City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSSIER CITY STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 7, 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, October 7, 2025 at 3:00 PM Council President, Chris Smith called the meeting to order. Invocation was given by Council Member Cliff Smith Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Brian Hammons Roll Call as follows: Present: Honorable Councilor, President Chris Smith, Honorable Councilors Craton Cochran, Vince Maggio, Brian Hammons, Debra W. Ross, Cliff Smith, and Joel Girouard Also Present: City Attorney, Charles Jacobs, Administrative Assistant, Emily Pitts and City Clerk, Phyllis McGraw City Clerk, Phyllis McGraw read the statement about public participation in the meeting and disclosure of conflicts. By: Mr. Hammons Motion to approve Minutes of September 23, 2025, Regular Meeting and the September 23, 2025 Budget Workshop and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Girouard Audience member, Kevin Blunck asked for the minutes to be changed to reflect the correct information concerning DOTD traffic studies on Benton Road and especially the Douglas Drive intersection. He explained that the information shared at the last meeting concerning traffic counts was incorrect and that he researched extensively and found other numbers and couldn’t find the numbers reported. He asked that the minutes be amended to reflect the correct information. City Clerk, Phyllis McGraw noted that the minutes can only reflect what was actually said and happened in the meeting. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Cliff Smith Motion to approve Agenda Seconded by Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Bids: Agenda item called – Witness Opening of Sealed Bids for Project P25-07, Vehicle Maintenance Building for Fire Department with an Engineers estimate of $1,950,000.00 Total Bid Alternate #1 Alternate #2 Alternate #3 Blocker Builders $ 2,124,000.00 $ 67,500.00 $ 27,200.00 $ 4,200.00 Brown Builders $ 2,560,000.00 $ 94,000.00 $ 28,500.00 $ 4,400.00 Hand Construction $ 2,196,000.00 $ 63,000.00 $ 28,000.00 $ 4,000.00 M & M Builders $ 2,174,000.00 $ 64,500.00 $ 28,500.00 $ 4,385.00 Thrash Construction $ 2,250,000.00 $ 89,500.00 $ 62,500.00 $13,700.00 By: Mr. Hammons Motion to take bids under advisement Seconded by: Mrs. Ross Mr. Hammons asked for a detailed list for the alternates for this project No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Public Hearings/Actions on Unfinished Business The following Ordinance offered and adopted: ORDINANCE 118 Of 2025 AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $600,000 FROM THE SALES TAX CAPITAL FUND AND AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF EIGHT NEW POLICE VEHICLES. WHEREAS, the Bossier City Police Department is in need of eight new police vehicles; and WHEREAS, funding for said purchase is available to be appropriated from the Sales Tax Capital Fund. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that $600,000 is appropriated from the Sales Tax Capital Fund for the purchase of eight Police vehicles and the Administration is authorized to proceed with the purchase. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the 2025 Sales Tax Capital Budget is hereby amended to increase the Police Department Auto Equipment $144,000 and Vehicles $456,000 and decrease Fund Balance $600,000. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public comment in open and legal session convened, was adopted on a motion of Mrs. Debra W. Ross, and seconded by Mr. Vince Maggio, and adopted on the 7th day of October 2025, with the votes listed below. Further this Ordinance will publish on October 15, 2025 and become legal 10 days following publication. AYES: 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 119 Of 2025 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2025 GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO APPROPRIATE ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THE BOSSIER CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT VEHICLE REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OPERATIONAL BUDGET. WHEREAS, the Bossier City Police Department maintains a fleet of police vehicles to serve the citizens and to provide public safety; and WHEREAS, unanticipated costs for parts, labor, and service have exceeded the original allocation for the Vehicle Repair and Maintenance Operational Budget; and WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes the need to ensure that all vehicles are kept in safe and serviceable condition for continued operations; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that the current Fiscal Year 2025 General Fund Budget is hereby amended to increase the appropriation for Police Department Vehicle Repair and Maintenance by $75,000. The above and foregoing Ordinance was discussed and opened for public comment in open and legal session convened, was adopted on a motion of Mr. Brian Hammons, and seconded by Mr. Cliff Smith, and adopted on the 7th day of October 2025, with the votes listed below. Further this Ordinance will publish on October 15, 2025 and become legal 10 days following publication. AYES: 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. 120 OF 2025 AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE REPORT OF RECONCILIATION AND CLOSE OF PROJECT WITH CHANGE ORDER 2 FOR THE BROWNLEE ROAD REHABILITATION PROJECT, WITH A DECREASE OF $36,338.50 FOR A FINAL CONTRACT PRICE OF $1,291,239.25. WHEREAS; Ordinance 148 of 2023 allotted $1,500,000.00 for the Brownlee Road Rehabilitation Project; and WHEREAS; an opportunity arose for The City of Bossier City to work with the Bossier Parish Police Jury to share the cost of rehabilitating a portion of Wemple Road while work was being completed; and WHEREAS; Ordinance 46 of 2025 appropriated and additional $212,903.00 to cover this additional cost for a total contract price of $1,327,577.75; and WHEREAS; after reconciliation of the Brownlee Road Rehabilitation Project a surplus of $36,338.50 will need to be decreased and the project closed out with a total contract price of $1,291,239.25. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, in regular session convened that the Bossier City Council does hereby adopt an Ordinance to approve Report of Reconciliation and close of project with Change Order 2 for the Brownlee Road Rehabilitation Project, with a decrease of $36,338.50 for a final contract price of $1,291.239.25 BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the Mayor is hereby authorized to sign any and all instruments 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 of Mr. Brian Hammons, and seconded by Mr. Joel Girouard, and adopted on the 7th day of October 2025, with the votes listed below. Further this Ordinance will publish on October 15, 2025 and become legal 10 days following publication. AYES: 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 Mr. Smith noted that the Resolution at end of Agenda would be moved up to the first item under New Business The following Resolution offered and adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 56 OF 2025 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OR PROMOTION OF A LABORER I DUE TO RESIGNATION AND BACKFILLING ANY VACANT POSITIONS THIS MAY CREATE IN THE CUSTOMER SERVICE 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 or employment of any individual receiving wages, compensation, or remuneration for any labor including temporary or contractual employment; and WHEREAS, the Customer Service Department has an available position due to resignation of an employee; and WHEREAS, this resignation provides for an opportunity to hire a replacement or promote from within and backfill any vacancies created; and WHEREAS, this action will have no impact on the existing budget. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Bossier City, Louisiana, in regular session convened, that the administration is authorized to hire or promote a Laborer I and backfill any vacancies this may create in the Customer Service Department with no impact to the existing budget. The above and foregoing Resolution, was discussed and opened for public comment in open and legal session convened, was adopted on a motion of Mr. Joel Girouard, and seconded by Mrs. Debra W. Ross, and adopted on the 7th day of October 2025, with the votes listed below. AYES: 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 By: Mr. Hammons Motion to introduce an Ordinance to appropriate $100,000 from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund for professional marketing services Seconded by: Mr. Cliff Smith No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Hammons  Motion to introduce an Ordinance to declare certain miscellaneous furniture and fixture items owned by the City of Bossier City as surplus to the City's needs and provide for disposal according to law. Seconded by: Mrs. Ross No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Hammons Motion to introduce an Ordinance authorizing Mayor Thomas H. Chandler to execute the attached Cooperative Endeavor Agreements between the City of Bossier City and the Louisiana Department of Treasury and State of Louisiana. Seconded by: Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Hammons Motion to introduce an Ordinance authorizing the transfer of $13,362,739.69 from the 2018 LCDA Bond Fund to various capital funds and the transfer of existing projects from the 2018 LCDA Bond Fund. Seconded by: Mr. Girouard No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mrs. Ross Motion to introduce an Ordinance amending Ordinance of 81 of 2025 declaring the existence of a local emergency due to Big Airline Lift Station Pump and Manhole Repair, wet well cleaning, and investigation of Influent sewer main under state highway for a total cost of $213,649.23. Seconded by: Mr. Cliff Smith Mr. Hammons and Todd Thompson, Waggoner Engineering discussed this project. Mr. Thompson noted that there are still sections of this pipe that will still need to be replaced but that this fixed the immediate issue. After asked by Mr. Hammons about if the State would pay for damage, Mr. Thompson reported that this was the city’s responsibility No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Hammons Motion to introduce an Ordinance amending the 2025 Streets and Drainage Fund budget by three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00) to increase expenditures for unplanned streets and drainage projects. Seconded by: Mr. Maggio No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Hammons Motion to introduce an Ordinance appropriating $600,000 from the Equipment Replacement Fund to purchase replacements for CNG only vehicles. Seconded by: Mr. Maggio Mr. Chris Smith and CAO, Amanda Nottingham discussed whether this would eliminate all the remaining CNG vehicles. She stated that there may be a few more, but these vehicles are exclusively CNG; any others left operate on both No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mrs. Ross Motion to introduce an Ordinance to amend the 2025 Water Operating, Sewer Operating and Water Capital Fund Budgets. Seconded by: Mr. Girouard No comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mrs. Ross Introduce an Ordinance to adopt additions to Chapter 2 - Administration in the City of Bossier City Code of Ordinances Seconded by Mrs. Ross By: Mr. Hammons Motion to amend proposed Ordinance by the following additions: Add Section 2-61. B. 2. B. – Only full-time employees of the City of Bossier City will be given a city-owned take home vehicle. Section 2-61. B. 1. F. – Employees shall immediately report any revocation of their driver’s license or any moving violations to their supervisor. Reporting applies whether on City or personal/private business and whether in a city or personal/private vehicle. Section 2-61. C. 1. C. – Only individuals on official City of Bossier City business are permitted to operate or ride in vehicles owned by the City of Bossier City. In order for a non-city employee to be a passenger in a city vehicle, an Indemnification Agreement must be completed prior to departure. Fire and Police would be exempt from this provision. Section 2-61, C. 2. S. – Do not operate a city owned vehicle while consuming alcohol. Section 3.b.3.- Drivers are personally responsible for traffic and parking ticket fines, except those due to the condition of a city vehicle. Seconded by: Cliff Smith Mr. Girouard asked for clarity for vehicle use on city business with a passenger. Chief Zagone asked about medical emergencies and Mr. Hammons said they would be exempt. Audience member, David Crockett spoke in favor of Ordinance but felt like the Council should do more. When he was in military he didn’t get take-home vehicle. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous By: Mr. Girouard Motion to introduce an Ordinance to adopt additions to Chapter 2 - Administration in the City of Bossier City Code of Ordinances as amended Seconded by: Mrs. Ross No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Agenda item called - Introduce an Ordinance to adopt the General Fund Budget for 2026. By: Mrs. Ross Motion to introduce an Ordinance to adopt the General Fund Budget for 2026. Seconded by: Mr. Cliff Smith Council President Chris Smith asked Mrs. Nottingham to go over budget changes Mrs. Nottingham discussed changes that Administration have already made. Council discussed changes they would like to see. Mrs. Nottingham also discussed not changing health insurance company. Mr. Hammons asked about part-time employees and if any are only receiving minimum wage and Mrs. Nottingham reported that there isn’t, Mr. Hammons concerned about pay raise to part-time employees. She wanted to state for the record that a resident had asked her about part-time raises. Council President Chris Smith also discussed with Mrs. Nottingham about removing part-time employees and offered them one of the 31 vacant full-time positions. Mr. Girouard discussed with Mrs. Nottingham about Sales Tax projections and he asked for more information. He also wanted to know about changes to the overall budget over the last several years. He asked Chief Zagone for more information about Fire Stations and also wanted to know about police vehicle purchases. Mrs. Nottingham and Mr. Hammons spoke about the difficulty to have access to State contract eligible vehicles across the state as well as fire vehicles. Mr. Girouard also asked about using existing funds to pay off some of the bonds. Mr. Hammons, Mrs. Ross and Mr. Maggio spoke about amendments they would like to see in the budget. She wanted to state for the record that a resident had asked her about part-time raises. Mr. Chris Smith spoke about his concerns with rolling the millage forward, the salary study and a staffing study. He asked that each Department cut 2-3% out of their proposed budgets, excluding salaries, to keep from having to roll millage forward. No further comment By: Mr. Hammons Motion to continue introduction of 2026 Budget Ordinance 10-37 until October 21, 2025. Seconded: Mr. Cliff Smith Audience member, David Crockett gave praise about the Council handling the budget. He does have issues with the amount of debt has, the need for more information, 5-year budget and strategic plan. Concerned about fact sheets not having enough information and that the public needs more information. No further comment Vote in favor of motion is unanimous Reports Mr. Hammons recognized Todd Thompson for he and his employees for the work that they do. Mr. Cliff Smith thanked Wade Rich and his crew for the work they are doing on the ditches. Mr. Cliff Smith, Mrs. Ross and Mr. Cochran spoke about the National Night events that will be held across the city, including Hooter Park, Shady Grove Community Center. Mrs. Ross thanked all the people that helped sponsor her National Night out event and also spoke about Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There being no further business to come before this Council, Council President Chris Smith adjourned the meeting at 4:19 PM Respectfully submitted: ____________________________ Phyllis McGraw, City Clerk Publish October 22, 2025