City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING JULY 5, 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, July 5, 2022 at 3:00 PM Invocation was given by Council Member Chris Smith Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Don Williams Roll Call as follows: Present: Honorable, President Don Williams, Honorable Councilors David Montgomery, Jr., Chris Smith, Brian Hammons, Jeffery Darby, Jeff Free and Vince Maggio 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. Free Motion to approve Minutes of June 21, 2022, Regular Council meeting and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Smith No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to remove Item #8 under New Business at the request of the Finance Director. Seconded by Mr. Smith No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to approve Agenda as amended Seconded by Mr. Free No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Ceremonial Matters/Recognition of Guests – Mr. Darby and Mr. Montgomery, Jr. presented Mr. Williams with a plaque of appreciation for his exemplary service as City Council President during the last year especially during an administration transition year. Public Hearing – Public Hearing for public input on Reapportionment Map 2 for Bossier City Council Districts Mr. Darby called the meeting to order Demographer, Gary Joiner went over and answered each of the questions asked by NAACP President, Lee Jeter at last meeting Mr. Darby asked for any Public Comments. Hearing no comments, Mr. Darby closed the Public Hearing at 3:19 PM Unfinished Business – 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 and resident David Jones on this issue, the need for the bridge and challenges the City has faced and will continue to face on this project. The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 78 Of 2022 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZNG 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. _____________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the State of Louisiana, acting thru the Department of Transportation and Development has put forth a plan to build a completely new four lane bridge in Bossier City; the purpose of which would be to replace the existing Jimmie Davis Bridge; and WHEREAS, said proposal calls for the creation of a linear park of said existing Jimmie Davis Bridge; and WHEREAS, said proposal would require the State of Louisiana to construct said linear park from the existing Jimmie Davis Bridge at the State’s cost; and WHEREAS, after construction of said park is completed, the State acting thru the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development will transfer ownership to the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism; and WHEREAS, the Parish of Bossier, acting thru the Bossier Parish Police Jury has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (attached hereto as Exhibit “A”) concerning said above described proposal; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that the City of Bossier hereby approves that the said Memorandum of Understanding (as approved by the Bossier Parish Police Jury) and hereby gives the Mayor of the City of Bossier City, the Honorable Thomas H. Chandler the authority to execute the same. 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, and adopted at open and legal session convened, the 5th, day of July, 2022, by the following vote: YES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: Mr. Williams ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ ___________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Agenda Item called - Adopt 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. Discussion among Council Member Hammons and Fire Chief Zagone on when station would open. The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 79 Of 2022 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. _____________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the new fire station in the East Bank district is set to open in August 2022; and WHEREAS, supplies are needed to set up for operation at this location; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened that the Bossier City Fire Department is hereby given authority to expend the sum of Ninety Thousand Dollars ($90,000) 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; The above and foregoing Ordinance was adopted at open and legal session convened, on a motion by Mr. Brian Hammons, and seconded by Mr. Vince Maggio, and adopted at open and legal session convened, the 5th, day of July, 2022, by the following vote: YES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk By: Mr. Smith Motion to introduce an ordinance approving the reapportionment of Council Districts for the City of Bossier City according to Map 2 of 2022. Seconded by: Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous New Business – The following ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 80 OF 2022  AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 133 OF 2018, BY CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF A CERTAIN TRACT OF LAND FROM B-2 (LIMITED BUSINESS) TO B-3 (GENERAL BUSINESS) BEING 0.883 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, LOCATED AT 1815, 1817, 1819 AND 1825 AIRLINE DRIVE, BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA FOR USED AUTO SALES. SECTION 1. BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that Ordinance No. 133 of 2018 of the City Council of the City of Bossier City, Louisiana, is hereby amended to provide that the zoning classification is hereby changed from B-2 (Limited Business) to B-3 (General Business) for the following: 0.883 acres, more or less, located at 1815, 1817, 1819 and 1825 Airline Drive, Bossier City, Louisiana and more particularly described as follows: COMMENCING AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF LOT 56 OF WALLER SUBDIVISION 4TH FILING, SAID POINT LYING ON THE SOUTH R.O.W. LINE OF OLD MINDEN ROAD; THENCE ALONG SAID R.O.W. NORTH 73 DEGREES 06 MINUTES 59 SECONDS EAST A DISTANCE OF 156.11 FEET TO A SET 5/8” REBAR, SAID POINT BEING THE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE NORTH 73 DEGREES 06 MINUTES 59 SECONDS EAST A DISTANCE OF 198.00 FEET TO A SET CARVED “X” IN CONCRETE; THENCE LEAVING SAID SOUTH R.O.W. LINE OF OLD MINDEN ROAD AND ALONG THE WESTERLY RIGHT OF WAY OF AIRLINE DRIVE WITH A CURVE TURNING TO THE RIGHT WITH AN ARC LENGTH OF 16.14’ WITH A RADIUS OF 25.00’, WITH A CHAORD BEARING OF SOUTH 33 DEGREES 04 MINUTES 05 SECONDS EAST, WITH A CHORD LENGTH OF 15.86 FEET TO A SET CARVED “X” IN CONCRETE; THENCE SOUTH 15 DEGREES 19 MINUTES 43 SECONDS EAST A DISTANCE OF 3.00 FEET TO A SET CARVED “X” IN CONCRETE; THENCE SOUTH 15 DEGREES 19 MINUTES 43 SECONDS EAST A DISTANCE OF 173.94 FEET TO A SET P.K. NAIL; THENCE LEAVING SAID R.O.W. SOUTH 73 DEGREES 06 MINUTES 59 SECOONDS WEST A DISTANCE OF 197.62 FEET TO A SET 5/8” REBAR; THENCE NORTH 16 DEGREES 53 MINUTES 01 SECONDS WEST A DISTANCE OF 192.11 FEET BACK TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, SAID DESCRIBED TRACT CONTAINING 0.883 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, ALL LYING IN BOSSIER PARISH, LOUISIANA. The foregoing Ordinance adopted at open and legal session convened, on a motion by Mr. Don Williams, and seconded by Mr. Chris Smith, on the 5th, day of July, 2022, by the following vote: YES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk C-19-22 The following ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 81 OF 2022 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE FOR THE SALE OF HIGH AND LOW CONTENT ALCOHOL FOR ON PREMISE CONSUMPTION AT A RESTAURANT, ZAAP THAI, LOCATED AT 3244 BARKSDALE BOULEVARD, BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA. WHEREAS; Pornchai Sattayacaluhakul, Zaap Thai, has applied to the Bossier City-Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission for Conditional Use Approval for the sale of high and low content alcohol, for on premise consumption, at a restaurant located at 3244 Barksdale Boulevard, Bossier City, Louisiana. WHEREAS; a public hearing for the Conditional Use application was held on June 13, 2022; and WHEREAS; The Planning Department has submitted the results of said public hearing to the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Bossier City. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY HEREBY ORDAINS: SECTION 1. That the Conditional Use for retail sales of high and low content alcohol for on premise consumption at 3244 Barksdale Boulevard, Bossier City, Louisiana is hereby approved. The foregoing Ordinance was adopted at open and legal session convened, on a motion by Mr. Chris Smith, and seconded by Mr. Vince Maggio, on the 5th, day of July, 2022, by the following vote: YES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk C-32-22 By: Mr. Smith Motion to introduce an ordinance to declare the completion of the City Hall Parking Lot Expansion Project at a total construction cost of $318,050.27, including Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $20,805.27, and to amend ordinance 77 of 2021 leaving a surplus of funding for its balance. Seconded by: Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Agenda Item called – Public Hearing concerning the City of Bossier City’s 2022 CDBG Annual Action Plan for application for Community Development Block Grant Funds. Mr. Darby called the meeting to order @ 3:45 PM Community Development Director, Bob Brown went over the City’s application. Mr. Darby asked for public comments. Hearing no other Public Comments, Mr. Darby closed the Public Hearing at 3:47 PM RESOLUTION NO. 69 OF 2022 A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE CITY’S APPLICATION TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT FOR FUNDING (ENTITLEMENT STATUS) UNDER AUTHORITY OF TITLE I OF THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1974 (42 U.S.C. 3535) (d) and (42 U.S.C. 5301) (et.seq.) BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Bossier City, Louisiana that the City of Bossier City Council hereby supports the City’s Five-Year Consolidated Strategy Plan and 2022 Action Plan and application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for funding (Entitlement Status) under authority of the Consolidation for the following: Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS): title I of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. 12702-12711; Community Development Block Grants (CDBG): title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, 42 U.S.C. 5304-5320; Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG): title VI, subtitle B, of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 11371-11378; HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME): title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez Nation Affordable Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. 12741-12839; Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA): the AIDS; Housing Opportunity Act, 42 U.S.C. 12901-12912; Also serving as a basis for determining requirements in this rule are the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601-3619), title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act, and Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C. 1701u). WHEREAS, the primary objective of the Community Development Entitlement Program is the development of viable urban communities, including decent housing and a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income, and whereas, consistent with this primary objective, the Federal Assistance realized from this application is for the support of community development activities which are directed toward the following specific objectives:  (1) The elimination of slums and blight and the prevention of blighting influences and the deterioration of property and neighborhood and community facilities of importance to the welfare of the community, principally persons of low and moderate income; (2) The elimination of conditions which are detrimental to health, safety and public welfare, through code enforcement, demolition, interim rehabilitation assistance, and related activities; (3) The conversation of the city’s housing stock in order to provide a decent home and a suitable living environment for all persons, but principally those of low and moderate income; (4) The improvement of the quality of community services, principally for persons of low and moderate income, which are essential for sound community development; (5) The reduction of the isolation of income groups within communities and geographical areas and the promotion of an increase in the diversity and vitality of neighborhoods of housing opportunities for person of lower income and the revitalization of deteriorating neighborhoods to attract persons of higher income; and (6) The restoration and preservation of properties of special value or historic, architecture or aesthetic reasons. WHEREAS, THE City of Bossier City possesses legal authority to apply for this grant, and all other related Housing Urban Development Programs to execute all proposed projects and whereas, this City is now established as an “Entitlement City”; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Bossier City hereby supports Thomas H. Chandler, Mayor of Bossier City, Louisiana, the chief official of Bossier City, to apply for and sign all document as necessary and appropriate in the City’s application of Housing and Urban Development Programs. This resolution having been submitted to a vote and declared adopted on the 5th day of July, 2022 by the following vote is on motion of Mr. Don Williams and seconded by Mr. Chris Smith. YES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 70 OF 2022 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF A UTILITY WORKER IN 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 considered in full at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Chris Smith and seconded by Mr. Vince Maggio, and adopted at open and legal session convened, the 5th, day of July, 2022, by the following vote: YES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 71 Of 2022 A RESOLUTION TO PROMOTE FROM WITHIN, A TRAFFIC CONTROL LEAD TECHNICIAN AND TO BACKFILL ANY POSITION THIS CREATES IN THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING 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, the Traffic Engineering Division has an available Traffic Control Lead Technician position; and WHEREAS, this provides the opportunity to promote one from with the division and backfill any positions this may create; 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 promote from within, a Traffic Control Lead Technician and backfill any position this may create.  The above and foregoing Resolution was considered at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Chris Smith, and seconded by Mr. Don Williams, and adopted at open and legal session convened, the 5th, day of July, 2022, by the following vote: YES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk By: Mr. Darby Motion to introduce an ordinance authorizing the City of Bossier City to settle pending lawsuit; City of Bossier City Vs. Nichols Lube Center, Et Al. Seconded by: Mr. Williams Discussion among Council members and City Attorney. City Attorney advised that if they have specific questions that a special meeting should be called to go into executive session. No further comment Motion carried with the following votes: Yeas: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio Nays: none Abstain: Mr. Smith and Mr. Hammons Respectfully submitted: Phyllis McGraw City Clerk Publish: July 13, 2022 Bossier Press Tribune