City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT THE REGULAR MEETING JULY 7, 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, July 7, 2015, at 3:00 PM Invocation was given by Council Member Jeffery Darby Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Don Williams Roll Call as follows: Present: Honorable Councilors, David Montgomery, Jr, Scott Irwin, Jeffery Darby, Don Williams, Thomas Harvey and Jeff Free Absent: Honorable Councilor Timothy Larkin Also Present: Mayor Lorenz Walker, City Attorney Jimmy Hall and City Clerk Phyllis McGraw By: Mr. Darby Motion to approve the minutes of the June 16, 2015, Regular Council Meeting and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Irwin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By Mr. Irwin Motion to approve Agenda. Seconded by Mr. Darby No Comment Vote in favor or motion is unanimous Ceremonial Matters/Recognition of Guests: Architect Mike McSwain and Shawn Sims, President of SKS Studios reported on the plans for the Downtown Revisioning and their inspirations behind those plans. Committee Reports: none Old Business: Councilman Williams opened floor for nominations for Council President for term ending June 30, 2016. Mr. Darby nominated Mr. Williams as the new Council President, Mr. Harvey seconded. No further nominations. Mr. Williams closed the call for nominations and was approved Council President for the term ending June 30, 2016 by acclimation. Councilman Williams opened floor for nominations for Council Vice President for term ending June 30, 2016. Mr. Williams nominated Mr. Montgomery as the new Council Vice President, Mr. Darby seconded. No further nominations. Mr. Williams closed the call for nominations and Mr. Montgomery was approved Council Vice President for the term ending June 30, 2016 by acclimation. The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 63 Of 2015 AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING 3.5 MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE 2014 UTILITY BOND ISSUE TO FUND DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF NEW UTILITY LINES FOR THE DOWNTOWN REVISIONING PROJECT. WHEREAS, the Downtown Revisioning Project is currently being master planned; and WHEREAS, substantial street improvements will have to be done as part of that plan as well as utility improvements; and WHEREAS, the first phase of this project will be to design and construct utilities from Hamilton Road to Traffic Street on Barksdale Boulevard; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that 3.5 million dollars is hereby appropriated from the 2014 Utility Bond Issue to fund design and construction of new utility lines for the Downtown Revisioning Project; and BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that Mayor Lorenz Walker is hereby authorized to sign all contracts, agreements and/or documents in furtherance hereof; and The above and foregoing Ordinance was read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of David Montgomery, Jr., and seconded by Mr. Jeffery Darby, and adopted on the 7th, day of July, 2015, by the following vote: YEAS: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSTAIN: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin _____________________________________ DON WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT _____________________________________ PHYLLIS MCGRAW, CITY CLERK New Business: Witness Opening of sealed bids for 2015 Asphalt Street Program by Finance Director Joe Buffington:  1. Best Yet Builders, LLC. $337,338.50 2. Benton & Brown, LLC $321,845.00 By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to approve reading of bids. Seconded by Mr. Irwin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 64 OF 2015 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 126 OF 2003, BY CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF A 53.38 ACRE TRACT OF LAND DESCRIBED AS A TRACT OF LAND SITUATED IN SECTIONS ELVEVEN AND TWELVE, TOWNSHIP EIGHTEEN NORTH, RANGE THIRTEEN WEST, BOSSIER PARISH, LA., FROM R-A (RESIDENTIAL AGRICULTURE) TO R-LD (RESIDENTIAL LOW DENSITY) FOR A SINGLE FAMLY RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION. (Gregorio Family Realty) SECTION 1. BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that Ordinance No. 126 of 2003 of the City Council of the City of Bossier City, Louisiana, is hereby amended to provide that the zoning classification is hereby changed from R-A, Residential Agriculture, to R-LD, Residential Low Density for the following: A TRACT OF LAND SITUATED IN SECTIONS ELEVEN AND TWELVE TOWNSHIP EIGHTEEN NORTH, RANGE THIRTEEN WEST, BOSSIER PARISH, LA. BEGINNING AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF SECTION 11 THENCE SOUTH 718. FEET TO AN IRON PIPE, THENCE SOUTH 30 DEGREES 17 FEET EAST 791.5 FEET TO AN IRON PIPE IN THE CENTER OF RACE TRACK BAYOU AND ON NORTH SIDE OF A 30 FOOT ROAD, THENCE WITH NORTH SIDE OF 30 FOOT ROAD NORTH 88 DEGREES 8’ WEST 1930.8 FEET TO AN IRON PIPE ON NORTH SIDE OF ROAD AND EAST SIDE OF NORTH AND SOUTH ROAD, THENCE WITH EAST SIDE OF ROAD NORTH 11 DEGREES 50 FEET WEST 300.5 FEET. THENCE NORTH 6 DEGREES 56 FEET WEST 326.6 FEET, THENCE NORTH 9 DEGREES 21 FEET EAST 634.0 FEET, THENCE NORTH 0 DEGREES 33 FEET WEST 144.6 FEET TO AN IRON PIPE ON THE NORTH LINE OF SECTION 11, THENCE SOUTH 88 DEGREES 8 FEET EAST ALONG SAID SECTION LINE 1531.0 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, CONTAINING 53.38 ACRES MORE OR LESS. Motion was made by Mr. Scott Irwin and seconded by Mr. Jeff Free to adopt the Above ordinance. Upon the following vote, the ordinance was duly adopted this 7th day of July, 2015. YEAS: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSTAIN: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin _____________________________________ DON WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT _____________________________________ PHYLLIS MCGRAW, CITY CLERK C-26-15 The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 60 OF 2015 A RESOLUTION TO HIRE ONE FOREMAN II TO REPLACE VACANT POSITION IN PARKS AND RECREATION. _____________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Bossier City authorizes the Hiring of one Foreman II 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 Foreman I 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. David Montgomery, Jr., and seconded by Mr. Scott Irwin, and adopted on the 7th day of July, 2015, by the following vote: YEAS: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSTAIN: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin _____________________________________ DON WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT _____________________________________ PHYLLIS MCGRAW, CITY CLERK The following Resolution offered and adopted: Resolution No. 61 Of 2015 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF A TAX AUDITOR ________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 2 of 2010 implemented a hiring freeze requiring Bossier City Council approval for the hiring of any personnel; WHEREAS, the one of the current Tax Auditors will be leaving, due to resignation and advertising and interviews need to be conducted to find a qualified replacement;  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 a person to fill the position of Tax Auditor. The above and foregoing Resolution was read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. David Montgomery, Jr., and seconded by Mr. Jeff Free, and adopted on the 7th, day of July, 2015, by the following vote: YEAS: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSTAIN: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin _____________________________________ DON WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT _____________________________________ PHYLLIS MCGRAW, CITY CLERK The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 62 OF 2015 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF TWO REPLACEMENTS FOR TWO POLICE OFFICERS WHO RESIGNED 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, vacancies now exist in the Police Department, and filling these positions 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 two police officers to replace two who resigned from the Department. The above and foregoing Resolution was read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. David Montgomery, Jr., and second by Mr. Thomas Harvey, and adopted on the 7th, day of July, 2015, by the following vote: YEAS: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSTAIN: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin _____________________________________ DON WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT  _____________________________________ PHYLLIS MCGRAW, CITY CLERK The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 63 OF 2015 A RESOLUTION TO HIRE OR PROMOTE ONE UTILITY WORKER I IN LIFT STATIONS AND ONE MAINTENANCE MECHANIC II AT THE RED RIVER TREATMENT PLANT TO REPLACE VACANT POSITIONS IN PUBLIC UTILITIES. _____________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Bossier City authorizes the hiring or promotion of one Utility Worker I in Lift Stations and one Maintenance Mechanic II at the Red River Treatment Plant to replace vacant positions in Public Utilities. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Bossier City, in regular session convened, does hereby authorize the hiring or promotion of one Utility Worker I in Lift Stations and one Maintenance Mechanic II at the Red River Treatment Plant to replace vacant positions in Public Utilities. The above and foregoing Resolution, read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. David Montgomery, Jr., and seconded by Mr. Scott Irwin, and adopted on the 7th, day of July, 2015, by the following vote: YEAS: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSTAIN: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin _____________________________________ DON WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT _____________________________________ PHYLLIS MCGRAW, CITY CLERK The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 64 OF 2015 A RESOLUTION TO HIRE OR PROMOTE ONE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I IN SEWER MAINTENANCE TO REPLACE VACANT POSITION IN PUBLIC UTILITIES. _____________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Bossier City authorizes the hiring or promotion of one Equipment Operator I in Sewer Maintenance to replace vacant position in Public Utilities. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Bossier City, in regular session convened, does hereby authorize the hiring or promotion of one Equipment Operator I in Sewer Maintenance to replace vacant position in Public Utilities.  The above and foregoing Resolution, read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. David Montgomery, Jr. and seconded by Mr. Don Williams, and adopted on the 7th, day of July, 2015, by the following vote: YEAS: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSTAIN: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin _____________________________________ DON WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT _____________________________________ PHYLLIS MCGRAW, CITY CLERK The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 65 OF 2015 A RESOLUTION TO HIRE TWO LABORER I TO FILL VACANT POSITIONS IN PUBLIC WORKS WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 2 of 2010 implemented a hiring freeze requiring Bossier City Council approval for the hiring of any personnel; and WHEREAS, one vacancy exist in the Street Sweeping & Grass Cutting division and one vacancy exist in the Solid Waste division and filling these positions 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 two Laborer I. The above and foregoing Resolution was read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. David Montgomery, Jr., and second by Mr. Jeffery Darby, and adopted on the 7th day of July, 2015. YEAS: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSTAIN: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin _____________________________________ DON WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT _____________________________________ PHYLLIS MCGRAW, CITY CLERK The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 66 OF 2015 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TWO FIRE DEPARTMENT LINE EMPLOYEES TO BE REPLACED DUE TO VACANCIES; WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 2 of 2010 implemented a hiring freeze requiring Bossier City Council approval for the hiring of any personnel; WHEREAS, two vacancies now exist in the Fire Department due to the departure of two Fire Line employees and filling these positions 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 replace two Firefighter positions; The above and foregoing Resolution was read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. David Montgomery, Jr., and second by Mr. Jeff Free, and adopted on the 7th, day of July, 2015, by the following vote: YEAS: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSTAIN: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin _____________________________________ DON WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT _____________________________________ PHYLLIS MCGRAW, CITY CLERK By: Mr. Harvey Approve Report of Change Order for K-Mart Bridge/Sale Drive and increase of $44,016.00. Total cost of Contract with increase $272,866.00. Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. No Comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to appoint Pam Glorioso as a commissioner of the Board of Commissioners for the Housing Authority of the City of Bossier City. Appointment effective July 2015 and expires July 2020. Seconded by Mr. Irwin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 65 OF 2015 AN ORDINANCE DECLARING THAT AN EMERGENCY DID EXIST IN THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY WHICH AFFECTED PROPERTY, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND SAFETY DUE TO A SEWER LIFTSTATION BEING INUNDATED WITH DEBRIS WHEREAS, “Big Airline” lift station handles several million gallons per day of sewer, and  WHEREAS, said lift station wet well was inundated with debris, and WHEREAS, said debris caused the failure of the lift station by snapping three pump drive shafts, and severely clogging the fourth pump, and WHEREAS, this situation necessitated immediate action in the form of cleaning the wet well and returning the station to normal function. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, hereby declares that this situation constituted an emergency and affected property, health, and safety due to the sewer manhole collapse. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that funds to clean and repair the lift station will come from the 2014 Capital Sewer Bond, in an amount not to exceed $200,000 with the furtherance of this Ordinance. 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, and adopted on the 7th, day of July, 2015, by the following vote: YEAS: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSTAIN: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin _____________________________________ DON WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT _____________________________________ PHYLLIS MCGRAW, CITY CLERK The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 66 OF 2015 AN ORDINANCE DECLARING THAT AN EMERGENCY DID EXIST IN THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY WHICH AFFECTED PROPERTY, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND SAFETY DUE TO THE THREAT OF IMMINENT FLOODING WHEREAS, June 2015 saw historic Red River levels, unseen in seventy five years and, WHEREAS, various water bodies in and around the area were at critical levels and flood levels, causing high water elevations in various water bodies throughout Bossier City, and WHEREAS, the high water elevations and imminent threat of flooding necessitated the action of flooding preparation, and WHEREAS, extensive pumping capacity was required in addition to plugging various drainage culverts as well as the use of extensive manpower to protect property, public health, and safety.  NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, hereby declares that this situation affected property, health, and safety due to the imminent flood threat. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that funds providing for the procurement of the goods and services needed to provide flood threat response be appropriated from the Sewer Capital and Contingency account in an amount not to exceed $1,008,340.05. The above and foregoing Ordinance was read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Jeff Free, and seconded by Mr. Thomas Harvey, and adopted on the 7th, day of July, 2015, by the following vote: YEAS: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSTAIN: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin _____________________________________ DON WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT _____________________________________ PHYLLIS MCGRAW, CITY CLERK The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 67 OF 2015 AN ORDINANCE DECLARING THAT AN EMERGENCY DID EXIST IN THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY WHICH AFFECTED PROPERTY, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND SAFETY DUE TO A SEWER MAIN COLLAPSE AT CLOVERDALE PLACE. WHEREAS, a sewer line collapsed at this location requiring immediate repair. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, hereby declares that this situation constituted an emergency and affected property, health, and safety due to the sewer manhole collapse. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that funds to repair the sewer main will come from the Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund, in an amount not to exceed $38,000.00with the furtherance of this Ordinance. 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. Jeff Free, and adopted on the 7th, day of July, 2015, by the following vote: YEAS: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSTAIN: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin _____________________________________  DON WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT _____________________________________ PHYLLIS MCGRAW, CITY CLERK There being no further business to come before this Council, meeting adjourned at 3:42 PM by Mr. Williams Respectfully submitted: Phyllis McGraw City Clerk Publish: July 15, 2015 Bossier Press Tribune