Bogalusa council approves Landworks

Just as they parish counterparts had done some 24 hours earlier, members of the Bogalusa City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a contract for Landworks, Inc. to operate the Choctaw Road Landfill.

The contract is for five years, instead of the 10 OKed under the previous administration, at $62,500 monthly — or $3,500 more than under the previous agreement.

Bogalusa's share, based on the city's ownership percentage of 41.9 percent, is $26,187.50 monthly or $314,000 per year. In addition, the city is still paying a large arrearage due to the parish from the previous city administration.

In other business, council members:

   • Introduced an ordinance that would repeal and re-enact Ordinance No. 1941, which comprises Chapter 8 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Bogalusa, repealing all other ordinances or parts thereof in conflict with the ordinance and making its provisions of an emergency nature. Because of the nature of this ordinance, it has to lay over for 30 days, until July 19.

   • An ordinance allowing Mayor Charles Mizell to sell property to the Louisiana DOTD at appraised value to allow for the construction of bridges over Lawrence, Bogue Lusa and Coburn Creeks on Louisiana Highway 10. The appraised value of the property is $3,063.

In public participation, a variety of issues were brought up (see separate story for water meter comments), including street repair by Fate Ferrell and his perception that the city was ignoring the south side when it came toupdates and renovations. On two instances, Ferrell threatened a recall against Mizell and the council.

Joel Miller appeared before the council for a second concerning a citation on property at 322 Austin Street. As Miller started discussing the citation, Council President Wendy Perette pointed out that since he had been issued a citation, the issue was in the courts and council could not discuss it. Miller insisted on showing pictures of the property in question and attempting to discuss it. After going over his allocated three minutes, Perette attempted to interrupt Miller, who, by this time, had become very loud and animated. "You're not going to shut me up," he said in a raised voice, which brought Assistant Police Chief Effie Clayton and the city marshall to the front of the court room to eject Miller.
 
(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)