CITY OF JEANERETTE JEANERETTE, LA
MINUTES REGULAR MEETING-BOARD OF ALDERMEN Monday November 14, 2022
Proceedings of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Jeanerette, State of Louisiana, at their Regular meeting held Monday November 14, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.
Those present were: Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr., Alderman Clarence Clark, Alderwoman Charlene Moore, Alderman Garland Bourgeois, Alderman Ray Duplechain and Alderman Willie Ward. Also present: City Clerk Susan Colden, and Treasurer Liz Verdun and Police Chief Vallot., Public Works Director Howard White and Fire Chief Sherry Landry
Alderman Willie Ward led in prayer and Alderman Duplechain led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr. determined that a quorum was present.
The Mayor requested to expand the agenda for authorization to advertise for bids for 2021 LCDBG Love Louisiana Outdoors Program. Motion by Alderman Ward and second by Alderwoman Moore, roll call vote
Yeas: Alderman Clark, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Ward
Nay: Alderman Duplechain
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Failed
5.Approval of Minutes of the Last Regular Meeting on October 10th Regular Meeting - Alderman Bourgeois moved and Alderman Clark seconded to approve Minutes of the Last Regular Meeting on October 10th, Motion carried by voice vote of all yea, no abstain.
Approval of the Minutes for the Last Special Meeting on October 24th Special Meeting Alderman Clark moved and Alderwoman Moore seconded to approve Minutes of the Last Special Meeting on October 24rd, Motion carried by voice vote of all yea, no abstain.
6. Correspondence by Mayor-2023-2024 Capital outlay request was submitted and Representative Miguez and Senator Allain have submitted their letters of support as well as our new Representative Marcus Bryant. The Office of Community Development received and reviewed our environmental record and has no comment at this time. Regarding economic development, an auto parts dealer is looking at possibly opening a store in Jeanerette. Mr. Minvielle has submitted 22-23 LGAP for $35,000 and CWEF for $50,000. Our auditor’s will be coming in for field work and there may need to be a request for an extension to complete the work beyond the December deadline.
7. Announcements by Mayor. The Mayor recognized Mr. Craig Mathews and Freddia Ruffin-Robertson from SMILE Community Action Partnership to discuss the LIWHAP water assistance program. Mr. Mathew’s stated that the State has granted SMILE another program that that helps residents with utility bills through CLECO. Because the burden that some people have experienced trying to pay their water bills, the LIWHAP program is available to help. SMILE will qualify the customer’s and will pay their bills to the City directly. Customer’s need to apply with SMILE to qualify for the program. Next, the Mayor reminded everyone of the community Thanksgiving dinner on November 17th 10:30-1 pm at Ward 8.
8. A. Report from the Wednesday, November 9, 2022 Finance Committee Present - Present - Alderwoman Charlene Moore, Alderman Ray Duplechain, Treasurer Liz Verdun and City Clerk Susan Colden. Also present, Stacey Bienvenu and John Caro from Brown & Brown. John Caro reported that our effective dates for the insurance for all policies are in January of 2023. Based on preliminary information the property, causality, physical damage and auto may have 7-15% increase. Travelers may be interested being the insurance carrier again for the City again and now can insure auto physical damage and liability. VFIS will have a standard increase and LWCC may have an increase but the City should have a dividend around April of next year. John will have more details for the December meeting. Stacey said that our current plan with BCBS will have a 19.90% increase. She outlined various options to keep premiums and coverage affordable for the employees and City. The committee will be evaluating having 2 options available for employees to choose from. Stacey will have more information on the possible options available for the December meeting. Open enrollment is in January. Utility payments are on par with a total of 1962 customers and 69 customers are now using bank draft to pay. Collection of Utility payments is good. Sales tax is slightly lower than last year but higher than last month. Bank balances are good. Cash Flow Projections was reviewed and it was noted September and October transfers from 1% was not yet needed. The payables are inline. The P & L for period ending 11/09/2022 was available and % used should be at or under 30%. The committee reviewed the P & L and noted a few areas that might need to be amended, the department heads will be given their P & L’s for review and input as well as the insurance increases need to be in the budget amendment for December’s meeting. The franchise fees are above budget, and the other income from the sale of the properties and vehicles also needs to be reflected in the budget. With no other business to consider, the meeting was adjourned.
B. Report from the Wednesday, November 9, 2022 Policy and Personnel Committee Meeting The Committee did not hold it’s monthly meeting, the Mayor and Alderman were absent and the finance committee meeting extended until the public work and safety committee. The Personnel Committee can be at 12:00 and Finance will start at 12:30, 2:00 pm Public Works
C. Report from the November 9, 2022 City of Jeanerette Public Works and Safety Committee Meeting Report from the Wednesday November 9, 2022 City of Jeanerette Public Works and Safety Committee Meeting Present- Alderman Butch Bourgeois, Alderman Poochie Ward, City Clerk Susan Colden, Chief Dusty Vallot, Public Works Director Howard White Public Works Supervisor Wade Tillman, Chief Landry, and Treasurer Liz Verdun. Chief Landry still on light duty and is advertising for someone to take the weekend night shifts now that Joe Vasquez has resigned. The department is gathering donations for their annual Thanksgiving baskets, they have a goal of 20 baskets this year. Donations can be dropped off at the fire station and nominations for families can be sent through the department’s Facebook page. There was an LSU training hosted by St Mary D11. They also participated in national night out at St. Mary Civic Center, breast cancer awareness parade, homecoming parade, truck or treat at both St Charles elementary and Ward 8. The Department recorded in 69 calls, 60 in the city and 9 auto aid. Chief Vallot reported 193 total calls 27 citations issued, 14 misdemeanors arrests, 6 felony arrests. Supervisor Tillman reported that Public Works department had 15 Dottie markings, replaced 2 signs repaired 11 potholes, one drainage area, and 7 sewer backups and 4 water leaks were repaired. Trees were trimmed in 5 areas and grass was cut in 20 areas. With no other business to consider the meeting was adjourned.
D. Statewide Electric on Sewer and Water Operations-Neal Swain. On water side, on November 4 there was a City wide flush of 215 hydrants over 52 hours. Each hydrant was flushed until clear. Performed a simulated phase loss at the water plant to sort out issues with the generator. Samples have been good, lots of contractors have been coming through with the upcoming projects. On the tagging of meters, green tags are good, the bad hydrants have a red tag-about 50. On sewer side, the sewer project 3 of 4 aerators are working 99% of electrical is complete, the foundation for the generator is poured, the drying beds may be complete. Mr. Swain met with the electrical engineer for main station to come up with a ventilation plan for the panel to protect the soft starts, and the delay transducer is also finally worked out. Mr. Swain did remind the council that if some equipment is new or under construction Statewide does not use the equipment until told it is operational. Alderwoman Moore asked about the entracocci samples and Mr. Swain explained that it is required testing twice a week May through October which is more stringent than other systems. The Mayor asked Mr. Swain to look into how to reduce the frequency. The motor for King Joseph station has been repaired, set and just needs to be wired in. The motor starter and new breakers have been changed Mr. Swain said they will rewire and add a surge protector.
9.Agenda Items A. Approval of PPE #5 for Sewer System Rehabilitation (Phase Two) Sellers Job No. 8227-15, To Southern Constructors, Project 66.51% complete, amount due this estimate $79,097.00- Mr. Sellers first addressed the permit and said they will see if the extra testing is still required. Mr. Sellers then reviewed and noted that a few items were outside of the original contract such as aeration, three of the aerators are working and one clarifier. The chlorine contact chamber was not touched in this project, just new water lines-but the system was not changed. A lot of the parts for the building are on back-order. But the City was told they need to operate the plant through the project. There is one more component to be added to the drying beds before they can be used-in the next two weeks they should be operational. The level of sand in the drying beds was less than originally anticipated so instead of the 4 drying beds they are switching to 3 beds so they can have 12 inches of sand in the bed. Mr. Swain will just have to treat the old bed with poison to kill any vegetation.
Motion by Alderman Duplechain and second by Alderman Clark, to approve - roll call vote
Yeas: Alderman Clark, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Duplechain, Alderman Ward
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
B. Approval of bids for the Water System Upgrade, Water Treatment Plant Phase #1, New Valves, piping, and painting
Motion by Alderman Ward and second by Alderwoman Moore, to approve - roll call vote
Yeas: Alderman Clark, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Duplechain, Alderman Ward
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
C. Approval of bids for the Water System Upgrade, Water Treatment Plant Phase #1, Painting the elevated tower
Motion by Alderman Ward and second by Alderman Clark, to approve - roll call vote
Yeas: Alderman Clark, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Duplechain, Alderman Ward
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
D. Request for authorization to advertise for bids for the Phase 2 Water Sector Project
Motion by Alderman Clark and second by Alderwoman Moore, to approve - roll call vote
Yeas: Alderman Clark, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Duplechain, Alderman Ward
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
E. Approval of Amendment Number 1 to the Agreement with Sellers & Associates for the Capital Outlay Painting & Repairing of the Elevated Water Tank.
Motion by Alderman Ward and second by Alderwoman Duplechain, to approve - roll call vote
Yeas: Alderman Clark, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Duplechain, Alderman Ward
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
F. Approval of Amendment Number 1 to the Agreement with Sellers & Associates for the Water Sector Program-Phase I and II.
Alderman Clark motioned for approval, second by Alderwoman Moore. Roll call vote
Yeas: Alderman Clark, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Duplechain, Alderman Ward
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
Adjourn There being no further business to bring before the Board of Aldermen a motion by Alderman Bourgeois and second by Alderman Clark to adjourn the meeting carried with a voice vote of all yea, and no abstain.
_________________/s/________________
Carol Bourgeois Jr., Mayor
ATTEST:
__________/s/__________________
Susan Colden City Clerk
MINUTES REGULAR MEETING-BOARD OF ALDERMEN Monday November 14, 2022
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