City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING APRIL 20, 2021 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, April 20, 2021 at 3:00 PM Invocation was given by Council Member Scott Irwin Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Jeff Free Roll Call as follows: Present: Honorable, President David Montgomery, Jr., Honorable Councilors Timothy Larkin, Scott Irwin, 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. Irwin Motion to approve Minutes of the April 6, 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 as presented. Seconded by Mr. Irwin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Bids – Agenda Item Called - Witness opening of sealed bids for Bid#P21-06 Clifford Almond Restroom Project. Boggs & Poole Contracting Group, Inc. $489,400.00 ELA Group, Inc. $546,500.00 McInnis Brothers Construction, Inc. $464,000.00 By: Mr. Williams Motion to approve reading of bids. Seconded by Mr. Larkin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Agenda Item called – Witness opening of sealed bids for Bid #P21-05 WOBC Utility Relocations at Greenacres Park and Benton Road ASB Utility Construction, LLC $470,055.00 David Lawler Construction, Inc. $568,675.00 Don M. Barron Contractor, Inc. $467,088.00 Pulley Construction, Inc. $542,000.00 By: Mr. Irwin Motion to approve reading of bids. Seconded by Mr. Larkin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Unfinished Business – The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 38 Of 2021 ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO COVER CONSTRUCTION COST FOR THE BARDOT LANE AND MONTGOMERY LANE DRAINAGE REHABILITATION PROJECT PHASES 1 & 2 FOR A TOTAL OF $550,000.00 TO COME FROM FUND 400 SALES TAX CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND WHEREAS the final opinion of construction costs for the Bardot Lane and Montgomery Lane Drainage rehabilitation project (Phases 1 &2) is $550,000.00. (see attachments – Bardot Lane and Montgomery Lane Drainage rehabilitation project (Phases 1 &2) for estimated detailed breakdown of the costs); and WHEREAS, $550,000.00 may be appropriated from Fund 400 Sales Tax Capital Improvement 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 $550,000.00 to come from Fund 400 Sales Tax Capital Improvement Fund to cover the construction costs for drainage rehabilitation project for Bardot Lane and Montgomery Lane (Phase 1 & 2) 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. Timothy Larkin, and adopted on the 20th, day of April, 2021 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 ____________________________ David Montgomery, President ___________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 39 Of 2021 TITLE: ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO FUND THE STORM WATER PUMP STATION FOR THE WALTER O. BIGBY CARRIAGEWAY PHASE II AT A COST OF $3,900,000.00 TO COME FROM FUND 415 WALTER O. BIGBY CARRIAGEWAY FUND WHEREAS, the City is recommending installing a storm water pump station for Walter O. Bigby Carriageway Phase II. WHEREAS, $3,900,000.00 will come from Fund 415 Walter O. Bigby Carriageway 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 $3,900,000.00 to come from Fund 415 Walter O. Bigby Carriageway Fund to install a storm water pump station for Walter O. Bigby Carriageway Phase II project.  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. Timothy Larkin, and adopted on the 20th, day of April, 2021 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 ____________________________ David Montgomery, President ___________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 40 OF 2021 AN ORDINANCE TO REAPPROPRIATE $20,000.00 FROM FUND 497 – 2017 SALES TAX BOND (INNOVATION DRIVE) FOR THE PREPARATION OF A TRAFFIC STUDY AT LA 3105 (AIRLINE DRIVE) AT GREENACRES BOULEVARD. WHEREAS; There is a surplus of funds in Fund 497 – 2017 Sales Tax Bond used for the completion of Innovation Drive, and WHEREAS; the completion of Innovation Drive has increased traffic movements at the intersection of LA 3105 (Airline Drive) at Greenacres Boulevard, and WHEREAS; providing traffic signaling improvements at the intersection of LA 3105 (Airline Drive) at Greenacres Boulevard will require approval by DOTD, and WHEREAS: DOTD approval will require a traffic study that warrants the implementation of signaling improvements, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, in regular session convened that the Bossier City Council does hereby appropriate $20,000.00 from Fund 497 – 2007 Sales Tax Bond (Innovation Drive) for the preparation of a traffic study at LA 3105 (Airline Drive) at Greenacres Boulevard, and 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. Timothy Larkin, and adopted on the 20th, day of April, 2021 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 ____________________________ David Montgomery, President ___________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 41 OF 2021 AN ORDINANCE LEVYING AD VALOREM TAXES ON ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA, FOR THE YEAR 2021, AND PROVIDING THE MANNER OF ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION THEREOF.___________________ SECTION 1: BE IT ORDAINED BY THE City Council of the City of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened that the following millages be and the same are hereby levied on all taxable property located within the limits of the City of Bossier City, Louisiana, for the year 2021: 1) 5.57 Mills for the payment of all necessary expenses for the operation of the affairs of the City of Bossier City, Louisiana. Mill Key #5078001 2) 8.32 Mills for the purpose of operating and maintaining the Fire and Police Departments of the City of Bossier City. Mill Key #5078002 3) 5.98 Mills for the purpose of operation and maintenance of the Fire and Police Departments including salaries. Mill Key #5078004 4) 2.71 Mills for the purpose of operation and maintenance of the Fire and Police Departments including salaries. Mill Key #5078005 SECTION 2: BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the tax assessment roll covering the foregoing millages is estimated by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor and the Bossier Parish Assessor for the year of 2021, and is hereby adopted and approved. SECTION 3: BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the proper administrative officials be and they are hereby empowered, authorized, and directed to spread said taxes, as hereinabove set forth, upon the assessment roll for the year 2021, and to make the collection of the taxes imposed for and on behalf of the taxing authority, according to law, and that the taxes herein levied shall become a permanent lien and privilege on all property subject to taxation as herein set forth, and collection thereof shall be enforceable in a manner provided by law. SECTION 4: BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict. The above and foregoing Resolution, 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 April, 2021 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 ____________________________ David Montgomery, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 42 Of 2021 AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING AN ADDITIONAL 1 MILLION DOLLARS TO ADD TO THE 2.1 MILLION APPROPRIATED FOR A FIRE STATION IN THE EASTBANK DISTRICT BY ORDINANCE NO. 40 OF 2020.  WHEREAS, an additional one million dollars may be appropriated from the following funds and amounts set forth herein to construct a Fire Station in the Eastbank District; Fund 240 - Fire Improvement & $400,000 Operations Fund Fund 235 – Hotel/Motel Tax Fund $600,000 Total $1,000,000.00 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that one million dollars is hereby appropriated from the following funds in the amounts set forth herein to construct a Fire Station in the Eastbank District; Fund 240 - Fire Improvement & $400,000 Operations Fund Fund 235 – Hotel/Motel Tax Fund $600,000 Total $1,000,000.00 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. Timothy Larkin, and adopted on the 20th, day of April, 2021 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 ____________________________ David Montgomery, President ___________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk New Business - The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 43 Of 2021 AN ORDINANCE TO DECLARE THAT AN EMERGENCY DID EXIST IN THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY WHICH AFFECTED, PROPERTY, PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY DUE TO THE REQUIREMENT TO REPAIR DRAINAGE LINE LOCATED ON VILLAGE LANE AT A COST OF $62,000.00 TO COME FROM SALES TAX CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND; AND AUTHORIZES THE CITY TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH PULLEY CONSTRUCTION, INC. FOR COMPLETION OF WORK. WHEREAS, an emergency to repair drainage line located on Village Lane and; WHEREAS, the Engineering Department hereby request $62,000.00 to be appropriated from the Sales Tax Capital Improvement 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 $62,000.00 to come from the Sales Tax Capital Improvement 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. Jeffery Darby, and seconded by Mr. Timothy Larkin, and adopted on the 20th, day of April, 2021 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 ____________________________ David Montgomery, President ___________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk By: Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance restricting emanation of excessive sound or noise from motorcycles and vehicles. Second by Mr. Darby No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Irwin Motion to introduce an Ordinance appropriating One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000) from the Riverboat Capital Projects Fund to lighting for the Shed Road and Interstate 220 Interchange. Seconded by Mr. Larkin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance authorizing the attached amendments with Manchac Consulting Group, Inc. and Atakapa Services, LLC modifying and extending their services to the City of Bossier City. Seconded by Mr. Larkin Questions from Councilman Darby about contract length, cost and RFp’s. Justin Haydel, Manchac provided answers and make comments about Contract. Comments from Council members Larkin, Montgomery, Williams, Irwin, Free about work Manchac has done and why they feel like 3 years are necessary. Comments from Mayor elect Tommy Chandler, Councilman elect Chris Smith and Councilman elect Shane Cheatham asking for Council to reconsider and suggested a shorter contract and not removing some of the clauses. No further comment Motion carried with the following vote: Yeas: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey Nays: none Absent: none Abstain: none By: Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance to retain Travis H. Morehart, CPA, of Cook & Moorehart to provide services for the Finance Department. Seconded by Mr. Larkin Council congratulated Finance Director Stacie Fernandez on her new position with Parish and thanked her for hard work on behalf of City. Questions on whom successor would be and what Charter requirements are. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Resolution offered and adopted:  RESOLUTION 29 Of 2021 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF TWO (2) JAILERS 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) Jailers due to the death of (1) Jailer and the transfer of (1) Jailer to Police Officer. 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. Thomas Harvey, and adopted on the 20th, day of April, 2021 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 ____________________________ David Montgomery, President ___________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 30 Of 2021 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF ONE (1) POLICE OFFICER 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 one (1) Police Officer due to the resignation of one Police Officer 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. Jeff Free, and seconded by Mr. Timothy Larkin, and adopted on the 20th, day of April, 2021 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 ____________________________ David Montgomery, President ___________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 31 OF 2021 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF ONE LINE EMPLOYEE DUE TO VACANCIES FROM RESIGNATION: WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 2 of 2010 implemented a hiring freeze requiring Bossier City Council approval for the hiring of any personnel; WHEREAS, one vacancy exist in the Fire Department due to Resignation and filling this positions 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 Firefighter position. The above and foregoing Resolution was read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Jeff Free, and second by Mr. Timothy Larkin, and adopted on the 20th, day of April, 2021 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 ____________________________ David Montgomery, President ___________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Agenda Item called - Adopt a Resolution opposing House Bill No. 630 relative to the Cypress Black Bayou Recreation and Water Conservation District. Members of Council spoke on Bill No. 630. Mr. Hall reported that Representative Horton would be making amendments to the Bill. Amanda Nottingham- Legislative Assistant to Representative Horton spoke on Bill No. 630 history and disappointment with Resolution from Council. Alex Vozzella, Attorney for Cypress Black Bayou and Robert Berry, Cypress Black Bayou Executive Director voiced concern with Bill and lack of inclusion of Board in writing of Bill. By: Mr. Williams  Motion to remove Resolution from today’s Agenda. Seconded by Mr. Harvey No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Reports Stacie Fernandez, Finance Director, gave monthly Financial Report for month ending March 2021. She noted that Sales Taxes on paper were down 4% from last year but last year the City had large multi-year audit collections included and if those were taken out, the City would be up 10% from this time last year. Ben Rauschenbach, City Engineer, intruded the Council to his assistant Clinton Patrick. Mr. Patrick presented the Board with the Monthly Project Report. He noted that currently 16 projects were under construction. Urban Systems will present update on Traffic Signal Study on May 18, 2021 meeting. Justin Haydel, Manchac, updated the Council on the Walter O. Bigby Carriageway noting that all permits are in hand and that bids will be read on May 4, 2021. Mr. Montgomery and Council applauded the work that Manchac was able to do in 10 months when many felt the project would never be completed. There being no further business to come before this Council, the meeting adjourned at 4:23 PM by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Respectfully submitted: Phyllis McGraw City Clerk Publish: April 28, 2021 Bossier Press Tribune