City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT THE REGULAR MEETING MAY 17, 2016 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, May 17, 2016, at 3:00 PM Invocation was given by Council Member Scott Irwin Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member David Montgomery, Jr. Roll Call as follows: Present: Honorable Councilor Don Williams, President, Honorable Councilors, David Montgomery, Jr., Scott Irwin, Jeffery Darby and Jeff Free Absent were Honorable Councilors Timothy Larkin and 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 May 3, 2016, Regular Council Meeting and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to approve Agenda. Seconded by Mr. Irwin No Comment Vote in favor or motion is unanimous Finance Director, Joe Buffington, gave Council monthly Financial Update. Project Coordinator, Pam Glorioso, gave Council update on Downtown Re-envisioning Project. Old Business: The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 48 OF 2016 AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $120,000 TO COME FROM THE WATER CAPITAL CONTINGENCY FUND TO BE USED TO REPLACE A COLLASPED STORM DRAIN PIPE AT THE BOSSIER CITY RESERVOIR. WHEREAS, a collapsed storm drain culvert at the Bossier City Reservoir needs to be replaced to insure adequate access to the reservoir pumps; and WHEREAS, $120,000 is available in the Water Capital Contingency Fund to be used for this purpose; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, does hereby appropriate $120,000 to come from the Water Capital Contingency Fund to be used to replace a collapsed storm drain pipe at the Bossier City Reservoir. 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., and adopted on the 17th day of May, 2016 by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams and Mr. Free NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin and Mr. Harvey ABSTAIN: none Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Agenda Item Called: Adopt an Ordinance authorizing and providing for issuance of $4,000,000 of Public Improvement Sales Tax Revenue Bonds, Series ST-2016, of the City of Bossier City, State of Louisiana; prescribing the form fixing the details and providing for the rights of the owners thereof; providing for payment of the principal of and interest on such bonds; and providing for other matters in connection therewith. By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to postpone Bond Agenda Item until June 7, 2016, Regular Council Meeting. Seconded by Mr. Darby No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous New Business: Agenda Item called: Hearing to review the recommendation of demolition and removal of dilapidated structure located at 1332 Shamrock St. Property Standards Officer, Kenny Carrington and City appointed attorney, Robin Harvel spoke to Council concerning issue. No one was in audience to appeal. By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to demolish as soon as possible. Seconded by Mr. Free No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Agenda Item called Witness opening of sealed bids for 2016 City Wide Concrete Repairs. 1. Best Yet Builders $ 764,670.50 2. C W & W Contractors, Inc. $ 967,420.00 3. H&H Contracting Company Inc. $1,034,500.00 4. North La. Construction Contractors, LLC $ 981,948.00 By: Mr. Irwin Motion to approve reading of the bids. Seconded by Mr. Darby No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 49 OF 2016 AN ORDINANCE DECLARING THAT AN EMERGENCY DID EXIST IN THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY WHICH AFFECTED PROPERTY, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND SAFETY DUE TO A COLLASPED-RUPTURED SEWER MAIN 1900 BLOCK OF VENUS DR. WHEREAS, an 8” inch sewer main that runs along the 1900 block of Venus Dr. did collapsed and created a situation affecting 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 collapse (rupture)of this sewer main at this critical location. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that funds to repair the sewer main will come from the sewer capital and contingency, in an amount not to exceed $205,200.00 (two hundred and five thousand two hundred dollars and zero cents), 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. Scott Irwin, and seconded by Mr. Jeffery Darby, and adopted on the 17th day of May, 2016 by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams and Mr. Free NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin and Mr. Harvey ABSTAIN: none Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance to enlarge the limits and boundaries of the City of Bossier City by annexing 99.09 acres located on the East Side of Airline Drive South of Wemple Road and North of Airline Parks Estates Subdivision and on the East and West sides of Airline Drive generally on the Northwest and Northeast corners of Airline Drive and Wemple Road. (See exhibit A.) This property is currently Zoned R-A; Residential Agriculture, but a portion is currently undergoing the Re-Zoning process to a Commercial Zoning Classification. Section 33, Township 19 North, Range 13 West and Section 4. Township 18 North, Range 13 West, Bossier Parish, Louisiana. Seconded by Mr. Williams North Bossier Residents Kyle Sawyer, Kendall Brantley, Stan Miller and Whitley Graves spoke in opposition of Walmart Store being built on location. Motion carries with vote as follows: Yeas: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby and Mr. Williams Nays: Mr. Free Absent: Mr. Harvey and Mr. Larkin By: Mr. Irwin Motion to introduce an Ordinance to authorize the Mayor to appropriate $18,000 to come from the 1991 Streets and Drainage Fund to be used to relocate a drainage pipe that drains Martin Lane and to be located between 1305 and 1309 Martin Lane. Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr.  Motion to introduce an Ordinance approving the acquisition of the property described as lot 375 East Shreveport Subdivisions and authorizing the Mayor to sign any and all documents necessary to acquire property necessary for property acquisition in the Old Downtown Area of Bossier City for the Bossier Re-Envisioning project. Seconded by Mr. Darby No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Darby Motion to introduce an Ordinance approving the acquisition of the required right of way for the required from Arrows Properties, LLC for the project as described in Exhibit "A" authorizing the Mayor to sign any and all documents necessary to acquire property necessary for property acquisition in the Old Downtown Area of Bossier City for the Bossier Re-Envisioning Project. Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 42 OF 2016 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PROMOTIONS OF ONE CLERK I TO CLERK II, AND FOUR CLERK III TO CLERK IV. WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 2 of 2010 implemented a hiring freeze requiring Bossier City Council approval for the hiring of any personnel; WHEREAS, to follow common practices adopted by the Police Department, promoting clerks will keep employees in line with time and grade. 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 promote five clerks. 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. Jeffery Darby, and adopted on the 17th day of May, 2016 by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams and Mr. Free NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin and Mr. Harvey ABSTAIN: none _____________________________________ Don Williams, President ______________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 43 OF 2016 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF A REPLACEMENT FOR ONE POLICE OFFICER 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, 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. Jeff Free, and second by Mr. David Montgomery, Jr., and adopted on the 17th day of May, 2016 by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams and Mr. Free NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin and Mr. Harvey ABSTAIN: none Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 44 OF 2016  A RESOLUTION TO HIRE FIVE TEMPORARY SEASONAL EMPLOYEES FOR THE NORTH BOSSIER TENNIS FACILITIES UNTIL A PROFESSIONAL TENNIS DIRECTOR IS HIRED. WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Bossier City authorizes the hiring five temporary seasonal employees for the North Bossier Tennis Facilities until a professional tennis director is hired. NOW, THEREFORE, IT BE RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Bossier City, in regular session convened, does hereby authorize the hiring of one Tennis Professional position for 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 17th day of May, 2016 by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams and Mr. Free NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin and Mr. Harvey ABSTAIN: none Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk By: Mr. Darby Motion to approve Report of Final Change Order for Riverview Force Main and Lift Station Improvements a decrease of $4,626.37. Total cost of contract with decrease $2,447,968.00. Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Free Motion to approve placement in the Official Minutes the appointment of Charlie Davis to replace James N. Huckaby as the Governing Authority Board Member of the Bossier City Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board. Appointment effective May 17, 2016 and expires on March 5, 2019. Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Resolution offered and adopted: Resolution No.45 Of 2016 A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY EXPRESSING SUPPORT OF THE FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION’S PROPOSED RULEMAKING (DOCKET NO. FRA-2014-0033) DATED MARCH 15, 2016, AS IT RELATES TO PROVISIONS THAT ESTABLISH A MINIMUM OF TWO CREWMEMBERS FOR CERTAIN RAILROAD OPERATIONS. WHEREAS freight trains travel through many of Louisiana’s cities, towns, and villages on a regular basis, transporting dangerous cargo, such as hazardous chemicals and oil; and  WHEREAS Louisiana’s mayors are dedicated to ensuring the safe operation of freight trains within their municipal limits, thereby warranting that such trains are adequately manned by a sufficient number of crew members to address emergency situations; and WHEREAS Louisiana’s mayors are concerned that the advent of recent technology, such as Positive Train Control (PTC), may allow the rail industry to increasingly man trains with less than two-person crews without due consideration for safety risks or without implementing risk mitigating actions that the FRA may deem necessary; and WHEREAS the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FRA-2014-0033) that, among other initiatives, establishes minimum requirements for the size of train crews based on the type of operation at issue (such as hauling freight); and WHEREAS the proposed rulemaking establishes a minimum requirement of two crewmembers for certain railroad operations, while also setting forth the roles and responsibilities of the second crewmember on a moving train, thereby promoting safe and effective teamwork; and WHEREAS the City of Bossier City supports this proposed rulemaking based on the two crewmember requirement for freight and passenger trains that carry hazardous cargo, or travel at excessive speeds, through Louisiana’s municipalities; and WHEREAS, in the interest of public safety, the City of Bossier City suggests that the proposed FRA rule should expressly provide that two-member crews on freight trains hauling hazardous cargo are required throughout the country when those trains are travelling through the incorporated limits of municipalities. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that the City of Bossier City supports the Federal Railroad Administration’s proposed rulemaking (Docket No. FRA-2014-0033) dated March 15, 2016, as it relates to provisions that establish a minimum of two crewmembers for certain railroad operations. 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 17th day of May, 2016 by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams and Mr. Free NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin and Mr. Harvey ABSTAIN: none Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance to appropriate $90,000 to come from the 1991 Streets and Drainage Fund to be used to partner with the Bossier Parish Police Jury to rebuild and improve a 2,000 foot section of the Modica Lott Road. Seconded by Mr. Free No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Resolution offered and adopted: Resolution No.46 Of 2016 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, one of the current Tax Auditors will be leaving, due to termination, 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. Jeffery Darby, and seconded by Mr. David Montgomery, Jr., and adopted on the 17th day of May, 2016 by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams and Mr. Free NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin and Mr. Harvey ABSTAIN: none Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Manchac employee, Ben Rauschenbach and CAO, Cliff Oliver spoke about new water plant back up and running. There being no further business to come before this Council, meeting adjourned at 3:43 PM by Mr. Williams. Respectfully submitted: Phyllis McGraw City Clerk Publish: May 25, 2016 Bossier Press Tribune