Council Meeting Minutes - 2013-03-05

PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD MARCH 5, 2013.

The Council of the City of Alexandria, Louisiana, met in a regular meeting session at its regular meeting place, on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at 5:00 P.M.  There were present the Honorable Ed Larvadain, III,  Harry B. Silver, James “Jim” Villard, Chuck Fowler, Mitzi LaSalle, Jules Green and Lee Rubin.  Also present were members of the Council staff, the Legal Division, Mayor Jacques Roy, Chief Operating Officer T.W. Thompson and other members of the Administration.

The Council of the City of Alexandria, State of Louisiana, was duly convened as the governing authority of said City by the Honorable Chuck Fowler, who stated that the Council was ready for the transaction of business. The Invocation was pronounced by Councilman Harry B. Silver and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Assistant City Attorney Trey Gist.

CONSENT CALENDAR                                                         

The Council next read all items found under the heading Consent Calendar and assigned them to committees.

Mr. Silver moved for the adoption or introduction of all items appearing under the heading of Consent Calendar.

Mr. Silver moved that the Clerk be instructed to set each consent item out in the minutes separately to reflect the proper movers and votes.

Mr. Villard seconded the motion.  It was unanimously carried by the Council.

On motion of Mr. Silver, seconded by Mr. Villard, the minutes taken from a regular meeting which was held February 19, 2013 was unanimously approved by the Council.

Bids were received for aluminum parking canopy for the Electric Distribution department.

Name of Bidders                                              Bid Amount

T.L. Construction Company                               $33,270.00

Decker Builders                                                $38,464.00

The above bids were referred to the Mayor and appropriate committee for tabulation and recommendation.  The following ordinance was introduced by Mr. Silver, seconded by Mr. Villard, to wit:

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO

ACCEPT THE LOW BID SUBMITTED FOR

ALUMINUM PARKING CANOPY FOR THE ELECTRIC

DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT, AS REFLECTED

BY BIDS RECEIVED AND TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT

FOR SAID CANOPY AND OTHER MATTERS WITH

RESPECT THERETO.

Bids were received for roof replacement and exterior repairs for 2700 Lee Street, the former Handiworks Building.

Name of Bidders         Base Bid                 Alt. #1                  Alt. #2

Industrial Roofing        $404,645               $36,930                 $4,060

James A. Decker         $418,464               $60,000                 $2,000

Terry’s Roofing            $410,000               $63,000                   $5,000

Ace Roofing                 $398,000               $52,000                 $7,500

The above bids were referred to the Mayor and appropriate committee for tabulation and recommendation.  The following ordinance was introduced by Mr. Silver, seconded by Mr. Villard, to wit:

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO

ACCEPT THE LOW BID SUBMITTED FOR

ROOF REPLACEMENT AND EXTERIOR REPAIRS

FOR 2700 LEE STREET, THE FORMER HANDI-

WORKS BUILDING, AS REFLECTED BY BIDS

RECEIVED AND TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT

FOR SAID REPAIRS, AND OTHER MATTERS

WITH RESPECT THERETO.

Bids were received for outdoor electric power center & 15 KV metal clad switchgear for Sterkx Road substation.

Name of Bidders                    Base Bid                       Optional

Central Electric Manuf.          $489,743.00                   No bid

Siemens Industry                  $556,213.00                   No Bid

Pederson Power Products     $558,847.00                   $566,643

Schneider Electric                 $459,000.00                   $508,000

Automation Control                No Bid                           $587,713

The above bids were referred to the Mayor and appropriate committee for tabulation and recommendation.  The following ordinance was introduced by Mr. Silver, seconded by Mr. Villard, to wit:

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO

ACCEPT THE LOW BID SUBMITTED FOR

OUTDOOR ELECTRIC POWER CENTER & 15 KV

METAL CLAD SWITCHGEAR FOR STERKX ROAD

SUBSTATION, AS REFLECTED BY BIDS RECEIVED

AND TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT FOR SAID

SWITCHGEAR, AND OTHER MATTERS WITH

RESPECT THERETO.

The next item on the agenda that being to consider introduction of an ordinance authorizing the Mayor to accept the low bid submitted for water meters for a twelve month period was pulled from the agenda and specifications will be completely revamped with the new digital electric meters.

The next item on the agenda that being to consider introduction of an ordinance authorizing the Mayor to accept the low bid submitted for annual work uniform bid was pulled from the agenda by the Administration.

On motion of Mr. Silver and seconded by Mr. Villard, the following ordinance was introduced:

                   AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO

                   ESTABLISH STANDARD PRACTICES AND

                   PROCEDURES TO CREATE UNIFORMITY,

                   ECONOMY, EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS

                   IN THE PROPER MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTING

                   OF GRANTS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO

                   FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL SOURCES AND

                   OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

                   The above item was referred to the Finance & Legal Affairs committee.

                   On motion of Mr. Silver and seconded by Mr. Villard, the following ordinance was introduced:

                   AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING CHANGE ORDER

                   #3 FOR THE CHILDREN’S AREA BUILDING ROOF

                   REPLACEMENT PROJECT AT THE ALEXANDRIA

                   ZOO AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT

                   THERETO.

                   On motion of Mr. Silver and seconded by Mr. Villard, the following ordinance was introduced:             

                   AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO

                   ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH WALTER “BO”

                   NEELY FOR CONSTRUCTION OBSERVATION

                   AND CONSULTING SERVICES AND OTHER

                   MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

                   On motion of Mr. Silver and seconded by Mr. Villard, the following ordinance was introduced:

                   AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO

                   ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREE-

                   MENT WITH THE RAPIDES PARISH POLICE JURY

                   AND THE RAPIDES GRAVITY DRAINAGE DISTRICT

                   #1 IN ORDER TO OBTAIN CERTAIN GRANT FUNDS

                   OR FINANCING AVAILABLE THROUGH THE STATE

                   OF LOUISIANA AND OTHERWISE PROVIDE

                   RELATIVE TO CONTRACTING, SUPERVISION AND

                   CONSTRUCTION OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE

                   DRAINAGE SYSTEMS WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE

                   JURISDICTIONS AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS

                   AND OTHERWISE TO PROVIDE WITH RESPECT

                   THERETO.

                   On motion of Mr. Silver and seconded by Mr. Villard, the following ordinance was introduced:

                   AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO

                   ACCEPT THE QUOTE RECEIVED FROM RED

                   RIVER GLASS FOR REPLACEMENT VEHICLE

                   WINDSHIELDS AND TEMPERED GLASS AND

                   OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

                   On motion of Mr. Silver and seconded by Mr. Villard, the following ordinance was introduced:

                   AN ORDINANCE DECLARING ONE 138-12.47KV

                   STEP-DOWN SUBSTATION TRANSFORMER

                   AS SURPLUS PROPERTY AND NO LONGER

                   NEEDED BY THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA AND TO   

                   BE SOLD AS SURPLUS TO THE HIGHEST

                   SEALED OFFER RECEIVED AND OTHER MATTERS

                   WITH RESPECT THERETO.

Mr. Silver moved for the adoption of the following resolution which was seconded by Mr. Villard, to wit:

                             RESOLUTION NO.   9165-2013

A RESOLUTION APPOINTING PATRICK WILLIAMS

TO SERVE ON THE ALEXANDRIA FIRE AND

POLICE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD TO REPLACE

CHIEF JIMMY WILLIAMS WHO IS NO LONGER

ELIGIBLE TO SERVE.

The President called for any discussion.  There being no further discussion, a vote was called for and resulted as follows:

YEAS:        Silver, Fowler, LaSalle, Villard, Green, Larvadain, Rubin.

NAYS:        None.

ABSENT:    None.

The resolution was thereupon declared adopted on this the 5^th day of March, 2013.

Mr. Silver moved for the adoption of the following resolution which was seconded by Mr. Villard, to wit:

RESOLUTION NO.   9166-2013

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FILING

OF AN APPLICATION WITH THE FEDERAL

TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION FOR OPERATING,

PLANNING AND PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

ACTIVITIES FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.

The President called for any discussion.  There being no further discussion, a vote was called for and resulted as follows:

YEAS:        Silver, Fowler, LaSalle, Villard, Green, Larvadain, Rubin.

NAYS:        None.

ABSENT:    None.

The resolution was thereupon declared adopted on this the 5^th day of March, 2013.

Mr. Silver moved for the adoption of the following resolution which was seconded by Mr. Villard, to wit:

RESOLUTION NO.   9167-2013

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT

FOR BIDS FOR 2013 BOILER MAINTENANCE

AND REHABILITATION CONTRACT.

The President called for any discussion.  There being no further discussion, a vote was called for and resulted as follows:

YEAS:        Silver, Fowler, LaSalle, Villard, Green, Larvadain, Rubin.

NAYS:        None.

ABSENT:    None.

The resolution was thereupon declared adopted on this the 5^th day of March, 2013.

Mr. Silver moved for the adoption of the following resolution which was seconded by Mr. Villard, to wit:

 RESOLUTION NO.   9168-2013

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT

FOR BIDS FOR WOODDALE OUTFALL AND

RAILROAD AVENUE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS,

PHASE 2.

The President called for any discussion.  There being no further discussion, a vote was called for and resulted as follows:

YEAS:        Silver, Fowler, LaSalle, Villard, Green, Larvadain, Rubin.

NAYS:        None.

ABSENT:    None.

The resolution was thereupon declared adopted on this the 5^th day of March, 2013.

The next item on the agenda that being to consider adoption of a resolution authorizing advertisement for bids for the service of trimming & removal of trees and limbs around high voltage lines was pulled from the agenda by the Administration.

ORDINANCES FOR FINAL ADOPTION

SUBJECT TO PUBLIC HEARING

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. LaSalle and seconded by Mr. Villard, to wit:

                   ORDINANCE NO.    31-2013

                   AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR

                   TO ACCEPT THE LOW BID SUBMITTED FOR

                   CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE MATERIALS,

                   AS REFLECTED BY BIDS RECEIVED AND TO

                   ENTER INTO CONTRACT FOR SAID               

                   The President called for any discussion.  There being no other discussion, a vote was called and the following recorded:

YEAS:        LaSalle, Villard, Green, Larvadain, Rubin, Silver, Fowler.

NAYS:        None.

ABSENT:    None.

The ordinance was thereupon declared adopted on this the 5^th day of March, 2013.

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. Villard and seconded by Ms. LaSalle to wit:

                   ORDINANCE NO.    32-2013

                   AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION

                   OF CHANGE ORDER NO. 2 FOR SCADA SYSTEM

                   ADDITIONS AND UPGRADES FOR THE

                   WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT AND OTHER

                   MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.              

                   The President called for any discussion.  There being no other discussion, a vote was called and the following recorded:

YEAS:        Villard, Green, Larvadain, Rubin, Silver, Fowler, LaSalle.

NAYS:        None.

ABSENT:    None.

The ordinance was thereupon declared adopted on this the 5^th day of March, 2013.

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. Rubin and seconded by Mr. Green to wit:

                                 ORDINANCE NO.    33-2013

                   AN ORDINANCE DECLARING CERTAIN ITEMS,

                   FURNITURE, FIXTURES, EQUIPMENT AND

                   VEHICLES AS SURPLUS PROPERTY AND NO

                   LONGER NEEDED OR USED BY CITY DEPART-

                   MENTS AND TO BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC

                   AUCTION SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY,

                   MARCH 16, 2013.             

                   The President called for any discussion.  There being no other discussion, a vote was called and the following recorded:

YEAS:        Rubin, Silver, Fowler, LaSalle, Villard, Green, Larvadain.

NAYS:        None.

ABSENT:    None.

The ordinance was thereupon declared adopted on this the 5^th day of March, 2013.

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. Villard and seconded by Ms. LaSalle to wit:

                   ORDINANCE NO.    34-2013

                   AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR

                   TO MAYOR TO RENEW THE CONTRACT WITH

                   MILLIMAN, INC., FOR ACTUARIAL SERVICES

                   AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.               

                   The President called for any discussion.  There being no other discussion, a vote was called and the following recorded:

YEAS:        Villard, Green, Larvadain, Rubin, Silver, Fowler, LaSalle.

NAYS:        None.

ABSENT:    None.

The ordinance was thereupon declared adopted on this the 5^th day of March, 2013.

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 Ms. LaSalle and seconded by Mr. Green, to wit:

                   ORDINANCE NO.    35-2013

                   AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR

                   TO RENEW THE CONTRACT WITH FONTENOT

                   BENEFITS & ACTUARIAL CONSULTING (FBAC)

                   FOR ACTUARIAL SERVICES AND OTHER

                   MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

                   The President called for any discussion.  There being no other discussion, a vote was called and the following recorded:

YEAS:        LaSalle, Villard, Green, Larvadain, Rubin, Silver, Fowler.

NAYS:        None.

ABSENT:    None.

The ordinance was thereupon declared adopted on this the 5^th day of March, 2013.

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 Ms. LaSalle  and seconded by Mr. Villard to wit:

                   ORDINANCE NO.    36-2013

                   AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR

                   TO ACCEPT RENEWAL RATES FOR

                   INSURANCE PRODUCTS AND ADMINISTRATIVE

                   SERVICES PROVIDED BY UNITED HEALTHCARE

                   INSURANCE COMPANY AND OTHER MATTERS

                   WITH RESPECT THERETO.

                   The President called for any discussion.  There being no other discussion, a vote was called and the following recorded:

YEAS:        LaSalle, Villard, Green, Larvadain, Rubin, Silver, Fowler.

NAYS:        None.

ABSENT:    None.

The ordinance was thereupon declared adopted on this the 5^th day of March, 2013.

The next item on the agenda that being to consider final adoption of an ordinance authorizing the Mayor to approve the Starfield Technologies, Inc., extended validation Certificate Service Subscriber Agreement for Information Systems department was delayed for two weeks and referred to the Finance and Legal Affairs Committee.

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 Ms. LaSalle  and seconded by Mr. Villard, to wit:

                   ORDINANCE NO.    37-2013

                   AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY COUNCIL

                   ORDINANCE NO. 286-2003 WHICH CREATED

                   THE GREATER ALEXANDRIA ECONOMIC

                   DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (GAEDA) TO

                   PROVIDE THE LEGAL STANDARD FOR WHICH

                   DULY APPOINTED AND CONFIRMED COMMISSIONERS

                   OF GAEDA MAY BE REMOVED AND REPLACED;

                   AND MATTERS RELATED THERETO.

                   The President called for any discussion.  The Finance and legal Affairs committee met and recommended approval of this item.  Ms. LaSalle and Mr. Larvadain asked several questions about this item.  Mr. Chuck Johnson, City Attorney was present to explain this item to the Council.  There was much discussion.  Mr. Brian Coleman with the Alexandria New Weekly was given three minutes to ask questions. 

                   The question was called by Mr. Silver and seconded by Mr. Villard.  There being no further discussion, a vote was called and the following recorded:

YEAS:        Villard, Rubin, Silver, Fowler.

NAYS:        LaSalle, Green, Larvadain.

ABSENT:    None.

The ordinance was thereupon declared adopted on this the 5^th day of March, 2013.

ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION

                   On motion of Ms. LaSalle and seconded by Mr. Villard, the following ordinance was introduced:

                   AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO

                   ENTER INTO A GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE

                   LOUISIANA HOUSING CORPORATION AND

                   OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

                   The above item was referred to the Finance and Legal Affairs committee.               

                   On motion of Mr. Villard and seconded by Ms. LaSalle, the following ordinance was introduced:

                   AN ORDINANCE AMENDING 2012-2013

                   OPERATING BUDGET FOR POSITIONS

                   IN THE UTILITY DIVISION AND OTHER

                   MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

                   The above item was referred to the Finance and Legal Affairs committee.

RESOLUTION

Mr. Villard moved for the adoption of the following resolution which was seconded by Mr. Rubin, to wit:

RESOLUTION NO.   9169-2013

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR

TO SUBMIT THE 2013 ACTION PLAN TO HUD

AND TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS

FOR RELEASE OF HUD’S LETTER OF CREDIT

FOR CDBG AND HOME PROGRAM FUNDS.

The President called for any discussion.  There being no further discussion, a vote was called for and resulted as follows:

YEAS:        Villard, Green, Larvadain, Rubin, Silver, Fowler, LaSalle.

NAYS:        None.

ABSENT:    None.

The resolution was thereupon declared adopted on this the 5^th day of March, 2013.

COMMITTEES

                   There were no reports from the Finance and Legal Affairs, Utility, Personnel/Insurance, Public Safety, Works and Transportation, Economic, Workforce, Planning Development, Community Affairs, Services and Events, Property & Zoning committee and A & E Selection committees.

                   Mr. Larvadain asked if an item could be placed in the Utility committee about complaints of utility meters. 

                   There was an item that was asked to be placed on the agenda by unanimous consent concerning the supporting of the missions and operations of Ft. Polk.  A motion was made by Mr. Villard and seconded by Ms. LaSalle to add the following item on the agenda.  There was no public comment made.  A roll call vote was taken to add the item to the agenda and the roll call was as follows:

YEAS:        Villard, Green, Larvadain, Rubin, Silver, Fowler, LaSalle.

NAYS:        None.

ABSENT:    None.

Mr. Villard moved for the adoption of the following resolution which was seconded by Ms. LaSalle, to wit:

                             RESOLUTION NO.   9170-2013

A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT A MOTION SUPPORTING THE MISSIONS AND OPERATIONS OF FT. POLK AND STRONGLY OPPOSING THE PROPOSED MANPOWER AND MISSION CUTBACKS; REQUESTING THE LOUISIANA CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO STRONGLY OPPOSE PROPOSED CUTBACKS; REQUESTING ALL POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS IN CENTRAL LOUISIANA TO ADOPT AND COMMUNICATE SAME POSITION; REQUESTING THE CENTRAL LOUISIANA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO STRONGLY OPPOSE PROPOSED CUTBACKS; REQUESTING ALL POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS, AGENCIES, ORGANIZATIONS, BUSINESSES AND PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS IN SUPPORT OF FT. POLK AND AGAINST PROPOSED REDUCTIONS TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE LOUISIANA CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION, GOVERNOR, STATE LEGISLATURE AND US. ARMY, THEIR OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED CUTS AND AUTHORIZING THE OFFICERS AND STAFF OF THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO SUPPORT FT. POLK AND THE POSITION OF THE ENGLAND AUTHORITY, AND FOR MATTERS AND ACTIONS RELATED THERETO.

The President called for any discussion.  There being no further discussion, a vote was called for and resulted as follows:

YEAS:        Villard, Green, Larvadain, Rubin, Silver, Fowler, LaSalle.

NAYS:        None.

ABSENT:    None.

The resolution was thereupon declared adopted on this the 5^th day of March, 2013.

                   Mr. Louis Marshall was recognized and he thanked the council for supporting the operations of Ft. Polk.

                   There being no further business to come before the

Council, on motion properly seconded, the meeting was adjourned.

 /S/  CHARLES L. “CHUCK” FOWLER

President    

ATTEST:

/S/  NANCY L. THIELS,

City Clerk