Police Jury Meeting Notes: October 16, 2019

A unanimous vote Wednesday by the Bossier Parish Police Jury could mark the beginning of what will eventually be a multi-million dollar development at the former Palmetto Country Club in Benton.

Jury members agreed to participate 50/50 on the cost of a drainage ditch on the Willis-Knighton - owned property that will help divert rain water from Palmetto Park subdivision, sending it directly into Flat River.

“When the property was Palmetto Country Club, the design for drainage would send water winding its way through Palmetto Park. In 2009, a house across the street from the course flooded,” Parish Engineer Butch Ford told jury members. “This ditch will help prevent that from happening.”

Ford said cost of the ditch would be just over $169,000 police jury members agreed to pay half that amount. The parish will not be responsible for upkeep and maintenance of the ditch, Ford added.

Ford said he and his staff would be meeting with WK officials and engineers in the near future to discuss plans for a health care facility, the first phase of development on the property.  The parish’s participation in that project would be to construct turn lanes off Palmetto Dr.

“They (Willis-Knighton) have already written us a check for two hundred and fifty thousand dollars to help with the construction costs,” Ford said.

“I think this is something we should be a part of because of the economic development potential for the parish,” said jury member Rick Avery. “This is going to be a very large project.”

In other business Wednesday, police jury members:

• Authorized advertising for bids for annual supplies, asphaltic concrete paving material, and for the annual supply of tires for the Bossier Parish Highway Department, bids to be received Thursday, December 5, at 2:00 p.m.
• Awarded bid for the Old Plain Dealing Road improvements in accordance with bids received on October 10.
• Approved plat of the proposed development of Cypress Dream subdivision, being a replat of Lots 1 and 2, Jones Cypress Gardens subdivision, unit No. 1.
• Approved application of Nixon Engineering to the Benton-Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission for a zoning amendment to change the zoning classification of a tract of land being 8.448 acres, from B-2, Neighborhood Business District, to R-1, One-Family Residence District, for development of Jamestowne Subdivision, Unit No. 4.
• Approved application of Edwin and Christy Goerbig to the Bossier City-Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission for a zoning amendment to change the zoning classification of a tract of land being 6.744 acres from R-T, Racetrack District, to R-A, Residence-Agricultural District, for a Bridewell Family, LLC, Property subdivision, unit no. 2, new single family home with small farm animals.
• Scheduled a public hearing on December 4 to consider adoption of the 2020 Bossier Parish Police Jury budget.
• Scheduled a public hearing on November 20 to consider approval of the plat of the proposed development of Padgett Place subdivision, unit no. 2.
• Granted a 30-day extension for property review at 502 Wildlife Lane in Bossier City.
• Adopted ordinance amending Chapter 122 of the Bossier Parish Code of Ordinances of Bossier Parish, Louisiana, “Utilities” to add Article (V) “Water”, in connection with the creation and implementation of the Cross-Connection Control device or method for the Consolidated Waterworks/Sewerage District No. 1 of the Parish of Bossier.
• Accepted streets and drainage in Dogwood South subdivision, unit no. 20, into the parish road system for permanent maintenance.
• Accepted sewer main extension and improvements in Dogwood South subdivision, unit no. 20, into the Consolidated Waterworks/Sewerage District No. 1 of the Parish of Bossier sewer system for permanent maintenance.
• Accepted proposal of Aillet, Fenner, Jolly & McClelland, Inc., for topographic and hydraulic studies on Palmetto Road widening-phase II project.
• Consider proposal of Denmon Engineering for engineering services for the Palmetto Road widening-phase II project.
• Accepted proposal of David W. Volentine, MAI, for appraisal services for necessary parcels, tracts, properties or servitudes required for Linton Road bridge over Black Bayou Reservoir project.

• Agreed to a services agreement with the Bossier Parish School Board.
• Approved application for 2019 beer and liquor license for Muddy Waters Sports Bar in Bossier City.