City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING MARCH 7, 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, March 7, 2023 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, 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. Hammons Motion to approve Minutes of February 21, 2023, Regular Council Meeting and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Smith No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to amend agenda to remove New Business Item #6 from agenda – Introduce an Ordinance authorizing Mayor Thomas H. Chandler to execute the attached agreement between the City of Bossier City and Prepaid Technologies to provide Prepaid Payroll Card Services. Seconded by Mr. Hammons No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to approve agenda as amended Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Mr. Montgomery stepped out of the meeting at 3:07 PM Bids - Witness opening of sealed bids for: BID #22-1111 – 1905 Traffic Street Demolition Eagle Industries LLC $6,500.00 Red-Tail Contracting, LLC $7,278.00 3Gen Construction, LLC $7,499.00 By: Mr. Williams Motion to approve reading of bids Seconded by Mr. Smith No Comment Motion carries with the following vote: Yeas: Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio Nays: none Absent: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Abstain: none Public Hearing/Actions on Unfinished Business – The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 24 OF 2023 AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $350,000.00 FROM THE 2017 LCDA BOND FUND TO ACQUIRE A NEW POINT OF SALE SYSTEM AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SYSTEM UPGRADES AT BROOKSHIRE GROCERY ARENA. WHEREAS; Brookshire Grocery Arena is in need of a new Point of Sale System and additional information system upgrades; and WHEREAS; acquiring both a new Point of Sale System along with additional information system upgrades to the cell network would cost $350,000.00; and WHEREAS; funding is available for the requested $350,000.00 within the 2017 LCDA Arena Bond Fund. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, in regular session convened that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, that $350,000.00 is hereby appropriated from the 2017 LCDA Arena Bond Fund, to acquire a new Point of Sale System and provide additional information system upgrades at the Brookshire Grocery Arena. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the Mayor is authorized to sign any and all documents in connection with the furtherance of this Ordinance. 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 7th day of March, 2023. Further this Ordinance will publish on March 15, 2023 and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. AYES: Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. ABSTAIN: none ___________________________ ___________________________ Jeffery D. Darby, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Mr. Montgomery returned to the meeting at 3:09 PM Agenda item called - An Ordinance to amend Article II of Section 110.43 of the Code of Ordinances for the City of Bossier City, “Operation of Vehicles,” to specifically regulate motor vehicle noise and establishing an area of “Prohibition of Unmuffled Compression Brakes, Engine Brakes or Jake Braking” on Benton Road (La 3) (Exhibit A), US Highway 71 (Exhibit B) and Airline Drive (La 3105) (Exhibit C) and providing penalties for violation thereof and authorizing the city Administration to apply to the Louisiana State Department of Transportation and Development to request permitting for the installation of regulatory signage on said state Louisiana highways. Resident Cary Chandler asked questions about Ordinance and fines. No further discussion The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 25 OF 2023 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ARTICLE II OF SECTION 110.43 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES FOR THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY, “OPERATION OF VEHICLES,” TO SPECIFICALLY REGULATE MOTOR VEHICLE NOISE AND ESTABLISHING AN AREA OF “PROHIBITION OF UNMUFFLED COMPRESSION BRAKES, ENGINE BRAKES OR JAKE BRAKING” ON BENTON ROAD (LA 3) (EXHIBIT A), US HIGHWAY 71 (EXHIBIT B) AND AIRLINE DRIVE (LA 3105) (EXHIBIT C) AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO APPLY TO THE LOUISIANA STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT TO REQUEST PERMITTING FOR THE INSTALLATION OF REGULATORY SIGNAGE ON SAID STATE LOUISIANA HIGHWAYS.  WHEREAS; the City of Bossier City desires to expand said prohibitions to include specific sounds emitted by motor vehicles; and WHEREAS; the City of Bossier City, finds that the use of motor vehicle brakes which are activated or operated by the compression of the engine of a motor vehicle, disturbs and disrupts the public peace and quest and, therefore, finds that it would be in the best interest of public health, safety and general welfare to prohibit the use of such brakes within the designated area (EXHIBIT A, EXHIBIT B & EXHIBIT C) within the city limits of Bossier City. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, Section 110.43 – Operation of Vehicles – of the Code of Ordinance of Bossier City to be amended to include the following paragraphs; 1. It shall be unlawful and prohibited for any person to use unmuffled compression braking that may be also referred to as: “Unmuffled Compression Braking”, “Engine Braking” and “Jake Braking” on Benton Rd. /Hwy 3, Airline Drive / LA 3105 and U.S. Highway 71, all being a Louisiana State Highway located within the City of Bossier City. (a) The Definition of “Unmuffled Compression Brake” shall mean any motor vehicle brake that is operated by the compression of the engine of the motor vehicle. An unmuffled compression brake is also referred to as a “Jake brake” and as an “engine brake”. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person to use an unmuffled compression brake in any area designated by ordinance of the Bossier City Council where use of an unmuffled compression brake is prohibited and further identified by regulatory signage. Such regulatory signage may be requested by the City of Bossier City Administration upon which will authorize the Mayor of Bossier City to apply for the “Regulatory Sign Permit” from the Louisiana Department of Transportation for placement on the designated State Louisiana Highway located within the City of Bossier City (c) All public safety, emergency vehicles, and equipment shall be exempt from this ordinance. (d) Violating the provisions of this ordinance shall result in a fine or penalty of $250.00. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana approves the ordinance amendment to Article II of Section 110.43 of the Code of Ordinances and that the Mayor is authorized to sign any and all documents in connection to the request for permitting of the installation of the regulatory signage on said State Louisiana Highway. 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. Vince Maggio and adopted on this the 7th day of March, 2023. Further this Ordinance will publish on March 15, 2023 and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. 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 New Business – The following ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 26 OF 2023 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 133 OF 2018, BY CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF A CERTAIN TRACT OF LAND FROM I-2 (HEAVY INDUSTRIAL) TO B-1 (BUSINESS COMMERCIAL OFFICE) BEING 4.652 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, FOR AN EDUCATIONAL SPACE FOR FIRST BOSSIER LOCATED AT 2820 BECKETT 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 I-2 (Heavy Industrial) to B-1 (Business Commercial Office) for the following: 4.652 acres, more or less, located at 2820 Beckett Street, Bossier City, Louisiana, more particularly described as: Being at found 2” iron pipe at the southeast corner of said lot 60, said pipe also being on the north right- of-way of Illinois Central Railway, run thence north 00°30’08”east a distance of 906.23 feet to a found ½”iron pipe in concrete at the northeast corner of said lot 60, said pipe being on the south right-of-way of Beckett street, thence run north, 89°46’03” west along said south right-of-way a distance of 221.20 feet to a set ½” iron pipe at the northwest corner of said lot 60, thence run south 00°30’55” west a distance of 925.24 feet to a found 1-1/2” iron pipe at the southwest corner of said lot 60, said pipe also being on said north right-of-way of Illinois Central Railway, thence run north 85°19’36” east a distance of 222.31 feet to the point of beginning. Motion was made by Mr. Chris Smith and seconded by Mr. David Montgomery, Jr. to adopt the above ordinance. Upon the following vote, the ordinance was duly adopted on this the 7th day of March, 2023. Further this Ordinance will publish on March 15, 2023 and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. 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 C-ZON-000158-2022 The following ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 27 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 R-MD (RESIDENTIAL MEDIUM DENSITY), FOR A MULTI-FAMILY DUPLEX, BEING .3 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, LOCATED AT 629 LEON 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-LD (Residential Low Density) to R-MD (Residential Medium Density) for the following: 629 Leon Street, Bossier City, Louisiana, more particularly described as: Lot 9 BLK 19 AIRPORT ANNEX 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 on this the 7th day of March, 2023. Further this Ordinance will publish on March 15, 2023 and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. 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 C-ZON-000156-2022 The following ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 28 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), BEING .3 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, LOCATED AT 1352 COX 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-LD (Residential Low Density) to B-1 (Business Commercial Office) for the following: 1352 Cox Street, Bossier City, Louisiana, more particularly described as: LOT 9, HALL PARK SUBDIVISION Motion was made by Mr. Chris Smith and seconded by Mr. Don Williams to adopt the above ordinance. Upon the following vote, the ordinance was duly adopted on this the 7th day of March, 2023. Further this Ordinance will publish on March 15, 2023 and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. 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 C-ZON-000167-2022 The following ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 29 OF 2023 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE FOR THE SALE OF HIGH AND LOW CONTENT ALCOHOL FOR ON AND OFF PREMISE CONSUMPTION AT STREETCAR SNOWBALLS LOCATED AT 409 BARKSDALE BOULEVARD, BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA. WHEREAS; Erica Gilliam Streetcar Station LLC, has applied to the Bossier City-Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission for Conditional Use Approval for the retail sale of high and low content alcohol, for on and off premise consumption at Streetcar Snowballs located at 409 Barksdale Boulevard, Bossier City, Louisiana. WHEREAS; a public hearing for the Conditional Use application was held on February 13, 2023; 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 retail sales of high and low content alcohol for on and off premise consumption at 409 Barksdale Boulevard, Bossier City, Louisiana is hereby approved. Motion was made by Mr. Don Williams and seconded by Mr. Vince Maggio to adopt the above ordinance. Upon the following vote, the ordinance was duly adopted on this the 7th day of March, 2023. Further this Ordinance will publish on March 15, 2023 and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. 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 C-ALC-000116-2023 By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance authorizing Mayor Thomas H. Chandler to execute the attached Joint Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Caddo Bossier Port Commission. Seconded by Mr. Maggio Mr. Darby had City Clerk read the changes to the CEA. Council members and Ben Rauschenbach discussed items and clarified some public misinformation. Council members thanked everyone for workshop on Thursday, March 2, 2023. Audience member David Crockett spoke on his concerns on issue Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Jacobs reported on parties that were responsible for drawing up CEA. Eric England, Executive Director, Caddo Bossier Port Commission also spoke on issue and went over Bond interest rates. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance authorizing Mayor Thomas H. Chandler to execute the attached agreement between the City of Bossier City and CG6 Technology Consulting, LLC for Professional Services and amending the 2023 General Fund Budget to appropriate $40,000 from Fund Balance for consulting services. Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Mr. Hammons and Angela Williamson, Finance Director discussed Ordinance No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Hammons Motion to approve placement in the Official Minutes the appointment of John Michael Garcia as the College List Board Member of the Bossier City Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board. Appointment effective March 7, 2023 and expires on March 6, 2026. Seconded by Mr. Smith Mr. Garcia was present and thanked Council for the opportunity. Some Council members reported they knew Mr. Garcia personally and that he would be great for the position. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Hammons Motion to approve re-appointment of John Mark Robertson & Billy Jordon to the E-911 Board. Appointments effective March 1, 2023 and expires March 1, 2027. Seconded by Mr. Maggio Fred McCann present representing Mr. Robertson and Mr. Jordan. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Free Motion to update the 2023 Meeting Calendar by removing meetings on May 16th and May 30th and add a Meeting on May 23rd. Seconded by Mr. Smith No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous UPDATED 2023 BOSSIER CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE ALL REGULAR MEETINGS WILL BE AT 3:00PM BOSSIER CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS – MUNICIPAL COMPLEX 620 BENTON ROAD, BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA JANUARY JULY 10 (Regular) 5 (Regular)(Wednesday) 24 (Regular) 18 (Regular) FEBRUARY AUGUST 7 (Regular) 1 (Regular) 21 (Regular) 15 (Regular) 29 (Regular) MARCH SEPTEMBER 7 (Regular) 5 (Regular) 21 (Regular) 19 (Regular)  APRIL OCTOBER 4 (Regular) 3 (Regular) 18 (Regular) 17 (Regular) 31 (Regular) MAY NOVEMBER 2 (Regular) 7 (Regular) 23 (Regular) 21 (Regular) JUNE DECEMBER 6 (Regular) 5 (Regular) 20 (Regular) 19 (Regular) Announcements – Mayor congratulated Councilman Smith and his wife Courtney on the birth of their new son and he also thanked Council for working with him. Ben Rauschenbach, Engineering Department reported that the fines for the Unmuffled noise would be up to $250.00 There being no further business to come before this Council, Council President Darby adjourned the meeting at 3:42PM Respectfully submitted: Phyllis McGraw City Clerk Publish: March 15, 2023 Bossier Press Tribune