City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A SPECIAL MEETING FEBRUARY 23, 2021 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, February 23, 2021 at 3:00 PM. The Meeting was originally scheduled for February 16, 2021 but had to be rescheduled due to Severe Winter Weather. Invocation was given by Council Member Scott Irwin Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Timothy Larkin Roll Call as follows: Present: Honorable, President David Montgomery, Jr., Honorable Councilors Timothy Larkin, Scott Irwin, Jeffery Darby (virtual), Don Williams and Jeff Free Absent: Thomas Harvey Also Present: Mayor, Lorenz Walker, City Attorney, Jimmy Hall and City Clerk, Phyllis McGraw City Clerk, Phyllis McGraw, read statement about where to watch meetings online, that some Council members may be joining remotely and gave a phone number for members of the public wishing to comment on items in the meeting could do so. Hearing no comments from the public watching virtually, the meeting continued. By: Mr. Irwin Motion to approve Minutes of the February 2, 2021, Regular Meeting and dispense with the reading Seconded by Mr. Larkin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to approve Agenda. Seconded by Mr. Larkin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Ceremonial Matters - Council President David Montgomery, Jr. asked Ben Rauschenbach to come up and give an update on the water situation following the week before severe winter storm. Mr. Rauschenbach reported that under the circumstances he felt that the workers that helped out during the storm did a phenomenal job. He tried to call everyone out by name and thank them for all their hard work. It was reported that Fire and Police did an awesome job as well. A couple of firefighters plowed all the fire stations and hospital to help make things easier for first responders. The Council also commended them and all the workers and gave them a standing ovation. Mr. Rauschenbach reported that the boil order should be lifted as soon as the water could be tested in Baton Rouge. Unfinished Business – The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 16 Of 2021 AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND AND NO/100 ($400,000.00) FROM THE 2021 EMS CAPITAL AND CONTIGENCY FUND TO PURCHASE 5 STRETCHERS AND 5 POWER LOADERS AND OTHER NECESSARY MEDICAL SUPPLIES.  WHEREAS, the current stretchers and loaders are more than 10 years old and are in need of replacement; and WHEREAS, it is imperative that EMS workers have the necessary equipment to serve the citizens of Bossier City efficiently; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that four hundred thousand dollars and no/100 ($400,000.00) is hereby appropriated from the 2021 EMS Capital and Contingency Fund to purchase 5 stretchers and 5 power loaders and other necessary medical supplies. 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. Jeff Free, and adopted on the 23rd, day of February, 2021, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby (Virtual), Mr. Williams and Mr. Free NAYS: none ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ David Montgomery, Jr., President ________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 17 Of 2021 TITLE: ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO FUND REPLACEMENT OF BRUCE STREET FORCE MAIN AT A COST OF $95,000.00 TO COME FROM THE SEWER CAPITAL & CONTINGENCY FUND WHEREAS, the City is recommending replacing and rerouting the existing force main into a more direct path that will simplify maintenance and operation of the station WHEREAS, $95,000.00 will come 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 approve an ordinance to appropriate $95,000.00 to come from the Sewer Capital & Contingency Fund to replace and reroute existing force main on Bruce Street.  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 23rd, day of February, 2021, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby (Virtual), Mr. Williams and Mr. Free NAYS: none ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ David Montgomery, Jr., President ________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk New Business – The following ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 18 OF 2021 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE FOR THE SALE OF HIGH AND LOW CONTENT ALCOHOL FOR ON PREMISE CONSUMPTION AT A RESTAURANT LOCATED AT 3107 AIRLINE DRIVE , BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA. WHEREAS; Lacy Galligan, Another Broken Egg Café, has applied to the Bossier City-Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission for Conditional Use Approval for the retail sale of high and low content alcohol, for on premise consumption, at a restaurant located at 3107 Airline Drive, Bossier City, LA 71111; and WHEREAS; a public hearing for the Conditional Use application was held on February 15, 2020; and WHEREAS; The Planning Department has submitted the results of said public hearing to the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Bossier City. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY HEREBY ORDAINS: SECTION 1. That the Conditional Use for retail sales of high and low content alcohol for on premise consumption at 3107 Airline Drive, Bossier City, Louisiana is hereby approved. Motion was made by Mr. Don Williams and seconded by Mr. Timothy Larkin to adopt the above ordinance. Upon the following vote, the ordinance was duly adopted on the 23rd, day of February, 2021, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby (Virtual), Mr. Williams and Mr. Free NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Harvey ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ David Montgomery, Jr., President ________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk C-4-21 By: Mr. Larkin Motion to introduce an Ordinance to re-appropriate $250,000.00 from the Sales Tax Capital Improvement Funds to the 2021 Streets and Drainage Repair Project. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance to appropriate $1,200,000 in surplus funds from Ordinance 48 of 2019 and 147 of 2019 towards additional improvements at City Recreation Areas. Seconded by Mr. Larkin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance authorizing Mayor Lorenz Walker to execute the attached Revised Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the City of Bossier City and the Veterans Affairs. Seconded by Mr. Larkin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Larkin Motion to introduce an Ordinance to fund the Water Line relocation at Greenacres Office Park in preparation for Walter O. Bigby Carriageway Phase II at a cost of $600,000.00 to come from the Water Capital & Contingency Fund. Seconded by Mr. Irwin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Resolution offered and adopted: Resolution No. 12 Of 2021 A RESOLUTION TO AMEND RESOLUTION NO. 106 OF 2020 AND CHANGE THE NAME OF “BROOKSHIRE GROCERY ARENA DRIVE” TO “BROOKSHIRE ARENA DRIVE” ______________________________________________________ WHEREAS, Resolution No. 106 of 2020 authorized the change of “Centurylink Center Drive” to “Brookshire Grocery Arena Drive”; and WHEREAS, a change needs to be made to change the name from “Brookshire Grocery Arena Drive” to “Brookshire Arena Drive”. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular and legal session convened, does hereby authorize the change of “Brookshire Grocery Arena Drive” to “Brookshire Arena Drive”.  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. Jeff Free, and adopted on the 23rd, day of February, 2021, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby (Virtual), Mr. Williams and Mr. Free NAYS: none ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ David Montgomery, Jr., President ________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 13 OF 2021 ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REPORT OF RECONCILIATION FOR THE POLICE BUILDING AND PUBLIC SERVICE COMPLEX LIGHTING PROJECT, ORDINANCE 73 OF 2020, WITH A DECREASE IN PROJECT COST OF $25,000.00. WHEREAS; Ordinance No. 73 of 2020 appropriated $390,000.00 for the replacement of lighting at the Police Building and Public Service Complex with energy efficient LED fixtures and WHEREAS; Ordinance No. 133 of 2020 reappropriated $171,900.00 from the Police Building and Public Works Complex Lighting Projects to the Brookshire Grocery Arena (formally CenturyLink Center) Lighting Project and WHEREAS; the total combined project costs, including an increase in Contract price to Camus Electric Co. Inc. via Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $10,870.00 for the Public Service Complex Project and Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $2,985.00 for the Police Building left a surplus of funds in Ordinance 73 of 2020 of $25,000; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, in regular session convened that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, agrees to amend the Construction Contract for the Public Service Complex for an increase in price of $10,870.00 and the Construction Contract for the Police Building for an increase in price of $2,985.00, and that even with these increases there will be a surplus of $25,000.00 in funding for this project as described. The above and foregoing resolution was read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Jeff Free, and seconded by Mr. Don Williams, and adopted on the 23rd, day of February, 2021, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby (Virtual), Mr. Williams and Mr. Free NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Harvey ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ David Montgomery, Jr., President ________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 14 OF 2021 ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REPORT OF RECONCILIATION FOR THE ANIMAL CONTROL BUILDING IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, ORDINANCE 33 OF 2019, WITH A DECREASE IN PROJECT COST OF $10,000.00. WHEREAS; Ordinance No. 124 of 2018 appropriated $500,000.00 for building improvements and renovations to the Bossier City Animal Control Facility and WHEREAS; Ordinance No. 33 of 2019 appropriated $1,000,000.00 from the 2018 LCDA Bond Issue and WHEREAS; Ordinance No. 88 of 2020 reappropriated $40,000.00 from the Public Service Complex Generator Project and $15,000.00 from the Public Works Operating Fund and WHEREAS; the total combined project costs left a surplus of funds in Ordinance 33 of 2019 of $10,000; and WHEREAS; thirty-five (35) additional days were added to the contract via Change Order No. 5 and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, in regular session convened that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, agrees to amend the Construction Contract for the Animal Control Facility Building Improvements Project for an increase of thirty-five (35) days, and that even with these increases there will be a surplus of $10,000.00 in funding for this project as described. The above and foregoing resolution was read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Timothy Larkin, and seconded by Mr. Scott Irwin, and adopted on the 23rd, day of February, 2021, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Darby (Virtual), Mr. Williams and Mr. Free NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Harvey ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ David Montgomery, Jr., President ________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Reports – Ben Rauschenbach, City Engineer gave Council Monthly Project Report. He went over items that were in progress and items that were nearing completion. Tyre Venious, 124 Loop St., Bossier City, LA asked questions about repeating slides so he could get numbers. He was given a paper copy of the report. Mr. Rauschenbach also went over some slides showing issues that they faced during the Winter Storm. Mr. Montgomery asked the following question for the record “2 tanks painted to honor our veterans, our military and our troops. Our first responders Police, Fire and EMS was normal routine maintenance that we would have painted the tanks exactly as they were in the past, but we decided we were going to honor those people that take care of our lives every day. But it was normal routine maintenance that was necessary to ensure the quality of water and the stability of water which had we not done that could have severely impacted our delivery during this storm. Is that a correct statement?” Mr. Rauschenbach responded. “No question” There being no further business to come before this Council, the meeting adjourned at 3:44 PM by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Respectfully submitted: Phyllis McGraw City Clerk Publish: March 3, 2021 Bossier Press Tribune