City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 27, 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, February 27, 2024, at 3:00 PM Invocation was given by Council Member Jeffery Darby Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Jeff Free Roll Call as follows: Present: Honorable Councilor, President Jeff Free, Chris Smith, Brian Hammons, Jeffery Darby, Don Williams and Vince Maggio Absent: Honorable Councilor David Montgomery, Jr. Also Present: Mayor, Thomas Chandler, Assistant City Attorney Richard Ray, City Clerk, Phyllis McGraw and Deputy City Clerk, Amyanna Germany Deputy City Clerk, Amyanna Germany read the statement about decorum during the meeting and public participation in the meeting. Ceremonial Matters/Recognition of Guests – Mayor Chandler and Councilman Darby presented two Bossier City Community Leaders, Mrs. Yvonne Bartley and Mr. Glenn D. Stroud, with Proclamations proclaiming Tuesday, February 27, 2024 as Black American Leadership Recognition Day in Bossier City. Claire Woods, Greenfield Environmental Trust Group, Inc., gave Council a brief history and an update on the cleanup and mitigation efforts at the former Tronox/Kerr-McGee Wood Treating Facility. She noted that when doing the parking lot replacement, high levels of contaminants were found in the ground, that resulted in the need to do air quality testing in some of the structures. She reported that more air testing would be done and that rehab on 12 acres of land was complete and that land is up for possible donations to government agencies to serve a public benefit. Questions from Mr. Hammons and Mr. Darby on homes affected in the high contaminant areas and if funding was available if structures were deemed unsafe. Ms. Woods reported that 16 structures needed testing and she could not answer the funding question at this time, but did note initial tests showed no areas of concern. Charter Commission Chairman, Preston Friedley, updated the Council on the Charter Commission meetings and Town Halls that have been held and upcoming meetings and invited the Council and members of the public to attend. He also thanked everyone for their help. Approve Agenda 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 February 13, 2024, Regular Council and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Darby No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Bids Agenda Item called - Witness Opening of Sealed Bids for P24-01 Walbrook Park Building Purchasing Agent, Denna Beauchemin read the following bids. Benchmark Construction Group of Louisiana $508,300.00 Blocker Builders LLC $479,000.00 Henderson Construction Services Inc. $526,531.00 Integrity, Inc. $548,600.00 McInnis Brothers Construction Inc. $509,000.00 Precision Builders, Inc. $621,000.00 Rhodes Properties and Development, LLC $480,000.00 By: Mr. Williams At the recommendation of Ms. Beauchemin, Motion to take bids under advisement. Seconded by Mr. Maggio Mr. Hammons raised concerns about this project coming in over budget, concerns about building the facility and appropriating any additional funds for it until the Salary Study comes back and employee’s salaries are adjusted. Mr. Williams asked Mr. Rauschenbach about negotiating with lowest bid contractors to possibly lower cost. Mr. Hammons still concerned about doing project, when there are so many other projects that still need money and on a facility that citizens can’t utilize. Mr. Hammons Motion to take under advisement. Seconded by Mr. Williams Mr. Darby asked for clarification of what Mr. Hammons motion is. Mr. Hammons withdrew his motion to take under advisement and made a motion to put project on hold for 120 days or until after the salary study comes back. Seconded by Mr. Maggio Mr. Darby asked Assistant City Attorney, Richard Ray, for clarification if bid opening could be continued for 120 days. Mr. Ray reported the Agenda Item is just to open the bids and since sealed bids have been opened, he felt it could not. Mr. Rauschenbach would like to talk to contractors to better understand the bids that were submitted and opened and unless the project gets more funding the project is dead. He would need to bring back any additional funding requests to the Council. Mr. Hammons withdrew his motion. Mr. Williams Motion to take bids under advisement. Mr. Smith No further comments Motion carried with the following votes: Yeas: Mr. Smith, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio Nays: Mr. Hammons Absent: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Abstain: none Public Hearing/Actions on Unfinished Business – The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 20 OF 2024 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 VETERANS AFFAIRS WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statutes 29:260-262 mandates municipal governing authorities to make appropriations for the maintenance and operation of service offices for Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs; and WHEREAS, the 2024 Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the City of Bossier City and Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs is attached. 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 Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the City of Bossier City and Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Council Member Mr. Chris Smith and seconded by Council Member Mr. Vince Maggio , and adopted on this the 27th, day of February, 2024. Further this Ordinance will publish on March 6, 2024, and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. AYES: Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 21 Of 2024 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE 2023 STATE AND FEDERAL GRANTS FUND AND RIVERBOAT GAMING TRUST FUND BUDGETS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUDGET ACT ______________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the Local Government Budget Act requires budget amendment when total revenue and other sources plus projected revenue and other sources within a fund are failing to meet total budgeted revenues and other sources by five percent or more, when total actual expenditures and other uses plus projected expenditures and other uses, within a fund, are exceeding the total budgeted expenditures and other uses by five percent or more, and when actual beginning fund balance, within a fund, fails to meet estimated beginning fund balance by five percent or more and fund balance is being used to fund current year expenditures; and WHEREAS, the State and Federal Grants Fund revenue and expenditures for 2023 are below the 2023 budgeted revenue and expenditures by 20% due to less federal award program expenditures during the year than estimated; and WHEREAS, the Riverboat Gaming Trust Fund expenditures and other uses for 2023 exceed the 2023 budgeted expenditures and other uses by 1984% due to repayment of a temporary transfer from the General Fund to maintain the required minimum fund balance; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, does hereby amend the 2023 State and Federal Grants Fund budget to decrease Federal Grant Revenue and Federal Grant Expenditures by 135,000 and the 2023 Riverboat Gaming Trust Fund budget to increase Transfers Out by $700,000. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Council Member Mr. Don Williams and seconded by Council Member Mr. Chris Smith , and adopted on this the 27th, day of February, 2024. Further this Ordinance will publish on March 6, 2024, and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. AYES: Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk New Business – Agenda item called - Adopt an Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 133 of 2018, by changing the zoning classification of a certain tract of land from B-2 (Limited Business) to B-3 (General Business) being .57 acres, more or less, located 3002 Shed Road, Bossier City, Louisiana for proposed private animal rescue shelter. Questions from Mr. Williams, Mr. Hammons and Mr. Darby concerning number of animals, types of animals, noise and neighbors. MPC Director, Carlotta Askew-Brown reported that there isn’t a limit on animals, but that it would only be cats and that no outside play would be allowed. She also reported that there would have to be fencing and trees to provide buffers from neighbors. The following ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 22 OF 2024 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 133 OF 2018, BY CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF A CERTAIN TRACT OF LAND FROM B-2 (LIMITED BUSINESS) TO B-3(GENERAL BUSINESS) BEING .57 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, FOR AN PROPOSED PRIVATE ANIMAL RESCUE SHELTER LOCATED IN SECTION 14, TOWNSHIP 18 NORTH, RANGE 12 WEST, BOSSIER CITY, LOUSIANA. SECTION 1. BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that Ordinance No. 133 of 2018 of the City Council of the City of Bossier City, Louisiana, is hereby amended to provide that the zoning classification is hereby changed from B-2 (Limited business) to B-3 (General Business) for the following: .57, more or less, located in Section 14, Township 18 North, Range 12 West Bossier City, Louisiana, more particularly described as: Cloverdale Subdivision Unit No 1, Tract “A.” The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Council Member Mr. Chris Smith and seconded by Council Member Mr. Vince Maggio, and adopted on this the 27th, day of February, 2024. Further this Ordinance will publish on March 6, 2024, and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. AYES: Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk C-ZON-000208-2023 Agenda item called - Adopt an Ordinance approving a Conditional Use Approval for the sale of high and low content alcohol for off premise consumption at a retail store, Family Dollar, located at 2334 Barksdale Boulevard, Bossier City, Louisiana. Questions from Mr. Williams, Mr. Hammons and Mr. Smith asked questions on staffing, theft isle space and sales of beer singles. Family Dollar representative Rob Hosack addressed Mr. Williams concerns and agreed there would not be any singles sales. Fire Chief, Brad Zagone advised Council that the Fire Department could do random inspections to make sure isles are 36 inches of space and make sure nothing is blocking the isles. The following ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 23 OF 2024 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE FOR THE SALE OF HIGH AND LOW CONTENT ALCOHOL FOR OFF PREMISE CONSUMPTION AT A RETAIL STORE, FAMILY DOLLAR, LOCATED AT 2334 BARKSDALE BOULEVARD, BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA. WHEREAS; Kamira Jones, Decisions Consulting, has applied to the Bossier City-Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission for Conditional Use Approval for the retail sale of high and low content alcohol, for off premise consumption at a retail store, Family Dollar, located at 2334 Barksdale Boulevard, Bossier City, Louisiana. WHEREAS; a public hearing for the Conditional Use application was held on February 12, 2024; and WHEREAS; The Planning Department has submitted the results of said public hearing to the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Bossier City being: Favorable recommendation by the Bossier City- Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission with the following conditions:  The alcohol sale floor space be limited to no more than 1% of the total interior square footage.  The compatibility buffer be re-installed as outlined in the Unified Development Code. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY HEREBY ORDAINS: SECTION 1. That the Conditional Use for retail sales of high and low content alcohol for off premise consumption at Family Dollar, 2334 Barksdale Boulevard, Bossier City, Louisiana is hereby approved. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Council Member Mr. Chis Smith and seconded by Council Member Mr. Vince Maggio, and adopted on this the 27th, day of February, 2024. Further this Ordinance will publish on March 6, 2024, and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. AYES: Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk C-ALC-000193-2023 The following ordinance offered and adopted:  ORDINANCE NO. 24 OF 2024 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE ON A TRACT OF LAND ZONED B-3 (GENERAL BUSINESS) LOCATED AT 3002 SHED ROAD, BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA FOR A PROPOSED PRIVATE ANIMAL RESCUE SHELTER. WHEREAS; Keri Mueller, Port City Cat Rescue, has applied to the Bossier City-Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission for Conditional Use approval classified as a Private Animal Rescue Shelter in the Unified Development Code and being located at 3002 Shed Road, Bossier City, LA; and WHEREAS; a public hearing for the Conditional Use application was held on February 12, 2024; and WHEREAS; the Planning Department has submitted the results of said public hearing to the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Bossier City being: Favorable recommendations by the Bossier City-Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission with the following condition:  Compatibility buffer improvements must be met as outlined in the Unified Development Code. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY HEREBY ORDAINS: SECTION 1. That the Conditional Use, for Keri Mueller, Port City Cat Rescue, located at 3002 Shed Road, Bossier City, Louisiana is hereby approved. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Council Member Mr. Don Williams and seconded by Council Member Mr. Chris Smith , and adopted on this the 27th, day of February, 2024. Further this Ordinance will publish on March 6, 2024, and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. AYES: Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk C-USE-000209-2023 The following ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 25 OF 2024 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 133 OF 2018, BY CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF A CERTAIN TRACT OF LAND FROM I-1 (LIGHT INDUSTIRAL) TO R-MHS (RESIDENTIAL MANUFACTURED HOUSING SUBDIVISION) BEING 5.999 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, FOR AN PROPOSED ADDITIONAL PHASE TO THE EXISTING WINDSOR PLACE SUBDIVISION LOCATED IN SECTION 24, TOWNSHIP 18 NORTH, RANGE 13 WEST, BOSSIER CITY, LOUSIANA. SECTION 1. BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that Ordinance No. 133 of 2018 of the City Council of the City of Bossier City, Louisiana, is hereby amended to provide that the zoning classification is hereby changed from I-1 (Light Industrial) to R-MHS (Residential Manufactured Housing Subdivision) for the following: 5.999 acres, more or less, located in Section 24, Township 18 North, Range 13 West Bossier City, Louisiana, more particularly described as: A certain tract of land containing 5.999 acres, more or less located in Section 24, Township 18 North, Range 13 West of the Louisiana Prime Meridian, Northwestern Land District, in the City of Bossier City, Bossier Parish, Louisiana, being a portion of Lot 6 of Correction Map of Bannockburn Farms as recorded in Conveyance Book 60, Page 243 of the records of Bossier Parish, Louisiana, being more particularly described as follows: BEGINNING at a found 3/4" iron pipe at the northwest corner of said Lot 6 of Bannockburn Farms and proceed South 87° 27' 30" East along the north line of said Lot 6 and north line of said Section 24 a distance of 399.53 feet to a found 1” iron pipe; thence leaving said north line proceed South 19° 47' 51" East a distance of 583.85 feet to a found 1/2" iron pipe at the northeast corner of Lot 17, Windsor Place Subdivision, Unit No. 1, as recorded in Conveyance Book 1207, Page 37 of the records of Bossier Parish, Louisiana; thence proceed along the north line of said Windsor Place Subdivision the following five courses and distances: South 70° 12' 09" West a distance of 108.80 feet to a set 1/2" iron pipe; along a curve to the right, said curve having a radius of 39.89 feet (chord bearing South 27° 56' 54" East a distance of 8.18 feet), an arc distance of 8.20 feet to a set 1/2" iron pipe; South 19° 47' 51" East a distance of 44.00 feet to a a set 1/2" iron pipe; along a curve to the right, said curve having a radius of 20.00 feet (chord bearing South 06° 46' 07" West a distance of 17.89 feet), an arc distance of 18.55 feet a set 1/2" iron pipe; South 70° 12' 28" West a distance of 253.19 feet to a a set 1/2" iron pipe on the west line of said Lot 6 of Bannockburn Farms and the northwest corner of said Windsor Place Subdivision; thence proceed North 19° 50' 52" West along the west line of said Lot 6 of Bannockburn Farms a distance of 803.78 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Council Member Mr. Chris Smith and seconded by Council Member Mr. Don Williams , and adopted on this the 27th, day of February, 2024. Further this Ordinance will publish on March 6, 2024, and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. AYES: Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk C-ZON-000220-2023 By: Mr. Smith Motion to introduce an Ordinance to declare certain movable equipment owned by the City of Bossier City as surplus to the City's needs and provide for disposal according to law. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Hammons Motion to introduce an Ordinance to appropriate $15,000 from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund to provide funding to the Shreveport-Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau to support local Mardi Gras parades. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Smith Motion to introduce an Ordinance authorizing Mayor Thomas H. Chandler to execute an agreement between the City of Bossier City and the Department of Transportation and Development. Seconded by Mr. Maggio Mr. Hammons asked about project and possible reimbursement from State. Mr. Ray, Chief Zagone and Public Works Director, Wade Rich addressed his concerns. Agreement would last for the duration of the I-20 construction and Mr. Rich did not feel there would be any reimbursement. Mr. Rich reported that the City would be using city manpower and city equipment but DOTD materials and it’s important to help DOTD keep the roads open during inclement weather. Chief Zagone reported that keeping I-220 and other State Highways open during the recent ice storm was very important. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 12 OF 2024 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF AN INFORMATION SERVICES SYSTEMS ENGINEER DUE TO VACANCY FROM RESIGNATION ______________________________________________________________________________ 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 Information Services Department has an available position due to resignation of an employee; and WHEREAS, this resignation 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 an Information Services Systems Engineer, due to a resignation in the Information Services 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 Council Member Mr. Jeffery Darby and seconded by Council Member Mr. Don Williams, and adopted on the 27th, day of February 2024, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 13 OF 2024 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF AN INFORMATION SERVICES SYSTEMS SPECIALIST DUE TO VACANCY FROM RESIGNATION ______________________________________________________________________________ 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 Information Services Department has an available position due to resignation of an employee; and WHEREAS, this resignation 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 an Information Services Systems Specialist, due to a resignation in the Information Services 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 Council Member Mr. Jeffery Darby and seconded by Council Member Mr. Vince Maggio, and adopted on the 27th, day of February 2024, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Agenda Item called – Adopt a Resolution for Public Works to fill an Animal Control Officer I position in the Animal Control Division and backfill any vacant position this creates. Mr. Hammons raised concerns about the employees leaving the City and that it’s imperative to watch funds in order to raise employee salary so they won’t continue to leave. The following Resolution offered and adopted: Resolution No. 14 Of 2024 A RESOLUTION FOR PUBLIC WORKS TO FILL AN ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER I POSITION IN THE ANIMAL CONTROL DIVISION AND BACKFILL ANY VACANT POSITION THIS CREATES. _____________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 76 of 2019 implemented a budgetary control requiring a resolution to be approved by the Bossier City Council prior to hiring or employment of any individual receiving wages, compensation, or remuneration for labor including temporary or contractual employment; and WHEREAS, a position is vacant due to resignation creating the need to fulfill by hiring or promoting from within and backfill any position this creates; and WHEREAS, the administration and department assure that the current budget has been verified and that funding available in the total budgeted salaries is not exceeded; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that the Department of Public Works is hereby authorized to replace one position due to openings and backfill any position this creates by hiring or promoting within the Department of Public Works 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 Council Member Mr. Don Williams and seconded by Council Member Mr. Chris Smith, and adopted on the 27th, day of February 2024, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ Jeff Free, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk By: Mr. Smith Motion to approve Parade Permit Fee Waiver for Providence Run Lie a Knight 5K Parade. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Reports – Ben Rauschenbach, Engineering Department, went over the Monthly Project Report and the status of the various City projects and private development. Some of the projects he noted were that the Carriageway is ahead of schedule, Tinsley duggouts are slightly behind schedule and that the Scott Street drainage project is complete. He also answered questions from Council members about various other projects including Golden Meadows turn lane, city-wide striping improvements and Interstate ramp lighting. Mr. Smith also asked about the Airline Drive and Murphy Street utility issue. Mr. Rauschenbach and Mr. Ray spoke about what was found, in the recently rehabbed manhole located there, and the status of getting it repaired and that the Police were investigating the damage. Angela Williamson, Finance Director, went over Monthly Financial Report noting that revenues were 31% over budget, expenses are 9% under budget and that the manning is down 2 employees from last month. Update on Litigation: Weston Riley Merriott v. Thomas Chandler, Et Al; Bossier Parish Docket No. 172105. Mr. Ray noted this lawsuit revolved around public records request. He reviewed the history of the case and updated the Council on the status of the above lawsuit. He noted that the Judge dismissed the lawsuit and sanctioned Mr. Merriott $500 for filing a meritless lawsuit since all Mr. Merriott’s records request had been answered. Mayor Chandler noted all the ribbon cuttings and thanked the Council and Ms. Lisa Johnson for all the hard work and getting businesses to come to Bossier. There being no further business to come before this Council, Council President Free adjourned the meeting at 4:29 PM Respectfully submitted: ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Publish March 6, 2024