City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 24, 2023 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, January 24, 2023 at 3:00 PM Invocation was given by Council Member Chris Smith 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. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to approve Minutes of January 10, 2023, Regular Council meeting and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to approve agenda Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Ceremonial Matters/Recognition of Guests – Mr. Darby welcomed the Bossier Youth Leadership Students Bids – Agenda item called - Witness opening of sealed bids for Bid #P23-01 - Walter O. Bigby Roundabout Monument Aquarius Contractors, Inc. $294,245.00 Daren Bailey, Inc. $289,359.00 Henderson Construction Services, Inc. $324,000.00 Integrity, Inc. $331,300.00 By: Mr. Williams Motion to approve reading of bids Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Alice Boyer objected to the City building this monument. Mr. Montgomery asked the Clerk to provide minutes where Walter O. Bigby Carriageway was named. No further comment. Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Public Hearing/Actions on Unfinished Business – The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 5 Of 2023 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE CHAPTER 6, SECTION 6-1, NUMBER 22 OF THE BOSSIER CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES TO AMEND THE DESCRIPTION OF THE FESTIVAL PLAZA REGION TO ENLARGE THE AREA INCLUDED. WHEREAS, surrounding entrepreneurs in the Festival Plaza Region would like to benefit from the sales and consumption of alcoholic beverages; and WHEREAS, in order to allow them to have this benefit, the Festival Plaza Region needs to expand the area to the following legal description and map attached hereto as Exhibit “A”; Point of beginning being the centerlines intersecting at Minden St., and Ogilvie St., being located in Township 18N, Range 13 W, and Section 29, lying with the city limits of Bossier City; run S89° 21’ 17”E a distance of 1,595.0 feet. Thence, run S0° 36’ 50”W a distance of 326.71 feet. Thence, run N89° 22’ 05”W a distance of 665.0 feet. Thence, run S0° 36’ 50”W a distance of 313.13 feet. Thence, run N89° 21’ 17”W a distance of 620.0 feet. Thence, run N0° 36’ 50”E a distance of 312.98 feet. Thence, run N89°22’04”W a distance of 271.33 feet. Thence, run S88° 59’ 30”W a distance of 8.86 feet. Thence, run S83° 07’ 33”W a distance of 17.46 feet. Thence, run S76° 53’ 10”W a distance of 12.86 feet. Thence, run S72° 52’ 52”W a distance of 114.76 feet. Thence, run N30° 05’ 11”W a distance of 388.48 feet. Thence, run N77° 33’ 53”E a distance of 149.81 feet. Thence, run S89° 21’ 17”E a distance of 161.69 feet to the point of beginning. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that the Bossier City Council does hereby amend Chapter 6, Section 6-1, Number 22 to expand the area to the following legal description and map attached hereto as Exhibit “A”; Point of beginning being the centerlines intersecting at Minden St., and Ogilvie St., being located in Township 18N, Range 13 W, and Section 29, lying with the city limits of Bossier City; run S89° 21’ 17”E a distance of 1,595.0 feet. Thence, run S0° 36’ 50”W a distance of 326.71 feet. Thence, run N89° 22’ 05”W a distance of 665.0 feet. Thence, run S0° 36’ 50”W a distance of 313.13 feet. Thence, run N89° 21’ 17”W a distance of 620.0 feet. Thence, run N0° 36’ 50”E a distance of 312.98 feet. Thence, run N89°22’04”W a distance of 271.33 feet. Thence, run S88° 59’ 30”W a distance of 8.86 feet. Thence, run S83° 07‘ 33”W a distance of 17.46 feet. Thence, run S76° 53’ 10”W a distance of 12.86 feet. Thence, run S72° 52’ 52”W a distance of 114.76 feet. Thence, run N30° 05’ 11”W a distance of 388.48 feet. Thence, run N77° 33’ 53”E a distance of 149.81 feet. Thence, run S89° 21’ 17”E a distance of 161.69 feet to the point of beginning. Map attached hereto as Exhibit “A”. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Brian Hammons, and seconded by Mr. Vince Maggio and adopted on this the 24th day of January, 2023. 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 Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 6 OF 2023 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING MAYOR THOMAS H. CHANDLER TO EXECUTE THE ATTACHED COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY AND THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statutes 29:260-262 mandates municipal governing authorities to make appropriations for the maintenance and operation of service offices for Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs; and  WHEREAS, the 2023 Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the City of Bossier City and Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs is attached. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened that Mayor Thomas H. Chandler, on behalf of the City of Bossier City is hereby authorized to execute the attached Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the City of Bossier City and Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs. 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. Chris Smith and adopted on this the 24th day of January, 2023. 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 Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 7 OF 2023 AN ORDINANCE ALLOCATING $70,000.00 FOR SEWER MAIN REPAIRS USING THE SEWER CAPITAL AND CONTINGENCY FUND TO COVER ALL PROJECT COSTS. WHEREAS; the Public Utilities Department responded to two major gravity sewer main collapses near 1025 Central Park Drive (Bayou Outdoor) and 5401 Shed Road (Northwest LA Development Center) in late December, 2022; and WHEREAS; the Public Utilities Department proposes to replace sections of sewer force main, gravity main, and manholes to properly restore sewer service to these areas; and WHEREAS; the total cost of the proposed improvements is $70,000.00; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, in regular session convened that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, authorizes the Mayor to appropriate $70,000.00 to come from the Sewer Capital and Contingency fund to be used for the purpose of sewer main repairs; and authorizes the City to enter into any necessary contracts for completion of the work. 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 2023 Sewer Capital and Contingency Budget is hereby amended to increase expenditures for the sewer main repairs project by $70,000.00 and decrease Fund Balance by $70,000.00. 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. Brian Hammons and adopted on this the 24th day of January, 2023. 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 Agenda Item called - Adopt an Ordinance to amend the 2023 General Fund Budget – Payments to Governmental and other Agencies by reducing the amount appropriated to Sportran from $900,000.00 to a maximum of $500,000.00 for Bus Services in Bossier City. Mayor Chandler read a statement concerning his position on this budget cut. Discussion among Council members concerning issue and the budget. Several audience members spoke on the difficulties they would face if these cuts were made. Dinereo Washington, Sportran, also spoke on what budget cuts would mean. Two petitions, against cuts, were presented to the Council. By: Mr. Hammons Motion to continue item until February 21, 2023 Council meeting. Seconded by Mr. Smith Council members want to meet with Administration and Sportran to see what can be worked out. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous New Business – The following ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 8 OF 2023 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 133 OF 2018, BY CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF A CERTAIN TRACT OF LAND FROM R-LD (RESIDENTIAL LOW DENSITY) TO B-1 (BUSINESS COMMERCIAL OFFICE) FOR A PROPOSED FINANCIAL INSTITUION, BEING 2.66 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, LOCATED IN SECTION 27, TOWNSHIP 19 NORTH, RANGE 13 WEST, BOSSIER CITY, LOUSIANA. 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 R-LD (Residential Low Density) to B-1 (Business Commercial Office) for the following: 2.66 acres, more or less, located in Section 27, Township 19 North, Range 13 West, Bossier City, Louisiana, more particularly described as: FROM THE SW COR OF LOT 16 WALLER SUBDV, RUN N 72 DEG 42 MIN E ALONG N LINE OF HWY 80, 650 FT TO PT OF BEGIN, BEING THE SE COR OF LOT B, THENCE WITH AN ANGLE OF 85 DEG 35 MIN RUN 602 FT TO S BANK OF CANAL, THENCE SELY WITH CAN BANK 200.9 FT, THENCE SELY PARALLEL,WITH FIRST COURSE 562 FT TO N LINE OF HWY. 80, THENCE S 72 DEG 42 MIN W ALONG HWY. 200 FT TO PT OF BEGIN, SEC 27 T 18 R 13. Motion was made by Mr. Chris Smith and seconded by Mr. Jeff Free to adopt the above Ordinance. Upon the following vote, the ordinance was duly adopted this 24th day of January, 2023. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none _____________________________________ JEFFERY DARBY, PRESIDENT _____________________________________ PHYLLIS MCGRAW, CITY CLERK C-ZON-000132-2022 The following ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 9 OF 2023 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 133 OF 2018, BY CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF A CERTAIN TRACT OF LAND FROM R-A (RESIDENTIAL AGRICULTURE) TO B-3 (GENERAL BUSINESS) FOR AN EQUIPMENT RENTAL BUSINESS, BEING 3.9 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, LOCATED AT 5409 EAST TEXAS STREET, BOSSIER CITY, LOUSIANA. 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 R-A (Residential Agriculture) to B-3 (General Business) for the following: 3.9 acres, more or less, located at 5409 East Texas Street, Bossier City, Louisiana, more particularly described as: WHITEHURST SUBDIVISION, A RESUBDIVISION OF J.D. SUBDIVISION, Lots 1, 2, 3, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, Bossier City, Louisiana. Motion was made by Mr. Jeff Free and seconded by Mr. Chris Smith to adopt the above ordinance. Upon the following vote, the ordinance was duly adopted this 24th day of January, 2023. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none _____________________________________ JEFFERY DARBY, PRESIDENT _____________________________________ PHYLLIS MCGRAW, CITY CLERK C-ZON-000146-2022 By: Mr. Smith Motion to introduce an Ordinance authorizing Mayor Thomas H. Chandler to execute the attached Joint Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the City of Bossier City and the Bossier City Arts Council. Seconded by Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Smith Motion to introduce an Ordinance to amend the 2023 General Fund budget to provide funding to the Bossier Arts Council for management of the East Bank District and Plaza. Seconded by Mr. Williams Discussion between Council Members on when payments would be made No further comments Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance to approve Change Order #1 for the City Wide Street Improvement - Phase II Project, with an increase of $365,500.00, for a total contract price of $1,040,277.00. Seconded by Mr. Free Discussion with Council and Ben Rauschenbach, Engineering on need for Change Order. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance to approve Report of Change Order 9 for the (LTRI) Louisiana Technology Research Institute Bossier with an increase in project cost of $47,752.00. Seconded by Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Free Motion to introduce an Ordinance allocating Six Hundred Thousand and No/100 ($600,000.00) to come from the 2023 Emergency Medical Services Capital Projects Budget to replace the current Station Alerting System. Seconded by Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance to amend the Riverboat Gaming Trust Fund 2022 Budget in accordance with the Local Government Budget Act. Seconded by Mr. Williams Mr. Montgomery and Angela Williamson, Finance Director, gave Council explanation on the need for this Ordinance No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 6 OF 2023 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF A TAX AUDIT CLERK DUE TO A RESIGNATION IN THE TAX 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 Tax Department has an available position due to the 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 a Tax Audit Clerk, due to a resignation in the Tax Department, with no impact to the existing budget. The above and foregoing Resolution 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 24th day of January, 2023. 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 7 Of 2023 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PROMOTION OF A POLICE JAILER I TO POLICE JAILER II. 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 promotion of one Police Jailer I to Jailer II, 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 discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Chris Smith and seconded by Mr. Jeff Free, and adopted on this the 24th day of January, 2023. 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. 8 OF 2023 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF AN ACCOUNTS CLERK III DUE TO A TERMINATION IN THE TAX 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 Tax Department has an available position due to termination of an employee; and WHEREAS, this termination 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 Accounts Clerk III, due to a termination in the Tax Department, with no impact to the existing budget. The above and foregoing Resolution was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Chris Smith and seconded by Mr. Brian Hammons, and adopted on this the 24th day of January, 2023. 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 Parade Permit Fee Waiver for The Great Gator 5K and Fun Run, April 1, 2023 and Sun City Elementary Mardi Gras Parade, February 21, 2023 Seconded by Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Reports – Finance Director Angela Williamson, went over Monthly Finance Report for month ending December 2022. She noted that year hasn’t been finalized yet due to still waiting on outstanding items. She reported that as of now Revenues are up 27% over budget and Sales Taxes are up 6.2% from same time period last year. Questions on manpower shortages in Police Department. Police Chief reported he had 5 new recruits in the academy. Mr. Darby asked the Police Chief to provide an update at the next meeting. Ben Rauschenbach Engineering Department, went over Monthly Project Report. He reported that LTRI was slightly behind schedule, Hwy. 71 Light Improvements were waiting on materials and WOB Carriageway is ahead of schedule. Questions on when new fire station would open. Mr. Rauschenbach reported that station is finished but due to supply chain issues, the City is waiting on communication equipment. Announcements – Council asked for update on marking vehicles. Rodney Oar, Fleet Services, reported on status. There being no further business to come before this Council, Council President Darby adjourned the meeting at 4:18 PM Respectfully submitted: Phyllis McGraw City Clerk Publish: February 1, 2023 Bossier Press Tribune