MINUTES MEETING-Monday September 14, 2020

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MINUTES MEETING-Monday September 14, 2020

Postby City Clerk » Tue Sep 22, 2020 7:02 am

CITY OF JEANERETTE JEANERETTE, LA
MINUTES MEETING-BOARD OF ALDERMEN Monday September 14, 2020
Proceedings of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Jeanerette, State of Louisiana, at their regular meeting held Monday, September 14, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.
Those present were: Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr.; Alderwoman Charlene Moore and Aldermen Louis Lancon, Willie Ward, and Clarence Clark Alderman Garland Bourgeois, Also present: City Attorney Roger Hamilton, City Clerk Susan Colden, Catherine Roy Treasurer, and Chief Dusty Vallot
Rev. Wilfred J. Johnson of the Little Zorah Missionary Baptist Church in New Iberia led in prayer and Josiah Clay led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Bourgeois Jr. determined that a quorum was present.
Alderman Clark moved and Alderwoman Moore seconded Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting August 10th, 2020 with all necessary corrections. Motion carried of voice vote of all yea.
Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr. requested to have the agenda expanded to allow candidate for district attorney, former judge Lori Landry to address the council. Motion by Alderman Clark and second by Alderman Lancon to add item 7H.
Announcements by the Mayor: Mayor Bourgeois Jr. noted that Jeanerette has been spared the impact of the tropical systems and asked that residents keep those communities in prayer that were affected by hurricane Laura and Sally. The Mayor then reminded everyone of the great need to have an accurate census and if they have not filled out the census please do so and to cooperate with the census takers. To raise awareness Sept 19th, 20th and 26th there will be a representative from the US Census Bureau in Jeanerette at our primary retailers such as Mac’s, Dollar General and Family Dollar. September 10th was Suicide Awareness and everyone was encouraged to light a candle in remembrance. Sept 18th the City of Jeanerette along with the First Church of God in Christ will be offering city wide Milk distribution with the support of Borden’s Milk with 1,500 gallons. Reverend Wilfred Johnson then came forward to announce the formation of Jeanerette United which is a group collaboration of the City of Jeanerette, a new Chapter PUSH and Jeanerette Chamber of Commerce are soliciting donations for Hurricane Laura Relief. The non-perishable food, toiletries, baby items, clothing, water and monetary donations will be distributed to churches in the Lake Charles Area. Donations will be accepted until September 30th at Jeanerette City Hall, City Pharmacy, Jeanerette Chamber of Commerce, and the Snack Shack. Checks can be made to A New Chapter PUSH and mailed to the Jeanerette Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 31. The Mayor then outlined all of the grants that the City of Jeanerette will be receiving for upcoming projects FY 2019 LCDBG $937,300 FY 2020 LDEQ $350,000 and these funds will be used towards Sewer Rehabilitation projects. CWEF FY 18-19 $35,000, CWEF FY 19-20 $50,000 LGAP FY 19-20 $25,000 funds will be used towards a water distribution project to bore and extend the water line under the railroad tracks on Hubertville Road to connect the waterline to the west side. Supplemental Appropriation for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 50/ME2 Jeanerette in the amount of $800,124 for Sewer Plant Upgrade. Finally the Mayor expressed the City’s profound appreciation as he presented Anderson Clay Jr. , retiring after 35 years of service as the Public Works Director. The Mayor outlined the many areas Mr. Clay had served the City and also recognized his father and grandfather’s service to the City. Alderman and chairman of the public works committee Butch Bourgeois presented Mr. Clay with a gift and Alderman Clark presented a cross made from wrenches and the Mayor presented Mr. Clay with a service plaque. Mr. Clay spoke and thanked God and the community.
7.A Report from the Tuesday September 8, 2020 Policy and Personnel Committee Meeting
Present-Mayor Carol Bourgeois, Susan Colden City Clerk, Treasurer Catherine Roy, Alderman Clarence Clark, and Alderwoman Charlene Moore, Discussed a new policy for natural disasters that impacts essential and non-essential personnel. This also include procedures to track response efforts for possible FEMA reimbursement. The draft will be submitted to the City Attorney for review prior to submitting to the Board for approval. The local effort to raise funds for the victims of hurricane Laura was shared, with local business such as Mac’s, Family Dollar, Dollar General, City Pharmacy having collection boxes and the Jeanerette Chamber teaming up with Jeanerette United to collect donations Sept 11 – 30th. Everyone felt it was great to buy items locally to support our businesses. Alderman Clark discussed areas where people could really use donations. The Mayor also highlighted that we need to help our residents understand how important it is to fill out the 2020 Census. The City of Jeanerette has low participation rate and we need these numbers to receive funding for food programs, healthcare, roads, government funding and more. Residents can fill out the Census information only until the end of September so there will be a Census Day on Sept 19 to push everyone to get these households counted. With no other business to consider the meeting was adjourned.
7.B Report from the Wednesday September 9, 2020 City of Jeanerette Finance Committee Meeting
Present- Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr., Mr. David Greer, City Clerk Susan Colden, Alderman Louis Lancon, and Alderwoman Charlene Moore and John Caro. John Caro outlined the changes for the renewals for the Property & Inland Marine, VFIS, Crime and Equipment Breakdown. There was some increases in rates, mostly for the property coverage. Possible duplication in coverage areas and dropping coverage on items that are not in use was discussed. The JFD Monthly report and Sales Tax reports were reviewed and it was noted that Sales Tax revenues are still good. Utility billing is behind projections and the bad debt recovery area was explained. August P& L statements were reviewed and expenditures should be at 16.67% at this point. LAMP accounts, bank balances and cash flow projections were reviewed. Mr. Greer presented a sewer and water issue report and the resulting change in Ordinances that will be introduced. With no other issues to discuss the meeting was adjourned.
7.C Report from the Thursday September 10th, 2020 City of Jeanerette Public Works Committee Meeting--Meeting was cancelled due to scheduling conflicts
D. Neal Swain from Statewide Electric on Sewer Operations, Mr. Swain stated that the system did not sustain any damages during the storm. On the Druilhet Station a second pump was added. There was a force main break at the Hon Iron and that repairs were done in a way that works with the major renovations coming soon for the station. There was a massive sink hole at the museum that was about 15 ft deep and was quickly repaired before the storm. The sludge has been removed from the drying beds and the clarifiers been cleaned out and the sample refrigerator was inspected. The refrigerator will need to be replaced but with these changes the City of Jeanerette will be out from under the DEQ Compliance order for the first time in a number of years. Mr. Swain also thanked former public works director Anderson Clay Jr. for his help and told everyone how much knowledge Mr. Clay has, and that Mr. Swain may be needing to call him from time to time.
E. Neal Swain from Statewide Electric on Water Operations, the quality is good with very little complaints in the last few weeks. Mr. Swain then introduced Mr. Eric Mouton who will now be the operator of record in the plant. Alderman Clark had a final question for Mr. Swain regarding the cost of the refrigerator at the water plant for the test samples. Mr. Swain said the cost is about $7,000 because it is a specialized unit for all weather housing of test samples. The Mayor asked about the sludge removal and Mr. Swain stated that the sludge was removed and have the clarifier inspected and put online and install the refrigerator and that should complete the requirements from DEQ. The Mayor thanked Statewide for their efforts. Mr. Swain then introduced Eric Mouton, Mr. Mouton introduced himself and explained the process. He emphasized he wanted to train local persons to quickly respond to incidents. The Mayor thanked Mr. Mouton and then added how the brine system is ready to go back into full operation and how that will further improve our water. The Mayor also reflected on the recent improvements to the water tower, and that we are now turning over the water quicker which also improves the quality.
F. Introduction of Thailund “Tai” Porter-Green, candidate for 16th District Judge, Division H, Ms. Proter-Green addressed the council and provided a brief summary of her experiences and views on court system.
G. Introduction of Alicia Johnson Butler candidate for 16th District Court Judge Division H,, Ms. Butler was not able to attend
H. Introduction of former Judge Lori Landry as candidate for District Attorney, Ms. Landry addressed the council and provided a brief summary of her experiences, qualifications and views on court system
8. A. Bernadine Swarn – Settlement. Alderman Clark moved and Alderwoman Moore seconded to approve the proposed settlement. Voice vote was mixed and roll call vote taken
Yea, Alderman Clark, Alderwoman Moore
Nay Alderman Lancon, Alderman Ward, Alderman Bourgeois
Absent None
Abstain None
Motion failed.
B. Tyler Dauphinet – Settlement. Alderman Clark moved and Alderman Ward seconded to approve the proposed settlement. Motion carried on voice vote of all yea. Alderman Lancon recommended the City pays that item out of line 01-23-62500 Insurance deductible under General Fund Administrative expense.
C. John Caro from Brown and Brown for City Property, Crime, Equipment Breakdown, VFIS and the Travelers Package. Mr. Caro outlined the coverage and outlined increases in rates, mostly for the property coverage. Possible duplication in coverage areas and dropping coverage on items that are not in use was discussed. The City can drop items prior to the beginning of October to reduce the amount of increase. Alderman Lancon moved and Alderman Bourgeois seconded to approve the proposed insurance coverage. Motion carried on voice vote of all yea.
9. A. Adopt Ordinance 2020-08 Amend and Reenact section 7-1015 Tampering Fee 7-1022 (c) after hours Reconnect and disconnect fee and Reread fee and Appendix IV, The purpose of the ordinance is to establish a reread fee and after hours reconnect fee, and to increase the tampering fee. Motion by Alderman Bourgeois Second by Alderman Clark to suspend reading of the Ordinance voice vote of All Yea, motion carried. Motion by Alderman Clark Second by Alderman Bourgeois to leave regular session and enter public meeting, voice vote of All Yea, motion carried. After a brief discussion, on motion by Alderman Clark and second by Alderwoman Moore to Leave Public Meeting and return to Regular Session, Voice Vote of All Yea motion carried
Motion by Alderman Bourgeois second by Alderman Clark to Adopt Ordinance 2020-08 Amend and Reenact section 7-1015 Tampering Fee 7-1022 (c) after hours Reconnect and disconnect fee and Reread fee and Appendix IV
Roll Call
Yea: Alderman Lancon, Alderman Ward, Alderman Bourgeois Alderman Clark, Alderwoman Moore
Nay: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Motion passed, Ordinance has been adopted.
B. Introduce Ordinance 2020-09A AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND REENACT SECTIONS 7-1018 concerning water rates. Motion by Alderman Lancon and second by Alderman Clark to introduce this Ordinance motion carried with a voice vote of all yea, motion carried.
C. Introduce Ordinance 2020-09B AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND REENACT SECTIONS 7-2005 (C) (1) AND (2) concerning sewer rates. Motion by Alderman Clark and second by Alderman Bourgeois to introduce this Ordinance motion carried with a voice vote of all yea, motion carried.
10. Adjourn There being no further business to bring before the Board of Aldermen, motion by Alderman Clark and second by Alderman Bourgeois to adjourn the meeting carried with a voice vote of all yea.



__________________/s/________________

Carol Bourgeois Jr., Mayor
ATTEST:



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Susan Colden
City Clerk

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