March 14, 2006

The Mayor and Council of the Town of Berwick, State of Louisiana, met in regular session at their regular meeting place, the Town Hall, Berwick, Louisiana, Tuesday, March 14, 2006 at seven (7:00) o’clock p.m.

There were present: Council members, Edgar Thomas, Elaine Cantrell, Louis Ratcliff, Bill Johnson, and Ray Rasberry.

Absent: Mayor Emmett Hardaway

Also present were representatives of the Daily Review, KQKI and Channel 39.

Mayor-Pro Tem Louis Ratcliff led the prayer.

Bill Johnson led the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Mayor and Council of the Town of Berwick, State of Louisiana were duly convened as the governing authority of said Town, by Honorable Louis Ratcliff, Mayor Pro-Tem, who then stated that, the Mayor Pro-Tem and Council were ready for the transaction of business.

The minutes of the previous meeting, having been reviewed, was approved without reading upon motion by Ray Rasberry and seconded by Bill Johnson.

The Treasurer’s report, having been reviewed, was approved without reading upon motion by Elaine Cantrell and seconded by Edgar Thomas.

Chief James Richard presented the police report, a copy of which was included in each of the Councilmen’s packets, for the month of February, 2006. Chief Richard noted that there had not been any unusual events during the month of February. Chief Richard noted that the amount of fines collected this year was down from the same period in 2005.

Chief Ray Rasberry presented the fire report for the month of February, 2006. There were four fire calls for the month.

The Public Works report was the next item on the agenda. A copy of this report was included in the packet each Councilman received prior to the meeting. After no comments were made from the council or audience, the mayor moved on to the next item on the agenda.

Clay Braud presented the consulting engineers report. Mr. Braud stated that the town has received a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement from the State for the 12” water line project on Fairview Drive. Bids have been received for the project and it has been tentatively awarded to Louisiana Utilities. Funds for the project have been allocated by the state. Application for Front Street improvements, Pattie Drive ditch enclosure, and Renwick Boulevard improvements have been submitted to the State. He stated that funding for these projects was unlikely at this time. Renwick Boulevard construction was scheduled to begin on March 13, 2006, but was delayed due to personnel problems at Gray Construction. Construction is now scheduled to begin in the next two weeks. The scheduled completion date is September 9, 2006. An application for funding was made to the Atchafalaya Basin Program for the Riverfront area.

Mayor then moved to Item #1 on the agenda – Public Hearing Ordinance number 554 – Adopt provisions in Berwick zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations to provide for building regulations within location of pipeline rights-of-ways. There being no comments for the council or audience, upon motion by Ray Rasberry and seconded by Bill Johnson, the ordinance was approved unanimously.

Item #2 on the agenda – Resolution and Authorization – Donation of Fire Equipment from Berwick Volunteer Fire Department. Upon motion by Bill Johnson and seconded by Elaine Cantrell, the resolution was approved unanimously.

Item #3 on the agenda – Patterson Cypress Sawmill Festival Teen Kayla Kirkland presented the council with the 2006 Festival poster and invited all in attendance to attend the festival.

Item #4 on the agenda – Approve liquor license for Foreman Supermarket. Chief Richard stated that he had done back ground checks on all applicants and all were approved. Upon motion by Ray Rasberry and seconded by Bill Johnson, the license was approved unanimously.

There being no further business to come before the Council, upon motion by Elaine Cantrell and seconded by Ray Rasberry, the meeting adjourned.

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Emmett Hardaway

Mayor

ATTEST:

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Newell W. Slaughter

CAO/Town Clerk

Adv. March 16, 2006