City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT THE REGULAR MEETING JUNE 18, 2019 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, June 18, 2019, at 3:00 PM Invocation was given by Council Member Jeffery Darby Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member David Montgomery, Jr. Roll Call as follows: Present: Honorable Councilor Jeff Free, President, Honorable Councilors, David Montgomery, Jr, Timothy Larkin, Scott Irwin, Jeffery Darby, Don Williams and Thomas Harvey Also Present: Mayor, Lorenz Walker, Assistant City Attorney, Gordon Mosley and City Clerk, Phyllis McGraw By: Mr. Williams Motion to approve minutes June 4, 2019, Regular 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 add to Agenda Item #16 under New Business – Introduce an Ordinance declaring approximately 150 air packs (SCBA) that do not meet the current NFPA Standards, surplus to the needs of the City and donating same to Juarez, Mexico for firefighting. Seconded by Mr. Harvey No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to approve Agenda as amended. Seconded by Mr. Darby No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Ceremonial Matters/Recognition of Guests- Dave Smith – Norleap – Spoke about the Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program and their work to help startup companies grow. He noted that they also participated in the recent Barksdale Airshow and been able to help a few Bossier Parish companies. Committee Reports- Stacie Fernandez, City Finance Director gave monthly Financial Report for month ending May 2019. She noted that sales taxes collections have rebounded some. Mark Hudson, City Engineer gave monthly project report. He noted that there is about 10 calendar days left on Shed Road project. All other City projects are going really well. Ginger Adam Corley, City Lobbyist gave the Annual Legislative Update and noted several bills that would impact Bossier City. She also noted that she was watching legislation in Lafayette concerning low speed scooters. Mr. Montgomery asked for her to follow it and asked for her to help draft legislation for the City to place a moratorium on them until more information could be obtained. Unfinished Business – The following Ordinance offered and adopted:  Ordinance No.71 Of 2019 AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $2 MILLION (TWO MILLION DOLLARS) FROM THE 2017 SALES TAX REVENUE BOND. WHEREAS, utilities need to be provided to the property accessed by both Melrose and Plantation. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that $2 million (Two Million Dollars) is hereby appropriated from the 2017 Sales Tax Revenue Bond. 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 18th, day of June, 2019, 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 ____________________________ Jeff Free, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 72 Of 2019 ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO REMOVE BUILT UP DEBRIS FROM RAW WATER INTAKE FOR A TOTAL OF $25,000.00 TO COME FROM THE WATER CAPITAL AND CONTINGENCY FUND WHEREAS, debris has built up around the Raw Water Intake Structure at the North River Pumping Station and needs to be removed. (see attachment for estimated detailed breakdown of the costs); and WHEREAS, $25,000.00 may be appropriated from the Water Capital and Contingency 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 $25,000.00 to come from Water Capital and Contingency fund to cover the costs to remove the debris that has built up around the raw water intake.  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 18th, day of June, 2019 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 ____________________________ ______________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 73 Of 2019 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING MAYOR LORENZ WALKER TO EXECUTE THE ATTACHED MUNICIPAL ADVISOR ENGAGEMENT LETTER WITH ARGENT ADVISORS INC. WHEREAS, the City of Bossier City needs a Municipal Advisor to assist with financial analysis relevant to any proposed bond issuance or financial analysis needed to make prudent financial decisions; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, that Mayor Lorenz Walker is hereby authorized to execute the attached Municipal Advisor Engagement letter with Argent Advisors, Inc. 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. Scott Irwin, and adopted on the 18th, day of June, 2019 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 ____________________________ ______________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk New Business – Witness opening of sealed bids for Bid #P19-13 – South Hardwick Drive Reconstruction 3 Gen Construction $198,579.00  A&H Building & Construction, LLC. $186,533.00 C W&W Contractors, Inc. $227,700.00 RVP Construction, Inc. $181,997.00 By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to approve reading of bids Seconded by Mr. Williams Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Witness opening of sealed bids for Bid#19-107 – 1741 School Street Demolition 3 Gen Construction $10,200.00 (SEMS) Southern Environmental Management & Specialties $ 6,448.00 By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to approve reading of bids Seconded by Mr. Irwin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance to appropriate funds to cover construction cost for the Hamilton Road Drainage Lift Station Improvement Project for a total of $1,320,000.00 to come from the 2014 Utility Bond Issue. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Irwin Motion to introduce an Ordinance to appropriate funds to cover construction cost for the Shady Grove and Len Street Lift Station Improvement Project for a total of $170,000.00 to come from the Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund and enter into a contract with Pulley Construction, Inc. for completion of work. Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance implementing a budgetary control requiring a Resolution to be approved by the Bossier City Council prior to the hiring or employment of any individual receiving wages, compensation or remuneration for labor including temporary or contractual employment. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to adopt a Resolution authorizing the engagement of an Employment Service for the hiring of a temporary contract employee for the Part-time position of the Bossier City Civic Center. Seconded by Mr. Irwin Mr. Montgomery asked that Council vote against this item until a decision can be made on the civic center. Item was defeated with the following vote: Yeas: none Nays: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free & Mr. Harvey Absent: none Abstain: none By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to adopt a Resolution authorizing the engagement of an Employment Service for the hiring of a temporary contract employee for the Office/Event Manager for the Bossier City Civic Center. Seconded by Mr. Irwin Mr. Montgomery asked that Council also vote against this item until a decision can be made on the civic center. Item was defeated with the following vote: Yeas: none Nays: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free & Mr. Harvey Absent: none Abstain: none The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 40 OF 2019 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING FOUR FIRE DEPARTMENT LINE EMPLOYEES TO BE REPLACED DUE TO VACANCIES FROM RETIREMENT: WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 2 of 2010 implemented a hiring freeze requiring Bossier City Council approval for the hiring of any personnel; WHEREAS, four vacancies will exist in the Fire Department due to four Retirements 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 four Firefighter positions; The above and foregoing Resolution was read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Jeffery Darby, and second by Mr. Don Williams, and adopted on the 18th, day of June, 2019 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 ____________________________ ______________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 41 Of 2019 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF ONE (1) POLICE OFFICER FOR THE BOSSIER CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT. WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 21 of 2019 implemented a requirement assuring that the City department budgets not be exceeded by any hiring of any personnel; and WHEREAS, the hiring of one (1) Police Officer due to resignation of one Police Officer. WHEREAS, the administration and the department assures that all current budgets have been verified and that no authorized salary has been exceeded; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that the administration is authorized to proceed with hiring procedures for the fulfillment of this 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 seconded by Mr. Jeffery Darby, and adopted on the 18th, day of June, 2019 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 ____________________________ ______________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 42 Of 2019 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF ONE (1) POLICE OFFICER AND ONE (1) JAILER FOR THE BOSSIER CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT. WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 21 of 2019 implemented a requirement assuring that the City department budgets not be exceeded by any hiring of any personnel; and WHEREAS, the hiring of one (1) Police Officer and one (1) Jailer due to resignation of one Police Officer and one Jailer.  WHEREAS, the administration and the department assures that all current budgets have been verified and that no authorized salary has been exceeded; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that the administration is authorized to proceed with hiring procedures for the fulfillment of this 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 seconded by Mr. Scott Irwin, and adopted on the 18th, day of June, 2019 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 ____________________________ ______________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to approve Report of Change Order #1 for the Sewer-Sub Basin BC-10 Phase I Project for an increase of $359,106.94. Total cost of contract with increase $1,018,096.14. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to approve Report of Change Order #1 for the Sewer-Sub Basin BC-10 Phase 2 Project for an increase of $120,082.33. Total cost of contract with increase $411,613.13. Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Agenda Item Called: Elect Vice President for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 By: Mr. Williams Nomination of Mr. David Montgomery, Jr. Seconded by Mr. Harvey No comment Vote in favor of nomination is unanimous Agenda Item called: Elect President for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Nomination of Mr. Scott Irwin Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of nomination is unanimous By: Mr. Larkin Motion to approve Report of Change Order for Chiller No. 1 Replacement an increase of $7,850.00. Total cost of Change Order with increase $250,550.00. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance declaring approximately 150 Air Packs (SCBA) that do not meet the current NFPA Standards, surplus to the needs of the City and donating same to Juarez, Mexico for Firefighting. Seconded by Mr. Harvey No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Mr. Williams thanked Mr. Free for his service as President for the past year. There being no further business to come before this Council, meeting adjourned at 4:04 PM by Mr. Free Respectfully submitted: Phyllis McGraw City Clerk Publish: June 26, 2019 Bossier Press Tribune