Council Meeting Minutes (Special Session) - 2010-04-27

PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A SPECIAL MEETING HELD APRIL 27, 2010.

The Council of the City of Alexandria, Louisiana, met in special meeting session at its regular meeting place, on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at 1:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers.

There were present the Honorable Roosevelt L. Johnson, Chuck Fowler, Ed Larvadain, III, Jonathan D. Goins, Everett C. Hobbs, Harry B. Silver and Myron K. Lawson. Also present were Mayor Jacques Roy, 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 Roosevelt L. Johnson, who stated that the Council was ready for the transaction of business. The invocation was pronounced by Councilman Myron K. Lawson with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mr. Joe Page.

FINANCE

The only item on the agenda that being to consider final adoption of an ordinance adopting the operating budget for the City of Alexandria for fiscal year 2010-2011; 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 2010-2011; appropriating funds for the capital budget for the City of Alexandria for fiscal year 2010-2011 and providing for capital expenditures; and other matters with respect to appropriations and the expenditure of funds pertaining thereto was next discussed.

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. Fowler and seconded by Mr. Goins, to wit:

ORDINANCE NO. 120-2010

AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010/2011; 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 2010/2011; APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE CAPITAL BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010/2011 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. Mr. Johnson turned the meeting over to Mr. Hobbs, Chairman of the Finance committee. He stated that he would allow only those persons that have not already spoken on the budget to address the Council and they would be allowed two minutes to speak.

The Mayor was first recognized. He spoke on this item and next allowed David Crutchfield, Director of Finance to explain several issues to the Council.

Next, several council members were allowed to discuss and ask questions on this item. Councilman Larvadain had several questions to ask Mr. Crutchfield which led to more discussion.

Mr. Hobbs asked Mr. Trey Gist to read an amendment, as recommended by the Finance committee to be added to the budget ordinance. It was moved by Mr. Fowler and seconded by Mr. Silver. There was more discussion on this item.

Mr. Hobbs next recognized the people that signed up to speak. They were as follows: Gayle Underwood, Patrick Searcy and Miss Daisy Dempsey.

Mr. Goins made a motion to restore SAGE back into the budget. There was no second made.

Mr. Lawson made a motion which was seconded by Mr. Larvadain to cut 15% from the City Council budget, City Hall Administration budget, Contract Labor & etc., and to add the savings back into the Public Works budget. After some further discussion, Mr. Lawson withdrew his motion and second.

Ms. Vonn Jennings was recognized and spoke and had several questions.

After some further discussion on the amendment it was noted that a Budget Review Committee would be set up with the following members: Finance Committee Chairman, District 3 Councilman, Vice President of the City Council, Finance Director and Community Services Director. It was decided that this committee would meet by May 18^th.

There being no other discussion, a vote was called and the following recorded:

YEAS: Fowler, Larvadain, Goins, Lawson, Hobbs, Johnson, Silver.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: None.

The ordinance was thereupon declared adopted on this the 27^th day of April, 2010.

There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned.

/S/ ROOSEVELT L. JOHNSON PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

/S/ NANCY L. THIELS

CITY CLERK