The Bogalusa City Council approved a new Parks and Recreation Commission on Tuesday, during the council’s regular meeting.

The commission is made up of unpaid volunteer members who will meet to discuss the best ways to improve recreation opportunities in Bogalusa, particularly with events in the city’s parks.

Since November, any citizen has been allowed to contact Mayor Wendy Perrette with nominations for the commission. On Tuesday, Perrette announced her choices and requested for the council to approve them.

Each nomination was approved by a 6-0 vote. Council vice president Danielle Keys chose to abstain from the votes, due to her involvement with the Bogalusa Citizens for Art and Culture (BCAC). Several BCAC members were among the nominations for the commission.

The members of the Parks and Recreation Commission are Tiye Yayu, Debra Young, Tiffany Carney, Sandy Mohon, Laurie King, Melissa Hamilton, Bridget Knight, Bruce Sampson, Frederick Seal, Matt Parker and Connie Cotton.

Perrette said that the new commission is excited to get going, and already has plans to offer events throughout the year. Their hope is to offer an event each week.

In other business, the council:

• Approved an ordinance to authorize the mayor to enter into a Cooperative Agreement between the City of Bogalusa and the Louisiana Dept. of Veterans Affairs.
• Tabled an ordinance to create the specification of a job description, duties and responsibilities, desired minimum qualifications, supervision received, special requirements, tools and equipment used, and physical demands of the city cemetery custodian.
• Introduced an ordinance controlling the disposal of refuse. This ordinance will be up for discussion and a vote at the council’s next meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 5, at 5:30 p.m.

Council president Teddy Drummond said that the ordinance would discourage citizens who leave unattended scrap items on the side of the road, and instead require them to have those items stored in a dumpster or can, or hauled away.

• Heard from Bruce Sampson concerning the Unity Summit initiative. The summit is a planned event in the future, with the intent of helping to improve community relations and cooperation.

Tuesday’s meeting lasted a little more than one hour. The next Bogalusa City Council meeting will be Tuesday, Feb. 5, at 5:30 p.m.