City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING MAY 18, 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, May 18, 2021 at 3:00 PM 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, Don Williams, Jeff Free and Thomas Harvey Also Present: Mayor, Lorenz Walker, City Attorney, Jimmy Hall and City Clerk, Phyllis McGraw City Clerk, Phyllis McGraw, read statement about decorum during meeting and public participation in the meeting. By: Mr. William Motion to approve Minutes of the May 4, 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 delete item #12 under new business – Adopt a Resolution authorizing the promotion of (1) Officer to Sergeant, (3) Three Sergeants to Lieutenants and (1) One Lieutenant to Captain for the Bossier City Police Department. Seconded by Mr. Irwin Police Chief, Shane McWilliams questioned why. Council stated they wanted more information. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Irwin Motion to approve agenda as amended. Seconded by Mr. Larkin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Unfinished Business – The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 48 Of 2021 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 WHEREAS, the attached amendments have been negotiated with Manchac Consulting Group, Inc., to modify and extend their services to the City of Bossier City:  Amendment No. 5: Owner Engineering Agreement (Water Contract - Nano Pilot Study Extension) Amendment No. 1: Owner Engineering Agreement (WOBC Program Management Contract) Amendment No. 3: Owner Engineering Agreement (2014 Sewer Contract) Amendment No. 2: Owner Engineering Agreement (Atakapa Stormwater Contract) Amendment No. 4: Owner Engineering Agreement (P3 Agreement); and WHEREAS, incremental costs will be rebudgeted as required. 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 the following amendments with incremental costs rebudgeted as required: Amendment No. 5: Owner Engineering Agreement (Water Contract - Nano Pilot Study Extension) Amendment No. 1: Owner Engineering Agreement (WOBC Program Management Contract) Amendment No. 3: Owner Engineering Agreement (2014 Sewer Contract) Amendment No. 2: Owner Engineering Agreement (Atakapa Stormwater Contract) Amendment No. 4: Owner Engineering Agreement (P3 Agreement) BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that Mayor Lorenz Walker is authorized to execute any and all documents in conjunction therewith. 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 18th, day of May, 2021 by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Larkin, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Harvey NAYS: Mr. Darby ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ David Montgomery, Jr., President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk ORDINANCE NO. 49 OF 2021 ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE REPORT OF RECONCILIATION FOR THE BOSSIER FIRE DEPARTMENT BURN BUILDING PROJECT, ORDINANCE 93 OF 2019, WITH A DECREASE IN PROJECT COST OF $160,000. WHEREAS; Ordinance No. 93 of 2019 appropriated $1,400,000.00 to come from the Land Acquisition Fund to construct a Joint Public Safety Training Tower with a fire training simulator and active shooter training facility and WHEREAS; the total project costs, including an increase in Contract price to J. Reed Construction via Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $27,626.00 left a surplus in funds of over $160,000.00 in Ordinance 93 of 2019; and WHEREAS; fourteen (14) days were added to the contract via Change Order No. 1. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, in regular session convened that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, agrees to adopt a Ordinance to amend the Construction Contract for an increase in price of $25,626.00 and an increase of fourteen (14) days, and there will be a surplus of over $160,000.00 in funding for this project as described. 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 18th, day of May, 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, Jr., President ______________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk New Business - CITY OF BOSSIER CITY PARISH OF BOSSIER STATE OF LOUISIANA PROCLAMATION  SPECIAL ELECTION-City Council District 1, City of Bossier City, Parish of Bossier, WHEREAS, a vacancy exists in the office of City Council District 1, City of Bossier City, Parish of Bossier, State of Louisiana; NOW, THEREFORE, the Bossier City Council does hereby order and direct as follows: Section 1: A vacancy in the office of the City Council of the City of Bossier City, Parish of Bossier, State of Louisiana, exists due to the resignation of Shane Cheatham, Council Member District 1, City of Bossier City, Parish of Bossier, State of Louisiana, for the term beginning on July 1, 2021. Section 2: A special election is hereby called and proclaimed to fill the vacancy for the office of Council Member District 1, City of Bossier City, Parish of Bossier, State of Louisiana, said special election to be held as follows: A) Qualification for the election shall be held July 14, 2021, July 15, 2021, and July 16, 2021; B) The primary election to fill the vacancy for the office of Council Member of the City of Bossier City, District 1, Parish of Bossier, State of Louisiana, shall be held on October 9, 2021; C) The general election to fill the vacancy of Council Member of the City of Bossier City, District 1, Parish of Bossier, State of Louisiana, shall be held on November 12, 2021. Section 3: That certified copies of this proclamation shall be forwarded to the Secretary of State, the Commissioner of Elections, the Clerk of Court, and Ex-Officio Parish Custodian of voting machines and the Registrar of Voters in and for the Parish of Bossier, as notification of the special election herein called in order that each may prepare for said election and perform their respective functions as required by law. This Proclamation being submitted to a vote on a motion by Mr. Don Williams and second by Mr. Timothy Larkin the vote thereon is as follows: 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, Jr., President __________________________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk  May 3, 2021 Phyllis McGraw, Clerk City of Bossier City Parish of Bossier P.O. Box 5337 Bossier Citv. LA 71 171-5337 Dear Ms. McGraw, In accordance with La. R.S. 18:653, I am enclosing a copy of the notice of resignation received on May 3, 2021 by our office from the Honorable Shane Cheatham, Councilman, District l, City of Bossier, Parish of Bossier, for the term beginning on July l , 2021. Pursuant to La. R.S. 18:583, an anticipated vacancv has occurred in the above-specified office. I'he governing authority shall therefòre within twenty (20) days call a special election in accordance with La. R.S. 18:402 and La. R.S. 18:602 on or before May 24, 2021. The next available election is October 9, 2021 and November 13, 2021, with qualifying dates of July 14, 15 & 16, 2021. After the proclamation is issued calling the special election, a certified copy of the proclamation is to be mailed to our office. If the governing authority does not timely call the special election, we will forward a request to the Governor to do so pursuant to La. R.S. 18:602. Additionally, pursuant to La. R.S. 18:583(D)(l) and Section 3.04 of the Bossier City Code, the governing authority shall within ten ( 1 0) days of the office actuallv becoming vacant (after July 1, 2021 but before or on July 12, 2021 ) make an appointment to fill the office. If the governing authority does not timely appoint an individual in connection with this vacancy, we will transmit notice to the Governor to do so in accordance with La. R.S. 18:602 If you have any questions concerning the above, please contact me at (225) 287-7475. Sincerely, R, Wood Attornev Enclosure cc: Hon. Jill Sessions, Bossier Parish Clerk of Court Hon. Stephanie Agee. Bossier Parish Registrar of Voters By: Mr. Larkin  Motion to introduce an Ordinance appropriating $33,600 from the Sales Tax Capital Improvement Fund for the purchase of 60 Pallets of Sod, Irrigation System and fencing for the Field of Dreams Park. Seconded by Mr. Darby No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Irwin Motion to introduce an Ordinance revising and replacing Chapter 99, Utility and Pipelines, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Bossier City, Louisiana. Seconded by Mr. Larkin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Harvey Motion to introduce an Ordinance to amend Resolution No. 19 of 2021, Report of Reconciliation for the Melrose Ave. and Plantation Dr. Utility Extension Project, Ordinance 71 of 2019. Seconded by Mr. Free No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance to appropriate $36,067.91 from the Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund to be used to supplement the already appropriated $250,000.00 from Ordinance No. 96 of 2020 Airline Drive and Murphy Street Emergency Gravity Main Repair. Seconded by Mr. Larkin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 37 Of 2021 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF ONE POLICE JAILER FOR THE BOSSIER CITY POLICE 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 hiring of one Police Jailer will allow all operations to continue, 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 the hiring 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. Don Williams, and adopted on the 18th, day of May, 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, Jr., President ___________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: Resolution No. 38 Of 2021 A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MAY 22 OF EACH YEAR TO BE DESIGNATED AND KNOWN AS NATIONAL MARITIME DAY ________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, on May 22, 1819, the steamship The Savannah set sail from Savannah, Georgia on the first successful transoceanic voyage under steam propulsion, thus making a material contribution to the advancement of ocean transportation; and WHEREAS, on May 20, 1933, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled and approved that May 22 of each year shall be designated and known as National Maritime Day, and WHEREAS, during WWII in what became t h e w o r l d ’ s l a r g e s t s e a l i f t o p e r a t i o n , more than 250,000 members of the American Merchant Marine served their country, with more than 6,700 giving their lives, hundreds being detained as prisoners of war and more than 800 ships being sunk or damaged, and WHEREAS, waterways have enabled much of the commerce that has expanded America's economy, sprouted cities near waterways and facilitated vast domestic and international commerce crucial to our economy today, and WHEREAS, merchant mariners have served America with distinction throughout our history, but especially at critical moments of war and natural disaster, and WHEREAS, the United States Merchant Marine and thousands of other workers in our Nation's maritime industry continue to make immeasurable contributions to our economic strength and our ongoing efforts to build a more peaceful world, and WHEREAS, the United States Merchant Marine also shepherds the safe passage of American goods, move exports to customers around the world, support the flow of domestic  commerce on our maritime highways, strengthen our Nation's economy, bolster job creation and, along with the transportation industry, employ Americans on ships and tugs, and in ports, like our Port of Shreveport Bossier, and WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Caddo Bossier Parishes Port Commission to increase the awareness of the maritime industry within Caddo and Bossier Parishes and the State of Louisiana NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the C A D D O B O S S I E R P A R I S H E S P O R T C O M M I S S I O N joins the President of the United States of America in proclaiming, May 22, 2021, as National Maritime Day and calls upon the citizens of Caddo and Bossier Parishes to celebrate this observance. 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. Scott Irwin, and adopted on the 18th, day of May, 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, Jr., President ________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 39 Of 2021 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OR PROMOTION OF AN ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER I DUE TO RESIGNATION AND BACKFILLING ANY POSITION THIS MAY CREATE FOR PUBLIC WORKS/ANIMAL CONTROL DIVISION 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, an Animal Control Officer I position is vacant in the Public Works Animal Control Division due to a resignation; WHEREAS, the administration and the department assures that all current budgets have been verified and that no authorized salary has been exceeded.  NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained the administration is hereby authorized to fill an Animal Control Officer I position in the Public Works Animal Control Division due to a resignation and also backfill any positions this may create within the Division. 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. Timothy Larkin, and adopted on the 18th, day of May, 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 Jr, President ___________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 40 Of 2021 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF A LABORER I IN THE PUBLIC WORKS STREETS AND DRAINAGE DIVISION DUE TO AN INTERNAL PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION TRANSFER 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, a Laborer I position is vacant in the Public Works Streets and Drainage Division due to an internal Public Works Divisional transfer; WHEREAS, the administration and the department assures that all current budgets have been verified and that no authorized salary has been exceeded. NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained the administration is hereby authorized to fill a Laborer I position in the Public Works Streets and Drainage Division due to an internal Public Works Division transfer. 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. Timothy Larkin, and adopted on the 18th, day of May, 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 Jr, President ___________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk By: Mr. Irwin Motion to approve Bossier Press Tribune as the City of Bossier City's Official Journal for a one-year period effective June 1, 2021 through June 1, 2022 in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statute 43:141. Seconded by Mr. Larkin No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Resolution offered and adopted: Resolution No. 41 Of 2021 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE REPLACING OF A MECHANIC II IN THE CITY GARAGE. _____________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the position of Mechanic II has been vacated; and WHEREAS, the administration and department assures that current budgets have been verified and that no authorized salary has been exceed; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that the administration can proceed with hiring or promoting 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. Timothy Larkin, and seconded by Mr. Scott Irwin, and adopted on the 18th, day of May, 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, Jr., President __________________________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Mr. Darby asked if the City could adopt a Resolution at the next meeting to honor Bossier resident former Governor Buddy Roemer in light of his passing. Resolution will be added on next agenda. There being no further business to come before this Council, the meeting adjourned at 3:22 PM by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Respectfully submitted: Phyllis McGraw City Clerk Publish: May 26, 2021 Bossier Press Tribune