City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING JUNE 21, 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, June 21, 2022 at 3:00 PM Invocation was given by Council Member Jeffery Darby Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Jeff Free Roll Call as follows: Present: Honorable, President Don Williams, Honorable Councilors Chris Smith, Brian Hammons, Jeffery Darby, Jeff Free and Vince Maggio Absent: Honorable Councilor David Montgomery, Jr., 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. Hammons Motion to approve Minutes of June 7, 2022, Regular Council meeting and June 15, 2022, Special Meeting and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Darby No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Smith Motion to approve Agenda Seconded by Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Public Hearing – Public Hearing for public input on Reapportionment Map 2 for Bossier City Council Districts Mr. Williams called the meeting to order Resident and NAACP President, Lee Jeter spoke on issue and asked questions of Demographer, Gary Joiner. Those answers aren’t readily available and a meeting will need to be set up with Mr. Jeter to get clarification to address his issues and suggestions. Hearing no other Public Comments, Mr. Williams closed the meeting at 3:16 PM Ceremonial Matters/Recognition of Guests – Claire Woods, Director of Environmental Justice Policies and Programs and Senior Attorney - update on cleanup of environmental contamination related to the former Tronox/Kerr-McGee Wood Treating Facility. She outlined current work and efforts to make the public more aware of what’s going on. Unfinished Business – The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 75 Of 2022 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZNG MAYOR THOMAS CHANDLER TO EXECUTE THE ATTACHED REVISED EVACUATION HOST AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY AND THE NORTHWEST LOUISIANA VETERANS’ HOME ______________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, previously there was a cooperate endeavor agreement between the City of Bossier City and the Northwest Louisiana Veterans’ Home; and WHEREAS, updates have been made to the previous contract as reflected in the Evacuation Host Agreement attached hereto; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that Mayor Thomas Chandler on behalf of the City of Bossier City is hereby authorized to execute the attached revised Evacuation Host Agreement between the City of Bossier City and the Northwest Louisiana Veterans’ Home. The above and foregoing Ordinance was adopted at open and legal session convened, on a motion by Mr. Brian Hammons, and seconded by Mr. Chris Smith, on the 21st, day of June, 2022, by the following vote: YES: Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Don Williams, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 76 OF 2022 AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $586,512 FROM THE SALES TAX CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND TO PURCHASE POLICE VEHICLES. _____________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, an ordinance is required to appropriate funds; and WHEREAS, an appropriation in the amount of $586,512 from the Sales Tax Capital Improvement Fund is needed to purchase vehicles for the Police Department; and WHEREAS, the vehicle manufacturer has approved the purchase of 2023 vehicles at the 2022 state contract price and required the vehicle orders to be placed by May 19, 2022 due to a global chip shortage;  NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of Bossier City, in regular session convened, that $586,512 is hereby appropriated from the Sales Tax Capital Improvement Fund fund balance to purchase vehicles for the Police Department with approval retroactive to May 17, 2022. The above and foregoing Ordinance, read in full at open and legal session convened, was adopted at open and legal session convened, on a motion by Mr. Jeff Free, and seconded by Mr. Brian Hammons, on the 21st, day of June, 2022, by the following vote: YES: Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Don Williams, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Agenda Item called – Adopt an Ordinance to appropriate additional funds for improvements to the Bossier Arts Council Building for a total of $200,000 to come from the Hotel/Motel Fund. Discussion from Council members and Engineering department about what the additional funds would be used for. The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 77 OF 2022 ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE BOSSIER ARTS COUNCIL BUILDING FOR A TOTAL OF $200,000 TO COME FROM THE HOTEL/MOTEL FUND. WHEREAS; Ordinance 115 of 2021 appropriated $500,000 for improvements to the Bossier Arts Council Building to come from the Hotel/Motel Fund; and WHEREAS; unforeseen water damage is expected to be encountered once the demolition and construction process begins that will required additional improvements to the roof, enhanced waterproofing measures, and related building envelope and interior finish and flooring restoration measures; and WHEREAS; additional funding is needed for these improvements; and WHEREAS; the estimated construction costs for the proposed additional improvements are $200,000 which is available in the Hotel/Motel Fund. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, in regular session convened that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, that $200,000 is hereby appropriated from the Hotel/Motel Fund. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the Mayor is authorized to sign any and all documents in connection with the furtherance of this Ordinance.  BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the Hotel/Motel Fund Budget is hereby amended to allocate for expenditures for improvements to the Bossier Arts Council Building by $200,000 and decrease Fund Balance by $200,000. The above and foregoing Ordinance was adopted at open and legal session convened, on a motion by Mr. Don Williams, and seconded by Mr. Jeff Darby, on the 21st, day of June, 2022, by the following vote: YES: Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Don Williams, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Agenda Item Called – Adopt an Ordinance authorizing Mayor Thomas H. Chandler to execute the attached Memorandum of Understanding between the State of Louisiana, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Bossier Parish Police Jury, Caddo Parish Commission, City of Shreveport and City of Bossier City. Discussion among Council members, City Attorney Jacobs, Mayor Chandler and Lisa Johnson about bridge, park and future requirements. By: Mr. Darby Motion to amend the MOU to add language that if any of the other entities do not meet their obligations the city of bossier would not be required to as well. Seconded by Mr. Williams No further comments Motion carried with the following votes: Yeas: Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio Nays: Mr. Smith and Mr. Hammons Absent: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Abstain: none By: Mr. Williams Motion to reintroduce an Ordinance authorizing Mayor Thomas H. Chandler to execute the attached Memorandum of Understanding between the State of Louisiana, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Bossier Parish Police Jury, Caddo Parish Commission, City of Shreveport and City of Bossier City as amended. Seconded by Mr. Darby No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous New Business – By: Mr. Free Motion to introduce an ordinance appropriating the sum of Ninety Thousand Dollars ($90,000.00) from the EMS Capital Contingency Fund for the purchase of EMS Supplies for the new Fire Station in the East Bank District and at the Central Station. Seconded by: Mr. Maggio Discussion among Council members and Fire Chief Zagone about why this was necessary and not included in original bid. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Free  Motion to introduce an ordinance an Ordinance to enlarge the limits and boundaries of the City of Bossier City by annexing approximately 9.122 acres adjacent to the current City Limits via the South (I-220), and the West (Innovation Drive) Boundaries. Seconded by: Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Agenda Item called - Introduce an Ordinance approving the reapportionment of Council Districts for the City of Bossier City according to Map 2 of 2022. Discussion among Council Members, City Attorney Jacobs and resident and NAACP President, Lee Jeter discussed postponement By: Mr. Williams Motion to continue item to the July 5, 2022, Regular City Council Meeting. Seconded by: Mr. Hammons No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 67 Of 2022 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PROMOTION OF ONE POLICE RECORDS CLERK III TO A RECORDS CLERK IV 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 promotion of one Records Clerk from status of III to IV 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 adopted at open and legal session convened, on a motion by Mr. Chris Smith, and seconded by Mr. Jeff Free, on the 21st, day of June, 2022, by the following vote: YES: Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Don Williams, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 68 Of 2022 A RESOLUTION FOR PUBLIC WORKS TO COMBINE TWO PART TIME KENNEL WORKER POSITIONS INTO ONE FULL TIME POSITION IN THE 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, a full time position is needed to fulfill work duties in the Animal Control Division; 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 ordained the administration is hereby authorized Public Works to combine two part-time Kennel Worker positions into one full time position. The above and foregoing Resolution was adopted at open and legal session convened, on a motion by Mr. Chris Smith, and seconded by Mr. Jeffery Darby, on the 21st, day of June, 2022, by the following vote: YES: Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Don Williams, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk By: Mr. Hammons Motion to approve Parade Permit Fee Waiver for the Greenacres Place HOA, July 4, 2022. Seconded by Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Agenda item called - Elect City Council President effective July 1, 2022 thru June 30, 2023. By: Mr. Williams Motion to elect Jeffery Darby for City Council President effective July 1, 2022 thru June 30, 2023. Seconded by Mr. Free No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Agenda item called - Elect City Council Vice President for Bossier City Council effective July 1, 2022 thru June 30, 2023. By: Mr. Darby Motion to elect Jeff Free for City Council Vice President for Bossier City Council effective July 1, 2022 thru June 30, 2023. Seconded by Mr. Smith No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Reports – Angela Williamson, Finance Director gave monthly Finance Report for month ending May noting that sales taxes were still trending favorably. Engineering Department, Clinton Patrick gave the monthly project report - noting the progress on all ongoing City Projects. Mr. Darby thanked the Council for their vote of confidence in him as President for the next year. There being no further business to come before this Council, the meeting adjourned at 4:28PM by Mr. Williams Respectfully submitted: Phyllis McGraw City Clerk Publish: June 29, 2022 Bossier Press Tribune