May 2006, Planning Commission Minutes
Minutes of the Olla Planning Commission
Proceedings of the Olla Planning Commission held on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. in the Dixie
Center. Those present: Curtis Carroll, Debbie Chisolm, Jessica Lasiter, Mellany Lee, and Milton Wilson.
Absent: Joe Macek, Donnie Cupples, Carol Snody and Melinda Hatten. Others present: Jason Chisolm,
Jeffrey Lasiter, and Dawn Stott.
Jessica Lasiter called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. Curtis Carroll led in opening prayer.
Wilson made a motion, seconded by Chisolm to accept the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
Wilson made a motion, seconded by Chisolm to approve the April 2006 minutes. Motion carried.
The group discussed the formation of the North Central Louisiana Fair Association and the plans for the
future. Chisolm made a motion, seconded by Carroll to authorize Milton Wilson to talk to Candy Carroll
regarding the North Central Louisiana Fair Association. Motion carried.
Dawn Stott presented a report from the “Your Town” workshop recently attended. Stott explained the
importance of preserving the downtown area, enticing businesses to locate downtown, properly designing
building facades, landscaping, and sidewalks. Stott explained that the town must declare a historic district in
downtown in order to participate in the Louisiana Main Street program. They also encourage zoning with
“teeth” to protect the property values of the people who renovate their buildings and that a grant is available
through the Department of Agriculture and Development, Tree City Program for downtown sidewalk and
building façade planning. Jason Chilsom asked if anyone had submitted the old bank building on the corner
of Louisiana Street and Front Street, owned by the Floyds, for consideration on the National registry of
historic buildings. Wilson made a motion, seconded by Chisolm to inform the council that the Planning
Commission is planning to move forward on some projects downtown and would like for the council to
reconsider zoning for the town, or at least for downtown. Motion carried. Wilson made a motion, seconded
by Carroll to amend the motion to also ask the council to authorize sending letters to the downtown
businesses advising that we are going to begin a revitalization program downtown. Motion carried. Mellany
Lee reported that she attended the Southern Institute of Rural Development, where they too discussed
downtown revitalization and economic development. Jeffrey Lasiter asked if the new hospice business,
located in the old Merle Norman building, was going to paint the exterior wall facing the courtyard. The
group agreed to have the town hall contact the business to see if they would be interested in having the wall
of the building painted. It was suggested that if the business would agree to have it painted and donate the
paint that the planning commission could get it painted. Someone suggested that the art students from the
high school could paint it as a project, which will also promote the art program for the school.
Lasiter reported that the Spring Cleanup went well and would recommend doing it again next year. Stott
suggested doing it earlier in the spring, such as mid to late March. Wilson suggested doing another cleanup
project again in the fall. Carroll and Wilson inquired if the group would like to pursue the other projects that
were identified during their evaluation of the town. Stott suggested tackling one problem area at a time.
Carroll asked if the group still wanted to pursue getting rid of the old automobiles, which was identified as a
major problem and a big eyesore throughout town. Carroll explained that several vendors have been
identified to haul the autos for the scrap value alone. Carroll explained that he has spoken with Walter
Dorroh about drafting a release for the owners to sign, thereby releasing any claim to the car. Someone
suggested sending out letters to the people in violation of having junk autos, explaining that they will be
contacted soon by a representative of the town and to include a list of vendors they may contact themselves
to have the auto disposed of. Lee made a motion, seconded by Wilson to request the council’s approval to
proceed with the enforcement of the junk autos. Motion carried.
Mellany Lee reported that the final members of the Tri-City Chamber of Commerce have been selected
and hope to begin meeting soon. Lee advised that Carol Snody and Tommie Sanders were the
representatives of Olla.
Stott inquired if the board would like for her to subscribe to The Chamber of Commerce Pacesetter. The
group agreed to wait and let the Chamber of Commerce decide if they would like to subscribe. No action
taken.
Grant writer, Mellany Lee, reported that she has received the paperwork to proceed with the welcome to
Olla signs. Applications for new enhancement projects will be accepted soon by LA DOTD. The Goodwill is
still interested in Olla but are having problems getting the executives together to visit the site. Lee advised
that she recently attending a grant workshop sponsored by the Rapides Foundation concerning grants for
walking trails and playground equipment. Lee reported that she will be applying for a grant for each which
will be for $10,000 each, requiring a $10,000 match from the town, which can come from the funds the town
is getting from the state for reimbursement of tornado expenses. Carroll inquired as to the length, width and
surfacing of the walking trail. Lee advised that the recreation complex plans call for the trail to be an 8 foot
wide asphalt trail that is estimated to be 5,500 feet in length with an estimated cost of $10.00 per linear foot
or $55,000. Lee advised that because of the funding the whole trail would not be able to be built at one
time. Carroll suggested that the trail could be 4 foot wide asphalt and the other 4 feet could be a cinder
filling/surfacing; citing a park in Chicago that has this and also have signage to signal pedestrians to yield to
people with disabilities, etc. The group agreed that this appeared to meet the ADA requirements, in that the
pedestrian could use the cinder surface rather than the asphalt to allow passing of the wheelchair and that
is should be cheaper, which would allow more of the trail to be constructed. Lee reported that she had
previously received two quotes on concrete and dirt work for the skate park and that she is getting a third;
that the work should not go over the bid law and that the work should begin soon. Lee advised the group
that Standard Baptist Church or Standard Christian Academy has applied and received a federal grant from
USDA and the LA Department of Education to feed 1,800 children breakfast and lunch from the first of June
through the end of August. The church has partnered with the Sunshine Café to prepare the meals and
deliver them to the church and will be required to follow federal nutrition standards. Lee advised that aside
from the meals the children will receive tutoring and mentoring. The program is going to employ twenty
people (20) and will serve children, veterans, handicapped individuals and latch key children in LaSalle and
Caldwell parishes. Lee advised that applications will appear in the paper soon. Lee advised that they are
working on the transportation aspect of the project now. No action taken by the board.
The committee reviewed the May 2006 town council agenda. Carroll made a motion, seconded by Wilson to
approve the town council agenda as presented. Motion carried.
Wilson inquired as to the status of the new community/recreation center building. Stott reported that the
contractor has been chosen and has ordered the metal building. Stott advised that the engineer was to
check and report back to the board on including a handicap accessible door on the pool side of the
building. The recreation board omitted the meeting room from the plans, which was in the center of the
building and agreed that there needs to be a glass door on the front of the building and possibly some glass
on the pool side door to allow visibility to the outside. No action taken by the board.
Wilson made a motion, seconded by Chisolm to adjourn. Motion carried. The meeting dismissed at 7:30 p.m.
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Dawn Stott, Town Clerk