City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT THE REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 17, 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, February 17, 2015, at 3:00 PM Invocation was given by Council Member Jeffery Darby 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, Don Williams and Jeff Free Absent: Honorable Councilor Thomas Harvey Also Present: Mayor Lorenz Walker, City Attorney Jimmy Hall and City Clerk Phyllis McGraw By: Mr. Irwin Motion to approve the minutes of the February 3, 2015, Regular Council Meeting and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to approve agenda. Seconded by Mr. Irwin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Ceremonial Matters: none Committee Reports: Joe Buffington, Finance Director, gave Council the Monthly Financial Report Unfinished Business: The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 18 Of 2015 AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING ONE MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE SEPTEMBER 16, 2014 LCDA BOND ISSUE FOR PROPERTY ACQUISITION. WHEREAS, the acquisition of property in old downtown Bossier City will facilitate development; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that $1 Million Dollars is hereby appropriated from the September 16, 2014 LCDA Bond Issue for property acquisition in old downtown Bossier City. 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. Don Williams, and adopted on the 17th, day of February, 2015, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams and Mr. Free NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Harvey ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Timothy Larkin, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk New Business By: Mr. Irwin Motion to introduce an Ordinance authorizing the City of Bossier City, Louisiana, to incur debt and to borrow from the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority $80,460,000 to mature not later than November 1, 2037, at a rate or rates not exceeding five (5%) percent per annum, for the purpose of advance refunding the City's outstanding 2007 loan; and providing for other matters in connection with the foregoing. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance to declare certain moveable equipment owned by City of Bossier City as surplus to the City's need and to provide for salvage and disposal according to law. Seconded by Mr. Free No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Agenda Item called: Introduce an Ordinance adopting the 2015 Sales Tax Capital Improvement Budget. By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to amend the 2015 Sales Tax Capital Improvement Budget to remove the $400,000 for Street Lights until further analysis of street lights on Shed Road crossing I-220 could be completed. Seconded by Mr. Free No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an amended Ordinance adopting the 2015 Sales Tax Capital Improvement Budget. Seconded by Mr. Irwin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Darby Motion to combine 2015 Capital Budget items 4-7 into one reading. Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Irwin Motion to introduce the Ordinances adopting the 2015 Capital Budgets. Seconded by Mr. Darby No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance to appropriate $150,000 to come from the 1991 Jail and Municipal Building Fund to be used to replace conduit and light fixtures at the Civic Center Parking Lot. Seconded by Mr. Free No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 12 OF 2015(b) A RESOLUTION TO HIRE ONE FIELD MAINTENANCE WORKER PART-TIME TO REPLACE VACANT POSITION IN PARKS AND RECREATION. _____________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Bossier City authorizes the hiring of one Recreation Supervisor to replace vacant position in Parks and Recreation. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED that the City Council of the City of Bossier City, in regular session convened, does hereby authorize the hiring of one Field Maintenance Worker Part-Time to replace vacant position in Parks and Recreation. The above and foregoing Resolution, read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Don Williams and seconded by Mr. Scott Irwin, and adopted on the 17th, day of February, 2015, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams and Mr. Free NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Harvey ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Timothy Larkin, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: Resolution No. 13 Of 2015 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PROMOTION OF A DEPUTY CHIEF, TWO LIEUTENANTS, THREE SERGEANTS, AND THE HIRING OF ONE PATROL OFFICER.  WHEREAS, the person holding the position of Logistical Officer for the Bossier City Police Department will be retiring at the end of March and that position will not be replaced; and WHEREAS, by not replacing that position funds are available to make the referenced promotions and hiring without negatively impacting the budget of the Bossier City Police Department; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that the promotion of a Deputy Chief, two lieutenants, and three sergeants and the hiring of one patrol officer are hereby authorized. The above and foregoing Resolution was 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 17th, day of February, 2015, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams and Mr. Free NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Harvey ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Timothy Larkin, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 14 OF 2015 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF A REPLACEMENT FOR ONE POLICE JAILER I TO REPLACE A RESIGNATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 2 of 2010 implemented a hiring freeze requiring Bossier City Council approval for the hiring of any personnel; WHEREAS, a vacancy now exists in the Police Department, and filling this position will allow operations to continue;  NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular and legal session convened, that the administration is authorized to hire one Police Jailer I to replace a resignation from the Department. The above and foregoing Resolution was read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Don Williams, and second by Mr. Jeff Free, and adopted on the 17th, day of February, 2015, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams and Mr. Free NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Harvey ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Timothy Larkin, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 15 OF 2015 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF A REPLACEMENT FOR ONE POLICE OFFICER TO REPLACE A RESIGNATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 2 of 2010 implemented a hiring freeze requiring Bossier City Council approval for the hiring of any personnel; WHEREAS, a vacancy now exists in the Police Department, and filling this position will allow operations to continue; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular and legal session convened, that the administration is authorized to hire one Police Officer to replace a resignation from the Department. The above and foregoing Resolution was read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Scott Irwin, and second by Mr. Don Williams, and adopted on the 17th, day of February, 2015, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams and Mr. Free NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Harvey ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Timothy Larkin, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk RESOLUTION 16 of 2015 A RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE OPEN BURN AND REQUESTING THE EPA FIND A SAFER ALTERNATIVE TO REMOVE THE M6 PROPELANT AND OTHER POTENTIALLY VOLATILE COMPOUNDS STORED AT CAMP MINDEN, WEBSTER PARISH, LOUISIANA WHEREAS, more than 15 million pounds of M6 explosives are currently stored at Camp Minden and the instability of these explosives calls for quick and safe remediation; and WHEREAS, the proposed open burn method of disposal poses a potential health risk for the citizens of the City of Bossier City, as well as harm to the environment; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bossier City Council do hereby urge the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, and the Louisiana Military Department to abandon the proposal of an open burn of the M6 propellant at Camp Minden which would release by-products, chemicals and toxins in the air affecting the health and well-being of the citizens of the City of Bossier City and surrounding areas; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Bossier City Council hereby urge these agencies to consider the risk of an explosion due to the unstable and deteriorating state of the 15 million pounds of M6 propellant stored at Camp Minden and ensure a safe and timely disposal of these explosives without risk or harm to our citizens. The above and foregoing Resolution was read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Don Williams, and seconded by Mr. David Montgomery, Jr., and adopted on the 17th, day of February, 2015, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams and Mr. Free NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Harvey ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Timothy Larkin, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk There being no further business to come before this Council, meeting adjourned at 3:30 PM by Mr. Larkin Respectfully submitted: Phyllis McGraw City Clerk Publish: February 25, 2015 Bossier Press Tribune