City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 14, 2025 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 14, 2025 at 3:00 PM Council President, Don Williams called the meeting to order. Invocation was given by Council Member Chris Smith Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Don Williams Roll Call as follows: Present: Honorable Councilor, President Don Williams, Honorable Councilors, David Montgomery, Jr., Chris Smith, Brian Hammons, Jeffery Darby, Jeff Free, and Vince Maggio Also Present: Mayor, Thomas Chandler, City Attorney, Charles Jacobs, and City Clerk, Phyllis McGraw City Clerk, Phyllis McGraw read the statement about decorum during the meeting and public participation in the meeting. By: Mr. Smith. Motion to add New Business #5 – 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 Veterans Affairs. (This item is requested to be added on by the State Department of Veterans affairs due to the current CEA being expired) Seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Jr. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Smith Motion to approve Agenda as amended. Seconded by Mr. Free No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Smith Motion to approve minutes of January 2, 2025, and dispense with reading. Seconded by Mr. Free No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Bids – Witness opening of sealed bids for P24-10 City Wide Street Improvements Base Bid Alternate #1 Benton & Brown LLC $1,869,281.52 $244,898.00 RVP Construction Inc. $1,650,393.25 $229,897.00 By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to approve reading of bids. Seconded by Mr. Williams Ms. Beauchemin noted that this was left over funds from 2024. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Public Hearings/Actions on Unfinished Business: The following Resolution offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 10 OF 2025 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2025 GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR TRANSFERS IN AND ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT SALARIES AND BENEFITS FOR A RAISE FUNDED BY THE METROPOLITAN PLANNING COMMISSION ______________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, The Metropolitan Planning Commission partially funds the salary of an Engineering Department employee who performs duties for both the City and the Metropolitan Planning Commission; and WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Planning Commission has approved and included in their 2025 budget a $4,000 raise for the Engineering Department employee due to increased workload related to the Metropolitan Planning Commission; and WHEREAS, funds will be transferred from the Metropolitan Planning Commission to the General Fund for the raise; and WHEREAS, the 2025 General Fund Budget needs to be amended to include a transfer in from the Metropolitan Planning Commission of $4,724 and increase Engineering Department salaries and related benefits $4,724. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, in regular session convened that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, does hereby amend the 2025 General Fund Budget to increase Transfers In $4,724 and increase Engineering Department Salaries and Related Benefits $4,724. 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. Vince Maggio, and adopted on this the 14th, day of January 2025, with the votes listed below. Further this Ordinance will publish on January 22, 2025, 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 ______________________________ ____________________________ Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE 11 OF 2025 AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING AN ADDITIONAL $35,000 FROM THE 2025 GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO THE SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER MILITARY AFFAIRS COUNCIL FOR THE 2025 BARKSDALE DEFENDERS OF LIBERTY AIR SHOW ______________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the Shreveport-Bossier Military Affairs Council will support the 2nd Bomb Wing Barksdale Air Force Base to host the 2025 Barksdale Defenders of Liberty Air Show; and WHEREAS, the Shreveport-Bossier Military Affairs Council has requested additional funds due to increased costs associated with the Barksdale Defenders of Liberty Air Show; and WHEREAS, the City of Bossier City has been a longtime supporter of this biennial event and values the positive impact it brings to our community. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, does hereby appropriate an additional $35,000.00 to the Shreveport-Bossier Military Affairs Council to support the 2025 Barksdale Defenders of Liberty Air Show; and BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the 2025 General Budget is hereby amended to increase Payments to Other Agencies by $35,000.00 and decrease Fund Balance by $35,000.00. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of by Mr. Jeffery Darby and seconded by Mr. Williams, and adopted on this the 14th, day of January 2025, with the votes listed below. Further this Ordinance will publish on January 22, 2025, 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 ______________________________ ____________________________ Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 12 OF 2025 AN ORDINANCE TO ENLARGE THE LIMITS AND BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY BY ANNEXING APPROXIMATELY 6.459 ACRES ADJACENT TO THE CURRENT CITY LIMITS WEST OF BARKSDALE BOULEVARD AND SOUTH OF CURTIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. (NORTH CADDO MEDICAL CENTER – SOUTH BOSSIER) WHEREAS, a petition signed by the property owner has been filed with the City Council of the City of Bossier City, requesting that the property described in Exhibit “A”, attached and made a part hereof, be included in the City Limits of the City of Bossier City Parish of Bossier, Louisiana, subject to the conditions set forth herein. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of the City of Bossier City, in regular session convened, that the limits and boundaries of the City of Bossier City are hereby enlarged and extended so as to include with the limits and boundaries of the City of Bossier City, the property described in Exhibit “A”. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the above referenced annexed area shall be in Council District Number 1 of the City of Bossier City, Louisiana. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that all Ordinances, or parts of Ordinances, in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of by Mr. David Montgomery, Jr. and seconded by Mr. Vince Maggio, and adopted on this the 14th, day of January 2025, with the votes listed below. Further this Ordinance will publish on January 22, 2025, 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 ______________________________ ____________________________ Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Agenda Item called - Adopt an Ordinance to amend the 2024 Water and Sewer Fund Budget. Mr. Darby noted that this was about bills from last year and had nothing to do with recent rate increases. The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 13 Of 2025 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE 2024 WATER AND SEWER FUND BUDGET ______________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the Bossier City Charter Section 6.06 Additional appropriations and budget amendments require that additional appropriations be made by amending the respective budgets by ordinance; and WHEREAS, the water and sewer maintenance division have seen an increase in operational and maintenance costs; and WHEREAS, it is estimated that an additional appropriation of $29,000 from the Water Fund and $13,000 from the Sewer Fund is needed to cover operational and maintenance costs including reconciled quantities for the on demand concrete contract for the remainder of the fiscal year; and WHEREAS, the 2024 Water and 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 2024 Water Fund operating budget to increase Water Transmission and Distribution Division Main Repair and Maintenance expense by 29,000 and decrease Net Position by 29,000 and does hereby amend the 2024 Sewer Fund operating budget to increase Sewer Maintenance Division Main Repairs and Maintenance expense by $13,000 and decrease Net Position by $13,000. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of by Mr. David Montgomery, Jr. and seconded by Mr. Brian Hammons, and adopted on this the 14th, day of January 2025, with the votes listed below. Further this Ordinance will publish on January 22, 2025, 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 ______________________________ ____________________________ Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk New Business – The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 14 Of 2025 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 RESTORE TWO 12-INCH WATERMAIN BLOWOUTS AND SERVICE REPLACEMENTS ALONG AIRLINE DRIVE AT A COST OF $67,861.26 TO COME FROM WATER CAPITAL & CONTINGENCY FUND. WHEREAS, The Public Utilities Department responded to an emergency 12-inch water main rupture at 2614 and 2013 Airline Dr. requiring immediate action to repair a short section of this main and restore the service saddles; and WHEREAS, the Public Utilities Department needed emergency support to make the repair due to the size, depth, and existing utility conflicts at the location; and WHEREAS, it will cost $67,861.26 in labor, equipment, and materials to complete the repair efforts; and WHEREAS, $67,861.26 shall be appropriated from the Water Capital 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 $67,861.26 to come from the Water Capital and Contingency Fund to be used for the purpose of making repairs to the 12-inch water main and replacing service saddles; 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 Water Capital and Contingency Budget is hereby amended to increase expenditures for required repairs by $67,861.26 and decrease Fund Balance by $67,861.26. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of by Mr. David Montgomery, Jr. and seconded by Mr. Vince Maggio, and adopted on this the 14th, day of January 2025, with the votes listed below. Further this Ordinance will become legal immediately. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk By: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Motion to introduce an Ordinance authorizing adjustment of the annual salary of the Bossier City Marshal and amending the General Fund Budget. Seconded by Mr. Maggio No Comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Resolution offered and adopted: Resolution No. 4 Of 2025 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE REPLACEMENT OF ONE POSITION DUE TO A RESIGNATION AND TO BACK FILL ANY POSITION THIS CREATES BY HIRING OR PROMOTING WITHIN THE BOSSIER CITY MARSHAL’S OFFICE. _____________________________________________________________________________ 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, one position is vacant due to a 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. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that the Bossier City Marshal’s Office is hereby authorized to replace one position due to a resignation and backfill any position this creates by hiring or promoting within the Bossier City Marshal’s Office. The above and foregoing Resolution was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of Mr. David Montgomery, Jr. and seconded by Mr. Jeffery Darby and adopted on this the 14th day of January, 2025, 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 ______________________________________ _______________________________ Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk By: Mr. Free Motion to approve reappointment of Art Schuldt as a representative for the MPC Board. Appointment effective January 3, 2025 and expires January 2, 2031. Seconded by Mr. Smith Mr. Hammons asked if anyone else was considered and City Clerk noted she did not know and MPC Director was out of the office No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Darby 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 Veterans Affairs. Seconded by Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous. Announcements: Mayor Chandler noted he was grateful that the predicted winter weather spared us and will be making plans for the next one. There being no further business to come before this Council, Council President Williams adjourned the meeting at 3:15PM Respectfully submitted: ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Publish January 22, 2025