City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A SPECIAL MEETING MARCH 31, 2020 The City Council of the City of Bossier City, State of Louisiana, met in Special session in Council Chambers, 620 Benton Road, Bossier City, Louisiana, March 31, 2020, at 3:00 PM Mr. Irwin called the meeting to order and made statements on how the meeting would be handled and thanked everyone for their patience as we implemented the changes. Invocation was given by Council Member Scott Irwin Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Don Williams City Clerk, Phyllis McGraw, read the following statement: The Bossier City Council will do it’s best to allow for public participation during today’s meeting and all future meetings until the Governor’s order has been rescinded. Since we can only have 10 people in the chambers for the meeting, the public comments can also be made via electronic devices. Today’s meeting will be livestreamed on Bossiercity.org website or at www.bossiercity.org/373/live-stream and on Suddenlink channel 12. If you have any comments that you would like to make on any agenda item, you can email those comments to cityclerk@bossiercity.org and they will be read into record. Also during the meeting if you have any comments on the agenda item being considered, you may call 318-549-4595 and you will be placed on speaker phone to make your comments. You must state your name and address for the record and you will be limited to 3 minutes for your comments. We will allow 5 for an item and 5 against an item in accordance with Adopted City Council Meeting Rules. Please remember that this is not a question and answer session and that you must speak clearly and slowly so that we can understand you. Please no foul language or the call will be disconnected and you will forfeit your right to speak. Since we are allowing for a public comment period, agenda items will take longer than usual because we will allow 45 seconds between the reading of the item and the vote being taken, for any public comment. Thanks for your patience and understanding. Roll Call as follows: Present: Honorable, President Scott Irwin, Honorable Councilors David Montgomery, Jr., Timothy Larkin, Jeffery Darby (conference call), 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 Agenda. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Unfinished Business – The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 30 Of 2020 AN ORDINANCE APPOINTING MANCHAC CONSULTING GROUP, INC. AS THE LEAD ENGINEER AND MANAGER OF THE WALTER O. BIGBY CARRIAGEWAY PROJECT WHEREAS, Manchac Consulting Group, Inc., will assist with efficiencies and expediencies related to the Walter O. Bigby Carriageway Project;  NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that Manchac Consulting Group, Inc., shall be appointed as lead engineer and manager of the Walter O. Bigby Carriageway 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. Don Williams, and adopted on the 31st, day of March, 2020, at a Special Meeting of the Bossier City Council 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 – The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 31 Of 2020 AN ORDINANCE TO DECLARE THAT AN EMERGENCY DID EXIST IN THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY WHICH AFFECTS, PROPERTY, PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY DUE TO THE REQUIREMENT TO REPAIR COLLAPSED SEWER MAIN IN THE CENTRAL PARK AREA NORTH OF BONN STREET AT A COST OF $25,279.36 TO COME FROM SEWER CAPITAL CONTINGENCY FUNDS WHEREAS, an emergency repair to a collapsed sewer main in the Central Park area north of Bonn Street was required and; WHEREAS, the Utility Department hereby request $25,279.36 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 declare that an emergency exists and appropriates $25,279.36 to come from the Sewer Capital Contingency fund for this declared emergency. 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 31st, day of March, 2020, at a Special Meeting of the Bossier City Council 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. 32 Of 2020 AN ORDINANCE TO DECLARE THAT AN EMERGENCY DID EXIST IN THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY WHICH AFFECTS, PROPERTY, PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY DUE TO THE REQUIREMENT TO REPAIR RUPTURED A WATER MAIN WITHIN THE SOUTH BOUND TRAVEL LANE OF BARKSDALE BOULEVARD AT A COST OF $37,434.68 TO COME FROM WATER CAPITAL CONTINGENCY FUNDS WHEREAS, an emergency repair to a ruptured water main on Barksdale Boulevard was required and; WHEREAS, the Utility Department hereby request $37,434.68 be appropriated from the Water 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 declare that an emergency exists and appropriates $37,434.68 to come from the Water Capital Contingency fund for this declared emergency. 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 31st, day of March, 2020, at a Special Meeting of the Bossier City Council 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 City Clerk Phyllis McGraw read the following Resolution in its entirety and Council Man Irwin made remarks on the importance of people staying home and staying safe. The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 30 OF 2020 A RESOLUTION OF COMPLIANCE, HEALING AND PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC __________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, THE GOOD CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY, STATE OF LOUISIANA AND THE CITIZENS OF THE WORLD ARE ALL ENCOURAGED TO SUPPORT AND ADHERE TO PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONS OF THE HONORABLE GOVERNOR OF STATE OF LOUISIANA AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES; AS IT RELATE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. WE THEREFORE; AFFIRM AND EXPECT JEHOVAH-SHALOM TO GIVE US PEACE IN THIS TIME OF NATIONAL CRISIS. LET ALL CITIZENS OF BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA, UNITED STATES AND ALL NATIONS SMALL AND GREAT BE REMINDED THAT OUR TRUST IS IN THE TRUE AND LIVING GOD. IT IS OUR PRAYER THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE SICK RECEIVE CARE AND THAT JEHOVAH-ROPHI RELEASES HEALING ACROSS THE WORLD AS A “SPRING” SHOWERS FROM HEAVEN. MAY IT BE RESOLVED THAT ALL WHO HUMBLE HIMSELF; WHO PRAY, WHO SEEK AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS HEAR FROM HEAVEN, AND BE FORGIVEN OF SIN. AND MAY THE LOVING AND LIVING GOD HEAL OUR NEIGHBORS AND NATION OF COVID-19. MAY IT BE RESOLVED THAT ALL CITIZENS BE ENCOURAGED TO PRAY FOR, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: AND PRAY THAT EACH ONE IS PROTECTED FROM COVID-19 WHILE SELFLESSLY RENDERING ESSENTIAL CARE TO OUR CITIZENS: SCIENTISTS, RESEARCHERS, LAB TECHS, PHYSICIANS, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT, NURSE PRACTITIONERS, NURSES, MEDICAL TECHNICIANS, FIRST REPONDERS, MILITARY PERSONNEL, MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, PASTORS, PRIESTS, FIREMAN-EMT, POLICE OFFICERS, VOLUNTEERS, CIVIC LEADERS, ELECTED CITY, STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS AND A HOST OF “UNSUNG” HEROES AND SUPPORTERS. 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. Thomas Harvey, and adopted on the 31st, day of March, 2020, at a Special Meeting of the Bossier City Council 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 Mayor Walker addressed the Council and updated them on the Virus Spread and the Actions the City, Parish and State have been taking. He noted that at this time, no curfew would be set and that if things change, he will take appropriate action. There being no further business to come before this Council, the meeting adjourned at 3:25PM by Mr. Irwin Respectfully submitted: Phyllis McGraw City Clerk Publish: April 8, 2020 Bossier Press Tribune