The Police Jury of the Parish of Avoyelles Parish, State of Louisiana, met for a Special Meeting at its meeting place on Wednesday, Jan. 28, in the Police Jury Room of the Parish Courthouse, 312 North Main Street, Marksville.
Present: Mark Borrel, Darrell Wiley, Jacob Coco, Clyde Benson, Allen Thomas, Sam Pearce
Absent: Travis Franks, Ingrid Wilson, McKinley Keller
President Wiley called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m., followed by the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll call was taken by the Secretary-Treasurer; a quorum was present.
Marcus Guillory of Delta Engineers presented an overview of the BUILD Grant program. The grant is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation and provides funding for roadway, bridge, and transportation infrastructure improvements. The proposed application will request $7.0 million in total funding, consisting of a $6.3 million federal share and an estimated local match of approximately $700,000. Grant funds would be allocated evenly among the nine Police Jury districts. Project input will be solicited from each Juror. No local matching funds are required unless the grant is awarded.
On motion by Clyde Benson, seconded by Allen Thomas, to suspend the RFQ process for engineering services when required to meet time-sensitive grant deadlines, and to authorize the Jury, at its discretion, to engage engineering services on an as-needed basis to ensure timely grant submission and compliance. On vote, the motion carried.
On motion by Allen Thomas, seconded by Clyde Benson, authorizing Delta Engineers to proceed with preparing and applying for the BUILD Grant to fund roadway improvements. On vote, the motion carried.
On motion by Jacob Coco, seconded by Allen Thomas, to utilize Capital Improvements cash account as the local match for the BUILD Grant. On vote, the motion carried.
On motion by Clyde Benson, seconded by Allen Thomas to Adjourn.