City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 15, 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, November 15, 2022 at 3:00 PM Invocation was given by Council Member Chris Smith Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member David Montgomery, Jr. Roll Call as follows: Present: Honorable, President Jeffery Darby, Honorable Councilors David Montgomery, Jr., Chris Smith, Don Williams, Jeff Free and Vince Maggio Absent: Honorable Councilor 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 November 1, 2022, Regular Council meeting and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Smith No further 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 – U.S. Marshal Service Chief Deputy Torrence Wilson, Task Force Supervisor Deputy Greg Jackson and Retired Deputy Chris Turner presented a service award to Bossier City Police Lt. Jeremy Kennedy for his service on the Violent Offender Task Force and recognized him for his help with over 6,000 arrests. Claire Woods, Greenfield Environmental Trust Group, gave the Council and Audience an update on the cleanup efforts underway at the former Tronox/Kerr-McGee Wood Treating Facility on Hamilton Road and answered Council questions concerning it. Mr. Darby welcomed the Bossier Youth Leadership Students from Airline High School to the meeting. Bids – Agenda Item called - Witness opening of sealed bids for Bid #P22-08 – Citizens Bank Drive Pump Station Belt Construction $3,272,000.00 Dixie Overland Construction $3,279,800.00 JB James Construction $4,529,316.00 McInnis Brothers Construction $3,681,700.00 By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to approve reading of bids. Seconded by Mr. Williams Mr. Montgomery questioned estimate of project. No further comments. Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Agenda Item called - Witness opening of sealed bids for Bid#P22-07 – Innovation Drive Turn Lane CW&W Contractors $238,264.87 Specialty Trackhoe & Dozer $259,398.00 By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to approve reading of bids. Seconded by Mr. Smith No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Public Hearing/Actions on Unfinished Business – The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 161 OF 2022 AN ORDINANCE TO ALLOCATE $108,572.31 FROM LDEQ LOAN CS-221103- 02 AND $7,829.84 FROM SEWER CAPTIAL AND CONTINGENCY FUND FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE SHADY GROVE AND ROME STREET LIFT STATIONS PROJECT AND CLOSEOUT OF THE LDEQ LOAN CS-221103-02 INCLUDING CHANGE ORDER #1 IN THE AMOUNT OF $32,003.90. WHEREAS; Ordinance No. 78 of 2021 appropriated a total of $464,000.00 to come from the LDEQ Loan CS-221103-02 ($232,000.00) and Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund ($232,000.00); and WHEREAS; additional funding in the amount of $108,572.15 from the LDEQ Loan CS- 221103-02 and $7,829.84 from Sewer Capital and Contingency is required for project completion including change order #1 in the amount of $32,003.90; and WHEREAS; the LDEQ Loan CS-221103-02 will be reconciled, declared complete, and closed out. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, in regular session convened that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, does hereby appropriate $7,829.84 from the Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund and $108,572.15 from the LDEQ Loan CS-221103-02, to be used to supplement the already appropriated $464,000.00 from both LDEQ CS-221103-02 and Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund for the Shady Grove and Rome Street Lift Stations project, declaring completion of the project and the close out LDEQ Loan. 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 Sewer Capital and Contingency Budget is hereby amended to increase expenditures for the Shady Grove and Rome Street Lift Station project by $7,829.84 and decrease Fund Balance by $7,829.84. The above and foregoing Ordinance 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 15th day of November, 2022. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none ___________________________ ___________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 162 OF 2022 AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE THE SELL OF A FALCON HOT BOX TRAILER TO THE BOSSIER PARISH POLICE JURY FOR FIFTY FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS. _____________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the City of Bossier City is the owner of a Falcon Hot Box trailer, VIN# 1F9P41723MM339059 purchased by the City in May of 2021 for the sum of FIFTY-FOUR THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($54,500.00); and WHEREAS, the said above described movable property does not adequately meet the current and existing needs of the City of Bossier City, Department of Public Works and therefore is no longer needed for public purposes; and WHEREAS, the City of Bossier City and the Bossier Parish Police Jury have achieved an agreement whereby the Jury shall purchase the above described movable property for the sum of FIFTY FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS ($54,000.00). NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of Bossier City, in regular session convened, that the City of Bossier City shall sell, pursuant to L.R.S. 33:4712 (B), to the Bossier Parish Police Jury the above described movable property for the purchase price of FIFTY FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS ($54,000.00) 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. David Montgomery, Jr. and adopted on this the 15th day of November, 2022. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none ___________________________ ___________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 163 OF 2022 ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE REPORT OF CHANGE ORDER 5 & 7 FOR THE (LTRI) LOUISIANA TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE BOSSIER WHEREAS; Louisiana Tech University has committed to be responsible for improvements and additions to the Facility in an amount to not exceed Seven Million Dollars ($7,000,000); and WHEREAS; the University has agreed in writing to reimburse the City for the proposed changes. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, in regular session convened that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, agrees to adopt an Ordinance to amend the Construction Contract for an increase in price of $2,897,638.78 for this project.  The above and foregoing Ordinance 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. Jeff Free and adopted on this the 15th day of November, 2022. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none ___________________________ ___________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 164 OF 2022 ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE REPORT OF CHANGE ORDER 1 FOR THE 2021 CITYWIDE STRIPING PROJECT. WHEREAS; additional striping is required throughout the City; and WHEREAS; funding is available to complete the additional striping as required. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, in regular session convened that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, agrees to adopt an Ordinance to amend the Construction Contract for an increase in price of $312,205.00 for a total contract price of $600,000.00. 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. David Montgomery, Jr. and adopted on this the 15th day of November, 2022. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none ___________________________ ___________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 165 OF 2022 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING MAYOR THOMAS H. CHANDLER TO EXECUTE THE ATTACHED JOINT COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY AND BOSSIER PARISH SCHOOL BOARD FOR THE COST-SHARING OF TRAFFIC CONTROL OFFICERS AT SCHOOLS WITHIN BOSSIER CITY. _____________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, Bossier City and the Bossier Parish School Board are political subdivisions of the State of Louisiana; and WHEREAS, Bossier City and the Bossier Parish School Board have an interest in the safety of students, pedestrians, and motorists of Bossier City; and WHEREAS, Bossier City and the Bossier Parish School Board have a need for traffic control officers at access roads and intersections of specific schools within the City of Bossier City; and WHEREAS, Bossier City has in its proposed budget the sum of TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS ($25,200.00) for said total expenditure/cost.  NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of Bossier City, in regular session convened, that Mayor Thomas H. Chandler is hereby authorized to execute the attached Joint Cooperative Endeavor Agreement marked as Exhibit “A” between the City of Bossier City and the Bossier Parish School Board for the cost-sharing of traffic control officers at access roads and intersections of schools located within the corporate limits of the City of Bossier City. The above and foregoing Ordinance 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 15th day of November, 2022. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none ___________________________ ___________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 166 Of 2022 AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A FOUR WAY STOP AT THE INTERSECTION OF ROBERT E. LEE BLVD. AND GENERAL POLK DRIVE. WHEREAS, homeowners have petitioned Councilman Brian Hammons to establish a four way stop at the intersection of Robert E. Lee Blvd., and General Polk Drive; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that a four way stop be established at the intersection of Robert E. Lee Blvd., and General Polk Drive. 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 15th day of November, 2022. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none ___________________________ ___________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk New Business – By: Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance to amend the 2022 Water and Sewer Fund Budgets. Seconded by Mr. Smith Discussion among Council members, Angela Williamson, Finance Director and Ben Rauschenbach, Engineering on issue. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Free Motion to introduce an Ordinance declaring thirty-two portable handheld radios surplus to the needs of the City of Bossier City and authorizing the donation of said radios to the Webster Parish Fire District #3. Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance to appropriate $600,000 from the 2022 Sales Tax Capital Improvement Fund for the purposes of completing the Tinsley Ditch Basin Relief Plane - Phase II. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Resolution offered and adopted: Resolution No. 113 Of 2022 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF ONE WAREHOUSE WORKER I 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 Warehouse Worker I 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 Warehouse Worker I 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. Vince Maggio, and adopted on this the 15th day of November, 2022. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none ___________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President ___________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 114 Of 2022 A RESOLUTION TO RESCIND RESOLUTION #89 OF 2022 TO HIRE A POLICE CLERK I DUE TO AN IMPENDING RETIREMENT. WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 21 of 2019 implemented a requirement assuring that the City department budgets not be exceeded by any hiring of any personnel; and WHEREAS, rescinding Resolution #89 would restore the Clerk position which in fact was not vacated, 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 this procedure for the fulfillment of this action.  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. Don Williams, and adopted on this the 15th day of November, 2022. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none ___________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President ___________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 115 Of 2022 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF ONE (1) POLICE OFFICER, ONE (1) POLICE JAILER, AND ONE (1) POLICE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER. WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 21 of 2019 implemented a requirement assuring that the City department budgets not be exceeded by any hiring of any personnel; and WHEREAS, the hiring of one each: Police Officer, Jailer and Police Communications Officer, 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 these positions. 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 15th day of November, 2022. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none ___________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President ___________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 116 OF 2022 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF ONE (1) FIREFIGHTER DUE TO VACANCY FROM RESIGNATION: WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 2 of 2010 implemented a hiring freeze requiring Bossier City Council approval for the hiring of any personnel; WHEREAS, one vacancy exist in the Fire Department due to Resignation and filling this position 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) Firefighter position.  The above and foregoing Resolution 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 15th day of November, 2022. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none ___________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President ___________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk By: Mr. Smith Motion to approve re-appointment of Percy Hubbard, John Michael Moore and G. Carlton Golden, Jr. to the Bossier Public Trust Financial Authority for a term of four years. (June 30, 2022 - June 30, 2026) Seconded by Mr. Free No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Free Motion to approve the appointment of Charlie Coyle to the Bossier Public Trust Financial Authority to fill the vacant due to resignation, formerly held by Charles Boone, for a term of four years. (November 8, 2022-June 30, 2026) Seconded by Smith No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Smith Motion to approve appointment of Michelle Wallace to the Metropolitan Planning Commission to fill the vacant position formerly held by H.B. Brual. Term effective November 1, 2022 and will expire November 1, 2028. Seconded by Mr. Maggio Ms. Wallace was present and introduced herself and thanked Council for the opportunity. Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Reports – Angela Williamson, Finance Director, presented the Monthly Financial Report. She reported that revenues were running 22% over budget, expenses were 7% under budget and sales taxes were up 8.8%. Ben Rauschenbach, Engineering Department, presented the Monthly Project Report. He noted that there were 11 projects in design or bid and 9 projects in ongoing construction. Mayor Chandler reported that 851 kids have signed up for Basketball thru the Bossier Parks and Recreation Department and that they would be starting that soon. He informed Council that the City Employee pot luck would be the next day and that Bossier City has been selected to receive $5 Million in Water Sector Grants. There being no further business to come before this Council, Council President Darby wished everyone a happy and blessed Thanksgiving and adjourned the meeting at 3:50 PM Respectfully submitted: Phyllis McGraw City Clerk Publish: November 23, 2022 Bossier Press Tribune