City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 2, 2024 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 2, 2024, at 3:00 PM Invocation was given by Council Member Jeffery Darby Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Brian Hammons 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 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. Darby No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Smith Motion to approve minutes of the December 19, 2023, Regular Council and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Public Hearing/Actions on Unfinished Business – The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 1 OF 2024 ADOPT 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. WHEREAS; the City of Engineering Department is nearing completion of planned drainage improvements along the Tinsley Ditch; and WHEREAS; there is a need for easier access to both sides of the ditch for preventative maintenance measures; and WHEREAS; Ordinance 170 of 2022 appropriated $600,000.00 for making drainage improvements to this area; and WHEREAS; Beaty Logging Co. was awarded a Construction Contract in the Amount of $174,508.50; and WHEREAS; Change Order #1 includes an increase in project cost by $9,800 to add an additional ditch crossing for easier preventative maintenance measures. The additional work will require an additional 14 days. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, in regular session convened that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, approves Change Order #1 for the Tinsley Ditch Re-Route Phase 2 with an increase in project cost of $9,800 and adding 14 days to the contract; 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. Don Williams and seconded by Mr. Chris Smith and adopted on this the 2nd of January, 2024. Further this Ordinance will publish on January 10, 2024 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 Agenda Item Called - Adopt 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. Mr. Hammons and City Engineer, Ben Rauschenbach discussed project, need for change order when it hasn’t been bid out yet and possibility of reducing cost. The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 2 Of 2024 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 __________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS the Bossier Parks and Recreation Department appropriated $320,000 in the 2023 Sales Tax Capital Budget for construction of a new maintenance building at Walbrook Park; and WHEREAS the plans and specifications are complete, and the project is ready to advertise for bids; and WHEREAS the estimate of probable construction cost is $405,000.00; and WHEREAS there is $320,000 currently available for construction costs; and WHEREAS there are funds available to supplement the difference between the budgeted amount and the estimate of probable construction costs in the Riverboat Capital Projects Fund; and WHEREAS an additional $130,000 is needed to complete the project; and WHEREAS these funds will be used for the new maintenance building at Walbrook Park. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of the City of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened that $130,000 is hereby appropriated from the Riverboat Capital Projects Fund to provide the required supplemental funds for the new maintenance building at Walbrook Park project. 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 2024 Riverboat Capital Projects Budget is hereby amended to increase expenditures for the Walbrook Park Maintenance Building by $130,000 and decrease Fund Balance by $130,000. 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 2nd of January, 2024. Further this Ordinance will publish on January 10, 2024 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 and Mr. Hammons ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none _____________________________ ____________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 3 Of 2024 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE 2023 SEWER FUND 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 wastewater treatment facilities have seen an increase in operational costs; and WHEREAS, the price of tipping fees for sludge removal have increased and; WHEREAS, it is estimated that an additional appropriation of $150,000 from the Sewer Fund is needed to cover operational costs for the remainder of the fiscal year; and WHEREAS, the 2023 Sewer Fund operating budget needs to be amended to appropriate 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 Fund operating budget to increase the appropriations in division 75 Red River Wastewater Treatment Plant for tipping fees by $150,000 as appropriate and decrease net fund position by $150,000. 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. Don Williams and adopted on this the 2nd of January, 2024. Further this Ordinance will publish on January 10, 2024 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. 4 OF 2024 AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE MAYOR THOMAS H. CHANDLER TO SIGN A CONTRACT WITH KOFILE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. FOR THE PRESERVATION AND IMAGING OF MINUTE BOOKS _____________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, Minute Books are considered a permanent record and falls under critical records management; and WHEREAS, Minute Books deteriorate as they age and the City Clerk has identified some older Minute Books that need some preservation attention; and WHEREAS, a sole source quote was given by Kofile Technologies, Inc. to better protect and image approximately 1,119 pages of City Council Minutes at a cost of $8,296.17. WHEREAS, funds for this project will come from an existing unused 2023 Capital Outlay appropriation in the City Council 2023 Budget so no appropriation for this project will be necessary. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of Bossier City, in regular session convened, that Mayor Thomas H. Chandler does hereby have permission to sign any and all necessary documents from Kofile Technologies, Inc., for these critical records management services. 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. Jeffery Darby and adopted on this the 2nd of January, 2024. Further this Ordinance will publish on January 10, 2024 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 By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance authorizing the attached Amendment with Manchac Consulting Group, Inc. extending their services to the City of Bossier City. Seconded by Mr. Williams Audience member David Crockett, spoke on his objections to the Manchac Contract extension. Some reasons for his objection included costs, lack of RFP, length of contract and campaign donations. Mr. Darby asked Mayor about his request from November for an RFP process. Mayor and Assistant City Attorney, Richard Ray, discussed RFP and their view that it violated State Law. Mr. Darby and Mr. Smith spoke about need for RFP or some process to make sure Council are being good stewards of the City funds and getting the most out of their investment. Mr. Hammons also spoke against Ordinance since contract is not up until June and the need for increases in employee salaries especially Fire and Police to remain competitive. By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to call for the question Seconded by Mr. Williams Motion carried with the following voice votes: Yeas – Mr. Montgomery, Jr, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio Nays – Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons and Mr. Darby Absent - none Abstain – none Ms. McGraw read the original motion – Mr. Montgomery, motioned to introduce an Ordinance authorizing the attached amendment with Manchac Consulting Group, Inc. extending their services to the City of Bossier City, seconded by Mr. Williams. Motion carried with the following votes: Yeas – Mr. Montgomery, Jr, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio Nays – Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons and Mr. Darby Absent - none Abstain – none New Business – By: Mr. Darby Motion to introduce an Ordinance appropriating $582,150.00 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. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance to amend Ordinance 49 of 2023 appropriating an additional $360,000.00 from the Jail and Municipal Building Fund towards the Municipal Complex Security Improvements Project and awarding the base bid to Precision Builders, Inc. in the amount of $818,000.00. Seconded by Mr. Smith Mr. Hammons acknowledged need for project and employee safety but is concerned about cost. He and Mr. Rauschenbach discussed possible project adjustments to reduce costs. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Hammons  Motion to introduce an Ordinance authorizing Mayor Thomas H. Chandler to execute an agreement between the City of Bossier City and Axon Enterprise, Inc. for body worn cameras and vehicle mounted video devices. Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Smith Motion to introduce 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 the Treasury and State of Louisiana. Seconded by Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance to amend the 2024 Water and Sewer Fund Budgets. Seconded by Mr. Maggio No 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 Agenda Item called – Adopt a Resolution repealing and re-enacting Resolution No. 56 of 2021 for the organization of the City Council, providing rules for the Council and otherwise providing with respect thereto. Audience member, Wes Marriott, spoke out against adoption of Resolution. He cited his current lawsuit against city due to his view that the current Resolution is unconstitutional. He also spoke on his concerns about Resolution not complying with ACT 393 and the city not being allowed to ask about disability. Audience member, David Crockett spoke against Resolution and cited concerns about possible HIPAA violations. Mr. Darby had Ms. McGraw explain need for updated Resolution. Ms. McGraw explained the need to comply with ACT 393 and that the guidance came from the Louisiana Municipal Association that she and Mr. Ray used for the draft of the policy in the pending Resolution. She also stated Resolution needed to reflect change of meeting dates adopted by Council for 2024. Mr. Darby wanted to make sure there wasn’t a HIPPA violation. Mr. Ray also spoke on law changes and steps taken and research done leading up to this new Resolution being presented and that no violation of HIPPA since certification just asks if there is a disability from the healthcare provider. No further comment The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 1 OF 2024 A RESOLUTION REPEALING AND RE-ENACTING RESOLUTION NO. 56 OF 2021 FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL, PROVIDING RULES FOR THE COUNCIL AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO_ _______________________________ BE IT RESOLVED, By the City Council of the City of Bossier City, Louisiana, that the following procedural rules are hereby enacted, effective January 2, 2024: REGULAR ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS DURING THE TERM OF COUNCIL: Each newly elected Council shall meet in Council Chambers at their first meeting at which time it will elect from its membership a President Pro-tem and Vice President Pro-tem whom shall serve until July 1st of the following year. During the term of the Council, their successors will be elected yearly at the Regular Council Meeting in June and their elected successors shall automatically assume office on July 1st following their election. Such election procedures shall continue until the next elected Council takes office. When this occurs, the Council will again organize itself on the date it takes office as mentioned above. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETINGS: (1) Time – The Council shall hold regular, bi-weekly meetings at 3:00PM. However, when the day fixed for any regular meeting of the Council falls upon a day designated by law as a legal or national holiday, such meeting will be rescheduled by a vote of the Council upon the adoption of their official Calendar each year or during the year as needed. (2) Place – All Council Meetings shall be held in Council Chambers, Municipal Complex, 620 Benton Road, Bossier City, Louisiana. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETINGS: Special meetings may be held on the call of the Mayor, President Pro-tem of the Council or four (4) or more members of the Council and upon no less than twenty-four hours notice to each member. In the event of a Public Emergency, the Mayor, President-Pro-tem or (4) or more Council members may call a Special Meeting at whatever notice shall be convenient to give. ROLL CALL: Before proceeding with the business of the Council, the City Clerk shall call the roll of the members and the names of those present shall be entered the minutes. QUORUM: A majority of all members shall constitute a quorum, but a smaller number may adjourn from time to time and may compel the attendance of absent members in a manner and subject to the penalties prescribed by the rules of the Council. VOTING: Voting will generally be by electronic vote unless there are technical malfunctions or one of the council members request that a roll call vote be taken and in such event the vote shall be taken according to a rotating system established by the City Clerk. READING OF THE MINUTES: Unless a reading of the minutes of a Council meeting is requested by a member of the Council, such minutes may be approved without reading if the City Clerk has previously furnished each member with a copy thereof. DUTIES AND AUTHORITY OF PRESIDENT PRO-TEM AND THE VICE PRESIDENT PRO-TEM The President Pro-tem, and in his or her absence, the Vice President Pro-tem shall preside over all Council meetings. During the absence of the President Pro-tem at any Regular or Special called meeting, including committee meetings, the Vice President Pro-tem shall automatically become the Acting President Pro-tem. Further, in the event the President Pro-tem’s temporary absence from the City or temporary inability to perform the duties of his or her office, he or she may by letter filed with the City Clerk, designate the Vice President Pro-tem as Acting President Pro-tem during such absences. Such absences shall not exceed thirty (30) days. Further, in the event the office of the President Pro-tem is vacant for any reason, the Vice-President shall become President Pro-tem for the remainder of the President Pro-tem’s term of office and a New Vice President Pro-tem shall be elected. The President Pro-tem may authorize Council operating expenditures for budgeted items not to exceed $500.00 for any single expenditure. CHAIRING THE MEETINGS: The President Pro-tem shall assume the chair of presiding officer immediately after his or her election. He shall preserve strict order and decorum at the regular and special meetings of the Council. He, or the City Clerk if designated, shall state every question coming before the Council. He shall announce the decision of the Council on all subjects and decide all questions of order, subject; however, to an appeal to the Council, in which event a majority vote of the Council shall govern and conclusively determine such question of order. He or she shall vote on all questions. He or she shall sign all Ordinances and Resolutions adopted by the Council during his or her presence. The President Pro-tem shall take the chair precisely at the hour appointed for the meeting and shall immediately call the meeting to order. Promptly at the hour set by law on the day of each Regular Meeting, the members of the Council, the City Clerk, and the City Attorney shall take their regular stations in the Council Chambers and the business of the Council shall be taken up for consideration and disposition. RULES OF DEBATE: The President Pro-tem may move, second, and debate, provided the President Pro-tem relinquish the chair while debating, subject only to such limitations of debate as are by these rules imposed on all members and shall not be deprived of any of the rights and privileges of a Councilperson by reason of his or her acting as presiding officer. Every member of the Council desiring to speak shall address the chair and upon recognition by the President Pro-tem, shall confine himself to the question under debate, avoiding all personalities and indecorous language. A member, once recognized, shall not be interrupted when speaking unless it be to call him to order, or as herein otherwise provided. If a member, while speaking, be called to order, he shall cease speaking until the questions or order be determined, and if in order, he shall be permitted to proceed. The Councilperson moving the adoption of any Ordinance or Resolution shall have the privilege of closing the debate. A motion to reconsider any action taken by the Council may be only on the day such action was taken. It may be either immediately during the same session, or at a recessed or adjourned session thereof. Such motion must be made by one of the prevailing side, but may be seconded by any member, and may be made at any time and have precedence over all other motions or while a member has the floor; it shall be debatable. Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent any member of the Council from making or remaking the same or any other motion at subsequent meeting of the Council. The Clerk may be directed by President Pro-tem, with consent of the Council, to enter in the minutes a synopsis of the discussion on any question coming before the Council. Roberts Rules of Order are adopted by reference and will apply to any procedural question not covered by the Resolution, provided, such rule does not conflict with the City Charter or Louisiana Law. DECORUM BY COUNCIL MEMBERS: While the Council is in session, the members must preserve order and decorum and a member shall neither, by conversation or otherwise, delay or interrupt the proceedings or the peace of the Council nor disturb any member while speaking or refuse to obey the orders of the Council or its President Pro-tem, except as otherwise herein provided. BY PERSONS: Any person making personal, impertinent or slanderous remarks or who shall become boisterous while addressing the Council shall be forthwith, by the President Pro-tem, barred from further audience before the Council, unless permission to continue by granted by a majority vote of the Council. SERGEANT-AT-ARM: With the concurrence of the Council, the Bossier City Marshal or such member or members of the Bossier City Marshal’s Office and the Bossier City Police Department, shall serve as Sergeant-at-Arms of the Council meetings. They shall carry out the orders and instructions given by the President Pro-tem for the purpose of maintaining order and decorum at the Council Meetings. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ADDRESSING THE COUNCIL: Any Person desiring to address the Council shall first receive the permission of the Meeting Chair and will be limited to the current agenda item up for consideration. Each Add-on request, will also allow public comment prior comment prior to being added on to the current agenda. Any person wishing to speak must step up to the podium microphone and state their name and address for the record. They shall address the Council in an audible tone of voice for the record, and unless further time is granted by the Council, shall limit their address to three (3) minutes. A maximum of forty-five minutes will be set aside for addressing the Council and no more than 4 speakers per side of the argument discussion per Agenda item. All remarks shall be addressed to the Council as a body and not to any member thereof. No person, other than the Council or at Council request, City Attorney, and the person having the floor shall, address the Council without the permission of the President Pro-tem. No question shall be asked a Councilperson or the Mayor except through the Meeting Chair. ACT 393 COMPLIANCE ACT 393 of the 2023 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature, amends La. R.S. 42:17.2.1 and La. R.S. 42:14 (E) to requiring public bodies to provide reasonable accommodation to persons with a medically certified disability recognized by the American with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) such that those persons may participate during the open meetings. The act also requires reasonable accommodation for members of the public body with an ADA-recognized and medically certified disability seeks accommodation including, but not limited to, remote participation in public meetings. ACT 393 POLICY A. Any member of the Council with an ADA-recognized disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate remotely and vote in an open meeting of the City of Bossier City, shall provide a medical certification of disability on forms provided by the City Clerk. B. Any member of the public with an ADA-recognized disability requiring reasonable accommodation to provide comment remotely in an open meeting of the City of Bossier City shall complete an application for remote participation and provide a medical certification of disability on forms provided by the City Clerk. Any member of the public who is granted accommodation for a medically certified ADA- recognized disability pursuant to this section may submit written public comment on any agenda item via email to the City Clerk as provided in the public notice of the meeting. Any such public comment shall be specific to an agenda item and shall specify by number the pertinent agenda item. Further, any such comment shall be in writing and shall be received by the City Clerk no later than 5:00 pm on the day prior to the meeting. Written comment provided pursuant to this section shall not exceed 500 words and shall conform in content to all other rules of decorum regarding public comment and will be read aloud by the clerk during the public comment period of the pertinent agenda item. FACT SHEETS FOR AGENDA ITEMS: A Fact sheet shall be submitted to the City Clerk on a form prescribed by the Council prior to the Council Meeting on every item requested on the Agenda by the Executive Branch, and where possible on items requested by a Council member. Each item requested by the Executive Branch will indicate that it has been approved by the Mayor. The completed Agenda Fact Sheet plus Ordinance/Resolution and any other pertinent data must be presented to the City Clerk by (12:00 noon) the Thursday prior to the Council Meeting unless that day is a legal holiday and then items must be presented at the City Clerks direction. With the exception of any bona-fide public emergency, any add-on agenda requests shall be delivered to the City Clerk no later than 12:00 pm noon on the date of the meeting. PREPARATION OF ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTIONS: All Ordinances and Resolutions shall be prepared and/or approved by the City Attorney for form and legality. No Ordinance shall be prepared for presentation to the Council unless requested by the Mayor, a Council member, or prepared by the City Attorney on his or her own initiative. MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETINGS: Minutes shall be prepared by the City Clerk and published in the manner prescribed by the City Charter. Minutes of the Council meetings shall be prepared as soon as possible after each meeting. The City Clerk and the President Pro-tem, or in his or her absence the Vice-President Pro-tem, shall sign all Ordinances and Resolutions included in such minutes. The City Clerk shall provide the Mayor with copies of all Ordinances and Resolutions included in such minutes prior to publication of the same. The minutes shall have the publication date noted thereon. If the Mayor fails to approve or disapprove (veto) an Ordinance within ten (10) days after publication, it shall be deemed to have been approved by the Mayor as of the last day of such period. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Resolution 56 of 2021 is hereby recalled, set aside and repealed and this Resolution will replace it. 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. David Montgomery, Jr., and adopted on this the 2nd day of January, 2024. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: Mr. Hammons ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ___________________________ _______________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Agenda item called – Adopt a Resolution to change the name of “Reeves Marine Drive” to “Kubota Way” Jeremey Gant with Bayou Kubota informed Council that Bayou Kubota had purchased property and were making huge investments in South Bossier and thanked them and Mayor for this opportunity. The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO 2 OF 2024 A RESOLUTION TO CHANGE THE NAME OF “REEVES MARINE DRIVE” TO “KUBOTA WAY” WHEREAS, Bayou Kubota recently purchased the immovable property located in Bossier City near the Brookshire Grocery Arena that was previously the location of Reeves Marine; and WHEREAS, the owners of Bayou Kubota have requested that the City of Bossier City rename the street currently known as “Reeves Marine Drive” to the name “Kubota Way”; and WHEREAS, there are no residential properties located on the street and Bayou Kubota is the only business located on the street and as the sole occupant of the street and is the business requesting the change, Bayou Kubota has no objection to the pending name change; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, endorses and approves the renaming of Reeves Marine Dr. to Kubota Way. The above and foregoing Resolution was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Brian Hammons and seconded by Mr. David Montgomery, Jr. and adopted on this the 2nd day of January, 2024. 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 NO. 3 OF 2024 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PROMOTION OF A SERVICES SPECIALIST TO SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR AND BACKFILLING ANY VACANT POSITION THIS MAY CREATE FOR THE INFORMATION 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, one additional System Administrator position was approved in the 2024 budget; and WHEREAS, this position provides for an opportunity to 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 promote a Systems Specialist to a Systems Administrator and backfill any vacancy this may create, in the Information 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. Vince Maggio and adopted on this the 2nd day of January, 2024. 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 NO. 4 OF 2024 A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE LOUISIANA COMPLIANCE QUESTIONNAIRE FOR AUDIT ENGAGEMENTS OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND THE CITY’S ANSWERS THERETO ______________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire is a required part of a financial audit of Louisiana state and local government agencies; and WHEREAS, the completed and signed questionnaire must be presented to and adopted by the governing body, of the organization by means of a formal resolution in an open meeting; and WHEREAS, the completed and signed questionnaire and a copy of the adoption instrument must be given to the auditor at the beginning of the audit. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire covering the period of 1-1-2023 through 12-31-2023, and the City’s answers thereto, all of which are on file with the City Clerk, are hereby adopted. A copy of the questionnaire and answers will be furnished to the City’s auditors, Heard, McElroy & Vestal, LLC. The above and foregoing Resolution was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. Montgomery, Jr. and seconded by Mr. Don Williams and adopted on this the 2nd day of January, 2024. 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 Announcements- Mayor stated he enjoyed working with Council for 2023 and looks forward to an even better 2024. Mr. Williams asked Ms. Nottingham to set up a meeting with Sportran’s Dinereo Washington. 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 January 10, 2024