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)

Landworks get landfill OK from parish council

George Nobles accuses the review
panel for the Choctaw Road Landfill
of bias against his company in the
selection process, alleging his company
had been "villified" and its name sullied.
(Photo by John H. Walker)

Landworks, Inc. won unanimous approval from the Washington Parish Council Monday night to operate the Choctaw Road Landfill. The new pact will be for five years — instead of 10 as in the past — at $746,400 annually.

Landworks was the operator preferred by a seven-member review panel that considered the proposals from each of three companies and then scored them. Landworks was ranked first, Nobles Construction was ranked second and Jerry Creel was ranked third. There were two companies submitting proposals that were not considered because they did not include their contractors' license information, as specified.

The vote did not come without some drama, however, as George Nobles of Nobles Construction spoke and accused the council of bias against his company.

"Knowing that the deck was stacked against us, we decided to go ahead and submit a proposal,” Nobles said. "The council was obviously biased against us and the chairman (of the review panel) went so far as to sully the name of Nobles Construction in order to justify a decision."

Nobles continued, saying his firm "...continues to be villified, yet without Nobles to bash, you've got no way to justify another rate increase." He concluded his comments by syaing he would do whatever necessary to protect the good name of his company, built on 35 years' experience.

Upon finishing his statement, Nobles left the room. He was followed to the podium by former Bogalusa City Councilor Danny Stogner, who defended review panel chairman Mike Fussell and the process followed in reaching a decision.

"I know better than to believe Mr. Fussell is a biased person," he said. "I've sat through too many of their meetings and know how they have worked to believe that."

Bogalusa City Councilor Oneita Graham, who was one of the review panel members, told the council that nothing was said about any business good or bad ... "The discussion was strictly business and about the proposal."

After Fussell had opened the initial presentation by giving a full review of the process followed, including a pair of calls to the Attorney General's office for direction, he ended it by recapping the  two top proposals.

"There is a misconception of the two bids," he said. "One was $49,000 (per month) and the other was $69,000 (per month). The negotiated amount was $62,500 per month and we paid $59,000 last year ... and we feel that difference of $3,500 is justified based on the proposals. We think as a whole, we got a fair deal."

While Fussell did not point it out, Councilman Chuck Nassauer noted the parish request for proposal specified the landfill be open 60 hours per week (six 10-hour days) and staffed with eight people — and that the Nobles proposal was for a 48-hour week and staffing of three people.

"This was a very open and transparent process," Parish President Richard Thomas said after the meeting. "When it first started and they told me two (proposals) had already been thrown out, I said, 'Oh, no!'. but they explained they had not met the specified guidelines and the attorney general said they couldn't be considered.

The Bogalusa City Council will vote on the landfill contract when it meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)

Parish Council to OK Choctaw Landfill pact

Richard Thomas

Landworks, Inc. will get the go-ahead to continue operation of the Choctaw Road Landfill after members of the Washington Parish Council hold a public hearing on vote on Ordinance No. 11-549.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. in the first floor courtroom of the Washington Parish Courthouse.

Following the May 23 meeting, Washington Parish President Richard Thomas told wpnewsblog that he was comfortable with the process followed to ensure the best operator was selected.

"We held three public meetings where people could attend and ask questions," he said. These proposals were reviewed and it was a studied decision ... it wasn't done like it was in the past."

On Tuesday, members of the Bogalusa City Council will authorize Mayor Charles Mizell to sign the Landworks contract.

Under the existing contract, which expired June 1, Washington Parish is responsible for 58.1 percent of the landfill's operational costs and the City of Bogalusa is responsible for 41.9 percent.

 Other items on the agenda include:
     • Public hearing on Ordinance No. 11-551, which will allow the entering into a lease with Broadband IP, Inc. for space on a communications tower.
     • Introduce Ordinance No. 11-553, which will accept roads in Riverwood Subdivision.
     • Consider Resolution No. 11-552, allowing the entering into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Washington Parish Communications District concerning the Washington Parish emergency communications tower located on Dollar Road.

Council members will also hear a report from Thomas and other department heads and open the meeting for public participation.

(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)