City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 18, 2022 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, January 18, 2022 at 3:00 PM Invocation was given by Council Member Jeffery Darby Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Vince Maggio Roll Call as follows: Present: Honorable, President Don Williams, Honorable Councilors Chris Smith, Brian Hammons, David Montgomery, Jr. Jeff Free and Vince Maggio Absent: Mr. Jeffery Darby 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 from the January 11, 2022, Special Council meeting and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Free Motion to approve Agenda Seconded by Mr. Smith Resident Adam Bass spoke on school board bus study that could help with Sportran Bus Stops. Was advised that that item wasn’t on agenda and would need to be added for discussion at a later date. No further discussion Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Bids – Witness opening of sealed bids for Bid #21-2125 – 722 Garden Street Demo 3 Gen Construction, LLC $11,967.00 CDE Construction, LLC $14,310.00 Eagle Industries, LLC $30,000.00 Lathan Construction, LLC $ 9,800.00 Precision Builders, Inc. $16,750.00 Red Tail Contracting, LLC $10,447.00 By: Mr. Williams Motion to approve reading of bids as read. Seconded by Mr. Smith No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Witness opening of sealed bids for Bid #21-2123 – 1316 Beverly Demo 3 Gen Construction, LLC $ 7,899.00 CDE Construction, LLC $ 7,452.00  Eagle Industries, LLC $21,500.00 Lathan Construction, LLC $12,500.00 Red Tail Contracting, LLC $ 7,078.00 By: Mr. Williams Motion to approve reading of bids as read. Seconded by Mr. Smith No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Unfinished Business – The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 11 OF 2022 AN ORDINANCE TO DECLARE THE COMPLETION OF THE ELSA JANE DRAINAGE REPAIR PROJECT BY PULLEY CONSTRUCTION, INC AT A TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COST OF $535,000.00, INCLUDING CHANGE ORDER 1, IN THE AMOUNT OF $35,000.00 TO AMEND ORDINANCE 69 OF 2021. WHEREAS; Ordinance 69 of 2021 approved and appropriated $500,000.00 to be used for the Elsa Jane Drainage Repair Project; WHEREAS; an unexpected increase of $35,000.00 in additional concrete work was needed to complete the repair project for a contract total of $535,000.00; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, in regular session convened that the Bossier City Council does hereby declare the completion of the Elsa Jane Drainage Repair Project by Pulley Construction, Inc., at a total construction cost of $535,000.00, including Change Order 1, in the amount of $35,000.00 to amend Ordinance 69 of 2021; 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. Jeff Free and seconded by Mr. Vince Maggio, and adopted on the 18th day of January 2022, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Darby ABSTAIN: none _____________________________________ Don Williams, President ______________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 12 OF 2022 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2022 SALES TAX CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET TO PROVIDE AN APPROPRIATION OF $66,000 TO REPLACE THE WIRELESS SYSTEMS FOR CITY HALL, PUBLIC SERVICE COMPLEX, PUBLIC SAFETY TRAINING FACILITY AND CIVIC CENTER. _____________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, The wireless systems in City Hall, the Public Service Complex, the Public Safety Training Facility and Civic Center are in need of replacement because they are currently or will become nonfunctional due to the age of the equipment; and WHEREAS, Carousel Industries has provided the City a proposed solution for equipment available through state contract. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, that the City Council of Bossier City, in regular session convened, authorizes an appropriation of $66,000 from the Sales Tax Capital Improvement Fund to be used for wireless system upgrades for City Hall, the Public Service Complex, the Public Safety Training Facility and Civic Center. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the Director of Finance is hereby authorized to sign any and all documents in connection with the furtherance of this Ordinance. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the 2022 Sales Tax Capital Improvement Budget is hereby amended to provide an appropriation of $66,000 to establish the Wireless System Replacement Project and decrease the budgeted contingency by $66,000. The above and foregoing Ordinance, read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Chris Smith and seconded by Mr. Don Williams, and adopted on the 18th day of January 2022, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Darby ABSTAIN: none _____________________________________ Don Williams, President ______________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 13 Of 2022 AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($30,000) FROM THE 2022 GENERAL FUND / FUND BALANCE TO HIRE GARY D. JOINER, PH.D. WITH PRECISION CARTOGRAPHICS AS REDISTRICTING SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY AND AUTHORIZING MAYOR THOMAS H. CHANDLER TO EXECUTE THE ATTACHED CONTRACT.  WHEREAS, the United States of America and the State of Louisiana require every ten (10) years study, analysis, and determination of the necessity of redistricting / reapportionment of the five (5) municipal districts of the City of Bossier City; and WHEREAS, said redistricting / reapportionment services require expert compilation and review of population changes within the City of Bossier City and may further require a shift or change to geographical limits of the said five (5) districts; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($30,000) is hereby appropriated from the 2022 General Fund / Fund Balance to hire Gary D. Joiner, Ph.D. d/b/a Precision Cartographics for the provision of all services necessary to ensure that the City of Bossier City is in compliance with any and all applicable federal and state statutes, rules and regulations regarding any necessary redistricting. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that Mayor Thomas H. Chandler is hereby authorized to execute on behalf of the City of Bossier City the attached contract between the City of Bossier City and Dr. Gary Joiner with Dr. Joiner to be compensated at the rate of $200.00 per hour with a total maximum amount of payment of THIRTY THOUSAND ($30,000.00) DOLLARS. The above and foregoing Ordinance was read in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Brian Hammons, and seconded by Mr. Don Williams, and adopted on the 18th day of January 2022, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Darby ABSTAIN: none ___________________________ ___________________________ Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk New Business – By: Mr. Free Motion to introduce an Ordinance to amend Ordinance 17 of 2021 to replace the Bruce Street Force Main adding $195,000 to come from the Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund to cover all project costs; and authorizes the City to enter into a contract with David Lawler Construction, Inc., for completion of work. Seconded by Mr. Maggio Discussion on various charges by Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons and Ben Rauschenbach No further discussion Motion carried with the following vote: Yeas: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio Nays: Mr. Smith and Mr. Hammons Absent: Mr. Darby Abstain: none By: Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance allocating $300,000 to come from the Water Capital and Contingency Fund for On Demand Water Meter Purchases. Seconded by Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Smith Motion to introduce an Ordinance amending the Bossier City, Louisiana Code of Ordinances Section 78-7 - Classified and Unclassified Service Generally to include the position of Tax Compliance and Processing Manager in the Classification Plan Assignment of Job Classes to Grade Levels. Seconded by Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance to appropriate $12,124 to come from the Hotel/Motel Taxes Fund to be used for the Tree Removal Project for the Brookshire Grocery Arena. Seconded by Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Agenda Item Called – Adopt a Resolution authorizing the hiring of Two (2) Police Officers, One (1) Communications Officer and one (1) Jailer for the Bossier City Police Department. By: Mr. Williams Motion to amend Resolution to reduce from two police officers to one at the request of the Chief. Seconded by Mr. Smith No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 7 Of 2022 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF ONE (1) POLICE OFFICER, ONE (1) COMMUNICTIONS OFFICER AND ONE (1) JAILER 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 Police Officer due to resignation, one Communications Officer due to resignation and one Jailer due to resignation. 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. Don Williams, and seconded by Mr. Chris Smith, and adopted on the 18th day of January 2022, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Darby ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Don Williams, President ___________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 8 OF 2022 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF ONE BUILDING MAINTENANCE EMPLOYEE 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 exist in the Building Maintenance Division due to Retirement 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 Building Maintenance 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. Vince Maggio, and adopted on the 18th day of January 2022, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Darby ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ Don Williams, President ______________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 9 OF 2022 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF ONE PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS EMPLOYEE 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 exist in the Permits and Inspections Division due to Retirement 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 Permits and Inspections 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. Chris Smith, and adopted on the 18th day of January 2022, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Darby ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ Don Williams, President ______________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 10 OF 2022 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF A UTILITY WORKER IN THE WATER DISTRIBUTION DIVISION FOR THE PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT _____________________________________________________ WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 76 of 2019 implemented a requirement assuring that the City department budgets not be exceeded by any hiring of any personnel; and WHEREAS, the position of utility worker 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. Don Williams and seconded by Mr. Chris Smith, and adopted on the 18th day of January 2022, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Darby ABSTAIN: none ________________________________ Don Williams, Council President ________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Reports Angela Williamson, Finance Director – went over Monthly Finance Report – She noted that Sales Taxes were up 17.5 percent from the same time last year. Clinton Patrick- Engineering Department – Monthly Project Report – He showed power point of various projects under construction within the City. He also went over the findings from the recent Traffic Signal Study. Those findings will be submitted to DOTD for review. There being no further business to come before this Council, the meeting adjourned at 3:45PM by Mr. Williams Respectfully submitted: Phyllis McGraw City Clerk Publish: January 26, 2022 Bossier Press Tribune