Council Meeting Minutes (Special Session) - 2009-04-14

PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A SPECIAL MEETING HELD APRIL 14, 2009.

The Council of the City of Alexandria, Louisiana, met in special meeting session at its regular meeting place, on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 8:30 A.M. There were present the Honorable Everett C. Hobbs, Ed Larvadain, III, Chuck Fowler, Harry B. Silver, Roosevelt Johnson, Myron K. Lawson and Jonathan D. Goins. Also present were Finance Director David Crutchfield, Assistant City Attorney Trey Gist and City Clerk Nancy L. Thiels.

The Council of the City of Alexandria, State of Louisiana, was duly convened as the governing authority of said City by the Honorable Myron K. Lawson, who stated that the Council was ready for the transaction of business.

The following ordinance which was previously introduced and laid over for publication of notice and no objection having been filed there to was brought up for final adoption on motion of Mr. Goins and seconded by Mr. Fowler, to wit:
ORDINANCE NO. 81-2009

AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE OPERATING
BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2009/2010; TO MAKE
APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE ORDINARY
EXPENSES OF ALL CITY DIVISIONS,
DEPARTMENTS, OFFICES AND AGENCIES,
PENSIONS AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH
RESPECT TO THE EXPENDITURES OF
APPROPRIATIONS; ADOPTING THE CAPITAL
BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2009/2010; APPROPRIATING FUNDS
FOR THE CAPITAL BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF
ALEXANDRIA FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009/2010 AND
PROVIDING FOR CAPITAL EXPENDITURES; 
AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT TO 
APPROPRIATIONS AND THE EXPENDITURE OF
FUNDS PERTAINING THERETO.

The President called for any discussion. He recognized the following people who signed up to speak. They are as follows:

1) Ms. Zina Ford with the Alexandria Mardi Gras Association.
2) Ms. Amy Robertson with the Kent House.
3) Mr. Daniel Broussard, Attorney for the Alexandria Police Officers Association, Local 833.
4) Ms. Gayle Underwood.
5) Mr. Larry Trowel, a volunteer with Cenla Pride.
6) Ms. Winnie Marshall with the Bolton Avenue Neighborhood Group.
7) Dr. David Holcombe, Regional Administrator with the Office of Public Health.

Mr. David Crutchfield, Finance Director was next recognized. He brought up to the Council a new amendment for the budget which included a 10% cut to all Non-governmental organizations, he would add $40,000 in litter reduction and $25,000 to the sanitation fund for a program for senior citizens for garbage bags.

A motion was made by Mr. Fowler, seconded by Mr. Silver, to approve the amendment.

Mr. Goins asked that the increase that he requested for the Mardi Gras Association be delayed at this time.

Mr. Crutchfield stated that this budget will not include the base pay increase but will include the step increase for the police and fire departments. He also stated that $4,390,000 will be taken out of fund balance to balance the budget.

Discussion was held at this time among the council members. After further discussion, a vote was called for on the amendment which resulted as follows:

YEAS: Fowler, Larvadain, Goins, Silver, Hobbs, Lawson, Johnson.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.

A vote was called on the original motion, as amended, which resulted as follows:

YEAS: Goins, Silver, Hobbs, Lawson, Johnson, Fowler, Larvadain.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.

The ordinance was thereupon declared adopted on this the 14th day of April, 2009.

There being no further business to come before the Council, on motion properly seconded, the meeting was adjourned.




/S/ MYRON K. LAWSON
President

ATTEST:

/S/ NANCY L. THIELS
City Clerk

3