City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 17, 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, October 17, 2023 at 3:00 PM Invocation was given by Council Member Jeffery Darby Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Don Williams Roll Call as follows: Present: Honorable Councilor, President Jeff Free, Honorable Councilors David Montgomery, Jr., Chris Smith, Jeffery Darby, Don Williams and Vince Maggio Absent: Honorable Councilor Brian Hammons Also Present: Mayor, Thomas H. Chandler, City Attorney Charles Jacobs, Deputy City Clerk, Amyanna Germany 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 agenda Seconded by: Mr. Smith No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Ceremonial Matters/Recognition of Guests – Kayla Cayer, NWLA Reentry Community Coordinator with Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana, Inc. explained about the upcoming Re-Entry Simulation on December 8, 2023 and invited Council members to attend. Minutes - By: Mr. Williams Motion to approve Minutes of October 3, 2023, Regular Council Meeting and dispense with the reading 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. 104 OF 2023 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A VARIANCE TO ORDINANCE NO. 79 OF 2008. WHEREAS; Ordinance No. 79 of 2008 implemented a flood damage prevention order for the City of Bossier City to remain consistent with the national Flood Insurance Program Regulations; and WHEREAS; Article 4, Administration, Section D provides variance procedures for properties that result in exceptional hardship in meeting the current Ordinance; and WHEREAS; Article 5, Provisions for Hazard Reduction, Section B provides specific standards for residential construction; and WHEREAS; the standards stipulate that all new construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, mechanical and electrical equipment and duct work elevated to a minimum of one foot above the base flood elevation; and WHEREAS; Lots 58 and 134A of Oak Alley Subdivision have exceptional hardships in meeting current standards including distance between the existing street pavement and proposed finished floor of the garage create too steep of a grade to allow for access rendering development unviable unless the lowest floor elevation can be decreased by one foot to match the base flood elevations; and WHEREAS; the Engineering Department has conducted a site inspection and review of the available information and recommends this variance specific to Lots 58 and 134A in Oak Alley Subdivision. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, in regular session convened by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, that the Engineering Department is hereby authorized to make the elevation variance to Lots 58 and 134A in Oak Alley Subdivision lowering the lowest floor elevation to match the base flood elevations as described. 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 17th day of October, 2023. Further this Ordinance will publish on October 25, 2023 and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none _____________________________ ____________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Agenda Item called - Adopt an Ordinance to approve report of Change Order 1 for the Walter O. Bigby Carriageway Beautification efforts within Phase I of the Walter O. Bigby Carriageway with an increase in project cost of $17,660.03 and adding an additional one hundred and forty- three days. Audience member, David Crockett spoke out against Ordinance and issues he sees with the project. Ben Rauschenbach spoke about the project and explained it in more detail. He also spoke on the work the Engineering Department oversees. Mr. Darby asked for the record to reflect what the Council has proactively done. He stated Council has an active committee that he chairs along with Mr. Williams and Mr. Maggio. At top of the list is Police and Fire retention and new hire incentives. Committee has addressed the critical subject of Police retention and hiring. Out of that Committee, the Committee has recommended that the City reinstate Educational incentives and it’s addressed in the 2024 Budget and they would like to look at increasing salaries in Fire and Police Department and put boots on the ground in the Police Department. He noted that that’s what has been done already. He also initiated a citywide salary study which is budgeted for 2024. This is to address across the board salaries of City employees. Study will compare their pay ranges to other municipalities. Council does care about City employees and keeping good people in the City of Bossier. In regards to the monument or statue, he takes full responsibility, yes, he voted to accept the landscape beautification bids on 24th January 2023. But he failed to give his full attention to the landscape bid which included the monument. He noted again that he takes responsibility for that. He thinks everyone who breathes and wear shoes have overlooked things in their lives. He admits he is guilty of that. Had he known that the monument was in those proposals that were read, he would not have supported it. He doesn’t know if people understand that the Council tries to do the best they can but sometimes they mess up and when you mess up you admit it. It was a mistake on his part voting and not paying attention to the full package of the bid. No further comments The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 105 OF 2023 ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE REPORT OF CHANGE ORDER 1 FOR THE WALTER O. BIGBY CARRIAGEWAY BEAUTIFICATION EFFORTS WITHIN PHASE I OF THE WALTER O. BIGBY CARRIAGEWAY WITH AN INCREASE IN PROJECT COST OF $17,660.03 AND ADDING AN ADDITIONAL ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTY-THREE DAYS. WHEREAS; Ordinance No. 165 of 2020 appropriated $400,000.00 from the 2017 Sales Tax Bond to fund beautification efforts along Phase 1 of the Walter O. Bigby Carriageway; and WHEREAS; Daren Bailey, Inc., was awarded a Contract for the Walter O. Bigby Roundabout Monument for $289,359.00 in connection with the beautification efforts; and WHEREAS; Change Order #1 includes an increase in project cost by $10,773.25 for foundation modifications requiring an additional 94 days, $4,552.28 for substituting the proposed powder coated steel emblems for anodized aluminum requiring an additional 28 days, and $2,334.50 for cutting down the granite pieces to match the brick geometry requiring an additional 21 days for a total increase in project cost of $17,660.03 and a total increase in contract time of 143 days; and WHEREAS; Ordinance 165 of 2020 approved funding for this project and no additional money is being requested. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, in regular session convened that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, approves Change Order #1 for the Walter O. Bigby Roundabout Monument as described; and 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. David Montgomery, Jr. and seconded by Mr. Vince Maggio and adopted on this the 17th day of October, 2023. Further this Ordinance will publish on October 25, 2023 and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: Mr. Smith ABSENT: Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none _____________________________ ____________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Agenda Item called - Adopt an Ordinance authorizing the reclassification of a vacant Engineering Aide IV position to an Engineering Aide I position with salary reduction and hiring of the position, creation and hiring of a part-time Engineering Aide I position, and increasing the salaries for the Flood Plain Analyst, Office Manager III, and Engineering Aide II positions all within the Engineering Department resulting in a net neutral change to the Operating budget. Audience member, David Crockett spoke against Council adopting Ordinance, how will City maintain current services if positions are eliminated and asked them to wait until salary study is done. Mr. Williams, Mr. Smith and Ben Rauschenbach spoke on Ordinance, work of Engineering Department and that this position wouldn’t be eliminated just salary lowered. The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 106 OF 2023 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE RECLASSIFICATION OF A VACANT ENGINEERING AIDE IV POSITION TO AN ENGINEERING AIDE I POSITION WITH SALARY REDUCTION AND HIRING OF THE POSITION, CREATION AND HIRING OF A PART-TIME ENGINEERING AIDE I POSITION, AND INCREASING THE SALARIES FOR THE FLOOD PLAIN ANALYST, OFFICE MANAGER III, AND ENGINEERING AIDE II POSITIONS ALL WITHIN THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT RESULTING IN A NET NEUTRAL CHANGE TO THE OPERATING BUDGET. 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 labor including temporary or contractual employment; and  WHEREAS; the position of Engineering Aide IV within the Engineering Department will be reclassified as a Engineering Aide I reducing the budgeted salary of this position by $24,384.74; and WHEREAS; a part-time Engineering Aide I position will be created with a maximum rate of pay of $17.00 per hour and no more than 15 hours worked per week budgeted annually at $13,260.00; and WHEREAS; the Flood Palin Analyst, Engineering Aide II, and Office Manager III positions salaries will be increased by $3,700 annually commensurate with their increased responsibilities in performing the duties originally assigned to the vacant Engineering Aide IV position, which justifies a raise in salary. WHEREAS; all the aforementioned adjustments in existing salaries of these positions combined will result in a net neutral impact to the operating budget. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, in regular session convened by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, that the Engineering Department is hereby authorized to change the classification of the Engineering Aide IV position to an Engineering Aide I position reducing the salary by $24,384.74 and to hire for the position, to create and hire a part-time Engineering Aide I position with a maximum rate of pay of $17.00 per hour and no more than 15 hours worked per week budgeted annually at $13,260.00, and to increase the salaries of the Flood Palin Analyst, Engineering Aide II, and Office Manager III positions by $3,700 annually commensurate with their increased responsibilities in performing the duties originally assigned to the vacant Engineering Aide IV position as described. 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 17th day of October, 2023. Further this Ordinance will publish on October 25, 2023 and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none _____________________________ ____________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 107 Of 2023 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 179 OF 2022 FOR REPAIRS AND UPGRADES TO THE NORTHSIDE PUMP STATION ADDING AN ADDITIONAL $40,000.00 TO THE PROJECT TO COME FROM SEWER CAPITAL CONTINGENCY FUNDS. WHEREAS, the Public Utilities Department has experienced significant operation disruptions at the Northside Pump Station resulting from equipment malfunctions and mechanical failures that have required temporary measures to ensure operation; and WHEREAS, the Public Utilities Department proposes to replace the original lift station pumps, suction piping, discharge piping, electrical systems, access hatches, and rehabilitate the wet well, and improve the operational capabilities of this station; and WHEREAS, Ordinance 179 of 2022 appropriated $265,000 from the Sewer Capital Contingency Fund; and WHEREAS, the total cost to complete the project is estimated to cost an additional $40,000.00; and WHEREAS, an additional $40,000.00 shall be appropriated from the Sewer Capital Contingency Fund. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, in regular session convened that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, does hereby authorize the Mayor to appropriate an additional $40,000.00 to come from the Sewer Capital and Contingency fund to supplement Ordinance 179 of 2022 to be used for the purpose of making repairs to the Northside Pump Station; 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 required repairs by $40,000.00 and decrease Fund Balance by $40,000.00. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Vince Maggio and seconded by Mr. Don Williams and adopted on this the 17th day of October, 2023. Further this Ordinance will publish on October 25, 2023 and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none _____________________________ ____________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Agenda Item called - Adopt an Ordinance authorizing the elimination of one vacant Utility Worker I position and allocation of the salary surplus equally among the twelve current Water Treatment Division Employees within the Public Utilities Department resulting in a net neutral change to the Operating budget. Audience member, David Crockett spoke against Ordinance and issues he sees within City. The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 108 OF 2023 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ELIMINATION OF ONE VACANT UTILITY WORKER I POSITION AND ALLOCATION OF THE SALARY SURPLUS EQUALLY AMONG THE TWELVE CURRENT WATER TREATMENT DIVISION EMPLOYEES WITHIN THE PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT RESULTING IN A NET NEUTRAL CHANGE TO THE OPERATING BUDGET. WHEREAS; the position of Utility Worker I within the Water Treatment Division of Public Utilities has been vacant since July 5th, 2022; and WHEREAS; the salary for the vacant Utility Worker I position is $27,171.10; and WHEREAS; elimination of the vacant Utility Worker I position will leave a salary surplus that can be evenly distributed among the current twelve (12) Water Treatment Division employees in the amount of $2,264.26 each annually; and WHEREAS; the responsibilities of the Utility Worker I position have been assumed by the existing Water Treatment Division employees, which justifies a raise in salary; and WHEREAS; the aforementioned position removal and redistribution of salary as described will result in a net neutral impact on the operating budget. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, in regular session convened by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, that the Water Treatment Division within the Public Utility Department is hereby authorized to eliminate one position of Utility Worker I and redistribute the surplus salary among all twelve (12) current Water Treatment Division employees evenly by $2,264.26 as described. 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. Jeffery Darby and adopted on this the 17th day of October, 2023. Further this Ordinance will publish on October 25, 2023 and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none _____________________________ ____________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 109 OF 2023 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2023 GENERAL FUND ENGINEERING BUDGET BY FORTY-TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($42,000.00) INCREASING EXPENDITURES FOR CONTRACT MOWING CHARGES IN THE PROPERTY STANDARDS DIVISION. WHEREAS; the Property Standards Department has been diligent in patrolling the City for properties that are in violation of the City Code of Ordinances; and WHEREAS; the Property Standards Division has already scheduled numerous properties requiring mowing; and WHEREAS; there are additional mowing efforts that need to be completed this year and available funds have been exhausted; and WHEREAS; the Property Standards Department estimates that an additional $42,000.00 is needed to cover the required contract mowing efforts through the end of the year; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, in regular session convened that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, agrees to appropriate $42,000.00 from the General Fund for Contract Mowing Charges. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the 2023 General Fund Engineering Budget is hereby amended to increase expenditures for Contract Mowing Charges by $42,000.00 and decrease Fund Balance by $42,000.00. 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. Don Williams and adopted on this the 17th day of October, 2023. Further this Ordinance will publish on October 25, 2023 and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none _____________________________ ____________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 110 OF 2023 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE RECLASSIFICATION OF A VACANT ELECTRICIAN III POSITION TO A UTILITY WORKER II POSITION WITH SALARY REDUCTION AND HIRING OF THE POSITION, REDUCTION OF SALARY FOR A VACANT FOREMAN I POSITION, AND INCREASING THE SALARIES FOR TWO UTILITY WORKER I POSITIONS ALL WITHIN THE LIFT STATION DIVISION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES RESULTING IN A NET NEUTRAL CHANGE TO THE OPERATING BUDGET. 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 labor including temporary or contractual employment; and WHEREAS; the position of Electrician III within the Lift Station Division of Public Utilities will be reclassified as a Utility Worker II reducing the budgeted salary of this position by $6,290.06; and WHEREAS; the salary for the vacant Foreman I position within the Lift Station Division of Public Utilities will be reduced by $878.90; and WHEREAS; two Utility Worker I Position salaries within the Lift Station Division of Public Utilities will be increased to $15.00 per hour increasing the budgeted salaries of these positions by $6,674.46; and WHEREAS; the Utility Worker I position responsibilities will be increased commensurate with this salary increase to include managing specific routes and performing all field duties as assigned by the Assistant Superintendent of the Lift Station Division, which justifies a raise in salary. WHEREAS; all the aforementioned adjustments in existing salaries of these positions combined will result in a net neutral impact to the operating budget. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, in regular session convened by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, that the Lift Station Division within the Public Utility Department is hereby authorized to change the classification of the Electrician III position to a Utility Worker II position reducing the salary by $6,290.06, to hire one Utility Worker II position, to reduce the salary for the vacant Foreman I position by $878.90, and to utilize the unused budgeted salary to raise the salary for two Utility Worker I positions as described. 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 17th day of October, 2023. Further this Ordinance will publish on October 25, 2023 and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none _____________________________ ____________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 111 OF 2023 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2023 GENERAL FUND ENGINEERING BUDGET BY TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($20,000.00) INCREASING EXPENDITURES FOR ADVERTISING AND LEGAL NOTICES. WHEREAS; the Property Standards Department has been diligent in patrolling the City for properties that are in violation of the City Code of Ordinances; and WHEREAS; this effort along with other various contract recordation policies within the Engineering Department has depleted budgeted expenditures in advertising and legal notices; and WHEREAS; there are additional advertising and legal notices that need to be completed this year and available funds have been exhausted; and WHEREAS; the Engineering Department estimates that an additional $20,000.00 is needed to cover the required advertising and legal notice efforts through the end of the year; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, in regular session convened that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, agrees to appropriate $20,000.00 from the General Fund for advertising and legal notice charges. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the 2023 General Fund Engineering Budget is hereby amended to increase expenditures for advertising and legal notice charges by $20,000.00 and decrease Fund Balance by $20,000.00. 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. Vince Maggio and adopted on this the 17th day of October, 2023. Further this Ordinance will publish on October 25, 2023 and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none _____________________________ ____________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 112 Of 2023 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE 2023 SEWER CAPITAL AND CONTINGENCY BUDGET. ______________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the Bossier City Charter Section 6.06 Additional appropriations and budget amendments requires that additional appropriations be made by amending the respective budgets by ordinance; and WHEREAS, the Northeast Wastewater Treatment Facility has incurred capital expenditures for plant improvements more than those budgeted for 2023; and WHEREAS, these increases were related to actual costs for the required work increasing beyond pricing that was received during the budgeting cycle; and  WHEREAS, the 2023 Sewer Capital and Contingency budget needs to be amended to appropriate $21,000 in additional funding to ensure sufficient funds are available to cover anticipated expenses for the remainder of the fiscal year. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, does hereby amend the 2023 Sewer Capital and Contingency budget to increase the appropriations by $21,000. 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 required repairs by $21,000.00 and decrease Fund Balance by $21,000.00. 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. Don Williams and adopted on this the 17th day of October, 2023. Further this Ordinance will publish on October 25, 2023 and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none _____________________________ ____________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 113 OF 2023 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING MAYOR THOMAS H. CHANDLER TO EXECUTE THE ATTACHED FIRST AMENDMENT TO LICENSE AND NAMING RIGHTS AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY AND BROOKSHIRE GROCERY COMPANY. WHEREAS, Ordinance 2 of 2021 approved the License and Naming Rights Agreement between the City of Bossier City and Brookshire Grocery Company; and WHEREAS, additional terms, agreed upon by both parties, were inadvertently omitted in the original agreement; and WHEREAS, the attached First Amendment to License and Naming Rights Agreement is necessary to enumerate all agreed-upon terms. 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 First Amendment to License and Naming Rights Agreement between the City of Bossier City and Brookshire Grocery Company. 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 17th day of October, 2023. Further this Ordinance will publish on October 25, 2023 and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none _____________________________ ____________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Agenda Item called - Public hearing for the City of Bossier City’s proposed 2024 Operating and Capital Budgets. Mr. Free called the Public Hearing to order. Audience Member David Crockett spoke on his concern of budgets and how money is spent and need for more time to discuss those issues. No further comment. Mr. Free closed the Public Hearing at 3:42PM. Public hearing concerning City of Bossier City’s FY2024 CDBG Action Plan for Housing and Community Development Programs. Mr. Free called the Public Hearing to order. Mr. Bob Brown, Community Development Authority, went over the City’s FY2024 CDBG request. Hearing no comments, Mr. Free closed the public hearing at 3:48PM New Business – The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 114 Of 2023 AN ORDINANCE TO DECLARE THAT AN EMERGENCY DID EXIST IN THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY WHICH AFFECTED, PROPERTY, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND SAFETY DUE TO THE REQUIREMENT TO RESTORE A 24-INCH SEWER FORCE MAIN BLOWOUT ALONG AIRLINE DRIVE NEAR MEADOW CREEK AT A COST OF $82,850 TO COME FROM SEWER CAPITAL CONTINGENCY FUNDS. WHEREAS, on September 28, 2023, the Public Utilities Department responded to an emergency 24-inch sewer force main rupture near the intersection of Airline Drive and Meadow Creek Drive requiring immediate action to repair a short section of this main; and WHEREAS, the Public Utilities Department needed additional emergency support to make the repair due to the size and scale of the pipe geometry, material, and repair location; and WHEREAS, Pulley Construction of Bossier City, Louisiana submitted the lowest bid and immediately responded to aid Bossier City at a cost of $82,850.00 in labor to support the repair efforts; and WHEREAS, $82,850.00 shall be appropriated from the Sewer Capital Contingency Fund. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, in regular session convened that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, does hereby declare that an emergency exists and authorizes the Mayor to appropriate $82,850.00 to come from the Sewer Capital and Contingency fund to be used for the purpose of making repairs to the 24-inch sewer force main on Airline Drive near Meadow Creek Drive; 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 repairs to the 24-inch sewer force main by $82,850.00 and decrease Fund Balance by $82,850.00. 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. Jeffery Darby and adopted on this the 17th day of October, 2023. Further this Ordinance will become legal immediately. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none _____________________________ ____________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk By: Mr. Smith Motion to introduce an Ordinance to amend the 2023 Sales Tax Capital Improvement Fund for Traffic Signal Communication Upgrades. Seconded by Mr. Maggio Mr. Smith asked about project. Ben Rauschenbach spoke on what project would do including modernizing traffic signals. Mr. Williams and Mr. Smith discussed trains and extra traffic on Hwy 80 due to I-20 renovations. Mr. Rauschenbach stated that traffic engineering was trying to tweak signals to help traffic flow better on City Hwy’s due to I-20 renovation. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance amending Ordinance 76 of 2023 appropriating an additional $700,000 in funds from the 2018 LCDA Bond Fund to supplement the 2023 Public Utilities Capital Budget for miscellaneous water loops necessary for improving water flow for fire protection. Seconded by Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance amending the 2023 Streets and Drainage Fund Budget by seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000.00) to increase the Capital Street Improvements Project. Seconded by Mr. Darby Audience member, David Crockett spoke about City needing to spend more money for streets and that more street work is what the citizens, he has spoken to, wants. Mr. Smith asked if this project is what he had previously discussed with Ben Rauschenbach. Mr. Rauschenbach explained it was different. This project is strictly for asphalt street improvements and concrete repairs would be coming from Public Works. He has a bid package for concrete that should be coming up. He also spoke about spending time with Council members to see the issues that need to be addressed in each District and try to get those projects funded and completed. Mr. Maggio thanked Mr. Rauschenbach for the job he and his department does. Audience member, Debra Ross spoke on issues at corner of Fullilove and Foster. Wade Rich, Public Works and Ben Rauschenbach will look into it. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance to amend Ordinance 8 of 2019 appropriating an additional $250,000.00 from the 2017 Sales Tax Bond towards the Tinsley Park Baseball Renovations for the completion of the Tinsley Park Dugout Replacement Project, awarding the base bid to Delta Specialty Contractors, LLC in the amount of $885,700.00, and approving the Report of Deductive Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $115,700. Seconded by Mr. Maggio Audience member, David Crockett spoke against Ordinance, that the City needed to spend more on streets and not so much on recreation projects, more on infrastructure and to fix issues at Hooter Park. Mr. Williams spoke on citizens requesting at previous meetings for more recreation opportunities. Mr. Rauschenbach went over the project. He noted that the change order is for a deduction and that the money that this project is coming from was a Bond for Parks and Recreation asked Council to move forward with project due to the limited time to get it done. Mr. Smith questioned necessity of project, the amount spent at Tinsley in the last 5 years, the limited availability for Bossier citizens and need for more accountability. Mr. Rauschenbach, Clay Bohanan, Parks Director and Louis Cook, Parks spoke on need for project, current uses of facility, upcoming events, the various ways the Parks Department brings in revenue and how the department tries to save money. Mr. Williams and Mr. Smith spoke on field availability for tax payers. Mr. Darby asked about issues at Hooter Park. Louis Cook will look into it as he is unaware of any issues. He spoke about the improvements that have been made over the last 10 years. Mr. Crockett came back to speak about specific issues at Hooter Park. Audience member, Alice Boyer spoke on her view of how the City looks at spending taxpayer money on parks. No further comment Motion carried with the following vote: Yeas – Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio Nays – Mr. Smith Absent – Mr. Hammons Abstain – None By: Mr. Williams  Motion to introduce an Ordinance to approve report of Change Order 1 for the Tinsley Ballpark Parking Lot Expansion Phase I & II with an increase in project cost of $99,631.52 and adding an additional 21 days. Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. 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 increase Information Services Department Overtime expenditures $10,000. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous RESOLUTION NO. 85 OF 2023 A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE CITY’S APPLICATION TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT FOR FUNDING (ENTITLEMENT STATUS) UNDER AUTHORITY OF TITLE I OF THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1974 (42 U.S.C. 3535) (d) and (42 U.S.C. 5301) (et.seq.) BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Bossier City, Louisiana that the City of Bossier City Council hereby supports the City’s Five-Year Consolidated Strategy Plan and 2023 Action Plan and application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for funding (Entitlement Status) under authority of the Consolidation for the following: Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS): title I of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. 12702-12711; Community Development Block Grants (CDBG): title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, 42 U.S.C. 5304-5320; Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG): title VI, subtitle B, of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 11371-11378; HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME): title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez Nation Affordable Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. 12741-12839; Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA): the AIDS; Housing Opportunity Act, 42 U.S.C. 12901- 12912; Also serving as a basis for determining requirements in this rule are the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601-3619), title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act, and Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C. 1701u). WHEREAS, the primary objective of the Community Development Entitlement Program is the development of viable urban communities, including decent housing and a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income, and whereas, consistent with this primary objective, the Federal Assistance realized from this application is for the support of community development activities which are directed toward the following specific objectives: (1) The elimination of slums and blight and the prevention of blighting influences and the deterioration of property and neighborhood and community facilities of importance to the welfare of the community, principally persons of low and moderate income; (2) The elimination of conditions which are detrimental to health, safety and public welfare, through code enforcement, demolition, interim rehabilitation assistance, and related activities; (3) The conversation of the city’s housing stock in order to provide a decent home and a suitable living environment for all persons, but principally those of low and moderate income; (4) The improvement of the quality of community services, principally for persons of low and moderate income, which are essential for sound community development; (5) The reduction of the isolation of income groups within communities and geographical areas and the promotion of an increase in the diversity and vitality of neighborhoods of housing opportunities for person of lower income and the revitalization of deteriorating neighborhoods to attract persons of higher income; and (6) The restoration and preservation of properties of special value or historic, architecture or aesthetic reasons. WHEREAS, THE City of Bossier City possesses legal authority to apply for this grant, and all other related Housing Urban Development Programs to execute all proposed projects and whereas, this City is now established as an “Entitlement City”; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Bossier City hereby supports Thomas H. Chandler, Mayor of Bossier City, Louisiana, the chief official of Bossier City, to apply for and sign all document as necessary and appropriate in the City’s application of Housing and Urban Development Programs. 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. Vince Maggio and adopted on this the 17th day of October, 2023. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Hammons ABSTAIN: none ___________________________ _____________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Reports – Angela Williamson, Finance Director, went over Monthly Financial Report for the month of September 2023. She noted revenue was up by 26% over budget, expenses were 5% below budget and Sales Taxes were up by 7.4% from same month last year and went over reasons for those differences. Announcements- Mr. Williams and Mr. Smith discussed statements that were made at last Council meeting. Mayor welcomed the Bossier Youth Leadership students and thanked Council for working on budget with him. Mr. Darby asked Mayor to let him know what is discovered concerning the issues Mr. Crockett bought up concerning the Hooter Park facilities. There being no further business to come before this Council, Council President Free adjourned the meeting at 4:31PM Respectfully submitted: Phyllis McGraw City Clerk Publish: October 25, 2023 Bossier Press Tribune