City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 19, 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, December 19, 2023, at 3:00 PM Invocation was given by Council Member Chris Smith Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Jeff Free 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 Chandler, Assistant City Attorney Richard Ray, Deputy City Clerk, Amyanna Germany and City Clerk, Phyllis McGraw Deputy City Clerk, Amyanna Germany, read statement about decorum during meeting and public participation in the meeting. Ceremonial Matters/Recognition of Guests – Stacey Brown, Shreveport Bossier Tourism – gave a brief update of 2023 for Tourism. She also went over some upcoming events. By: Mr. Hammons Motion to approve agenda. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to approve minutes of the December 5, 2023, Regular Council and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Bids: Agenda item called - Witness Opening of Sealed Bids: P23-16 2023 Citywide Street Improvements - Phase I Bid Alternate #1 Alternate #2 Benton & Brown, LLC $1,472,177.75 $178,845.00 $46,400.00 By: Mr. Williams Motion to approve reading of bids. Seconded by Mr. Smith No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Agenda item called - Witness Opening of Sealed Bids: P23-19 Airline Drive Rehabilitation Bid Benton & Brown, LLC $1,315,715.00 Earnest Contracting, LLC $1,089,774.00 By: Mr. Hammons 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 2023 AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $640,000 FROM THE DISASTER RESERVE FUND FOR JUNE AND JULY 2023 STORMS _____________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of Louisiana issued proclamation number 112 JBE 2023 declaring a state of emergency on June 16, 2023 due to severe weather and power outages across north Louisiana; and WHEREAS, Bossier Parish declared a state of emergency for Bossier Parish on June 16, 2023 due to severe weather occurring during the evening hours of June 15 and early morning on June 16, 2023; and WHEREAS, Resolution 59 of 2023 ratified the state of emergency declared in the City of Bossier City by Mayor Thomas H. Chandler due to severe weather and power outages that occurred on June 16, 2023; and WHEREAS, the June storms as well as additional severe storms occurring during July caused significant damage and debris creating unsafe and hazardous conditions; and WHEREAS, the City has incurred significant expenses to protect and safeguard Citizens, remove and clean up debris, and make necessary repairs. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of Bossier City, in regular session convened, that the Council does hereby appropriate $640,000 from the Disaster Reserve Fund for expenditures related to the June and July 2023 storms. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the 2023 Disaster Reserve Fund Budget is hereby amended to increase expenditures for June 2023 Storms by $505,000 and July 2023 Storms by $135,000 and decrease Fund Balance by $640,000. 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 19th of December, 2023. Further this Ordinance will publish on December 27, 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 _____________________________ ____________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 162 OF 2023 AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $10,000 FROM THE DISASTER RESERVE FUND TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT FOR WINTER WEATHER PREPAREDNESS EFFORTS _____________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the City of Bossier City along with Bossier Parish and the Bossier Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (BOHSEP) are planning and preparing coordinated response efforts for the upcoming winter season; and WHEREAS, a salt spreader is necessary to keep roadways open and passable during times of winter precipitation and/or roadway icing. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of Bossier City, in regular session convened, that the Council does hereby appropriate $10,000 from the Disaster Reserve Fund for the purchase of a salt spreader. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the 2023 Disaster Reserve Fund Budget is hereby amended to increase expenditures for 2023 Winter Preparedness Efforts by $10,000 and decrease Fund Balance by $10,000. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Jeffery Darby and seconded by Mr. Chris Smith and adopted on this the 19th of December, 2023. Further this Ordinance will publish on December 27, 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 _____________________________ ____________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk New Business – By: Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance to approve Report of Change Order 1 for the Tinsley Ditch Re-Route Phase 2 with an increase in project cost of $9,800 and adding an additional 14 days. Seconded by Mr. Smith No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance appropriating an additional $130,000 in funds from the Riverboat Capital Projects Fund to supplement funding needed to construct the new Walbrook Park maintenance building. Seconded by Mr. Maggio Discussion about need for additional funding when project hasn’t started, need for project and what it will be used for and bid specs reductions to save money by Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons and Mr. Williams and Engineer, Mr. Rauschenbach No further comment Motion carried with the following votes: Yeas: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio Nays: Mr. Smith and Mr. Hammons Absent: none Abstain: none By: Mr. Smith Motion to introduce an Ordinance to amend the 2023 Sewer Fund Budget. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Smith  Motion to introduce an Ordinance to authorize Mayor Thomas H. Chandler to sign a contract with Kofile Technologies, Inc. for the preservation and imaging of Minute Books. Seconded by Mr. Williams City Clerk, Ms. McGraw spoke to Council about project and need for it. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 99 OF 2023 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OR PROMOTION OF A UTILITIES BILLING AND COLLECTION SUPERVISOR AND BACKFILLING ANY VACANT POSITION THIS MAY CREATE FOR THE CUSTOMER SERVICE 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 Customer Service Department has an available position due to resignation of an employee; and WHEREAS, this resignation provides for an opportunity to hire or promote from within and backfill any vacancy created; 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 or promote a Utilities Billing and Collection Supervisor and backfill any vacancy this may create, due to a resignation in the Customer Service 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. Don Williams and adopted on this the 19th day of December, 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 Agenda Item called – Adopt a Resolution authorizing the reclassification of one (1) Captain position to a Deputy Chief position resulting in a net neutral change to the operating budget. Mr. Darby and Mr. Hammons discussed need, current Deputy Chief numbers, officers in academy and challenges facing department for new hires and a timeframe with Chief Haugen. No further comments The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 100 Of 2023 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RECLASSIFICATION OF ONE (1) VACANT CAPTAIN POSITION TO A DEPUTY CHIEF POSITION RESULTING IN A NET NEUTRAL CHANGE TO THE OPERATING BUDGET 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, the reclassification of one (1) vacant Captain position to a Deputy Chief position; 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. Hammons and seconded by Mr. Smith and adopted on this the 19th day of December, 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 Reports – Angela Williamson – Finance Director, went over the Monthly Finance Report for month ending November 2023. She noted current staffing levels and current status of Water and Sewer funds. She also noted that revenues were over budget by 32% and that expenses were under budget by 6% and explained reasons for each. Ben Rauschenbach, Engineering Department, went over the Monthly Project Report. He noted he was working with Mayor and low bidder on City Hall Security upgrades to lower the cost and may bring an Ordinance to add some additional funds for the project. He also updated on the Walter O. Bigby Carriageway, Tinsley improvements and other projects that City is currently working on. Mr. Williams asked Mayor about repairing the buckling and broken concrete panels on POW Blvd. in front of City Hall in the upcoming year. Mayor will look into it. Announcements- Ms. Germany read the following announcement - Announcement of Public Meeting - Notice is hereby given that at its meeting to be held on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. at its regular meeting place, the Council Chambers, Municipal Complex, 620 Benton Road, Bossier City, Louisiana, the City Council of the City of Bossier City, State of Louisiana, plans to consider adopting a resolution ordering and calling an election to be held in the City of Bossier City, State of Louisiana, to authorize the renewal of ad valorem taxes therein. Mayor thanked Council for a good year and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Mr. Free thanked Mayor and wished citizens a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.\ Mr. Darby acknowledged that this was Ms. Germany’s first Council meeting and he and other Council members praised her on doing a good job. Mr. Free and rest of Council wished Mr. Darby a happy early birthday. Mr. Darby’s birthday is Thursday, November 21st. There being no further business to come before this Council, Council President Free adjourned the meeting at 3:47PM Respectfully submitted: ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Publish December 27, 2023