Minutes from the Tuesday July 8, 2025 Personnel and Policy Committee Meeting

[City Clerk]

Minutes from the Tuesday July 8, 2025 Personnel and Policy Committee Meeting
Present- Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr., Finance Manager Christie Conner, Susan Colden City Clerk, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderwoman Moore, and also present Public Works Director Howard White and Payroll Clerk Alida Alexander. The Mayor called the meeting to order and led the prayer. There were no public comments. First, the Mayor said there were discussions regarding Policy 10-City Holidays for Public Works, and it was noted that there is some need for clarification for on call, call out compensation in this policy. Currently the policy seems to state if an employee is on-call and is called to work they will be paid their overtime wage for actual time worked with a minimum of two hours. If they are not called to work, they are still paid overtime for two hours. Alderwoman Simmons said this policy had been revised during Mayor Foulcard’s administration. She added that her understanding was that the employee receives 2 hours for being on call and then actual time worked when called to work. She added if the employee received 2 hours for each call-out that would be a lot of overtime. Howard White then said that the 2 hours minimum pay is set to a 2-hour window of time. He added if they are called out 10 times during that 2-hour window then they still only receive 2 hours of overtime. The Mayor feels that the employee should receive 2 hours for being on call and then overtime for actual time worked when called to work. Alida said, when Howard assigns someone to be on-call they are automatically gives them call-out compensation of 2 hours of overtime. If that employee is called out, even if it is 10 minutes, 30 minutes as long as it is within the 2-hour range. Alderwoman Simmons said to keep it simplified, should they get on-call compensation (as a perk for having to be on call) and then be paid overtime for actual time worked. Alida said this will also affect our meter readers, when they have to go and turn meters off /on after hours. And while they don’t receive the on call pay they have been subject to the 2-hour window. Alida just wants it clear because it affects people’s pay. Alderwoman Simmons then stated for clarification if an employee worked 4-hours then they would receive 2 hours overtime for being on call and then 4 hours overtime for time worked. The Mayor felt that they should just be paid for the 4-hours worked the cumulative time. There was discussion about what was easier to track the 2-hour windows in the day or cumulative actual time with paying at least 2 hours minimum. Payroll clerk Alida, brought up if the 2 times called were morning and late in the day what is the pay and the Mayor felt it should be actual time with at least 2-hour minimum; Howard disagreed. Alderwoman Simmons said should we increase the on -call rate? Alderwoman Moore said why not pay them for the whole day at straight time? Alida said we just need to have a decision on what way and have everyone on board. The Mayor also added that he felt there should also be a rotation to who is on call. The Mayor said let’s try to work something up. Alderwoman Simmons said isn’t it simpler just to have the on-call 2-hour overtime and then actual time worked with a minimum of 2 hours? The Mayor said how about we review and decide next meeting. Next, Alderwoman Simmons Proposed Ordinance revising Sec. 11-5029 Open Container and she stated that the shaded areas were changes to the to the ordinance that Chief Moore first gave her to review. On motion by Alderwoman Simmons and second by Alderwoman Moore to accept the ordinance with the changes Chief Moore suggested and bring it to the council to for introduction. Next was Proposed Ordinance 10-403 thru 10-4011 Parade Regulations, Alderwoman Simmons noted that Chief Moore is adding quite a few extra sections and the additional restraints that are very specific. Alderwoman Simmons called attention to section 5- concerning the applicant for a permit must hold a hold harmless agreement and file with the application and a certificate of comprehensive public liability insurance in the applicant’s name, naming the City as an additional insured. She noted the name on the policy and the applicant applying for the permit needs to be the same. Alderwoman Simmons then asked Chief Moore how much the policy needs to be for since both 1 million and 500,000 coverage amounts are mentioned, she felt just name one amount. The Mayor interjected that he usually has seen 1 million, and Chief Moore agreed. Under the section 10-4005 Parade Designated Route, Alderwoman Simmons called attention that this is whole new Ordinance. She also asked what if there are other parades that are not listed? Chief Moore said we can add a sentence to cover any that are not listed. Alderwoman Simmons made a motion to introduce the Ordinance with the changes noted, Alderwoman Moore seconded. Alderwoman Simmons then brought up the governing of Food trucks in the City. She said that the State has their laws and the Parish has their Laws. She believes that we should not be issuing any permits unless the applicant has satisfied the full Parish requirements to keep the public safe. She added that she is trying to have the regulations in order before the Mardi Gras event with all the food truck issues that have come up. The Mayor agreed that an ordinance is needed and asked how would you handle non-profit and churches, Alderwoman Simmons responded that it should be the same, to ensure the food is safe. Chief Moore said it can state in the Ordinance if certain groups are exempt from any of the requirement set in the Ordinance. It was brought up that if permit is issued, we need to inform the police. Alderman Simmons warned about the special event permit, that is regulated by state. With no other items to discuss the Mayor adjourned the meeting.


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




__________/s/_____________________
Susan Colden City Clerk