City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING MAY 7, 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, May 7, 2024, at 3:00 PM Invocation was given by Council Member Chris Smith Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Vince Maggio 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, 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 recognized Shane Cheatham from the Governors Office. Mr. Anthony Fabio requested Mr. Montgomery to place him on Agenda for traffic concerns. Mr. Fabio was not present. His written concerns were with people running red lights at the following intersections: Jimmy Davis Highway and Barksdale Blvd. Shady Grove Blvd. and Barksdale Blvd. Beene Blvd and Airline Dr. East Texas Ave. and Benton Road By: Mr. Hammons Motion to approve agenda. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Mr. Williams Motion to approve minutes of the April 23, 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 P24-02 – On Demand Concrete Public Works James R. Martin Building and Remodeling $919,560.00 RVP Construction - $993,250.00 By: Mr. Williams Motion to take bids under advisement. Seconded by Mr. Smith No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Agenda Item called – Witness opening of sealed bids for P24-03 – Golden Meadows Turn Lane  Dales Paving, Inc. $293,415.00 CW&W Contractors $307,671.88 3 Gen Construction $315,885.00 By: Mr. Williams Motion to approve reading of bids. Seconded by Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous New Business – The following ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 61 OF 2024 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE FOR THE RETAIL SALE OF HIGH AND LOW CONTENT ALCOHOL FOR OFF PREMISE CONSUMPTION AT A GROCERY STORE, ALDI FOOD STORE #107, LOCATED AT 2900 MEADOW CREEK DRIVE, BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA. WHEREAS; Harley Mackey, Aldi, 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 grocery store, located at 2900 Meadow Creek Drive, Bossier City, Louisiana. WHEREAS; a public hearing for the Conditional Use application was held on April 23, 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 conditions that the rear entrance be marked as employee only with signage. 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 2900 Meadow Creek Drive, 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 by Mr. Brian Hammons and seconded by Mr. Chris Smith , and adopted on this the 7th, day of May, 2024. Further this Ordinance will publish on May 15, 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 Amyanna Germany , Deputy Clerk C-ALC-000034-2024 Agenda item called - Adopt 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 replace a gravity sewer manhole that collapsed at the intersection of Airline Dr. and Murphy St at a cost of $350,255.09 to come from sewer Capital and Contingency Fund. City Engineer, Ben Rauschenbach discussed this item and the findings so far of the police investigation. The following Ordinance offered and adopted:  Ordinance No. 62 Of 2024 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 REPLACE A GRAVITY SEWER MANHOLE THAT COLLAPSED AT THE INTERSECTION OF AIRLINE DR. AND MURPHY ST. AT A COST OF $350,255.09 TO COME FROM SEWER CAPITAL AND CONTINGENCY FUND. WHEREAS, gravity sewer manhole’s are critical infrastructure in Bossier’s wastewater collection system and collapsed from excessive use and possible HDD fiber optic damage; and WHEREAS, the Public Utilities Department needed emergency support to replace this sewer manhole; and WHEREAS, the scope of work involved is beyond the Utility Department’s capabilities due to the size and scale of the equipment, material, and labor required; and WHEREAS, it will cost $350,255.09 in labor, equipment, and materials to complete the manhole and Big Airline Lift Station repairs; and WHEREAS, $350,225.09 shall be appropriated from the Sewer Capital and 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 $350,225.09 to come from the Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund to be used for the purpose of replacing and repairing gravity sewer manholes along with repairing the climber screen at Big Airline Lift 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 2024 Sewer Capital and Contingency Budget is hereby amended to increase expenditures for required repairs by $350,225.09 and decrease Fund Balance by $350,225.09. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of by Mr. Don Williams and seconded by Mr. Vince Maggio , and adopted on this the 7th, day of May, 2024 and will become effective immediately. 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 Amyanna Germany, Deputy Clerk By: Mr. Darby Motion to introduce an Ordinance authorizing addition and hiring of one Accountant II position in the Finance Department and amending the General Fund Budget. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 74 of 2023 to include an additional appropriation of two hundred and seventy-five thousand ($275,000) dollars from the riverboat gaming fund. 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 2024 Disaster Reserve Fund Budget in accordance with the Local Government Budget Act. Seconded by Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Smith Motion to introduce Seconded by Mr. Williams Discussion by Mr. Hammons and Finance Director, Angela Williamson on possible FEMA reimbursement. Ms. Williamson reported it was not deemed a FEMA emergency. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Ordinance offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 34 OF 2024 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF A TEMPORARY CONTRACT EMPLOYEE FOR THE ENGINEERING 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 tor employment of any individual receiving wages, compensation, or remuneration for any labor including temporary or contractual employment; and WHEREAS; the Engineering Department would like to hire a summer intern to support the oversight of the ongoing capital improvement program, inspection efforts, and GIS coordination; and WHEREAS; the administration and the department assure that all current budgets have been verified and that no authorized funds will be exceeded. 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 contracting 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 Mr. Don Williams and seconded by Mr. Vince Maggio , and adopted on the 7th, day of May 2024, by the following vote: 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 Amyanna Germany , Deputy Clerk The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 35 OF 2024 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF A FOREMAN FOR THE SEWER MAINTENANCE DIVISION IN PUBLIC UTILTIES. BACKFILLING ANY POSITION THIS MAY CREATE. 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. WHEREAS, the position of Foreman is vacant due to resignation; 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 Mr. Jeffery Darby and seconded by Mr. Chris Smith , and adopted on the 7th day of May 2024, by the following vote: 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 Amyanna Germany, Deputy Clerk Mayor Chandler thanked the voters for their support of the Police and Fire Departments in the recent election. He noted that the Charter Commission was still meeting and working on a new City Charter. He spoke on the upcoming Police Banquet and also the Bossier Parish Schools Graduation ceremonies. Mr. Montgomery noted that the Benton Tigers Baseball team has made it to the semi-finals and urged everyone to support them. There being no further business to come before this Council, Council President Free adjourned the meeting at 3:22 PM Respectfully submitted: ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Publish May 15, 2024