City Council Minutes – March 9, 2021

PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON MARCH 9, 2021. The Council of the City of Alexandria, Louisiana, met in a regularly scheduled meeting session at its regular meeting place, on Tuesday , March 9, 2021 at 5:00 P.M. Those present were the Honorable James “Jim” Villard, Chuck Fowler, REDDEX Washington, Gerber Porter, Lee Rubin an d Cynthia Perry. Also present were Mayor Hall, City Attorney Shane Williams, Trey Gist 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 Mr. Fowler and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ms. Perry APPROVAL OF MINUTES On a motion of Mr. Fowler and seconded by Mr. Rubin the minutes taken from a regular Co unc il m eeting held February 23, 2021 were unanimously approved by the Council. SPECIAL ORDERS RESOLUTION Mr. Rubin moved for the adoption of the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Fowler.

RESOLUTION NO. 0141-2021

RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING A VACANCY IN THE UNEXPIRED TERM OF OFFICE FOR THE ALEXANDRIA CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT FOUR AND ISSUING A PROCLAMATION ORDERING A SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL THE VACANCY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ALEXANDRIA HOME RULE CHARTER AND THE ELECTION LAWS OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA AND PROVIDING THAT THE ELECTION DATES SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE STATE ELECTION DATES FOR THE FALL 2021 MUNICIPAL PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTION AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

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

YEAS: Rubin, Perry, Villard, Fowler, Porter, Washington.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: None.

This resolution was thereupon declared adopted on this the 9 th day of March 2021.

RESOLUTION

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

RESOLUTION NO. 0142-2021

RESOLUTION APPOINTING CATHERINE DAVIDSON TO FILL A VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT FOUR FOR THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA CITY COUNCIL AND OTHERWISE TO PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

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

YEAS: Rubin, Perry, Villard, Fowler, Porter, Washington.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: None.

This resolution was thereupon declared adopted on this the 9 th day of March 2021.

CONSENT CALENDAR

The Council next read all items found under the heading Consent Calendar and assigned them to committees. Mr. Rubin moved for the adoption or introduction of all items appearing under the heading of Consent Calendar. Mr. Fowler seconded the motion. It was unanimously carried by the Council. On a motion of Mr. Rubin and seconded by Mr. Fowler the following ordinance was introduced, to wit: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ACCEPT THE LOW BID SUBMITTED FOR OPERATING SUPPLIES FOR WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT AND OTHER MATERS WITH RESPECT THERETO. On a motion of Mr. Rubin and seconded by Mr. Fowler the following ordinance was introduced, to wit: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ACCEPT THE LOW BID SUBMITTED FOR CAST/DUCTILE IRON AND RELATED ACCESSORIES AND OTH ER MATERS WITH RESPECT THERETO. On a motion of Mr. Rubin and seconded by Mr. Fowler the following ordinance was introduced, to wit: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ACCEPT THE LOW BID SUBMITTED FOR CHLORINATION AND DECHLORINATION EQUIPMENT AND OTHER MATERS WITH RESPECT THERETO. On a motion of Mr. Rubin and seconded by Mr. Fowler the following ordinance was introduced, to wit: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT FOR THE EXTENSION OF NATURAL GAS SERVICE WITH OLD TOWN AT RED RIVER, LLC AND OTHER MATERS WITH RESPECT THERETO. On a motion of Mr. Rubin and seconded by Mr. Fowler the following ordinance was introduced, to wit: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT OR CONTRACT WITH ALEXANDRIA DIXIE GIRLS SOFTBALL PROGRAM, INCORPORATED FOR INTERIM USE OF CERTAIN FIELDS AND FACILITIES AT THE ALEXANDRIA YOUTH COMPLEX ON MASONIC DRIVE AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO AND OTHER MATERS WITH RESPECT THERETO. On a motion of Mr. Rubin and seconded by Mr. Fowler the following ordinance was introduced, to wit: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT OR CONTRACT WITH DIXIE YOUTH BASEBALL OF ALEXANDRIA, INCORPORATED FOR INTERIM USE OF CERTAIN FIELDS AND FACILITIES AT THE ALEXANDRIA YOUTH COMPLEX ON MASONIC DRIVE AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO AND OTHER MATERS WITH RESPECT THERETO. On a motion of Mr. Rubin and seconded by Mr. Fowler the following ordinance was introduced, to wit: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT OR CONTRACT WITH ALEXANDRIA LITTLE LEAGUE FOR INTERIM USE OF CERTAIN FIELDS AND FACILITIES AT THE ALEXANDRIA YOUTH COMPLEX ON MASONIC DRIVE AND OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO AND OTHER MATERS WITH RESPECT THERETO. On a motion of Mr. Rubin and seconded by Mr. Fowler the following ordinance was introduced, to wit: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2020-2021 OPERATING BUDGET FOR HUD GRANT ADJUSTMENTS AND OTHER MATERS WITH RESPECT THERETO. RESOLUTIONS Mr. Fowler moved for the adoption of the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Rubin.

RESOLUTION NO. 0143-2021

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: Fowler, Porter, Washington, Rubin, Perry, Villard.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: None.

This resolution was thereupon declared adopted on this the 9 th day of March 2021.

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

RESOLUTION NO. 0144-2021

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, Perry, Villard, Fowler, Porter, Washington.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: None.

This resolution was thereupon declared adopted on this the 9 th day of March 2021.

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

RESOLUTION NO. 0145-2021

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR JANITORIAL CHEMICALS.

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

YEAS: Rubin, Perry, Villard, Fowler, Porter, Washington.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: None.

This resolution was thereupon declared adopted on this the 9 th day of March 2021.

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

RESOLUTION NO. 0146-2021

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR ANNUAL WORK UNIFORMS.

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

YEAS: Perry, Villard, Fowler, Porter, Washington, Rubin.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: None.

This resolution was thereupon declared adopted on this the 9 th day of March 2021.

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

RESOLUTION NO. 0147-2021

RESOLUTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD ON APRIL 6, 2021 TAKING ACTION ON THE COST OF DEMOLITION OF 26 RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES.

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

YEAS: Perry, Villard, Fowler, Porter, Washington, Rubin.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: None.

This resolution was thereupon declared adopted on this the 9 th day of March 2021.

ORDINANCES FOR FINAL ADOPTION

SUBJECT TO PUBLIC HEARING

On 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 STRIPING AND SIGNAGE FOR PUBLIC STREETS AND OTHER PUBLIC PROPERTIES 2021-2022 AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED THERETO.

On 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 SOCCER EQUIPMENT AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED 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 Ms. Perry.

ORDINANCE NO. -2021

AN

ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2020-2021 OPERATING BUDGET FOR LEAD ABATEMENT GRANT AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED THERETO.

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

YEAS: Fowler, Porter, Washington, Rubin, Perry, Villard.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: None.

This ordinance was thereupon declared adopted on this the 9 th day of March 2021.

On a motion of Mr. Fowler and seconded by Ms. Perry the following item was delayed for two weeks: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE ENTITY-STATE AGREEMENT FOR THE MPO ALEXANDRIA BIKE/PEDESTRIAN PLAN IMPLEMENTATION, PHASE 1 (LA 1208-3, US 165 AND LA 28) AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED THERETO.

COMMITTEES

There were no reports from Finance/Legal Affairs Committee, Utility Committee, Public Safety, Works and Transportation Committee, Pro perty and Zoning Committee, Community Affairs, Services and Events Committee and A&E Committee. Personnel/Insurance Committee Chair, Mr. Porter announced that some vaccinations had been lost during the winter storm because of power outages. He asked that people show up to get their second shot and reminded all to practice social distancing. Economic, Workforce and Planning Development Committee Chair, Mr. Rubin asked the Mayor to give a report on debris removal and storm recovery. Mr. Villard asked citizens to not ride four-wheelers on city streets.

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