City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 6, 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, September 6, 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 August 30, 2022, Regular Council meeting and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Hammons No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Ceremonial Matters/Recognition of Guests – Mr. Darby welcomed the Bossier Youth Leadership students and had them to introduce themselves. By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to approve Agenda. Seconded by Mr. Free No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous New Business – By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance appropriating Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000.00) from the 2018 LCDA Bond Fund for all project related cost for the Citizen Bank Drive Roadway Extension and Citizen Bank Drive Pump Station. Seconded by Mr. Williams Discussion among Council Members and City Engineer about need for Citizen Bank drive extension and pump station Motion carried unanimously Agenda item called - Introduce an Ordinance authorizing Mayor Thomas H. Chandler to execute the attached Professional Services Agreement with Gary Todd Killen with Bossier Tennis Center, Inc. By: Mr. Smith Motion to amend Ordinance to reflect Killen’s Court, LLC and not Bossier Tennis Inc. Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Discussion among Council Members and City Attorney, Jacobs about this change Motion carried with the following votes: Yeas – Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio Nays – Mr. Williams By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance authorizing Mayor Thomas H. Chandler to execute the attached Professional Services Agreement with Gary Todd Killen with Killen’s Court, LLC. As amended. Seconded by Mr. Free Discussion among Council Members, Mr. Bohanan, Parks Director and Mr. Killen, Tennis Professional on history of contract and how tennis center is run and benefits to the City. Questions on possibility of more cost sharing for facility. Motion carried with the following votes: Yeas – Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio Nays – Mr. Smith and Mr. Mr. Williams By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance appropriating the sum of one hundred and fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) from the Riverboat Capital Projects Fund for the purchase of Street Light Poles for the Traffic Engineering Department. Seconded by Mr. Smith Discussion among Council Member Hammons and Clinton Patrick, Engineering Department about what will be used for Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Resolution offered and adopted: Resolution No. 83 Of 2022 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF ONE AUTO MECHANIC III DUE TO VACANCY IN THE GARAGE. _____________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 21 of 2018 implemented a requirement assuring that the City department budgets not be exceeded by any hiring of personnel; and WHEREAS, the position of Auto Mechanic III is vacant due to a departure in the department; and WHEREAS, the administration and department assures that current budgets have been verified and that no authorized salary has been exceeded. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that the administration can proceed with hiring of one Auto Mechanic III due to vacancy. The above and foregoing Resolution was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. David Montgomery, Jr. and seconded by Mr. Chris Smith, and adopted on this the 6th day of September, 2022. 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, President ___________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 84 OF 2022 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ONE FIRE TRAINING OFFICER POSITION TO BE REPLACED AND ONE PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT CHIEF OF FIRE TRAINING 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, a vacancy exist in the Fire Department due to a Retirement and filling these 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 (1) Fire Training Officer position and to promote one (1) Assistant Chief of Fire Training; The above and foregoing Resolution was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. David Montgomery, Jr. and seconded by Mr. Vince Maggio, and adopted on this the 6th day of September 2022. 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, President ___________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 85 Of 2022 A RESOLUTION FOR PUBLIC WORKS TO AUTHORIZE A PAY INCREASE FOR AN ANIMAL SHELTER SUPERVISOR IN THE ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES DIVISION WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 2 of 2010 implemented a hiring freeze requiring Bossier City Council approval for the hiring of any personnel and Ordinance No. 21 of 2018 implemented a requirement assuring that the City department budgets not be exceeded by the hiring of any personnel and other action prohibiting the hiring of any employee receiving pay without council approval; and WHEREAS, funds are available due to Ordinance 101 of 2022 authorizing reduction in pay, and excess will be used to fund this pay raise; 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 ordained the administration is hereby authorizing this pay increase. The above and foregoing Resolution was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Brian Hammons and seconded by Mr. David Montgomery, Jr., and adopted on this the 6th day of September, 2022. 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, President ___________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 86 Of 2022 A RESOLUTION FOR PUBLIC WORKS TO FILL A LABORER I POSITION AND A PART TIME DISPATCHER/CONTROL CLERK IN THE SOLID WASTE DIVISION AND BACKFILL ANY VACANCY THIS CREATES WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 2 of 2010 implemented a hiring freeze requiring Bossier City Council approval for the hiring of any personnel and Ordinance No. 21 of 2018 implemented a requirement assuring that the City department budgets not be exceeded by the hiring of any personnel and other action prohibiting the hiring of any employee receiving pay without council approval; and WHEREAS, A Laborer I position is vacant in the Solid Waste Division due to a resignation and a part-time position is vacant at the Drop- Off Station; 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 ordained the administration is hereby authorizing this pay increase. The above and foregoing Resolution was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Don Williams and seconded by Mr. Vince Maggio, and adopted on this the 6th day of September, 2022. 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, President ___________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk By: Mr. Hammons Motion to approve reappointment of James C. Fine to Metropolitan Planning Commission. Term effective May 20, 2022 and will expire May 20, 2028. Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Council welcomed Mr. Fine to the meeting and Mr. Fine addressed the Council Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Free Motion to approve Parade Permit Fee Waiver for Parkway High School Homecoming Parade, September 15, 2022 Seconded by Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Mr. Montgomery, Jr. reported that due to Insurance rates being negotiated, the rate for next year will be less than previously expected. Department heads were previously asked to cut their budgets by 2% due to higher insurance rates and now with the adjusted rates, those cuts will no longer be necessary. He thanked Department Heads and Administration for a job well done on the budget and managing their departments throughout the year. Mayor Chandler also thanked Council and Department Heads for a good budget process. There being no further business to come before this Council, the meeting adjourned at 3:33PM by Mr. Darby. Respectfully submitted: Phyllis McGraw City Clerk Publish: September 14, 2022 Bossier Press Tribune