City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING JULY 21, 2020 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, July 21, 2020 at 3:00 PM Invocation was given by Council Member Scott Irwin Pledge of Allegiance led by Miss Madeline Heraington Roll Call as follows: Present: Honorable, President David Montgomery, Jr., Honorable Councilors Scott Irwin, Jeffery Darby (webex), Don Williams, Jeff Free (webex) and Thomas Harvey Absent was Honorable Timothy Larkin Also Present: Mayor, Lorenz Walker, City Attorney, Jimmy Hall and City Clerk, Phyllis McGraw Ms. McGraw read statement concerning covid-19 and Council participation and public participation. Mr. Montgomery requested anyone from the public having comments on today’s agenda that were not in the audience to please call in and gave the phone number. No calls were received, so meeting proceeded. By: Mr. Irwin Motion to approve Minutes of the July 7, 2020, Regular Meeting and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to approve Agenda. Seconded by Mr. Harvey No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Committee Reports – Stacie Fernandez, City Finance Director, gave monthly Financial Report Unfinished Business – The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 71 Of 2020 ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO FUND THE EAST TEXAS STREET, INDUSTRIAL DRIVE & AIRLINE DRIVE SEWER REHAB PROJECT AT A COST OF $1,214,000.00 TO COME FROM THE SEWER CAPITAL AND CONTINGENCY FUND WHEREAS, $1,214,000.00 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 $1,214,000.00 to come from the Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund to fund the East Texas Street, Industrial Drive and Airline Drive Sewer Rehab 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. Thomas Harvey, and adopted on the 21, day of July, 2020, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ David Montgomery, Jr., President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 72 Of 2020 AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $350,000 TO COME FROM THE 2017 LCDA BOND TO MATCH THE $350,000 PROVIDED BY THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO REPLACE THE LIGHTING INSIDE AND OUT AT THE CENTURYLINK CENTER WHEREAS, $350,000 is available in the 2017 LCDA Bond to be used for the replacement of the lighting at the Centurylink Center; WHEREAS, the Public Service Commission has agreed to provide funds to match the $350,000 provided by the City; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, does hereby appropriate $350,000 to come from the 2017 LCDA Bond to match the $350,000 being provided by the Public Service Commission to replace the lighting inside and out at the Centurylink Center. 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. Don Williams, and adopted on the 21st, day of July, 2020, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ David Montgomery, Jr., President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 73 OF 2020 AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $390,000.00 FROM THE SALES TAX CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND TO BE USED TO REPLACE LIGHTING AT THE POLICE BUILDING AND PUBLIC SERVICE COMPLEX WITH ENERGY EFFICENT LED FIXTURES WITH $296,858.00 TO BE REIMBURSED TO THE CITY BY THE LOUISIANA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION’S PUBLIC ENTITY ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM. WHEREAS; Purtle and Associates estimates LED fixture replacement at the Bossier City Police and Public Service Complex to be $170,851.00 and $185,892.00 respectively; WHEREAS; the Louisiana Public Service Commission has granted to Bossier City $135,967.00 for Police light fixtures and $160,891.00 for Public Service Complex fixtures; WHERAS; $390,000.00 is available in the fund to be used to design and construct light fixture replacement at Police and Public Service Complex and to provide for contingencies; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, in regular session convened that the Bossier City Council does hereby appropriate $390,000.00 from the Sales Tax Capital Improvement Fund to be used to replace lighting at the Police building and Public Service Complex with energy efficient LED fixtures with $296,858.00 to be reimbursed to the City by the Louisiana Public Service Commission’s Public Entity Energy Efficiency Program. 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 21st, day of July, 2020, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ David Montgomery, Jr., President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted:  Ordinance No.74 Of 2020 AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $500,000 TO COME FROM THE WATER CAPITAL AND CONTINGENCY FUND TO BE USED FOR THE PURCHASE OF ADDITIONAL WATER METERS WHEREAS, there is a need for additional water meters for the Utility Department; and WHEREAS, $500,000 may be appropriated from the Water Capital and Contingency Fund; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, does hereby appropriate $500,000 to come from the Water Capital and Contingency Fund for the purchase of additional water meters. 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. Scott Irwin, and adopted on the 21st, day of July, 2020, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ David Montgomery, Jr., President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No.75 Of 2020 AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $250,000 TO COME FROM THE HOTEL/MOTEL TAX FUND TO BE USED FOR THE OPERATIONAL NEEDS OF THE CENTURYLINK CENTER WHEREAS, the City of Bossier City is the owner of the Centurylink Center; and WHEREAS, funds are needed to meet the basic operational needs of the Centurylink Center for the remaining balance for 2020; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, does hereby appropriate $250,000 to come from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund for the operational needs of the Centurylink Center.  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 21st, day of July, 2020, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ David Montgomery, Jr., President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk ORDINANCE NO. 76 OF 2020 AN ORDINANCE TO DECLARE CERTAIN MOVABLE EQUIPMENT OWNED BY CITY OF BOSSIER CITY AS SURPLUS TO THE CITY’S NEED AND PROVIDE FOR SALVAGE AND DISPOSAL ACCORDING TO LAW. WHEREAS, the City has accumulated certain movable equipment which is now surplus to the City’s need and it is in the best interest of the City to salvage and dispose of said equipment according to law. BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened that the following equipment described is surplus to the City’s needs: DESCRIPTION REF. NO. SERIAL NUMBER DEPT. MILEAGE 2014 TAHOE 02659 1GNLC2E05ER160801 POLICE 80,000 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened that the Purchasing Agent is authorized to dispose of said equipment in accordance to law. The above and foregoing ORDINANCE was read in full at open and regular session convened, was on motion of Mr. Thomas Harvey seconded by Mr. Don Williams AND ADOPTED ON THE 21ST, DAY OF JULY, 2020, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: MR. MONTGOMERY, JR., MR. IRWIN, MR. DARBY, MR. WILLIAMS, MR. FREE AND MR. HARVEY NAYS: NONE ABSENT: MR. LARKIN ABSTAIN: NONE ______________________________ ____________________________ DAVID MONTGOMERY, JR., PRESIDENT PHYLLIS MCGRAW, CITY CLERK New Business – Agenda Item Called – Witness opening of sealed bids for Bid#P20-16 Louisiana Technology Research Institute (Bossier) Ms. Fernandez read the following amounts: Bid Amount Alt. #1 Alt#2 Alt#3 Boggs & Poole Contracting Group, Inc. $17,728,000 $974,000 $399,000 $389,000 Brown Builders $18,529,000 $1,398,000 $435,000 $405,000 Don M. Barron Contractor Inc $17,683,000 $1,187,000 $408,000 $355,000 ELA Group Inc. $19,104,800 $1,240,260 $388,400 $391,200 McInnis Brothers Construction Inc. $17,980,000 $1,060,273 $534,909 $380,002 Testament Construction, Inc $18,307,580 $1,338,905 $442,340 $412,783 Wieland Builds $16,749,000 $ 941,000 $521,000 $302,000 By: Mr. Irwin Motion to approve reading of bids. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Agenda Item Called – Witness opening of sealed bids for Bid#P20-17 Melrose/Plantation Drive Water & Sewer Project Ms. Fernandez read the following amounts: Total Bid Amount Alt#1 Belt Construction, Inc. $1,374,304 $85,215 David Lawler Construction, Inc. $1,252,100 $62,100 Pulley Construction, Inc. $1,053,000 $69,000 Wicker Construction, Inc. $ 826,319 $86,250 By: Mr. Irwin Motion to approve reading of bids. Seconded by Mr. Harvey No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Agenda Item Called – Witness opening of sealed bids for Bid#P20-18 Sewer Sub-Basin BC-25 Rehabilitation Project. Ms. Fernandez read the following amounts: Bid Amount Alt #1 Alt #2 Alt #3 David Lawler Construction $1,628,127.00 $405,486.00 $310,425 $121,400 Fleaux Solutions, LLC $2,025,162.50 $436,937.50 $232,874 $122,000 Horseshoe Construction, Inc. $1,602,433.10 $451,307.60 $277,400 $185,600 PM Construction & Rehab, LLC. $1,960,219.00 $513,215.80 $247,672 $168,200 Pulley Construction, Inc. $1,857,000.00 $520,000.00 $370,977 $156,000 By: Mr. Williams Motion to approve reading of bids. Seconded by Mr. Harvey No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 77 Of 2020 AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE SEVENTY NINE THOUSAND FIFTY DOLLARS ($79,050.00) FROM THE HOTEL/MOTEL TAX FUND TO FUND NECESSARY REPAIRS TO MULTIPLE SINKHOLES ON THE TEAGUE TRAIL EXTENSION.  WHEREAS, the health and safety of the public is at risk due to multiple sinkholes on the Teague Trail Extension; and WHEREAS, these sinkholes are a hazard to cyclist and joggers using the trail; and WHEREAS, now that the City of Bossier City has been put on notice liability exposure applies to these hazards. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that an emergency does exist affecting health and safety of the public due to multiple sinkholes on the Teague Trail Extension; BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that seventy nine thousand fifty dollars ($79,050.00) is appropriated from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund to fund necessary repairs to multiple sinkholes on the Teague Trail Extension. 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. Don Williams, and adopted on the 21st, day of July, 2020, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ David Montgomery, Jr., President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk By: Mr. Irwin Motion to introduce an Ordinance appropriating 1.2 Million Dollars from the Walter O. Bigby Carriageway Fund to fund the completion of Phase I of the Water O. Bigby Carriageway. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Harvey Motion to introduce an Ordinance authorizing the repayment and reallocation of funding paid from Utility Funds or proposed to be funded from Utility Funds for Streets and Drainage Projects. Seconded by Mr. Irwin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Irwin Motion to introduce an Ordinance to temporarily reduce the Management Fees paid to ASM Global to manage the CenturyLink Center from July 2020 through December 2020 and to extend ASM Global's Contract for an additional three (3) months until March 31, 2021. Seconded by Mr. Williams Mr. Montgomery commented that this was a good faith effort by ASM Global No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Harvey Motion to introduce an Ordinance to abandon a portion of an alley located, within East Shreveport Subdivision, more particularly located to the rear of 501 Barksdale Blvd. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 58 Of 2020 A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE USE OF CITY SEWER TO SERVE THE PROPERTY AT 5495 AIRLINE DRIVE (NORTH AIRLINE ANIMAL HOSPITAL), WITH THE PROPERTY BEING LOCATED OUTSIDE THE BOSSIER CITY LIMITS. WHEREAS, Ordinance 79 of 2014 requires that all commercial use of Bossier City water and sewer outside the city limits requires approval of the Bossier City Council; and WHEREAS, all permit fees, impact fees, and all other rules and regulations shall apply; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that the Bossier City Council resolves to approve the use of city sewer to serve the property at 5495 Airline Drive (North Airline Animal Hospital), with the property being located outside the Bossier City limits.; 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 21st, day of July, 2020, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ David Montgomery, Jr., President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 59 OF 2020 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ONE BUILDING MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR TO BE REPLACED DUE TO VACANCY FROM RETIREMENT: 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 Building Maintenance Department due to Retirement 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 Maintenance Supervisor position; The above and foregoing Resolution was read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Thomas Harvey, and second by Mr. Don Williams, and adopted on the 21st day of July, 2020, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ David Montgomery, Jr., President ______________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 60 OF 2020 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF AN ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR THE PUBLIC UTILITIES 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 Assistant Superintendent is vacant due to resignation; 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. Scott Irwin and seconded by Mr. Don Williams, and adopted on the 21st, day of July, 2020, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Larkin ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ David Montgomery, Jr., President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Mayor Walker updated the Council and audience on the Governor’s recent press conference stating that the State will remain in Phase 2 for 2 more weeks. He asked for everyone to do the right thing. There being no further business to come before this Council, the meeting adjourned at 3:37PM by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Respectfully submitted: Phyllis McGraw City Clerk Publish: July 29, 2020 Bossier Press Tribune