Council Meeting Minutes - 2014-04-01

PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON APRIL 1, 2014.

         The Council of the City of Alexandria, Louisiana, met in a regular meeting session at its regular meeting place, on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at 5:00 P.M.  There were present the Honorable Charles “Chuck”  Fowler, Mitzi LaSalle, Jim Villard, Jules Green, Ed Larvadain, Lee Rubin and Harry Silver.   Also present were the Administration Staff, City Attorney Charles “Chuck” Johnson, and Chief of Staff Joe Page, Council staff and Assistant City Attorney Trey Gist.

         The Council of the City of Alexandria, State of Louisiana, was duly convened as the governing authority of said City by the Honorable Charles “Chuck” Fowler, who stated that the Council was ready for the transaction of business.  The Invocation was pronounced Dr. Williams and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Harry Silver.

The President recognizes Daniel Williams, the Director of Community Services to introduce the members of Start A Heart Cenla.  David from Acadian Ambulance Services gave instruction to the City Council on how to do hands only CPR.

The President next recognizes the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Alexandria Alumnae Chapter.  Detra Gaulden, the President of the Delta Sigma Theta gave a presentation in reference to the Delta Sigma Theta   programs for the year 2014-2015.

G. Executive Session to be held Pursuant to R.S. 42:6.1 (A) (2) on the following items:

(a)          To hear from the City Attorney regarding litigation strategy and settlement negotiations in the matter entitled “Debra Sherman et al v. The City of Alexandria et al, docket #247, 602 in the Ninth Judicial District Court, Parish of Rapides.”

(b)         To hear from the City Attorney regarding litigation strategy in the matter entitled City of Alexandria V. Cleco Corporation (claim of Craig Davidson)  1:05-cv-01121-DDD-CMH in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.”

It was moved by Mr. Silver and seconded by Ms. LaSalle to go into Executive Session.  The President asked for a roll call. The following vote was taken and resulted as follows:

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

NAYS:  None

ABSENT:  None.

The meeting was called back to order by President Charles “Chuck Fowler with a motion made by Mr. Silver and seconded by Mr. LaSalle to come out of executive session.  The following vote was taken and resulted as follows:

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

NAYS:  None

ABSENT:  None

 Approval of Minutes

         On motion of Mr. Rubin and seconded by Mr. Villard the minutes taken from a regular council meeting held on March 18, 2014, was unanimously approved by the Council.

CONSENT CALENDAR

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

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

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

         Bids were received for Links on the Bayou Golf Course Waterproofing Improvements.

Name of Bidders                    Amount of bid                      

D’Argent                              $130,171.00

Petron, LLC                          $236,000.00

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

 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ACCEPT THE LOW BID SUBMITTED FOR LINKS ON THE BAYOU GOLF COURSE WATERPROOFING IMPROVEMENTS AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

         Bids were received for construction and maintenance materials to be used by various City Department.

Name of bidder

Luhr Bros Inc.

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

 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ACCEPT THE LOW BID SUBMITTED FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE MATERIALS TO BE USED BY VARIOUS CITY DEPARTMENT AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

         Bids were received for Janitorial Chemicals for used by various City departments.

Name of bidder

Sayes Office

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

 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ACCEPT THE LOW BID SUBMITTED FOR JANITORIAL CHEMICALS FOR USED BY VARIOUS CITY DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

         Bids were received for operating supplies for the Electric Distribution department.

Name of bidder

Stuart C. Irby

Techline, Inc.

Wesco Distribution

Arkansas Elect.

Gresco

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

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ACCEPT THE LOW BID SUBMITTED FOR OPERATING SUPPLIES FOR THE ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT.

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

RESOLUTION NO. 9285-2014

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RE-ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR SPUN PRE-STRESSED WOOD POLE EQUIVALENT CONCRETE POLES FOR USE BY ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENTS.

     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 1^st day of April, 2014.

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

     AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO RENEW THE EXISTING CONTRACT WITH CHAIN ELECTRIC COMPANY FOR UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC CONSTRUCTION UNIT PRICING AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

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

AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014/2015; 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 2014/2015; APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE CAPITAL BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014/2015 AND PROVIDING FOR CAPITAL EXPENDITURES; AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT TO APPROPRIATIONS, AND THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS PERTAINING THERETO.

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

AN ORDINANCE TO ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY ATTORNEY TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY ATTORNEY TO ENTER INTO A COMPROMISE AND SETTLEMENT AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS OF THE RISK MANAGEMENT FUND OF THE CITY TO BE USED FOR PAYMENT OF A CERTAIN SUM TOWARDS THE COMPROMISE AND SETTLEMENT OF THE CLAIM AGAINST THE CITY TO BE USED TO PAY TOWARDS THE SETTLEMENT IN THE SUIT ENTITLE “DEBRA SHERMAN ET AL V. THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA ET AL, DOCKET #247,602 IN THE NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, PARISH OF RAPIDES AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.”

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

RESOLUTION NO. 9283-2014

A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING DAVID CRUTCHFIELD AS THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE.

         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

This Resolution was thereupon declared adopted on this the 1^st day of April, 2014.

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

RESOLUTION NO. 9284-2014

A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING LISA HARRIS AS THE DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES.

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

This resolution was thereupon declared adopted on this the 1^st day of April, 2014.

ORDINANCES FOR FINAL ADOPTION

SUBJECT TO A PUBLIC HEARING

The next item on the agenda that being to consider final adoption of an ordinance authorizing the Mayor to accept the low bid submitted for a 138KV gas circuit breaker for D. G. Hunter Generating Station was delayed for two weeks.

The next item on the agenda that being to consider final adoption of an ordinance authorizing the Mayor to accept the low bid submitted for operating chemicals for the Wastewater department was delayed for two weeks.

 The next item on the agenda to consider final adoption of an ordinance authorizing the Mayor to accept the low bids submitted for electric meters and accessories for the Electric Distribution department was delayed for two weeks.

The next item on the agenda to consider final of an ordinance authorizing the Mayor to accept the low bid submitted for material procurement of laminated wood beams, timber poles and miscellaneous lumber for use in the construction of a safety baffle system for the Alexandria Police department’s firing range the Administration requested that this item be removed from the agenda

The next item on the agenda to consider final adoption of an ordinance authorizing the Mayor to accept the lowest proposal for the household hazardous waste transporting, disposal and reclamation service was delayed for two weeks.  Mr. Rubin asked the Administration why the lowest bid was not accepted.

The following ordinance which was previously introduced and laid over for publication of notice and no objection having been filed thereto was brought up for final adoption on motion of Ms. LaSalle, and seconded by Mr. Villard.

ORDINANCE NO. 62-2014

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO RENEW THE EXISTING CONTRACT FOR ANNUAL INSPECT, TEST AND CERTIFICATION OF BREAKERS/TRANSFORMERS AT THE POWER PLANT AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

The President called for any discussion, a vote was called for 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 1^st day of April, 2014.

The following ordinance which was previously introduced and laid over for publication of notice and no objection having been filed thereto was brought up for final adoption on motion of Mr. Villard, and seconded by Mr. Silver.

ORDINANCE NO. 63-2014

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE CHANGE ORDER #1 WITH CHAIN ELECTRIC FOR BAYOU RAPIDES TO PRESCOTT 138KV RECONDUCTOR AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

The President called for any 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 1^st day of April, 2014.

The following ordinance which was previously introduced and laid over for publication of notice and no objection having been filed thereto was brought up for final adoption on motion of Ms. LaSalle, and seconded by Mr. Green.

ORDINANCE NO. 64-2014

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO AMEND THE 2013-2014 CAPITAL BUDGET FOR ANIMAL SHELTER IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

The President called for any discussion, a vote was called and the following recorded:

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

NAYS:  None

ABSENT:  None

The ordinance was thereupon declared adopted on this the 1^st day of April, 2014.

1. K.  PUBLIC HEARING

To continue public hearing concerning condemnation of one structure located at:

1846 Harris Street        Ellis & Rhoad, LLC

This item was delayed for two weeks.

1. L.   COMMITTEES

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

The President made announcement concerning the Public Hearing for tax millage for May 13, 2014 and for Ms. Jones to send the Public Notice to the newspaper.

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

                                             /S/ CHARLES ”CHUCK” FOWLER, JR.

/S/ NANCY L. THIELS

CITY CLERK