City Council Meeting Minutes – March 19, 2024

PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON MARCH 19, 2024. The Council of the City of Alexandria, Louisiana, met in a regularly scheduled meeting session in the City Council Chambers, on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 5:00 P.M. Those present were the Honorable Jim Villard, Lizzie Felter, Cynthia Perry, Gary Johnson, Chuck Fowler, REDDEX Washington and Lee Rubin. Also present were City Attorney Jonathan Goins, Michael Caffery and Council Staff. The Council of the City of Alexandria, State of Louisiana was duly convened as the governing authority of said City by the Honorable Jim Villard, who stated that the Council was ready for the transaction of business. The invocation was pronounced by Ms. Felter and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Washington. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On a motion of Mr. Fowler and seconded by Mr. Rubin the minutes taken from a regular Council Meeting held on March 5, 2024 were unanimously approved by the Council.

PRESENTATION

Councilwoman Perry honored Coach Charles Smith, Jr. and the Peabody Boys Basketball Team for winning the Division II State Championship for 2023-2024 Season.

CONSENT CALENDAR

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

Mr. Fowler moved for the introduction of all items appearing under the heading Consent Calendar. Mr. Rubin seconded the motion. It was unanimously carried by the Council. Bids were received for herbicides. Name of Bidders Target Specialty Products VM Distribution Partners Morning Star Industries Pro Pest and Lawn Nutrien AG Solutions Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC Red River Specialties Heritage Landscape Supply Group Ewing Irrigation Products VESERIS

The above bid was referred to the Mayor and appropriate committee for tabulation and recommendation. The following ordinance was introduced by Mr. Fowler and seconded by Mr. Rubin to wit: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ACCEPT THE LOW BID SUBMITTED FOR HERBICIDES AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

Bids were received for construction and maintenance materials. Name of Bidders VanTell, LLC Luhr Brothers, Inc. Argo Max, LLC Maverick Construction, Inc.

The above bid was referred to the Mayor and appropriate committee for tabulation and recommendation. The following ordinance was introduced by Mr. Fowler and seconded by Mr. Rubin to wit: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ACCEPT THE LOW BID SUBMITTED FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE MATERIALS AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

On a motion of Mr. Fowler and seconded by Mr. Rubin the following ordinance was introduced to wit: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE NO. 153-2022 RELATIVE TO BOUNDARIES OF CITY COUNCIL DISTRICTS TWO (2), THREE (3) AND FOUR (4); REITERATING AND REENACTING THE BOUNDARIES IN ORDINANCE NO. 153- 2022 FOR DISTRICTS ONE (1) AND FIVE(5) AND OTHERWISE AMENDING AND REENACTING ARTICLE III OF CHAPTER 2, SECTIONS 2-46 THROUGH 2-50 OF THE ALEXANDRIA CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATIVE TO CITY COUNCIL DISTRICTS; AMENDING, REDISTRICTING AND REAPPORTIONING RELATIVE TO CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO, THREE AND FOUR AND OTHERWISE TO PROVIDE FOR EFFECTIVENESS AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

On a motion of Mr. Fowler and seconded by Mr. Rubin the following ordinance was introduced to wit: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE OFFICE OF THE DISTR ICT ATTORNEY, NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT RELATED TO PROVIDING SERVICES FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, CRIMINAL PROCEDURES, COOPERATIVE ASSISTANCE AND OTHER PUBLIC SERVICES RELATED AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

On a motion of Mr. Fowler and seconded by Mr. Rubin the following ordinance was introduced to wit: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH EVERBRIDGE, INC. FOR A MASS COMMUNICATION MESSAGING PLATFORM AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

RESOLUTIONS

Mr. Fowler moved for the adoption of the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Rubin.

RESOLUTION NO. 0527-2024

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR JANITORIAL CHEMICALS. The President called for any discussion, a vote was called for and resulted as follows:

YEAS: Fowler, Washington, Rubin, Villard, Felter, Perry, Johnson.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: None.

This resolution was thereupon declared adopted on this the 19th day of March, 2024.

Mr. Rubin moved for the adoption of the following resolution, which was seconded by Ms. Felter.

RESOLUTION NO. 0528-2024

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR GAS METERS AND ITRON ERTS. The President called for any discussion, a vote was called for and resulted as follows:

YEAS: Rubin, Villard, Felter, Perry, Johnson, Fowler, Washington.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: None. This resolution was thereupon declared adopted on this the 19th day of March, 2024.

Mr. Rubin moved for the adoption of the following resolution, which was seconded by Ms. Felter.

RESOLUTION NO. 0529-2024

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR OPERATING SUPPLIES FOR THE ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT. The President called for any discussion, a vote was called for and resulted as follows:

YEAS: Rubin, Villard, Felter, Perry, Johnson, Fowler, Washington.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: None.

This resolution was thereupon declared adopted on this the 19th day of March, 2024.

Mr. Fowler moved for the adoption of the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Johnson.

RESOLUTION NO. 0530-2024

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR THE STATEWIDE FLOOD CONTROL/CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AUGUSTA AVENUE/FAIRGROUND MACHINE SHOP FLOOD CONTROL. The President called for any discussion, a vote was called for and resulted as follows:

YEAS: Fowler, Washington, Rubin, Villard, Felter, Perry, Johnson.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: None.

This resolution was thereupon declared adopted on this the 19th day of March, 2024.

Mr. Fowler moved for the adoption of the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Rubin.

RESOLUTION NO. 0531-2024

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR FORMER WEISS AND GOLDRING BUILDING SELECTIVE DEMOLITION AND EXTERIOR ENVELOPE PROTECTIVE MEASURES (PART A). The President called for any discussion, a vote was called for and resulted as follows:

YEAS: Fowler, Washington, Rubin, Villard, Felter, Perry, Johnson.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: None.

This resolution was thereupon declared adopted on this the 19th day of March, 2024.

Mr. Fowler moved for the adoption of the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Rubin.

RESOLUTION NO. 0532-2024

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR SELECTIVE DEMOLITION AND CLEARANCE OF HISTORIC BRINGHURST FIELD. The President called for any discussion, a vote was called for and resulted as follows:

YEAS: Fowler, Washington, Rubin, Villard, Felter, Perry, Johnson.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: None. This resolution was thereupon declared adopted on this the 19th day of March, 2024.

ORDINANCES FOR FINAL ADOPTION

SUBJECT TO A PUBLIC HEARING

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 a motion of Mr. Fowler and seconded by Ms. Felter.

ORDINANCE NO. 32-2024

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ACCEPT THE LOW BID SUBMITTED FOR OPERATING SUPPLIES FOR THE GAS DEPARTMENT AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

The President called for any discussion, a vote was called for and resulted as follows:

YEAS: Fowler, Washington, Rubin, Villard, Felter, Perry, Johnson.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: None.

This ordinance was thereupon declared adopted on this the 19th day of March, 2024.

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 a motion of Mr. Rubin and seconded by Mr. Fowler.

ORDINANCE NO. 33-2024

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ACCEPT THE LOW BID SUBMITTED FOR OPERATING SUPPLIES FOR THE WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

The President called for any discussion, a vote was called for and resulted as follows:

YEAS: Rubin, Villard, Felter, Perry, Johnson, Fowler, Washington.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: None.

This ordinance was thereupon declared adopted on this the 19th day of March, 2024.

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 a motion of Mr. Rubin and seconded by Mr. Fowler.

ORDINANCE NO. 34-2024

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ACCEPT THE LOW BID SUBMITTED FOR CAST/DUCTILE IRON AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

The President called for any discussion, a vote was called for and resulted as follows:

YEAS: Rubin, Villard, Felter, Perry, Johnson, Fowler, Washington.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: None.

This ordinance was thereupon declared adopted on this the 19th day of March, 2024.

Upon request from the Administration and a motion of Mr. Fowler and seconded by Mr. Rubin the following item was delayed for two weeks:

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ACCEPT THE LOW BID SUBMITTED FOR ELECTRIC METERS AND ACCESSORIES AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

Upon request from the Administration and a motion of Mr. Fowler and seconded by Mr. Rubin the following item was delayed for two weeks:

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ACCEPT THE LOW BID SUBMITTED FOR SEWER REPLACEMENT ON MARYE STREET AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

Upon request from the Administration and a motion of Mr. Rubin and seconded by Ms. Felter the following item was delayed for two weeks:

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ACCEPT THE LOW BID SUBMITTED FOR JANITORIAL SUPPLIES AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

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 a motion of Mr. Fowler and seconded by Mr. Rubin. ORDINANCE NO. 35-2024

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO GRANT AGREEMENTS AND SUBSEQUENT AGREEMENTS WITH THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT TO RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDS UNDER THE PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD GRANT AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

The President called for any discussion, a vote was called for and resulted as follows:

YEAS: Fowler, Washington, Rubin, Villard, Felter, Perry, Johnson.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: None.

This ordinance was thereupon declared adopted on this the 19th day of March, 2024.

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 a motion of Mr. Fowler and seconded by Ms. Felter.

ORDINANCE NO. 36-2024

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A

COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH CROSSROAD SOCCER ASSOCIATION AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO.

The President called for any discussion, a vote was called for and resulted as follows:

YEAS: Fowler, Washington, Rubin, Villard, Felter, Perry, Johnson.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: None.

This ordinance was thereupon declared adopted on this the 19th day of March, 2024.

The President announced that the Council received the proposed Annual Budget for 2024-2025 for city operations and capital matters on March 15, 2024 and that a public hearing would be held at the regular Council Meeting on April 16, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. He gave the City Clerk permission to publish a general summary of the proposed budget in the Town Talk .

The President adjourned the meeting at 5:53 p.m.

/S/ James “Jim” Villard President ATTEST: /S/Donna P. Jones City Clerk