MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING-BOARD OF ALDERMEN Monday October 14, 2024

[City Clerk]

CITY OF JEANERETTE JEANERETTE, LA
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING-BOARD OF ALDERMEN Monday October 14, 2024
Proceedings of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Jeanerette, State of Louisiana, at their Regular meeting place held Monday October 14th, 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, Alderwoman Christia Simmons, Alderman Ray Duplechain City Attorney Lucretia Pecantte and City Clerk Susan Colden, Alderman Garland Bourgeois was absent.
Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr. determined that a quorum was present. The Mayor stated that the Alderman who requested item 6C. to be introduced requested to have it stricken from the agenda for further review. There was a discussion regarding having the attorney speak to the item but the Mayor said the Alderman requested it be withdrawn and researched. The attorney stated that this did not follow Robert Rules of Order, and needed to be a vote to withdraw. The Mayor disagreed.
5. Public Comments on items 6-13. No Comments
6. A. Approval of Minutes of the Last Regular Meeting September 9, 2024, on motion by Alderwoman Moore, second by Alderman Duplechain, Motion carried on voice vote of all Yea, no Nay.
B. Approval of Minutes of the Last Special Meeting September 23, 2024 on motion by Alderwoman Simmons, second by Alderwoman Clay, Motion carried on voice vote of all Yea, no Nay.
C. Approval of Minutes of the Personnel and Policy Committee Meeting October 8th, 2024 on motion by Alderwoman Moore, second by Alderwoman Clay, Motion carried on voice vote of all Yea, no Nay.
D. Approval of Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting October 8th, 2024 on motion by Alderman Duplechain, second by Alderwoman Moore, Motion carried on voice vote of all Yea, no Nay.
E. Approval of Minutes of the Public Works and Safety Meeting October 8th, 2024 on motion by Alderwoman Simmons, second by Alderwoman Clay, Motion carried on voice vote of all Yea, no Nay.
7.Correspondence by the Mayor-Mayor started by offering our thoughts and prayers to those affected by the tropical storms in Florida and the Carolina’s. There has been a few groups in the area sending supplies, and he noted that the organization lead by Ms. Laura Brown gathered over a 1,000 pairs of socks. The Mayor also provided a report on the Mayor’s conference that was held in Baldwin at Cypress Bayou.
8.Announcements by Mayor-The Mayor recognized National Hispanic Heritage Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Mayor also announced that the boardroom in City Hall has been selected as a early voting location for all the residents of Iberia Parish to use. There will be a ribbon cutting of the early voting area in City Hall on Thursday at 11 am. The Jeanerette Sr. High School Homecoming parade will take place Oct 30 starting at 5 pm. October 31 is Halloween and there will be a Trunk or Treat event at Ward 8 Recreation Center starting at 6 pm. On November 2 will be the second-annual International French Bread Festival at the Main Street Pavilion.
9.Report A Update from Statewide Electrical Services on Sewer and Water Operations-Anderson Clay reported that all of the construction work has been completed at the water plant. Bad weather took out the SCADA system and until that is fixed Lemoine can’t do the startup. For the sewer operations, all the lift stations are working at capacity, they are looking at changing out some pumps and in the next few months all the stations should be at good running order. For the sewer plant the return sludge pump has been installed and should be rewired tomorrow, then it just needs to be primed and then the second clarifier can return to operation. Presently there is one aerator that is working and they are working on the other two to get those back online.
B. Update from Senator Robert Allain III, The Senator first reviewed the funding. The new sewer plant is a 10 million dollar project, 5 million came from water sector, a million from capital outlay, which leaves a balance of 4 million dollars. This remaining can be covered by a DEQ loan and hopefully a Delta Regional authority grant. The Senator invited the board and public to set a meeting with him to get more information. He stated that no one wants to talk about rate increases, but there will be some mandated for operational expenses. He just wanted to emphasize that this funding may not be available again in a long time. The State is facing a large shortfall. If the plant continues to have permit violations, DEQ could force the city to build a new plant and the entire cost will be charged to the utility customers. Alderwoman Simmons asked if there could be a follow up meeting scheduled, the Senator agreed.
C. Update from Kimya Cruz, grant writer from LA Louisiana Consulting Her firm writes the grants and follows them through and works with other State and local organizations depending on the requirements of the grant. Her firms’ goal is to bring funding into the communities for example, broadband dilapidated properties, economic development, development of a master plan. Ms. Cruz then went on to focus on the development of a vision or master plan and it’s importance. It helps communities’ prepare for growth and signals to investor’s that you are ready. The cost to prepare the plan is anywhere between $150,000 and $250,000 and there is funding available to help pay for it. She also said that there is a plan that could be done through UL, and that would use the students to develop the plan, and the costs would be less then an engineering firm would charge. The city could also include in the grant the cost for a consulting firm to promote your City as well have someone come in and do business development. Alderwoman Simmons asked how long it would take, and Ms Cruz replied usually 8 months to a year to create. She went on to emphasize that the process may start with input from the Mayor and Board the citizens must have input in the plan as well.
10. Agenda Items A. Water Treatment Plant Imp. – Phase 1 PPE #10 Lemoine, Final, 9327-06) Introduction by Nick Sonnier, the final start up is delayed because the SCADA system is down. When the replacement is installed the auto startup can be done by Lemoine.as recommended by our engineers, Alderman Duplechain motioned approve contingent on successful startup and training, Alderwoman Simmons seconded, roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: Alderman Bourgeois
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
11.Proclamations-
12.Resolutions-
A. Notice of Intent Resolution 19 of 2024 to issue Taxable Sewer Revenue Bonds Introduction by J Hardy Andrews of Foley & Judell, LLP, This resolution is the first step in the process to secure the funding, there is approval from DEQ for the ceiling amount of 4.4 million for the sewer project, it is a draw down loan so only the funds requested will need to be paid back. The Board wanted to have a meeting with senator Allain to learn more about the funding sources as well as if the City will be awarded any funds from Delta Regional Authority and to tentatively schedule it for Wednesday evening. Alderwoman Clay motioned to table this item Alderwoman Moore seconded, roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderwoman Simmons,
Nay: Alderman Duplechain
Absent: Alderman Bourgeois
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
B. Resolution 20 of 2024 to Authorize Mayor to execute Purchase Agreements for the Sewer Treatment Plant Project Alderwoman Clay motioned to table this item Alderwoman Moore seconded, roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: Alderman Bourgeois
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
C. Resolution 21 of 2024 to Authorize the Mayor the Authority to sign Chitimacha Tribal Council Resolution CHI-TC #105-24, to grant the City of Jeanerette $35,000 towards costs associated with relocation of a sewer line on the site of the new store. Alderman Duplechain motioned to approve this item Alderwoman Simmons seconded, roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: Alderman Bourgeois
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
13. Ordinances
A. Introduce Ordinance 2024-10A. Water and Sewer Rate Increase – After a discussion, Alderman Duplechain motioned to introduce this item Alderwoman Simmons seconded, roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: Alderman Bourgeois
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
B. Introduce Ordinance 2024-10B An ordinance authorizing the issuance by the City of Jeanerette, State of Louisiana of its Taxable Sewer Revenue Bond (DEQ), Alderwoman Clay motioned to table this item Alderwoman Moore seconded, roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: Alderman Bourgeois
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
14. Adjourn-On motion by Alderwoman Moore and second by Alderwoman Simmons and voice vote of all yeah, the meeting was adjourned.



______________/s/___________________
Carol Bourgeois Jr., Mayor
ATTEST:



______________/s/_________________
Susan Colden City Clerk