City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 2, 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, August 2, 2022 at 3:00 PM Invocation was given by Council Member Chris Smith Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Vince Maggio Roll Call as follows: Present: Honorable, President Jeffery Darby, Honorable Councilors Chris Smith, Don Williams, Jeff Free and Vince Maggio Absent: Honorable Councilors David Montgomery, Jr. and Brian Hammons 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 19, 2022, Regular Council meeting and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Smith No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to approve Agenda Seconded by Mr. Smith No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Ceremonial Matters/Recognition of Guests – Lynn Bryan, Executive Director – Keep Bossier Beautiful went over their successful cleanup initiatives from the past year and spoke on future projects. Unfinished Business – The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 86 Of 2022 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 _____________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the City of Bossier City will be part owner of the (6) License Plate Readers/Cameras; and WHEREAS, funds are needed will split the cost of the License Plate Readers/Cameras with the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Department.  NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, does hereby 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. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the (6) License Plate Readers/Cameras cost will be split with the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Department. The request for $75,000 is in the event the project runs over the projected amount. These LPR’s are vital to Bossier City’s mission to keep the community safe, and provide intelligence to the Bossier City Police Department. The LPR’s have been essential in numerous criminal investigations and have been responsible for solving many crimes. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Jeff Free, and seconded by Mr. Chris Smith, and adopted on this the 2nd day of August 2022. AYES: Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., and Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none _____________________________________ JEFFERY D. DARBY, PRESIDENT _____________________________________ PHYLLIS MCGRAW, CITY CLERK Agenda Item called: Adopt 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. Questions from resident Carey Chandler on this item. Fire Chief Zagone answered Mr. Chandler’s questions. The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 87 Of 2022 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. _____________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the current RMS system is no longer supported; and 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 Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250,000.00) from the EMS Capital Contingency Fund for the purchase of EMS supplies for a new Records Management System for the Bossier City Fire Department. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Jeff Free, and seconded by Mr. Vince Maggio, and adopted on this the 2nd day of August 2022. AYES: Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., and Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none _____________________________________ JEFFERY D. DARBY, PRESIDENT _____________________________________ PHYLLIS MCGRAW, CITY CLERK The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 88 OF 2022 ADOPT 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. WHEREAS; Ordinance 68 of 2021 appropriated $135,000 for the cleaning the referenced ditch for immediate improvement to drainage in the area and to identify right of way for an appropriate maintenance easement to maintain the Tinsley Ditch; and WHEREAS; Ordinance 90 of 2021 authorized the Mayor to use the fund appropriated by Ordinance 68 of 2021 to contract with Nixon Engineering Solutions to provide design for the Tinsley Ditch Basin Relief Plan; and WHEREAS; design services for Nixon Engineering Solutions was meant to be appropriated from the 2021 Sales Tax Capital Improvement Fund. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, in regular session convened that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, authorizes to appropriate an additional $36,950 from the 2022 Sales Tax Capital Improvement Fund for the purpose of contracting 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.  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 2022 Sales Tax Capital Improvement Fund Budget is hereby amended to increase expenditures for the Tinsley Drainage Basin Relief Plan by $36,950 and decrease Fund Balance by $36,950. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Chris Smith, and seconded by Mr. Don Williams, and adopted on this the 2nd day of August 2022. AYES: Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., and Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none _____________________________________ JEFFERY D. DARBY, PRESIDENT _____________________________________ PHYLLIS MCGRAW, CITY CLERK The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 89 OF 2022 ADOPT AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATE $275,000 FROM THE 2015 LCDA BOND ISSUE FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE EASTBANK FIRE STATION. WHEREAS; Ordinance 40 of 2020 appropriated $2,100,000 to design and construct a Fire Station in the Eastbank District; and WHEREAS; Ordinance 42 of 2021 appropriated an additional $1,000,000; and WHEREAS; additional services and funding is necessary for funding communication efforts, internal appliances and landscaping for the newly constructed fire station. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, in regular session convened that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, authorizes to appropriate an additional $275,000 from the 2015 LCDA Bond Issue for the purpose of completing the East Bank Fire Station. 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 2015 LCDA Bond Issue Fund Budget is hereby amended to increase expenditures for the Eastbank Fire Station by $275,000 and decrease Fund Balance by $275,000. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Jeff Free, and seconded by Mr. Don Williams, and adopted on this the 2nd day of August 2022. AYES: Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., and Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none _____________________________________ JEFFERY D. DARBY, PRESIDENT _____________________________________ PHYLLIS MCGRAW, CITY CLERK New Business – The following ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 90 OF 2022 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE FOR THE SALE OF LOW CONTENT ALCOHOL FOR ON PREMISE CONSUMPTION AT A RESTAURANT LOCATED AT 3416 BARKSDALE BOULEVARD, BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA. WHEREAS; Jin K. Dwon, King David Kwon, LLC, has applied to the Bossier City-Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission for Conditional Use Approval for the sale of low content alcohol, for on premise consumption, at a restaurant located at 3416 Barksdale Boulevard, Bossier City, Louisiana. WHEREAS; a public hearing for the Conditional Use application was held on July 11, 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 the sale of low content alcohol for on premise consumption at 3416 Barksdale Boulevard, Bossier City, Louisiana is hereby approved. Motion was made by Mr. Don Williams and seconded by Mr. Chris Smith to adopt the above ordinance. Upon the following vote, the ordinance was duly adopted this 2nd day of August, 2022. AYES: Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., and Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none _____________________________________ JEFFERY D. DARBY, PRESIDENT  _____________________________________ PHYLLIS MCGRAW, CITY CLERK C-ALC-1-2022 By: Mr. Smith Motion to introduce an Ordinance to appropriate Twenty Five Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($25,200.00) from the 2022 General Fund Fund Balance to fund officers with the Bossier Sheriff's Office directing traffic in school zones. Seconded by Mr. Maggio Discussion among Council members, City attorney and Police Chief on this item Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Free Motion to introduce an Ordinance to transfer $35,991 from the Police Department Budget to the Public Affairs Department Budget in the 2022 General Fund Budget. Seconded by Mr. Smith No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance to declare the completion of the Walter O. Bigby Carriageway Pump Station Project by Max Foote Construction, LLC. at a total project cost of $3,836,000.00, including deductive Change Order No. 1 in the amount of Sixty-Four Thousand Dollars ($64,000.00) and to amend Ordinance 39 of 2021 leaving a surplus of funding to supplement fund 415 Walter O. Bigby Carriageway Fund. Seconded by Mr. Smith No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Agenda Item Called - Public Hearing concerning the City's Application to the United States Department of Justice to participate in the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. Mr. Darby opened the Public Hearing. Sergeant April Hylbert explained what the application was and what the funds would be used for. Mr. Darby asked for any public comments. Hearing no comments Mr. Darby closed the Public Hearing at 3:28PM The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 76 OF 2022 A RESOLUTION ENDORSING THE CITY’S APPLICATION TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM WHEREAS, any law enforcement initiative funded by the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program; and, WHEREAS, the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program was implemented by H.R. 3036 and, in part, supports a broad range of law enforcement activities to prevent and control crime; and, WHEREAS, the city of Bossier City possesses legal authority to apply for and receive a JAG grant award; and,  WHEREAS, the City of Bossier City will make application to the Bureau of Justice Assistance for a joint award, to be shared between the Parish and the City, under this authorization for the purpose of providing extended law enforcement services to the citizens of Bossier City, Louisiana; and, WHEREAS, the Mayor of Bossier City names the Chief of Police as his designee for the purpose of signing the grant application and other grant documents; and, WHEREAS, the City of Bossier City, in conjunction with the Bossier City Police Department, agrees to meet all grant requirements and to execute all proposed projects related thereto in a timely manner. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Bossier City, in regular session convened, hereby supports Mayor Thomas Chandler, Chief Executive Officer of Bossier City, and Chief Christopher Estess, Chief of Police, in making application for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. The above and foregoing Resolution, at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Chris Smith, seconded by Mr. Vince Maggio, and adopted on this the 2nd day of August 2022. AYES: Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., and Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none _____________________________________ JEFFERY D. DARBY, PRESIDENT _____________________________________ PHYLLIS MCGRAW, CITY CLERK City Clerk spoke on the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program and urging eligible citizens to apply. There being no further business to come before this Council, the meeting adjourned at 3:30PM by Mr. Darby. Respectfully submitted: Phyllis McGraw City Clerk Publish: August 10, 2022 Bossier Press Tribune