LMR AUGUST 2020

Louisiana Municipal Review
PUBLISHED BY THE LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION
VOL 85, NO. 8
AUGUST 2020
2019-2020 Annual Report
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The Louisiana Municipal Review, the official publication of the Louisiana Municipal Association, serves as a medium for the exchange
of ideas and information for municipal officials in Louisiana. With a circulation of over 3,200, this publication is read by employees of
Louisiana municipal governments, sheriffs, parish presidents, state government officials, and members of the state legislature and
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Rates for display, professional-listing, and classified advertising available upon request at editor@lma.org.
Statements or expressions of opinions appearing herein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Louisiana
Municipal Association. Publication of any advertisement shall not be considered an endorsement of the product or service involved.
No material from this publication may be reprinted without the express permission of the editor.
Editorial offices: Louisiana Municipal Association, 700 North 10th Street, Suite 400, Post Office Box 4327, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-
4327, editor@lma.org, www.lma.org, (225) 344-5001, (800) 234-8274, FAX (225) 344-3057.
LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL REVIEW
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2020-2021 LMA EXECUTIVE BOARD (non-affiliate, non-advisory)
President – Jimmy Williams – Mayor, Sibley
District J Vice President – Rodney Grogan, Mayor, Patterson
First Vice President – Michael Chauffe – Mayor, Grosse Tete LMA Past President – Barney Arceneaux, Mayor, Gonzales
Second Vice President– Jennifer Vidrine – Mayor, Ville Platte LMA Past President – Glenn Brasseaux, Mayor, Carencro
Immediate Past President – Harry Lewis – Mayor, Rayville
LMA Past President – David Butler, Mayor, Woodworth
District A Vice President – Peggy Adkins, Mayor, Sarepta
LMA Past President – David Camardelle, Mayor, Grand Isle
District B Vice President – Ronny Walker, Mayor, Ruston
LMA Past President – Clarence Fields, Mayor, Pineville
District C Vice President – Adam Holland, Mayor, Oak Grove LMA Past President – Norman Heine, Councilman, Baker
District D Vice President – Rick Allen, Mayor, Leesville
Vice President at Large – Mark Piazza, Mayor, Abbeville
District E Vice President – Nathan Martin, Councilman, Pineville Vice President at Large – Darnell Waites, Mayor, Baker
District F Vice President – Charles James, Mayor, Sunset
Vice President (< 1K) – Kevin Colligan, Mayor, Cankton
District G Vice President – Kenneth Stinson, Mayor, Vinton
Vice President (1K – 2.5K) – Johnny Natt, Mayor, Mangham
District H Vice President – David Toups, Mayor, Addis
Vice President (2.5K – 5K) – Robert Hardey, Mayor, Westlake
District I Vice President – Donald Villere, Mayor, Mandeville
Page 2
LMR | AUGUST 2020

Inside the LMA
Director’s Viewpoint
2019-2020 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
BY JOHN GALLAGHER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Members,
This has certainly been one of the
most unusual and challenging years
for the LMA in its 94-year history. I
want to personally thank Mayor Jimmy Williams for his
outstanding leadership during these extraordinary times.
He navigated the LMA through the ongoing COVID-19
pandemic, guiding us though a required shift in gears
and the undertaking of unprecedented steps to ensure
public health safety while maintaining excellence in LMA
service and membership engagement. We were forced
to cancel the 2020 Municipal Day at the Capitol, the
2020 statewide district meetings, and our 2020 Annual
Convention. But thanks to the mentorship and support
of First Vice President Michael Chauffe, Second Vice
President Jennifer Vidrine, the rest of the LMA Executive
Committee, and the entire LMA Executive Board,
we have weathered this ongoing storm and we stand as
strong as ever. My deep appreciation
goes to LMA, LaMATS and RMI staff
members, all of whom worked as a
team to ensure that the success of
the entire organization continued
unabated despite office closures and
difficult times. The pandemic interrupted
the 2020 Regular Session
of the Legislature and shortened
it by nearly two months. It was
immediately followed by the 2020
First Extraordinary Special Session,
which continued for an additional
month, allowing additional time for
lawmakers to consider time-sensitive
matters. Despite several major legislative
efforts aimed at local governments,
the LMA Legislative Advocacy
Team - under the direction of the
LMA Legislative Committee chaired
by Mayor Clarence Fields of Pineville
– emerged relatively unscathed. On
the federal advocacy front, the LMA
continues to collaborate with our
congressional delegation and the
National League of Cities to fight for
federal funds for municipalities. Our
members suffered revenue shortfalls
and expected expenses as a direct
result of the pandemic and direct
funding is critical for the continuation
of essential services.
The mission of the LMA
is to educate, advocate,
and empower progressive,
effective leadership
through a united network
of municipalities. Our staff
works hard every day to fulfill
that mission and we hope that
it shows.
It is my great privilege to serve as
your Executive Director. I am humbled by that honor
and am proud to present this report detailing the activities
of the past year. Please accept my deepest gratitude
for continually supporting the LMA by attending
our events, engaging in legislative initiatives, and participating
in our programs and services.
LMR | AUGUST 2020 Page 3

Membership
Our membership consists of 303 municipalities
and two parish governments.
This year, our elected
officials represented Thornton, the Musso, LMA &Bellemin
on several state boards, commissions,
task forces, and organizations.
From retirement
to commerce to broadband,
our inclusion on these boards
demonstrates the good reputation
that we have established alongside our
members.
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The LMA staff
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representatives of our subsidiaries, LaMATS
and RMI, travelled the state providing technical assistance and
operational support
WATER TREATMENT
while educating
CONSULTANTS
members about services
they offer. Participation in parish municipal association meetings,
city manager gatherings, wastewater certification task
forces, and mid-sized cities summits allowed our organization
to network with local officials statewide. We presented webinars
throughout the year on topics such as COVID-19, cyber
security, emergency preparedness, and various municipal
operations subjects. We also launched a free platform where
members (and others) benefit from on-demand training in
both basic and advanced sexual harassment prevention, which
is now mandatory training for public
employees. LMA staff members were
featured speakers at several events
including the 2019 GFOA annual
conference, Law Enforcement Executive
Management Institute, CLE
opportunities on municipal law, and
LATA meetings.
Conferences
We were able to present several
highly successful conferences prior
to the pandemic shutdown. As
the LMA celebrated its 93rd year,
the Ouachita Parish municipalities
of West Monroe, Sterlington, and
Richwood joined the City of Monroe
as hosts for our 82nd annual convention
at the Monroe Civic Center,
boasting over 1,500 attendees. The
conference opened with a gubernatorial
candidate forum wherein
Governor John Bel Edwards and
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recognizing seventeen municipalities for their beautification
efforts. We were honored to feature National League of Cities
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speaker at the delegates’ luncheon. The energy of attend-
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The LMA carefully planned the annual Southern Municipal
Conference meeting (hosted by Louisiana only once every dozen
or so years) in October to maximize networking and educational
opportunities while showing the SMC members all that
the City of New Orleans has to offer.
Municipal officials from around the state joined our federal advocacy
partners at the annual NLC City Summit in San Antonio,
Texas in November - an event that was jam-packed with informative
workshops and networking opportunities.
In January of 2020, the LMA partnered with the Louisiana Legislative
Auditor’s office for a series of five regional workshops
focusing on best practices in budgeting and financing, as well
as the basics of municipal operation. Additionally, our partnership
with the Louisiana State University Office of Continuing
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Page 4
707693_Thornton.indd 1
LMR | AUGUST 2020
8/21/14 8:33 PM

Inside the LMA
Education produced a
full day workshop on
grant writing and administration,
an effort
which we will likely
continue in 2021.
The 2020 Mid-Winter
Conference in February
attracted nearly 600 officials
and guests to Baton
Rouge. The theme
of the conference was
“Transforming Vision
Into Reality,” and the
inspired program of
events was kicked off by
a motivational address
on servant leadership
by Ron Holifield, CEO of
Strategic Government
Resources. Angelina Panettieri
of the National
League of Cities gave
a timely update on the
state of broadband and
5G issues, then we were
honored to feature Governor
John Bel Edwards as the keynote luncheon speaker.
Little did we know, that was the last time the LMA membership
would gather in person, likely for the rest of 2020, if not
beyond. As we all grappled with the challenges presented by
the arrival of the coronavirus in March, we focused on remaining
flexible, eventually prompting LMA leadership to convert
remaining LMA and affiliate meetings from in-person to virtual
where practical.
Shortly before the gubernatorial and presidential declarations
of a public health emergency were issued, a delegation of Louisiana’s
municipal officials was able to travel to Washington, D.C.
for NLC’s Congress of Cities meeting in March. While in D.C., LMA
officers and staff members met with Senator Bill Cassidy and
Congressman Mike Johnson to discuss issues such as funding
for transportation infrastructure, the reauthorization of the National
Flood Insurance Program, and the need for rural broadband.
U.S. Representative Garret Graves graciously sponsored
a reception for the Louisiana delegation at the U.S. Capitol and
then gave the group a special nighttime tour of the Capitol, including
a rare opportunity to experience the floor of the U.S.
House of Representatives. The LMA officers in attendance once
again had the honor of laying an LMA wreath at the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier at the Arlington National Cemetery.
Whether in person or virtually, the LMA actively participated
in various conferences hosted by our affiliate and advisory organizations,
including
the Louisiana Association
of Chiefs of Police,
Louisiana City Attorney’s
Association, Louisiana
Municipal Clerks
Association, Louisiana
Recreation and Parks
Association, Louisiana
Association of Municipal
Secretaries and
Assistants, Building
Officials Association of
Louisiana, Government
Finance Officers Association,
Louisiana Association
of Tax Administrators, and the Louisiana Mid-Size City
Conference.
Legislative Advocacy
In March, the onset of the coronavirus disrupted the lives of
everyone in Louisiana and across the nation and world. This
global pandemic also put the 2020 Regular Legislative Session
virtually on hold for almost two months. The body met for only
one week before recessing on March 16 due to COVID-19, then
resumed on May 4. The abbreviated session was blamed as the
impetus for the First Extraordinary Session, which convened
LMR | AUGUST 2020 Page 5

one minute after adjournment of the Regular Session on June
1 and continued until June 30.
Again, the strong LMA partnership with local government organizations,
including the Police Jury Association of Louisiana,
the Louisiana Sheriffs Association, the Louisiana School Boards
Association, the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, and
the Louisiana Conference of Mayors, was an integral part of our
success at the capitol this year. Only a few bills adverse to municipal
government made it out of this session. A full summary
of all tracked instruments is available on our website at www.
lma.org. Thank you to the LMA Legislative Team for the long
hours spent at the capitol and to all the LMA members who
actively contacted legislators when we needed you the most.
You are the reason for much of our legislative success.
Apart from COVID-19-related legislation, the biggest issues
throughout both sessions
were the passage of the
state’s operating budget
and the alteration of the
rules governing personal injury
civil liability trials (a.k.a.
“tort reform”). Unable to
agree on the budget during
the Regular Session, lawmakers
ultimately passed
a balanced budget that
utilized federal CARES Act
funding in the special session.
However, Governor
Edwards vetoed significant
line items of the budget –
some that would increase
expenditures, some that would limit them – so, it remains to
be seen what the net result will be and whether a mid-year cut
will be required.
Along those lines, throughout, the pandemic was invoked as
necessitating numerous enhancements to corporate tax incentives
- tax breaks that were given to keep businesses afloat.
Those tax incentives will cost the state approximately $25
million in FY20 and at least $230 million in the next five years.
Many fear that this sets the stage for yet another fiscal cliff.
After dozens of hours of testimony and debate on tort reform,
the Legislature passed an omnibus bill, the Civil Justice Reform
Act of 2020, which reduces the threshold for a jury trial from
50K to 10K; limits references to the insurer and insurance limits
in trial proceedings; repeals the limitation on presenting evidence
of the failure to wear a safety belt; and generally limits
the recovery of medical expenses to the actual amount paid
plus 40% of the difference between billing and payment. When
the bill went to conference committee, there was a provision
suddenly added that excludes the new collateral source rules
from suits against the state and political subdivisions; so those
entities (including municipalities) will still pay the full amount
billed by the provider regardless of the actual payment.
The attempts at preemptive or harmful legislation that did not
survive are too numerous to detail here, though the perennial
push for centralized tax collection was once again raised and
defeated. HB 140 by Representative Blake Miguez unfortunately
passed this year. It represents another perennial preemption
measure; here, to prevent municipalities and parishes
from creating their own firearm free zones beyond the parameters
of state law.
It is a testament to the influence of the LMA that it was appointed
to have representatives on several critical task forces,
including the Governor’s Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization,
the Sales and Use Tax Administration Study Group (HR 31
0f 2020) and the Broadband for Everyone in Louisiana (BEL) Task
force. Those are in addition
to the LMA’s current service
on the Louisiana Uniform
Local Sales Tax Board and
the Louisiana Sales and Use
Tax Commission for Remote
Sellers.
On the federal level, our
focus for the last quarter
of the LMA year has been
focused on the economic
health of our municipalities
as they fight on the front
lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The LMA legislative
advocacy team has worked
tirelessly with the National League of Cities (NLC) and municipal
leagues across the country to lobby Congress for economic
assistance to address unexpected and unbudgeted expenditures
related to COVID-19. We were pleased that Congress
passed the CARES Act, which allocated $1.8 billion dollars to
the State of Louisiana, 45% of which ($800 million) was earmarked
by Governor Edwards for local government assistance.
After $300 million was reallocated by the Legislature to assist
small businesses and $25 million was reapportioned for essential
worker tax rebates, $525 million remained. Those funds are
being allocated to municipalities and other local government
entities and it is anticipated that all of the funding available will
be disbursed. As of the date of this report, we continue to fight
for direct funding assistance in the latest federal stimulus bill
to help municipalities with unexpected revenue losses attributable
to the pandemic.
As your Executive Director, I, and the legislative advocacy team
members, continually advocate on behalf of municipal governments
through participation in National League of Cities (NLC)
and Southern Municipal Conference (SMC) meetings. As previously
discussed, in October of 2019, the LMA had the pleasure
Page 6
LMR | AUGUST 2020

Inside the LMA
of hosting, in New Orleans, the annual gathering of SMC executive
directors, lobbyists, and event planners from the 13 state
municipal association members.
Member Services
Our organization and the services we offer would not be possible
without the dedicated work of the LMA staff. Their composed
appearance at LMA events is the culmination of intensive
“behind the scenes” event planning. Your LMA staff also
spends many hours providing member assistance, creating
useful publications, providing technical assistance, engaging
in legislative advocacy, and working with our affiliate organizations,
not to mention providing accounting and financial services
to the association and its affiliates. They are truly dedicated
to providing our members with the best in customer service
and attention. I cannot overstate my sincere appreciation and
respect for the staff for all their efforts and I am exceptionally
proud of the teamwork displayed daily. Now more than ever,
staff collaboration is the key to enabling the LMA to accomplish
its missions.
Risk Management, Inc. (RMI),
now in its 34th year and 192
members strong, continues to
provide indemnity coverage
to municipalities for public
liability, workers’ compensation
and dental. Additionally,
health and accident benefit
programs are available thru RMI’s agency. RMI also continues
to provide additional assistance to its members through online
professional training for law enforcement, fire, and EMS, along
with safety training for all other municipal employees. The
RMI marketing staff will continue to visit your municipalities
throughout the next year to thank you for your support and to
encourage further participation in RMI’s programs.
LaMATS began celebrating
its 22nd anniversary this
year and has grown from
Insurance Premium Tax (IPT)
collections to expanding
services to assist the LMA
membership through Occupational
License Tax collection (OLT), Grant Research Assistance,
Online Buyer’s Guide, consultation services for Capital
Outlay, Brownfields Grant Assessments and millage management.
The newly revamped LaMATS Purchasing Services (LPS)
continues to grow and is providing procurement assistance
to members with purchases under $30,000 and over with
electronic bid/quote/proposal platforms at no cost. Those
participating are realizing savings under this innovative program.
Additionally, through the advocacy efforts of the LMA
and LaMATS, Act 111 was enacted raising the minimum contract
limit to public works projects to $250,000. I commend
LPS for focusing its attention on assisting our municipalities
with much needed personal protection equipment (PPE). At
the onset of the coronavirus, these supplies, such as masks,
hand sanitizer, gloves were in short supply and through the
hard work and determination of the LaMATS and LPS staff,
they continue today providing these critical supplies to our
member municipalities.
Initiatives for 2021
The LMA will continue to seek ways to provide and improve
training to our membership by building on the virtual platforms
that were instituted because of COVID-19. LMA staff
will again partner with other governmental and non-profit
organizations to develop a curriculum of training on topics
ranging from mayors’ courts and grant writing to municipal
operations and emergency preparedness. We hope to
include more video access to training opportunities, even
those where in-person attendance is an option.
In furtherance of our 2019 video and written promotional
efforts, we will improve and expand our marketing materials
to more effectively communicate the resources that the LMA
can offer to stand up municipal government operations and
empower our members.
The LMA and the Louisiana Municipal Clerks Association
(LMCA) continue to collaborate to build on the success of the
LMCA municipal clerk mentor program, which is designed to
provide training to a new clerk through mentorship by an
experienced clerk. The LMA provides sponsorship funding to
the LMCA to defray the cost of the training and we encourage
all municipalities with new clerks to take advantage of
this exceptional program.
We will strive toward revitalization of our rural communities
through the Governor’s Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization,
as well as efforts to ensure broadband access to
rural and underserved areas through our participation on
the Broadband for Everyone in Louisiana (BEL) Commission,
financial opportunities through the USDA and in state and
federal legislation.
Financial Condition
The financial report of the LMA
THE
shows that actual operating revenues
for the year ending December
ORGANIZATION IS
FINANCIALLY 31, 2019 was $3,632,360. Actual
HEALTHY operating expenditures totaled
$3,761,540. Expenditures exceeded
revenues by $129,180. The organization is financially healthy.
We have approximately $4,000,000 in cash reserves - which
is more than one year’s worth of operating expenses - while
many other state leagues throughout the country have only a
six-month reserve.
LMR | AUGUST 2020 Page 7

Governor’s Column
THE NEIGHBORLY THING TO DO
BY JOHN BEL EDWARDS, GOVERNOR OF LOUISIANA
COVID-19 is prevalent in every
parish throughout our state, and it
will take all of us working together,
being committed to helping one
another and being good neighbors to overcome the
challenges it presents. At the time of writing this column,
Louisiana ranks number one per capita for the number of
positive cases in the United States, surpassing Arizona,
New York and New Jersey. Clearly, we are headed
in the wrong direction, but we have the opportunity
to turn things around. We have more than 100,000
positive cases statewide and have lost more than 3,600
fellow Louisianans to this virus. As you know, I have
renewed and revised Phase 2 of the Resilient Louisiana
proclamation in our fight against the coronavirus. It
includes a statewide mask mandate, the prohibition of onpremises
consumption of alcohol at bars, and a limitation
of crowd size for social gatherings to no more than 50.
Thank you to the Louisiana Municipal Association for
always being a conduit of good information.
The statewide mask mandate applies to all 64 parishes in
Louisiana. However, parishes with a COVID-19 incidence
of fewer than 100 cases per 100,000 people for the most
recent two-week period for which data is available can
choose to opt out of the mandate. Under the state’s
policy, parish presidents in parishes with lower incidence
rates do not have to opt out and may choose to keep
a mask mandate in place. The Louisiana Department
of Health updates its incidence data every other week
on its website, LDH.la.gov. At the time of this article, no
Louisiana parish has met the standard to opt out of the
current mask mandate.
We must all do our part to reduce the spread of
COVID-19. The mitigation measures that are in place
work. We know they do. Mask up when you’re in public,
practice social distancing, wash your hands frequently
and stay home if you’re sick. All of these actions are
necessary to making sure that we don’t overwhelm our
healthcare capacity and to provide a stable enough
environment for our economy to reopen toward where it
was before.
As informed and concerned leaders, you all know
the unique challenges that this virus brings to your
communities and the relationships you have with your
constituents will enable you to impress upon them the
seriousness of this situation. It is the responsibility of all
of us, at every level of government, to make sure that our
people are well informed.
While fighting this virus, we must also remain weather
aware as we are in the middle of hurricane season. It is
more important than ever for everyone to get a game
plan, especially since this year’s game plan needs to
include measures to ensure that whatever preparations
we make are in line with what we need to do to protect
ourselves from COVID-19.
I have full faith and confidence in the people of our
great state and all of you as we face the challenges in
our path. What makes me proud to be your governor is
that I have the honor to serve our people who are strong
and resilient. Helping each other is the neighborly thing
to do, and that is something that we all know how to do
well. Thank you for your service and God bless.
The
Right
Reports.
Right Now.
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Page 8
LMR | AUGUST 2020

Inside the LMA
Legal Briefs
THE DOG (AND CAT) DAYS OF SUMMER
BY KAREN DAY WHITE, EXECUTIVE COUNSEL
Louisiana is
a state full of
vibrant culture,
spirited politics,
and kind people.
So, it is a sad and sobering statistic
that Louisiana ranks among the
worst states in the nation when it
comes to the way that we treat our
homeless furry companions. Our
state has the second highest per
capita kill rate of dogs and cats in
the country at nearly four times the
national average, which amounts to
the 5th highest number of killings
per year nationwide. And this unfortunate
statistic is not improving.
A year-to-year comparison indicates
that there was a 7.5% annual
increase in killing, confirming Louisiana’s
ranking at the bottom of the
list when it comes to no-kill shelters
and no-kill policies. Based on 2019
shelter data, six of the country’s top
100 most prolific kill shelters are in
Louisiana (the collective death toll
in 2019 was over 11,000 dogs and
cats just in those six locations).
Killing homeless cats and dogs is
not a solution that comports with
the Louisiana spirit of compassion
and morality. That is clear from
polling wherein 81% of adults stated
that it is very important to have nokill
shelters in their area.
What then are the solutions
for a rampant homeless animal
population?
As with most systemic issues, it
first takes a shift in mindset away
from the outdated perceptions of
yesterday. For example, there are
still many communities who have breed-specific ordinances
that prohibit certain breeds (American Pit Bull Terriers
being the most demonized). Years of litigation have
established that such ordinances (in addition to being
patently unfair) violate constitutional equal protection
rights and they are increasingly being determined unconstitutional
by courts of law. 1 Similarly, there must be a
1 For a model non-breed-specific ordinance, please email
kwhite@lma.org.
shift away from blaming homeless
dogs or cats for their existence –
such overpopulation is a problem
created by humans and we have a
moral obligation to address it in a
humane way.
But fear not. There are resources
available to assist municipalities
in revamping their policies and
developing efficient ways to deal
with their homeless pet population.
A shining light among them
is the Best Friends Animal Society
(BFAS), who provides support
through policy expertise, operations
advice, and grant funding. They
partner with animal shelters, animal
welfare organizations, and local
governments to empower them to
implement a customized, data-driven
game plan to create and sustain
compassionate, no-kill communities
for pets and people. Though they
have already begun their good
work in Louisiana, given our poor
rankings and outdated ordinances,
Best Friends has committed to focus
additional resources within our
communities.
Best Friends provides an expert
embed program and mentorships
that are tailored to community and
shelter needs. They have demonstrated
success in Jefferson Parish
since 2018, including providing two
embedded cat lifesaving specialists
to launch a robust trap-neuter-return
program for free-roaming cats.
They also embedded an interim
director until the shelter was able
to hire their new director of operations,
who is currently benefitting
from BFAS continuing education.
They also support a broad range of grants for communitybased
programs, enabling partnerships between municipal
shelters and local non-profit animal welfare groups. Big
Sky Ranch/CATNIP Foundation in Folsom, Louisiana, for
example, has been a recipient of BFAS grant funding.
SEE BRIEFS PAGE 15
LMR | AUGUST 2020 Page 9

LaMATS Expands Coronavirus Sanitation Services
With
unprecedented
safety measures
announced by
Governor John
Bel Edwards in
the fight against
COVID-19, and
the continuing
spread of the
virus, Louisiana municipalities know they need to scaleup
their sanitation efforts.
LaMATS began sourcing personal protective
equipment (masks, gloves, disinfectant, etc.) through
its new storefront, www.lpsgovshop.net, early in the
pandemic and introduced its popular hand sanitizer
station program in June to provide free-standing
dispensers and refills.
While PPE and clean hands are important to combating
the virus, more must be done.
Municipal buildings and facilities, civic centers,
and other gathering places need a high-volume
approach to decontamination. LaMATS will provide
for this need with a Louisiana-based solution that
combines a custom-fabricated mobile sprayer by
Rotating Solutions coupled with specialized COVID-19
decontamination training by Pathogen Response &
Resource Alliance (PR2®).
Don Venable, Business Development Manager for
Rotating Solutions in Rayne, Louisiana, describes the
creation of his company’s custom sanitizer as born of
necessity. “We knew there would be a need for this, but
no one had a large, mobile indoor sprayer to do the
job,” said Venable, who with colleagues developed the
machine only three months ago.
According to Venable, Rotating Solutions devised a
prototype sprayer at the first sign COVID-19 would
become a serious issue, “using spare parts we had
on the shelves and making others we needed.” The
finished product is durable, highly maneuverable and
able to deliver a wide, steady dispersion of any noncorrosive
sanitation chemical. The specialized fogger
wand and low-volume dispersal rate (using only 1.0
gallon per minute) make the unit cost-effective in
combating COVID-19 indoors.
PR2®, co-founded by remediation expert Kyle Sibley,
will educate municipal staff to safely deploy the
fogger. Louisiana-based VP of Business Development,
Steve “Sunset” Miller, says PR2® offers an affordable
PICTURED: The new Rotating Solutions decontaminator unit.
certification program for COVID-19 decontamination
and post-exposure cleaning protocols. Municipal
staff may be certified individually or as a group on all
aspects, including the use of chemicals, surface types,
exposure prevention, proper PPE, and documentation.
A voice of support behind the collaboration between
PR2® and Rotating Solutions is Rayne Mayor Chuck
Robichaux, who is also a LaMATS Board Member.
“When I heard about Don’s new product, I knew that
he and Sunset would want to work together,” said
Mayor Robichaux. “Being on the LaMATS Board, I was
aware of our efforts to provide valuable services to our
municipal members and affiliated local governments.
I’m pleased we were able to bring this project
together.”
Municipalities, school systems, and facilities managers
seeking more information about purchase of a fogger
and certification in its effective use, should contact
Paul Holmes, LaMATS Purchasing Consultant, at paul@
lamats.net.
Page 10
LMR | AUGUST 2020

Partner Insight
Recovery Program.
Treasury Notes
Main Street Is Supporting Small Businesses
BY STATE TREASURER JOHN M. SCHRODER
I know all of you are worried about
the impact of the pandemic on small
businesses. If you haven’t already done
so, please encourage them to apply
for a grant through the Main Street
The Louisiana Legislature created the Main Street Recovery
Program to help small businesses with their COVID 19-related
expenses. We want to keep their doors open by delivering
$275 million in grants.
This is a program designed specifically for small businesses.
You can’t have had more than 50 full-time employees as of
March 1, 2020, in order to qualify.
Main Street isn’t intended to replace lost revenue. This is a
reimbursement program. We can reimburse for up to $15,000
in expenses tied to the pandemic. Reimbursable expenses
fall into two categories: business interruption and health and
safety.
Business interruption includes unemployment insurance,
providing paid sick leave, rent, payroll and utilities. Health
and safety entails creating social distancing, cleaning and
disinfecting, purchasing equipment to protect employees,
buying contactless equipment and more.
All of the program details are spelled out at www.
louisianamainstreet.com
The eligibility requirements are pretty straightforward.
Businesses must meet the following requirements to receive
grant awards:
· Were domiciled in Louisiana as of March 1, 2020
· Suffered an interruption of business
· At least 50% owned by one or more Louisiana residents
· Filed Louisiana taxes in 2018 or 2019 or will file taxes in
2020
· Had no more than 50 full-time employees as of March
1, 2020
· Have customers or employees visit a physical location
· Are not part of a bigger business with more than 50
full-time workers
· Does not exist for the purpose of advancing partisan
political activity and does not directly lobby federal or
state officials.
· Does not derive income from passive investments
without active participation in business operations.
We want to help in every way we can. Encourage businesses
to apply for a Main Street grant and to check for Unclaimed
Property at www.latreasury.com. We have more than $900
million to return to business and people across Louisiana.
Earlier this year, we returned more than $50,000 to a Baton
Rouge business so you never know what you might find.
Small businesses are economic engines. They drive our
economy, from creating jobs to fostering entrepreneurship.
Without our small businesses, Louisiana wouldn’t have an
economy. We’re in this together.
LMR | AUGUST 2020 Page 11

Rural Development
Safe Modern Infrastructure Vital for Essential Services in Rural Communities
BY ROY HOLLEMAN, STATE DIRECTOR, USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT
USDA’s Community Facilities Programs
helps underserved rural communities
develop essential community services,
which in turn promotes job growth and
retention, and attracts businesses and community investment.
The three major Community Facilities Programs are Community
Facilities Direct and Guaranteed Loan Programs and Community
Facilities Grants.
Through the Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program,
more than 100 types of projects are eligible for funding. Eligible
applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations
and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects
must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.
The Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program provides
loan guarantees to eligible private lenders to help build essential
community facilities in rural areas. Rural areas include any
area other than a city or town with a population of greater than
50,000 inhabitants and any urbanized area contiguous and adjacent
to that city or town based on the latest U.S. Census Data.
Program funds may be used to construct, expand or improve
facilities that provide health care, education, public safety,
and public services. Financing may also cover the costs for
land acquisition, professional fees, and equipment purchases.
These amenities help rural areas purchase and maintain critical
infrastructure.
For example, the Bastrop fire department’s truck was purchased
in 1978 and in the following forty-two years, racked up a lot of
miles. Repairs were becoming more frequent and costly. The truck,
which served both the city and surrounding areas, was no longer
dependable. A modern, reliable, fire truck for fire rescue operations
and other urgent situations was desperately needed.
Through the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Grant
Program, the city of Bastrop—located in the “persistence poverty”
parish of Morehouse, Louisiana—qualified for a $31,500 grant. The
city contributed $8,500 and received $30,000 from the state, for a
total of $70,000 needed to purchase a new truck.
Rural Development can finance a variety of emergency response
needs in rural communities through the Community Facilities
program. In addition to fire trucks, eligible projects include fire
halls, rescue stations, equipment, ambulances, radios, computers,
defibrillators and so much more.
Rural Development continues to be a strong partner with rural
communities and here to help applicants move forward to
complete the application process. These can include predevelopment
feasibility studies, design and engineering aid, land
and equipment acquisition, start-up operations and maintenance,
capitalized interest, technical assistance, and other costs
determined to be necessary for project completion. Long-term,
low- interest loans and loan guarantees are available for eligible
borrowers, with up to a 40-year payback period, based on the
useful life of the facilities financed.
Program details may change over time. Before you begin an application,
please confirm you have the most current information
by contacting a specialist in your area. Louisiana’s RD Area Offices
are in Monroe (318) 343-4467, Natchitoches (318) 352-7100,
Lafayette (337) 262-6601, and Amite (985) 748-8751.
Team Louisiana is here to keep you updated with resources
and funding opportunities to create prosperity in rural communities.
Please contact me at roy.holleman@usda.gov or (318)
473-7921. I encourage you all to take a moment and check out
our programs at www.rd.usda.gov/la and follow us on twitter @
RD_Louisiana.
ENVIRONMENTAL
TECHNICAL SALES, INC.
7731 Office Park Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
(225) 295-1200 (225) 295-1800 (fax)
Daniel Hebert, President
Ronnie Hebert, Chairman
Brady Sessums, Vice President
www.etec-sales.com
Water … Wastewater … Sludge
Odor Control…Pumping
Equipment Systems…Solutions
Page 12
LMR | AUGUST 2020

Partner Insight
Weathering the Storm
BY DAVID MEDLIN, GOVERNMENT CONSULTANTS
In recent months, we have all learned to adapt to
changes brought on by the effects of COVID-19. For
local governments, this is particularly true. Some have
also been affected by the economics of oil and gas
production. There have been losses of revenues, layoffs
and budget adjustments. Now they face the challenge of
making it through the next fiscal year.
Taxing authority is strictly limited in most cases. Local
jurisdictions are likely to use spending reductions rather
than increasing taxes to balance their budget as required
by state law. This will impact their staffing and ability to
deliver services at current levels.
It is extremely difficult to precisely estimate revenues
for the current year and future years. Many have
been required to do this for extraordinary events like
natural disasters, but today’s challenge is planning for
something with an unknown duration. It is important to
continuously monitor budget estimates based on real
time data.
If it is determined that a shortfall is likely, local
governments do have the ability to borrow funds. In past
years, loans for operating purposes have been limited by
the State Bond Commission to amounts that could be
repaid within one year. However, if the need to secure a
loan is caused by issues associated with COVID-19 or the
decrease in oil and gas production, they have expanded
the repayment period to several years when needed to
maintain a balanced budget.
The process of obtaining a loan typically takes
between 90 and 120 days. This involves the adoption
of ordinances or resolutions at the local level, obtaining
approval from the State Bond Commission, and securing
a lender through either a bank or the bond market.
Continuously monitoring your financial situation will
help identify a budgetary problem and allow a local
government to obtain funds when needed.
(Editor’s Note: Mr. Medlin is the former Finance Director
of the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton
Rouge, with over 30 years of service in municipal
government.)
GOVERNMENT CONSULTANTS, INC.
Specializing in Bond Issues and Financing
L. Gordon King
Dede Riggins
Nnamdi I. Thompson
Shaun B. Toups
David M. Medlin
James R. Ryan
Stephen Holley
(MSRB Registered Municipal Advisors)
700 North 10 th Street Annex Bldg.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
(225) 344‐2098 (Phone) (225) 344‐5952 (Fax)
gcla@gc‐la.net (email)
OVERVIEW
Modern day government has become a large financial
enterprise, handling millions of dollars and facing
service and revenue pressures. The governing
authority and Administrator(s) face complex financial
decisions ranging from the impact of property and
sales taxes to the financing of capital improvements.
As government finance has become more complex,
the need for financial advice to base decisions upon
has. The services of an expert Municipal Advisor are
being used by more and more grown governmental
units.
A Municipal Advisor (or “MA”) serves as a
consultant advising the governing authority on
matters relating to the following:
Financial feasibility of projects;
Total cost analysis of financing alternatives;
Review of capital improvement financing
programs;
Advice on the structuring and marketing of debt
securities.
The MA is an integral member of the governing
authority’s management team, providing advice and
analysis to assist in financial decision‐making.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
FINANCE ANALYSIS
• Analyzing available alternatives in relation to
cost to the governing authority and providing
financial guidance and recommendations;
• Analyzing from a cost/benefit standpoint the
use of incentives (free land, subsidy of bond
issues, utility improvements) to attract
industry;
• Providing a detailed upfront and long‐term
financial analysis of costs to the governing
authority versus benefits of the specific
project; and
• Serving as an economic development finance
resource for the Governing Authority.
We Have The Experience!
LMR | AUGUST 2020 Page 13

Sorry we cannot
meet in person
for the annual
beautification
luncheon and
awards ceremony
traditionally
held at the LMA
Annual Convention
where we
celebrate the
efforts to keep
our communities
beautiful, clean
and thriving. Our offices, in collaboration
with our friends at Keep
Louisiana Beautiful, are proud of
your continued beautification efforts.
Litter and pollution mean fewer visitors,
and a less healthy state for us.
Thank you for all you do to keep our
state beautiful, clean and thriving.
This past year, 172,000 volunteers
worked in collaboration with Keep
Louisiana Beautiful and their affiliate
organizations to remove more than
411 tons of litter and recycle 1.6 million
pounds of waste. Additionally, 30
grants totaling $120,936 were awarded
by Keep Louisiana Beautiful.
Beautification is so important to our
tourism efforts here in Louisiana.
Because of your hard work, we had
another record-breaking year in
The Year of the Louisiana Road Trip
BY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BILLY NUNGESSER
Keep Louisiana Beautiful volunteers for the
Love the Boot campaign planting trees for
beautification campaign.
tourism. In 2019, we welcomed 53.2
million visitors to little ole Louisiana,
bringing in $18.9 billion in
visitor spending. That equals
$1,100 in tax savings for each
Louisiana household that you
and I didn’t have to pay.
Unfortunately, tourism came
to a halt with COVID-19 and
Keep Louisiana Beautiful volunteers picking up
trash along roadways in St. Tammany Parish.
our offices have changed focus
to help get us back to those 2019
numbers. We are closely monitoring
tourism trends and traveler plans
through weekly reports conducted
by Tourism Economics and released
by US Travel. The good news here is
that 82% of survey respondents have
indicated that they will travel closer
to home, via their cars, when the time
is right in the coming months and
into early next year. That is why I have
also declared 2020 as the Year of the
Louisiana Road Trip, so that as we
begin to open our doors to the world,
we want to welcome visitors to experience
a clean and beautiful Louisiana.
So, keep up the great work of keeping
Louisiana litter free, and don’t
forget to plan your staycation at
LouisianaTravel.com.
Keep Louisiana Beautiful Executive Director Susan
Russell with Lt Governor Billy Nungesser at 2019 LMA
Beautification Awards luncheon.
Page 14
LMR | AUGUST 2020

Municipalities
Police Department Employees
Opinion: 20-0013 The Mayor of the Town
of Plain Dealing, acting alone, lacks
authority to terminate employees of the
Police Department. If officers of the Police
Department were not permitted to
use the vacation or compensatory time
to which they were entitled in a year, then they may be compensated
either financially or by being permitted to carry over
their vacation time into the following year. Released: 6/24/2020
Opinion: 19-0167 Neither the mayor nor elected chief of police
may act alone to revoke police commission cards. Released:
7/8/2020
Coroner Fees
Opinion: 20-0035 The Town of Glenmora is obligated to pay the
statutory autopsy rates to the Rapides Parish Coroner when
presented with an invoice. Exceedances of those statutory
rates must also be paid if they are itemized “laboratory or
other tests.” Additional exceedances may be paid in the Town’s
discretion. Released: 6/30/2020
Home Rule Charter
Opinion: 20-0022 La. Const. art. VI, §5 authorizes the adoption
of a home rule charter that provides the structure, organization,
powers, and functions of the government of a local
governmental subdivision.
Released: 7/9/2020
Ad Valorem Taxes
Opinion: 20-0030 A parcel fee is considered a specific tax, not
an ad valorem tax. Therefore, even though property may be
exempt from ad valorem taxes under La. Const. art. VII § 21(B)
CONTINUED FROM
PAGE 9: BRIEFS
From overhauling ordinances
to finding money for municipal
shelter supplies, dealing
with homeless pets is a problem
that municipalities must
address, and it can seem
insurmountable. But Best
Friends makes it easy to navigate
every barrier. Soon, we
will feature a webinar to discuss
the resources that Best
Friends has to offer. In the
meantime, we encourage you
to have a focused conversation
among municipal leaders.
The answer lies in local voices
making local choices.
Attorney General’s Opinions
BY JEFF LANDRY, ATTORNEY GENERAL
(1)(a)(i,), it is not exempt from parcel fees. Released: 7/8/2020
Public Employees
Opinion: 20-0028 Discusses what constitutes a public employee
for the purpose of La. R.S. 14:134 (malfeasance in office).
Released: 7/9/2020
Emergency Authority
Opinion: 20-0044 A mayor, acting as the chief executive officer
of a municipality, has the authority to declare a state of emergency
for his particular jurisdiction, provided he adheres to
the requirements contained within La. R.S. 29:737. A mayor
may use available resources, as envisioned by the Louisiana
Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster
Act and subject to the limitations contained therein. Released:
7/9/2020
Opinion: 20-0068 Louisiana House of Representatives - Mandate
that the Shreveport Mayor has put into place that requires
everyone in the City to wear a mask face covering in every
place of business. Released: 7/15/2020
Open Meetings Law
Opinion: 19-0128 Discussions of the Louisiana Open Meetings
Law regarding permissible and prohibited communications
between board members outside of a public meeting.
Released: 7/20/2020
Prohibition on Naming Buildings
Opinion: 20-0049 The statutory prohibition on naming public
buildings in honor of living persons contained in La. R.S. 42:267
prohibits renaming a head start building after an informal
business brand or trade name when the name includes the
surnames of any living person. Released: 7/20/2020
LMR | AUGUST 2020 Page 15

Direct Funding is the Key to Local
Governments’ Survival
The following unified Letter to the Editor on behalf of the LMA,
Police Jury Association, and the Louisiana Conference of Mayors
was submitted to major news outlets this month to bring more
awareness to the dire challenges that local governments will
face without direct funding in the next relief bill.
***
We are deeply concerned about the survival of Louisiana’s
local governments considering recent Congressional
movements. Despite pleas from local government leaders
nationwide, the U.S. Senate’s coronavirus relief bill (HEALS
Act) does not include direct funding for local governments.
Facing devastating losses in revenue, local leaders have
remained on the front lines ensuring public health and
safety, securing critical basic services, and providing essential
social services to the vulnerable. This has pushed local
governments to the breaking point.
The Louisiana Legislative Auditor estimates that local
governments may suffer revenue losses as high as $1.1
billion for FY20 and FY21. Understanding the gravity of
these calculations, Senator Cassidy, nearly three months ago,
coauthored the bipartisan SMART ACT, which provides for
additional direct and flexible funding for COVID-19 related
local revenue losses. Around the same time, Senator Kennedy
introduced the Coronavirus Relief Fund Flexibility for State
and Local Government Act to allow CARES Act funding to
be used to replenish local revenue lost to the pandemic.
Congress has so far declined to take up either instrument,
but U.S. Treasury Secretary Mnuchin has stated that
Senator Kennedy’s flexibility concept may be the ultimate
compromise regarding local government funding that arises
from the current HEALS Act negotiations.
Here is the problem. The Louisiana Legislature appropriated
$300 million of the CARES Act funding dedicated to local
governments to create a small business recovery fund and
another $25 million to fund a rebate program for essential
workers. The Louisiana Division of Administration fast-tracked
creating the Louisiana Cares portal and is currently disbursing
the remainder of those CARES Act CRF dollars (we are one of
only a handful of states to do so).
The Division projects that under the current disbursement
rules, all of the CARES Act funding dedicated to local
governments will be distributed as reimbursement of direct
expenses. There will be no CARES Act funding left to replace
lost local revenue when and if Congress so authorizes.
Ironically, Louisiana’s local governments will be punished
for the swift action of state administration in establishing a
process to distribute CRF funding.
Had either Senator Kennedy’s or Senator Cassidy’s legislation
been embraced by Congress months ago, the current fiscal
condition and forecast of local governments would likely be
dramatically better. Instead, Louisiana’s local governments
are fighting on the frontlines of the pandemic while being
forced to undertake layoffs, furloughs, and reductions in
services. Regardless of size, municipalities and parishes
are critical to the long-term recovery of businesses and
individuals. Without additional direct funding, Louisiana’s
local governments cannot maintain their status as economic
solutions to this public health crisis but will instead decline
into a major obstacle to stabilization and recovery.
We are dedicated to working with our congressional
delegation and state legislative leadership to ensure
the survival of our local governments. As negotiations
between Senate and House leadership begin, we are
zealously advocating for additional direct funding for local
governments. The health and safety of every citizen in the
state depends upon it.
###
In early August, LMA issued a letter from John Gallagher
to Senator Cassidy, thanking him for his support of local
government and asking that direct federal funding to local
government remain a priority. A similar letter was sent to
Senator Kennedy. Join us in reaching out to our members of
Congress today to let them know how critical direct funding is to
maintaining service levels in your city, town, or village.
Call To Action! "Show 'Em Your Books"
While Congress is in deadlock over negotiations, we know
very well that local leaders don’t have the same luxury of
inaction. We haven’t had a choice but to fight the pandemic
and its economic and social fallouts. These are the stories that
will prevail when our nation comes out the other side – the
stories of the healers, the decision makers, the heroes who
did not get lost in partisanship.
In an interview with the Illuminator, [Sen. Bill Cassidy] said
he told mayors, on a recent call with the National League of
Cities, to “show ‘em your books.”
“Show them that this time a year ago this is how much you
got, and this year you have far less. And because of that,
SEE BOOKS PAGE 19
Page 16
LMR | AUGUST 2020

Feature
On April 28, 2020 after thoughtful consideration
of all of the current circumstances
and future indicators, the LMA
Executive Committee voted unanimously
to cancel the 2020 LMA District
Meetings in June, along with the 2020
LMA Annual Convention, which was
scheduled for July 30 - August 1 in Baton
Rouge.
The Executive Committee further voted
unanimously to affirm that the current
slate of officers and members of
the 2019-2020 LMA Executive Committee
and Executive Board be allowed to
serve in the same position for the 2020-
2021 LMA year.
Mayor Jimmy Williams (Sibley) will remain
as president of the Louisiana Municipal
Association along with Mayor
Michael Chauffe (Grosse Tete), as LMA
First Vice President, and Mayor Jennifer
Vidrine (Ville Platte), as LMA Second
Vice President.
LMA 2020-21 Leadership
Jimmy Williams
Michael Chauffe
Given the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and the effects it
is likely to have on municipalities on both personal and financial
levels, and notwithstanding ordinary LMA customs, rules and
bylaws, the LMA Board adopted the following motion:
1. That the 2020 District Meetings of the LMA, originally set
for June of 2020, be cancelled.
2. That the 2020 LMA Convention, originally set for July – August
of 2020, be cancelled.
3. That Baton Rouge, as the 2020 host city, be given the option
to host the 2021 LMA Convention.
4. That Lafayette, as the originally proposed 2021 host city, be
given the option to host the 2022 LMA Convention.
5. That the current slate of officers and members of the 2019-
2020 LMA Executive Committee and Executive Board, be allowed
to serve in the same position for the 2020-2021 LMA
year.
6. That if a current office or member chooses not to serve another
year, that an election be held accordingly online or by
phone.
7. That Mayor Jennifer Vidrine, current LMA 2nd Vice President,
be allowed to serve her full term as LMA President for
the 2022-2023 LMA Year, regardless of whether or not she
is re-elected when her current Mayoral term expires in December
of 2022.
Jennifer Vidrine
LMR | AUGUST 2020 Page 17

LMA Service Awards
Each year, LMA pays tribute to elected municipal officials who have given their communities many years of public
service. This year, 47 distinguished individuals have fulfilled the public duty of serving their citizens in every way. We
recognize elected officials who have served for four, six, eight, ten, and twelve terms in office. The dedication of our
recipients has earned our respect and admiration. These recipients have given Louisiana’s municipalities a collective total
of 1,032 years of commitment to public service!
Four-Star Silver Service Award:
The Silver-Star Service Award represents four terms in office, or 16 years of elected service. This year, we honor the following
recipients, who are:
Patsy A. Lee Alderwoman Blanchard
James R. Whittington, Jr. Alderman Blanchard
Lorenz J. “Lo” Walker Mayor Bossier City
Wendy O’Quin-Perrette Mayor Bogalusa
Joanne Bourgeois Councilwoman Brusly
Kevin Colligan Mayor Cankton
Clyde “Red” Myers Alderman Glenmora
Reed Franklin Alderman Goldonna
Timothy L. Baudier Mayor Harahan
Charles Gregory Terry Councilman Harrisonburg
Howard Keith Vincent Chief of Police Iowa
Thomas D. George Alderman Lutcher
Jean P. Pelloat Mayor Madisonville
Rodney Animashaun Mayor Napoleonville
Joyce Bell Alderwoman Napoleonville
Don Mims Councilman Natchitoches
Dale Nielson Councilman Natchitoches
Rodney Andre Grogan Mayor Patterson
Braville J. LeBlanc Councilman Ponchatoula
Louis “Bry” Layrisson Councilman Ponchatoula
Vergil J. Sandifer Councilman Ponchatoula
Melvin Toomer Councilman Ponchatoula
Robert F. “Bob” Zabbia Mayor Ponchatoula
Gary Griffin Council Member Walker
Carolyn Louviere Mayor Welsh
Jimmie S. Cranford Councilman Woodworth
Six-Star Gold Service Award:
The Six-Star Gold Service Award represents six terms in office, or 24 years of elected service. This year, we honor the following
recipients, who are:
Charles Vincent Councilman Baker
Shane Andre’ Councilman Brusly
Tim Walker Chief of Police Harahan
Danny B. Manuel Alderman Lutcher
James “Jamie” Mayo Mayor Monroe
Lee Posey Mayor Natchitoches
Dan Doerle Mayor Pro Tem New Iberia
Charlotte Cooper Councilwoman New Llano
Willie Robinson, Sr. Chief of Police Rayville
Kevin J. Ambeau, Sr. Chief of Police St. Gabriel
Melvin Hasten, Sr. Councilman St. Gabriel
Lionel Johnson, Jr. Mayor St. Gabriel
Page 18
LMR | AUGUST 2020

Feature
Eight-Star Gold Service Award:
The Eight-Star Gold Service Award represents eight terms in office, or 32 years of elected service. This year, we honor the
following recipients:
John Dawsey, Jr. Mayor Angie
Jennifer C. Fant Mayor Belcher
Gary P. Presswood Chief of Police Blanchard
Ray Santiny Councilman Grand Isle
Keith Ardoin Councilman Krotz Springs
Carolyn Todd Mayor New Llano
Ten-Star Diamond Service Award:
The Ten-Star Diamond Service Award represents ten terms in
office, or 40 years of elected service. This year, we honor the
following recipient:
David Camardelle Mayor Grand Isle
David Camardelle
Twelve-Star Diamond Service Award:
The Twelve-Star Diamond Service Award represents twelve terms in office, or
48 years of elected service. This year, we honor the following recipients:
Vincent Labue Councilman DeRidder
Ethan Gaon Escude Alderman Mansura
Vincent Labue
Gaon Escude
We are also proud to honor LMA staff
members for their years of dedicated service.
This year, we present an award to:
Susanne Diez, Assistant Event Manager,
5 years of service
Susanne Diez
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16: BOOKS
you’re gonna have to lay off police officers and firefighters
and teachers,” he said.
The most important thing you can do for your communities is
to be an advocate on their behalf to Congress. NLC held a full
Cities Are Essential campaign call on Monday with Senator
Bill Cassidy and San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, both
who reiterated the urgency of our advocacy and all that local
governments are facing. America’s hometowns have simply
NOT received the funding needed to support a national
economic recovery. A recent CNBC/Change Research poll
found that two-thirds of voters support relief for state and
local governments.
There is still time! Call your Senators TODAY and tell them
that local communities are struggling – we need direct
federal aid NOW.
LMR | AUGUST 2020 Page 19

President’s Awards
Each year, the President of the LMA recognizes special
individuals who have made special “above and beyond”
contributions to our organization.
In recognition of meritorious service to municipal government
in Louisiana, the following individuals are being honored
with the 2020 President’s Awards:
WILLIAM J. “BILLY”
D’AQUILLA
Mayor, Town of St.
Francisville
HARRY J. LEWIS
Mayor, Town of Rayville
LMA Past President
MARK WEST
Executive Director
Louisiana Association of
Tax Administrators
LMA Board Member
DONALD J. VILLERE
Mayor, City of Mandeville
LMA District I Vice
President
JAMES “JAMIE” MAYO
Mayor, City of Monroe
Page 20
LMR | AUGUST 2020

Feature
ALWAYS ON
FOR YOU.
JOHN M. SCHRODER, SR.
Louisiana State Treasurer
LAMP, Inc. President
Louisiana local government entities trust LAMP to protect their
principal, deliver solid returns, and ensure same-day access to
their funds from anywhere. We have guided our clients through
challenging environments over the past quarter century — and
we remain ready to serve you now.
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LOUISIANA ASSET MANAGEMENT POOL
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LMR | AUGUST 2020 Page 21

TENTATIVE AT-A-GLANCE AGENDA
1:30 p.m.—2:30 p.m.
Comprehensive Executive Guide to
Disaster Response & Recovery
1:30 p.m.—2:30 p.m.
CARES Act Funding for Municipalities
Wednesday, August 19
Thursday, August 20
3:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m.
The Virtual Workplace and
Remote Workers
3:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m.
Serving Cybercrime Victims
Wednesday, August 26
1:30 p.m.—2:30 p.m.
Servant Leadership for Elected
Officials
3:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m.
Creating and Defining
Organizational Core Values
1:30 p.m.—2:30 p.m.
Effective Communication Skills
Thursday, August 27
3:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m.
Recruit & Retain: Recruiting Retail &
Restaurants to Your Downtown
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LMR | AUGUST 2020

Feature
1:30 p.m.—2:30 p.m.
Police Chiefs: From Budgets
To Barricades
Wednesday, September 2
3:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m.
The Partnership Between the Mayor
and Council/Aldermen
1:30 p.m.—2:30 p.m.
The Indispensable Clerk
Thursday, September 3
3:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m.
Focus on LaMATS
1:30 p.m.—2:30 p.m.
Municipal Legal Liability from A to Z
Wednesday, September 9
Thursday, September 10
3:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m.
Best Practices for Setting Utility
Rates
1:30 p.m.—2:30 p.m.
Tools for Municipalities
3:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m.
Grants & Other Funding Opportunities
for Municipal Projects
Wednesday, September 16
1:30 p.m.—2:30 p.m.
Public Records Law
3:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m.
Open Meetings Law
Thursday, September 17
10:30 a.m.—11:30 a.m.
Sexual Harassment (Advanced Class)
1:30 p.m.—2:30 p.m.
Sexual Harassment (Basic Class)
3:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m.
Governmental Ethics for Municipal
Officials
LMR | AUGUST 2020 Page 23

Phase Two Guidelines Extended Until August 28
Governor Edwards has extended the Phase Two order,
including the statewide mask mandate, closure of
bars to on-site consumption and crowd size limits of
no more than 50 people for at least another 21 days.
Louisiana is beginning to see the positive impact of
the mask mandate in its COVID-19 data, including a
decline in the number of people who are reporting
to emergency rooms with COVID-like symptoms,
decreasing new cases across the state and declining
or plateauing hospitalizations in many regions
Still, every single one of our 64 parishes has high
COVID incidence. According to White House report
released on August 3, Louisiana is in the red zone
for cases, indicating more than 100 new cases per
100,000 people in the week prior, and also for
COVID-19 test positivity, indicating a rate above 10
percent. In its weekly recommendations to the state,
the White House Coronavirus Task Force specifically
recommends continuing both the statewide mask
mandate and the closure of bars to on-premises
consumption.
"The statewide mask mandate is working, and
I am deeply appreciative of the vast majority
of Louisianans and businesses who are acting
responsibly," said Edwards. "We are in this together
for the long haul, and I am confident that we can
continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our state
if each and every Louisianan will recommit to these
necessary mitigation measures. We are at a critical
point in our battle against COVID-19, and we need
every person in our state to play their part."
MORE: https://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/newsroom/
detail/2621
PRESORT
STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
BATON ROUGE, LA
PERMIT #319
Page 24
LMR | AUGUST 2020