City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 8, 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, September 8, 2021 at 3:00 PM Invocation was given by Council Member David Montgomery, Jr. Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Jeffery Darby Roll Call as follows: Present: Honorable, President Don Williams., Honorable Councilors David Montgomery, Jr., Chris Smith, Jeffery Darby, Jeff Free and Vince Maggio Absent: Honorable Councilor Scott Irwin Also Present: Mayor, Thomas Chandler, City Attorney, Charles Jacobs and City Clerk, Phyllis McGraw City Clerk, Phyllis McGraw, read statement about decorum during meeting and public participation in the meeting. By: Mr. Smith Motion to approve Minutes of the August 31, 2021, Regular Meeting and dispense with the reading Seconded by Mr. Darby No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Free Motion to approve Agenda Seconded by Mr. Smith No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous New Business – By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce Ordinance to re-appropriate $20,000.00 from Fund 497 - 2017 Sales Tax Bond (Innovation Drive) for the preparation of a Traffic Study at Old Brownlee Road at Wemple Road. Seconded by: Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance amending Ordinance 59 of 2021 changing Title from Dispatcher to Utility Worker for the Public Utilities Department. Seconded by: Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance amending Resolution 41 of 2020 authorizing the replacement of an Industrial Waste Inspector in the Environmental Affairs Division in Public Utilities due to transfer. Seconded by: Mr. Smith No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance to approve Report of Change Order 3 for the (LTRI) Louisiana Technology Research Institute Bossier with an increase in project cost of $114,177.05 from the 2016 Sales Tax Bond Issue. Seconded by: Mr. Free No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance requiring the Risk Manager for the City of Bossier City be under the supervision of the City Attorney. Seconded by: Mr. Darby No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance to fund the replacement of the Baffle Curtain at the Northeast Waste Water Treatment Plant (NEWWTP) at a cost of $30,000.00 to come from the Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund. Seconded by: Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Agenda Item Called: Introduce an Ordinance prohibiting the City of Bossier from entering into Contractual Agreements pending the installation of new City Administration. City Attorney Charles Jacobs informed Council he made an error on the Ordinance setting it up for the Fall Election schedule instead of the Spring Election schedule and asked for them to amend it to correct it. By: Mr. Darby Motion to amend the 5th Paragraph of the Ordinance to allow for an exemption for the Community Development Department Contracts with HUD and the State of Louisiana. Seconded by Mr. Williams Michael Farris spoke on Ordinance, questioning if it would tie the administration hands with regards to the Manchac contract. Mr. Williams reported that the Manchac contract was on for 3 years so this would not hinder a change. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Darby Motion to amend the Ordinance to change to a Spring Election Cycle instead of the Fall. Seconded by Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Darby Motion to introduce an Ordinance prohibiting the City of Bossier from entering into Contractual Agreements pending the installation of new City Administration as amended. Seconded by Mr. Williams Mr. Darby spoke on the importance of getting a second in matters before the Council to open discussions and debates. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance authorizing Mayor Tommy Chandler to execute the attached Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Bossier City and Bossier Parish School Board for the cost-sharing of Crossing Guards utilized throughout Bossier City. Seconded by: Mr. Maggio Mr. Williams reported that this is something that has always been done with the School Board No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Free Motion to approve Parade Permit Fee Waivers - Brookshire's + Super 1 Foods Heroes Run - October 23, 2021, Airline High School Homecoming Parade - September 23, 2021, Parkway High School Homecoming Parade - September 16, 2021 Seconded by Mr. Darby No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 99 OF 2021 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OR PROMOTION OF A FOREMAN DUE TO A TERMINATION AND BACKFILLING ANY POSITION THIS MAY CREATE FOR THE LIFT STATION DIVISION IN PUBLIC UTILITIES. _____________________________________________________ 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 Foreman is vacant due to termination; and 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 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. David Montgomery, Jr. and seconded by Mr. Chris Smith, and adopted on the 8th, day of September, 2021 by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Irwin ABSTAIN: none ________________________________ Don Williams, Council President ________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Agenda Item called: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the appointment of Amanda Nottingham as the Interim Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Bossier City. Mr. Chandler asked for the pay to be same as was for the previous CAO. By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to amend the Resolution to change the salary from what was listed to that of the previous CAO. Seconded by Mr. Williams Michael Farris asked what the qualifications were for CAO and how the new candidate satisfied those and the other one didn’t. Mr. Williams gave his thoughts on CAO qualifications. Mr. Darby also gave his opinion on CAO qualifications. Mr. Farris again asked what the differences were between the current candidate and the previous one. Mr. Darby reported that Ms. Nottingham has governmental experience. Mr. Smith spoke on his interpretation of the Charter and that he supports the Mayor’s choice. He asked the Mayor, if since the Council supports this candidate, if he would like them to amend the Resolution to remove the interim title. Mayor is favorable to that. No further comment Motion is favor of motion is unanimous By: Montgomery, Jr. Motion to amend the Resolution to remove the interim title. Seconded by Mr. Darby David Crockett spoke in opposition of amendment and asked Mayor about new candidate. Mayor Chandler spoke highly of Ms. Nottingham. Mr. Crockett still believes that it should stay interim since that’s what was on the Agenda. Mr. Darby requested Ms. Nottingham to come forward and speak with Board and audience. John Settle spoke and believes the City is violating the open meetings law by making a change to the Agenda from interim to regular. Mr. Jacobs gave his legal opinion that the Council is operating within the law. Ms. Nottingham came forward and thanked Mayor for nomination and each one of the Council members for their support and spoke on her background and qualifications. No further comment Motion in favor of motion is unanimous The following Resolution offered and adopted: Resolution No. 100 Of 2021 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE APPOINTMENT OF AMANDA NOTTINGHAM AS THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER FOR THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY ________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, Section 7.04 of the Bossier City Charter provides for the appointment of a Chief Administrative Officer as nominated by the Mayor and approved by the City Council; and WHEREAS, said position is now vacant, and WHEREAS, Amanda Nottingham has been nominated by said Mayor and approved by said City Council, and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Bossier, in regular session convened, that Amanda Nottingham be appointed and hired as the Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Bossier City with benefits complete with the salary of the previous Chief Administrative Officer.  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. Jeffery Darby, and adopted on the 8th, day of September, 2021 by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Irwin ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ Don Williams, President ________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Ms. McGraw apologized again for her typo again that caused the meeting to be postponed for a day. Mr. Smith spoke on the 20th Anniversary of one of the worst attacks on this country. He spoke on the lives lost and on the ones that continue to be lost. He invited the public to the official ceremony and to remember our fellow Americans that have given their lives in support of this Country and remember those that are still stuck over there get home safely. He feels they are the ultimate public servants to lay down their lives for us. There being no further business to come before this Council, the meeting adjourned at 3:26 PM by Mr. Williams Respectfully submitted: Phyllis McGraw City Clerk Publish: September 15, 2021 Bossier Press Tribune