MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING-BOARD OF ALDERMEN Tuesday November 12, 2024

[City Clerk]

CITY OF JEANERETTE JEANERETTE, LA
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING-BOARD OF ALDERMEN Tuesday November 12, 2024
Proceedings of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Jeanerette, State of Louisiana, at their Regular meeting place held Tuesday November 12, 2024 at for the Public Hearing/Meeting at 6:30 p.m. The Mayor called the meeting to order and led the prayer, Alderman Ray Duplechain led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Those present were: Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr. Alderwoman Mariah Clay, Alderwoman Charlene Moore, Alderman Garland Bourgeois, Alderwoman Christia Simmons, Alderman Ray Duplechain City Attorney Lucretia Pecantte and City Clerk Susan Colden.
Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr. determined that a quorum was present.
5. Public Comments on items 6-13. No Comments
6.A. Approval of Minutes of the Last Regular Meeting October 14, 2024 Motion by Alderman Simmons second Alderwoman Moore voice vote of all yeah, motion carried
B. Approval of Minutes of the Special Meeting October 16, 2024 Motion by Alderman Clay second Alderwoman Moore voice vote of all yeah, motion carried
C. Approval of Minutes of the Special Meeting October 22, 2024 Motion by Alderman Clay second Alderwoman Moore voice vote of all yeah, motion carried
D. Approval of Minutes of the Personnel and Policy Committee Meeting November 4th, 2024 Motion by Alderman Simmons second Alderwoman Clay voice vote of all yeah, motion carried
E. Approval of Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting November 4th, 2024 Motion by Alderman Moore second Alderwoman Clay voice vote of all yeah, motion carried
F. Approval of Minutes of the Public Works and Safety Meeting November 4th, 2024 Motion by Alderman Clay second Alderwoman Moore voice vote of all yeah, motion carried.
7.Correspondence by the Mayor-The Mayor wished all the veterans a Happy Veterans Day especially Anderson Clay, Alderman Duplechain and Mayor Bourgeois Jr. who have served. The Mayor also wished the public a happy upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday
8.Announcements by Mayor-The Mayor announced that tomorrow there will be a tour of the new Delta Biofuel facility and on November 15, O’Reilly’s will be opening their doors at the new store in Jeanerette.
9. Reports
A. Update from Statewide Electrical Services on Sewer and Water Operations by Anderson Clay. Mr. Clay reported that the water plant is fully operational and the test results are looking good. Mr. Clay said that the aerators are back online so we are able to oxidate and aeratorate the sewage that is coming into the plant. This will result in better treatment and hopefully better test results. The return sludge pump is getting fitted and then the second clarifier can be used. Alderwoman Moore asked about role of Statewide in regards to samples and test results. Mr. Clay mentioned that Statewide pulls the samples as required by the permit and submits the samples to HohPak that is our lab. They conduct the tests and complete the report for the DMR that is submitted online.
10. Agenda Items
A. 2025 Renewal for BCBS with Stacey Bienvenu of Brown and Brown. Ms Bienvenu reviewed that Blue Cross Blue Shield decided to only request a 2.5% increase to renew the same plan as last year. The portion that the employees pay will increase $1.14. and the cities portion will increase by $14.43 per employee. The premiums paid for life and short-term disability will not change. Motion by Alderman Bourgeois second Alderwoman Clay, Roll Call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
B. 2024 Renewal for General Liability, Auto, LWCC, VFIS Casualty with Coy Duplantis and Gabi MeGee of Brown and Brown. Mr. Duplantis reviewed the lines of coverage for the Fire Department which increased by around $2,000. He then revied the workers compensation which due to claims this increasing by $13,000. The Crime policy is the same and the inland marine rose slightly. The equipment breakdown rose but there are 2 other competitive quotes the council liked. Regarding the pending coverages the commercial property insurance is unknown, the general liability and employee benefits liability is moving. The proposed coverage for general liability employee benefits liability and auto liability caused concern because there would not be a deductible but retention and the cost sharply increased. The city would also be responsible for hiring an attorney and their fees would go against the cost of retention. This made the council question if the coverage is worth it. Auto physical damage is pending and the public officials and employment practices rose slightly and the police Professional liability decrease but the deductible increased. Motion by Bourgeois second Alderwoman Clay to table this item motion carried with a voice vote of all yea, no nay.
C. Review list of priority homes to be demolished through FY 2025 LCDBG Clearance Program. The Mayor announced that the list was not yet complete.
11.Proclamations-A. 80th Anniversary of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church-The Mayor said that representative from the church were unable to attend but there are plans to combine this recognition with the 156th Anniversary of St Peter’s United Methodist Church next month.
12 Ordinances. A. Adopt Ordinance 2024-10A. Water and Sewer Rate Increase. Motion by Alderman Bourgeois and second by Alderwoman Clay to leave regular session and enter public hearing session. Motion carried with a voice vote of all yea, no nay and no abstain. There was an introduction by Todd Vincent, he outlined the process required by the water sector board which included the rate study to fund the water and sewer system, and to fund the debt service if funds were borrowed from DEQ. Alderwoman Simmons said these rates reflect the scenario if we need to borrow the 3.1 million, but if we get the DRA grant for 2 million, we would only need 1.8 million. The response was if you get the grant from DRA you can amend the ordinance. Mr. Todd addressed the how this ordinance was crafted to satisfy the requirements to close the DEQ loan by the end of the year. Alderman Bourgeois felt that the increase wasn’t sufficient in the water side to cover the increased cost of chemicals, he proposed adding $2.50 to the current rates, so for a residential customer the water rate for 2,000 gallons would go from $16.50 to $19.00. Motion by Alderman Bourgeois and Second by Alderwoman Simmons to leave public session and return to regular session, motion carried with a voice vote of all yea, no nay. The four classes of water rates were reviewed to be changed and Attorney Pecantte said they each needed to be amended individually. On motion by Alderman Bourgeois and second by Alderman Duplechain to amend item section 1 Ai to a rate of $19.00 roll call vote
Yeas: Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore Alderwoman Simmons,
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Failed
Alderman Bourgeois rescinded his motion to amend the ordinance second by Alderman Duplechain voice vote of all yea, no nay motion carried.
On motion by Alderwoman Simmons to adopt Ordinance 2024-10A Water and Sewer Rate increase, second by Alderwoman Moore, roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderwoman Simmons,
Nay: Alderman Duplechain
Absent: None
Abstain: Alderman Bourgeois
Motion Carried

13.Resolutions-
A. Resolution 24 of 2024 to authorize submittal of applications for FY 24-25 LGAP/CWEF Programs Introduction by Todd Vincent, Motion by Alderwoman Moore second Alderwoman Simmons Roll Call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
B. Resolution 23 of 2024 granting authority to the Mayor to submit the necessary documents for the2024 Community Development Block Grant for Sewer Projects Introduction by Todd Vincent, Motion by Alderwoman Simmons second Alderwoman Clay Roll Call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
14.Executive Session-Jeanerette Police Department personnel changes, incident reports, Motion by Alderman Bourgeois second Alderwoman Simmons to enter executive session voice vote of all yeah, motion carried, Motion by Alderwoman Simmons second Alderwoman Clay leave executive session and return to regular session voice vote of all yeah, motion carried
14. Adjourn-On motion by Alderman Bourgeois and second by Alderwoman Clay, the meeting was adjourned.



_____________/s/____________________
Carol Bourgeois Jr., Mayor
ATTEST:



___________/s/___________________
Susan Colden City Clerk