City Council

MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING TOWN HALL MEETING ROOM 112 W. ALABAMA AVE. VIVIAN, LOUISIANA MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 6:00 PM CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Festavan called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. INVOCATION - Alderman James Martin opened the meeting in prayer. PLEDGE - Mayor Festavan led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL - VERIFICATION OF QUORUM - Board of Aldermen present for Roll Call were James Martin, Denise Alexander, Michael Guthrie and Raymond Williams; absent was Angela Channell. Following Roll Call the Town Clerk verified that a quorum was present. Also present were other elected officials and/or staff members: Ronnie Festavan - Mayor, Kellie Morris - Town Clerk, Kevin Hartzo - Public Works Director and Douglas Dominick - Town Attorney. APPROVE AGENDA - Motion to approve the Agenda as presented was made by Raymond Williams, second by James Martin; all present approved. 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS - There were none. 2. PRESENTATION OF 2019-20 AUDIT - VICKIE CASE OF COOK & MOREHART, CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS, SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA. Mrs. Case was in attendance to present the results of the yearly Legislative Audit to the Council. She also presented the Council and Staff with copies of the Audit booklet and letter that will be sent to the Legislative Auditor on behalf of the Town. 3. MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT - Financial report including budget-to-actual comparisons was presented by Mayor Festavan. Following the report and discussion, motion to accept as presented was made by Michael Guthrie, second by Denise Alexander; all present approved. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - Motion to approve the minutes of the December 14, 2020 Regular meeting was made by James Martin, second by Denise Alexander; all present approved. 5. ZONING BOARD APPOINTMENTS - The Board of Alderman will consider the Page 1 of 4 Mayor’s recommendation to appoint members to the Zoning Board; 1) Randy Slagle to replace Amanda Murry, 2) Rev. Ricky Jeane to replace Melvin Nelson and 3) Martha McDurmond to replace Jamel Couch. Motion to approve the Mayor’s recommendation was made by Michael Guthrie, second by James Martin; all present approved. 6. THE BOARD OF ALDERMAN WILL CONSIDER THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION # 1 OF 2021 - A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWN OF VIVIAN TO ACQUIRE A UTILITY SERVITUDE FOR SEWER PURPOSES FROM CADDO WARD II INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION LOCATED IN THE CADDO WARD II INDUSTRIAL PARK. Motion to adopt Resolution # 1 of 2021 of the Town of Vivian, Louisiana was made by Raymond Williams, second by Michael Guthrie; all present approved. 7. THE BOARD OF ALDERMAN WILL CONSIDER THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION # 2 OF 2021 - A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWN OF VIVIAN TO ACQUIRE A SERVITUDE FOR THE SUM OF $14,400.00 FROM BOMF NO. 2, LLC FOR AVIATION PURPOSES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE VIVIAN AIRPORT (THE FUNDS USED TO PURCHASE THIS SERVITUDE ARE BEING FUNDED THROUGH A GRANT FROM THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION). Motion to adopt Resolution # 2 of 2021 of the Town of Vivian, Louisiana was made by Denise Alexander, second by Raymond Williams; all present approved. 8. THE BOARD OF ALDERMAN WILL CONSIDER THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION # 3 OF 2021 - A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWN OF VIVIAN TO ACQUIRE A SERVITUDE FOR THE SUM OF $4,200.00 FROM JEREMY J.L. AUSTIN-SKIDMORE FOR AVIATION PURPOSES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE VIVIAN AIRPORT (THE FUNDS USED TO PURCHASE THIS SERVITUDE ARE BEING FUNDING THROUGH A GRANT FROM THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION). Motion to adopt Resolution # 3 of 2021 of the Town of Vivian, Louisiana was made by Denise Alexander, second by Raymond Williams; all present approved. 9. THE BOARD OF ALDERMAN WILL CONSIDER THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION # 4 OF 2021 - A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW HANGAR ASSOCIATED WITH LADOTD AVIATION’S OBSTRUCTION REMOVAL PROGRAM AT THE VIVIAN AIRPORT AND THE TOWN’S COMMITTMENT TO IMMEDIATELY BEGINNING THE PROCESS OF CONSTRUCTING THE NEW FACILITIES AND RELOCATING THE EXISTING TENANTS ONCE THE NEW FACILITIES ARE COMPLETED. Motion to adopt Resolution # 4 of 2021 of the Town of Vivian, Louisiana was made by Michael Guthrie, second by James Martin; all present approved. Page 2 of 4 10. PUBLIC HEARING ON ORDINANCE # 750 OF 2020 OF THE TOWN OF VIVIAN, LOUISIANA - AN ORDINANCE TO SET FORTH FEES AND COST FOR NEW WATER METERS AND NEW WATER METER HOOKUPS TO THE TOWN’S WATER SYSTEM. Mayor Festavan opened the public hearing for comments FOR or AGAINST the Ordinance; none were made. He then declared the public hearing closed. 11. THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN WILL CONSIDER THE FINAL ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE # 750 OF 2020 OF THE TOWN OF VIVIAN, LOUISIANA - SEE AGENDA ITEM # 10. Motion to adopt Ordinance # 750 of 2020 of the Town of Vivian, Louisiana was made by James Martin, second by Denise Alexander; all present approved. 12. PUBLIC HEARING OF ORDINANCE NUMBER # 751 OF 2020 OF THE TOWN OF VIVIAN, LOUISIANA - STREETS, SIDEWALKS & OTHER PLACES. Mayor Festavan opened the public hearing for comments FOR or AGAINST the Ordinance; none were made. He then declared the public hearing closed. 13. THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN WILL CONSIDER THE FINAL ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE # 751 OF 2020 OF THE TOWN OF VIVIAN, LOUISIANA - SEE AGENDA ITEM # 12. Motion to adopt Ordinance # 751 of 2020 of the Town of Vivian, Louisiana was made by Michael Guthrie, second by Raymond Williams; all present approved. 14. PUBLIC HEARING ON ORDINANCE # 752 OF 2020 OF THE TOWN OF VIVIAN, LOUISIANA - AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE THE LEASE WITH OPTION TO PURCHASE AND COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH ALLEN’S ELECTRIC MOTOR SERVICE, INC., BEING ORDINANCE TO SALE, LEASE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER WHAT IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS VIVIAN INDUSTRIES (VIP BOATS) PLANT 1 LOCATED AT 680 S. PARDUE, BUILDING, LOUISIANA UNTO ALLEN’S ELECTRIC MOTOR SERVICE, INC. Mayor Festavan opened the public hearing for comments FOR or AGAINST the Ordinance; none were made. The Town Clerk then verified that zero objections, written or otherwise, to Ordinance # 752 had been received prior to the meeting and public hearing. Mayor Festavan then declared the public hearing closed. 15. THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN WILL CONSIDER THE FINAL ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE # 752 OF 2020 OF THE TOWN OF VIVIAN, LOUISIANA - SEE AGENDA ITEM # 14. Motion to adopt Ordinance # 752 of 2020 of the Town of Vivian, Louisiana was made by Denise Alexander, second by Raymond Williams; all present approved. 16. PRESENTATION BY BALAR ASSOCIATES, INC (TOWN’S ENGINEERING FIRM) TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE TOWN’S CURRENT Page 3 of 4 SEWER PROJECT. Mr. Drew Verner, P.E. and Project Manager with Balar Associates was in attendance to give a report, accompanied by a slide show presentation, on the recent smoke test(s) done on some of the Town’s sewer lines. The smoke test(s) determined that there were areas in the system that need attention, and it was also reported that rainwater infiltration plays a large role in the aging system not being able to keep up at times. ZONING/CONDEMNATION REPORT - Zoning/Condemnation Officer Bobby Smith gave a report on the following: 1) a new sign at World Finance on E. Louisiana Ave., 2) 209 McArthur Dr., 3) 1804 N. Pine and possible rezoning at that address, 4) 205, 207 and 209 S. Bird St. concerning the parking of large vehicles, and 5) 220 S. Bird St. concerning a summons issued. CODE ENFORCEMENT REPORT - No report was given. It was reported by Town Attorney Doug Dominick that the date of the first Environmental Court will be Wednesday, February 17 at 5:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Meeting Room. MAYOR’S REPORT - Mayor Festavan gave a report on the following: 1) Monterey Hills Apartments and an email received from project contact David Strange concerning the upcoming work to begin this Spring, and 2) the answer from the Attorney General’s Office and the official Opinion concerning high/low alcohol content sales in the Town. ANNOUNCEMENTS BY BOARD OF ALDERMEN - 1) Denise Alexander reported that the 2021 Louisiana Redbud Festival will not be held this year but there are plans to do several events via Facebook, and 2) Raymond Williams also reported that the 2021 Black History Festival had been canceled this year as well. These decisions were made due to mandated Covid-19 restrictions. ADJOURN - Motion to adjourn was made by Raymond Williams, seconded by Denise Alexander; all present approved. Meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m. ______________________________________ Ronnie Festavan, Mayor ______________________________________ January 19, 2021 Kellie Morris, Town Clerk Page 4 of 4