MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING-BOARD OF ALDERMEN Monday December 9, 2024

[City Clerk]

CITY OF JEANERETTE JEANERETTE, LA
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING-BOARD OF ALDERMEN Monday December 9, 2024
Proceedings of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Jeanerette, State of Louisiana, at their Regular meeting place held Monday December 9, 2024 at for the Public Hearing/Meeting at 6:30 p.m. The Mayor called the meeting to order and Pastor Helen Durieux of the St. Peter United Methodist church led the prayer, Firefighter Mitch Dubois Sr. 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.
The Mayor asked for a moment of silence to recognize the passing of members of the community especially to note the passing of former Mayor James TK Alexander.
Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr. determined that a quorum was present.
5. Public Comments on items 6-13. There were two comments cards for item 9C, by Darren Charpentier and Clarence Clark
6.A. Approval of Minutes of the Last Regular Meeting November 12, 2024 Motion by Alderman Moore second Alderman Bourgeois voice vote of all yeah, motion carried
B. Approval of Minutes of the Special Meeting November 18, 2024 Motion by Alderman Simmons second Alderman Bourgeois voice vote of all yeah, motion carried
C. Approval of Minutes of the Personnel and Policy Committee Meeting December 3th, 2024 Motion by Alderman Bourgeois second Alderwoman Simmons voice vote of all yeah, motion carried
E. Approval of Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting December 3th, 2024 Motion by Alderman Bourgeois second Alderwoman Simmons voice vote of all yeah, motion carried
F. Approval of Minutes of the Public Works and Safety Meeting December 3th, 2024, 2024 Motion by Alderman Moore second Alderwoman Clay voice vote of all yeah, motion carried.
7.Correspondence by the Mayor-The Mayor stated that tomorrow is the Foodnet food drive to be held at First Church of God in Christ.
8.Announcements by Mayor-The Mayor wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
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. Based on test results the quality of water leaving the plant has improved. They recently performed a city-wide hydrant flush with good results. On the sewer operation, all the lift stations are running at 100% to keep up with the flow from the recent rains.
B. Update of 4th Annual Christmas on the Main Christmas Event Dec 21 by Jeanerette Chamber of Commerce President Rev Wilfred Johnson, President Rev Johnson said they are excited about this event and it is actually the 5th annual. The Christmas on the Main event will be at City Park rather than the Main Street Pavilion. The Parade will line up at 3pm on December 21 and roll starting at 4pm down Main to City Park where the toy giveaway will be held.
C. Discussion of community police protection concerns-The Mayor noted to the audience that they might have seen where the police chief had recently resigned. He then called Darren Charpentier to the podium for public comment. Mr. Charpentier stated that he does not feel like there is police protection, he recently heard 25 shots from his house on Felix Street and he felt like he was back in basic training with all the gunfire. He also said our young people are dying, black and white. Something needs to be done, we need protection. Next speaker was Clarence Clark, Mr. Clark commented that with the police chief resigning, if you look at the stats since 2001 we have had 10 police chiefs and since 2019 we have had 25 police officers. Every night there are shots in the town, what are we going to do? Mr. Clark stated that if we hire a chief and officers and let them do their job we can combat what is going on. He called to start being proactive and not just reactive. Currently we have 4 full-time officers (2 post certified and 2 non-post) and 2 part-time officers (both post certified). He reviewed the budget for both the police and Marshal’s office for a total of $1,200,000. He then stated that three agencies protect our city, police, Marshal and sheriff. He then said maybe we need civil service to allow them to do their jobs. The Mayor then called Marshal Fernest “Pac-Man” Martin to address the group. The Marshal said he has not been informed by the police department if there was a problem, he hears about it from the public. The Marshal then went on to say he has not been asked to help and he was told not to come unless asked. If the Marshal does come in a provide assistance, the AG’s office requires them to be compensated. The Marshal he thinks the way to solve the problem is to work together and be proactive. He emphasized that he needs to be called if his help is needed. The Mayor thanked the Marshal for is support. Alderwoman Clay questioned the Marshal concerning an incident her family experienced. Next, Lieutenant Terrance Moore, who the Mayor announced as his choice for interim Chief, addressed the group and reviewed his background through the police ranks and that he is currently serving as a Chief deputy Marshal in Franklin. He said Chief Vallot called and said he needed help and Mr. Moore came to the department to work as a part-time officer. He did agree that the department is currently operating in a reactive phase and plans to be out in the community and seen and to work with Marshal Martin and the Mayor and Sheriff to address the citizen’s concerns. Alderwoman Simmons asked if there is a way to notify the public on events such as a shooting and for them to anomalously leave tips. Mr. Moore said they have to work to regain trust and keep information given confidential.
D. Discussion of Deep-Rooted Jazz Lounge- The Mayor said that Alderwoman Clay requested this item. Alderwoman Clay reminded the board that the last time Mr. Dean appeared before the group to have a liquor license approved the decision was made to table this item. The Mayor requested that Mr. Hill meet with the Mayor and his staff to update the application and get a time-table when it will be ready to present to the board. Alderwoman Clay wanted Mr. Dean to have answers on a recording and Attorney Pecantte said she spoke to Mr. Dean’s attorney Susan Dorsey about their concerns. The Mayor said this item will reviewed and he will meet with Mr. Dean.
The Mayor then requested to allow the presentation of the Proclations for Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church for their 80th Anniversary and for the 156th Anniversary of St. Peter Methodist Church and asked the representatives to come forward and he read the notice by Senator Robert Allain III.
10. Agenda Items
A.2024 Renewal for General Liability, Auto, LWCC, VFIS Casualty with Coy Duplantis and Gabi MeGee of Brown and Brown. Mr. Duplantis reviewed the updates for lines of coverage since the last meeting. Option 1 was renewing with Chubb for General Liability, Auto Liability-this option has a $175,000 Premium and a $100,00 retention for the General Liability and$150,000 for Auto Liability. It has a minimum earned premium which means if the City wanted to change plans three days into coverage we would owe 25% of the premium. Option 3 with be a new program that will be available hopefully in the first quarter of January and would provide General Liability and auto liability with a much lower retention of $50,000 each. The exact amount of the premium is not yet known. Option 2 is NICO and there is no General Liability Coverage, just Auto Liability and the premium is $250,000, there is no retention but the minimum earned premium is 100%. There was a representative from Professional Claims Management Group, Mr. Glenn Nunemacher who discussed how the financial management of the retention payments would work. Motion by Alderwoman Simmons second Alderman Bourgeois to table this item until a special meeting to be held December 23, 2024 at 3 pm in City Hall. Motion carried with a voice vote of all yea, no nay.
B. Review list of priority homes to be demolished through FY 2025 LCDBG Clearance Program. Introduction by Nick Sonnier of Sellers & Associates. Mr Sonnier said that 705 Baker St. would be added to the list that did not have homeowner approval. Given the timeline, this list is being submitted with the application Mr. Sonnier noted that given the funding available the City should be able to get some funding for this program.
C. Raintree Market Sewer Relocation - Approval of PPE #1 to Southern Construction for $108,759.60, Introduction by Nick Sonnier, Motion by Alderman Bourgeois, second by Alderwoman Clay,. roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
D. Approval of high content liquor license for The Cigarette Store LLC dba Smoke N Go, currently holds Class B-Off premise Consumption Low Content Permit. Introduction by Mr. Tony Martinez, Motion by Alderman Bourgeois, second by Alderwoman Clay roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
F. Waiver of open container Jeanerette Mardi Gras Association for parade on February 23, 2025, Motion by Alderwoman Moore, second by Alderwoman Clay during discussion Alderwoman Simmons asked for the time period that the waiver would cover, after discussion, Alderwoman Simmons amended the motion to include the time of the waiver starting at 11 am and ending at 6 pm on Feb 23, 2025 motion seconded by Alderwoman Moore, roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain Wavier of Oen
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
Motion by Alderwoman Moore, second by Alderwoman Clay to approve the waiver of open container on February 23, 2025 from 11 am to 6 pm,
roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain Wavier of Oen
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
G. Approval of the 2024 Louisiana Financial Compliance Questionnaire Alderwoman Simmons noted that the answers for 42, 43, & 44 should be Yes. Motion by Alderwoman Simmons, second by Alderman Bourgeois roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
H. Approval of Amendment 2 to the Engineering Agreement for the Sewer Project to include monitoring American Iron and Steel and Davis Bacon Act. Introduction by Nick Sonnier Motion by Alderwoman Moore, second by Alderwoman Clay to approve the Amendment #2., roll call vote
Yeas: Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore,
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
11.Proclamations- A. 80th Anniversary of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church. This item was moved earlier after reports.
B. 156th Anniversary St. Peter United Methodist Church This item was moved earlier after reports.
13.Resolutions-
A. Resolution 25 of 2024 Raintree Market Sewer Relocation – Resolution of Acceptance Introduction by Nick Sonnier Motion by Alderwoman Simmons, second by Alderwoman Moore roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
B. Resolution 20 of 2024 to Authorize Mayor to execute Purchase Agreements for the Sewer Treatment Plant Project, Motion by Alderman Bourgeois, second by Alderwoman Clay to Authorize the Mayor to execute the purchase agreements., Alderwoman Simmons had a question regarding the Aaron Micheal Landry parcel. Regarding the wording of buyer and seller, with the noted changes, roll call vote
Yeas: Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore,
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
14. Adjourn-On motion by Alderwoman Moore and second by Alderwoman Clay, the meeting was adjourned.



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



__________/s/____________________
Susan Colden City Clerk