MINUTES REGULAR MEETING-BOARD OF ALDERMEN Monday March 11th, 2024

[City Clerk]

CITY OF JEANERETTE JEANERETTE, LA
MINUTES REGULAR MEETING-BOARD OF ALDERMEN Monday March 11th, 2024
Proceedings of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Jeanerette, State of Louisiana, at their Regular meeting place held Monday March 11th, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.
Those present were: Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr., Alderwoman Mariah Clay, Alderwoman Charlene Moore, Alderman Garland Bourgeois, Alderwoman Christia Simmons, Alderman Ray Duplechain. and City Attorney Lucretia Pecantte.
Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr led the prayer and Alderman Bourgeois led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr. determined that a quorum was present.
Alderwoman Simmons offered motion to have the agenda expanded to move item 9B to be item 10 F, Disposition of Contract between JPD and Marshal, second by Alderwoman Clay. roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None,
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
The Mayor also reported that Sate Representative Marcus Bryant was unable to attend the meeting tonight, and to strike item 10 E., because Rodney Richards will not be attending the meeting.
5. Public Comments on items 6-13. No Comments
6. A. Approval of Minutes of the Last Regular Meeting February 12, 2024-On motion by Alderman Bourgeois and second by Alderwoman Clay to approve carried on voice vote of all yea, no nay, no abstentions
B. Approval of Minutes of the Personnel and Policy Committee Meeting March 5, 2024-Meeting did not occur for lack of quorum.
C. Approval of Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting March 5, 2024-Meeting did not occur for lack of quorum, The Mayor did mention that the sales tax is still looking healthy.
D. Approval of Minutes of the Public Works and Safety Meeting March 5, 2024 On motion by Alderman Bourgeois and second by Alderwoman Clay to approve carried on voice vote of all yea, no nay, no abstentions
7. Correspondence by the Mayor-The Mayor announced that Mr. Gary Colden of Jeanerette has just been selected as the Executive Director for the Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce. The Mayor then mentioned that it was Susan Colden’s birthday. The Mayor reminded everyone that Easter Sunday is March 31 and remember the reason for the season.
8. Announcements by the Mayor-The Mayor attended the LMA Conference on Feb 27-28 and there are some changes to the leadership and the new director is Barney Arceneaux. March 16th is the 2nd annual Creole Festival at Albania Mansion from 10 am-6 pm. Next he highlighted the improvements coming to City Park and King Joseph Recreation Center thanks in part to the efforts of the Parks and Rec commissioners John Boudreaux and Leroy Jones. March 24th there will be an Easter Egg hunt at 11 am at King Joesph. Last weekend there was a successful fund raiser for St. Jude’s at D & B with Alderman Bourgeois playing the sax and Alderman Duplechain cooking jambalaya and the event will be held again the 16th. The Mayor outlined the infrastructure projects and the next phase will repair Ira, Cypremort, Jennifer Ann and Pellerin streets.
9 A. Update from Statewide Electric on Water and Sewer Operations -The representative was unable to attend but the Mayor said the work at the water plant is going well and the council is invited to tour the sewer plant. The chlorination system needs to be repaired at the sewer and water plant.
State Representative Marcus Bryant arrived at the meeting and addressed the meeting. He outlined his background, and said he looks forward to serving the City and described the boundaries of his district. His goal is to bring resources to Jeanerette in terms of bricks and mortar. He also touched on a few bills including getting domestic seafood in the schools, blight, The Mayor thanked Mr. Bryant for the help even before he was officially named our representative helping with our capital outlay request. There was a discussion about the resurfacing of state highways in the area. He touched on the local connections to the true decision makers and noted he sits on the ways and means committee. He also outlined some possible changes in the tax structure and the impact that could have on the local governments and the importance of agriculture and energy industries and pointed to the upcoming job fair. He finished by saying he wants to work for the area and to give him ideas what needs to be done.
9B. Report from the Hiring Committee Alderwoman Clay reported that the committee is scheduled to meet on March 12, 2024 at 5 pm in the council chambers.
10. A. Approval of PPE #7 to Frisco for $120,893.54 for work to 2/28/2024, 82.83% complete. 9327-07-Introduction by Nick Sonnier -Alderman Duplechain offered motion to approve Policy #7 second by Alderman Bourgeois. roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None,
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
B. Approval of PPE#7 (Final) to Southern Coatings for the amount of $32,835.97 100% complete 9327-04, Introduction by Nick Sonnier -Alderman Duplechain offered motion to approve PPE#7 (Final) to Southern Coatings second by Alderwoman Simmons. roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None,
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
C. To authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Simon & Simon, Attorneys at Law, to perform title research and coordinate the execution of purchase agreements with the property owners for the sewer treatment plant upgrade. Introduction by Nick Sonnier-Alderman Duplechain offered motion to approve agreement second by Alderwoman Moore. roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None,
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
D. To authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with a geotechnical engineering firm to perform a geotechnical report for the sewer treatment plant upgrade Introduction by Nick Sonnier Alderman Duplechain offered motion to approve agreement second by Alderwoman Simmons. roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None,
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
D. Presentation by Rodney L Richard, from Building Code Inspection Services LLC concerning services for clearance program- CANCELED- he was not in attendance. The Mayor stated that Jacob Weaver from the Iberia Parish Permitting office will be assisting the city for the inspection services required by the clearance program.
E Disposition of Contract between Jeanerette Police Department and Marshal Martin on Police Protection. Report of first month activities by Marshal’s office given by Marshal Martin. Chief Vallot was absent, there was discussion that the agreement is producing a higher level of protection but there is still a very high level of overtime in the police department and there is concern that this is not sustainable. There was a discussion about the policy for authorization of overtime. After some discussion, Alderman Bourgeois offered a motion to extend the current agreement second by Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Simmons amended the motion to change the date the agreement ends to April 8, 2024. roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None,
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
Alderman Duplechain and Attorney Pecantte stated that the vote should have been on the amended motion and then original motion. Alderman Bourgeois rescinded his original motion and Alderman Bourgeois offered motion to extend the current agreement to April 8, 2024 second by Alderwoman Simmons, roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None,
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
11.Proclamations-
12.Resolutions-
A. Resolution 4 of 2024 to Grant the Mayor the Authority to Sign & Submit for the LCDBG Block Grant Clearence Program- Introduction by Nick Sonnier-Alderwoman Simmons offered motion to Grant the Mayor the Authority to Sign & Submit for the LCDBG Block Grant Clearence Program second by Alderwoman Clay, roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None,
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
13. Ordinances
A. Adoption of Ordinance 2024-02 to Amend the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget- On motion by Alderwoman Simmons and second by Alderman Bourgeois to leave regular session and enter public meeting carried on voice vote of all yea, no nay, no abstentions. Upon hearing no questions. - On motion by Alderman Bourgeois and second by Alderman Duplechain to leave public meeting and return to regular session carried on voice vote of all yea, no nay, no abstentions. Alderwoman Moore offered motion to Adopt the Amended Budget second by Alderman Bourgeois, roll call vote
Yeas: Alderwoman Clay, Alderwoman Moore, Alderman Bourgeois, Alderwoman Simmons, Alderman Duplechain
Nay: None
Absent: None,
Abstain: None
Motion Carried
14. Adjourn on motion by Alderman Bourgeois and second by Alderwoman Simmons and a voice vote of all yea, no nay, no abstentions the meeting was adjourned.



_______________/s/____________________
Carol Bourgeois Jr., Mayor
ATTEST:



____________/s/___________________
Susan Colden City Clerk