City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 28, 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 28, 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 Brian Hammons Roll Call as follows: Present: Honorable Councilor, President Don Williams, Honorable Councilors, David Montgomery, Jr., Chris Smith, Brian Hammons, and Jeff Free Absent were Honorable Councilors, Jeffery Darby 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. Hammons . Motion to remove New Business #8 – Adopt a Resolution to congratulate President Donald J. Trump, at the request of Mr. Darby and approve the Agenda as amended. Seconded by Mr. Williams No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Free Motion to approve minutes of January 14, 2025, and dispense with reading. Seconded by Mr. Williams Audience member Ruth Pope Johnson expressed concerns about City’s failure to follow a recent Ordinance concerning memorial signs. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Public Hearings/Actions on Unfinished Business: The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 15 Of 2025 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING ADJUSTMENT OF THE ANNUAL SALARY OF THE BOSSIER CITY MARSHAL AND AMENDING THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET. WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statute 13:1881 General powers and duties of marshal; deputy marshals states that in no event shall the salary of any deputy exceed that of his city marshal; and WHEREAS, on November 5, 2024, the City Council amended the 2025 budget to include an additional $500.00 per month for all employees; and WHEREAS, on November 19, 2024, the amended budget was adopted as Ordinance 120 of 2024. As a result, the adjusted salary of the Chief Deputy Marshal exceeds the salary of the City Marshal; and WHEREAS, Louisiana law, specifically Louisiana Revised Statute 13:1881 mandates that no employee of the City Marshal shall exceed the pay of the City Marshal; and  WHEREAS, adjustment to the City Marshal salary is required to ensure compliance with Louisiana Revised Statute 13:1881; and WHEREAS, an amendment to the General Fund budget is required to appropriate $7,300.00 for the salary adjustment and related benefits; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, hereby authorizes an annual salary adjustment in the amount of $6,000.00 for the City Marshal retroactive to January 5, 2025. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the 2025 General Fund Budget is hereby amended to increase expenditures for City Marshal Department Salaries and Benefits by $7,300.00 and decrease Fund balance by $7,300.00. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion of by Mr. David Montgomery, Jr. and seconded by Mr. Chris Smith, and adopted on this the 28th, day of January 2025, with the votes listed below. Further this Ordinance will publish on February 5, 2025, and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Williams, and Mr. Free NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Darby and Mr. Maggio ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Agenda item called - Adopt 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 Audience member Ronald Cheatham expressed concerns about the Council voting on any issues. The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 16 OF 2025 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 2025 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 by Mr. David Montgomery, Jr. and seconded by Mr. Brian Hammons, and adopted on this the 28th, day of January 2025, with the votes listed below. Further this Ordinance will publish on February 5, 2025, and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Darby, Mr. Williams, and Mr. Free NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Darby and Mr. Maggio ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk New Business – Agenda item called - Adopt a Resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in the City of Bossier City, State of Louisiana, to vote upon the adoption of amendments to the current City Charter of the City of Bossier City; making application to the State Bond Commission and providing for other matters in connection therewith. Audience members Wes Marriott and Duke Lowrey spoke on their concerns of why Council is considering the Resolution at this meeting, Council legal issues, and will the Council fail to pass it again. The following resolution was offered by Mr. Chris Smith and seconded by Mr. Brian Hammons: RESOLUTION 5 OF 2025 A resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in the City of Bossier City, State of Louisiana, to vote upon the adoption of amendments to the current City Charter of the City of Bossier City; making application to the State Bond Commission and providing for other matters in connection therewith. BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Bossier City, State of Louisiana (the "Governing Authority"), acting as the governing authority of the City of Bossier City, State of Louisiana (the "City"), that: SECTION 1. Election Call. Subject to the approval of the State Bond Commission, and under the authority conferred by the Constitution of the State of Louisiana of 1974, including Article VI, Sections 5 and 22 thereof, the applicable provisions of the Louisiana Election Code, and other constitutional and statutory authority, a special election is hereby called and ordered to be held in the City on SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2025, between the hours of seven o'clock (7:00) a.m. and eight o'clock (8:00) p.m., in accordance with the provisions of La. R.S. 18:541, and at the said election there shall be submitted to all registered voters qualified and entitled to vote at the said election under the Constitution and laws of this State and the Constitution of the United States, the following propositions, to-wit: CHARTER AMENDMENT PROPOSITION NO. 1 OF 2 Shall Section 3.01(b) of the City Charter for Bossier City be amended to read as follows: Members of the City Council shall be eligible for re-election. No person who has been elected or appointed to serve as at-large and/or district Councilman/woman for three (3) terms shall be eligible to be appointed or elected to an additional term or portion thereof. For the purposes of this Section, all terms, or portions thereof, to which a person has been elected or appointed prior to January 1, 2024, will be counted toward the limitation provided for herein? CHARTER AMENDMENT PROPOSITION NO. 2 OF 2 Shall Section 4.01 of the City Charter for Bossier City be amended to read as follows: (a) The Mayor shall be elected according to the laws of the state and serve a term of four (4) years. The term of office shall begin on July 1 of the year in which he/she was elected. (b) The Mayor shall be eligible for re-election. No person who has been elected to serve as Mayor for three (3) terms shall be eligible to be appointed or elected to an additional term or portion thereof. For the purposes of this Section, all terms, or portions thereof, to which a person has been elected or appointed prior to January 1, 2024, will be counted toward the limitation provided for herein? SECTION 2. Publication of Notice of Election. A Notice of Special Election shall be published in the official journal of the City once a week for four consecutive weeks, with the first publication to be made not less than forty-five (45) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the date of the election, which Notice shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as "Exhibit A" and incorporated herein by reference the same as if it were set forth herein in full. Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the publication of the Notice of Election, the Mayor is authorized and directed to make any amendments to the foregoing propositions that may be required to comply with any state or federal regulatory agencies. SECTION 3. Canvass. This Governing Authority shall meet at its regular meeting place, the City Hall, 620 Benton Road, Bossier City, Louisiana, on TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2025, at THREE O'CLOCK (3:00) P.M., and shall then and there in open and public session proceed to examine and canvass the returns and declare the result of the said special election.  SECTION 4. Polling Places. The polling places for the precincts set forth in the aforesaid Notice of Special Election are hereby designated as the polling places at which to hold the said election, and the Commissioners-in-Charge and Commissioners, respectively, will be the same persons as those designated in accordance with law. SECTION 5. Election Commissioners; Voting Machines. The officers designated to serve as Commissioners-in-Charge and Commissioners pursuant to Section 4 hereof, or such substitutes therefor as may be selected and designated in accordance with La. R.S. 18:1287, shall hold the said special election as herein provided, and shall make due returns of said election for the meeting of the Governing Authority to be held as provided in Section 3 hereof. All registered voters in the City will be entitled to vote at the special election, and voting machines shall be used. SECTION 6. Authorization of Officers. The City Clerk of the City is hereby empowered, authorized and directed to arrange for and to furnish to said election officers in ample time for the holding of said election, the necessary equipment, forms and other paraphernalia essential to the proper holding of said election and the Mayor and/or City Clerk of the City are further authorized, empowered and directed to take any and all further action required by State and/or Federal law to arrange for the election. SECTION 7. Furnishing Election Call to Election Officials. Certified copies of this resolution shall be forwarded to the Secretary of State, the Clerk of Court and Ex-Officio Parish Custodian of Voting Machines of Bossier Parish and the Registrar of Voters of Bossier Parish, as notification of the special election, in order that each may prepare for said election and perform their respective functions as required by law. SECTION 8. Application to State Bond Commission. Application is made to the State Bond Commission for consent and authority to hold the special election as herein provided, and in the event said election carries for further consent and authority to amend the City Charter of the City of Bossier City. A certified copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to the State Bond Commission on behalf of this Governing Authority, together with a letter requesting the prompt consideration and approval of this application. SECTION 9. Employment of Counsel. This Governing Authority finds and determines that a real necessity exists for the employment of special counsel on matters related to the special election, and accordingly, Foley & Judell, L.L.P., is hereby employed as special counsel for said purpose for a term not exceeding one (1) year from the date of this resolution. The fee to be paid said special counsel shall be an amount computed at hourly rate based on the Attorney General's then current Maximum Hourly Fee Schedule, together with reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses, and the Secretary-Treasurer is authorized to pay such invoices as and when presented. The scope of this legal representation does not involve federal claims. This resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows: YEAS: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Williams, and Mr. Free NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Maggio and Mr. Darby And the resolution was declared adopted on this, the 28th day of January, 2025. __________________________________ Phyllis McGraw Don Williams City Clerk President EXHIBIT "A" NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION Pursuant to the provisions of a resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Bossier City, State of Louisiana (the "Governing Authority"), acting as the governing authority of the City of Bossier City, State of Louisiana (the "City"), on January 28, 2025, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special election will be held within the City on SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2025, and that at the said election there will be submitted to all registered voters in the City qualified and entitled to vote at the said election under the Constitution and Laws of the State of Louisiana and the Constitution of the United States, the following propositions, to-wit: CHARTER AMENDMENT PROPOSITION NO. 1 OF 2 Shall Section 3.01(b) of the City Charter for Bossier City be amended to read as follows:  Members of the City Council shall be eligible for re-election. No person who has been elected or appointed to serve as at-large and/or district Councilman/woman for three (3) terms shall be eligible to be appointed or elected to an additional term or portion thereof. For the purposes of this Section, all terms, or portions thereof, to which a person has been elected or appointed prior to January 1, 2024, will be counted toward the limitation provided for herein? CHARTER AMENDMENT PROPOSITION NO. 2 OF 2 Shall Section 4.01 of the City Charter for Bossier City be amended to read as follows: (a) The Mayor shall be elected according to the laws of the state and serve a term of four (4) years. The term of office shall begin on July 1 of the year in which he/she was elected. (b) The Mayor shall be eligible for re-election. No person who has been elected to serve as Mayor for three (3) terms shall be eligible to be appointed or elected to an additional term or portion thereof. For the purposes of this Section, all terms, or portions thereof, to which a person has been elected or appointed prior to January 1, 2024, will be counted toward the limitation provided for herein? The said special election shall be held at the polling places for the following precincts, which polls will open at seven o'clock (7:00) a.m. and close at eight o'clock (8:00) p.m., in accordance with the provisions of La. R.S. 18:541, to wit: PRECINCTS 01-01 01-02 01-03 01-03A 01-03B(PART) 01-04(PART) 01-05 02-02 02-03 02-03A 02-04-1 02-04-2 02-05A(PART) 02-06(PART) 02-07 02-08 02-09(PART) 02-10 02-11 02-12A 02-12B 02-13 02-14 02-15 02-16 02-17A(PART) 02-17B 02-18C-1(PART) 02-18C-2(PART) 02-19 02-20 02-21A(PART) 02-21C-1(PART) 02-21C-2(PART) 02-21D-1(PART) 02-21D-2(PART) 02-21E(PART) 04-08A(PART) 04-08B-1(PART) 04-08B-2(PART)  04-08C(PART) 04-08D 04-08G(PART) 04-10-1(PART) 04-10-2(PART) 04-11C(PART) The polling places for the precincts set forth above are hereby designated as the polling places at which to hold the said election, and the Commissioners-in-Charge and Commissioners, respectively, shall be those persons designated according to law. The estimated cost of this election as determined by the Secretary of State based upon the provisions of Chapter 8-A of Title 18 and actual costs of similar elections is $81,000. The said special election will be held in accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 5 and Chapter 6-A of Title 18 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, and other constitutional and statutory authority, and the officers appointed to hold the said election, as provided in this Notice of Special Election, or such substitutes therefor as may be selected and designated in accordance with La. R.S. 18:1287, will make due returns thereof to said Governing Authority, and NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the Governing Authority will meet at its regular meeting place, City Hall, 620 Benton Road, Bossier City, Louisiana, on TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2025, at THREE O'CLOCK (3:00) P.M., and shall then and there in open and public session proceed to examine and canvass the returns and declare the result of the said special election. All registered voters of the City are entitled to vote at said special election and voting machines will be used. STATE OF LOUISIANA PARISH OF BOSSIER I, the undersigned City Clerk of the City of Bossier City, State of Louisiana (the "City"), do hereby certify that the foregoing pages constitute a true and correct copy of the proceedings taken by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, on January 28, 2025, ordering and calling a special election to be held in the City, to vote upon the adoption of amendments to the current City Charter of the City; making application to the State Bond Commission and providing for other matters in connection therewith. IN FAITH WHEREOF, witness my official signature at Bossier City, Louisiana, on this, the 28th day of January, 2025. _______________________________________ City Clerk By: Mr. Smith Motion to introduce an Ordinance proposing amendments to Section 3.01(b) and Section 4.01 of the City Charter of the City of Bossier City. Seconded by Mr. Hammons Audience members Cassie Rogers and David Crockett expressed concerns about the Council’s failure to pass this until now and the cost to the citizens for the lawsuits. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Agenda item called - Adopt an Ordinance approving a Conditional Use Approval for the retail sale of high and low content alcohol for on premise consumption at a restaurant, Lucky Palace II, located at 8000 East Texas Street Suite 101, Bossier City, Louisiana. Mr. Hammons asked Ms. Askew-Brown if the establishment was still serving without a license and expressed concerns to find out that they were. The following ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 17 OF 2025 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE FOR THE SALE OF HIGH AND LOW CONTENT ALCOHOL FOR ON PREMISE CONSUMPTION AT A RESTAURANT, LUCKY PALACE II, LOCATED AT 8000 EAST TEXAS STREET SUITE 101, BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA. WHEREAS; Holly Lim, Lucky Palace II, has applied to the Bossier City-Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission for Conditional Use Approval for the sale of high and low content alcohol, for on premise consumption at a restaurant, Lucky Palace II, located at 8000 East Texas Street Suite 101, Bossier City, Louisiana. WHEREAS; a public hearing for the Conditional Use application was held on January 13, 2025; 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. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY HEREBY ORDAINS: SECTION 1. That the Conditional Use for the sale of high and low content alcohol for on premise consumption at 8000 East Texas Street Suite 101, 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. Jeff Free and seconded by Mr. Chris Smith, and adopted on this the 28th, day of January 2025, with the votes listed below. Further this Ordinance will publish on February 5, 2025, and will not become legal until 10 days following publication. AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Williams, and Mr. Free NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Darby and Mr. Maggio ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk C-ALC-000230-2024 Agenda item called - Introduce an Ordinance to authorize the installation of a 4-Way Stop Sign at the intersection of Greenacres Boulevard and Fairmont Drive within the Greenacres Subdivision. By: Mr. Smith Motion to continue until the next meeting so that Mr. Maggio could be present to answer some of the Council’s concerns. Seconded by: Mr. Free No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Smith Motion to Introduce an Ordinance to amend the 2025 Water and Sewer Capital and Operating Fund Budgets Seconded by: Mr. Williams No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Smith Motion to Introduce an Ordinance to approve report of Change Order 1 for the Golden Meadows Turn Lane Project, with an increase of $55,618.63, for a total contract price of $349,033.63. Seconded by: Mr. Williams Mr. Hammons asked if this had anything to do with streetlights and Mr. Rauschenbach reported that it did. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Smith Motion to Introduce an Ordinance to approve report of Change Order 2 for the Airline Drive Rehabilitation Project, with an increase of $26,413.50, for a total contract price of $1,167,040.54. Seconded by: Mr. Free No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION 6 OF 2025 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF A UTILITY WORKER FOR WATER DISTRIBUTION IN PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPT. AND 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 Utility Worker is vacant due to termination 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. Don Williams and seconded by Mr. Chris Smith and adopted on this the 28th day of January, 2025, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Montgomery, Jr., Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Williams, and Mr. Free NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Darby and Mr. Maggio ABSTAIN: none _________________________________________________ Don Williams, President __________________________________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Reports – Finance Director, Angela Williamson, went over the 2024 Year-end Financial Report Engineering Department, Ben Rauschenbach, went over the Monthly Project Report Mr. Smith asked the Mayor about the water bills going out late for December and January and Mayor noted he would find out. There being no further business to come before this Council, Council President Williams adjourned the meeting at 3:40PM Respectfully submitted: ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Publish February 12, 2025