<br />
13, <strong>2024</strong> (two weeks prior to the start of the<br />
event).<br />
Refunds will be issued only if the LMA office<br />
receives your cancellation request in the form of<br />
a letter on your official letterhead mailed,<br />
emailed, faxed, or delivered to our office with<br />
a postmark date no later than February 13,<br />
<strong>2024</strong>. Telephone requests for refunds will not be<br />
accepted. There will be no exceptions to this<br />
policy.<br />
NOTE: The LMA will offer one hour of required<br />
ethics training on Wednesday, February 28, at<br />
no additional charge. This training will begin at<br />
4:00 p.m.<br />
HAVE A QUESTION?<br />
Contact: Nikki Samrow, P.O. Box 4327, Baton Rouge, LA 70821, (225) 344- 50<strong>01</strong> Phone, (225) 344- 3057 Fax, nsamrow@lma.org<br />
<strong>LMR</strong> | JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> Page 15
By Blake Walsh, Courtesy of Travel Lens Magazine<br />
Photos courtesy of the City of Marksville<br />
Despite being founded by accident, Marksville has stood the<br />
test of time and remained a significant city in the Avoyelles<br />
Parish in Louisiana.<br />
Marksville is the parish seat of Avoyelles Parish, and this<br />
city has a colorful history with deep Native<br />
American roots. It was<br />
founded by<br />
accident in<br />
the 1790s when a Venetian<br />
peddler had to fix his wagon wheels<br />
during his travel and eventually decided to set up a<br />
trading post in the area. His trading post eventually became<br />
a community until it became a colony for early European settlers<br />
in the early 1800s.<br />
Today, Marksville is home to the modern-day Native Americans<br />
known for their rich heritage, culture, and tradition. It’s<br />
also home to numerous natural areas, historic sites, and nature<br />
preserves, making it the perfect destination for outdoor<br />
enthusiasts and history buffs.<br />
Marksville is not just your typical sleepy city; it’s also an excellent<br />
alternative for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs who<br />
want to discover hidden gems and fascinating backstories.<br />
So, what’s in store for you in this small city in Louisiana?<br />
Visit the Hypolite Bordelon House<br />
To start your Marksville travel adventure, you can visit the Hypolite<br />
Bordelon House, a pioneer house that has existed since<br />
the 1800s. It’s along Tunica Drive W., which is a fascinating<br />
place to check out to learn about the backstory of Marksville<br />
and this region of Louisiana.<br />
The Hypolite Bordelon House served as a residence of a Creole<br />
pioneer who arrived in Louisiana in the late 1700s. Today,<br />
the house is still standing and serves as a historical site and a<br />
mini-museum in Marksville.<br />
It’s an excellent place to learn about how the pioneers in Louisiana<br />
lived their lives back in their early days. In addition, the<br />
Hypolite Bordelon House has been listed on the National Register<br />
of Historic Places to preserve its historical value.<br />
Discover Native American Heritage at the Tunica-Biloxi<br />
Cultural and Education Center Museum<br />
Another fascinating place you need to visit in Marksville is the<br />
Tunica-Biloxi Cultural and Education Center Museum. It’s one<br />
of the best places to learn and appreciate the Native American<br />
culture in Louisiana.<br />
Visiting this place lets you immerse yourself with the locals<br />
who organize activities relevant to their history and heritage.<br />
The museum offers<br />
everyone the chance<br />
to interact and learn about<br />
Louisiana’s first settlers<br />
from its artifacts<br />
and rotating<br />
exhibits visitors<br />
can check out.<br />
15 Best Things to Do<br />
in<br />
One of the museum’s<br />
focal<br />
points is the<br />
“Tunica Treasure,”<br />
a collection of Native American<br />
and European trade artifacts dating back to<br />
the middle 1700s. Overall, it’s an exciting place to interact<br />
with Native Americans and learn history in Marksville.<br />
Marksville, LA<br />
in Marksville, LA<br />
Wander through the Spring Bayou State Wildlife<br />
Management Area<br />
Marksville is surrounded by native preserves and wildlife management<br />
areas that protect native wildlife in Louisiana. One of<br />
the nearest in Marksville is the Spring Bayou State Wildlife Management<br />
Area, located just east of the city. If you’re a wildlife<br />
Page 16<br />
<strong>LMR</strong> | JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>
enthusiast or a nature lover,<br />
this place is a beautiful natural<br />
attraction worth visiting.<br />
The whole wildlife management<br />
area comprises bays,<br />
lakes, sloughs, and bayous<br />
teeming with wildlife. It is<br />
home to various trees and<br />
plant species, with many only<br />
found in Louisiana, while it’s<br />
also teeming with various animal<br />
species such as woodcock,<br />
waterfowl, deer, rabbit, and<br />
squirrel. The wildlife management<br />
area also allows seasonal<br />
hunting, while fishing is allowed<br />
regularly.<br />
Aside from hunting and wildlife<br />
viewing, the Spring Bayou<br />
State Wildlife Management Area is also a popular place for outdoor<br />
activities such as boating, hiking, and waterskiing.<br />
Enjoy Birdwatching at the Grand Cote National Wildlife Refuge<br />
The Grand Cote National Wildlife Refuge is another natural attraction<br />
you can visit just outside Marksville. This wildlife refuge,<br />
Tunica-Biloxi Cultural and<br />
Education Center Museum<br />
Hypolite Bordelon House<br />
established in 1989, serves as a significant waterfowl habitat in<br />
the floodplains of the Red River and Mississippi River.<br />
The 6,000-acre wildlife refuge is also part of Avoyelles Parish,<br />
making it a significant place to Marksville. As a tourist,<br />
you should seize the opportunity to visit this wildlife refuge<br />
and get a glimpse of free-roaming wildlife such as the bluewinged<br />
teal, American wigeon, northern shovelers, greenwinged<br />
teal, and gadwalls.<br />
In addition, migratory birds also flock to the area, especially<br />
during winter, making this place an incredible wildlife viewing<br />
destination. Other activities you can enjoy at the Grand Cote<br />
National Wildlife Refuge are hiking, boating, fishing, and interpretive<br />
programs.<br />
Score a Hole-in-One at the Tamahka Trails Golf Course<br />
This course nestled in the heart of Marksville is a stunning retreat<br />
for people who long for peace and a top-notch game of<br />
golf. The Tamahka Trails Golf Course, part of the Audubon Golf<br />
Trail, is a great place to visit in Marksville, even if you’re not an<br />
avid golfer.<br />
One of the reasons to visit this place is its beautiful scenery and<br />
peaceful atmosphere that spans through hundreds of acres of<br />
well-manicured greeneries and rolling hills.<br />
You’re guaranteed to have fun playing in its well-built 18-hole,<br />
par 71 courses.<br />
Try Your Luck at the Elegant Paragon Casino Resort<br />
Despite being a rural area in Louisiana, Marksville is home to<br />
a top-notch casino resort, the Paragon. The Paragon Casino<br />
Resort boasts a Las Vegas-style casino with hundreds of table<br />
games and slot machines to choose from.<br />
Its elegant hotel features more than 500 rooms, suites,<br />
and an RV resort equipped with cabins. Moreover, the<br />
casino is not just another gambler’s haven; it’s also a topnotch<br />
leisure destination for families and groups who want<br />
<strong>LMR</strong> | JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> Page 17
entertainment and relaxation.<br />
The Paragon Casino Resort has a state-of-the-art cinema, retail<br />
shops, restaurants, bars, and an indoor swimming pool,<br />
and it’s also where the Tamahka Trails Golf Course is situated.<br />
Bring Your Child to Kids Quest<br />
Kids Quest is one of the best features of the Paragon Casino<br />
Resort, which is a great place to bring your kids. The Kids Quest<br />
is a children’s museum that offers an interactive and hands-on<br />
learning program for kids ages 0 to 10 years old.<br />
This children’s museum is where fun and adventure wait for<br />
kids through its vast indoor playgrounds with spiral slides,<br />
obstacles, and tunnels aside from its interactive learning program.<br />
In addition, it also has outdoor activities such as hiking<br />
and wildlife viewing.<br />
Hike through the Tunica Biloxi Nature Trail<br />
Tunica Biloxi Natural Trails’ natural beauty makes it a popular<br />
hiking destination in Marksville. The trail offers hikers an easy<br />
path stretching to about a mile with a scenic backdrop of the<br />
Coulee De Grues waterway.<br />
It’s a beautiful place to visit not just for hikers but also for<br />
casual tourists who want to<br />
breathe fresh air and enjoy<br />
nature.<br />
Its covered boardwalk is the<br />
best place to head to and see<br />
the most scenic part of the nature<br />
trail.<br />
If you’re up for some hiking,<br />
drive to the Tunica Biloxi Nature<br />
Trail and fill your day<br />
with a relaxing hike with your<br />
loved ones.<br />
Watch the Latest Flicks at<br />
the Paragon Cinema<br />
If you’re looking for a different<br />
kind of entertainment,<br />
head to the Paragon Cinema<br />
in the Paragon Casino Resort.<br />
It’s considered one of Louisiana’s<br />
premier casino theaters,<br />
where the latest Hollywood<br />
flicks are shown regularly. It’s also where most of the casino’s<br />
concerts and live performances happen, making it a must-visit<br />
place for top-notch entertainment.<br />
Moreover, the theater is just a stone’s throw away from the casino’s<br />
retail shops, bars, and restaurants, making it more convenient<br />
to spend your day there with your loved ones.<br />
Overall, it’s the best place to fill your day with entertainment if<br />
you don’t feel like going outdoors.<br />
Other Things to Do Nearby: Get Up Close with Animals at<br />
the Alexandria Zoological Park<br />
The Alexandria Zoological Park is a 39-minute drive or 31-miles<br />
northwest of Marksville in Alexandria. This zoo is the most<br />
popular outdoor attraction in Alexandria near Marksville.<br />
With that in mind, head to Alexandria and be amazed to see<br />
more than 500 animals from the safari, America, and other<br />
parts of the world. Kids and even kids at heart will surely enjoy<br />
every second they spend at this zoo.<br />
You’ll encounter the majestic African lions, the beautiful Chilean<br />
flamingos, reptiles, birds, and other mammals that you<br />
only see on television. In addition, the zoo has a miniature<br />
Page 18<br />
<strong>LMR</strong> | JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>
train ride that provides you with a different<br />
perspective of the attractions inside.<br />
Cross the Sarto Old Iron Bridge<br />
The Sarto Old Iron Bridge is a historical<br />
landmark in Louisiana that connects the<br />
Pomme De Terre State and the Grassy<br />
Lake State Wildlife Management Areas.<br />
It is situated 25 miles southeast of<br />
Marksville and takes about 31 minutes<br />
to get there.<br />
This iron bridge was constructed in 1916,<br />
featuring a steel-truss swing bridge for<br />
vehicular and boat traffic along the Bayou<br />
de Glaises.<br />
Every time a boat passes through the<br />
Bayou de Glaises, the bridge pivots to<br />
swing open, allowing it to pass beneath<br />
it. In addition, the bridge also served as<br />
a railroad back in the day.<br />
Due to age, the Sarto Old Iron Bridge<br />
today only allows pedestrians to cross<br />
it. Nonetheless, this steel bridge is still a<br />
sight to behold that you should definitely<br />
see when you’re in Marksville. Taking<br />
photos and visiting the Big Bend Museum<br />
at the foot of the bridge are the best<br />
activities you can enjoy there.<br />
Try Go Kart Racing at the Xtreme<br />
Motorsports<br />
The Xtreme Motorsports in the neighboring<br />
town of Deville, situated 26-miles<br />
north of Marksville is an incredible place<br />
for adrenaline junkies. This concrete<br />
racecourse has been a popular destination<br />
for go-kart racers since 2007.<br />
Visiting this place lets you rent one of its<br />
go-karts and race through its well-designed<br />
race tracks. In addition, this place<br />
also hosts various races featuring different<br />
types of racing vehicles year-round.<br />
Aside from trying out go-kart racing,<br />
you can also watch exciting races featuring<br />
various racers around Louisiana.<br />
Step Inside the Oak Hall<br />
Oak Hall in Eola, southwest of Marksville,<br />
is a historical residential estate known<br />
for its arts and craft-style buildings. It<br />
was constructed in 1837 and was originally<br />
named Bon Sejour and served as<br />
a plantation house along the Mississippi<br />
valley. Oak Hall is a beautiful historical<br />
site that’s well-preserved up to this day.<br />
It’s also one of the few remaining types<br />
of architecture found in the region.<br />
The property was purchased by Andrew<br />
and Josephine Stewart, who immediately<br />
did an extensive restoration by<br />
hiring Richard Koch as the architect in<br />
the 1920s. Fast forward to 1986, Oak Hall<br />
was listed on the National Register of<br />
Historic Places to preserve its historical<br />
value.<br />
The property’s interior still has the original<br />
furnishings, furniture, and housewares,<br />
making it a fascinating sight, especially<br />
for history buffs.<br />
Explore the Elbow Slough Wildlife<br />
Management Area<br />
The Elbow Slough Wildlife Management<br />
Area is a 24-minute drive west of Marksville.<br />
This outdoor attraction is best<br />
known for hunting, birdwatching, and<br />
wildlife viewing, making it the perfect<br />
place to visit before heading home from<br />
your Marksville travel adventure.<br />
Elbow Slough, for many years, provides<br />
quality habitat for various wildlife species<br />
and migratory birds. The area is<br />
teeming with white-tailed deer and<br />
shrews, while various bird species are<br />
also seen there.<br />
If you want to discover the entire wildlife<br />
management area, hike through its<br />
trails, and be sure to bring a camera to<br />
take gorgeous shots of the local wildlife<br />
there.<br />
Marksville’s history and natural attractions<br />
make you appreciate the simple<br />
and relevant things you can’t find in<br />
many mainstream tourist attractions.<br />
The Native American population makes<br />
this place extra special, while its surrounding<br />
wildlife reserves add excitement<br />
to travelers who want adventure.<br />
There are many things you can enjoy in<br />
this small city in Louisiana. All you need<br />
to do is embrace the spirit of adventure.<br />
<strong>LMR</strong> | JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> Page 19
LEGAL BRIEFS<br />
Notable Constitutional Changes<br />
Between the October 14 and November<br />
18 elections, voters statewide considered<br />
no less than eight proposed<br />
changes to our state’s Constitution - an<br />
admittedly cluttered and lengthy document<br />
that has been amended<br />
over 200 times since its<br />
adoption in 1974; and there<br />
were nine other constitutions<br />
prior to the current<br />
version. By contrast, the U.S.<br />
Constitution has only been<br />
amended 27 times since its<br />
ratification in 1788, and only<br />
17 times since 1791.<br />
Seven of the measures considered<br />
this fall were approved<br />
by Louisiana voters<br />
and have now become law.<br />
Many of the amendments<br />
relate to state-level spending,<br />
processes, and decision-making;<br />
but there are<br />
two CAs of particular interest<br />
to municipal governments,<br />
as they may affect operations<br />
and revenue.<br />
CA 4 from October (Act 48 of<br />
2023) enables municipal governments<br />
to deny ad valorem<br />
tax exemption for property<br />
owned by nonprofits if<br />
the property is dangerously<br />
blighted. Currently, the Constitution<br />
provides an exemption from<br />
property taxes for nonprofits based<br />
on myriad property uses, including<br />
charitable purposes and the housing<br />
of homeless persons. This completely<br />
discretionary measure empowers locals<br />
to deny or revoke that property<br />
tax exemption if they determine ALL<br />
of the following, that: (1) the property<br />
is leased as housing; (2) the property<br />
is in such disrepair that it endangers<br />
the health or safety of the public as<br />
defined in the law; and (3) the owner<br />
of the property “habitually neglects<br />
maintenance of the property,” defined<br />
as sustaining three or more code enforcement<br />
violations in the prior year<br />
for matters that endanger the health<br />
or safety of residents or persons in the<br />
surrounding area. If any of the above<br />
three factors ceases to exist, the municipality<br />
may issue or reinstate the ad<br />
valorem tax exemption – note that the<br />
language does not require issuance/<br />
reinstatement; it only enables it. It is<br />
suggested that municipalities wishing<br />
to utilize this tool develop a framework<br />
for its execution to provide equitable<br />
application and clarity.<br />
CA 3 from November (Act 179 of 2023)<br />
authorizes parish governing bodies to<br />
create an additional homestead exemption<br />
of $25K on property owned<br />
and occupied by qualified first responders.<br />
The act defines “qualified<br />
first responders” as full-time public employees<br />
whose duties include responding<br />
rapidly to an emergency and who<br />
reside in the same parish in which their<br />
employer is located, including peace<br />
officers, fire protection personnel,<br />
certified emergency<br />
medical services personnel,<br />
and emergency response<br />
operators and dispatchers.<br />
Any first responder seeking<br />
the additional exemption<br />
must apply for it annually<br />
with the assessor. Importantly,<br />
whatever the cost of the<br />
additional exemption, that<br />
amount may NOT be made<br />
up through increased assessments<br />
to other property<br />
owners. The taxing authorities<br />
in the parish must simply<br />
absorb the lost revenue. Municipalities<br />
are encouraged<br />
to connect with their respective<br />
parish governments and<br />
assessors to determine if and<br />
how this new law will be implemented<br />
in their communities.<br />
Editor’s Note: the information<br />
provided in this column is not<br />
a replacement for consultation<br />
with your own municipal attorney,<br />
and it should not be considered legal advice<br />
for any particular case or situation.<br />
by Karen Day<br />
White<br />
LMA Executive<br />
Counsel<br />
White is a member of the LMA Legislative<br />
Advocacy Team and can be reached at<br />
kwhite@lma.org.<br />
Page 20<br />
<strong>LMR</strong> | JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>
<strong>LMR</strong> | JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> Page 21
LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL ADVISORY<br />
AND TECHNICAL SERVICES<br />
Monroe Makes<br />
Inclusive Play<br />
a Top Priority<br />
Every child deserves a safe place to play.<br />
Sadly, not all playgrounds are made for<br />
every child.<br />
Despite thirty years of federal regulation<br />
on public accessibility through the Americans<br />
with Disabilities Act (ADA), specific<br />
guidance on inclusive playground design<br />
has only been available for about a dozen<br />
years. And only recently has high-quality,<br />
ADA-compliant playground equipment<br />
been widely available and affordable<br />
for public projects. Consequently, many<br />
municipal playgrounds in Louisiana and<br />
across the nation still lack accommodation<br />
for children and their family members<br />
with disabilities.<br />
“We couldn’t wait any longer to make<br />
our playgrounds accessible for everyone,”<br />
said Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis,<br />
speaking of his city’s parks and recreation<br />
system, now undergoing a major<br />
re-envisioning and renovation.<br />
Mayor Ellis, along with City of Monroe<br />
Councilwoman Kema Dawson (District<br />
5) who championed the project on behalf<br />
of her constituents, recently cut the<br />
ribbon on Monroe’s newest inclusive recreation<br />
facility, the Sister Margaret Ann<br />
Sanders-Jackson Playground, located at<br />
District 5’s beautiful Benoit Community<br />
Center which is considered a “nerve center”<br />
for neighborhood residents.<br />
“When I was elected as Councilwoman<br />
in 2020, the constituents advised that<br />
they wanted more for our parks and<br />
recreation centers,” said Councilwoman<br />
Page 22<br />
<strong>LMR</strong> | JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>
Dawson. Expressing her commitment<br />
to District 5, Dawson said, “This playground<br />
is a reflection of our unwavering<br />
responsibility to maintain positive environments<br />
for future generations.”<br />
The new playground includes numerous<br />
state-of-the-art features that make<br />
it a welcoming place for children and<br />
adults with differing physical and mental<br />
abilities: Ramps, bridges, sensory<br />
panels, top-rated artificial turf and even<br />
a wheelchair accessible xylophone can<br />
now provide safe and engaging playtime<br />
opportunities for all park visitors. The<br />
park’s namesake, Sanders-Jackson, was a<br />
beloved neighborhood resident, teacher,<br />
and volunteer who passed away in February<br />
2023. According to a statement<br />
from the city, Sister Margaret Ann devoted<br />
her life to helping those in need and<br />
often enjoyed bringing loved ones to the<br />
community center and its grounds.<br />
The Sanders-Jackson Playground renovation<br />
and re-naming ceremony comes<br />
amid a city-wide effort to enhance the<br />
beauty and functionality of Monroe’s<br />
largest parks through a multi-year Master<br />
Plan led by local firm CARBO Landscape<br />
Architecture. The plan, highlighted<br />
on the city’s website (https://oneroe.<br />
city/parks/), is informed by area citizens<br />
with guided visioning sessions and the<br />
input and support of dozens of key<br />
stakeholder organizations.<br />
Speaking in a weekly public address,<br />
Mayor Ellis emphasized the extensive<br />
community feedback the city is seeking<br />
on this project. “We don’t want this<br />
to be a plan concocted on the Second<br />
Floor of City Hall,” he said, noting that<br />
each park’s unique identity will reflect<br />
<strong>LMR</strong> | JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> Page 23
that of its surrounding community.<br />
Funding for District 5’s inclusive playground design and equipment<br />
was provided through the Federal Housing and Urban<br />
Development’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)<br />
program. The LMA subsidiary, LaMATS, provided significant<br />
technical assistance prior to project implementation by assisting<br />
with an update of City Hall’s procurement procedures and<br />
bringing in longtime teaming partner Kincade Recreation to<br />
provide expertise and specialized equipment for inclusive play.<br />
LaMATS Executive Director, Cliff Palmer, praised Mayor Ellis,<br />
Councilwoman Dawson, and the entire Monroe city government<br />
staff, saying: “We’re proud to have had a role in this outstanding<br />
public works project and can’t speak highly enough<br />
of Mayor Ellis and his folks for their obvious dedication to<br />
making life better for local residents.”<br />
LaMATS Purchasing Services (LPS) provides expert consultation,<br />
draft resolutions, and industry-leading partnerships to help Louisiana<br />
local governments<br />
procure<br />
and finance all their<br />
needs for equipment<br />
and materials.<br />
Let us help your<br />
municipality make<br />
the most of its budget<br />
and resources<br />
for the betterment<br />
of your community.<br />
Visit: lamats.net/lps<br />
by Cliff<br />
Palmer<br />
LaMATS Executive<br />
Director<br />
Palmer leads the Louisiana Municipal<br />
Advisory and Technical Services Bureau<br />
(LaMATS) - a subsidiary of LMA. He can<br />
be reached at cpalmer@lamats.net.<br />
Page 24<br />
<strong>LMR</strong> | JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>
LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL BLACK CAUCUS OF LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS<br />
The LMBC – LEO Elects <strong>2024</strong> Leadership<br />
Julius Alsandor<br />
Mayor of Opelousas<br />
By Paulette Bailey-Wilson,<br />
The Mirror Group, LLC<br />
This young man you all know<br />
as Julius Alsandor, now serving<br />
as Mayor grew up in the City<br />
of Opelousas a place he calls<br />
home….in the projects near I-49,<br />
two blocks from J. S. Clark/East Junior<br />
High, in a three-bedroom unit<br />
with one brother and three sisters.<br />
He served District A in Opelousas<br />
for 10 years on the city council before<br />
becoming Mayor.<br />
Mayor Alsandor is a graduate of Opelousas Senior High, Class<br />
of 78, and attended LSUE attaining his Associate<br />
Degree of Arts. Later, he transferred<br />
to Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton<br />
Rouge (for those non-Tiger fans), where he<br />
received his undergraduate (Bachelor of<br />
Science) in 1997 and Master’s Degree in the<br />
Holmes Program of Education (1998).<br />
Alsandor is presently a long-standing<br />
member and former president of Alpha Phi<br />
Alpha Fraternity Inc., Iota Xi Lambda Chapter<br />
of Opelousas, and Former Filtration Supervisor<br />
for Halliburton, Local-Sort Nighttime<br />
supervisor for UPS, Former Teacher,<br />
Coach, and Administrator for St. Landry<br />
Parish School Board. He is also presently a<br />
member of the Dixon Medical Clinic Board<br />
of Directors.<br />
Alsandor is currently the President of the Inseparable Friends<br />
Benevolent Society (IFBS Lodge of Prairie Laurant), Board<br />
member of Opelousas Tree Board, Member of SLEDD, member<br />
of the Opelousas Sunrise Rotary, and member of the Kiwanis<br />
Club, member of the MS/LA Network Brand Coalition whose<br />
work is to continue dialogue and updates of public policy between<br />
the two states, and current chairman of the St. Landry<br />
Municipal Association and newly appointed President of the<br />
Louisiana Municipal Association Black Caucus of Local Elected<br />
Officials. He is an appointed Vice-President at Large 2023-24<br />
for the Louisiana Municipal Association Board of Directors.<br />
Alsandor shares that he is the son of Paul and Valentina Fuselier<br />
Alsandor and both were employed by St. Landry Parish<br />
School System, where he was also employed for almost 15<br />
years. He cherishes the memories and experiences working<br />
with school community, children and families.<br />
He is married to Elizabeth Charles and they have been married<br />
for 27 years and counting. The Alsandors’<br />
have one child, a daughter<br />
- Elissa Jana, 24 years old attending<br />
Grambling State University.<br />
Mayor Alsandor has consistently<br />
said he sits in this seat (as Mayor)<br />
which he currently holds because<br />
of the people of Opelousas. He states<br />
“This is not about him, but more so about<br />
the City and the people he represents. Let’s do this together<br />
for a BETTER tomorrow than it is today. 1% today is 1% less<br />
tomorrow, but 1% for the future.”<br />
The newly elected leadership for 2023-24 is President, Mayor<br />
Julius Alsandor, City of Opelousas, 1st Vice President, Mayor<br />
L to R: Mayor Julius Alsandor (Opelousas), Paulette Bailey Wilson, Mayor Darnell Waites<br />
(Baker), Mayor Derrick Johnson, Sr. (Cheneyville), Mayor Roderick Hampton (Haynesville),<br />
Mayor Richard Lee (Port Allen)<br />
Tyrin Truong, City of Bogalusa, 2nd Vice President, Mayor Roderick<br />
Hampton, Town of Haynesville, Secretary, Mayor Leslie<br />
Draper, Town of Simmesport, LA., Treasurer, Mayor Leroy Sullivan,<br />
Sr., City of Donaldsonville, Parliamentarian, Mayor Richard<br />
Lee, III, City Of Port Allen and Immediate Past President,<br />
Mayor Darnell Waites, City of Baker. They were sworn into office<br />
by Attorney Cedric Upshaw- LMBC-LEO Attorney.<br />
The LMBC – LEO provides services as an information clearinghouse<br />
for organizational concerns and provides a program and<br />
project structure to educate, train and assist municipal officials,<br />
especially our members. LMBC-LEO follows the leadership of<br />
the LMA, encourages all members to participate in the LMA’s<br />
educational programs, and is a member of the National League<br />
of Cities Black Caucus – LEO. The LMBC-LEO mayors and council<br />
members are eligible to participate in conferences, webinars<br />
and roundtable discussions on key legislative matters and public<br />
policy issues endorsed by the organization.<br />
<strong>LMR</strong> | JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> Page 25
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE – RURAL DEVELOPMENT<br />
USDA Recognizes Rural Business Development Grant Awardees<br />
Rural development is an essential<br />
component of fostering<br />
economic growth and<br />
sustainability in rural communities<br />
across Louisiana.<br />
The Rural Business Development<br />
Grant (RBDG) program,<br />
administered by the United<br />
States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development (RD)<br />
agency, serves as a vital resource for promoting small business<br />
investments and revitalizing underserved rural areas.<br />
The goal of the program is to stimulate economic growth and<br />
create jobs by granting funds to eligible entities. The applications<br />
are categorized into two groups - business opportunity<br />
grants and business enterprise grants - and the funds are used<br />
to support a variety of business and community projects that<br />
benefit rural areas. In 2023 we had a record number of applications<br />
and are pleased to announce and highlight the four<br />
awardees of the RBDG program and their innovative initiatives<br />
to drive rural businesses and communities.<br />
Zydeco Historical Preservation Society<br />
for the RBDG program following their participation in outreach<br />
initiatives organized by the Louisiana USDA RD office.<br />
The Society received the FY2023 RBDG award of $100,000,<br />
which will be utilized to conduct a Phase 1 feasibility study<br />
and provide technical assistance for the development of the<br />
Opelousas Arts, Music, and Cultural District (OAMCD). The initiative’s<br />
scope includes outlining the district’s boundaries and<br />
implementing a comprehensive study, development, and restoration<br />
plan for the historic Slim’s Y-Ki Ki site. The project is<br />
expected to generate 50 new job opportunities, contributing<br />
to the economic growth of the region.<br />
The Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Foundation (LCCF) embarked<br />
on its Louisiana Regional Tour in 2021, aimed at empowering<br />
and sustaining the Black, Indigenous, and People of<br />
Color (BIPOC) business community through the establishment<br />
of local chambers. During this tour, the LCCF collaborated with<br />
the Louisiana USDA RD outreach team in New Orleans, Louisiana.<br />
Inspired by this partnership, LCCF applied for the RBDG<br />
program to increase small business investments in Bastrop,<br />
City of Bogalusa<br />
The City of Bogalusa in Washington Parish, Louisiana, was<br />
identified as a historically underserved target area through<br />
the USDA’s initiative called CORE (Creating Opportunities<br />
through Rural Engagement). Recognizing the need for infrastructure<br />
redevelopment, the City of Bogalusa applied for the<br />
RBDG program and was awarded $310,755. These funds will<br />
be utilized to repave streets in the city’s central business district,<br />
directly benefiting numerous small businesses. Through<br />
this project, four businesses will be assisted, preserving 20<br />
jobs, and revitalizing the local economy.<br />
The Zydeco Historical Preservation Society, located in Opelousas,<br />
Louisiana, and led by President Roderick Sias, demonstrated<br />
their commitment to rural development by applying<br />
LA Chamber of Commerce Foundation<br />
Page 26<br />
<strong>LMR</strong> | JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>
Louisiana, and Alexandria, Louisiana. As<br />
a result, LCCF was selected and awarded<br />
the FY2023 RBDG award for $95,217.<br />
These funds will be utilized to provide<br />
technical assistance and support the establishment<br />
of a business support center<br />
in Alexandria, fostering entrepreneurship<br />
and enhancing the efficiency and success<br />
of existing businesses. This project is<br />
expected to create 28 new jobs and preserve<br />
30 existing jobs in the region.<br />
The Louisiana Housing Corporation<br />
(LHC) proudly announces<br />
the launch of a<br />
comprehensive online directory,<br />
aimed at increasing<br />
the material participation of<br />
minority, women, and veteran-owned<br />
businesses in the<br />
LHC-funded programs and<br />
to connect consumers with<br />
businesses committed to diversity,<br />
equity, and inclusion.<br />
In a world that increasingly<br />
values diversity, LHC recognizes<br />
the vital contributions<br />
of minorities, women, and<br />
Main Street Homer<br />
Lastly, the efforts of Louisiana USDA RD<br />
staff to connect with underrepresented<br />
communities led to an outreach initiative<br />
in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana. Main<br />
Street Homer, a nonprofit organization<br />
in Homer, Louisiana, seized the opportunity<br />
and applied for the RBDG program.<br />
They were awarded $215,027, which will<br />
be used to renovate a historic site and establish<br />
an outdoor farmer’s market. The<br />
market will provide a platform for entrepreneurial<br />
farmers and artisans in Claiborne,<br />
while also enabling residents and<br />
surrounding communities to access fresh<br />
locally grown foods. This project will support<br />
41 local businesses and foster economic<br />
equity within the community.<br />
Through the Rural Business Development<br />
Grant program, the USDA RD agency<br />
is playing a crucial role in empowering<br />
rural communities and facilitating<br />
economic growth. The diverse initiatives<br />
undertaken by the Louisiana Chamber of<br />
Louisiana Housing Corporation Launches the Minority,<br />
Women, and Veteran-Owned Business Directory<br />
veteran entrepreneurs. The<br />
online Directory is a central<br />
hub, facilitating access to<br />
various businesses across<br />
various industries, fostering<br />
economic growth, and<br />
promoting a more inclusive<br />
marketplace.<br />
These specific business owners<br />
can fill out a form online<br />
to join LHC’s repository of<br />
Louisiana-based Minority,<br />
Women, and Veteran-Owned<br />
Businesses. The Directory will<br />
be a living online document,<br />
updating over time as LHC<br />
collects willing participants.<br />
“Creating sustainable partnerships<br />
that empower Louisiana<br />
business owners is an<br />
important role for LHC,” said<br />
Interim-Executive Director<br />
Commerce Foundation, Zydeco Historical<br />
Preservation Society, City of Bogalusa,<br />
and Main Street Homer, highlight the potential<br />
for positive change and sustainable<br />
development in rural areas. As these<br />
awardees continue to tackle barriers and<br />
invest in their communities, the impact<br />
of the RBDG program will undoubtedly<br />
be felt for years to come.<br />
To apply for the Rural Business Development<br />
Grant, complete applications must<br />
be submitted in either paper or electronic<br />
format. The deadline for submission<br />
is 4:30 p.m. CST on February 28, <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
These applications should be sent to the<br />
United States Department of Agriculture<br />
(USDA) Rural Development (RD) State Office<br />
for the State in which the project is<br />
located. It is important for interested parties<br />
to adhere to this deadline to ensure<br />
consideration for the grant program.<br />
By Diedre<br />
Deculus<br />
Robert, Esq.<br />
USDA Rural<br />
Development<br />
Louisiana State<br />
Director<br />
Robert can be contacted by emailing<br />
Deidre.Robert@usda.gov.<br />
Marjorianna Willman. “We<br />
want to be more inclusive,<br />
ensuring everyone has a<br />
seat at the table to showcase<br />
their products, services, and<br />
talents. Creating this platform<br />
will allow collaboration<br />
among many groups wanting<br />
to conduct business with<br />
LHC.”<br />
To learn more about the LHC<br />
Minority, Women, and Veteran-Owned<br />
Businesses Directory.<br />
Please visit www.lhc.<br />
la.gov/dbe.<br />
<strong>LMR</strong> | JANUARY <strong>2024</strong> Page 27
7<br />
- REGISTRATION FORM-<br />
L o u i s i a n a M u n i c i p a l C l e r k s A s s o c i a t i o n<br />
6 3 r d A n n u a l S p r i n g C o n f e r e n c e<br />
D o u b l e t r e e H o t e l<br />
L a f a y e t t e<br />
A p r i l 2 4 - 2 5 , 2 0 2 4<br />
NAME<br />
MUNICIPALITY<br />
EMAIL<br />
TITLE<br />
TELEPHONE<br />
Please help facilitate conference planning by answering the following questions:<br />
Is this your first LMCA Spring Conference? Yes No<br />
Will you attend the group tour on Wednesday? Yes No<br />
Will you attend Thursday night’s Annual Banquet? Yes No<br />
$175 Delegate fee<br />
$225 Non-Delegate fee<br />
$25 Tour Guest fee<br />
$50 Banquet Guest fee Guest Name:<br />
DISCLAIMER<br />
In registering for and attending this event, I agree to abide by state and local health mandates as well as any rules put in<br />
place by the Louisiana Municipal Clerks’ Association or event venues. I understand that by attending this event in person,<br />
it is possible that I may be exposed to coronavirus, and I hereby assume that risk.<br />
ACCOMMODATIONS<br />
A block of rooms has been reserved Doubletree at a rate<br />
of $134 Single/Double, $154 King. Please call (800) 222-<br />
8733 and identify the group as 'LA Municipal Clerks<br />
Association' or give the code 'LMC' to secure the<br />
discounted rate. The reservations cut-off date is April 9,<br />
2 024. Hotel check-in time is 4:00 p.m. and check-out is<br />
12:00 p.m. Guests checking out prior to the departure<br />
date will result in a $50.00 early departure administrative<br />
fee. Recommended arrival is Tuesday, April 23rd and<br />
departure Friday, April 26th.<br />
REMINDERS:<br />
Email Ginger Eppes if you are<br />
eligible for a service award:<br />
5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, etc.<br />
Bring a door prize to participate<br />
in a door prize exchange!<br />
Exchange your municipal lapel pins.<br />
QUESTIONS?<br />
Ginger Eppes (225) 344-50<strong>01</strong>, geppes@lma.org<br />
REGISTER ONLINE<br />
WWW.LMA.ORG<br />
or<br />
REGISTER BY MAIL<br />
Complete this form and return with your registration<br />
payment in full no later than April 10, <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:<br />
Louisiana Municipal Clerks Association<br />
P.O. Box 4327<br />
Baton Rouge, LA 70821<br />
REFUNDS<br />
An administrative fee of $45 will be charged for all<br />
cancellations of the LMCA Spring Conference including<br />
medical emergencies.<br />
Refunds will be issued only if the LMA office receives your<br />
cancellation request in the form of a letter on your official<br />
letterhead mailed, emailed, faxed, or delivered to our<br />
office with a postmark date no later than 04/10/<strong>2024</strong>.<br />
Telephone requests for refunds will not be accepted.<br />
There will be no exceptions to this policy.<br />
PRESORT<br />
STANDARD<br />
U.S. POSTAGE<br />
PAID<br />
BATON ROUGE, LA<br />
PERMIT #319<br />
Page 28<br />
<strong>LMR</strong> | JANUARY <strong>2024</strong>