City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT THE REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 20, 2015 The City Council of the City of Bossier City, State of Louisiana, met in regular session in Council Chambers, 620 Benton Road, Bossier City, Louisiana, January 20, 2015, at 3:00 PM Invocation was given by Council Member Scott Irwin Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Jeff Free Roll Call as follows: Present: Honorable Councilor Timothy Larkin, President, Honorable Councilors, David Montgomery, Jr., Scott Irwin, Jeffery Darby, Jeff Free and Thomas Harvey Absent: Honorable Councilor Don Williams Also Present: Mayor Lorenz Walker, City Attorney Jimmy Hall and City Clerk Phyllis McGraw By: Mr. Irwin Motion to approve the minutes of the January 6, 2015, Regular Council Meeting and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Harvey No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Free Motion to amend agenda to include #10 under New Business - Introduce an Ordinance authorizing Mayor Lorenz Walker to execute the attached Cooperative Endeavor Agreement transferring the property located at 100 John Wesley Boulevard from the Shreveport Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau to the City of Bossier City. Seconded by Mr. Irwin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Harvey Motion to approve agenda as amended. Seconded by Mr. Darby No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Ceremonial Matters: none Committee Reports: Joe Buffington, Finance Director, gave the Council the monthly Financial Update. New Business: Item #2 under New Business moved to the beginning of the meeting. By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance to appropriate $6,281,000 to come from the Riverboat Gaming Capital Projects Fund to be used to complete the Airline Drive Traffic Relief Project to include extensions of Douglas Drive and Plantation Drive. Seconded by Mr. Free Councilman Harvey requested Administration to look at Douglas Drive Traffic Light issue. Citizen comments concerning traffic issues. No further comment. Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Unfinished Business: The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 6 Of 2015 AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING THREE MILLION ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM THE UTILITY FUND AND TRANSFERRED TO THE RIVERBOAT GAMING CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND WHEREAS, The City of Bossier City received three million one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($3,150,000) as part of the settlement of a lawsuit; and WHEREAS, approximately 9 million dollars had previously been transferred from the Riverboat Gaming Capital Projects fund to the Utility Fund and the intent is to pay back the Riverboat Gaming Capital Projects fund the 9 million dollars; and NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ordained by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that three million one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($3,150,000) is hereby appropriated from the Utility Fund and transferred to the Riverboat Capital Gaming Projects Fund. The above and foregoing Ordinance was read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Jeffery Darby, and seconded by Mr. Scott Irwin, and adopted on the 20th, day of January, 2015, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Williams ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Timothy Larkin, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 7 Of 2015 AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE BUDGETARY SPLIT FOR ALL FUTURE BUDGETS WITH THE FIRE OPERATIONS DIVISION AT 73 PERCENT AND THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES DIVISION AT 27 PERCENT  WHEREAS, in order to avoid budget delays and maintain stability in the budget process the percentages for all future budgets should be established; and NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ordained by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that the budgetary splits adopted for all future budgets shall be established at 73 percent for the Fire Operations Division and 27 percent for the Emergency Medical Services Division; and The above and foregoing Ordinance was read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Scott Irwin, and seconded by Mr. Jeffery Darby, adopted on the 20th, day of January, 2015, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: Mr. Larkin ABSENT: Mr. Williams ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Timothy Larkin, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 8 Of 2015 AN ORDINANCE ELIMINATING THE TRANSFER OF INTEREST FROM THE RIVERBOAT GAMING TRUST FUND AND THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH FUND UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO BALANCE THE BUDGET WHEREAS, investment interest is at a historically low rate and impacts the growth rate of the Riverboat Gaming Trust Fund and the Public Safety and Health Fund; and NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ordained by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that all transfers of interest from the Riverboat Gaming Trust Fund and The Public Safety and Health Fund shall hereby be eliminated unless absolutely necessary to balance the budget.  The above and foregoing Ordinance was read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Scott Irwin, and seconded by Mr. David Montgomery, Jr., adopted on the 20th, day of January, 2015, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Williams ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Timothy Larkin, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 9 Of 2015 AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING ALL MEDICAID SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENT FUNDS RECEIVED BY THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY TO BE DEDICATED SOLELY TO EMS CAPITAL EXPENDITURES WHEREAS, the Medicaid Supplemental payments are subject to budgetary restrictions and policy changes making these funds unreliable as operating revenue; and WHEREAS, funding of this type is better suited to capital expenditures; and NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ordained by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that all Medicaid Supplemental payment funds received by the City of Bossier City shall be solely dedicated to EMS Capital Expenditures and never to operational expenses. The above and foregoing Ordinance was read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. David Montgomery, Jr., and seconded by Mr. Jeffery Darby, adopted on the 20th, day of January, 2015, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Williams ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Timothy Larkin, President ___________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 10 Of 2015 AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING AND RATIFYING $125,000 FROM THE 2014 SALES TAX CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND TO REIMBURSE THE BOSSIER PARISH POLICE JURY FOR SHARED COST ON BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE BODCAU STATION ROAD GATE WHEREAS, the Bossier Parish Police Jury, Bossier Parish School Board and City of Bossier City entered into an agreement in 2013 to construct a new Barksdale Air Force Base gate at Bodcau Station Road which was completed in August 2014; and NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ordained by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that $125,000 from the 2014 Sales Tax Capital Improvement Fund is hereby appropriated to fund a third of the Barksdale Air Force Base gate at Bodcau Station Road. The above and foregoing Ordinance was read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Jeffery Darby, and seconded by Mr. Jeff Free, adopted on the 20th, day of January, 2015, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Williams ABSTAIN: none ___________________________ Timothy Larkin, President ___________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk New Business: By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance ratifying and adopting the attached 2015 General Fund General Fund Budget and appropriating funds in conjunction herewith Seconded by Mr. Irwin No Comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 4 OF 2015  A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FILLING OF A VACANT EQUIPMENT OPERATOR POSITION IN PUBLIC UTILITIES _____________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Bossier City authorizes the hiring or promotion of an Equipment Operator to fill a vacant Equipment Operator position in Public Utilities , NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED that the City Council of the City of Bossier City, in regular session convened, does hereby authorize the hiring or promotion of an Equipment Operator to fill a vacant Equipment Operator position in Public Utilities. The above and foregoing Resolution, read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Jeffery Darby and seconded by Mr. Jeff Free, and adopted on the 20th, day of January, 2015, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Williams ABSTAIN: none ___________________________ Timothy Larkin, Council President ___________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 5 OF 2015 A RESOLUTION TO PROMOTE FROM WITHIN THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DIVISION TO FILL THE VACANT POSITIONS OF TRAFFIC ANALYST AND TRAFFIC LEAD TECHNICIAN AND TO BACKFILL THE VACATED POSITIONS AS A RESULT OF THE TWO PROMOTIONS. __________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 2 of 2010 implemented a hiring freeze requiring Bossier City Council approval for hiring and promoting personnel; and WHEREAS, the vacancies exist in the Traffic Engineering Division as a result of recent voluntary resignations; and WHEREAS, promotions and hiring’s within the Traffic Engineering Division shall be done at a net zero change to budgeted salaries; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that by the City Council of the City of Bossier City, in regular session convened, that within the Traffic Engineering Division that a traffic technician be promoted to traffic analyst and a traffic technician be promoted to traffic lead technician and that the two vacated traffic technician positions be filled with two new hires. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor is hereby authorized to sign any and all documents in connection with the furtherance of this Resolution.  The above and foregoing Resolution was read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Scott Irwin, and seconded by Mr. Thomas Harvey, and adopted on the 20th, day of January, 2015, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Williams ABSTAIN: none ____________________________________________________ TIMOTHY LARKIN, President ____________________________________________________ PHYLLIS MCGRAW, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 6 OF 2015 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE BACKFILL OF A CHAIN OF VACANCIES CREATED FROM THE TRANSFER OF AN ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT TO AN ENGINEERING AIDE AND THE POTENTIAL PROMOTIONS FROM WITHIN TO FILL THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT POSITION AND SUBSEQUENT VACANCIES UP TO FINALLY THE HIRING OR PROMOTION OF AN OPERATOR OR UTILITY WORKER OF WATER OR SEWER MAINTENANCE TO REPLACE THE FINAL VACATED POSITION IN PUBLIC UTILITIES. _____________________________________________________ WHEREAS, there is currently a vacancy of Engineering Aide IV in public utilities and the Assistant Superintendent of Sewer Maintenance possesses the qualities desired to fill this vacancy and will be better utilized in this role, and WHEREAS, the transfer of the Assistant Superintendent of Sewer Maintenance will create a vacancy which shall be filled via the hiring or promotion of a Foreman of Water or Sewer Maintenance, and WHEREAS, if the hiring or promotion of a Foreman of Water or Sewer Maintenance to Assistant Superintendent creates a vacancy it shall be filled by the hiring or promotion of an Operator or Utility Worker of Water or Sewer Maintenance, and WHEREAS, if the hiring or promotion of an Operator or Utility Worker of Water or Sewer Maintenance creates a vacancy it shall be filled by the hiring or promotion of an Operator or Utility Worker of Water or Sewer Maintenance. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED that the City Council of the City of Bossier City, in regular session convened, does hereby authorize the replacement of an Operator or Utility Worker of Water or Sewer Maintenance vacancy as created by the aforementioned chain of promotions and transfers. The above and foregoing Resolution, read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Jeff Free and seconded by Mr. Scott Irwin, and adopted on the 20th, day of January, 2015, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Williams ABSTAIN: none ___________________________ _______________________________ Timothy Larkin, Council President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 7 OF 2015 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF ONE ELECTRICIAN III IN UTILITIES TO THE VACANT ELECTRICIAN III POSITION APPROVED FOR BACKFILL VIA RESOLUTION 90 OF 2014 AND AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OR PROMOTION OF AN ELECTRICIAN III TO FILL THE VACANT POSITION IN PUBLIC UTILITIES _____________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Bossier City authorizes the transfer of one Electrician III to the vacant Electrician III position approved for backfill via resolution 90 of 2014, and WHEREAS, the vacant position was approved to have a take home vehicle for on-call status, the incumbent transfer shall also be approved to have a take home vehicle, and WHEREAS, the incumbent Electrician III, being placed on call, shall be given the equivalent pay of the previous Electrician III whose position is vacant and duly authorized for fill per Resolution 90 of 2014, and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Bossier City authorizes the hiring or promotion of an Electrician III to fill the vacated Electrician III position in Public Utilities. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED that the City Council of the City of Bossier City, in regular session convened, does hereby authorize transfer of an Electrician III to the on-call Electrician III position per Resolution 90 of 2014, granting the incumbent a take home vehicle and pay adjustment commensurate with that of the vacated position per Resolution 90 of 2014. The above and foregoing Resolution, read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Scott Irwin and seconded by Mr. Jeff Free, and adopted on the 20th, day of January, 2015, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Williams ABSTAIN: none ___________________________ Timothy Larkin, Council President ___________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 8 OF 2015  A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TITLE CHANGE OF A UTILITY WORKER TO AN EQUIPMENT OPERATOR IN PUBLIC UTILITIES _____________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Bossier City authorizes the title change of a Utility Worker position to that of an Equipment Operator in Public Utilities. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED that the City Council of the City of Bossier City, in regular session convened, does hereby authorize the title change of a Utility Worker position to that of an Equipment Operator in Public Utilities. The above and foregoing Resolution, read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Jeff Free and seconded by Mr. David Montgomery, Jr., and adopted on the 20th, day of January, 2015, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Williams ABSTAIN: none ___________________________ Timothy Larkin, Council President ___________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk RESOLUTION NO. 9 OF 2015 A RESOLUTION ADOPTING QUESTIONNAIRE FROM LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR AND CITY’S ANSWER THERETO. _______________________________________________________________________ IT IS RESOLVED, that the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire from the Legislative Auditor covering period, 1‐1‐2014 thru 12‐31‐2014, and City’s answer thereto all of which are on file with City Clerk, are hereby adopted. A copy of this questionnaire and answers will be furnished to the City’s certified public accountants, KPMG Peat Marwick. The above and foregoing Resolution, was read in full at open and legal session convened, as on motion of Mr. Jeffery Darby and seconded by Mr. Scott Irwin and adopted on the 20th, day of January, 2015, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Williams ABSTAIN: none ___________________________ ___________________________ Timothy Larkin, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following bids were read by Joe Buffington, Finance Director Walker Place Park 1. Blount Brothers Base Bid $1,387,025.85 Alt 1 $ 294,279.30 Alt 2 $ 348,600.00  Alt 3 $ 37,500.00 2. Boggs & Poole Contracting Base Bid $1,998,000.00 Alt 1 $ 299,000.00 Alt 2 $ 435,000.00 Alt 3 $ 45,000.00 3. Brown Builders Base Bid $2,497,800.00 Alt 1 $ 336,000.00 Alt 2 $ 313,000.00 Alt 3 $ 108,000.00 4. David Lawler Construction Base Bid $2,209,000.00 Alt 1 $ 330,000.00 Alt 2 $ 230,000.00 Alt 3 $ 104,000.00 5. Fessler & Bowman Base Bid $2,628,900.00 Alt 1 $ 307,000.00 Alt 2 $ 360,000.00 Alt 3 $ 21,000.00 6. Hand Construction Base Bid $2,200,000.00 Alt 1 $ 440,000.00 Alt 2 $ 400,000.00 Alt 3 $ 30,000.00 7. Quality Design & Construct. Base Bid $2,061,000.00 Alt 1 $ 387,000.00 Alt 2 $ 373,400.00 Alt 3 $ 99,000.00 8. Thrash Construction Base Bid $2,176,800.00 Alt 1 $ 235,000.00 Alt 2 $ 180,000.00 Alt 3 $ 105,972.00 By: Mr. Irwin Motion to approve reading of bids. Seconded by: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. No Comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Darby Motion to introduce an Ordinance authorizing Mayor Lorenz Walker to execute the attached Cooperative Endeavor Agreement transferring the property located at 100 John Wesley Boulevard from the Shreveport Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau to the City of Bossier City. Seconded by Mr. Free No Comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous There being no further business to come before this Council, meeting adjourned at 4:22 PM by Mr. Larkin Respectfully submitted: Phyllis McGraw City Clerk Publish: January 28, 2015 Bossier Press Tribune