Minutes from Meeting Monday November 8, 2021

[City Clerk]

CITY OF JEANERETTE JEANERETTE, LA
MINUTES REGULAR MEETING-BOARD OF ALDERMEN Monday November 8, 2021
Proceedings of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Jeanerette, State of Louisiana, at their regular meeting held Monday November 8, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.
Those present were: Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr., Alderman Clarence Clark, Alderwoman Charlene Moore, Alderman Garland Bourgeois, Alderman Willie Ward and Alderman Louis Lancon, Also present: City Clerk Susan Colden, Treasurer Catherine Roy, Chief Dusty Vallot, and City Attorney Lucretia Pecantte,
Alderman Ward led in prayer and Alderman Lancon led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr. determined that a quorum was present.
The Mayor requested to expand the agenda to add 8E Report from Senator Kennedy’s office by Miss Sarah Dake, regional representative. Motion by Alderman Clark and second by Alderman Lancon roll call vote
Yea: Alderman Lancon, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Ward, Alderman Clark, and Alderwoman Moore
Nay: None
Abstain: None
Absence: None
Motion passed.
The Mayor requested to expand the agenda to add 9E Request for purchase of tractor with side boom Motion by Alderman Clark and second by Alderman Lancon roll call vote
Yea: Alderman Lancon, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Ward, Alderman Clark, and Alderwoman Moore
Nay: None
Abstain: None
Absence: None
Motion passed.
The Mayor requested to expand the agenda to add item, and 11 C. To award bid to Southern Constructors upon FP&C concurrence for Sewer System Rehabilitation (Phase Two). Motion by Alderman Lancon and second by Alderman Clark roll call vote
Yea: Alderman Lancon, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Ward, Alderman Clark, and Alderwoman Moore
Nay: None
Abstain: None
Absence: None
Motion passed.
5. Alderman Bourgeois moved and Alderwoman Moore seconded to approve Minutes of the Last Regular Meeting October 11th, 2021 with all necessary corrections. Motion carried by voice vote of all yea, no abstain and no absent.
6. Correspondence and Announcements by the Mayor. The Mayor expressed the sympathy from the City to the families of the following Citizens that have passed away. Joseph C Hawkins, Rudy Manuel, Etta Lasseigne, Judy Lapeyrouse and, Richard “Chico” Pecantte who was the father of City Attorney Lucretia Pecantte.
7. Announcements The Mayor reminded everyone that Thursday is Veterans Day and to recognize their efforts and to try and attend one of the many ceremonies in the area. Our Fire Department will again be collecting items for Thanksgiving baskets and accepting names for families in need. The Chamber of Commerce is again hosting the annual banquet to recognize various outstanding persons. Also don’t forget to vote on November 13.
8A Report from the Tuesday November 2, 2021 Policy and Personnel Committee Meeting Present-Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr., Susan Colden City Clerk, and Alderman Clarence Clark. The group reviewed a new policy for Vehicle and Fuel Card Use. This policy outlines proper use of City Vehicles and use of Fuel Card. The committee will recommend the board approve this policy. After a brief discussion on various updates to consider the meeting was adjourned.
8B. Report from the Wednesday, November 3, 2021 City of Jeanerette Finance Committee Meeting Present - Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr., Treasurer Catherine Roy, City Clerk Susan Colden, Alderwoman Charlene Moore, Alderman Louis Lancon and Calvin Bodin. Also present John Key from Sellers and Associates, Samuel Sarpong of Daylight Capital Advisors and Stacey Bienvenu with Brown and Brown. John Key reported that there were three contractors that submitted bids for the Sewage Treatment Plant Improvement project. Southern Construction submitted a base bid of $681,538 TyBe Company LLC had a base bid of $857,210 and Volute Inc with a base bid of $894,483. All three companies submitted bids for Alternate 1 which is the demolition and improvements to building and electrical. All companies also submitted bids for Alternate 2 covering the drainage and limestone work at the plant. The bids results will be tabulated and presented to the Board for review. Samuel Sarpong reported that there is a bank that is interested in financing the general obligation bonds at a rate that will save the City money. The Ordinance authorizing the transaction will be introduced at the council meeting. Stacey Bienvenu outlined possible options for the Blue Cross Blue Shield health plans for next year. The current plan raises premiums 5.30% and will cost employees $3.74 more and the City $20.99 more per month. After reviewing options, the committee is recommending a plan that has a slight change in the prescription copays but only has a 0.85% increase so the employees’ portion is only 60 cents more per month. The individual deductible and max out of pocket is the same as last year. Sales Tax revenue is higher and Utility payments are on par with a total of 2011 customers. Cash flow is on projection and LAMP and bank balances are healthy. The committee needs to allocate the excess funds received for CARES ACT and ARPA. The Tax roll is in and should be ready in mid-November. Aged payables are good The P & L is within projections, expenditures and revenues should be at 33%. The City will be able to have customers pay bills by ACH by January. The committee reviewed the request from public works for a tractor with a side boom. State Contract from John Deere is $153,000 and PTI for a Case tractor is $143,263.58. Since State contracts require a purchase and not finance or lease the committee discussed the funding sources, such as from Drainage and 1%. Public works is also requesting purchasing a used Dump Truck that can be used as a high water vehicle and can be used for asphalt and debris. The cost of the truck is $25,000 and the funds could be taken from Fund 27, Street Impr. The group discussed possible ideas for ARPA funds. With no other business to consider, the meeting was adjourned.
8C. Report from the Thursday, November 4, 2021 City of Jeanerette Public Works and Safety Committee Meeting Present-Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr., Alderman Butch Bourgeois, City Clerk Susan Colden, Fire Chief Sherry Landry, Police Chief Dusty Vallot, Wade Tillman, and Public Works Director Howard White. Chief Landry reported 75 calls, 71 in the city and 4 auto aid. On Oct 14th attended a LSU class at St. Mary District 11 and on Oct 18 attended a training at Iberia Parish Training Center. Installed some smoke alarms still has some free alarms available. Began hydrant testing and will also be recording GPS coordinates for each hydrant. Halloween 2021 event was a success. The department is again gathering donations for Thanksgiving Baskets. Contact Chief Landry to nominate a family in need. The department is in real need of volunteers but there are 2 new individuals who have started. Chief Vallot reported of 267 total calls, 1 homicide, 0 burglaries, 0 robberies, 3 reports of gun shots. The evidence vault is organized. A new officer will be starting mid-month and a new part-time dispatcher has been hired. Supervisor Wade Tillman reported drainage work was performed on Doll St., 2 areas were marked for Dottie requests, 6 water leaks were repaired, 14 pot holes were patched, 3 sewer lines were cleared, and 18 streets were cleared of mixed trash. The group discussed imposing a special bulk waste fee on individuals that are causing the trash issues. Ditches were cut and trash bags were changed. The Mayor discussed having our engineer prepare a report on street repair and the group discussed different ideas to use hot mix to overlay streets. The purchase of a used dump truck was discussed and Alderman Bourgeois suggested to look at purchasing a dump trailer instead. Howard White will look into the trailer. With no other business to consider the meeting was adjourned.
8D. Report from Statewide Electric Sewer and Water Operations by Neal Swain The operators are continuing on routine flushing and they are aware that there is some discoloration and are working to address this. The test levels are good it is just discoloration that is an issue. The Mayor just reminded them that we don’t want to regress. There was a discussion about the auto-flushers and the Potassium Permanganate. Neal would like to look at a liquid rather than a granular product. On sewer side new lift station new stations are working well and today the contractor is starting working on station 2, Bayside, for station 7 by King Joseph one pump is in and the second is coming and should be completed in next week to 10 days. Neal also spoke on difficulty to have vendors access the plant with an 18 wheeler because of the road conditions to the plant to get the Chlorine and Sulfur Dioxide. After a discussion on how to upgrade the road, with smaller stone now that we have a base but the base has 3 or 4 bad areas. Everyone agreed that now is the time to fix this road. Side of Burleigh Park might be a better alternative, Alderman Lancon will look into this. Neal will also look into a price for the city to purchase a bypass pump.
8E Report from Senator Kennedy’s office by Miss Sarah Dake, regional representative The Senator wants us to know that Sarah Dake is our contact to help secure funding for items for example that road project or if anyone needs help getting Veterans’ benefits or passports, IRS or Social Security. Any Federal agency that we need assistance from can be helped through case workers in the Senators’ office. The Mayor said that we would be working with them for our census count. Alderman Clark asked about federal grants for air packs, Sarah said they can definitely help with that.
9. Agenda Items
A. Stacey Bienvenu from Brown & Brown for BCBS renewal, Stacey Bienvenu of Brown and Brown, introduced the proposal to the Council, on motion by Alderman Lancon to approve policy 1500L, for the Mayor to sign to renew, effective January 1, 2021 and Lincoln with no changes and will renew at current rate, second by Alderman Clark roll call vote
Yea: Alderman Lancon, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Ward, Alderman Clark, and Alderwoman Moore
Nay: None
Abstain: None
Absence: None
Motion passed.
B. Review the bids received on November 3rd for the sewage plant project. . After a brief introduction by Mr. John Key, of Sellers and Associates LLC, for the project and alternates. There was a discussion for base and Alternative 1 and there was discussion concerning the sewerage plant access road and pumps.
C Approve Policy #31 Vehicle and Fuel Card Use. After motion by Alderman Clark second by Alderman Lancon to approve Policy 31. Roll Call Vote
Yea: Alderman Lancon, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Ward, Alderman Clark, and Alderwoman Moore
Nay: None
Abstain: None
Absence: None
Motion passed.
D. Request for Approval of Liquor license for Deep-Rooted Entertainment LLC by D’Juan Johnson.
After introduction by Cochina Davis, a representative for Deep-Rooted Entertainment LLC, on motion by Alderman Lancon second by Alderman Clark to approve license. Roll Call Vote
Yea: Alderman Lancon, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Ward, Alderman Clark, and Alderwoman Moore
Nay: None
Abstain: None
Absence: None
Motion passed.
E. Request for Approval of Purchase of Tractor with Side Boom.
After comments to use $100,000 from Drainage fund and $45,263 coming from the 1% sales tax fund motion by Alderman Clark second by Alderman Ward to approve purchase from Progressive Tractor of Jeanerette, the Case IH Farmall 110A Tractor with the Alamo 22” Samural Boom Mower. Roll Call Vote
Yea: Alderman Lancon, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Ward, Alderman Clark, and Alderwoman Moore
Nay: None
Abstain: None
Absence: None
Motion passed.
10. Proclamations
11A. Resolution 10 of 2021, Authorization by and between Iberia Parish Government, City of Jeanerette and Hospital Service District No. 1 of Iberia Parish (Jeanerette Rural Health Clinic) After a clarification by Attorney Lucretia Pecantte that the donated property would not include the parcel on Main Street. Motion by Alderman Lancon and second by Alderman Ward to suspend the reading of the Resolution, motion passed with a voice vote of all yeah with no Abstain and no Nay. Motion by Alderman Lancon and second by Alderman Ward to approve the resolution. Roll Call Vote as follows:
Yea: Alderman Lancon, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Ward, Alderman Clark, and Alderwoman Moore
Nay: None
Abstain: None
Absence: None
Motion passed.
B. Resolution 11 of 2021 Resolution Requesting Financial Assistance from the State of Louisiana Under the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Capital Outlay Program for water and sewer. Introduction by John Key of Sellers and Associates LLC, Motion by Alderman Lancon and second by Alderman Bourgeois to suspend the reading of the Resolution, motion passed with a voice vote of all yeah with no Abstain and no Nay. Motion by Alderman Lancon and second by Alderman Clark to approve the resolution. Roll Call Vote as follows:
Yea: Alderman Lancon, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Ward, Alderman Clark, and Alderwoman Moore
Nay: None
Abstain: None
Absence: None
Motion passed.
C. To award bid to Southern Constructors upon FP&C concurrence for Sewer System Rehabilitation (Phase Two) Introduction by John Key of Sellers and Associates LLC, Resolution read by Mayor Bourgeois Jr. Motion by Alderman Lancon and second by Alderman Ward to approve the resolution. Roll Call Vote as follows:
Yea: Alderman Lancon, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Ward, Alderman Clark, and Alderwoman Moore
Nay: None
Abstain: None
Absence: None
Motion passed.
12A. Introduce Ordinance 2021-11A, of Bond Ordinance for General Obligation Refunding Bond, Series 2021
Introduction by Samuel Sarpong a municipal Advisor of Daylight Capital Advisors, Motion by Alderman Lancon and second by Alderman Bourgeois to Introduce the Ordinance, motion passed with a voice vote of all yeah with no Abstain and no Nay.
B. Introduce Ordinance 2021-11B, To Amend and Reenact Section 2-1005 Rules of Procedure (c) (3) Expanding Agenda
Introduction by Lucretia Pecantte, City Attorney, Motion by Alderman Lancon and second by Alderman Ward to Introduce the Ordinance, motion passed with a voice vote of all yeah with no Abstain and no Nay.
13. Adjourn There being no further business to bring before the Board of Aldermen, motion by Alderman Bourgeois and second by Alderman Clark to adjourn the meeting carried with a voice vote of all yea, no abstain and no absent.




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Carol Bourgeois Jr., Mayor
ATTEST:




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Susan Colden City Clerk