City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT THE REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 20, 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, August 20, 2019, at 3:00 PM Invocation was given by Council Member Jeffery Darby Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Timothy Larkin Roll Call as follows: Present: Honorable Scott Irwin, President, Honorable Councilors David Montgomery, Jr., Timothy Larkin, Jeffery Darby, Don Williams, Jeff Free and Thomas Harvey Absent: none Also Present: Mayor, Lorenz Walker, City Attorney, Jimmy Hall and City Clerk, Phyllis McGraw By: Mr. Williams Motion to approve minutes August 6, 2019, Regular Meeting and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Harvey No comment Motion carries unanimously By: Mr. Williams Motion to approve Agenda. Seconded by Mr. Darby No comment Motion carries unanimously Ceremonial Matters/Recognition of Guests- Police Chief, Shane McWilliams presented Life Saving Awards to Sergeant Michael Booker and Michael Iman for their actions in saving lives in two different events in July. Committee Reports- Finance Director, Stacie Fernandez, gave Monthly Financial Report noting revenues and expenses for month ending July 2019. Unfinished Business – Agenda Item Called - Hearing to review the recommendation of demolition and removal of a dilapidated structure located at the following legal address: 1325 Airline Drive., Bossier City, LA. 71112. Property owner Faheem Shams asked for more time to demolish. By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to demolish as soon as legally possible suspended by 30 days. Seconded by Mr. Larkin No comment Motion in favor of motion is unanimous The following Ordinance offered and adopted:  ORDINANCE NO. 87 OF 2019 AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $80,000.00 FROM THE SALES TAX CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND TO BE USED TO SUPPLEMENT THE ALREADY APPROPRIATED $90,000.00 WITH ALL FUNDS TO BE USED FOR CONCRETE REPAIRS AT CITY HALL PARKING LOTS. WHEREAS; unforeseen water main leaks have caused significant damage to concrete parking at City Hall requiring significant extra work and expense to make the necessary repairs; WHEREAS; additional work has been identified since the project was originally bid; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, in regular session convened that the Bossier City Council does hereby appropriate $80,000.00 from the Sales Tax Capital Projects Fund, to be used to supplement the already appropriated $90,000.00 with all funds to be used for concrete repairs at City Hall parking lots. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the Mayor is hereby authorized to sign any and all instruments 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. Jeff Free, and adopted on the 20th day of August, 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 ________________________________ Scott Irwin, President ________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 88 Of 2019 ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO CONDUCT REPAIRS FOR THE NORTHSIDE DRIVE AND ROME STREET GRAVITY MAINS AT A COST OF $300,000 TO COME FROM THE SEWER CAPITAL AND CONTINGENCY FUND WHEREAS, both areas require extensive well pointing and are at depths beyond 12 feet and have significant utility conflicts. Bossier City Utility Department crews have worked diligently to keep sewer flowing at both locations, but more resources are needed to permanently restore flow; and WHEREAS, $300,000 will come from the Sewer 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 approve an ordinance to appropriate $300,000 to come from the Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund to conduct repairs to Northside Drive and Rome Street sewer gravity mains. 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. Timothy Larkin, and adopted on the 20th day of August, 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 ________________________________ Scott Irwin, President ________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No 89 Of 2019 ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO COVER CONSTRUCTION COST FOR THE SEWER SUB-BASIN BC-20 REHABILITATION PROJECT FOR A TOTAL OF $600,000.00 TO COME FROM THE 2016 LDEQ LOAN CS-221103-02. WHEREAS the final opinion of construction costs for the Sewer Sub-Basin BC-20 Rehabilitation Project is $600,000.00. (see attachment Sewer Sub Basin BC-20 Rehabilitation Project – Final Opinion of Construction Cost for estimated detailed breakdown of the costs); and WHEREAS, $600,000.00 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 $600,000.00 may be appropriated from the 2016 LDEQ Loan CS-221103-02 to cover the construction costs for the Sewer Sub-Basin BC-20 Rehabilitation Project. 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. Timothy Larkin, and adopted on the 20th day of August, 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 ________________________________ Scott Irwin, President ________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 90 Of 2019 AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE SIXTY THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM THE FROM THE SALES TAX CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND TO RESTRIP PARKING LOTS AT NORTH BOSSIER PARK AND TENNIS CENTER AND SEVERAL OTHER PARKS WHEREAS, the recreation department desires to restripe several parking lots at North Bossier Park and Tennis Center and several other parks; and WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Department wishes to appropriate $60,000 from the Sales Tax Capital Improvement Fund for restriping purposes; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that an ordinance declaring the appropriation of funding for restriping several parking lots at the parks in the amount of $60,000.00. The above and foregoing Ordinance was read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Thomas Harvey, and seconded by Mr. David Montgomery, Jr., and adopted on the 20th day of August, 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 ________________________________ Scott Irwin, President ________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 91 OF 2019 AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE AN ADDITIONAL $420,000.00 FROM THE WALTER O. BIGBY CARRIAGEWAY FUND TO BE USED FOR ADDITIONAL ENGINEERING AND SURVEY FEES FOR THE DESIGN OF THE WALTER O. BIGBY CARRIAGEWAY. WHEREAS; the original engineering and survey fee for the Walter O. Bigby Carriageway was based on an estimated construction cost of $27,565,724.00, estimated in 2015;  WHEREAS; the size and scope of the design has increased significantly due to, but not limited to, additional surveys for right of way acquisitions, bridge size and alterations; additional design and studies as required by Corps of Engineers; drainage basin and pump station design; addition of Shed Road to Benton Road; inflation; WHEREAS; the new revised construction cost estimate is $39.5 Million, which calculates to an additional design fee of $420,000.00; WHEREAS; additional fees over and above the $420,000.00 design fee increase shall be required to comply with additional Corps of Engineers requirements yet to be determined and shall be appropriated in a separate ordinance; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, in regular session convened that the Bossier City Council does hereby appropriate an additional $420,000.00 from the Walter O. Bigby Carriageway Fund to be used for additional engineering and survey fees for the design of the Walter O. Bigby Carriageway; BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the Mayor is hereby authorized to sign any and all instruments 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. Thomas Harvey and seconded by Mr. Don Williams, and adopted on the 20th day of August, 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 ________________________________ Scott Irwin, President ________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 92 Of 2019 ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO MAKE REPAIRS TO PUMP #5 AT THE RESERVOIR PUMP STATION AT A COST OF $45,000.00 TO COME FROM THE WATER CAPITAL AND CONTINGENCY FUND WHEREAS. The pump repairs are required to ensure the reservoir pump station is 100% operational. This is a critical component of infrastructure that supplies water to the WTP. (see attached for estimated detailed breakdown of the costs); and WHEREAS, $45,000.00 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 $45,000.00 to come from the Water Capital and Contingency Fund to repair pump #5 at the Reservoir Pump 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. Timothy Larkin, and adopted on the 20th day of August, 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 ________________________________ Scott Irwin, President ________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk New Business – Mr. Montgomery stepped out of the meeting at 3:20 Agenda Item Called - Witness opening of sealed bids for Bid#19-522 – 2125 Smith Street Demolition 3 GEN Construction, LLC. $ 8,463.00 Precision Builders, Inc. $17,800.00 SEMS, Inc. $ 8,934.00 By: Mr. Williams Motion to approve reading of bids. Seconded by Mr. Harvey No comment Motion carried with the following vote: Yeas: Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey Nays: none Absent: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Abstain: none Agenda Item Called - Witness opening of sealed bids for Bid#19-693 – 906 Antony Street A Demolition 3 GEN Construction, LLC $38,200.00 Precision Builders, Inc. $23,300.00 SEMS, Inc. $29,859.00 By: Mr. Williams Motion to approve reading of bids. Seconded by Mr. Larkin No comment Motion carried with the following vote: Yeas: Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey Nays: none Absent: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Abstain: none Agenda Item Called - Witness opening of sealed bids for Bid#P19-18 – Hamilton Road Stormwater Lift Station Axis Construction, LLC. $ 848,000.00 Belt Construction, Inc. $1,042,450.00 Dixie Overland Construction, LLC. $ 779,279.00  Mitchell Contracting, Inc. $ 804,000.00 By: Mr. Williams Motion to approve reading of bids. Seconded by Mr. Larkin No comment Motion carried with the following vote: Yeas: Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey Nays: none Absent: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Abstain: none By: Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance appropriating One Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,400,000) from the Land Acquisition Fund to construct a Joint Public Safety Training Tower with a Fire Training Simulator and Active Shooter Training Facility. Seconded by Mr. Larkin No comment Motion carried with the following vote: Yeas: Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey Nays: none Absent: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Abstain: none Mr. Montgomery returned to the meeting at 3:23 PM By: Mr. Harvey Motion to introduce an Ordinance appropriating Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) from the 2016 Sales Tax Bond Issue to design and construct Public Restrooms and Storage for the East Bank District. Seconded by Mr. Free No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance to appropriate $19,241.00 to come from Riverboat Gaming Capital Project Fund, to be used to contract with AEP/Swepco to install additional street lighting at five various School Crossings about Bossier City. Seconded by Mr. Larkin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 63 Of 2019 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF A RECREATION MAINTENANCE WORKER I, FOR THE PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 21 of 2018 implemented a requirement assuring that the City department budgets not be exceeded by any hiring of any personnel; and WHEREAS, the position of Recreation Maintenance Worker I is vacant due to retirement, resignation or termination; and  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. Don Williams, and seconded by Mr. Thomas Harvey, and adopted on the 20th day of August, 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 ________________________________ Scott Irwin, President ________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 64 OF 2019 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ENGAGEMENT OF AN EMPLOYMENT SERVICE FOR THE HIRING OF TEMPORARY CONTRACT EMPLOYEES FOR LABOR USE FOR THE BOSSIER CIVIC CENTER FOR THE EVENTS REQUIRING ADDITIONAL MANPOWER FOR ANY NIGHT-TIME TURN AROUND REQUIREMENTS. _____________________________________________________ WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 21 of 2018 and Ordinance 76 of 2019 implemented a requirement assuring that the City department budgets not be exceeded by any hiring of any personnel; and WHEREAS, the Bossier Civic Center has existing contract agreements for events to be held in the building, which will require additional manpower to accommodate the event. The city administration request that the department be allowed to hire no more than three (3) temporary workers for each of the one-night turn-arounds for the building in order to accommodate these booked events. WHEREAS, the administration and the department assures that all current budgets have been verified and that no authorized funds will be 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 contracting 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. Don Williams, and adopted on the 20th day of August, 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 ________________________________ Scott Irwin, President ________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Public Hearing concerning the City’s application to the United States Department of Justice to participate in the Edward Byrne Memorial Assistance Grant Program. Mr. Irwin opened the Public Hearing up for comments from the audience. Hearing no comments Mr. Irwin closed the Public Hearing at 3:25PM The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 65 OF 2019 A RESOLUTION ENDORSING THE CITY’S APPLICATION TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM WHEREAS, any law enforcement initiative funded by the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program; and, WHEREAS, the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program was implemented by H.R. 3036 and, in part, supports a broad range of law enforcement activities to prevent and control crime; and, WHEREAS, the city of Bossier City possesses legal authority to apply for and receive a JAG grant award; and, WHEREAS, the City of Bossier City will make application to the Bureau of Justice Assistance for a joint award, to be shared between the Parish and the City, under this authorization for the purpose of providing extended law enforcement services to the citizens of Bossier City, Louisiana; and, WHEREAS, the Mayor of Bossier City names the Chief of Police as his designee for the purpose of signing the grant application and other grant documents; and,  WHEREAS, the City of Bossier City, in conjunction with the Bossier City Police Department, agrees to meet all grant requirements and to execute all proposed projects related thereto in a timely manner. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Bossier City, in regular session convened, hereby supports Mayor Lorenz Walker, Chief Executive Officer of Bossier City, and Chief Patrick Shane McWilliams, Chief of Police, in making application for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. The above and foregoing Resolution, read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Jeffery Darby, seconded by Mr. Don Williams, and adopted on the 20th day of August, 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 ________________________________ Scott Irwin, President ________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk By: Mr. Williams Motion to approve Report of Change Order #2 for the Sewer-Sub Basin BC-10 Phase 1 Project for an increase of $60,133.44. Total cost of contract with increase $1,078,229.58. Seconded by Mr. Larkin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Introduce an Ordinance to conduct repairs for the Creole Street Sewer Repairs at a cost of $35,000 to come from the Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund and authorizes the City to enter into a contract with IPR South Central for completion of work. Seconded by Mr. Larkin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous There being no further business to come before this Council, meeting adjourned at 3:28PM by Mr. Irwin Respectfully submitted: Phyllis McGraw City Clerk Publish: August 28, 2019 Bossier Press Tribune