City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT THE REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 1, 2017 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, August 1, 2017, at 3:00 PM Invocation was given by Council Member Scott Irwin Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Thomas Harvey Roll Call as follows: Present: Honorable Councilor Jeffery Darby, President, Honorable Councilors, David Montgomery, Jr., Scott Irwin, Don Williams, Jeff Free and Thomas Harvey Absent: Honorable Councilor Timothy Larkin Also Present: Mayor, Lorenz Walker, City Attorney, Jimmy Hall and City Clerk, Phyllis McGraw By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to approve the minutes of the July 18, 2017, Regular Meeting and July 25, 2017, Special 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. Montgomery, Jr. No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Unfinished Business: The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 99 Of 2017 AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $60,000.00 FROM GENERAL FUND, FUND BALANCE TO HIRE AN ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY. ______________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, in anticipation of the retirement of an assistant City Attorney in January of 2018 and the time required to train a new assistant, a replacement should be hired on September 1, 2017; and WHEREAS funding needs to be appropriated to fund the new position. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that $60,000.00 is hereby appropriated to fund the position of Assistant City Attorney and the hiring of an additional City Attorney is hereby authorized.;  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. Don Williams, and adopted on the 1st, day of August, 2017, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin ABSTAIN: none _________________________________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President __________________________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 100 OF 2017 AN ORDINANCE TO REVISE AND CORRECT ORDINANCE NO. 66 OF 2017 TO FUND NEW ENTRANCE AND ADDITIONAL PARKING AT TINSLEY BASEBALL COMPLEX FROM THE 1991 JAIL AND MUNICIPAL BUILDING FUND AND NOT FROM THE SALES TAX CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND. WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 66 of 2017 appropriated $850,000 to come from the Sales Tax Capital Improvement Fund for new entrance and parking at Tinsley Baseball Complex; and WHEREAS, the funding for this project is not available at this time in the Sales Tax Capital Improvement Fund and should rather be funded from the 1991 Jail and Municipal Building Fund where funds are available at this time. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, does hereby revise and correct Ordinance No. 66 of 2017 to fund new entrance and additional parking at Tinsley Baseball Complex from the 1991 Jail and Municipal Building Fund and not from the Sales Tax Capital Improvement Fund. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the Mayor is hereby authorized to sign any and all documents in connection 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. Don Williams, and seconded by Mr. Thomas Harvey, and adopted on the 1st, day of August, 2017, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin ABSTAIN: none _________________________________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President __________________________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 101 Of 2017 ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO COVER CONSTRUCTION COST FOR THE LANDAU SEWER LIFT STATION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FOR A TOTAL OF $200,000.00 TO COME FROM THE 2016 LDEQ LOAN FUND WHEREAS The final opinion of construction costs for the Landau Lift Station project is $200,000.00. (see attachment Final Opinion of Probable Costs Landau Lift Station Improvement for estimated detailed breakdown of the costs); and WHEREAS, $200,000.00 may be appropriated from the 2016 LDEQ Loan Fund. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that the Bossier City Council does hereby appropriate $200,000.00 to come from the 2016 LDEQ Loan Fund to cover the construction costs for the Landau Lift Station. The above and foregoing Ordinance 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 1st, day of August, 2017, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin ABSTAIN: none _________________________________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President __________________________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 102 Of 2017 AN ORDINANCE TO DECLARE SURPLUS TO THE NEEDS OF THE CITY 60 RADIOS THAT ARE A TYPE NO LONGER USED BY THE BOSSIER CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT AND TRANSFERRING THE SAME TO THE BOSSIER PARISH OFFICE OF HOME LAND SECURITY. ______________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the Bossier City Police Department has upgraded its radio system and no longer has a use for the 60 radios described hereto; and WHEREAS, these radios can be distributed as needed to rural areas of Bossier Parish to entities that currently do not possess the ability to operate on the700 radio frequency; and  WHEREAS, in the event of a disaster this additional capability of communication in the parish will assist in sharing and directing resources to the proper location; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that the list of 60 radios attached hereto are hereby declared surplus to the needs of the City of Bossier City and are hereby authorized to be transferred to the Bossier Parish of Homeland Security. 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 1st, day of August, 2017, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin ABSTAIN: none _________________________________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President __________________________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 103 Of 2017 AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $25,000 FROM GENERAL FUND FUND BALANCE TO HIRE TRAVIS MOREHART TO CONSULT REGARDING FINANCIAL ISSUES. ______________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the City of Bossier City is in need of a CPA to do specialized analysis; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that $25,000 is hereby appropriated from General Fund Fund Balance to hire Travis Morehart to consult with the COBC regarding specialized financial issues. The above and foregoing Ordinance 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 1st, day of August, 2017, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin ABSTAIN: none _________________________________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President __________________________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: Resolution No. 63 Of 2017 A RESOLUTION TO REPLACE TWO DEPUTY MARSHALS DUE TO TERMINATIONS AND PROMOTE ONE DEPUTY TO THE POSITION OF SERGEANT ALL WITHIN THE CURRENT BUDGET OF THE MARSHAL’S OFFICE. ________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, two individuals have been terminated from service in the Bossier City Marshal’s office and these positions need to be replaced and a supervisory position of Sergeant needs to be filled as a result of these terminations; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that the Bossier City Marshal is hereby authorized to replace two deputy marshals and promote one deputy marshal to Sergeant within the current budget of the office. 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. David Montgomery, Jr. , and adopted on the 1st, day of August, 2017, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin ABSTAIN: none _________________________________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President __________________________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk New Business: By: Mr. Irwin Motion to introduce an Ordinance appropriating $2,500.00 from General Fund - Fund Balance to support the 2017 Veteran's Parade and Honor Ceremony on November 12, 2017. Seconded by Mr. Harvey No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Harvey Motion to introduce an Ordinance to appropriate $250,000.00 from the 2016 Sales Tax Bond Fund to be used to rehabilitate various City Streets within the vicinity of the Bossier Downtown Re-Envisioning Project. Seconded by Mr. Free No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance authorizing the sale of the remainder areas of Lots 2, 3, 4 & 5 of Block 7 and the remainder areas Lots 2 & 15 of Block 12 of the East McCormick Annex Subdivision to Reva Hospitality f Bossier, LLC for the appraised value pursuant to Louisiana R.S. 33:4712.2. Seconded by Mr. Irwin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Agenda Item Called Public Hearing for the City of Bossier City's 2017 CDBG Action Plan for application for Community Development Block Grant Funds. Mr. Darby called the Hearing to order Community Development Director, Bob Brown, reported on the request that was being made to the Federal Government. Mr. Darby opened the floor for public comment. Hearing no comments, Mr. Darby closed the hearing at 3:10 P.M. RESOLUTION NO. 64 OF 2017 A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE CITY’S APPLICATION TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT FOR FUNDING (ENTITLEMENT STATUS) UNDER AUTHORITY OF TITLE I OF THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1974 (42 U.S.C. 3535) (d) and (42 U.S.C. 5301) (et.seq.) BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Bossier City, Louisiana that the City of Bossier City Council hereby supports the City’s Five-Year Consolidated Strategy Plan and 2017 Action Plan and application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for funding (Entitlement Status) under authority of the Consolidation for the following: Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS): title I of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. 12702-12711; Community Development Block Grants (CDBG): title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, 42 U.S.C. 5304-5320; Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG): title VI, subtitle B, of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 11371-11378; HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME): title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez Nation Affordable Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. 12741-12839; Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA): the AIDS; Housing Opportunity Act, 42 U.S.C. 12901-12912; Also serving as a basis for determining requirements in this rule are the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601- 3619), title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act, and Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C. 1701u). WHEREAS, the primary objective of the Community Development Entitlement Program is the development of viable urban communities, including decent housing and a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income, and whereas, consistent with this primary objective, the Federal Assistance realized from this application is for the support of community development activities which are directed toward the following specific objectives: (1) The elimination of slums and blight and the prevention of blighting influences and the deterioration of property and neighborhood and community facilities of importance to the welfare of the community, principally persons of low and moderate income; (2) The elimination of conditions which are detrimental to health, safety and public welfare, through code enforcement, demolition, interim rehabilitation assistance, and related activities; (3) The conversation of the city’s housing stock in order to provide a decent home and a suitable living environment for all persons, but principally those of low and moderate income; (4) The improvement of the quality of community services, principally for persons of low and moderate income, which are essential for sound community development; (5) The reduction of the isolation of income groups within communities and geographical areas and the promotion of an increase in the diversity and vitality of neighborhoods of housing opportunities for person of lower income and the revitalization of deteriorating neighborhoods to attract persons of higher income; and (6) The restoration and preservation of properties of special value or historic, architecture or aesthetic reasons. WHEREAS, THE City of Bossier City possesses legal authority to apply for this grant, and all other related Housing Urban Development Programs to execute all proposed projects and whereas, this City is now established as an “Entitlement City”; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Bossier City hereby supports Lorenz Walker, Mayor of Bossier City, Louisiana, the chief official of Bossier City, to apply for and sign all document as necessary and appropriate in the City’s application of Housing and Urban Development Programs. This resolution having been submitted to a vote by a motion of Mr. Don Williams and second by Mr. David Montgomery, Jr. and adopted on the 1st, day of August, 2017, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin ABSTAIN: none _________________________________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President __________________________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 65 OF 2017 A RESOLUTION TO HIRE OR PROMOTE ONE LABORER I TO REPLACE VACANT POSITION IN PARKS AND RECREATION. _____________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Bossier City authorizes the hiring of one Laborer I 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 Laborer 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. Scott Irwin and seconded by Mr. David Montgomery, Jr., and adopted on the 1st, day of August, 2017, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin ABSTAIN: none _________________________________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President __________________________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 66 OF 2017 A RESOLUTION TO FILL ONE VACANCY IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 2 of 2010 implemented a hiring freeze requiring Bossier City Council approval for the hiring of any personnel; and WHEREAS, one Laborer I vacancy exists in the Street Sweeping & Grass Cutting division 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 Laborer I position. 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 1st, day of August, 2017, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin ABSTAIN: none _________________________________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President __________________________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 67 OF 2017 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ONE FIRE DEPARTMENT LINE EMPLOYEE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A VACANCY FROM RETIREMENT: WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 2 of 2010 implemented a hiring freeze requiring Bossier City Council approval for the hiring of any personnel; WHEREAS, one vacancy will exist in the Fire Department due to a Retirement 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 replace one Firefighter position; 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. Don Williams, and adopted on the 1st, day of August, 2017, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin ABSTAIN: none _________________________________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President __________________________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 68 OF 2017 A RESOLUTION TO REPLACE A WWTP OPERATOR VACANCY AT THE RED RIVER TREATMENT PLANT IN PUBLIC UTILITIES. _____________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Bossier City authorizes the replacement of a wastewater treatment plant operator at the Red River Treatment Plant. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Bossier City, in regular session convened, does hereby authorize the replacement of a wastewater treatment plant operator at the Red River Treatment Plant. 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. David Montgomery, Jr., and adopted on the 1st, day of August, 2017, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin ABSTAIN: none _________________________________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President __________________________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to approve Report of Change Order #1 for the project of removal and replacement of the media in filters 5-8 (WTP#2) for an increase of $89,500.00. Total cost with increase $573,500.00. Seconded by Mr. Irwin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Approve Report of Change Order for Bardot Street Culvert Repair an increase of $32,805.00. Total cost of contract with increase $152,201.00. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Free Motion to approve Parade Permit Fee Waiver for Northwest Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, September 30, 2017. Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to approve Report of Change Order #1 for the project of Eatman Street Water Main Improvements for an increase of $21,849.00. Total cost of contract with increase $214,053.00. Seconded by Mr. Irwin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Free Motion to Introduce an Ordinance transferring $100,000.00 from the 2017 Fire Department Salary Line to the 2017 Overtime Line within the Fire Department Budget. Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Announcement - A Public Hearing will be held on September 19, 2017, at the Bossier City Council Meeting at 3:00 P.M., to consider the adoption of the proposed Ordinance levying a tax of 23.36 mills on all taxable property within the limits of the City of Bossier City, Louisiana, for the year 2017, and providing the manner of assessment and collection thereof. Mr. Darby asked Mayor if anything was being done concerning the influx of stray cats, citing a recent letter from a resident asking for assistance. Mayor reported that citizens could contact Animal Control for traps that could be used to capture feral cats. There being no further business to come before this Council, meeting adjourned at 3:17 P.M. by Mr. Darby Respectfully submitted: Phyllis McGraw City Clerk Publish: August 9, 2017 Bossier Press Tribune