Council Meeting Minutes (Special Session) - 2008-03-05

PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A SPECIAL MEETING HELD MARCH 5, 2008.

The Council of the City of Alexandria, Louisiana, met in special meeting session at its regular meeting place, on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at 11:30 A.M. There were present the Honorable Everett C. Hobbs, Roosevelt L. Johnson, Chuck Fowler, Myron K. Lawson, Harry B. Silver and Louis Marshall. Absent was Charles F. Smith, Jr. Also present were Mayor Jacques M. Roy, Chief Operating Officer Kay Michiels, City Attorney Chuck Johnson 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 Louis J. Marshall, who stated that the Council was ready for the transaction of business.

The Clerk was first recognized after the roll call was taken. A statement was read into the minutes which was given to her by Councilman Smith which read as follows: “The Sheriff’s Office is in a transition period and he did not receive the notice until Monday”.

The Clerk read the item on the agenda which was to consider adoption of a resolution to consider endorsing a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district from the O.K. Allen Bridge to Willow Glen River Road. There was a motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Lawson to discuss the above item.

Representative Herbert Dixon from District 26 of the House of Representatives was present to speak on this item. There was much discussion.

Mr. Jay Lynch, Architect with Barron, Heinberg & Brocato Architect & Engineering firm was asked to present a Plan for Action for the downtown development district. Mr. Clifford Moeller with the GAEDA Board was also present to speak on this item.

After the presentation, discussion continued on Mr. Dixon’s item.

A substitute motion was made by Mr. Lawson and seconded by Mr. Hobbs to move forward with the resolution which was presented by Mr. Dixon. Mr. Lawson read the resolution into the record and the following action was taken. (It was determined that due to a conflict, Mr. Marshall would have to abstain from voting, therefore Mr. Lawson took over the meeting as acting President, so the following action was taken) 
Mr. Johnson moved for the adoption of the following resolution which was seconded by Mr. Lawson, to wit:

RESOLUTION NO. 8361-2008

WHEREAS, the development of the area adjacent to and within the proximity of the Red River in the City of Alexandria would provide tremendous economic benefits to the citizens of our City, Parish and Region; and,

WHEREAS, the Alexandria Central Economic Development District, under the leadership of Jeff Hall and its consultants, has produced a clear and concise vision for the development and growth of the riverfront area; and,

WHEREAS, the implementation of a properly funded, action plan for the development and growth of the riverfront area would,

Create hundreds of construction jobs and millions
Of dollars in construction-related expenditures;

Create hundreds, and eventually, thousands of full-time and part-time jobs which would generate millions of dollars in wages and salaries to local and parish residents;

Induce private developers, entrepreneurs and established
Companies to engage in business activities within the
Riverfront area further stimulating the local and parish
Economies and sparking a widespread revitalization of
the riverfront area.

WHEREAS, Representative Herbert Dixon has recognized the efforts of the ACEDD board; acknowledged the clear and concise vision laid out for the development and growth of the riverfront area; and, understood the need to initiate legislation in the upcoming 2008 regular session of the Louisiana State Legislature to expedite the process; and,

WHEREAS, Representative Herbert Dixon has issued a call to all stakeholders-elected officials, civic leaders and private citizens-to get involved in providing input into the proposed legislation and has conducted and intends to continue to conduct conversations and meetings with all stakeholders over the remaining days before the start of the upcoming regular session and his formal introduction of the proposed legislation; and,

WHEREAS, it is time for all stakeholders in the City of Alexandria to work together for the common good; now therefore

BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Alexandria, Louisiana, in legal session convened, that:

1. Expresses its deep-felt gratitude to Representative
Herbert Dixon for recognizing, acknowledging and
Supporting the efforts of the ACEDD board and its consultants in their effort to provide a vision for the economic development of one of the City of Alexandria’s main assets-the Red River,

2. Expresses its strong support in his efforts to introduce legislation in the upcoming 2008 regular session of the Louisiana State Legislature that provides for the mechanism and funding to make the vision for the economic development of the riverfront a reality;

3. Endorses his call to all stakeholders-elected officials, civil leaders and private citizens-to get involved in providing input into the proposed legislation prior to the formal introduction to the legislature;

4. Urges Mayor Jacques Roy, State Senator Joe McPherson, Representative Chris Roy, Jr. and Representative Chris Hazel be united in support of Representative Herbert Dixon’s legislative agenda in this matter.

5. Urges Governor Bobby Jindal, Senate President Joel Chiasson, Speaker of The House Jim Tucker and other state senators and representatives to unite in support of Representative Herbert Dixon’s legislative agenda in this matter.

6. Urges area governmental entities, civic organizations and associations, and private citizens to adopt resolutions and letters in support of Representative Herbert Dixon’s efforts and forward same to our state legislative delegation.

BE IT RESOLVED that the City Clerk is authorized and directed to forward with due haste to all named parties herein and to the public, a copy of this resolution.

The President called for any further discussion. There was no further discussion. This resolution having been submitted in writing, was then submitted to a final vote as a whole, the vote thereon being as follows:

YEAS: Johnson, Silver, Hobbs, Lawson.

NAYS: Fowler.

ABSENT: Smith.

ABSTAIN: Marshall.
The resolution was thereupon declared adopted on this the 5th day of March, 2008.

Ms. Gayle Underwood, a citizen in the audience was recognized to speak on several issues.

The President asked for any other business, there being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned.

_________________________
PRESIDENT
ATTEST:

_________________________
CITY 
CLERK

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