City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING JULY 29, 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, July 29, 2025 at 3:00 PM Council Vice President, Chris Smith called the meeting to order. Invocation was given by Council Member Joel Girouard Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Craton Cochran Roll Call as follows: Present: Honorable Councilor, President Chris Smith, Honorable Councilors Craton Cochran, Brian Hammons, Debra W. Ross, Cliff Smith, Joel Girouard, 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 public participation in the meeting and disclosure of conflicts. Council members Brian Hammons and Vince Maggio disclosed that they would have a conflict with item number #2 under Unfinished Business and they would be abstaining from voting. Ceremonial Matters/Recognition of Guests – Josh Morvant is running late and will be added under Reports. Kevin Nolten – Cyber Innovation Center - Due to a scheduling conflict, Mr. Nolten was not able to attend, but will be at August 12, 2025 Council Meeting. By: Mr. Girouard Motion to approve agenda Seconded by Mr. Hammons No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Cliff Smith Motion to approve Minutes of the July 15, 2025, Regular Council Meeting and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mrs. Ross No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Bids: Agenda item called – Witness opening of sealed bids for Fencing for Alternative Fuel Stations, Bid 25-05 - Engineers estimate $300,000 Denna Beuchemin read bids – Bidder’s Name Total Bid Amount Alternate Barrier Construction $424,532.00 $25,000.00 Fencing Unlimited $307,742.00 $48,484.13 By: Mr. Hammons Motion to take bids under advisement Seconded by Mr. Cliff Smith Mr. Hammons asked questions about project. Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Public Hearings/Actions on Unfinished Business: ORDINANCE NO. 86 of 2025 AN ORDINANCE REPEALING RESOLUTION NO. 97 OF 2024 AND CREATING ONE (1) UNCLASSIFIED FULL-TIME OFFICE MANAGER/ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT POSITION IN THE CITY CLERK AND CITY COUNCIL OFFICE TO SUPPORT SUCCESSION PLANNING, AND TO CONFIRM THAT SAID ADDITION IS NET NEUTRAL TO THE 2025 CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WHEREAS, Resolution No. 97 of 2024 was adopted to address certain staffing matters within the City Clerk and City Council Office; and WHEREAS, in support of effective succession planning and the upcoming retirement of the current City Clerk, it is necessary to repeal Resolution No. 97 of 2024 and create a new full-time position to allow adequate time for training and certification of a qualified replacement; and WHEREAS, the City Council intends that the addition of this position shall be accomplished in a fiscally responsible manner that results in no net increase to the adopted 2025 City Council budget and the City Clerk shall make the necessary internal adjustments to ensure that no additional funding is required beyond what is already allocated; and WHEREAS, this position will be included in the 2026 operating budget; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, that: does hereby repeal Resolution No. 97 of 2024 effective immediately and authorize the creation of one (1) full-time unclassified Office Manager/Administrative Assistant position which will be net neutral to the 2025 City Council operating budget. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that this position is established to support the administrative operations of the office and to begin the required certification and training process necessary to serve as the successor to the City Clerk upon her anticipated retirement and will be included in the 2026 City Council operating budget. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public comment in open and legal session convened, was adopted on a motion by Mr. Brian Hammons and seconded by Mrs. Debra Ross and adopted on the 29th day of July 2025, with the votes listed below. Further this Ordinance will publish on August 6, 2025 and become 10 days following publication Yeas: Mr. Chris Smith, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Hammons, Mrs. Ross, Mr. Cliff Smith, Mr. Girouard, and Mr. Maggio Nays: none Absent: none Abstain: none ______________________________ _________________________________ Chris Smith, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Agenda item called – Adopt an Ordinance to amend Ordinance 2 of 2025 which amended Section 94-76 of the Code of Ordinances of Bossier City, LA to adjust Sanitation Rates Audience member, Cassie Rogers, addressed her concerns on the fee increase and the lack of notification of increase. Council members, Mayor and Finance Director, Angela Williamson discussed the rate increase, how much would this Ordinance cost the city, and how the rate increase was handled. Mayor Chandler spoke about what this fee covers and that with costs rising that the previous fee collections were not sufficient to cover those costs and that additional employees are needed to provide better service. He and Mrs. Nottingham noted that the apartments aren’t charged for sanitation but that this fee covers Animal Control, Mosquito Spraying, Street Sweeping and Grass Cutting. There was also concern from Council that a small group of people were going to have to bear the brunt of the deficit and a lot of concern about the lack of communication regarding the rate increase. Mr. Cliff Smith and Mrs. Ross voiced concerns that everyone should be paying the same rate and that no one should be getting a break. Mr. Cochran explained that the apartments would still pay but that this would just be a short reprieve so that they can adjust leases to include fees and Mr. Chris Smith spoke on how the 80% occupancy in the Ordinance was chosen and that while residents rates went up $12 per month, that apartment owners rate went from $12 per month to some $6,000 per month. Questions also arose from Council members concerning the Sanitation Contract with Live Oak and requested RFP’s to see if there are any others companies interested in doing business with the City of Bossier. Ordinance No. 87 of 2025 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE 2 OF 2025 WHICH AMENDED SECTION 94-76 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF BOSSIER CITY, LA TO ADJUST SANITATION RATES WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 2 of 2025, was adopted on January 2, 2025, to continue to provide the Citizens of Bossier City with acceptable solid waste collection and disposal, an effective herbicide and mosquito control program, animal services, street sweeping and grass cutting and to further maintain the general cleanliness of the City and which adopted updated fee schedules to be billed on the city utility bills on a monthly basis; and WHEREAS, upon further review, amendments to Ordinance No 2 of 2025 need to be made to address a unique problem with certain residential facilities that have one master water meter rather than individual meters and which include the cost of utilities in the cost of rent pursuant to a rental contract or other agreement; and NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Bossier City, Louisiana in regular session convened, that Ordinance No. 2 of 2025 is hereby amended to add an additional paragraph to said Ordinance amending Section 94-76 of the Code of Ordinances of Bossier City, Louisiana. This additional paragraph will be number eight (8) and shall read as follows: “(8) Upon each residential apartment complex or residential facility with one master meter rather than individual meters and accounts for each apartment unit or residential unit, the charge will be calculated at a monthly rate of $12.00 multiplied by 80% of the total number of residential units or regardless of occupancy. Said charge shall be effective on February 1, 2026 to allow a reasonable time for adjustments to residential leases or agreements .” BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that this amendment to Ordinance No. 2 of 2025 shall become effective on September 1, 2025 and that paragraph eight (8) of this Ordinance shall not take effect until February 1, 2026, all other provisions of Ordinance No. 2 of 2025 shall remain in effect as of the original effective date of February 1, 2025, and be in force from and after its approval as required by law; and The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public comment in open and legal session convened, was adopted on a motion by Mr. Craton Cochran and seconded by Mr. Joel Girouard and adopted on the 29th day of July 2025, with the votes listed below. Further this Ordinance will publish on August 6, 2025 and become 10 days following publication Yeas: Mr. Chris Smith, Mr. Cochran, Mrs. Ross, Mr. Cliff Smith, and Mr. Girouard Nays: none Absent: none Abstain: Mr. Hammons and Mr. Maggio ______________________________ _________________________________ Chris Smith, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Agenda item called – Adopt an Ordinance appropriating $280,000.00 from the Equipment Replacement fund to the Streets and Drainage fund to purchase an EW170 wheeled excavator for use in Streets and Drainage for street and ditch maintenance. Mrs. Ross asked Public Works Director, Wade Rich bid process on this and about warranty. Mr. Rich explained that it came from the State Bid list which did not require putting out for bids and that also the cost was much less than retail. The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 88 OF 2025 AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $280,000.00 FROM THE EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT FUND TO THE STREETS AND DRAINAGE FUND TO PURCHASE AN EW170 WHEELED EXCAVATOR FOR USE IN STREETS AND DRAINAGE FOR STREET AND DITCH MAINTENANCE WHEREAS, there is a need for this piece of equipment due to the liquidation of the Grade-all machines due to aging and maintenance costs. WHEREAS, the Public Works Department the equipment for larger jobs demanding heavier lifting and work ranges, ex. ditch maintenance and grading, storm debris when needed; and WHEREAS, it will be a cost of $280,000.00, equipment; and WHEREAS, $280,000.00 shall be appropriated from the Equipment Replacement Fund .NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, in regular session convened that the City Council of Bossier City does hereby declare that a need for the equipment exists to come from the Equipment Replacement Fund BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the Mayor is authorized to sign any and all documents in connection with the furtherance of this Ordinance. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public comment in open and legal session convened, was adopted on a motion by Mr. Brian Hammons and seconded by Mr. Vince Maggio and adopted on the 29th day of July 2025, with the votes listed below. Further this Ordinance will publish on August 6, 2025 and become 10 days following publication Yeas: Mr. Chris Smith, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Hammons, Mrs. Ross, Mr. Cliff Smith, Mr. Girouard, and Mr. Maggio Nays: none Absent: none Abstain: none ______________________________ _________________________________ Chris Smith, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 89 Of 2025 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZNG THE MAYOR AND RESPONSIBLE CHARGE TO EXECUTE THE ATTACHED AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE CITY OF BOSSIER CITY AND THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT RELATED TO STATE PROJECT NO. H.016204 _____________________________________________________________________________  WHEREAS, the City of Bossier City is the recipient of grant funds from the Safe Routes to Public Places Program; and WHEREAS, the State of Louisiana, acting through the Department of Transportation and Development, will install sidewalks on Benton Road and Shed Road and modify the CPKC railroad crossing at Benton Road; and WHEREAS, the City of Bossier City is agreeable to the terms of the Entity/State Agreement and Funding Commitment Letter; and WHEREAS, after the construction contract is complete, the City of Bossier City agrees to assume ownership and all liability and responsibility of all improvements within the scope of said project, including, but not limited to repair, replacement, and energy costs, in accordance with the provisions set forth hereinafter. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that the City of Bossier hereby authorizes the Mayor and Responsible Charge the authority to execute the attached Entity/State Agreement and Funding Commitment Letter. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the Mayor and Responsible Charge are authorized to sign any and all documents in connection with the furtherance of State Project No. H.016204. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public comment in open and legal session convened, was adopted on a motion by Mrs. Debra Ross and seconded by Mr. Cliff Smith and adopted on the 29th day of July 2025, with the votes listed below. Further this Ordinance will publish on August 6, 2025 and become 10 days following publication Yeas: Mr. Chris Smith, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Hammons, Mrs. Ross, Mr. Cliff Smith, Mr. Girouard, and Mr. Maggio Nays: none Absent: none Abstain: none ______________________________ _________________________________ Chris Smith, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk New Business – 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 bar, Another Round Lounge, located at 1984 Airline Drive, Suite 200, Bossier City, Louisiana Mr. Hammons and MPC Director, Carlotta Askew-Brown discussed location of lounge and the patrons that the facility was geared towards. The following ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE NO. 90 OF 2025 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE FOR THE SALE OF HIGH AND LOW CONTENT ALCOHOL FOR ON PREMISE CONSUMPTION, AT A BAR, ANOTHER ROUND LOUNGE, LOCATED AT 1984 AIRLINE DR, SUITE 200 BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA. WHEREAS; Quincy Cooper, 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 on premise consumption at a bar, Another Round Lounge, located at 1984 Airline Drive, Suite 200 Bossier City, Louisiana. WHEREAS; a public hearing for the Conditional Use application was held on July 14, 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 retail sales of high and low content alcohol for on premise consumption at 1984 Airline Drive, Suite 200, Bossier City, Louisiana is hereby approved. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public comment in open and legal session convened, was adopted on a motion by Mr. Craton Cochran and seconded by Mr. Chris Smith and adopted on the 29th day of July 2025, with the votes listed below. Further this Ordinance will publish on August 6, 2025 and become 10 days following publication Yeas: Mr. Chris Smith, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Hammons, Mrs. Ross, Mr. Cliff Smith, Mr. Girouard, and Mr. Maggio Nays: none Absent: none Abstain: none ______________________________ _________________________________ Chris Smith, President Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk C-ALC-000086-2025 By: Mr. Cliff Smith Motion to introduce an Ordinance to amend the 2025 General Fund Engineering Department Budget. Seconded by Mrs. Ross Mr. Hammons, Ben Rauschenbach, Waggoner Engineering and City Engineer, Andy Bajnauth discussed rational for Ordinance and that the reason for the increase in Engineering budget was that all permit fees go into the General Fund and that Engineering doesn’t get money from permits. Mr. Hammons is concerned that the developer should be paying all fees upfront. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mrs. Ross Motion to introduce an Ordinance allocating $250,000.00 from the Water Capital and Contingency Fund to purchase on-demand water meters Seconded by Mr. Maggio Discussion from Council members, Mrs. Nottingham and Mayor concerning the 2,600 meters that are just being estimated and that this money would not be enough to replace all the meters and they also discussed meter service life. Mrs. Nottingham also discussed how they determine the estimated amount. Mr. Rauschenbach answered questions about meters needed and Permits Supervisor, Rodney Taylor spoke about the cost of each meter and that some are on a lengthy backorder. Audience member, Cassie Rogers voiced concerns about determining if she is being charged the correct amount or if her bill is being estimated and she also asked Ms. Nottingham about the life span of the meters. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Hammons Motion to introduce an Ordinance authorizing the sale of a 2019 International 4300 Boom Truck for fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) to the Town of Benton Seconded by Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Reports - Angela Williamson, Finance Director, went over Monthly Finance Report noting that sales tax was up 3.5% from this time in 2024. Andy Bajnauth, City Engineer, went over his first Monthly Project Report Josh Morvant – Red River Billards spoke about his vision for the South Bossier area asked about roads possibly being abandoned due to the new Jimmie Davis Bridge. Would like to purchase and use for parking, he also noted a need for hotels in South Bossier. Announcements – Councilman Cliff Smith reminded everyone about a Town Hall meeting coming up in his District on August 4, 2025 Ms. Askew-Brown invited everyone to the community meeting concerning short term rentals on July 30th at 3:00 PM. There being no further business to come before this Council, Council President Smith adjourned the meeting at 4:33 PM Respectfully submitted: ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Publish August 13, 2025