City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT THE REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 19, 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, November 19, 2019, 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, President Scott Irwin, Honorable Councilors David Montgomery, Jr., Timothy Larkin, Jeffery Darby, Don Williams, Jeff Free and Thomas Harvey Also Present: Mayor, Lorenz Walker, City Attorney, Jimmy Hall and City Clerk, Phyllis McGraw By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to approve minutes November 5, 2019, Regular Meeting and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Motion carries unanimously By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to add item #12 under New Business to agenda – Introduce an Ordinance appropriating Ten Thousand and No/100 ($10,000.00) from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund to fund a Christmas and Holiday Lighting Proposal from Red River Lights, LLC. Seconded by Mr. Larkin No comment Motion carries unanimously By: Mr. Free Motion to add item #13 under New Business to agenda – Introduce an Ordinance authorizing Mayor Lorenz Walker to acquire property on behalf of the City of Bossier and to execute any documents in furtherance thereof for the Viking Drive Road Project. Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to approve Agenda as amended. Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Ceremonial Matters/Recognition of Guests- Mr. Irwin welcomed members of the Bossier Youth leadership Program. Dr. Bruce Willson CEO United Way – gave the Council and Mayor an update on the United Way’s 211 Expansion. Showed a brief Powerpoint. Committee Reports- Stacie Fernandez – City Finance Director – gave Council the monthly Financial Report for month ending October 2019. She noted that Sales tax numbers have almost completely recovered. She also gave current manning levels. Mark Hudson – City Engineer – gave monthly Project Report. He noted that the majority of infrastructure for Innovation Drive was complete and they are about to start paving. Should be finished with project by August 2020 but will be finished a lot sooner. He also spoke about other projects going on in the City and noted that plans were just sent to DOTD for Viking Drive project. Unfinished Business – The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 133 Of 2019 AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING TWO-HUNDRED EIGHTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($280,000) FROM THE WATER CAPITAL CONTINGENCY TO PERFORM A PILOT STUDY TO DETERMINE IF NANOFILTRATION CAN ELIMINATE ENOUGH ORGANICS FROM BOSSIER CITY WATER TO USE FREE CHLORINE IN LIEU OF CHLORAMINES. ______________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, DHH has received the proposal for the testing of nanofiltration on the Bossier City Water System and has approved the pilot study; and WHEREAS, the implementation of new disinfection residual requirements combined with mandated maximum contaminant levels for disinfection byproducts drive the need for this pilot study that will determine the effectiveness of nanofiltration on organic removal; and WHEREAS, if the pilot study is successful it will result in significant savings in the water treatment process; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened that $280,000.00 is hereby appropriated from the Water Capital Contingency to perform a pilot study to determine if nanofiltration can eliminate enough organics from Bossier City Water to use free chlorine in lieu of chloramines. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Bossier City Council in regular session convened that Mayor Lorenz Walker is hereby authorized to execute any and all documents in conjunction with this matter. 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 19th, day of November, 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. 134 Of 2019 ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO COVER CONSTRUCTION COST FOR REPAIRS TO MISCELLANEOUS SEWER LIFT STATIONS (LS) FOR A TOTAL OF $100,000.00 TO COME FROM THE SEWER CAPITAL CONTINGENCY FUND WHEREAS the final opinion of construction costs for the Miscellaneous Sewer Lift Station repairs is $100,000.00. (see attachment Miscellaneous Lift Station Repairs – Ordinance Recommendation – October 21, 2019 for estimated detailed breakdown of the costs); and WHEREAS, the lift stations included are: Gay Street PS; Harrison Park PS; River Bluff 2 PS; Big Airline PS; Marlena PS WHEREAS, $100,000.00 may be appropriated from the Sewer Capital 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 $100,000.00 to come from the Sewer Capital Contingency Fund to cover the construction costs for repairs to Miscellaneous Sewer Lift Stations in the City of Bossier. 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 19th, day of November, 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. 135 Of 2019 ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO INSTALL A SMALL GRINDER PUMP STATION TO SERVICE THE NEW FIELD OF DREAMS RESTROOMS AT A COST OF $150,000 TO COME FROM THE SEWER CAPITAL AND CONTINGENCY FUND.  WHEREAS, the new restrooms proposed for the Field of Dreams Park requires sewer service. Currently, there is no existing gravity sewer along Hazel Jones Road to accommodate the new restroom. The City is recommending a small grinder pump station be installed to pump the sewer back to Swan Lake Road via a new 3” force main. WHEREAS, $150,000 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 $150,000.00 to come from the Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund to install a small grinder pump station on Hazel Jones Road. 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 19th, day of November, 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. 136 OF 2019 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING THE ENGAGEMENT OF HEARD, MCELROY, & VESTAL, LLC TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TO AUDIT THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY, CENTURYLINK ARENA FUND, FIREMEN’S PENSION AND RELIEF FUND, AND POLICEMEN’S PENSION AND RELIEF FUND. ______________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, Heard, McElroy, & Vestal, LLC, has conducted audits of the finances of the referenced entities in previous years; and WHEREAS, the referenced entities are required to have annual audits and receive a comprehensive annual financial report for the year ended December 31, 2019;  NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, that the City Council of Bossier City, in regular session convened, that Mr. Jeffery D. Darby, is hereby authorized to execute letters of engagement with Heard, McElroy, & Vestal, LLC and said letters of engagement are hereby approved. The above and foregoing Ordinance, 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 19th, day of November, 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 – Agenda Item Called - Witness opening of sealed bids for Bid #P19-27 Animal Control Renovations Base Bid Alt#1 Alt#2 Alt#3 Boggs & Poole Contracting Group, Inc. $1,529,000 $52,000 $14,500 $7,300 Kan Contracting, LLC $1,289,000 $37,163 $12,327 $5,546 M&M Builders, Inc. $1,450,000 $45,000 $14,000 $5,000 By: Mr. Williams Motion to approve reading of bids Seconded by Mr. Mr. Free No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Harvey Motion to introduce an Ordinance to appropriate $260,000.00 to come from the 2017 Sales Tax Bond Issue, to be used to contract with AEP/Swepco to provide Street Lighting for Innovation Drive and to provide incidental construction to facilitate the Street Lighting System. Seconded by Mr. Fee 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 Water Tank Rehabilitation and Painting Project (2 Tanks) for a total of $4,800,000.00 to come from the Water Capital Contingency Fund. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance transferring $24,900.00 from Herbicide and Mosquito Control Operational Budget (Chemicals) to fund 410 Parkway Capital Projects, Herbicide and Mosquito Control (Vehicles). Seconded by Mr. Free 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 Sewer Sub-Basin BC-04 Rehabilitation Project for a total of $774,000.00 to come from the Sewer Contingency Fund Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance to rehab the Waller Street Gravity Main at a cost of $1,000,000.00 to come from the Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 84 Of 2019 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF TWO (2) POLICE COMMUNICATION OFFICERS 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 two (2) Police Communication Officers due to the resignation of two Communication Officers. 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. Jeffery Darby, and seconded by Mr. Thomas Harvey, and adopted on the 19th, day of November, 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 No. 85 Of 2019 A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE U. S. CENSUS TO BE TAKEN IN 2020 IN THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY, BOSSIER PARISH, LOUISIANA WHEREAS, the Constitution of the United States of America requires that a census be taken every 10 years, with the first census having taken place in 1790, and the next census to take place in 2020; and WHEREAS, the City of Bossier City is committed to ensuring that every resident is counted; and WHEREAS, federal and state funding is allocated to communities, and decisions are made on matters of national and local importance based, in part, on census data; and WHEREAS, census data helps determine how many seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives and is necessary for the accurate and fair redistricting of state legislative seats, both city and parish and voting districts; and WHEREAS, information from the 2020 Census and American Community Survey are vital tools for economic development and increased employment; and WHEREAS, the information collected by census is confidential & protected by law; and WHEREAS, Mayor Lorenz Walker has appointed a Complete Count Committee and has designated a Chairperson and Liaison to work with the community and the US Census Bureau to ensure a complete and accurate count of all persons within the City of Bossier City, Bossier Parish, Louisiana; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bossier City Council supports the goals and ideals of the 2020 Census, pledges support of the US Census Bureau and the City of Bossier City efforts to disseminate 2020 Census information, and encourage all people in Bossier City to participate in events and initiatives that will raise awareness of the 2020 Census and increase participation among populations. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Bossier City approves and support the U. S. Census to be taken in 2020. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Mayor Lorenz J. Walker is hereby authorized to sign all documents for the furtherance of this Resolution. 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 19th, day of November, 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 Parade Permit Fee Waiver for Bellaire Elementary Mardi Gras Parade, February 25, 2020. Seconded by Mr. Free No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to approve Report of Change Order #1 for the Sewer-Sub Basin BC-15 Project for an increase of $130,575.80. Total cost of contract with increase $2,024,718.40. Seconded by Mr. Darby No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Harvey Motion to approve Report of Change Order #1 for the Hamilton Road Drainage Lift Station Project for an increase of $61,000.00. Total cost of contract with change order $840,879.00. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance appropriating Ten Thousand and No/100 ($10,000.00) from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund to fund a Christmas and Holiday Lighting Proposal from Red River Lights, LLC. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Harvey Motion to introduce an Ordinance authorizing Mayor Lorenz Walker to acquire property on behalf of the City of Bossier and to execute any documents in furtherance thereof for the Viking Drive Road Project. Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous. There being no further business to come before this Council, meeting adjourned at 4:06 PM by Mr. Irwin Respectfully submitted: Phyllis McGraw City Clerk Publish: November 27, 2019 Bossier Press Tribune