[1. Call to Order – Jerald Jones, Chairman]
[00:00:31]
THANK YOU FOR EVERYONE COMING THIS MORNING.
BRANDON BERES, MAYOR DAVID TUBES, YVETTE COLA, GUY MCGINNIS.
>> RICKY BARBARA, MANUEL FOHADO.
>> REPRESENTATIVE PAULA DAVIS.
SENATOR RICK WARD, KENNETH HAVART, JARROW JONES.
>> SANDRA MCWANE, SENATOR BRAD ALLAN, SENATOR SCOTT.
>> REPRESENTATIVE STEWART BISHOPS, YON MOWLAR.
>> DARRELL CEZANNE, MARSHALL SIMMONS.
>> RONNIE SLOAN, DR. SHAUN WILSON.
>> TRAVIS HOLLY, AND DR. BEVERLY THOMSON.
[3. Approval of Minutes from February 23, 2022 meeting]
>> LET'S SEE. WE HAVE MINUTES FROM THE FEBRUARY 23 MEETING.
I PRESUME YOU'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO READ [OVERLAPPING] THEM WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND [LAUGHTER] MOTION FROM MR. MOSS, SECOND FROM DR. SHAUN WILSON.
[NOISE] ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? [NOISE] ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? THERE BEING NONE ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE BEING NONE, THE MOTION CARRIES.
MISS ADEGBY LET'S WALK THROUGH THE QUALITY JOB PROGRAM,
[4. Quality Jobs Program – Michaela Adegbe]
IF YOU PREFER TO JOG, THAT WOULD BE EVEN BETTER.>> OKAY. I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO DEFER.
>> THAT CAN HAVE A MOTION FROM MR. NASSER A SECOND FOR MR. MOSS.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC, QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE BEING NONE, THE MOTION TO DEFER CARRIES.
ALL RIGHT. LET'S GO THROUGH THE OTHER TWO THEN.
>> 20220076, GREAT SOUTHERN WOOD PRESERVING INK OF OILS PLOT PARISH, 20200042QJ WAREHOUSER IN OUR COMPANY, NAKETISH PARISH THAT CONCLUDES NEW APPLICATIONS.
>> ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MOTION, MR. HARDEST, SECOND FROM MR. MUELLER.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
20170233 BRET WOOD ACQUISITION SHREVEPORT INK, CATTLE PARISH 20170290 CONTROL WORKS LLC, EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, 20170076, SOUTHERN SCRIPTS LLC, NAKETISH PARISH, 20150966 WR GRACE CON PERISH.
>> ENTERTAIN A MOTION ON THESE RENEWALS.
WE HAVE A MOTION, MR. MOSS, SECOND FROM DR. WOODROW WILSON.
[NOISE] ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? HEARING NONE, ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE BEING NONE, THE MOTION CARRIES.
>> THIS CONCLUDES QUALITY JOBS.
[5. Restoration Tax Abatement Program – Becky Lambert]
>> TAKE US THROUGH RESTORATION TAX ABATEMENTS, PLEASE.
>> OKAY. THIS MORNING WE HAVE FOUR NEW APPLICATIONS, 20190146 FOR 1012 NORTH LAMPART STREET, LLC.
20200314838 COOLIDGE AVENUE, 20190234 JPN REALTY,
[00:05:07]
LLC, 20210456 NEW DAY SCHOOLS EXCUSE ME, NEW SCHOOL DAYS APARTMENTS, LLC.THAT CONCLUDES THE NEW APPLICATIONS.
ENTERTAIN A MOTION DR. ROGER SHAUN WILSON, SECOND FROM MR. SIMMONS ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? HEARING NONE, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE BEING NONE THE MOTION CARRIES.
>> WE HAVE ONE RENEWAL APPLICATION AND THAT'S 20141065.
JOHNNY B WEEKS JUNIOR AND STEPHEN D. WEEKS FROM CONCORDIAN.
>> ENTERTAIN MOTION ON THIS RENEWAL FROM DR. SHAUN WILSON, MOTION TO APPROVE SECOND FROM MR. MOSS.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? HEARING NONE, ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? HEARING NONE, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE BEING NONE. THE MOTION CARRIES.
>> [OVERLAPPING] THANK YOU, MS. LAMBERT.
[6. Enterprise Zone Program – Joyce Metoyer]
>> GOOD MORNING. WE HAVE SIX NEW APPLICATIONS FOR ENTERPRISE ZONE 20190441 CON APPLIANCES INCORPORATED, 20190306 IN VIRAL SERVICES LLC UNION PARISH, 20180336 OXTER CLINIC FOUNDATION, JEFFERSON PARISH, 20190140 SOUTH SIDE MACHINE WORKS INCORPORATED [INAUDIBLE] PERISH.
201510342 CANAL OWNER LLC, ORLEANS PARISH, AND 20180122 WR GRACE AND COMPANY, ST. CHARLES PARISH.
>> RIGHT. ENTERTAIN A MOTION ON THIS APPLICATION, MOTION TO APPROVE FROM MR. MOSS, SECOND FROM MR. SIMMONS.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? EXCUSE ME, ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? [NOISE] NOW, DO WE HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE BEING NONE, THE MOTION CARRIES.
>> WE HAVE SEVEN CONTRACT TERMINATIONS: 20151755 AUM INVESTMENTS LLC, ASCENSION PARISH, THE EXISTING CONTRACT IS 7,13 OF 17 TO 7/12/2022.
THE REQUESTED TERM DATE IS 7/12/2020.
THE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN MET, NO ADDITIONAL JOBS ARE ANTICIPATED.
20150258, EQUILON ENTERPRISES LLC, ST. CHARLES PARISH, EXISTING CONTRACT IS 11/13/2017 TO 11/12/2022.
THE REQUESTED TERM DATE IS 5/12/2020.
THE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN MET, NO ADDITIONAL JOBS ARE ANTICIPATED.
20170513, MORRIS P. HEBERT INCORPORATED TERROR BONE PAIRS.
THE EXISTING CONTRACT IS 9/21/17 TO 9/20/2022.
THE REQUESTED TERM DATE IS 9/20/2020.
THE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN MET, NO ADDITIONAL JOBS ARE ANTICIPATED.
20141082 OPELOUSAS HOTEL GROUP LLC, ST. LANDRY PARISH, THE EXISTING CONTRACT IS JUNE 1,17 TO MAY 31, 2022.
THE REQUESTED TERM DATE IS MAY 31, 2020.
THE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN MET, NO ADDITIONAL JOBS ARE ANTICIPATED.
20141574, VIDALIA HOTEL GROUP, LLC, CONCORDIA PARISH, THE EXISTING CONTRACT IS 5/15 OF 18 THROUGH 5/14 OF 2023.
THE REQUESTED TERM DATE IS MAY 14, 2021.
THE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN MET, NO ADDITIONAL JOBS ARE ANTICIPATED.
20161835 WESTPORT LINEN SERVICES, LLC, EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, THE EXISTING CONTRACT IS NOVEMBER 3RD OF '16 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2ND OF 2021.
THE REQUESTED TERM DATE IS DECEMBER 31, 2020.
THE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN MET, NO ADDITIONAL JOBS ARE ANTICIPATED.
20161838 WESTPORT LINEN SERVICES, LLC, ACADIA PARISH, EXISTING CONTRACT IS NOVEMBER 3RD OF 16 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2ND, 2021.
THE REQUESTED TERM DATE IS DECEMBER 31, 2020.
THE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN MET, NO ADDITIONAL JOBS ARE ANTICIPATED.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE.
EITHER ONE OF Y'ALL LOSE YOUR DOCTORATE OR CHANGE YOUR NAME.
[00:10:05]
SECOND MR. [INAUDIBLE] ANY COMMENT FROM THE PUBLIC? ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? HEARING NONE, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.>>ANY OPPOSITION? THERE BEING NONE, THE MOTION CARRIES.
>> THAT CONCLUDES AN APPRAISAL.
>> INDUSTRIAL TAX EXEMPTION, MR. HUSSEIN.
[7. Industrial Tax Exemption – Kristin Cheng/Hud Usie]
MRS. JANE OR MR. HUSSEIN, WHO GOES FIRST?>> WE HAVE 14 NEW POST EXECUTIVE ORDER 2018 RULES APPLICATIONS.
THREE ARE REQUESTING DEFERRAL.
20180503, ALLIANCE COMPRESSORS LLC, NATCHITOCHES PARISH, 2020034 AGELESS AL BIO-ENERGY LLC LA SALLE PARISH AND 20170074 PROCESSORS INC. ST. MARTIN PARISH.
>> WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR DEFERRAL OF THOSE THREE APPLICATIONS.
HAVE A MOTION FROM DR. SHAUN WILSON.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? HEARING NONE, ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? THERE BEING NONE, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES AND THOSE THREE ITEMS ARE DEFERRED.
>> 20190292 BOWLIN ENTERPRISES LLC, CALCASIEU PARISH, 20210565 DRAKE SPECIALTIES LLC, LAFAYETTE PARISH, 20220076 GREAT SOUTHERN WOOD LA INC. OF ORLEANS PARISH, 20210142 LOUISIANA SUGAR REFINING LLC, ST. JAMES PARISH, 20200516 MCC METHACRYLATE, AMERICA'S INC. ASCENSION PARISH, 20190416 MOREHOUSE BIOENERGY LLC, MOREHOUSE PARISH, 20190099, ORION ENGINEERED CARBONS, LLC, ST. MARY PARISH, 20200265 PACKAGING CORPORATION OF AMERICA, BEAUREGARD PARISH, 20210291 PACKAGING CORPORATION OF AMERICA, BEAUREGARD PARISH, 20220083 SHELL CHEMICAL LP, ASCENSION PARISH, AND 20200065-A WEYERHAEUSER COMPANY NATCHITOCHES PARISH.
>> WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION ON [BACKGROUND] THESE APPLICATIONS.
MOTION FROM MR. MOSS, SECOND FROM MR. SIMEON.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? THERE BEING NONE ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE BEING NONE, THE MOTION CARRIES.
BEFORE YOU MOVE ON, I KNOW WE'RE RAILROADING THROUGH THIS AS WE GOT STARTED LATE, BUT I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE JUST DID.
WE JUST APPROVED $3 BILLION [LAUGHTER] IN PROJECTS FOR THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.
A COUPLE OF THEM A REAL LARGE, AND SOME OF THEM ARE SMALLER.
BUT THIS PROGRAM JUST APPROVED $3 BILLION OF CONSTRUCTION FOR LOUISIANA.
THAT'S A GOOD THING, I BELIEVE FOR ALL OF US.
I DON'T WANT THAT THE EXPEDITED TREATMENT OF THESE TO SHORTCUT THE IMPACT THESE PROJECTS WILL HAVE ON OUR STATE.
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOU WHO ARE CHOOSING TO MAKE INVESTMENTS IN LOUISIANA. MOVE RIGHT AHEAD.
20151342 CB & I WALKER LA LLC, LIVINGSTON PARISH, 20121300 B CF INDUSTRIES NITROGEN LLC, ASCENSION PARISH, 20150201, EQUILON ENTERPRISES LLC, ST. JAMES PARISH, 20151210 PLASTER PACK PACKAGING INC. RAPIDES PARISH, 20100198 B SABINE PASS LNG, LP, CAMERON PARISH, 20110659 C SABINE PASS LIQUEFACTION LLC, CAMERON PARISH, 20141452, SASOL CHEMICALS USA, LLC CALCASIEU PARISH, AND 20141453, SASOL CHEMICALS USA LLC CALCASIEU PARISH.
>> ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THESE RENEWALS.
MOTION FROM DR. SHAUN WILSON, SECOND FROM DR. THOMPSON.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? MR. SIMEON.
>> MR. CHAIR, I'M GOING TO RECUSE ON THE TWO SATSOLIC RENEWAL APPLICATIONS,.
[00:15:03]
>> 20141452 AND 20141453 MR. SIMEON IS RECUSING?
>> HE WILL NOT COMMENT ON OR VOTE ON THOSE MATTERS.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? THERE BEING NONE ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? IF THERE IS NONE THE MOTION CARRIES.
NOT TO BE OUTDONE, BUT THE RENEWAL PORTION OF THE AGENDA JUST PASSED $6 BILLION IN PROJECTS THAT ARE RENEWED AND ONGOING IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.
Y'ALL, THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU ALL ARE DOING FOR LLD FOR MAKING SURE THIS GOES THROUGH THE PROCESS. THANK YOU.
>> WE HAVE ONE LATE RENEWAL APPLICATION, 20090033 B, FARMERS RICE MILLING COMPANY, INC. IN CALCASIEU PARISH.
THE INITIAL CONTRACT EXPIRATION WAS 12/31 OF 2020 AND THE LATE RENEWAL REQUEST DATE WAS JANUARY 4TH OF 2022.
>> DO WE HAVE SOMEONE HERE FROM FARMERS RICE MILLING COMPANY? WOULD YOU COME DOWN, PLEASE SIR? RIGHT THERE WHERE THE MICROPHONE IS, PLEASE.
[NOISE] IF YOU SPEAK INTO THE MIC AND GIVE US YOUR NAME AND YOUR POSITION WITH THE COMPANY, PLEASE.
>> YES. I'M DAVID WARRINGTON I'M THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.
>> GREAT. WHAT HAPPENS HERE WHEN WE HAVE THE LATE RENEWALS, WE'D LIKE THE COMPANIES TO COME EXPLAIN TO US WHAT HAPPENED, AND THERE'S ALWAYS A POTENTIAL FOR A PENALTY WHEN WE HAVE LATE RENEWALS, BUT WE ALWAYS WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON SO IF YOU CAN GIVE US AN IDEA.
>> WE HAD TURNOVER IN PERSONNEL AND IT FAILED TO RENEW.
>> RIGHT. WE ALSO WANT TO BE SURE THAT THE COMPANY IS TAKING STEPS TO ENSURE THAT THE INTERACTION BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE LED STAYS CONSTANT MOVING FORWARD.
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM NOW?
>> WE HAVE REPLACEMENT STAFF AT THE MIDDLE AND WE HAVE MOVED SOME OF THE OBSERVATION OF THESE THINGS OVER TO THE PAL GROUP, WHICH IS THE HOLDING COMPANY.
>> THEY WILL BE MONITORING THE DUE DATES AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND THAT THING?
>> NOW HELP ME. THIS RENEWAL IS TWO YEARS LATE, AM I READING THAT CORRECTLY?
>> NORMALLY, AS THE BOARD WILL RECALL OUR CUSTOM, WE'RE NOT ALWAYS TIED TO IT.
BUT OUR CUSTOM, FOR EVERY YEAR THAT IT'S LIGHT, THERE IS A 20 PERCENT PENALTY.
BEING TWO YEARS LATE, THAT WOULD BE A 40 PERCENT PENALTY.
INSTEAD OF A FIVE-YEAR RENEWAL, THAT WOULD, IF WE FOLLOW FORM OUR CUSTOM, THAT WOULD BE ESSENTIALLY A THREE-YEAR RENEWAL.
I AM I READING THAT CORRECTLY, GUYS, KEEP ME BETWEEN THE LINES HERE.
>> THANK YOU MS. JAYNE. WHAT IS THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD TODAY? WE CAN APPROVE THE FIVE-YEAR, YOU CANNOT PENALIZE AT ALL.
YOU CAN APPROVE WITH A PENALTY WHICH HISTORICALLY HAS BEEN 20 PERCENT PER YEAR, WHICH WOULD BE AT 40 PERCENT PENALTY, OR YOU CAN DENY THE REQUEST FOR RENEWAL ALTOGETHER.
WHAT IS THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD?
>> I WOULD MOVE THAT WE APPROVE WITH PENALTY.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RENEWAL WITH A 40 PERCENT PENALTY, WHICH AGAIN WOULD CUT THE PROGRAM DOWN FROM A FIVE-YEAR TO THREE YEARS.
>> WE HAVE A SECOND FROM DR. WOODY WILSON.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? [NOISE] ANY COMMENTS FROM YOU, SIR? ANYTHING? ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? BEING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE BEING NONE, THE MOTION CARRIES.
>> WE HAVE SIX CONTRACT TRANSFERS.
IT IS MULTI KIM GROUP, LLC, DBA MULTI KIM CONTRACT 2012 0876.
>> ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THE TRANSFER MOTION FOR [INAUDIBLE].
[00:20:03]
>> THIS IS A REQUEST TO DEFER.
JUST THE MOTION TO DEFER THEN.
HEARD A SECOND FROM MR. SIMION.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? THERE BEING NONE ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE IS NONE.
THE MOTION CARRIES. GO RIGHT AHEAD.
>> GEORGIA PACIFIC CONSUMER OPERATIONS, LLC CONTRACTS 2011,1225, 2012,1275, 2013,1321, 2014,1573 AND 2015, 2053 BEING TRANSFERRED TO GEORGIA-PACIFIC PORT HUDSON, LLC AND EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH.
>> NOW WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS TRANSFER FORM DR. WOODY WILSON.
SECOND FROM MR. MOSS, ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? HEARING NONE. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? THERE BEING NONE ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE BEING NONE THE MOTION CARRIES.
SABINE PASS LIQUEFACTION LLC 2011, 0659I.
NEW OWNER, SABINE PASS LIQUEFACTION, LLC IS RETAINING $13,713,761 IN ASSETS, AND SABINE PASS LNG LP, IS RECEIVING $22,548,903 IN ASSETS AND THIS IS IN CAMERON PARISH.
>> DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PARTIAL TRANSFER HERE?
>> I HAVE A MOTION FROM DR. SHAUN WILSON.
[NOISE] ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? HEARING NONE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? THERE BEING NONE ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE BEING NONE, THE MOTION CARRIES.
>> WE HAVE TIN CONTRACT CANCELLATIONS.
GULF ISLAND SHIPYARDS, LLC 2015, 0029, LED REQUESTS CLOSURE OF THIS CONTRACT UPON NOTIFICATION FROM BOLLINGER OF RELOCATION OF THE ASSET ASSOCIATED WITH THIS CONTRACT TO ANOTHER SITE, AND NO INTENTION FROM BOLLINGER TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE TRANSFER AND THIS IS IN TERREBONNE PARISH.
HOUSE OF REFERRED FORMS OF LOUISIANA LLC 2019, 0277, COMPANY REQUESTS CANCELLATION IN BIENVILLE PARISH.
PCS NITROGEN FERTILIZER LP 2010, 119DB, 2013, 0516, 2013, 0517 AND 2013, 0519.
COMPANY REQUESTS CANCELLATION, AND THESE ARE ALL IN ASCENSION PARISH.
PCS NITROGEN FERTILIZER LP CONTRACTS 2010, 1198, 2012, 0337 AND 2015, 0161A.
COMPANY REQUESTS CANCELLATION AND THESE ARE IN IBERVILLE PARISH.
REG GUYS MY LLC 2018, 0150, COMPANY REQUESTS CANCELLATION, AND THIS IS IN ASCENSION PARISH.
>> VERY GOOD. I HAVE A MOTION FROM MR. MOSS.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? THERE BEING NONE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE BEING NONE THE MOTION CARRIES THOSE CONTRACTS ARE CANCELED.
>> WE HAVE ONE SPECIAL REQUEST IT HAS FROM WEST ROCK CP LLC IN REGARDS TO CONTRACT 2017, 0067, WE WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST AN EXTENSION TO COMPLETE OUR CAPITAL INVESTMENT UNDER OUR EXISTING ADVANCED APPLICATION OR APPLICATION 2017, 0067 AT [INAUDIBLE] LOCATION, WE'RE REQUESTING AN EXTENSION TO DECEMBER 31ST, 2024 THE PROJECTS WERE NOT COMPLETED BY 12:31, 2021 DUE TO SEVERAL FACTORS INCLUDING SEVERE WEATHER, COVID, A CYBERSECURITY ATTACK ON THE COMPANY, AND SIGNIFICANT STAFF CHANGES AT THE COMPANY DURING 2021.
AS OF 12:31, 2021, WE HAVE INVESTED $88,261,407 IN THE PROJECT, AND ANTICIPATE INVESTING THE REMAINING $61,738,593 IN CAPITAL AND INVESTMENT BY DECEMBER 31ST, 2024.
>> DO WE HAVE SOMEONE HERE FROM WEST ROCK? PLEASE COME FORWARD.
[00:25:06]
>> GOOD MORNING. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, AND YOUR POSITION WITH THE COMPANY, PLEASE.
>> I'M TODD PAULS. I'M THE ENGINEERING MANAGER AT THE HODGE FACILITY.
>> WHERE IS THE FACILITY LOCATED?
>> JACKSON PARISH, AND WHAT IS YOU'RE MAKE?
>> GOT IT. NOW, TELL US WHAT HAPPENED.
>> THOUGH WE HAD A CAPITAL OUTLAY OF FIVE-YEAR PLAN, FOR $150 BILLION INVESTMENTS TO SUSTAIN MILL, AS A JOB RETENTION PROGRAM.
[BACKGROUND] WHEN THE COVID OUTBREAK OCCURRED, ECONOMIC DOWNTURN ASSOCIATED WITH THAT, AND THE UNCERTAINTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.
IT CAN'T BE ON A MILL OUT A DIVISION WIDE BASIS, REDUCE CAPITAL INVESTMENTS SIGNIFICANTLY ACROSS THE BOARD.
THIS IMPACTED THE SCHEDULES AND SEVERAL CAPITAL PROJECTS, WHICH ARE NOW MOVING FORWARD, BUT THE DELAY ON THE SCHEDULES, COLLEGE DOES NOT MEET OUR $150 MILLION INVESTMENT OVER THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD.
>> OKAY. HELP ME WITH WEST ROCK.
>> YES IT'S INTERNATIONAL BASED, ITS CORPORATE OFFICES ARE NOW ACROSS GEORGIA.
>> OKAY, AND SO THE CAPITAL CUTBACKS THROUGHOUT THE COMPANY'S.
>> BECAUSE OF THE COVID SITUATION. IS THAT RIGHT?
>> THAT'S THE MAIN PLAYER THERE.
>> TALK TO ME ABOUT THE SEVERE WEATHER. WHAT HAPPENED?
>> SEVERE WEATHER, THAT WAS IN FEBRUARY OF 2021, HAS SEVERE WEATHER UP THERE, END UP SHUTTING OUR FACILITY [BACKGROUND] FOR CEREBRAL DAYS.
>> HAD AN ECONOMIC IMPACT TO THE MILL, AND THE COMPANY.
>> WHAT ARE THE CYBER SECURITY ATTACK?
>> WE HAD A RANSOM CYBER ATTACK AT A CORPORATE OFFICE.
IT AFFECTED ALL THE BUSINESS IT NETWORK ACROSS THE FLEET, SHUT MILLS DOWN NATIONWIDE FOR SEVERAL DAYS TO SEVERAL WEEKS, SEVERAL MILLS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, UNTIL THAT WAS RESTORED.
>> BASICALLY, WHAT YOU'RE ASKING IS TO EXTEND THE CONTRACT TO 2024, SO THAT YOU CAN COMPLETE.
YOU'VE MADE OVER HALF OF THE PROJECTED CAPITAL INVESTMENT, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> YOU HAVE ALMOST $62 MILLION TO GO?
>> YES. THE FINAL IN-SERVICE DAY FOR ONE OF THOSE 2024 IS ONE. THAT PERIOD OF TIME.
>> DO WE HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FROM LED, ANYTHING AT ALL?
>> WE FULLY SUPPORT THE EXTENSION.
THIS IS A COMPANY THAT'S MADE A COMMITMENT IN RURAL COMMUNITIES.
THEY HAVE A VERY SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF INDIRECT JOBS RELATED TO THIS DIRECT EMPLOYMENT AT THE FACILITY.
BUT ALL THE TIMBER HARVEST, AND HAULING, AND RELATED ITEMS IN THE COMMUNITY ARE VERY IMPORTANT AND SIGNIFICANT PART OF THAT RURAL ECONOMY.
YOU MIGHT WANT TO COMMENT ON HOW MANY DIRECT JOBS YOU DO HAVE SIR?
THE CONTRACT WAS FOR MAINTAINING AT LEAST $28 MILLION ANNUAL PAYROLL, WHICH WE HAVE DONE BOTH.
WE HAVE A MOTION ON THIS MATTER, MOTION FROM MR. MCKENNA,.
>> SECOND FROM DR. SHAUN WILSON.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? THERE BEING NONE ALL IN FAVOR SAY, ABSOLUTELY.
THE MOTION IS TO GRANT THE REQUEST TO EXTEND THE CONTRACT TO DECEMBER 31, 2024?
>> OKAY. MAKE SURE WE'RE ALL CLEAR ON WHAT THE MOTION IS.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE BEING NONE THE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU SIR.
>> I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE. I APPRECIATE YOUR INVESTMENT IN NORTH LOUISIANA.
BEING A RUST, AND BOY, AS IMPORTANT. [LAUGHTER].
>> [BACKGROUND] ALL RIGHT, NEXT.
>> NEXT WE HAVE THREE CONTRACTS, THAT WERE NON-COMPLIANT FOLLOWING A 2017 I TYPE RULES.
[BACKGROUND] TWO ARE REQUESTING DEFERRAL 201800764 FOR KARA TESTS MANUFACTURING CORP, AND A [BACKGROUND] PARIS FOR THE 2019 REPORTING YEAR AND THE 2020 REPORTING YEAR.
>> FIRST OF ALL, WE NEED A MOTION TO DEFER THE TWO KARA TESTS CONTRACTS.
>> I HAVE A MOTION FROM SHAUN WILSON AND SECOND FROM MR. NASSER.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? THERE BEING NONE.
ANY COMMENTS, OR QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD?
[00:30:01]
THERE BEING NONE ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE IS NONE.
>> WE HAVE ONE CONTRACT, NUMBER 20161576, FOR LOUISIANA SUGAR REFINING IN ST. JAMES PARISH, THAT IS NON-COMPLIANT FOR THE 2017 REPORTING PERIOD.
THE EXHIBIT A FOR THE CONTRACT REQUIRES THE COMPANY CREATE AND MAINTAIN FOUR JOBS WITH 200,000 IN PAYROLL.
THE ACTUAL JOBS CREATED WAS 13 WITH $289,788 IN PAYROLL.
THE REASON FOR THE NONCOMPLIANCE IS DUE TO THE LATE FILING.
COMPLIANCE WAS DUE JUNE 30TH, OF 2019, BUT NOT RECEIVED UNTIL JULY 6TH THE 2021.
ALL THREE LOCAL ENTITIES, THE PARISH, THE SCHOOL BOARD, AND THE SHERIFF DID NOT RESPOND TO THE NONCOMPLIANCE LETTER SOON.
>> OKAY. I BELIEVE WE DO HAVE SOMEONE HERE FROM LOUISIANA SUGAR REFINERY, AND PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, AND YOUR POSITION WITH THE COMPANY.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS ROBERT WIKI, AND I ACTUALLY WORK WITH SUMMIT CREDITS.
WE REPRESENT LOUISIANA SUGAR, MICHELLE, AND LARRY COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY.
IF YOU RECALL, WE MET ON THIS ISSUE LAST BOARD MEETING, AND THEY WERE HERE PRESENT, BUT THEY COULDN'T MAKE IT TODAY.
>> WE BASICALLY DIFFERED FURTHER CONSIDERATION BECAUSE THERE WAS SOME MISUNDERSTANDING ON DELETION OF FILINGS, AND THAT THING.
>> CORRECT. I THINK THIS IS JUST A SIMPLE MISUNDERSTANDING.
THIS IS ONE OF THE FIRST PREEXISTING, ALL RIGHT I'M SORRY, POST EXECUTIVE ORDER CONTRACTS, AND WHEN WE FILED OUR INITIAL COMPLIANCE REPORT BACK IN 2019, IT WAS OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT, THAT COVERED, BOTH YEARS, THE 2017 AND 2018 FILINGS.
WHEN WE WERE NOTIFIED IN JULY OF 2021, THAT IT DID NOT, THAT WE NEEDED TO MAKE THOSE CHANGES, WE DID MAKE THE CHANGES.
WE SUBMITTED THOSE CHANGES WITHIN FIVE DAYS OF BEING NOTIFIED.
THE COMPANY HAS EXCEEDED THE JOBS AND PAYROLL REQUIREMENT.
THEY'VE ALWAYS STRIVE TO BE IN COMPLIANCE, AND WE'VE ALWAYS DONE EVERYTHING WE COULD TO MEET LED STAFF REQUEST, AND TO KEEP THIS COMPANY IN COMPLIANT BECAUSE THEY'RE DOING THE THINGS THAT THEY NEED TO DO.
>> I KNOW THAT WE GOT NO FORMAL RESPONSE FROM THE POLICE JURY, THE SCHOOL BOARD, AND THE SHERIFF, BUT I KNOW I RECEIVED A CALL YESTERDAY FROM SHERIFF WILL MARTIN INDICATING HIS SUPPORT FOR LOUISIANA SUGAR REFINERY, AND ASKED THAT UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES AS IT HAD BEEN DESCRIBED TODAY, THAT WE NOT TAKE ANY ADVERSE ACTION ON THE APPLICATION ON THE SPECIAL REQUEST. MR. NASSER.
>> MR. JONES. I ALSO RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM SHERIFF MARTIN, SPOKE WITH PARISH PRESIDENT PETE DUFRESNE, OUR ASSESSOR, AND THE PRESIDENT IN ST. JAMES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD, AND ALL FOUR OF THE ENTITIES EGGS THAT WE WAY OF ANY PENALTY ON LSR.
>>I KNOW MR. DUFRESNE HAS COME TO THE TABLE.
STATE YOUR NAME, AND YOUR POSITION MR. PRESIDENT.
>> YES, SIR. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, MY NAME IS PETE DUFRESNE, AND I AM THE ST. JAMES PARISH PRESIDENT.
JUST WHAT THE BOARD KNOWS, THIS FACILITY WAS CONSTRUCTED, AND HAS BEEN OPERATING CONTINUOUSLY SINCE 1890.
THIS FACILITY EMPLOYEES ARE ROUGHLY 400 EMPLOYEES OF WHICH 80 PERCENT OF ST. JAMES PARISH RESIDENTS, IS VERY UNIQUE TO ST. JAMES PARISH.
I WILL JUST REQUEST THAT THIS BOARD, SHOW US MUCH FAVOR TOWARDS THE SUGAR REFINERY AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN.
>> I'LL MAKE THE MOTION THAT WE WAIVED ANY PENALTY.
>> OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM MR. NASSER TO WAIVE THE PENALTY, A SECOND FROM MR. DNS.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? ANY QUESTIONS, OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? HEARING? NONE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE BEING NONE THE MOTION CARRIES.
>>THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. GOOD TO SEE YOU, SIR.
>> NEXT, WE HAVE TWO CONTRACTS THAT ARE NON-COMPLIANT POST EXECUTIVE ORDER CONTRACTS FOLLOWING THE 2018 RULES.
THE FIRST ONE IS FOR NUMBER 20180099, INFERNO MANUFACTURING, AND CATTLE PARISH, THAT IS NON-COMPLIANT FOR THE 2020 REPORTING PERIOD.
THE EXHIBIT A FOR THE CONTRACT REQUIRES THE COMPANY CREATE AND MAINTAIN TWO JOBS WITH 100,000 AND PAYROLL.
THE ACTUAL JOBS CREATED WAS ZERO AND ZERO PAYROLL.
THE COMPANY IS NON-COMPLIANT FOR THE JOBS AND PAYROLL ONLY, THE PARISH IS REQUESTING THAT NO NEGATIVE ACTION BE TAKEN AGAINST INFERNO MANUFACTURING,
[00:35:02]
BY THE BOARD OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY WITH CONSIDERATION THAT THE CATTLE PARISH COMMISSION FULLY ENDORSE, AND FOREIGNERS PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM.NO RESPONSE WAS RECEIVED FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD AND THE SHERIFF, AND THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT OFFICE OF THE MAYOR, WISHES TO RENDER ALL DECISIONS, OR ACTIONS CONCERNING THE COMPANY'S NONCOMPLIANCE.
>> SOMEONE HERE FROM INFERNO? PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND YOUR POSITION WITH THE COMPANY.
>> YES. MY NAME IS ALLEN ORGANICK, I'M PRESIDENT INFERNO MANUFACTURING, SHREVEPORT.
>> OKAY AND TELL US WHAT HAPPENED HERE.
>> WE MADE THE INVESTMENT IN THE TWO MACHINES IN 2018, WHICH WAS A HIGH SPOT IN OUR BUSINESS CYCLE BUT OUR OIL FIELD CUSTOMER BASE IS VERY CYCLIC AND SO WE MADE OUR PROMISES AT A HIGH POINT AND 2020 WE LAID OFF PEOPLE, TILL 2020 WE'RE NOT COMPLIANT.
WE CAN LOOK BACK AND SEE THAT 2021 IS GOING TO BE THE SAME THING.
WE'RE JUST NOT GETTING BACK UP TO OUR BASELINE AND THE PLUS TWO.
>> HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU EMPLOY?
>> WE HAVE 22 OR 23 RIGHT NOW.
>> YOU'RE AN OIL FIELD SUPPLY COMPANY ESSENTIALLY?
>> WELL, WE'RE A SPECIALTY MANUFACTURER.
>> YOUR MARKET IS THROUGHOUT LOUISIANA OR IS IT MORE REGIONAL?
>> IT'S MOSTLY TEXAS, OKLAHOMA, PENNSYLVANIA, SO MOST OF OUR DOLLARS COMING IN ARE COMING FROM OUT-OF-STATE.
>> OKAY. THE PARISH INDICATED TO TAKE NO ACTION, NO PENALTY, DR. WOODY WILSON WHO'D LIKE TO SPEAK TO THAT PLACE?
>> YES, SIR. MR. ORGANICK'S COMPANY IS 100 YEARS OLD IN OUR COMMUNITY, RESIDES IN THE HEART OF SHREVEPORT AND CERTAINLY THE TAX INCENTIVES THEY'RE ASKING FOR LIKE $4,900 A YEAR.
YOU MULTIPLIED IT BY FOUR YEARS, YOU GET $19,948 AND NOT TO EMBARRASS MR. ORGANICK, BUT IN 2020, AT THE HEIGHT OF THE COVID ISSUES WE'VE BEEN HAVING MR. ORGANICK'S COMPANY DONATE TO THE PARISH A $125,000 TO DO COVID TESTING.
BEFORE CARES MONEY EVEN SHOWED UP.
AS THE CORPORATE CITIZEN, HE'D GIVEN BACK FAR MORE THAN WHAT HE'S ASKING FOR AND THAT'S WHY WE WERE COMPELLED TO SAY NO ADDRESS TO ACTION BEING TAKEN AT THIS TIME.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU FOR THAT.
AT THIS POINT, I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
DR. WILSON, WHAT'S YOUR MOTION?
>> MOTION TO NO ACTION TO BE TAKEN AT THIS TIME.
>> OKAY SO BASICALLY WAVE ANY PENALTY?
>> ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM DR. WOODY WILSON. DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> SECOND FROM DR. SHAUN WILSON.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? HEARING NONE ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION, THERE BEING NONE, THE MOTION CARRIES.
>> THANK YOU, MR. ORGANICK. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
>> NEXT, WE HAVE ONE CONTRACT NUMBER 20180123 FOR INTERNATIONAL MEZZO TECHNOLOGIES, INC. IN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH.
THEY ARE NON-COMPLIANT FOR THE 2019 REPORTING PERIOD.
THE EXHIBIT A FOR THE CONTRACT REQUIRES THE COMPANY CREATE AND MAINTAIN TWO JOBS WITH 77,000 IN PAYROLL.
THE ACTUAL JOBS CREATED WERE ZERO JOBS AND ZERO IN PAYROLL.
THE METRO COUNCIL IS RECOMMENDING THAT THE BOARD OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY TAKE NO ACTION IN RESPONSE TO THE COMPLIANCE.
THE SCHOOL BOARD RECOMMENDS THE BOARD TAKES NO ACTION REGARDING THE MATTER AND THE SHERIFF STATED, I HAVE ELECTED TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD ON THE CONSEQUENCES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE.
IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE COMPANY IS FACING THE IMPACT OF COVID IN THE WORKPLACE AND DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME PERIOD WAS OUT OF COMPLIANCE FOR ONLY A SHORT TIME PERIOD.
THEREFORE, IT IS MY RECOMMENDATION THAT NO ACTION BE TAKEN AGAINST THE COMPANY FOR THE PROJECT YEAR 2019.
>> IS THE METRO COUNCIL. IT IS THE SAME RECOMMENDATION. TAKE NO ACTION.
>> GOT IT. THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE SOMEONE HERE FROM INTERNATIONAL MEZZO TECHNOLOGIES? HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE, PLEASE.
>> I'LL HAVE TO RECUSE MYSELF FROM THIS ONE, NOT BECAUSE OF ISSUES, BUT BECAUSE MY BOSS IS CALLING ME AND I WANT YOU TO KEEP QUORUM.
>> I BELIEVE THIS IS THE LAST THING ON THE AGENDA THAT REQUIRED A VOTE.
[00:40:03]
>> CORRECT. GOOD DEAL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ALL RIGHT. STATE YOUR NAME, YOUR POSITION WITH THE COMPANY, PLEASE.
>> YES. MY NAME IS MARK TURNER.
>> TELL US WHAT HAPPENED HERE.
>> WELL, WE HIRED THE TWO ADDITIONAL PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND WE WEREN'T COMPLIANCE UP UNTIL OCTOBER 3RD OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
WE LOST FOUR PEOPLE AND WE REPLACED TWO OF THEM PRIOR TO THE END OF THE YEAR.
WE HIRED TWO MORE WHO ACCEPTED POSITIONS BUT BECAUSE OF THE HOLIDAY SITUATION, THEY DIDN'T WANT TO START WORK UNTIL AFTER THE FIRST.
THEY STARTED WORK ON JANUARY 7TH.
WE WERE TECHNICALLY OUT OF COMPLIANCE FOR SEVEN DAYS.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU FOR THAT EXPLANATION.
THAT'S THE REASON WE WANT TO HEAR THE REST OF THE STORY.
>> ALL RIGHT. BASICALLY, ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAS RECOMMENDED TAKE NO ACTION.
I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION FROM DR. WOODY WILSON TO.
>> PULL UP THE RECOMMENDATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH A SECOND FROM MR. PAHARDER.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? HEARING NONE ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE BEING NONE, THE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, SIR.
>> WE APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.
MR. PEARSON, DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF WISDOM FOR US TODAY?
[9. Secretary Remarks – Secretary Don Pierson]
>> JUST ABBREVIATED COMMENTS MR. CHAIRMAN, BUT I WISH TO THANK THE BOARD FOR SUPPORT AND CERTAINLY HIGHLIGHT THAT LED IS VERY ENGAGED IN RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACROSS OUR STATE.
PLEASED TO SEE THE $22 MILLION GREAT SOUTHERN WOOD INVESTMENT IN BOYLE'S PARISH AND THE WAREHOUSE, OR SEVEN MILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT IN NATCHITOCHES PARISH, BRINGING ABOUT MORE THAN 78 NET NEW DIRECT JOBS SO WE CONTINUE TO MAKE SOME GREAT PROGRESS IN OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES AND THANK THE BOARD ALSO FOR THIS SUPPORT OF WEST ROCK.
THAT IS A TREMENDOUS ECONOMIC DRIVER FOR THAT RURAL COMMUNITY IN NORTH LOUISIANA.
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE, BUT THAT CONCLUDES MY REMARKS.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. ANYTHING ELSE FROM ANY MEMBER OF THE BOARD? WOULD RECOGNIZE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
MR. MOSS. SECOND, MR. MUELLER, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU ALL.
[NOISE]
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.