WALKER, La. — The Walker City Council on Monday received an update on the city’s ambitious water system improvement program from Public Works Director Tim Oxley, who said efforts remain on track to address elevated traces of manganese in the water supply.
Oxley reported that the city has received a $3.7 million grant to fund Phase 2 of the improvements. Manganese, he noted, is essential in small amounts for healthy bones, wound healing, and metabolic processes, but higher levels in drinking water can pose health risks. Prolonged exposure to excessive manganese may cause manganism, a neurological disorder characterized by tremors and difficulty walking.
Oxley stressed that current manganese levels in Walker’s water system are not high enough to cause health problems.
In other action, the council approved a cooperative endeavor agreement with the Livingston Parish School Board under which the city will oversee demolition and installation of a new sewer system at South Walker Elementary School. In exchange, the school board will transfer a tract of land to the city.
The council also adopted a resolution recognizing the parish’s Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation planning process and establishing a Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee. The committee will include representatives from the City of Walker, the Livingston Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Planning and Zoning, Floodplain Management, the parish school system, other municipal governments, utility providers, business and economic development groups, and community-based organizations.
Parish President Randy Delatte will appoint the committee’s chairperson, who will be responsible for setting agendas, facilitating meetings, and ensuring communication between the committee and the city. The parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness will provide support staff.
The council also declared several items as surplus property for disposal, including eight cellphones, four iPads, and a Wi-Fi system. In addition, members approved the appointment of Andrica Brown as a full-time Walker police officer.
Although no formal action was taken, Livingston Parish Clerk of Court Jason Harris addressed the council as part of a parishwide outreach effort to update city and town leaders on his office’s responsibilities. Harris emphasized that the clerk of court’s office is self-funded through filing fees and does not receive sales tax revenue.
