City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING JULY 19, 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 19, 2022 at 3:00 PM Invocation was given by Council Member Jeffery Darby Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Brian Hammons Roll Call as follows: Present: Honorable, President Jeffery Darby, Honorable Councilors David Montgomery, Jr., Chris Smith, Brian Hammons, Don Williams, 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. Williams Motion to approve Minutes of July 5, 2022, Regular Council meeting and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Hammons No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to remove item #6 under New Business at the request of the Police Chief. Seconded by Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to approve Agenda as amended Seconded by Mr. Hammons No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Ceremonial Matters/Recognition of Guests – Ginger Adam Corley – Legislative Update – Ms. Corley went over legislation that has relevance for Bossier City. She reported that the Diamond Jacks reopening is waiting on Gaming Control Board. She also spoke about the Jimmy Davis Bridge refurbishment. Senator Barrow Peacock thanked Bossier for Ms. Corley. Her service in Baton Rouge, on the City’s behalf, is very helpful. Appeals/Hearings – Agenda Item called: Hearing of appeal for Alix Chambers, 2017 Pluto Dr., Bossier City, LA for violation of City Ordinance Section 14- Vicious and Dangerous Dog. Mr. Chambers was present and requested the Dangerous Dog declaration be overturned. Questions and comments from Council Members, City Attorney, Animal Control staff and Public Works Director Wade Rich By: Mr. Williams Motion to deny Mr. Chambers appeal to overturn the Dangerous Dog declaration. Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Unfinished Business – The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 82 OF 2022 AN ORDINANCE TO ENLARGE THE LIMITS AND BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY BY ANNEXING APROXIMATELY 9.122 ACRES AJACENT TO THE CURRENT CITY LIMITS VIA THE SOUTH (I-220), AND WEST (INNOVATION DRIVE) BOUNDARIES. (SWAN LAKE ROAD) WHEREAS, a petition signed by the property owner has been filed with the City Council of the City of Bossier City, requesting that the property described in Exhibit “A”, attached and made a part hereof, be included in the City Limits of the City of Bossier City Parish of Bossier, Louisiana, subject to the conditions set forth herein. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of the City of Bossier City, in regular session convened, that the limits and boundaries of the City of Bossier City are hereby enlarged and extended so as to include with the limits and boundaries of the City of Bossier City, the property described in Exhibit “A”. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the above referenced annexed area shall be in Council District Number 4 and Council District 5 of the City of Bossier City, Louisiana. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that all Ordinances, or parts of Ordinances, in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. The above and foregoing Ordinance, adopted at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Don Williams, seconded by Mr. Vince Maggio, on this the 19th day of July, 2022 by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYES: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President __________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted:  ORDINANCE NO 83 OF 2022 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING REAPPORTIONMENT OF COUNCIL DISTRICTS FOR THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY ACCORDING TO MAP 2 OF 2022 ____________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, Section 3.03 (B) of the Bossier City Charter requires the City to “alter, change or rearrange the five (5) council districts so that each district shall contain, as near as can be determined, the same number of people”; and WHEREAS, the reapportionment must be done following each federal census; and WHEREAS, the City, by Ordinance, has employed a demographer to assist in submitting a reapportionment plan; and WHEREAS,. 2 maps were submitted to the Council and 2 public hearings were held on the proposed maps according to law; and WHEREAS, it is now the desire of the City Council to adopt Map 2 of 2022 as the proposed reapportionment plan subject to final approval of the Office of the Louisiana Secretary of State. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, hereby approves for submission to the Office of the Louisiana Secretary of State, the proposed reapportionment plan represented in Map 2 of 2022 The above and foregoing Ordinance, adopted at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. David Montgomery, Jr., seconded by Mr. Chris Smith, on this the 19th day of July, 2022 by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYES: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ __________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 84 OF 2022 ADOPT 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. WHEREAS; Ordinance 77 of 2021 appropriated $400,000.00 for the City Hall Parking lot Expansion; and WHEREAS; an unforeseen subsurface condition, requiring the addition of 2 headwalls and the rerouting of an existing storm drain, requires a closeout change order in the amount of $20,850.27 and an additional 8 days; and WHEREAS; the City Hall Parking lot Expansion is now complete, the remaining funds are to be used to supplement Change Order No. 1, leaving a surplus of over $35,000.00 to go back into the fund balance; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, in regular session convened that the Bossier City Council does hereby approve adopt 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; and 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, adopted at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Chris Smith, seconded by Mr. David Montgomery, Jr., on this the 19th day of July, 2022 by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYES: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ____________________________ __________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 85 Of 2022 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY TO SETTLE PENDING LAWSUIT; CITY OF BOSSIER CITY VS. NICHOLS LUBE CENTER, ET AL ______________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, a pending contested expropriation suit, namely City of Bossier City vs. Nichols Lube Center, Et Al; Suit No. C-162613 is currently in active litigation in the 26th Judicial District Court; and WHEREAS, said matter has been pending for several years at considerable and substantial cost to the City of Bossier City; and WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to amicably settle this matter; and  WHEREAS, the City would pay unto the Defendant the total sum of three million four hundred ninety nine thousand and no/100 ($3,499,000.00) with the City of Bossier City receiving full and final ownership of the immovable property of the Defendant, with the Defendant having a period of 90 days from July 5, 2022 to vacate said premises and with the Defendant waiving any and all existing and/or future claims against the City of Bossier City. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened that the City of Bossier City shall settle the above described lawsuit pursuant to the above described terms and conditions. The above and foregoing Ordinance, adopted at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Don Williams, seconded by Mr. Vince Maggio, on this the 19th day of July, 2022 by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYES: Mr. Smith ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: Mr. Hammons ____________________________ __________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk New Business – By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance to appropriate $75,000 to come from the 2022 Sales Tax Capital Improvement Budget to increase expenditures for Police Department Other Equipment and decrease fund balance by $75,000. Seconded by Mr. Free No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Free Motion to introduce an Ordinance appropriating the sum of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) from the EMS Capital Contingency Fund for the purchase of a new Records Management System for the Bossier City Fire Department. Seconded by Mr. Maggio Questions from Council Members on issue. Chief Zagone answered questions. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance to amend Ordinance 90 of 2021 with Nixon Engineering Solutions to provide a Drainage Study, Phase IA Construction Documents and Right-of-Way Documents for the Tinsley Ditch Basin Relief Plan. Seconded by Mr. Smith No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Free Motion to introduce an Ordinance appropriate $275,000 from the 2015 LCDA Bond Issue for the completion of the Eastbank Fire Station. Seconded by Mr. Maggio Questions and discussion from Council Members, City Engineer, Ben Rauschenbach and City Attorney Charles Jacobs. Nor further comment Motion carried with the following vote: Yeas: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Williams and Mr. Free Nays: Mr. Hammons Absent: none Abstain: none The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 72 OF 2022 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF A UTILITY WORKER FOR THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT 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 adopted at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. David Montgomery, Jr. and seconded by Mr. Vince Maggio, on the 19th, day of July, 2022 by the following vote: AYES: 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, Council President ________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 73 OF 2022 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF AN ACCOUNTANT I DUE TO A RESIGNATION IN THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT ___________________________________________________________________________  WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 76 of 2019 implemented a budgetary control requiring a resolution to be approved by the Bossier City Council prior to the hiring or employment of any individual receiving wages, compensation, or remuneration for any labor including temporary or contractual employment; and WHEREAS, the Finance Department has an available position due to resignation of an employee; and WHEREAS, this resignation provides for an opportunity to hire a replacement; and WHEREAS, this action will have no impact on the existing budget. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that the administration is authorized to hire an Accountant I, due to a resignation in the Finance Department, with no impact to the existing budget. The above and foregoing Resolution was adopted at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. David Montgomery, Jr. and seconded by Mr. Chris Smith, on the 19th, day of July, 2022 by the following vote: AYES: 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, Council President ________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 74 Of 2022 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CHANGE TO THE PAY PERIOD SCHEDULE ______________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the City of Bossier City is implementing a new scheduling and payroll system; and WHEREAS, the new system requires modification to the current pay period schedule to ensure the scheduling, timekeeping and payroll components are properly integrated; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that the administration is authorized to change the pay period schedule from a two week period beginning on a Wednesday and ending on a Tuesday to a two week period beginning on a Sunday ending on a Saturday. The above and foregoing Resolution was adopted at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Brian Hammons and seconded by Mr. David Montgomery, Jr., on the 19th, day of July, 2022 by the following vote: AYES: 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, Council President ________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 75 Of 2022 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OR PROMOTION OF A RECREATION MAINTENANCE WORKER I AND BACKFILLING ANY POSITION THIS MAY CREATE FOR THE PARKS & RECREATION 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 position of a Recreation Maintenance Worker I is vacant due to promotion, retirement, resignation or termination; 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 adopted at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Don Williams and seconded by Mr. David Montgomery, Jr., on the 19th, day of July, 2022 by the following vote: AYES: 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, Council President ________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Reports – Monthly Finance Report: Finance Director – Angela Williamson – Went over monthly Finance Report for month ending June 2022. She noted that Sales Taxes were still over predicted and from the same time period last year. Under expenses the City is running 9 percent below budget. Mr. Darby asked Mayor about fuel cost increases. Mayor will be bringing plan to Council. Monthly Project Report: City Engineer - Ben Rauschenbach – Went over monthly Project Report. He noted there are over 101 Million Dollars in ongoing design and construction projects. He also went over various individual projects. Mr. Hammons asked questions about the at grade crossing reopening at Shed Road. Mr. Rauschenbach is not sure if crossing will reopen. There being no further business to come before this Council, the meeting adjourned at 4:03PM by Mr. Darby. Respectfully submitted: Phyllis McGraw City Clerk Publish: July 27, 2022 Bossier Press Tribune