City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 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, November 7, 2023, at 3:00 PM Invocation was given by Council Member Jeffery Darby Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member David Montgomery, Jr. Roll Call as follows: Present: Honorable Councilor, President Jeff Free, Honorable Councilors David Montgomery, Jr., Chris Smith, Brian Hammons, Jeffery Darby, Don Williams and Vince Maggio 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. Ceremonial Matters/Recognition of Guests – none Agenda Item called: Approve Agenda Audience members Wes Marriott and David Crockett spoke against this item being on Agenda for timeliness issue and contract amounts. By: Mr. Hammons Motion to continue Agenda Item #3 under New Business - Introduce an Ordinance authorizing the attached Amendment with Manchac Consulting Group, Inc. extending their services to the City of Bossier City until January 2, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Smith Council members Mr. Hammons, Mr. Williams, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Smith, City Attorney, Charles Jacobs and Mayor discussed item, when it was submitted, that it was reviewed by City Attorney, savings to the City since contract began, time needed for review and whether would violate Charter. No further comment. Motion carried with the following votes: Yeas: Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby and Mr. Maggio Nays: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Williams and Mr. Free Absent: none Abstain: none By: Mr. Smith Motion to approve agenda as amended. Seconded by: Mr. Maggio No comment Motion carried with the following votes: Yeas: Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio Nays: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Absent: none Abstain: none Public Hearing/Actions on Unfinished Business – Agenda Item Called: Introduce an Ordinance to adopt the General Fund Budget for 2024. By: Mr. Williams Motion to combine budget items #1-24 into one item. Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Audience member, David Crockett spoke against combining items and not giving public time to ask about each item. No further comments Motion carried with the following votes: Yeas – Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio Nays – Mr. Hammons Absent – none Abstain – none By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce the 2024 Operating and Capital Budgets. Seconded by Mr. Williams Finance Director, Angela Williamson, came up and went over following amendments that the Administration were recommending: From all Funds - remove cost of living adjustments for non Civil Service Employees and revise health insurance benefits for final rates that just became available. In the General Fund – reduce Sales Tax Revenue, remove General Insurance expenses for Claims, Legal Fees and Admin Fees, 2% budget cuts for operating accounts not including salaries and benefits, increase interest income, City Council Department to increase consulting services, Information Services Department to increase overtime, Engineering Department to increase mowing and demolitions, Fire Improvements and Operations and Streets and Drainage Fund to revise sales tax allocation between funds to fix typo, no change in total, just the allocation, Public Service and Sanitation Fund to increase Fees Revenue, Parkway Capital Fund to increase Sales Tax Revenue. Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Ms. Williamson, CAO, Amanda Nottingham and Mr. Montgomery spoke about the Budget process, the proposed amendments and how they came about, transparency, budget timeline requirements and how process should work. Mr. Smith Motion to continue for two weeks. Seconded by Mr. Hammons Mr. Smith and Mr. Hammons discussed their concerns about amendments. CAO, Amanda Nottingham and Ms. Williamson reported on meetings and process leading to this point. Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Smith, Ms. Nottingham and Ms. Williamson spoke about budget process and how amendments are made, transparency and attendance in original budget meetings. Mr. Smith called for the question. Audience member, David Crockett spoke about issues he sees with budget process and Charter requirements. Audience member, Wes Marriott spoke about records request he submitted concerning any amendments to budget and that the public needs time to review. By: Mr. Williams Motion to take a 15-minute recess at 3:44 PM Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. All in favor via voice vote. Mr. Free called meeting back to order at 4:01PM Mr. Smith removed his motion to continue the budgets until November 21, 2023 so that the amendments can be made public. Ms. Nottingham reported that these are just proposed amendments and in order for them to be made public, they do have to be introduced. Mr. Darby reported that each Council member now has a printed copy of amendments recommended by Administration. Ms. Williamson and Ms. Nottingham went over each amendment and answered questions from the Council members. By: Mr. Williams Motion to approve the recommended amendments by the administration to the proposed 2024 Operating and Capital Budget. Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Audience Member, David Crockett spoke on his concerns of budgets and asked about salary study and timeline, concerns about City salaries. Mr. Jacobs went over the timeline for the study. Audience member, Wes Marriot spoke on his concerns on budgets and amendments and how they were presented. Mr. Smith and Ben Rauschenbach discussed that the possible 3P contract increase is not included in this budget or proposed amendments. Mr. Montgomery asked Mr. Jacobs if the Council was proceeding legally with this process and Mr. Jacobs responded they are. No further discussion Motion carried with the following votes: Yeas: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio Nays: Mr. Smith Absent: none Abstain: none By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce the 2024 Operating and Capital budgets as amended. Seconded by: Mr. Williams Mr. Hammons clarified that Council still had two weeks to look and see if any changes needed to be made. No further comment Motion carried with the following votes: Yeas: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio Nays: Mr. Smith Absent: none Abstain: none New Business – By: Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance to amend the 2023 General Fund Budget to increase Police Department vehicle repair and maintenance expenditures by seventy-five thousand ($75,000.00). Seconded by Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance appropriating $1,924,165.00 from the American Rescue Plan Act Grant Fund for premium pay allowances to eligible full-time employees of the City of Bossier City. Seconded by Mr. Darby Mr. Smith asked if this would deplete fund, Ms. Williamson told him it would. No further comment. Vote in favor of motion is unanimous When vote didn’t show on screen Council President Free went over the last two votes for the items under new business and City Clerk, Phyllis McGraw showed on the screen the votes for the amendments to the budgets and the introduction of the budgets as amended. The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 89 OF 2023 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF A TAX AUDIT CLERK DUE TO A PROMOTION IN SALES 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 Sales Tax Department has an available position due to a promotion of an employee; and WHEREAS, this promotion 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 promotion in the Sales 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. Don Williams and seconded by Mr. Chris Smith and adopted on this the 7th day of November, 2023. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ___________________________ _____________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 90 Of 2023 A RESOLUTION FOR PUBLIC WORKS TO FILL A LABORER I POSITION IN SOLID WASTE DUE TO RETIREMENT AND BACKFILL ANY POSITION THIS CREATES. WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 76 of 2019 implemented a requirement assuring that the City department budgets not be exceeded by any hiring of any personnel; and WHEREAS, there is a vacant position due to a retirement: WHEREAS, the administration and the department assures that all current budgets have been verified and that no authorized salary has been exceeded. NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained the administration is hereby authorizing Public Works to fill this vacant position. The above and foregoing Resolution was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Don Williams and seconded by Mr. Vince Maggio and adopted on this the 7th day of November, 2023. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ___________________________ _____________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Mr. Williams thanked Mr. Rich for the great job his department does. Agenda Item called: Approve City Council Meeting Calendar for 2024 Mr. Darby Motion to approve calendar for 2024 Seconded by Mr. Montgomery. Ms. McGraw explained a different calendar that Mr. Williams asked her to work on for possible consideration. Council discussed calendars. Ms. McGraw asked the Council to continue this item until next meeting so they could have more time to review both calendars before making a decision. Mr. Darby withdrew his motion. By: Mr. Williams Motion to continue the City Council Meeting Calendar for 2024 until November 21, 2023. Seconded by Mr. Smith No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Minutes - By: Mr. Smith Motion to approve Minutes of October 31, 2023, Regular Council Meeting and dispense with the reading Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Mr. Hammons left the meeting at 4:34PM Announcements- Mayor thanked Veterans for serving our Country and wants them honored not only on Veteran’s Day but every single day for their service. Mr. Montgomery announced about the passing of retired 4 term Council Member, Dr. James Rogers. There being no further business to come before this Council, Council President Free adjourned the meeting at 4:35PM Respectfully submitted: Phyllis McGraw City Clerk Publish: November 15, 2023 Bossier Press Tribune