The Washington Parish Council had a routine meeting Monday evening.

The only item on the agenda, a resolution supporting Project Save Bogalusa, passed easily. However, secretary Sarah Cook said the agenda was opened to add an item.

“We had to open the agenda to add a resolution to authorize the parish government to apply for and administer a grant through the Louisiana governor’s administrative grants,” she said.

This also passed.

According to Cook, during public comments, Darryl Peterson expressed concern over old campaign signs for old races. He asked the board for advice on what to do to get rid of the signs.

After that, Cook said Ian Nygren, a registered nurse with Ochsner Medical Center and the director of their flight care and trauma services, spoke to the council.

“He explained flight care services to us and he let them know they’re quicker than the ambulance, have more equipment and supplies,” Cook said.

Nygren reportedly told the council that air services have saved 35 lives in Washington Parish in the last six months. At present, the parish does not pay for ambulance services, though he said if the parish wanted to underwrite air care services for everyone in the parish, it would cost $169,000. As it is, Nygren explained that residents’ insurance pays for the air service, or people can sign up with Ochsner for $65 a year for a whole household.

“You can be anywhere in the U.S. and you’d still be covered,” Cook said.

No action was taken in response to Nygren’s updates.

After that, Cook said parish President Ned Thomas gave his updates. He told the council he had three positions that need re-appointment on the hospital commission and he also presented a replacement for the Washington Parish Fire District No. 9. He said that candidate, Erroll Soldani, would be voted on by the council at the next meeting.

The next meeting will be Monday, Nov. 14, at 5:30 p.m.