City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING JUNE 3, 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, June 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM Council President, Don Williams called the meeting to order. Invocation was given by Council Member Vince Maggio Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Jeff Free Roll Call as follows: Present: Honorable Councilor, President Don Williams, Honorable Councilors Chris Smith, Brian Hammons, Jeff Free and Vince Maggio Absent: Honorable Councilors David Montgomery, Jr. and Jeffery Darby 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 approve the agenda Seconded by Mr. Free No Comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Smith Motion to approve Minutes of May 20, 2025, Regular Council meetings and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Maggio No Comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Bids – Witness opening of sealed bids for Bid #P25-02 Aquarius Contractors, Inc. $316,754.27 Dale’s Paving Inc. $216,640.00 Onyx Construction, LLC $204,793.35 By: Mr. Hammons Motion to approve reading of bids. Seconded by Mr. Smith No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Unfinished Business – The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 67 OF 2025 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE 50 OF 2024 ALLOCATING AN ADDITIONAL $100,000.00 FROM THE STREETS AND DRAINAGE FUND TO PROVIDE DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE LOUISIANA WATERSHED INITIATIVE GRANT PROJECT WITHIN THE BARDOT DRAINAGE BASIN. WHEREAS; Bossier City is in receipt of a $2.3M Louisiana Watershed Initiative (LWI) Grant for improving the Bardot Drainage Basin; and WHEREAS; Ordinance 50 of 2024 allocated $109,000 from the Streets and Drainage Fund to initiate the design services and associated resources necessary to administer this grant; and WHEREAS; an additional $100,000 from the Streets and Drainage Fund is needed to complete the environmental survey, related property acquisition services, and associated resources necessary to administer this grant. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, in regular session convened that the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, allocates $100,000.00 from the Streets and Drainage Fund for the Louisiana Watershed Initiative project to make improvements to the Bardot drainage basin. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the Mayor is authorized to sign any and all documents, including permits, professional services agreements, and other related materials as may be needed to complete this project 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 by Mr. Jeff Free and seconded by Mr. Vince Maggio and adopted on this the 3rd, day of June 2025, with the votes listed below. Further this Ordinance will publish on June 11, 2025 and will become legal 10 days following publication. AYES: Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free, and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. and Mr. Darby ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk New Business – Agenda item called - Adopt an Ordinance approving a Conditional Use Approval for the sale of high and low content alcohol for on premise consumption at a lounge, The Hub, located at 3325 Industrial Drive Suites 1A and 2A, Bossier City, Louisiana. Mr. Hammons and Ms. Askew-Brown discussed with the applicant about the new location and the reason for the move. No further comment The following ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 68 OF 2025 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE FOR THE SALE OF HIGH AND LOW CONTENT ALCOHOL FOR ON PREMISE CONSUMPTION AT A LOUNGE, THE HUB, LOCATED AT 3325 INDUSTRIAL DRIVE SUITE 1A and 2A, BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA. WHEREAS; Brett Sempter, 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 lounge, The Hub, located at 3325 Industrial Drive Suites 1A and 2A, Bossier City, Louisiana. WHEREAS; a public hearing for the Conditional Use application was held on May 12, 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 being: Favorable recommendation by the Bossier Metropolitan Planning Commission. 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 3325 Industrial Drive Suites 1A and 2A, 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 by Mr. Chris Smith and seconded by Mr. Don Williams and adopted on this the 3rd, day of June 2025, with the votes listed below. Further this Ordinance will publish on June11, 2025 and will become legal 10 days following publication. AYES: Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free, and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. and Mr. Darby ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk C-ALC-000036-2025 The following Ordinance offered and adopted: Ordinance No. 69 Of 2025 AN ORDINANCE TO DECLARE THAT EMERGENCIES DID EXIST IN THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY WHICH AFFECTED PROPERTY, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND SAFETY DUE TO THE REQUIREMENT TO REPLACE AND REPAIR THE INFLUENT GRAVITY SEWER MAIN, MANHOLE, AND CONNECTION TO GOLDEN MEADOWS #2 LIFT STATION THAT COLLAPSED AT A COST OF $498,007.02 TO COME FROM SEWER CAPITAL AND CONTINGENCY FUND. WHEREAS, gravity sewer manhole’s and influent connections to lift stations are critical infrastructure in Bossier’s wastewater collection system and were badly damaged from excessive use and poor soil conditions; and WHEREAS, the Public Utilities Department needs emergency support to repair and replace this sewer manhole while reestablishing the connection to Golden Meadows #2 Lift Station and stabilizing the ground around it; 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 $498,007.02 in labor, equipment, and materials to complete the repair efforts; and WHEREAS, $498,007.02 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 $498,007.02 to come from the Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund to be used for the purpose of replacing and repairing gravity sewer manholes and influent connections to Benoist 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 2025 Sewer Capital and Contingency Budget is hereby amended to increase expenditures for required repairs by $498,007.02 and decrease Fund Balance by $498,007.02. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public input at open and legal session convened, was on motion by Mr. Chris Smith, and seconded by Mr. Mr. Vince Maggio, and adopted on this the 3rd day of June 2025, with the votes listed below. Further this Ordinance becomes legal immediately. AYES: Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free, and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. and Mr. Darby ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk By: Mr. Smith Motion to introduce an Ordinance to appropriate $120,500.00 for water and sewer utility relocations for State Project No. H.001779 Seconded by Mr. Williams Mr. Hammons discussed with Ms. Nottingham the State DOTD’s responsibility for these relocations. Administration intends to try to get reimbursed but did not want to delay project. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Smith Motion to introduce an Ordinance amending Ordinance 38 of 2025 appropriating $60,000 from Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund for the Riverview Sewer List Station Generator Project Seconded by Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Williams Motion to introduce an Ordinance amending articles 3,8,9, and 18 of the Unified Development Code of Bossier City-Parish, Louisiana, as a result of regulations for subdivision entrance signs and residential message boards. Seconded by Mr. Maggio Mr. Smith discussed with Ms. Askew-Brown his concerns about wanting to loosen restrictions on political signs. MPC is working on rewriting the whole code. Mr. Smith and Mr. Jacobs discussed the legal aspect. Mr. Hammons discussed his concerns about size, brightness, location and possible driver distraction. Ms. Askew-Brown will set up a meeting with Mr. Smith and Mr. Hammons to go over plan. Mr. Hammons congratulated Ms. Askew-Brown on her recent award. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous The following Resolution offered and adopted: Resolution No. 30 Of 2025 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE REPLACEMENT OF ONE FULL TIME DEPUTY POSITION DUE TO A RESIGNATION IN 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 full time Deputy 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 full time Deputy 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 presented and opened for public comment in open and legal session convened, was adopted on a motion by Mr. Jeff Free and seconded by Mr. Vince Maggio and adopted on the 3rd, day of June 2025 by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Smith, Mr. Hammons, Mr. Williams, Mr. Free, and Mr. Maggio NAYS: none ABSENT: Mr. Montgomery, Jr. and Mr. Darby ABSTAIN: none ______________________________ ____________________________ Don Williams, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk By: Mr. Smith Motion to approve Bossier Press Tribune as the City of Bossier City’s Official Journal for July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026; in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statute 43:141. Seconded by Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Announcements – Ms. Nottingham spoke on the Beautification Fee and how it came about. She noted that it was billed based on individual 911 addresses and not water meters. Mr. Smith and Ms. Williamson discussed the deficit prior to fee and ramifications of stopping it. Mr. Hammons and Mr. Maggio recused themselves from the discussion and returned when she was finished. Mayor Chandler congratulated the LSU Pilots for a perfected Baseball season and he also reported that 9 new Police Officers have started their service to the City. There being no further business to come before this Council, Council President Williams adjourned the meeting at 3:36 Respectfully submitted: ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Publish June 11, 2025