City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT THE REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 20, 2018 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 20, 2018, 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, Timothy Larkin, Scott Irwin, Don Williams, Jeff Free and Thomas Harvey Also Present: Mayor, Lorenz Walker, City Attorney, Jimmy Hall and City Clerk, Phyllis McGraw. By: Mr. Irwin Motion to approve minutes of the January 30, 2018, Special Meeting and February 6, 2018, Regular Meeting and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Irwin Motion to approve Agenda. Seconded by Mr. Larkin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Ceremonial Matters/ Recognition of Guests: none Committee Reports: Stacey Fernandez, Finance Director, gave the Council the monthly Finance Report for January 2018, noting that to get a true picture of the City's financial position a few more months would be needed. She did report that Sales Tax numbers were up 6.8%. Mr. Montgomery asked Mr. Darby to request an annual update from Manchac on status of their savings on Capital, Cost Avoidance and Operating. Mr. Darby requested Mayor to have Manchac make a presentation at the March 6th Meeting. Unfinished Business: The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No.11 Of 2018 ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO COVER CONSTRUCTION COST FOR THE SEWER SUB-BASIN BC-19 REHABILITATION PROJECT FOR A TOTAL OF $2,489,338.00 TO COME FROM THE 2016 LDEQ LOAN CS-221103-02 WHEREAS the final opinion of construction costs for the Sewer Sub-Basin BC-19 Rehabilitation project is $2,489,338.00. (see attachment Sewer Sub Basin BC-19 Rehabilitation Project – Final Opinion of Probable Construction Cost for estimated detailed breakdown of the costs); and  WHEREAS, $2,489,338.00 may be appropriated from the 2016 LDEQ Loan CS-221103-02. 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 $2,489,338.00 to come from 2016 LDEQ Loan CS-221103-02 to cover the construction costs for the Sewer Sub-Basin BC-19 rehabilitation project . 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 20th, day of February, 2018, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 12 Of 2018 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZNG LORENZ WALKER, MAYOR, CITY OF BOSSIER CITY, ON BEHALF OF BOSSIER CITY, TO ENTER INTO AND EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH ARCHON INFORMATION SYSTEMS, LLC, D/B/A CIVICSOURCE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF AN ONLINE AUCTION AND SALE OF ADJUDICATED PROPERTIES PROGRAM. _____________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, each year tax title to immovable properties are adjudicated to the City of Bossier City, for the nonpayment of ad valorem property taxes; and WHEREAS, these adjudicated properties remain on the adjudicated property tax roll until such time as these properties are redeemed by the full payment to the City of Bossier City, of all taxes due and full payment to the City of Bossier City, of any applicable recorded liens assessed to the property by the City of Bossier City, or are sold or transferred as indicated hereinafter; and WHEREAS, the City of Bossier City does not have adequate resources to market and satisfy all legal requirements to process the sale of adjudicated property to parties that desire to purchase same; and  WHEREAS, the City of Bossier City cannot offer any warranty of title or title insurance on the property sold to the parties who purchase adjudicated property through its current process: and WHEREAS, many of these adjudicated properties are abandoned and contribute to blight; and WHEREAS, the goal of the City of Bossier City, in the sale of adjudicated property is to encourage the redemption of these properties, to bring these properties back into commerce and productive use, to return these properties back to the active tax rolls, to stimulate economic development, and to increase property tax and other tax revenue; and WHEREAS, the City of Bossier City, is of the opinion that an online sale and auction of adjudicated property, with the promise of title insurance, will increase the redemptions of adjudicated property and increase the number sales of adjudicated property in the City of Bossier City, thus fostering the goals of returning these properties to commerce and productive use and will provide the buyers of these properties a chance to purchase property with title insurance. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that Mayor Lorenz Walker on behalf of the City of Bossier City is hereby authorized to enter into and execute a professional services agreement with Archon Information Systems, LLC, d/b/a CivicSource for the establishment and administration of an online auction of and due diligence efforts to sell adjudicated properties in compliance with all Federal, State and local laws and with title insurance. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that Mayor Lorenz Walker on behalf of the City of Bossier City, is hereby authorized to execute an act of non-warranty cash sale in which Mayor Lorenz Walker, on behalf of the City of Bossier City, conveys unto the high bidder at public auction or to eligible adjoining landowner all right, title, and interest in and to a property adjudicated to the City of Bossier City and to execute any and all other documents needed in connection therewith. 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 20th, day of February, 2018, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 13 OF 2018 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF ONE POLICE K-9 DOG. WHEREAS, with the retirement of one Police K-9 dog, one vacancy now exists in the Police K-9 Unit and filling this position will allow all 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 purchase one Police K-9 dog. The above and foregoing Ordinance was read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Jeff Free, and second by Mr. Timothy Larkin, and adopted on the 20th, day of February, 2018, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted:  Ordinance No. 14 Of 2018 AN ORDINANCE TO CORRECT TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS IN THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION SET FORTH IN ORDINANCE NO. 164 OF 2017 REGARDING AN AERIAL EASEMENT OVER AN ALLEY LOCATED BEHIND 145 EVANS PLACE SUBDIVISION OF BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA _____________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, an existing bill board hangs over an alley between Lot 145 Evans Place and I-20 and the owner is seeking an aerial easement for the same; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that an aerial easement is hereby granted over the following described property: LOCATING A GRANT OF EASEMENT RECORDED AT INSTRUMENT NO. 1176013, RECORDS OF BOSSIER PARISH, LOUISIANA, BEING THE SOUTH 53 FEET OF LOT 145, EVANS PLACE A SUBDIVISION OF BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA RECORDED IN BOOK 60, PAGE 39 RECORDS OF BOSSIER PARISH, LOUISIANA, MUNICIPAL ADDRESS IS 924 DELHI STREET, BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA 71111, EASEMENT CONTAINS 2122.48 SQUARE FEET. AND AN EASEMENT 20 FEET IN WIDTH ADJOINING THE SOUTH LINE OF LOT 145, IN THE 25 FOOT ALLEY, SHOWN ON PLAT OF EVANS PLACE A SUBDIVISION OF BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA RECORDED IN BOOK 60, PAGE 39 RECORDS OF BOSSIER PARISH, LOUISIANA, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS; BEGIN AT A ONE INCH IRON PIPE FOUND FOR THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF SAID LOT 145, THENCE RUN S0°38’47”W A DISTANCE OF 20 FEET TO A POINT FOR CORNER IN THE ALLEY, THENCE RUN S89°36’49”E PARALLEL TO THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID LOT 145 A DISTANCE OF 40.05 FEET TO A POINT FOR CORNER IN THE SAID ALLEY, THENCE RUN NO °38’47”E A DISTANCE OF 20 FEET TO THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SAID LOT 145, THENCE RUN N89°36’49”W ALONG THE SAID SOUTH LINE OF SAID LOT 145 A DISTANCE OF 40.05 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING CONTAINING 800.93 SQUARE FEET. For as long as the billboard remains in existence. 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. Thomas Harvey, and adopted on the 20th, day of February, 2018, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk By: Mr. Montgomery Motion to adopt an Ordinance implementing budgetary controls and otherwise providing with respect thereto. Seconded by Mr. Larkin By: Mr. Larkin Motion to amend Ordinance to add to this Ordinance that the Mayor preserves the right to act independently to declare an emergency for City Offices Closing. Seconded by Mr. Montgomery Further discussion on wording of this Ordinance and amendment Motion carried with the following vote: Yeas: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin and Mr. Free Nays: Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams and Mr. Harvey Abstain: none Absent: none By: Mr. Williams Motion to delete the entire paragraph of the Ordinance that concerns Council Control over City Offices Closing. Seconded by Mr. Harvey Mayor reported that he would contact Council President of any future decisions. Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Irwin Motion to reintroduce amended Ordinance implementing budgetary controls and otherwise providing with respect thereto. Seconded by Mr. Larkin No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous New Business: Agenda Item called: Witness opening of sealed bids for City Wide Concrete Repairs. 1. 3 Gen Construction $1,046,000.00 2. CW&W Contractors, Inc. $1,165,250.00 3. Best Yet Builders, LLC. $ 977,935.00 4. H & H Contracting Company, Inc. $1,052,100.00 5. Karma Contractors, LLC $1,039,000.00 6. RVP Construction , Inc. $ 985,750.00 By: Mr. Irwin Motion to approve reading of the bids Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance to authorize the City to enter into an agreement with Gumbeaux Event Productions to provide Professional Event Production and Management of the East Bank District and Plaza Seconded by Mr. Larkin Questions from Council concerning the company's Business Plan, area that the agreement would encompass, ending date for agreement and what would City receive for their investment. Pam Glorioso, CAO and company owner, Terri Matthews, answered Councilmen's questions and updated Council on events taking place in the District. During discussion, Jimmy Hall, City Attorney, reported that at the moment, due to State law, none of the businesses in the area would be permitted to allow to-go cup alcoholic beverages. Motion failed due to the following vote: Yeas: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin and Mr. Irwin Nays: Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey Abstain: none Absent: none By: Mr. Irwin Motion to introduce an Ordinance enacting Section 6-47 of the Bossier City Code of Ordinances entitled - Special Events Alcohol Permit - Festival Plaza Region. Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. No comment Motion carried with the following vote: Yeas: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin and Mr. Free Nays: Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams and Mr. Harvey Absent: none Abstain: none By: Mr. Larkin Motion to introduce an Ordinance to appropriate $4,652.40 to come from the Sales Tax Capital Improvement Fund to be used for rewiring and reorganizing the computer equipment at the Bossier Homeland Security Office. Seconded by Mr. Irwin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance amending Section 18-40 Section (d) (5) regarding the prohibition of electrical fences. Seconded by Mr. Larkin Audience member thanked Council for considering this change. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance amending Section 118-4 - TNC Permit Required: Fees Relative to the Regulation of Transportation Network Companies. Seconded by Mr. Larkin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance appropriating $56,000 plus benefits for a total of $78,864.84 from the General Fund, Fund Balance to hire an Assistant Director of Permits. Seconded by Mr. Harvey Mr. Montgomery commented in favor of this decision Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 5 OF 2018 A RESOLUTION TO HIRE OR PROMOTE ONE RECREATION MAINTENANCE WORKER II TO REPLACE VACANT POSITION IN PARKS AND RECREATION. _____________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Bossier City authorizes the hiring of one Recreation Maintenance Worker II to replace vacant position in Parks and Recreation due to termination. 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 Recreation Maintenance Worker II to replace vacant position in Parks and Recreation and backfill any vacancies created by transfer or promotion. The above and foregoing Resolution, read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Thomas Harvey and seconded by Mr. Don Williams, and adopted on the 20th, day of February, 2018, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 6 OF 2018 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF THREE REPLACEMENT POLICE OFFICERS, ONE REPLACEMENT POLICE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER I, AND ONE REPLACEMENT POLICE RECORDS CLERK I DUE TO RESIGNATIONS 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 three replacement Police Officers, one replacement Police Communications Officer I, and one replacement Police Records Clerk I. 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. Timothy Larkin, and adopted on the 20th, day of February, 2018, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 7 OF 2018 A RESOLUTION TO FILL TWO VACANCIES 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 in the Animal Control Division and one Laborer I vacancy exists in the Street Sweeping & Grass Cutting 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 positions. 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. Timothy Larkin, and adopted on the 20th, day of February, 2018, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: Resolution No. 8 of 2018 A RESOLUTION TO COMMIT $250 THOUSAND DOLLARS ANNUALLY FOR 12 YEARS FOR A TOTAL OF $3 MILLION TOWARD COMPLETION OF THE I-20 AT I-220 INTERCHANGE INTO BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE (BAFB) WHEREAS, for current and future mission support to BAFB this interchange is urgently needed; and WHEREAS, completion of this interchange will directly support our National Security and also have a major economic impact on State and local economies; and WHEREAS, Governor Edwards has and still strongly supports completion of this interchange into BAFB; and WHEREAS, the estimated cost of this project is $90 million dollars and will require a local 20% match in the amount of $18 million to be paid for over 12 years with $12 million from the NLCOG, and $3 million from the BPPJ, and $3 million from the City of Bossier City; and WHEREAS, THIS WILL BE A “DESIGN/BUILD” project to be completed in not more than 12 years; and WHEREAS, the BPPJ has passed their Resolution and the NLCOG has verbally endorsed it and the Resolution will be formally completed within the next 2 months; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that the City of Bossier City will commit $250,000 annually for 12 years for a total of not more than $3,000,000. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor is hereby authorized to sign any and all documents in furtherance of this Resolution. The above and foregoing Resolution was read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Jeff Free, and seconded by Mr. Don Williams, and and adopted on the 20th, day of February, 2018, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk By: Mr. Free Motion to approve parade permit fee waiver for Crosswalk 2018 Bellaire Baptist - March 30, 2018. Seconded by Mr. Irwin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Resolution offered and adopted: Resolution No. 9 Of 2018 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF A TAX AUDITOR DUE TO RESIGNATION  ______________________________________________ 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 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. Timothy Larkin, and seconded by Mr. Don Williams, and adopted on the 20th, day of February, 2018, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 10 OF 2018 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ONE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A VACANCY FROM RESIGNATION: 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 Communications Division of the Fire Department due to a Resignation 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 Communications position; The above and foregoing Resolution was read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Timothy Larkin, and second by Mr. Jeff Free, and adopted on the 20th, day of February, 2018, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Mr. Darby thanked the Utilities Department and Manchac for the work being done on the Baskin Evans Project. There being no further business to come before this Council, meeting adjourned at 4:05 P.M. by Mr. Darby Respectfully submitted: Phyllis McGraw City Clerk Publish: February 28, 2018 Bossier Press Tribune