Monday January 11, 2021 Meeting of Board of Aldermen

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Monday January 11, 2021 Meeting of Board of Aldermen

Postby City Clerk » Thu Jan 21, 2021 3:19 pm

CITY OF JEANERETTE JEANERETTE, LA
MINUTES MEETING-BOARD OF ALDERMEN Monday January 11, 2021
Proceedings of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Jeanerette, State of Louisiana, at their regular meeting held Monday January 11, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.
Those present were: Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr. Alderman Clarence Clark, Alderwoman Charlene Moore Aldermen Willie Ward, and Louis Lancon, Absent Aldermen Garland Bourgeois, Also present: City Clerk Susan Colden, Treasurer Catherine Roy,
Alderman Clark led in prayer and Alderman Lancon led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr. determined that a quorum was present.
5. Alderman Clark moved and Alderman Lancon seconded Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 14, 2020 with all necessary corrections. Motion carried of voice vote of all yea.
Alderman Clark also motioned to expand the agenda to have a discussion to allow a family to adopt the Guiberteau Street area in honor of Kendal Thompson Jr. who was killed in an act of gun violence. Motion was seconded by Alderwoman Moore. Roll Call Vote as follows;
Yeas: Alderman Lancon, Alderman Ward, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Clark
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed
Alderman Clark requested to expand the agenda to include a Resolution Proclamation for Ms Dianne Whitehead Broussard. Motion by Alderman Lancon was seconded by Alderman Ward. Motion passed with a voice vote of all yea.
6. Announcements by the Mayor: The Mayor recognized Mr. Tyrone Glover who serves as the Community Outreach Coordinator for Congressman Clay Higgins. Mr. Glover addressed the board and extended greetings from Congressman Higgins and reminded the board that there are several grants with USDA coming up that should help our citizens. Mr. Glover then stated he is removing his hat as a representative for the Congressman and putting on his private citizen’s hat. Mr. Glover also said he was also here for the Stop the Violence walk that the Thompson family invited him to attend. The Mayor then stated it has been 18 months since the current Mayor and council have been in place and there has been great progress made. The Mayor feels the most important factor is the health and welfare of the community and quality of life going forward, and the fiscal picture is in better shape. Jeanerette also did not properly maintain the water and sewer plants for many years. We have a water and sewer operator through our third party operators, State Wide Electric and we are now getting good reports from DEQ and LDH and yes our water is safe. It is also required to that the city maintain certain rates so the city may qualify for grants. We are waiting feedback on our audit report and expect a good report. The Mayor also relayed that the Jeanerette Chamber has postponed the annual Outstanding Citizen Banquet and the Jeanerette Mardi Gras association has postponed this year’s parade and the Magnificent Men have also postponed their annual Martin Luther King observance.
6A Resolution Proclamation of Sympathy for Ms. Dianne Whitehead Broussard. Alderman Clark introduced Ms. Broussard’s daughter Mika Burgs, and she came forward to receive the Proclamation.
7.A Report from the Tuesday January 5, 2021 Policy and Personnel Committee Meeting
Present-Mayor Carol Bourgeois, Susan Colden City Clerk, Treasurer Catherine Roy, Alderman Clarence Clark, and Alderwoman Charlene Moore. The committee is recommending that the board adopt Policy 30 Ethics, in accordance with state law. This law requires that all employees, including elected officials, must submit a signed copy of this policy with their training certificate by February 15th of each year. New employees must submit within 30 days of hire. This information will turned into the payroll clerk for tracking. The committee also reviewed a new employee evaluation review form. Policy 7 states that employee evaluations will be performed every 6 months. The committee is setting a March and September timeframe for all employee evaluations to be completed. There was discussion to incorporate the Authorization to Release information and the Consent for Background Check into the application for employment to provide better pre-employment information. The committee will draft a letter to potential consultants to help strengthen current police policies and procedures. With no other business to consider the meeting was adjourned..
7.B Report from the Wednesday January 6th , 2021 City of Jeanerette Finance Committee Meeting
Present- Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr., Treasurer Catherine Roy, City Clerk Susan Colden, and Alderwoman Charlene Moore and Calvin Bodin. The JFD Monthly report and Sales Tax reports were reviewed and it was noted that Sales Tax were down but within projections. Utility billing reflected the corrections and as expected. The bank accounts are in line and all of the accounts except for the Payroll and Disbursement accounts are now interest bearing. Lamp accounts are in line and the cash flow analysis is good. The Aged Payables were reviewed. The effect of the closure of Hon Iron on tax revenues was discussed. The December P& L statements were reviewed and expenditures should be at 50% at this point. The Ad Valorem collections are looking good. Budget amendments and desires were discussed. With no other business to consider the meeting was adjourned. Alderman Clark inquired about the effect of Hon Iron closure. Catherine Roy stated we lost some tax revenue since the Louisiana tax commission did a change order when they moved out and reduced their inventory. We have not seen the sales tax effect as that will lag in the report. Ms. Roy added that this will possibly roll forward next year for Ad-Valorem
7.C Report from the Thursday, January 7, 2021 City of Jeanerette Public Works Committee Meeting The Mayor explained that this committee is expanding to Include Public Works, Public Safety and Public Safety Chief Landry and Chief Vallot will be providing input in the future. Present - Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr., Treasurer Catherine Roy, Aldermen Louis Lancon and Butch Bourgeois, and Wade Tillman from public works. Mayor commended Public Works on its reactions and responses to the City’s needs. Public Works Report: Grass cutting on 15 streets and City owned/affiliated properties. 8 streets; ditch, drainage and trash removal and cleaning. 12 streets; pothole repairs. 3 catch basin repairs completed. 3 water leaks addressed and one on W. Main that has been marked and will be repaired in the coming week. Hydrant leak on Church Street has seal on order. Notice to customers, schools, and commercial customers is given if/when water is turned off for repairs. Mayor requested Public Works drainage and supervisors attend drainage training on March 11 offered by LATA. Disposal of old tires at City Barn was discussed. The response from DOTD about the Canal and MLK intersection being added to their study list was discussed. With no other business to consider the meeting was adjourned.
7D. Neal Swain from Statewide Electric on Water and Sewer Operations, Mr. Swain reported that they are there is progress on improving the sewer system with the improvements that the contractors are doing. There was a failure of a motor starter at the main station and Mr. Swain had a replacement in his truck and changed it out. There were some trash issues on Pellerin clogging pumps. On the water, there was a good report from testing contractor and they reported zero discoloration and no issues with residuals across all the test sites. The hardness is going down about 65% and Mr. Swain feels that should continue to go down as the brine continues to saturate the system. Alderman Lancon stated that we need to remind citizens now that the hardness is going down they should flush their hot water tanks to remove sediment.
8. Agenda Items
A. Discussion of City Attorney- The Mayor reminded the council that our former City Attorney Roger Hamilton has resigned and the Mayor has received 2 resumes. Our fiscal administrator, Mr. David Greer has recommended to contact the District Attorney’s office to see if one of their attorneys could assist the City. Alderman Lancon asked if the City is planning on advertising and the Mayor stated that Mr. Greer recommended it. Alderman Clark inquired if the board could appoint an interim attorney Alderman Lancon recommended that we advertise immediately. Ms. Roy said that the DA’s Office would offer assistance if there was a need in the interim. After a lengthy discussion, the matter was tabled to determine the next best steps. Alderman Lancon moved and Alderman Clark seconded to advertise for an attorney. Roll call vote was as follows:
Roll Call Vote as follows;
Yeas: Alderman Lancon, Alderman Ward, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Clark
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed
B. Proposal for Pellerin St. Lift Station Improvements Mayor Bourgeois Jr. introduced the proposal and Alderman Lancon moved and Alderman Ward seconded to allow the Mayor to sign the Proposal for Pellerin St. Lift Station Improvements. Roll call vote was as follows:
Yeas: Alderman Lancon, Alderman Ward, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Clark
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed
C. Proposal for Removal & Install of Existing Pumps Mayor Bourgeois Jr. introduced the proposal and outlined that the pump in Station 10 would be moved to the Pellerin station. Alderman Lancon moved and Alderman Ward seconded to allow the Mayor to sign the Proposal for Removal and Installation of Existing Pumps. Roll call vote was as follows:
Yeas: Alderman Lancon, Alderman Ward, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Clark
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed
D. Adopt Policy 30 Ethics Alderman Clark introduced the policy and Alderman Lancon moved and Alderman Clark seconded to Adopt Policy #30, Ethics for the City. Roll call vote was as follows:
Yeas: Alderman Lancon, Alderman Ward, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Clark
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed

The Mayor reported that the City has a plaque to present to former City Attorney Roger Hamilton, unfortunately Mr. Hamilton was unable to attend tonight’s meeting

8E Discussion to allow family to show honor on Guiberteau Street area for Kendal Thompson Jr. who was killed in an act of gun violence. Ms. Shareka Williams, mother of Kendal Thompson Jr. addressed the board and said that they wish to adopt the street, they do not wish to change the street name, they would like to have a remembrance marker placed on the street and each year on the 17th of January hold a Stop the Violence Walk. The Mayor encouraged the Ms. Williams to talk with the neighbors, Alderman Clark suggested a small cement marker with plaque. Alderman Lancon suggested to confirm with public works. After a brief discussion the board requested the family provide a drawing and proposal to next meeting for approval. Alderman Ward suggested and the family agreed if they would be able to temporarily able to place the marker for the walk on the 17th. Mr. Glover donated funds to the family to purchase the marker. The family agreed to the board’s request and will return next month for permanent placement approval of the marker.

9. Adjourn There being no further business to bring before the Board of Aldermen, motion by Alderman Lancon and second by Alderman Clark to adjourn the meeting carried with a voice vote of all yea.



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Carol Bourgeois Jr., Mayor
ATTEST:



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Susan Colden
City Clerk

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