Notice of regular meeting December 12, 2022

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Notice of regular meeting December 12, 2022

Postby City Clerk » Wed Dec 21, 2022 9:26 am

CITY OF JEANERETTE JEANERETTE, LA
MINUTES REGULAR MEETING-BOARD OF ALDERMEN Monday December 12, 2022
Proceedings of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Jeanerette, State of Louisiana, at their Regular meeting held Monday December 12, 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
Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr. led in prayer and Alderman Ward led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr. determined that a quorum was present.
5. Approval of Minutes of the Last Regular Meeting on November 14th Regular Meeting - Alderwoman Moore moved and Alderman Bourgeois seconded to approve Minutes of the Last Regular Meeting on November 14th, Motion carried by voice vote of all yea, no nay and no abstain.
Approval of the Minutes for the Last Special Meeting on November 18th Special Meeting Alderman Bourgeois moved and Alderwoman Moore seconded to approve Minutes of the Last Special Meeting on November 18rd, Motion carried by voice vote of all yea, , no nay and no abstain.
6. Correspondence by Mayor-.
7. Announcements by Mayor. KLFY Food Net for Families was a success and the Event has a long history in our area starting with Martrell Foucheau Citron who first approached Mayor Verret, she asked the City to partner with her for the Food For Families Program. The group then reached out to local churches to sponsor as well and the First Church of God in Christ stepped forward. And under the 501C3 Alpha Community outreach they do the food pantry. This year’s event brought in 4,000 lbs of food, which is less then previous years. Another item is from the budget that was passed in June allocated $50,000 to the Marshal’s office and The Mayor hand delivered the check today. The Mayor then recognized our Commissioner at the Port of Iberia, Simieon Theodile, Sr. regarding a Job Fair for employment at companies such as PMI and Chart. The event was held at the Jeanerette Chamber office. The event was organized in part by the President of the Chamber, Rev Wilfred Johnson and had 195 people apply for jobs at the Port, and Mr. Theodile commented that there are positions available from entry level to skilled labor. Finally the City has been actively involved with seeking street lighting improvements and the Mayor has met with Willie Bergeron who is the CLECO governmental contact, and the group hopes to meet soon with the engineer Mr. Elridge Little Jr. to gather the forms, diagrams and cost for the lighting improvements. On the street improvements there is 1.5 million, in combination from the ARPA Fund, ACT 170 that will be combined under the LCDBG. The Mayor reported that he has shared with the Aldermen the initial map containing evaluation of streets that need repair.
8. A. Report from the Tuesday, December 6, 2022 Policy and Personnel Committee Meeting Present- Alderwoman Charlene Moore, Alderman Clarence Clark, Susan Colden City Clerk, and Treasurer Liz Verdun. The group reviewed proposed changes to Ordinance Section 11-5026.2 Day-time curfew regulations for minors of compulsory school age; parental duty imposed; penalties for violations. The age of the minor needs to be changed to 18 to align with current law and the hours of school will be revised. The changes will be introduced at the council meeting. The committee then made changes to Policy 10, City Holidays. City Hall has been re-established as a polling site. In the event of an election occurring on a work day the staff at City Hall will have a holiday that day. Finally, there is a mandatory reporting form that needs to be submitted each February documenting any reports of sexual harassment. This requirement was added to Policy 26, sexual harassment. After a brief discussion on various updates, the meeting was adjourned.
B Report from the Tuesday, December 6, 2022 Finance Committee Present - Alderwoman Charlene Moore, Alderman Ray Duplechain, Treasurer Liz Verdun and City Clerk Susan Colden and Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr.. Also present, Stacey Bienvenu and John Caro from Brown & Brown. John Caro reported that the property, causality, physical damage and auto may have in total a $14,000 increase. Travelers may be interested being the insurance carrier 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 of 8% around April of next year. General Liability will have a small increase. It was noted that we need to update our listing of drivers. 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 is recommending plan 70/50 $3,500 F that is an 85/15 employer/employee split. This plan will keep the same prescription and office visit benefits, but just increase the maximum deductible. The cost to the employee will increase $4.37, but most employees should see a smaller increase since it is pre-tax deduction. The cost to the City will increase $14,838.45. There will be no change on the Lincoln cost or benefits. Open enrollment is in January. Utility Billing is on par with a total of 1975 customers and 77 customers are now using bank draft to pay. Collection of Utility payments is good. Sales tax is higher than last year. 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 12/05/2022 was available and % used should be at or under 42%. The committee reviewed the P & L and noted a few areas that might need to be monitored but each department is within the percentages. The license renewals letters have been sent out. With no other business to consider, the meeting was adjourned.
C. Report from the Tuesday, December 6, 2022 City of Jeanerette Public Works and Safety Committee Meeting Present- Alderman Butch Bourgeois, City Clerk Susan Colden, Public Works Director Howard White Public Works Director, Supervisor Wade Tillman, Chief Landry, and Treasurer Liz Verdun. Chief Landry reported there were 76 total calls, 66 city and 10 auto aid. Unit 601 was out of service 11/9-11/18 with a bad valve, and 602 was out of service 11/11-11/14 with a busted line, during this period the truck from District 11 was available. The department delivered 22 Thanksgiving baskets. New pagers and 2 dual band radios were ordered with the remaining share of funds from the parish. There contractor who repairs fire hydrants was contacted and will review problem hydrants. Supervisor Tillman reported that Public Works department hired 2 new employees. They also had 11 Dottie markings, filled 27 potholes, replaced a sign, and 4 water leaks were repaired. Trees were trimmed in 7 areas and grass was cut in 20 areas. Chief Vallot’s report was read and reported 116 total calls, 12 citations issued, 7 misdemeanors arrests, 4 felony arrests and 4 juvenile arrests. With no other business to consider the meeting was adjourned.
D. Statewide Electric on Sewer and Water Operations by Neal Swain-Sewer report, there were some glitches at the St. Nicholas Station which turned out to be the backup floats with where relocated. At King Joseph station the motor, breaker, and motor starter have been installed, just waiting on a surge protector. Once that is in the other motor can be used. Regarding the station at City Barn, the pump is good but the motor is bad. After a brief discussion clarifying the motor was not part of the project The Board urged Mr. Swain to get it replaced. Alderman Clark asked about the progress at the sewer plant. Mr. Swain said it hard to do everything normally required with the construction and we are on the bypass mode with the bar screen, and if both clarifiers get overloaded with trash because the bar screen is bypassed that could damage the clarifiers. On water side, there is minor plumbing issues, spot flushing working everything else is good.
The Mayor then gave an additional update on the ongoing audit-going well, The Jeanerette Chamber and New Chapter PUSH is announcing third annual Christmas on the Main, Dec 21, 5 pm. The Chamber meeting will be 6 pm on Thursday the 15th at their office.
E. David Dahlquist with the Bayou Teche National Water and Paddle Trail Project Update on status of kayak docks and kiosk and directional signs leading to them. The state will install the signs on the highway at no cost but we will need to install the local signs as well as helping to cover the cost of the signs and materials. Jeanerette’s portion is $900. On motion by Alderman Bourgeois and second by Alderman Clark to approve the cost of the signs to be paid out of the Sign account in the street department.
F. Jeanerette Mardi Gras Association Parade discussion-Norma Bazar and Diamond of the Jeanerette Mardi Association, Krewe of Ezana, Miss Norma reviewed the items needed for the parade on February 12, 2023. Mayor Bourgeois Jr. had Chief Vallot give a recap of the efforts to secure additional officers, the chief has sent requests out to 30 police departments and 6 sheriff offices and the deadline for responses is December 23, 2022. Alderman Clark, said that we could do the waiver of open container now, on motion by Alderman Clark and second by Alderman Ward to grant waiver of open container for the parade.
Yeas: Alderman Clark, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Duplechain, Alderman Ward
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
The cooperative agreement will be updated after the 23rd, if there are enough security personnel available per Chief Vallot. Alderman Clark motioned and Alderman Ward seconded to grant the Mayor the authority to sign the agreement if there is sufficient security as determined by the police chief.
Yeas: Alderman Clark, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Duplechain, Alderman Ward
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
There was a discussion concerning barricades, to see if any can be borrowed from surrounding cities.
9.Agenda Items
A. Approval of Contract Change Order No. 7 2021-2022 Capital Outlay, project # 8227-15-Introduction by Mr. Gene Sellers-This change order reflects balancing what has been used and not used on the project. removing the items results in a net increase of $30,529.00. On motion by Alderman Duplechain and second by Alderman Ward to approve the contract change.
Yeas: Alderman Clark, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Duplechain, Alderman Ward
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
Estimate for Partial Payment No. 6 for the sewer system rehab project, 2021-2022 Capital Outlay, project # 8227-15
This estimate represent completion of 71.18% of the project and is for $57,095. On motion by Alderman Bourgeois and second by Alderman Ward to approve the payment.
Yeas: Alderman Clark, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Duplechain, Alderman Ward
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
B. Approval of Estimate for Partial Payment No. 1 for water improvements along LA Hwy 671 (Canal Street) Project #7048-56. This request is for 100% completion of the project for $26,303.40. On motion by Alderman Clark and second by Alderman Bourgeois to approve the payment.
Yeas: Alderman Clark, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Duplechain, Alderman Ward
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
C. John Caro with Brown and Brown on Workers Comp, Auto, liability, Fire and property renewal. Introduction by John Caro reviewing that last year the City moved the policies from Travelers to Brookshire Hathaway, and Travelers wanted to get the business back and requoted. Traveler’s was less expensive but the deductible’s were notably higher therefore the City should remain with the current policy. Regarding property, general liability, fire, workers compensation crime, inland marine, equipment breakdown, represents a total package increase of total premium increase of $21,000. On motion by Alderman Bourgeois and second by Alderman Clark to approve the policies.
Yeas: Alderman Clark, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Duplechain, Alderman Ward
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
D. Stacey Bienvenu with Brown and Brown on Health insurance coverage. The introduction by Stacy Bienvenu, after discussion on various plans, on motion by Alderman Clark and second by Alderman Bourgeois to approve remaining with the current plan 80/60 $1,500L with the increase.
Yeas: Alderman Clark, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Duplechain, Alderman Ward
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
E. Revise Policy 10, City Holidays, regarding election day. On motion by Alderman Clark and second by Alderman Ward to approve the change to the policy.
Yeas: Alderman Clark, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Duplechain, Alderman Ward
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
F. Revise Policy 26, Sexual Harassment to include new reporting requirement-Alderman Clark introduced the new requirement
Motion by Alderwoman Moore and second by Alderman Clark, to approve the change to the policy- roll call vote
Yeas: Alderman Clark, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderman Duplechain, Alderman Ward
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
A. Introduce Ordinance 2022-12 to Amend and Reenact Section 5026.2 Daytime curfew regulations for Minors Alderman Clark introduced the change in age to 18 and times. There was a discussion regarding homeschooling. This will be looked at before the public meeting. Alderwoman Moore moved and Alderman Clark seconded to approve the introduction of the ordinance, motion carried by voice vote of all yea, no nay and no abstain.


Adjourn There being no further business to bring before the Board of Aldermen a motion by Alderman Clark and second by Alderman Bourgeois 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

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